New and a little concerned... looking for support and to be supportive with people being reasonable about weight loss.

I'm new here.  I'm using the website mostly to keep track of what I eat, and the exercise I do, it's great, and I've been eating between 250-400 less calories a day than I've been burning, which is great.  I don't mind if I lose a little less than a pound a week as long as I'm losing weight. 

I'm 5'3" and I weigh 175 pounds.  I'd love to get to 135 but in the short term I have my sight set on 150.  I'm hoping to be at 140 by my 30th birthday (next May).

My concern is the large number of posts by people here who seem to be going to an extreme.  The whole only eating a handful of blueberries or nuts at a time thing and keeping it down to 1200 calories seems like an extreme and unhealthy way of trying to lose weight.  Even a sedentary person will burn 1700 or so calories a day.  I realize it differs depending on height/weight. 

I've tried the extreme thing a few times, and I've quit after only a couple of days.  I have found if I eat fruits, veggies, and lean meats, I'm not hungry all the time even though I'm eating a lot less calories.  And I'm still eating the things I love.... just finding healthier ways of making them... and then avoiding empty calories (candy, fast food, etc.)

Is anyone else going a reasonable route like this for their weight loss?  If so, I'd love to have a small little network of people here to encourage each other.  :)

It does sound so extreme and as a new member as well, it's something I don't think I could do- I love food!! I have been staying away from fast food, soda, candy and eating because I think I am hungry or I am bored. These goals have worked in the past, but I think i need a push to really get me back into shape.

In jan 2009 I weighed 150 at 5'4, and I looked great. I felt great, but I have packed on 12 pounds since and would just be happy losing the 12 pounds! I think thats pretty reasonable.

I hear ya. Eating a handful of this and that sounds extreme.

I am going a very similar route as you are: eating all of the things I love, but the normal serving size amount. I, too, am a new member so it's all new to me as well.

The simplest things I have started with is keeping a food diary (on this site) and actually reading nutrition labels. You would be surprised at what is considered a serving size! I will start by eating the normal size amount of whatever I want because I als0 LOVE food, esp. junk food! But I learned that when I thought the amount I was eating was reasonable it actually was 1-2 servings more than I needed.

However, I am very optimistic. The goal is not just to lose the weight, but keep it off by changing my outlook about food and really considering exercise as important as showering - a regular part of my routine - even if it's for 30 minutes. Nothing extreme (Taebo or exercise ball), just realistic. I also just do it a day at a time. I would be glad to chat with you  (I'm new so my friends are few) and we can motivate one another.

Here we go!

I am new to this site as well and to dieting at any level.  My husband and I decided to change our eating habits.  We both love to cook and cook such good tasting food that is was really easy to go back for 2, 3 and 4 helpings.  I ballooned up to 256 lbs. Now what we do is still cook the same foods but limit the helpings.  We do this by after making a meal immediately put it in portion controlled freezer safe dishes and fill it up with veggies.  Then there is no pot to go dip into.  We use these for our dinners during the busy work week.  I try to eat a salad with salmon or tuna for lunch but look forward to my homemade meal for dinner.  My husband doesn't like salads so does a whole different thing for lunch.  He has quickly lost 30 lbs in 1 month.  He is over 500 lbs so has a lot more weight to lose.  Anyway, that has been very frustrating since I have only lost 10 lbs in 6 weeks.  I often wonder why I have given up alot of things I love (fast food, chips and desserts) if I am not seeing a drastic change.  My husband has been very supportive but I feel I need support from other women.  I know I am being reasonable in my direction I am taking with my eating habits but that doesn't stop me from being frustrated about how slowly the weight is coming off.

hi jpay,

I just started using some low fat soup recipes and freezing them in portions for me.  I haven't expanded to the whole meal yet.  Tomorrow I am working at a doc's office filling in.  will take my soup and a bag of popped pop corn.  the office buys lunch for staff and it is always over the top.  not where i wanna go these days with food choices.   sounds cool to have your hubby on the journey with you.  I am here for support any time! You will find others too.

love & light

marjorie 

yes I only need to lose 5lbs to get back to 125lbs and I am doing it the reasonable way I don't deprive myself of the things I like to eat I just eat them in smaller portions and I can say for the first time in my life yesterday went to a Chinese Buffet and only ate 1 1/2 plates normally I would have had 3 plates but my body started to tell me I was full because I almost gagged on my food.

I know that might sound silly but I knew my body was telling me I was full even though fiance likes to tell everybody I'm on a diet which I look at it as trying to stay healthy and I now have more energy then before.

And yes what some people do to lose weight is extreme my fiance's mother wants to lose weight and she thinks by cutting out carbs that will help but we all know differently I'm glad I'm not alone on wanting to stay healthy. Yesterday fiance came home and said parents want to go out to eat at a Chinese Buffet and I said I'm eating healthy and what does he tell me that I can sit out in the car and watch the dog and I said I don't understand why I should sit out in the car because I want to be healthy. I'm glad to have found this group and sorry for such a long reply

Hi there, i have about 75 pounds to loose. I know first hand that faddy and/or extreme diets don't work in the long term.

My plan is to adjust my eating habits by keeping a close eye on what I eat, when I eat it and why I eat it. I am aiming to loose the weight at 1.5-2llbs a week.

I know it's going to take me a while but it took me 7 years  to put it on!

Hi Mich... and others,

hope you are still around.  i have not been eating after dark for 4 nights now and can't believe how different I feel.  Energized.  Sleeping better.  Today I got on the scale and noted that the red stick was below Mondays weigh in weight.  didn't get  an exact # can't wait until monday it has been so long since the scale has moved down instead of up.

keep up and keep in touch y'all

love & light

marjg

I agree.  I have been thinking the same thing.  I've noticed it especially with a lot of the young girls.  I am about 5'4 and 150lbs. with the goal of being 135.  I've been there before but never by counting calories, just by eating only 3 meals a day and no sugar or white flour.  Calorie counting is definately more fun but I have a hard time sticking to 1400 calories a day, for the same reason, it's not that far from the lowest recommended daily allowance.  I find that I am really hungry around 10:30 in the morning and my 100 calorie-ish snacks always put me over the 1400.  I've decided this is ok.  If it takes a bit longer to get to my goal, I'm alright with that.  I am 28 and all I want is to be able to put my bikini on by May.  Good luck with your goal, slow and steady.