I just need support!

Hey guys. I'm only 17 but I think I'm old enough to start really worrying about my diet, plus I'm "slightly overweight". My problem is this: I live in central Minnesota, in a city of about 4,000. There are so few people here that actually care about there weight, that it makes it extremly difficult to care about mine. I'm sick of my extra flub around my belly, thighs, and legs and I just want to looooose it. I can't get motivated enough to go out and exercise everyday.

It's also very hard for me to make healthy food decisions...
We have TONS of fast food restaurants, (such as McDonalds, Burger King, Dairy Queen, Taco John's, Quiznos, and Subway)....and that just makes it even harder. My mom always want to cook up a steak or make just eggs and toast for something. She never wants to actually think through the calories and nutrients we would be getting from our meal....

I just really have no where to start and it's soooo frustrating. But I want to slim up for my senior year....

Any tips would be awesome.

My friend, the answer lies inside. It doesnt matter what your surroundedwith, i bet you have a supermarket with fresh fruit a veg, and plain things like pasta, rice, low fat vareties of yogurt etc.
If you're not to into counting cals check the USDA's my pyramid tracker. It'll help you on your way.
My tip is dont even bother with the fast food. its MUCH cheapier and tastier and HEALTHIER to make your own. This is coming from a girl who cant eat fat (gall bladder is spack) and only has a micorwave and a toaster.Subway can be incorperated I guess. But its so much ebtter making your own fake subway and having that every day.
You dont need to focus on cals, just cutting back on the thigns you sont need. Thta wesbite will helpo
Dont worry, you've made the first step many donteven get to - realising the problem and wanting to change.

You need to sit down with your mum once you've made a plan, and explain to her, you're serous and if she wants to help you and your whole family, she can. If not, then you're going to try and do it on your own. Dont be mean, just explain its your body and your future! Doesnt she want to be around for her grandkids?

I agree with red herring on the eating side, but also want to point out that if you find some sport or other exercise you like, you'll almost surely be happier with your figure. "Fit" is more attractive than skinny, and more fun too.

I never could get into exercise either at your age but I loved both swimming and rollerskating. So I did those. Swimming especially makes you look gorgemous...

At 17 you can certainly take over some cooking duties, if you don't know how to cook yet it's definitely time to learn. Offer to cook for your family (is it just you and your mom?), go to the recipes here on CC and find something that looks good. Then clean the kitchen when you are done! or cut a deal with your mom that if you cook she'll clean. Try not to trash the kitchen out, that will backfire. Wash up as you go when you cook, it quickly becomes a habit and you'll be glad when you are in your first apartment with a tiny kitchen - because that is how first apartments ARE! - and you'll know how to get a meal out without covering every available surface with dirty dishes....

hey start a new trend... the situation you're describing about your town is like the one that was in my office recently... then a few people quietly started getting healthy and losing weight... when others started noticing all the positives they started taking care of themselves and losing weight as well... I promice you you're not the only one in your town feeling like they need to lose weight, you just might be the first one to decide to actually get off your duff and do it... I agree with the others do it for yourself... but just watch around you and you'll notice others starting to quietly follow your lead when they notice how healthy you are :)

you have already made a healthy decision by trying - congrats on taking the first step. i know it is had because you aren't in charge of shopping or cooking and you probably don't have a ton of money but here are a few things you can do.

first whatever your mom makes start tracking the calories on your own just 2 see what you are currently eating

second start to portion control maybe that steak is too many calories but instead of eating all of it maybe you can only eat half of it.

figure out how many calories you burn in a day and stay about 500 calories below that

since you are in hs i know that this is the most difficult -- try to find some sort f activity to participate in --even if it is only once a week -- maybe a friendly softball or volleyball league or something - some gyms offer a special student membership rate -- maybe even just for the rest of the summer.

good luck - you can do it but remember it isn't a diet -- it is a change in lifestyle -- i am from the midwest too and know how you feel

Don't touch the fast food, man.  That's the only advice I can really give you.  Anytime you order low-grade food products that are served (preferrably) in under a minute, no good can come of it.  Sure the high calories and fat will get to you if you're not all too active, but the salt content, corn syrup and other things that have been marketed to the point of habit can not only make you unfit, but can kill you.  But what can't these days?  ;)  What I have made a habit of doing (and it's working!) and I encourage is walking to your nearest grocer (if within reasonable distance) and buying the things you want to cook for dinner that evening.  Sure it's not the best solution, I'm sure, but it's a good start for getting into better habits concerning food.  Hope that helped.

You're starting at the right age, follow your mind and find plan that works for you.  And don't get up...you can do it!!!

Steak and eggs can be healthy.  They are good sources of protein.  The key is to cut your steak into single serving sizes and portion it out so that you only have one serving with each meal.  Add a side of frozen veggies (they can be microwaved in about 5 minutes) and you've got a great meal.