I am trying to figure out what to do. I am a 24yr old at approx. 250. Don't know the exact weight do the fact I have no scale but, I am getting one. I have high cholestral and need to loose weight do to health. I have to keep up with my 5 & 4yr old girls. I have ordered the WW program and am highly considering the Richard Simmons program. I need help making my mind up! I need to loose about 100pds in about 1year. What is program is good for the mom that has kids in everything and does't have time for anything. Please HELP!!

HI Hairdiva,

You are off to a great start. Deciding that you want to lose weight is an excellent choice. You will never regret losing weight. You will have more energy and you will have many health benefits. There are a number of programs for weight loss and weight control. Perhaps you could read about them online and even ask other Diettalk people about their experiences. I chose a program called Weigh Down which encourages a person to eat only when they are physically hungry. You are suppose to eat slowly putting your fork down after each bit and taking a sip of a non-caloric beverage or water after each bite. Then you are suppose to stop the moment you feel full. These principles will be helpful with any weight loss plan you follow. Your doctor may refer you to a dietitian to give you pointers on lowering your cholesterol level. I found reading labels to be helpful to determine the number of calories, fat grams, fiber, etc the food item has. There may be low fat versions of foods you like or substitutes that will make your food healthier. The one thing that has also helped me is that I try not to eat when I am just trying to feed my emotional hunger when I am bored, sad ,depressed, frustrated, mad etc. The food feels like a release at the time we eat it, but soon afterwards we tend to feel guilty about our overeating. The overeating then just seems to add to the problem rather than being part of the solution. Start slow- take small steps. Each step will lead you closer to your weight goal. Hang in there-you can do it! Good luck! I also belong to a local TOPS (Take off pounds sensibly) group. You chose your own diet and establish a weight goal with your physician. Then you attend weekly meetings and weigh in. The weigh in kept me accountable and motivated. CJL

Hairdiva - you have made one of the toughest decisions in your life. Keep that motivation alive!
Why wouldn't you be able to incorporate both WW and Richard Simmons together (I know WW, but not RS, so this may have been a stupid question)?
Also, what CJL says makes alot of sense with putting your fork down after each bite and taking a drink of water (which I will start doing tomorrow, as I am finished with my food today).
Keep posting here, go to chats (if possible), and read other's posts for some encouragement.
Keep us informed!
:rose:

Hi Hairdiva,

The key to losing weight and staying on program is to find one that you feel you can do for "life". If you choose a very restrictive diet and you can't ever eat the things you really like, it won't work for long. As soon as you go back to your former eating habits, the weight will return.

Read, read, read and find one that seems like it can be a lifetime commitment. Because ultimately you are making a choice to change your eating habits forever!

Look for programs that stress plenty of fresh, unprocessed foods, high in fiber. There are many ways to dish up a healthy diet and the people at diettalk are full of good ideas. You just have to find the program that "fits".

Welcome HairDiva
Sounds like you are ready for the battle.. Some days are very tough. I started out on low fat and low sugar and exercise. I lost very fast in the first 3 weeks of my new ways of eating. Now if I want to cheat then I'm thinking ok.. look what I have lost and is this candy bar worth the weight I have lost..[-X
Find your self a program and GO full steam ahead... you can do it and you will feel so much better about yourself and have more energy to keep up with those 2 little girls..:)
Everyone here at DT is willing to help or just listen when your head is down...
Good luck on your new journey.
Laura

If you give in you will never know what it could of been...:spring:

HairDiva-

Welcome to DT. You will find so much support and encouragement here and plus many different aspects of dieting. Find something that works for you and go for it!! Find a buddy or family member and go walking with them while the weather holds out. I have a sister that is also a member of DT and we walk together and keep each other motivated during the tough times.

I have 2 little ones also a 3 yr old and 9 month old and I'm doing low fat diet with exercise (walking mainly) and LOTS of water. Its working good for me right now and I can do it with my little ones!!

Hang in there and good luck to you!!

:wave:

Hi there...

Another good exercise tape is the Leslie Sansone Walk Away the Pounds series. The one mile walk tape is only 25 minutes long, the two mile is 35 minutes, and there's a three mile also. I love these tapes, I can do them fairly easily and I've been Couch Potato Queen for the past 15 years, at least. They are well worth looking for, if you can find them. Above all, good luck. Get a journal here, we love to support and cheer on each other, the more the merrier.

:wave: