Getting Started

Hi and welcome. There are some really great ideas in the posts below so I won't reiterate. What I've found working for me is doing a streak - it's really exciting to see the minutes add up and the points. It's almost more exciting than the feeling of my pants getting looser

Just a thought - maybe your older children might like to go for a walk with you? That could be a good motivator?

All the best :-)

current weight: 222.6

238 206.25 174.5 142.75

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current weight: 228.0

231 225.75 220.5 215.25

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Hi and

It's great to have you join us! Also SP is a healthy lifestyle way of living....not really a diet.

current weight: 140.0

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Welcome. This is really a lifestyle change so take some time as you choose one or two small habits to change at a time. You can start with a short walk after dinner, drinking your water, adding veggies to your meals, etc. Choosing positive goals and small goals make it easier for your to succeed.

When you set a goal, set a realistic goal and don't expect 100% perfection. If you do, you are setting yourself up for failure. This means that if you set a goal to walk, set it to walk 3-5 days a week. Mark on your calendar when you do reach your daily goals. Remember to create a reward for yourself when you succeed for a set amount of time (three weeks seems to be good for a lot of people.)

When you are comfortable with these goals, add new goals like finding things to use besides salt and using them 5 times a week. Or packing your lunch for work three days a week (saves money but also then you are less likely to go over on your calories for the day.) Another great goal is to weigh and measure your meals 4 times a week.

Use the trackers and/or write down what you eat and when you eat and what you are feeling when you do. This helps you learn about your eating habits and think about the things you put in your mouth.

You can do this.

Pounds lost: 12.2

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Welcome to the Living Life on a Shoestring team ! You'll find the team an active and friendly place. The more your participate and the more you'll get in feedback and support. Be sure to check out the start page, It is under the tab the MY TOOLS it will give you tips and instructions on how to make the most of the site.

When cravings hit think of HALT: Hungry Angry Lonely Tired. These are often the causes of break downs in resolve. Try to keep these at bey or be cautious when they occur. Use the times when you eat not out of hunger but of need to act as a bookmark for later to reflect what had recently happened before to trigger it. This may help you identify causes of bad eating but more importantly causes of stress and depression.

I look forward to your posts.

Pounds lost: 17.0

0 19.25 38.5 57.75

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When you get off track--just get right back on and keep going!

I go through the same thing. I've decided this time is going to be different and am really trying to focus on small goals instead of large ones. So far I'm doing ok.
Good luck to you and don't sweat it when you get off track, just acknowlege it and move on!

LMCGRATH2010-- Looks like you've come to the right place!

I am the same way. I get all excited about starting new and then fall out of it by the end of the week. It's hard to stick with it! I'm starting fresh...again and am praying that I can keep it together!

WE can DO this! Best of luck to you!

current weight: 202.0

202 190.25 178.5 166.75

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Hi everyone.
I'm biting the bullet and finally getting serious about diet, fitness and health. I'm a 44-year-old mom working at a full-time desk job. I have a great husband and 3 wonderful sons (ages 13, 10 & 2). When I graduated high school I wore a size 6 and weighed 98 pounds. A lifetime later I'm a size 12/14, weighing in at 166 pounds, my highest nonpregnancy weight ever--just 6 pounds shy of my highest pregnancy weight. In addition, I have been battling high blood pressure and taking medication for it since my mid 20s. I've always been a diet-starts-monday kind of person. I'll get excited to start a diet and exercise plan and I'll even start it. But by the end of my first week, I've gotten sidelined by aches and pains or otherwise just lost my motivation and settled back into my old habits. I know I need to lose weight and become more fit. I just can't seem to stick with it. I'm hoping that by joining the Spark community, I'll be able to stay on track and make real progress.