I need to lose weight. I won't kid myself and say I don't, because I do. I've suffered with pretty bad depression and as an emotional eater, its gotten out of control. Thing is, I always go through these "diet" phases where I'm all excited to eat better and exercise and lose weight and be happy. They last about three days, though, and then I'm back to square one. I'm still young and want to be healthy and lead a full life, but I honestly have a really hard time finding motivation to lose the weight. I know I'd be healthier and shopping might be fun then, but my depression likes to nag me. I feel like I'm really lonely, so nobody would notice and I still wouldn't feel better. How can I get motivated and STAY motivated? I need something that I can use so I won't crack after a day and a half. Also, I've been considering Weight Watchers because I've met a few people with success on it. Does it work decently? I really would like to shed the weight before I graduate college. I don't want my crappy physical appearance to keep me from a job. (I've heard rumor that physically fit people do better in the job market?) Help!
Foods to Lose Weight Healthily
Recommended Answer:
So you're back at the beginning again and wanting to lose weight. That's the first step. Next, tell yourself that this time will be different. This time, you're going to completely change your lifestyle and you're NOT going on another diet. This is how you lose weight and keep it off. Diets don't work! You probably already know this. Eating healthy and losing weight will do wonders for your depression too.
Losing weight is about 80% what you eat and 20% exercise, so focus on what you're eating. Eat less junk/fast/fried foods and focus on eating a variety of foods including fruits and vegetables, but also lean proteins (chicken, turkey, fish, lean beef, plain greek yogurt), healthy fats (olive oil, avocado, nuts, hummus), brown rice, oatmeal, milk, low fat cheese, whole wheat bread, etc. Here are 2 sites that have lots of easy, delicious and healthy recipes: Skinny Taste and Emily Bites. Look them up on Google.
If you feel hungry, ask yourself, "Do I want some vegetables or just junk food?" If the answer is junk food, then you're not really hungry. If the answer is vegetables, then great - eat as many as you want. Then, drink a big glass of water and wait 20 minutes. If you still feel hungry, but not for vegetables, then go do something else to keep yourself busy like text a friend or go for a walk.
You can't rush weight loss because you will end up with saggy skin from losing too fast. Do it smart and you will look great. Exercise is important too, but you don't have to exercise to lose weight, but it makes you look better. Grab a friend and go for a long walk or a jog, ride your bike, dance around the house, jump rope, etc. YouTube has lots of free workout videos, so do some research on there and find one you like. Exercise for at least 30 minutes, 3-4 times a week. Exercise will make you drop sizes faster and you will lose a little faster as well.
If you change your lifestyle and get committed to eating healthier and working out, then you will never have to worry about losing weight for the rest of your life! Doesn't that sound great?! It does to me. I have totally changed my whole relationship with food since the summer and have lost 57lbs so far using a site called My Fitness Pal. It's a free site with people who are trying to lose weight and get healthy. You enter your height/weight/age and it tells you how many calories to eat per day based on your goal of losing 1 or 2lbs per week. Then, you log you food and try to stay under your calories. It's actually kind of fun. They have a HUGE database with lots of foods in it, so it's likely that everything you eat is already in there. You can make friends and then you have people for motivation, support, to ask questions to, etc. You also log your exercise and if you exercise, you get to eat more food! They already have you eating at a deficit, so you will still lose weight if you eat more. This site worked for me and I know it can work for you.
It's still okay to have treats every once in awhile, but not every day. I eat something unhealthy probably 2-3 times per week and have lost weight consistently since June. I think it's better than WW because it's free and there are no meetings. You can log on anytime you're thinking of eating something bad and there will be people around to help you through it. I really wish you the best of luck, and I've given you a great plan that will work if you follow it. know you can do it!! The last thing I'll recommend is to take some pictures of yourself now and take your measurements because you're about to lose weight and keep it off and you'll want both of those to know where you started and measure your progress. Good luck!
