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I need to lose 80 pounds!!! How should I start?

I need to lose 80 pounds and I want to do it by June. I know this is probably unrealistic. I have been fat all my life and have tried to lose weight all my life and I keep eating. It's probably my depression and I do alot of emotional eating. I don't even know where I can even start. I go to the gym but get tired after a month so I need motivation there and then I eat junk and cannot stop. I have no wheel power.

Wed. Oct 19, 9:01am

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Start with something small - look at the post about the most effective change people have made lately, and choose one that you know you can stick with for the next month (about how long it takes to break a habit). Next week, pick another (still stick with that first one!).

Commit to making a lifestyle change - no more diets!

My favorites:
Start buying only food you know is good for you - clear your house of bad temptations.

Take the stairs every chance you get.

Cut out one unhealthy food (butter, cheese, white bread, pasta, whatever you can most easily live without)

Eat 4 cups of fruits and veggies a day - that's a lot!

Wednesday, October 19, 2005, 9:51 AM

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Start w/ the little things

I started out doing little things. First I cut my coffee condiments in 1/2, and when I went to fast food, I would pour out half my soda and 1/2 my fries and try to tear off any excess bun. Also, try parking 5 more parking spaces out than where you normally park, then after a couple of weeks move further out. I found that by doing this, I didn't feel deprived or that I've had to sacrifice. I've lost 20lbs doing this.
Oh, something else that has helped me was to learn about calories. 3500 calories = 1 pound. I don't count calories, but I pay attention to the labels. Self.com has a place where you can see appx. how many calories you burn by doing certain exercises.

Good luck, and don't hesitate to ask for advice or motivation. Just b/c you've always been heavy doesn't mean you have to stay that way.

Wednesday, October 19, 2005, 2:15 PM

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Instead of setting the goal of losing 80lbs by June, start with a smaller goal - lose 5lbs in the next 4 weeks (a very healthy and sustainable pace). When you meet the goal, give yourself a reward - a manicure or a new pair of earrings, anything little but fun, or if you have money, something bigger, like a massage, etc. Then, when you meet the goal, make a new goal - 5 more pounds in the next 4 weeks.

Another option - make a chart with every 5lbs marked off. At each increment, write down something that you want to have or do. When you reach a 5lb increment, and stay there or lower for a week, get yourself the "treat" that you wrote on the chart.

Just make sure that the treats aren't food!!

Also, a healthy, sustainable pace for weight loss is 1-2 lbs a week. Losing 2lbs a week, you'll lose 80lbs in 40 weeks, which brings you to mid-July. Losing 1.5lbs a week brings you to 60 weeks, which is right before Christmas, 2006. Realizing that most people plateau several times during their weight loss, maybe you should consider re-evaluating your time goal. If you actually lose the weight by June, statistically-speaking, you're unlikely to keep it off. Remember, it didn't appear in a day, or even in a few months; the weight was gained over a lifetime. Don't stress if it takes you a little bit longer to lose it; that'll likely lead to a relapse, and you'll be frusterated and less likely to stick to the diet.

Besides, if you lose it all by a year from Christmas, you can get all new clothes as Christmas presents!

Wednesday, October 19, 2005, 2:47 PM

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don't keep snacks in the house

A easy thing to help your will power -- don't keep foods around the house that you want to avoid -- desserts, cheese, crackers, chips. If this is too hard, then at least do this for some snacks, such as desserts. If you want this stuff, you have to leave the house to get it.

This really helps a lot -- if it's not there, you have to make a lot more effort to get it.

Another thing that is helpful -- try to have an early, small dinner, and don't eat after dinner. If you feel too hungry to sleep, have a small pre-determined snack in the late evening -- I have found that a glass of milk (or better: soy milk) is usually satisfying enough for this purpose.





Wednesday, October 19, 2005, 3:40 PM

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i think all these comments are wonderful and eventhough this isnt my thread it helped me. the easiest thing for me to do when i first started to try and lose weight was cut down on pop. since you are oveweight or i atleast hope so since you want to lose so much weight your stomache is probably bigger than it needs to be meaning it takes more food to make you feel full so i would drink a glass or two of water or low fat milk before you eat. my dietician reccomended this to me and ive lost 20 pounds in under 3 months. let us know how you are doing.

Wednesday, October 19, 2005, 9:47 PM

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These are great comments. Thank you so much. I have been trying this week. Yesterday, I ate a salad for lunch and soup for dinner with a cookie for dessert. I will continue day by day to develop my wheelpower.

Friday, October 21, 2005, 9:03 AM

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A goal of 80 pounds by June is overwhelming in itself. By setting smaller goals they are more attainable and when reached you feel good about yourself which makes you want to keep going, forget about the ultimate goal. Start small, say 5 to 10 pounds in 6 weeks, once there set another small goal.
Clean your cabinets and frig get rid of the tempting snacks and foods. If you have kids and a hubby no reason they shouldn't be snacking on more healthy foods, after all you want to set an example. You don't have to deny yourself of a treat but it could be sugarfree and fat free. Check out Weight Watchers, they are a great program. Park far from your destination, this way you have to walk to and fro longer and further. Use stairs instead of elevator, even if its a few floors. Go for a nice walk somewhere enjoyable. Please if you drink soda stop, you can still drink diet or better yet just drink water or decaf iced tea. Think about giving up fruit juices, much better to just eat the fruit. Make a commitment to yourself to take 30-60 min a day for you to do some form of exercise. Even if we think we don't have the time you would be surprised by how much time we actually can find. Even if you have to split it up. Think of watching a tv show, how fast is that? If we give up 1 or 2 shows we have our time. Drink a glass of water before you eat and try starting your meals with a small cup of broth. So good luck and you have already taken the first step.

Friday, October 21, 2005, 12:22 PM

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best way too lose weight fast and keep it off

lets just say your 200 pounds and your goal is 120. count calories for example 120*12=1,440 do not eat over calories and do little things like walk around get you body use to doing exercise every morning before a meal exercise "carido" high activity keep your heart beat pumping for 60 minutes cut all white carbs out FOREVER replace your carbs like bread starchy foods with healthy choice like veggies fruits stay away from bananas corn super bad in my opinion
do not eat alot eat 8oz of food like a make a fist and what ever your eating eat every 3 to 4 hours do sit ups with weights or a medicine ball you dont want extra skin or flab right....do 20 set of abs now run up and down stairs for your legs when your ready for 30 minutes to and hour NO sodas or juices drink only water not cold water room temp. water cold water make your body work and to stay hydrated room temp is the way to be do not skip a meal or your body will think you straving yourself and store fat and when you start eating again you would gain more weight then ever so good luck i gave you advice and its up to you to get into shape

Monday, November 01, 2010, 2:09 PM

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get a copy of "Eat To Live" and do as much of that as you can.

Link

Monday, November 01, 2010, 2:50 PM

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Like everyone else starting small is key.
It's overwhelming when you first start changing eating habits/ life style.
I think it helps to pick small weekly or monthy goals.
Start changing things that are realistic for you. I started just replacing everything i drank with water. Cut out fast food and excessive unhealthy snack. i lost 10lbs in a month just with that:) Remember to stay positive as corny as that sounds..lol

Monday, November 01, 2010, 5:39 PM

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And why are we all posting to an OP who posted back in 05??

Tuesday, November 02, 2010, 1:55 PM

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Their comments are helping anyone that has a similar situation. Wake-up you're on a weight loss website.

Wednesday, December 01, 2010, 11:30 PM

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I dont agree with starting small. I gained 80 pound when I was pregnant after a lifetime of never being overweight. I wasnt going to lose just 2 pounds a week, being overweight I could not stand it!

I did the HCG protocal, and lost the weight in two years. 40 pounds a year. I lost 20 pounds each round.. and would maintain each 20 pound weight loss.

HCG was the easiest thing I 've ever done. And its very effective. Just remember to exercise and really watch what you eat, and the pounds will melt off, unlike trying to lose it slowly, that would be torture

Thursday, December 02, 2010, 11:23 PM

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I would take the program here at PT. I think it's called the Point of no return still. I totally changed my life.

Sunday, December 05, 2010, 12:00 PM

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You should lose weight gradually

Losing 80 pounds in less than a year is too much, it may cause problems such as loose skin and its not healthy at all. My diet is around 1500 calories per day and and i lose about 5 pounds per month. I also don't eat fruit as they contain much sugar, and instead of fruit juices I drink either aloe vera juice (read here about it) or just plain water. I've read that you should drink half your weight in ounces.

Wednesday, June 19, 2013, 9:45 AM

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