weight loss journey

Starting tomorrow I will be changing into a new healthy lifestyle. I want some advice. I have an elliptical and plan on using that to work out. I was wondering if anyone has used a diet that has worked well for them? We are getting married in Aug 2013 and would like to loose 40-50 lbs if thats even possible by then. I am looking for some meal guidelines I can use to start out and help me move towards eating healthier and successfully so I can reach by goal.

The only advice I can offer is definitely eat a lot of fruits and veggies, cut out junk and soda, eat smaller portions maybe. Figure out how many calories you need to eat each day..and keep with it. That is the hardest part for me. I go for a week and then seem to give up. But not this time, I am going to keep with it. I am looking to lose 50-60 pounds. So I can be down to at least 125, preferably 115.

I would join Tone it Up if it is financially possible for you to do so (1x payment and you are a member for life and get all updates). K & K are a great support group and they have challenges all the time. Twitter is a key way to stay in touch with them and other TIU members. It has changed my life, I fell off the wagon and am going shopping Monday to get back on track with my food intake and starting my running again.

It isnt a "diet" rather a healthy lifestyle guide with TONS of recipes and workouts. They send out updates 2-3 times a year with more recipes and post workouts weekly. They focus on eating lean and clean.

Also, if running is something you can physically do, sign up for a local 5K (3.1 miles), it gives you so much motivation to get out there and 'train' for a race. I walked most of my first one but each 5K I do my time gets better and better and most have medals for all finishers so a little bling for motivation doesnt hurt. ETA: Look up couch to 5K for a guide to training.

Quoting Kaibutsu:" The only advice I can offer is definitely eat a lot of fruits and veggies, cut out junk and soda, eat ... [snip!] ... not this time, I am going to keep with it. I am looking to lose 50-60 pounds. So I can be down to at least 125, preferably 115."

Cutting out the junk food is defiantly hard for me. I love sweets. What is a realistic goal to loose those 50-60 lbs as long as one would stay committed.

Quoting IDID-VBAC 12/09:" I would join Tone it Up if it is financially possible for you to do so (1x payment and you are a member ... [snip!] ... 5K I do my time gets better and better and most have medals for all finishers so a little bling for motivation doesnt hurt."

What kind of things are on your shopping list for Monday? I plan on going then too. Its hard for me b/c I have a 5 yr old how do I incorporate my family in dinner planning?


Also has anyone been into using a juicer and a meal replacement for breakfast or a snack?

Quoting ♥Lexies Mommy:" What kind of things are on your shopping list for Monday? I plan on going then too. Its hard for me ... [snip!] ... my family in dinner planning? Also has anyone been into using a juicer and a meal replacement for breakfast or a snack?"

I havnt made my full list yet, some of my basics:

Spring mix lettuce or spinach
Apples
Grapefruit
Banannas
Strawberries
Tomatos
Bell Peppers
Cucumbers
Green Beans
Onions
Kale
Ground Turkey
Turkey Bacon
Chicken Breasts-boneless and skinless
Pork Chops or Pork loin
Quinoa
Whole wheat pasta (not really on the TIU plan but I eat it occasionally)
Whole Grain Natural Oatmeal (usually have to spend the $ and buy organic because it is the only whole grain ones I can find)
Frozen stirfry veggies
Yogurt-Greek is best but I can't stomach it so I get Yoplait-not great but better then donuts lol.
Eggs-Lots of eggs. I hardboil at least 2 dozen a week on normal weeks.
Whole grain wheat bread
Cottage Cheese
Deli Turkey

I am probably missing stuff, just walked through the store in my head lol.

As my sweet treat, I keep a bag of hershey kisses in the freezer and let myself have 2-4 a day. I can suck on them so they last a little longer then grabbing a candy bar or cookie.


I also only drink water or black/green tea.
You can get a straw tumbler and freeze some fruit-any kind really works and put water in the tumbler with the frozen fruit-will flavor it.

I've done it I was 185 in highschool and got down to 127. When I became pregnant with my son I was 135 got up to 176 and now I'm almost 15 weeks pregnant and weigh 123. It was pretty easy for me. I cut out all fruits and sugars ate all kinds of veggies and low carb. I stick to around 150 carbs a day still.

I am going to work hard and really try to stay committed. I really am wanting to see some results and just want to push hard so that is worth it to work hard before we get married. Plus I am hoping this will help out with my fertility issues and and just make me feel so much better and healthier.

Basically just keep yourself out of the 'middle' aisles of the food store and you will get healthier foods.

Quoting IDID-VBAC 12/09:" Basically just keep yourself out of the 'middle' aisles of the food store and you will get healthier foods. "

Yes very good idea!!! I would love to keep in touch with you if your revamping. Maybe share recipes and such. Are you planning workouts too? Do you have a weightloss goal or just a healthy lifestyle?

Quoting ♥Lexies Mommy:" Cutting out the junk food is defiantly hard for me. I love sweets. What is a realistic goal to loose those 50-60 lbs as long as one would stay committed. "

I think to stay healthy, you need to max lose 1-2 pounds a week, sometimes dropping unhealthy foods altogether make you lose really fast though. My mom started dropping like CRAZY when she stopped eating things that were bad for her. Just don't cut out all sweets, treat yourself every so often so you don't miss it. And drink ONLY water, and lots of water.   Really the best way to stay away from those things are to not buy them. Make sure you have lots of fruits that are easy to get to, and instead of chips, have carrots and veggie dip or something. My SO makes it hard because he is always picking up sweets to buy, lol.  

Quoting Kaibutsu:" I think to stay healthy, you need to max lose 1-2 pounds a week, sometimes dropping unhealthy foods ... [snip!] ... chips, have carrots and veggie dip or something. My SO makes it hard because he is always picking up sweets to buy, lol.  "

I guess when I go to the grocery store I need to make sure that I am not hungry and have eaten something to help me buy the healthy foods not the sweets. I am the one that buys that sweets but really need to cut them out.

Have any of you done the insanity workout? I was thinking of maybe trying to do a video like that once a day and use my elliptical another time. SO that would be 2 workouts a day. I havent worked out though in forever and wondering if its realistic to try that dvd.