Basic help needed

Hi everyone.  i just joined and I am looking for any advice!  I am planning on getting pregnant in June and just physically can not do it at this weight.  I have been heavy my whole life and have never really tried to diet or exercise I have just fluctuated up and down.  I am in a pure state of panic thinking about not being able to lose weight in time.  I don't even know where to start.  I can barely walk around the block without getting light headed.  Thanks for any help!

Welcome! I think your best bet would be to first see your Dr. Then choose a WL plan that fits you. Some do better with Low carb plans- some count calories... I am doing the WW flex plan. You will know what is the right plan as you research and get yourself set to start. Read read READ :) There is a WEALTH of info on this site and we're all here and happy to help as we can. Check out people profiles to- you can learn SO MUCH just reading what others have gone through and what is working for them. Make mini goals... start out small!  That has been a HUGE help for me! Again- welcome! Keep posting and let us know what you choose!

Thank you so much!  I have been looking through profiles and you are right.  What a great motivator and filled with great ideas.  My goal right now is just to remember I am trying to lose weight.  I went out to dinner and ordered my usual. The waiter arrive with the food and I was like, oops, I can not eat this.  I am really trying to stay focused.

Hi ruby Welcome I wanted to say that by June, the most reasonable amount of loss you might expect is about 20-30 pounds. I know it will help but chances are it is not what you had in mind? However, don't let that stop you from getting started! I'm sure it would be okay with you to get preggers several months later if that's the way it shakes out.  Just by eating good whole food - I dont have to go over it exactly, do i .  I mean we all can guess at the lesser healthy stuff, right?  Most desserty things, snack foods like chips, crackers, cookies, fast food, etc - keep those off limits if even for a while.  Start with eliminating them for a month and replace with fresh/frozen/canned fruit & veggies, low fat dairy, lean meats, whole grains, better fats like olive oil, canola.  The good news is you should see remarkable results if you never have really tried! Hang in there, it will not happen over night, so get that out of your head!

Thanks for great advice.  I have no idea what I have in mind.  I think I weighed 50 pounds less than now when I was pregnant last time.  It was hard but do-able.  I remember that the scales were always off at my dr. and I never really knew how much I was gaining or losing. Ahhhh, Kaiser.  top of the line medical care.  I am trying to look at my clothes from back then and kinda estimate what I am looking for.  I didn't have any health issues it is just the sheer weight of a pregnant belly that got me last time.

Hi Ruby! You should start with a physical.  Read  good books on eating right and exercise  like "You on a Diet",  "Body for Life", any of Bob Greene's books etc.  Go to the library  or a book store where you can really explore the material before buying. Joining Weigh****chers, TOPS or any other support group would be amazingly helpful. Good Luck.  It is an really great idea to be in tip top shape before you conceive.  Remember to take 400-800 mcgs of Folic acid daily along with a multivitamin.  Drink lots of water, walk, take stairs. Best, Leila

Thanks, I am definitely going to check out those books.  I am very shy and I'm not sure I could go to a support group but I am sure that would help.  That is a great tip to check out books at library first.

I'd start with a physical & an investment in a used treadmill.  I used the treadmill for all 3 pregnancies and had no weight gain with 2 of them & only gained 5 lbs with my second child.  I started at just 3 or so minutes & within a month, I was walking 1 hour every morning (too bad I stopped exercising after my pregnancies-lol).  After each pregnancy, I had a net weight loss of 25-30 lbs (would have been nice if I kept it off-lol...my standing joke after my first is that I just needed to get preggo 4 more times & all of my excess weight would be gone-lol). Lisa

That's a good idea. I kind of like treadmills.  We used to drink ****tails and watch soaps while walking when I was younger.  You know, I lost a lot of weight after I had my daughter, I weighed less than when I got pregnant.  I think I nursed her forever just to keep burning calories!  I don't know why I always thought when you have kids it is so much easier to exercise.  It takes forever just to get out of the house!

I've turned our formal dining room into a home gym.  I figured I would be exercising more than eating formal dinners-lol!  I've been coming to the conclusion over the past month or so, that exercise is the main key to lose weight and keep it off (for most people).  So, we painted the diningroom, moved the table, dusted off the treadmill & recuumbant bike; repaired the nordic skier (I'll start using that when I get down to 250lbs) & purchased a fluidity bar (ballet barre).   This way, I have no excuse (traffic, weather, embarrassment or whatever) to not exercise daily.   Lisa