JosephBlakeJones's Journal, 27 January 2008

Do you have a plan or a certain diet you want to follow? I'm doing the southbeach diet which is low carb and low fat. You don't have to count calories. You can eat as much lean protein as you want. Check it out. Maybe this plan would fit you. Also start out with a little exercise. Try to do a little bit every day. For instance, go to the mall and do a few laps around. Or if you have a set of stairs at home, walk up and down them a few times. Try to start out with 10 minutes at a time and work up to longer times. Add a minute every time you do it, and at first try to exercise at least 3 times per week. As far as the plasma, I'm sorry but I don't know anything about that. Maybe you can check at the place where you donate. Hope this helps a little. 

You should really set up a reward system for short term and long term goals. Example: short term goal--Lose 10 lbs by April 1st. reward--Splurge. Buy yourself something that you've been wanting for a long time, but you've been holding out. Or eat in everyday and when you reach your short term goal go out to a nice restaurant. Example: long term goal--Lose 100 lbs (or however many you decide) by December 31st. reward--Save a little money each month and take a trip in 2009 to a place that you've always wanted to go but never made time for, or go on a physically demanding trip that you couldn't have done when you were 100 lbs heavier. You will have a sense of accomplishment and feel great about yourself. I've found that the only way to lose weight is change your lifestyle. Sign up for an exercise class, or go on a walk with a friend a few times a week. This will provide accountability.  

My words of advice after being on the rollercoaster of dieting for most of my life are this: Find a food plan that you can live with for the rest of your life (with minor modifications once you reach your goal); examine your weaknesses (i.e. parties, etc.) when you find it hard to stay on your plan and work on strategies to help you cope with those situations; work exercise into your day and make it a priority (you don't HAVE to exercise to lose weight but learning the habit now will help you maintain your weight when you reach your goal); realize this is not a plan you will be finished with once you reach your goal...the lifestyle you have now is what enabled you to gain weight, you can't go back to it; find healthy foods that you enjoy...experiment and try new recipes, etc...you need to find new favorites that won't sabotage your progress; journalling and the giving/getting of advice on here really helps; don't beat yourself when you make mistakes or your progress slows...we are all human...the measure of your success will be in your ability to learn from your mistakes and start fresh. There is no failure if you don't give up! Welcome and best wishes on your journey!