Please help me . I want to lose about 15 to 20 lbs before February. I'm 5 ft2ins and I weigh 132 lbs I want to get down to between 110 and 120 lbs because that's more proportional to my size I'm of normal build, apple shape and african .:)

You should start by cutting out sugary pop and drinks, and also sweets and junk food. You should also start exercising for about 30-60 minutes a day, that should help you shed some weight.

Drink lots of water, up your fiber intake and lower your saturated fat intake, eat small portions of food 5 to 6 times a day, exercise 30 minuets a day getting your heart rate up. If you do that you will lose 20 pounds long before February. I promise you you won't feel hungry or even feel like you are dieting. Oh yes and don't weight yourself more than once a week, it will just discourage you.

Just thought id let u know that 132lbs is not overweight for someone of 5ft2. Im 5ft4 and 182lbs and excersising my off to loose weight. If you get to 110lbs that's is way way way to skinny

Cut out fried and fatty foods, especially fast foods, foods or snacks heavy with sodium, like chips, sugary cakes or cookies. Cut out all processed foods, eat natural, meals cooked in olive oil , steamed, broiled or baked. Eat smaller portions of healthy foods like chicken, turkey breast, loin type meats and fish, you only need 3 oz, for a meal, then add some veggies, whole grains like wheat breads, cereals, rice or pasta, and lots of fruits. Instead of presweetened drinks like soda, drink lots of water throughout the day. And make sure you eat a healthy breakfast, like oatmeal, whole grain cereal, fruit, low fat low sugar yogurt. Include beans, legumes in your meals there another great source of protein with low to no fat. Get 3 servings a day of low fat or skim milk, cheese and yogurt, it really helps you get leaner faster, people who eat 2-3 servings of low fat or skim dairy tend to lose more weight, calcium regulates energy metabolism which increases fat breakdown. The more calcium your store in your fat cells the more calories your body will burn, Calcium seems to increase the body's core temperature which casu it to burn more calories, when you exercise. When you want a healthy snack besides yogurt or fruit try a handful of nuts or seeds, almonds and walnuts are great, they will satisfy your appetite and provide protein. And then of course you need to get into a regular exercise program, 3-4 times a week, 30-60 minutes worth of aerobics, dancing, swimming, walking, jogging, biking, resistance training. Walking for 1 hour a day will show great results! Just keep up with what your eating, read nutritional labels, know what your putting in your body and how much, keep to the one serving size, and if your eating wrong, make small changes but keep motivated and you can lose 2-3 lbs. a week safely and this weight will stay off.

Reduce your calorie intake and increase your exercise level.

It's simple math, and it works EVERY time. Do not go below 1200 calories a day or lose more than 2 pounds a week without being under the supervision of a nutritionist. Our fat cells store chemicals and toxins, and it do some pretty nasty things to your body, if you lose weight too fast (like hair falling out, etc).

Simple things that are REALLY high calorie are bread, milk, eggs, cheese, margarine/butter. Just keeping a few of these in check should cause a dramatic loss in weight. Also look for the obvious things, like sugars and sodas. The difference between healthy weight and 50 lbs overweight is two candy bars a day...

I am the same 5'2" and 128 lbs so I know the belly problem. It is hard to lose but you have to keep working at it.
I want to get down to a size 7. I figure that should be around 115 pounds

This is basically what I started a month ago and so far lost 7 pounds. If I could give up the Pepsi I know that would be a good 5 pounds more lost!!

Eat lots of grapefruit unless you take certain meds.
Grapefruit is bad with certain medicines. I heard that grapefruit juice can interfere with some medicines. Is this true? (http://www.drugstore.com/qxa1547_333181_sespider-i_heard_that_grapefruit_juice_can_interfere_with_s ome_medicines__is_this_true.htm)
Drink water (not tap) and eat citrus fruit when you first wake up.
Eat grapefruit throughout the day preferably before each meal.
Be careful not to eat it with foods that will curdle. I ate it before chicken soup one time and it curdled and made me throw up.

Drink water and (Preferably fresh squeezed) fruits and vegetables through the day.

Eat lots of fruits and vegetables. Eat less meat and more fiber (whole grain)

Eat breakfast
Don't eat artificial sweeteners or diet foods Aspartame Truth Information Site (http://aspartametruth.com/)
Use sea salt instead of table salt.
Eat smaller portions 4 or 5 times through the day rather than 3 big heavy meals
Eat to raise your metabolism

Also avoid drinking any liquids 1/2 hour before meals to 1 hour after --dilutes digestive acids
Causing weight retention.

Avoid: junk foods, fast foods, pre prepared foods such as instant, boxed meals and TV dinners, greasy foods and diet foods.

Also avoid the microwave it zaps out ALL vitamins and enzymes... enzymes are important for proper digestion. Microwave ovens destroy the nutritional value of your food (http://www.newstarget.com/021966.html)

Good advice, n0help4u, especially the artificial sweeteners Not only are they nasty but they have been said to cause cancer. A little real sugar is better than a lot of fake sugar I think haha.

Staple you're mouth

Most dieticians will recommend Splenda as a sweetener. Also, Stevia is an all natural non-caloric sweetener that has no side effects. And though the "truth" about Asparatame is only an old wives' tale (Snopes.com), there may be some harmful effects.

kokoleona -

Listen to the advice you've been given. A healthy lifestyle of moderate, intelligent eating coupled with exercise is the way to go. You say you want to do this by feb... well, I'm not going to promise you the lbs off, but you do have enough time to see some results.

Some say it takes around six weeks to develop a habit. Start with the advice about cutting out the junk, portion control, and more frequent meals instead of bigger meals. In fact, just throw the big dinner plates into storage. They are proably two to three times the size they need to be.

Don't fad diet... just work first on thinking about what you are putting into your body and what it means. My wife runs 3-4 times a week... anywhere from two miles to six... sometimes mixed running/walking. Half the reason she does it is to stay in shape. The other half is so she CAN have that dessert when she wants it.

But make no mistake about it... she'll turn down that candy jar at work to save those calories for something much better later. I know when I reach for a beer what it means in time on the treadmill. Doesn't mean I won't, but I'm also realistic about it.

And also figure out how to get some exercise, especially walking or running or any kind of cardio. You amp this up for a few weeks and your metabolism will change. I don't promise you will lose all the weight you want, since you can replace fat with healthy muscle and be in a better place without as much of a swing on the scale, but it's a great habit to get into if you haven't.

Especially for later in life, when you metabolism slows down bit by bit. You find yourself having to work a little harder to compensate, and its just easier if you are already in the habit of working out.