Making A Lifestyle Change- Help?

Question

Okay, I'll give you some background.

Part or most of my Dad's family has Type 2 Diabetes and I've been told that I might get it. My Mum has an Underactive Thyroid- it makes you gain weight.

I recently put on 2st from a combination of leaving Weight Watchers(lost 1 1/2lbs in 12 weeks, not paying £5 a weeks for that!) and Bulimia. I'm now at around 240lbs at 5"8.

I'm willing to take my time and get final results in over a year, good things take time, like :L

I've made meal plans that are 1800cals a day, not low not too high. They have everything that the food pyramid says it should have(proteins, fruit&veg, carbs etc.)

I'm gonna go jogging for around 25-30mins everyday, once in the morning 5x a week and 3x at night(I have to walk dogs so the days where I jog will switch.)

Eg:

Mon: Jog/Walkdogs Tue:Jog/Jog etc.

When I hit a plateau I'm going to incorporate some aerobics and some weights to tone up.

I don't drink or smoke.

I have allowed myself one cheat meal a week on Friday.

I have pretty good willpower and determination, so do you think this would work out long term? And once I hit my goal weight, how should I exercise to keep it off and not lose any more?

Thankyou (:

Answer 1

habits are habits.  Once you stay on this plan for several months, it will become routine and will become a habit.

Sounds great to me!!  Good luck!!

Answer 2

It certainly sounds as if you are on the right track.  

Keeping a food journal really does help.  It will give you a much better sense of how much you are eating, and when, and why.

Make a few small changes - walk everywhere, always use stairs instead of elevators, walk on escalators, get up and move around at least once an hour if your work or life in general is sedentary, walk every day, use a pedometer. Walking 10,000 steps a day is a really good idea. Build up to a long brisk walk everyday, or most days. Do more sports and less TV and computer.

Start a weight lifting routine. It will help increase your metabolism and make you feel and look better in so many ways.  Join a gym. Possibly you can find one that has someone who specializes in weight lifting programs for beginners.  Weight lifting will increase your metabolism as well as improve posture and appearance overall.

In terms of diet, cut out or reduce things like junk food, pop, fat, fast food. Eat more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean meat, fish. Drink plenty of water. You will begin to see changes. Even though we would like it to be different, there is no quick fix. But stick with it. You can be successful.

The moral support you need is what comes from within you. If you are ready to lose the weight you will stick with it and do it. It doesn't matter what your friends or family say or do.

Check out websites about nutrition, weight loss, exercise, weight training, etc.

Stick with it. You can do it.   Here are a couple of  helpful links.

http://www.nutrawatch.com/

http://www.caloriesperhour.com/

http://weightloss.about.com/cs/fitness/a...

http://www.thepumpingstation.com/trainin...

http://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/fe...