Hey I'm New

I am 17 and am trying to get my weight under control but I have no idea where to start. If anyone has any advice it would be greatly appreciated. Leigh

Hi Leigh! I would say begin by making small changes that are within your control.  Your parents are likely doing the cooking - yes? Ask for more veggies with meals with little or no extra fat added. Eat them like medicine - no excuses, you need them and they will help you feel satisfied. Make sure you eat 1-2 pieces of fresh fruit each day - bring to school if possible and munch when others are diving into fast food. You may still get a burger or grilled chicken with it, but you get my drift. Cut out or waaay down on fries, sauces on burgers, etc. You'll be able to eat these things later, when in maintenance. Drink. your. milk.  If you hate it, at least eat low fat yogurt or low fat cheeses or cottage cheese.  Studies show that lower fat dairy is very important when you are trying to reduce calories. Add a couple teaspoons of chocolate powder even - that's how much I think you should drink your milk.  Go for walks (at least a half hour a day, build up to an hour eventually) or join any competition thing at school - swim team, cross country, etc.  Even if you ain't first string, the regular practice sessions will get you going. Smart you to get on this now.  Wish I had been this smart!

Thanks for the welcome and advice.

Welcome to the board Leigh!  You've already started! You made the first step by coming here and asking for advice. I'm sure you'll get many responses.  Read each one and think about how it would apply to your life.  It's important not to make drastic changes that you can't live with. Instead make small changes here and there and work towards a healthier lifestyle.  Whether you decide to go with calorie reduction, a balanced eating plan, a low-carb lifestyle or what other options might be out there you must be sure it is one that you can live with. One that you can maintain for life.  That's the key that is difficult for all of us to learn.  (Especially me!) You'll find that everyone knows how to lose weight but only a select few are successful with it longer than 6 months to a year. (raises hand!) So enough of the sappy emotional life plan stuff. Here's my suggestion to you.  Since you were looking for somewhere to start, start by upping your water intake and reducing your intake of soda type beverages.  If you feel water is nasty and you need some taste then try drinking milk as Neecee had suggested.  Sodas really have a weird way of making you gain or not lose.. Even diet sodas do this.  So for the first week or so don't focus on anything else. Just get that part down. Work towards getting in 60 ounces a day and more if you can. (don't try to drink it all in one sitting..that's counterproductive and dangerous.) Once you've got that down then you can start thinking about what your plan is for eating. I started by not changing what I was eating but rather by slowly eating less of those things.  The more I came here and the better I felt the more I started wanting to eat healthier things.  Pretty soon I went from convenience store taquitos for  breakfast to veggie and egg white wheat wraps. If I had tried to switch to that immediately I would have quit. I had no desire or taste for that kinda food.   Perhaps you might decide that a low carb lifestyle is for you. I don't know as much about this style as others do but it's a valid option as well. It's actually one I'm thinking about taking up. Just keep reading the posts here and asking questions! Eventually you'll find something you can stick with.  Don't beat yourself up if you fail or goof up. Instead think about what triggered the event and learn from it. This is as much a physical thing as it is a mental thing.  We're all in it together and you'll find LOTS of support here. I mean heck, all these ladies (and the other whole 2 guys) here put up with my whining!  

Thanks so much for all the advice. I know how horrible soda pop is but I truly have a problem with it. I think that will be the first thing I will try to overcome.

Awesome!!  That's a great way to start!  Keep us all updated and let us know how it's coming.

Welcome to OH!  I'm sure you'll find plenty of info to get you started.  Don't forget to check the diet and nutrition forum, there are RD's that can give you professional advice/guidance in your journey. Although I haven't been 17 in a loong time...I know how others' perceptions can influence us.  That being said, you're a gorgeous girl and there is so much more to you than your weight..."teenfatty" is definitely not the most accurate description !  Best of luck!

hi leigh. just wanted to welcome you to the boards. will leave the advising to others :)

Hi Leigh! Welcome to OH!  I just wanted to say that ALL of the people here are helpful and want to give whatever advice and help you need to get started and get motivated. As Chris mentioned, the first step was coming here and asking for help.  Your journey begins with telling us your story and coming here means that you have the most amazing support team you could ever imagine. Neecee pretty much covered where you should go on the boards as far as diet and nutrition is concerned.  The surgery boards have plenty of information if you are considering surgery as an option that will work for you and with your lifestyle.  Motivation is the key...along with determination.  Set mini goals for yourself as you work your way towards your goal weight. In any case, I was 17 once and I have struggled all my life with being overweight, and up until last year...nearly morbidly obese...with a BMI of 40.0.  If you need any sort of advice or help or just need someone to talk to...please feel free to contact me through PM.  I'll be glad to help...as will many of these wonderful OH people. Keep us posted on your progress! ~Barbara~

First of all welcome!!! And as Chris said stay away from the sodas. It wasn't that long ago that  I was in school..and I remember all they had was pop in the pop machines..no bottled water you could buy instead of a drink..and they didnt even have the diet.  And I know at my school..if you ate there..it was all fried..and they even sold cookies up there they certain groups made to raise money.  So my advice..would be to stay away from the pop machine...don't buy the junk food obviously if they are selling it at your school..and you would be a lot better off if you took your own lunch because you could make a lot better choices then the fried foods that they make.   This is all that I can say for right now..and if nothing else ..i dont remember how long I got for lunch.if if it only takes you 10 or 15 mins to eat..then go and walk for the other 10 or 15 mins. Instead of sitting..I am sure you could get a few friends together to go walk around the school or something. It would be a lot better then to sit and just talk..since the whole day through school you are sitting.  Hope this helps and I know that a  lot of others on here has some very good advice and they will be able to help you!!  I havent been on this board very long but the people are awesome on here and it helps if you logged in and read the posts people make..it keeps you going!! Be social.. and dont ever be nervous to ask a question