New and Do not know where to begin

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-05-2004
New and Do not know where to begin
12
Mon, 01-05-2004 - 4:36am
Hi,

I am new to this board but glad I found it. I new to lose at least 150 #, I am 358, 5'9" and that is a start.

I cannot at this time afford to join, WW or a club, so where do I begin ? I have started parking further away, and trying not to eat after 8PM. But I am just at my wits end.

I need some support and ideas.

Thanks,

Becca

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iVillage Member
Registered: 01-04-2004
Mon, 01-05-2004 - 7:24am
hi, i'm new too. as in i just got here yesterday! lol. i'm in the same boat. i'm just now starting or should i say re-starting to try to lose weight. i am also "finacially challenged" shall we say. lol. i exercise at home... who wants to go to a gym with everyone looking anyway right?

cheap home equipment: exercise ball (i hear there are video work outs to go with these)

hand weights and those stretchy rubber band things

got space for a dreadmill? look in the paper classified for good deals or a resale shop or YARD SALES (love those, especially rich peoples, lol can you say dresser for $10?)

workout video? some libraries have them to check out FOR FREE!

Sorry I am a CHEAPSKATE!

LOL

NURITION:

serena is not an expert! you might already know all this. but i can tell you a few no nos and a few positive things. margerine is bad for you... your body never digests it properly. not having the appropriate amount of vitamins can cause you to have cravings. white sugar and white flour is a no no in almost any diet or eating plan. blueberries are super foods loaded with stuff you need... uh well that gets us started....

i'm sure the other people here will be very helpful

Serena

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-05-2003
Mon, 01-05-2004 - 8:02am
Welcome Becca and Serena. Happy New Year!

Please scroll through the posts under:

discussion title: diet plans fattening my mailbox

message #: 113896.1

Voxpulli has listed some cheat sites for Weight Watchers, and other members have talked about various plans there. Also, you might begin at www.fitday.com, a free site which allows you to calorie count, keep track of your exercises and journal your success.

Also, remember to consult a doctor about any diet plan, drink plenty of water and take a multi-vitamin.

I like Serena's idea about finding workout equipment at garage sales. Since retailers heavily market such equipment in January, look for Feb. or March to offer up such deals. But remember that there is a lot you can do with just a pair of shoes.

Walking doesn't cost anything. :-) You can also lift cans of food if you don't have weights and do floor exercises, yoga or other exercise plans easily. Dance while you do the dishes -- it's messy, but it's fun. Google for sites. I added exercise into my new way of life by making a pact with myself not to watch tv unless I am moving some part of my body -- walking in place, stretching, lifting weights, etc. I also walk my dog every night.

Blessings to you both, and any other newbies reading this post, on your new way of life journey,

S_C

P.S. Like any other message board, sometimes this one gets flamed by nay-sayers. I hope it doesn't happen to you, but if it does, it's best just to surf on through to more positive messages. There are more good comments here than bad. :-) Oh, and remember this is a support board. None of us are physicians specializing in weight loss.

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-02-2003
Mon, 01-05-2004 - 8:12am
Hi, Ladies! Yeah, I am cheap, and broke, too.....

I bought my exercise vids at a 2nd hand store, and I have bought them off of ebay before. My DH's exMIL (yeah, we're friends, it's weird, I know) bought her exercise ball and lots of stuff from ebay too. Also, if you can tape them, Denise Austin has workouts at some ungodly hour in the mornings. I can't do all of her stuff for as long as she does it, but I just march in place if I can't keep up.

S_C- walking the dog DEFINITELY WORKS! I never knew how much resistance a 60 lb pit/shepherd mix could really provide. I must burn a LOT of calories NOT getting yanked off my feet and dragged to the corner.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Mon, 01-05-2004 - 9:29am

Hi there Becca =)

  Shawna-- Proud Cl for 100 Pounds or More to Go 

Avatar for coffee_bean123
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-17-2003
Mon, 01-05-2004 - 9:31am
You've got some good advice, And I'm paying attention to it too! Welcome to the board, it's a great source of support!

Coffee Coffee

Coffee Coffee 2 

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-04-2003
Mon, 01-05-2004 - 8:26pm
Becca, Welcome to the boards!
 
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-05-2004
Tue, 01-06-2004 - 10:42pm
Thanks EVERYONE for the advice, and support. I am on my way !

Becca
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-08-1999
Wed, 01-07-2004 - 11:19am
Sorry this is late...

Welcome to the board!! There are alot of hurdles to overcome in order to lose weight and get healthy. Time and money is one of the first ones. Congratulations on coming here and introducing yourself. It takes alot of courage to admit that you need to lose weight, it took me a long time to finally show my name on the board.

Instead of paying for weight watchers support meetings, come here!! You can weigh in, seek motivation, cry on your keyboard here. You name it, we're here for you.

As far as exercising. There are alot of exercise programs on TV (whether it be cable or satellite). Although most of them are on at the ungodly hour of 4am. But I used to set my VCR or get up and press the record button and head back to bed. I have quite a few tapes of recorded TV exercise programs. For weights use soup cans or when those get too easy buy yourself a resistance band. They're cheap and they work.

My favorite for strength training (because I hate having dumbbells all over the place) is my exercise ball (bought it when I was pregnant now I need to use it for other things). I use the "Women with balls" workout video found at www.charleneprickett.com

I love step aerobics but wasn't going to pay the ridiculous price for a step. My dad ended up making one at just the right height for me. It works!!

For the healthy eating part of things...read different plans (Atkins, SouthBeach, Weight Watchers) just to get an idea of things that are allowed and things that aren't (like pasta, bread, white flour). You can find information on all plans for free online, mainly through iVillage. If you have problems following plans, print off the food guide pyramid a few times and post them around your house.

Drink lots of water, it helps!! And if you don't have a weigh scale. Either buy a measurement tape (found at most sewing/craft stores) or head to your local health unit or doctor's office, you can weigh-in for free!! I'd always take my daughter to the health unit and get her weighed and then I'd hop on the scale myself.

For new home workout ideas I'd buy Shape magazine (Muscle & Fitness Hers is geared more towards health club fancy equipment) and they have a monthly move you can do at home.

I've probably repeated things that other ladies have said, excuse me if I have. Once again, welcome to the board, it shouldn't cost lots of $$ to lose weight. Have a great day!!

~Dana

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-06-2004
Wed, 01-07-2004 - 11:42am
Hey Becca!

Welcome aboard! This is only my second day on the board, but as you can see, you get a lot of support here.

I've read through some of the posts, and you've gotten some great advice. Since I don't want to repeat everything that's been said, my advice to you is simply this: if you "fall off the bandwagon," it's not the end of the world. You just pick yourself back up, brush off, and keep going. We've all been there, I'm sure.

You've had the strength so far to admit that some changes need to be made, and if you do find yourself in a tough spot, you can remember that. Plus, we're always here for you. If you'd like, maybe we can buddy up? Just let me know.

Good job Becca!!!

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-16-2003
Wed, 01-07-2004 - 1:00pm
Hey Becca!!

First off, Welcome here and you made the right choice! These people are the greatest and are so supporting and motivating!

I want to share a secret with you: SODA

I stopped drinking sodas, and I lost 5 pounds in a week. Now, I don't drink them at all, maybe once a month when I'm sharing a drink with my boyfriend. I drink water, juice, and Skim Delux milk(tastes like 2%), and I have lost a lot of weight. I have also watched my desserts(well, not lately, lol) and my calorie intake. It is really simple once you get down to it. And really, I have not excercised much, but walking does help a lot. Do you have a local Y or lik,e a church with a walking track if it is too cold, like here, to walk? I go to the first baptist church and use their walking track. It is completely free and i'm not a member of the church or anything. You should check that out. I am also broke and I go to school and I have a job, so I know how it is girlfriend!

Stay moticated! You taken the first step!

Sara

285/272/155

~Sayruhb02

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