First off – for those of you who have effectively lost weight and kept it off, I praise you. I cannot seem to lose even half of a pound.

Also, I obsessively think about losing weight. If I ate good and worked out as much as I think about it, I’d be so tiny I would almost be invisible. I’m not kidding. Why do I think about it so much? Well. Let’s see – low self confidence, for sure. I know appearance is a bad reason to lose weight, but honestly, that’s a huge part. Also, probably the main reason is the health benefit. I worry about diabetes in the future, or hypertension. Even MI and CVA, I think about it ALL. I know it’s not healthy for me to obsessively think about losing weight, which is why I’m taking action - or trying to at least. It drives me crazy.

I am a 19 year old female, 5’7”, 170 pounds, in college, which makes it extremely difficult to eat healthy. That’s not an excuse – it really is hard (unless, of course, you know what your doing ).

Today for example, I had a lowfat yogurt before my 3 hour lecture today, and my stomach started GROWLING, how embarrassing. SO, during our five minute break, (which gives us no time to do anything), I went to the closest possible food source, the vending machine. No other option. Got pop tarts, the healthiest thing I could find. So that just ruined all the work I have done, and for the rest of the day. Now I feel like I have to restart tomorrow and this ALWAYS happens. I need something convenient, healthy, and filling all in one. Also, I am gone every day from 7 am for school, and then I go to work until 7 pm, except for the weekends. I have a microwave and refrigerator at work.

Before I started school, last year, I got a physical for school - 145 pounds. Wow, how did I get to that. Now this past April I went to the doctor again, 170 pounds. HOLY CRAP what have I done.

I have a treadmill that I have been doing 45 minutes at 3.9 mph (a fast walk for me). Is this enough? If not, what is? Is there anything else to do in addition?

I want to exercise EVERYDAY, eat healthy AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE. I just need all the help in the world to know how to do it, and to stay motivated. I also feel like when I’m eating, I don’t know if its right, so I give up thinking nothing good will come out of it, since it probably is wrong anyway.

In conclusion – ANYTHING WOULD HELP! And I’m very grateful for any of you who can give me tips on what to eat/what times/when to exercise/how long/convenient foods, the whole nine yards.
Thank you so much.

"Extreme Fat Smash Diet", by Ian K Smith... at books-a-million... only thing that ever worked for me.. lost 30 lbs relatively quickly and have kept it off because unlike other diets, his book offers a maintenance phase to keep the weight off... very structured diet, easy to follow, easy to find foods... good luck

First of all, I applaud you for wanting to lose weight and for actively trying to do so. Exercising as much as you are is awesome! Watching what you eat is also great.

For me, the key was a lifestyle change. I changed my eating habits and pretty much did a two week intensive phase of no "white stuff"... no white flour, white sugar, or anything that would change into sugar in my body. (Pastas, breads, sugary snacks, fruits, juice, pop, even sugar in my coffee had to go.) I figured I could do anything for a short amount of time.

By the end of that two weeks, I found that even though I LOVE pasta, my body didn't want it anymore! I mean, I still had the "Ooo... lasagna" cravings and would eat a huge piece of lasagna... but I found myself heavy and full afterwards. I bought a George Foreman Grill and started grilling meat, fish, and veggies. It was great! I also started exercising, but only 3 times a week.

The key with exercising is variety. If you do the same thing - even every day - your body will get used to it and you will lose the effectiveness. Rather than using the treadmill every day, try every other day, and the days off from the treadmill, try something else, like a stationary bike. Or even walking outside - you'd be amazed at the difference from walking on a treadmill and outside will do.

Find the diet plan that works for you and do it. Its hard. But, I've found that denying myself things that I crave isn't good. If I want a piece of lasagna or a slice of cake, I eat it. I don't crave it all the time, because my body is healthy. But when I do! I pig out! :)

Good luck!

(Oh, I've lost 55 pounds, dropped 10 dress sizes, and am still losing :) You can do it too!)

I have to recommend T-Tapp. It is the best workout I have ever tried and I've tried them all. Her web site is Better Body Basics - T-Tapp.com (http://www.ttapp.com) and you can "try before you buy". You can't beat that!