I need support and motivation and help

Okay basically my current weight is 299 lbs. I seriously need to loose alot of weight, but I have no clue how to do it or where to begin! It's very scary because 1 - I have some health issues to deal with, and I can't afford to go to a dietrician for it. My goal is to get to 180 lbs, because I am naturally large boned and I am 5' 10", I really don't need to get much smaller than 180. But it just seems like no matter how hard I try, I can't loose the weight and keep it off. I know I have a low metabolism so that don't help me any. So I am seriously in need of some support and motivation... and I need help trying to figure out where to start.

I know how you feel. I had lost over 50 pounds and then I quit smoking, sigh. I have gained 25 back and I feel like I am starting all over, but the good news is I am still smoke free. We will talk,,,,, in the meantime, hang in there!!!

I would start by talking to your doctor. You say that you have health issues, so I hesitate to say walk or exercise, because getting in some exercise will help raise your motabolism, and that is the best way to get the ball rolling

Yeah they are minor health issues, though I know they'd go away when I start to loose weight. Alot of my health problems comes from being over weight... I know i gotta get started... I really dunno how though, and I hate to do it by myself.

then here are a few suggestions!

accidental exercise - when you go shopping - park further from the buiilding - don't look for the closest spot anymore - look for one of the farthest!
If you live in an apartment - start waling up the stairs - if not, any opportunity you have to skip the elevator - do! Even if that means getting off at the 10th floor when you are going to the 12th floor! do these two as often as you can!

Planned exercise - find a time of day that you can CONSISTANTLY get exercise. that might mean getting up 30 minutes early in the morning, that might mean after dinner - could be your lunch at work and go for a brisk walk. If you go at lunch, maybe some of your co workers will go along if you invite a group. mybe your significant other (if you have one) or neighbour would want to go in the morning or after dinner - what ever you choose, make it a routine!

Please feel free to join us in the weight loss group!

Ohh Okay! Sure! Can you send me a link?

when you are on the mail page (community) for Crafter's community, look below the woman's health section it is directly below - weight loss challange

I've lost 35 pounds since January. Here are a few suggestions that have helped me.
Make one change at a time. Don't try to change everything in one day. Write down everything you need to change and pick one. Master that, then go to another. For instance, I work in a kitchen, my first change was to not eat anything from work. I packed my lunch and snacks so I could control what I ate and not nibble. I lost 11 pounds just making that change. Then I added exercise.

Have a big goal (ultimate weight) but also have little goals with rewards that are not food. When I lost 20 pounds I bought new workout sneakers. When I get to 40 pounds I'm going to go get a pedicure (something I have never done) When I get to 199 pounds (I started at 260) I'm going to go buy some new clothes.

We've found some great online tools. The two I use the most are prevention.com and calorieconnect.com The second one helps you keep track of your calories and other important nutrients.

The hardest part is perserverance. But I know it will be worth it. If people around you aren't going to be supportive, don't tell them that you're doing. My family is very supportive, but there are people at work that would make such an issue out of it I just didn't tell them. Sabatores are the enemy. It comes from their own insecurities. You can't change them, don't try it's just another burden on you. But if people are trying to be supportive, but are just being stupid, tell them gently.

Don't try to lose 100+ pounds...lose 5 pounds, then another 5 if it takes 2 years you'll be healthy for the rest of your life and you'll be glad you stuck to it. If you try to lose 20 pounds a month you'll quit and in 2 years you'll still be wishing you had done something.

Good luck, let us know if you need encouragement!
Laura

Laura brings up a very good point!

Studies show that people who loose weight quickly (ie 20 lbs a month) are much more likely to gain that weight back than people who loose more slowly (say 5 lbs a month) 1 - 2 lbs a week are what the doctors tend too recommend.

Also, if you don't look at this as a "weight loss program" but instead as a lifestyle change you are more likely to keep the weight off. Eating healthier and exercising will be a much better way to get rid of it and keep it GONE than a fad diet that you can not sustain for life.