Hi, I'm new to this website. I am a 22 year old female and I am at my all time high for weight. I am 5'3 and 178 pounds. I started working out a week ago ever since my boyfriend told me he's not as attracted to me because of my negativity and weight gain. I was very upset by this at first because ever since we met each other 3 years ago(I was 140 at the time), we had both gained a lot of weight. I now am using this as my motivation to get back into shape. So far I have started going for walks about 4 times a week. Today I did pilates and plan to get back into doing that like I had before I met my boyfriend. I would like to know if there are any other things I could do for exercise. I am waiting to join a gym because I don't have the funds right now. Has anyone had any success in speeding up weight loss with anything? I don't want to lose all the weight by January, because that is just unrealistic and unhealthy. I'd like to know some kind of motivation tips, I don't really need them right now, but it is getting colder outside and I guess I'm just wondering what can I do to stay on track and lose weight through the winter? Also, are there supplements that I could take that are healthy for me and help with weight loss (I'm not looking for gimmick weight loss pills). Any answers are appreciated. Thank you

You seem like you're doing a good job planning your exercise, so just stick to it. Always take the stairs if you can, and make sure to drink lots of water and cut back on sodium, sweets, and other junk foods, that'll help your exercise go farther with less calories to burn and less water weight from salts. Pop is a big diet killer, so try to avoid it. I'm not sure if there's any supplements you can take to speed weight loss, but drinking lots of water and avoid sugars and salts will help A LOT.

Cheap workout tips are really just to do things you enjoy. Buy some cheap weights and workout with some music, so some pushups and crunches, maybe buy a stair-stepper or pick up a cheap treadmill?

As far as motivation, ask your boyfriend to work out with you, it's more fun with someone else to go with you and you can bond, and lose weight together1