How can I jump-start my weight loss?

Have you tried SparkPeople before?

They offer diet plans and free tracking tools—so if you’ve have success with WW before, this might be right up your alley. They can offer ideas for getting started.

From a personal advice perspective I’d encourage you NOT do to a cleanse or a fast per se.. but to know that it takes about 28 days to form a good habit. So, if you can – get a calendar out, plan what you’ll eat for the next 28 days carefully..use some sites like MyFitnessPal (also free) to plan a reasonable caloric goal and to track your calories in/out each day. Doing something drastic (i.e. fasting or cleanse) will just cause you to “snap back” (typical yo-yo pattern)—especially if you feel deprived or hungry. It’s better to get yourself on a carefully planned healthy eating plan that won’t leave you feeling starved. You’re more likely to be able to continue & form that “good habit” of diet/exercise you’re looking for if you aren’t as drastic about it..

It seems you have the same problem as me when it comes to committal. I think it would be best to start small as to do otherwise would make the tasks seem daunting.

Assuming that you’re of average fitness…

For the first week, take short walks. Five minutes, ten minutes, then gradually build up to say, half an hour. The most important thing is that you keep to it. Once you start, don’t stop and you’ll gradually get into the routine and not fight it.

tl;dr: willpower all the way!

If you just start any diet that cuts calories you will lose water weight. It’s automatic, because if you consume less your salt intake is less, and your body has to get rid of water so you don’t drop dead. That is unless you eat a bunch of salt while eating less food. The thing is you have to stick with the diet. Will your husband do the “diet” with you? You can keep each other in check. Assuming he is taller than you, remember you have to eat less than him. A lot of women gain weight during marriage because they serve their husband and themselves the same plate of food.

My basic tips would be count calories, eat healthy foods (whole foods, and food from scratch) weigh yourself every day. Record your calories daily in a diary.

I am completely against no carb diets like Atkins. If you count calories you will automatically eat less carbs, because if all you ate was carbs you would feel like each portion of food is almost nothing. Veggies generally are low in calories and add food to the plate.

@JLeslie No, he won’t diet with me. He is 5’9” and 145 lbs, so he’s closer to underweight than overweight. Asking him to eat vegetables and whole grains will be way more trouble than it’s worth. In the past, I’ve cooked two separate meals, a healthy one for me and a not-so-healthy one for him. We’re actually living with his mother while we’re closing on our first home, so his mom will be the closest thing to a diet buddy I’ll have, but she’s on this protein bar kick that I’m staying far away from. She wouldn’t be adverse to healthier dinners though. Bottom line, I’m pretty much on my own here.

There was a time after I quit Atkins when I exercised 5 days a week without fail, ate 1200 calories per day, and never cheated. That’s when I got down to 124 lbs. I just need to find that groove, but it’s hard when I’m not on the hunt for a man! :)

Quit all soda. Quit anything with High Fructose Corn Syrup. When you wake up, drink water right away (gets the stomach active, and metabolism button on). There’s a start.

@livelaughlove21 Oh yeah, he is plenty skinny.

Are you exercising now? I truly believe 90% of weight loss is what you eat, but the exercise gives it a little help for sure, and can make you feel good if you like the exercise.

Are there things you do big cheats with? Like, are you eating lots of sweets? Pigging out on chips as a snack? Cookies? If you want a small start you can just cut out the really bad crap. Keep that out of the house, but that won’t give you the big weight loss drop you want at once probably. But, it easily could be a pound a week maybe? I have no idea, because I have no idea your eating habits.

500 calories a day is about a pound a week. Cut by that much or a little more, plus a little exercise, and lose 1–2 pounds a week.

Do you work? Do you eat too much at work? Meals out and candy to get through the day?

The first day allow yourself to have only liquids. Once you start your eating, drink at least 36 oz of water a day. 12 oz at each meal is a way to start. Say no to the things you know should not be on your diet. It’s takes will power no matter what you do. Good luck.

Buy healthier food. Swear off bread, chips (even corn chips, even if they’re baked), and pasta altogether. Drink more. Base more of your lunches and dinners on salads. Eliminate all snack foods from your supplies; only buy stuff for meals. Worry about the calories at the supermarket, and don’t fuss with them at home.
Weigh yourself daily as part of your morning routine, and log your weight. Better to do this before dressing or breakfast, to get a better idea of your real mass.

Do you have an iPhone? Try the MyFittnessPal app. Great calorie tracking software, extremely large food database, and supportive community. I’ve lost 15 lbs In three months…