you can go to a gym, a lot of them have day care while you are working out, they watch your kids for an hour or couple of hours, or however long u need....

u have to watch your calories and fat grams, and workout one hour a day at least 5 days a week. the devil is in the snacking. you proably, like me, snack a lot more than you realize.

you can workout at home too, doing video tapes or whatnot.

keep your calories between 1500-1800 a day.......join us in the posts called "my measurements", daily food log, and workout o-meter.

we weigh in/measure in weekly, and make logs of food and excercise on a weekly basis.

Hi Karyn. I can relate to you! I was in your very place last March. I was 240 lbs at 5'0" and I had been trying for years to lose weight but I just kept gaining. I am 25 and a graduate student with very little time (not kids but not very much free time or money). I have since lost about 70 lbs with my goal weight of at least 125 lbs. I now weigh 167 lbs and working my way down. I just SLOWLY started changing my diet by buying less cookies and chips and more fruits, veggies, granola, yogurt, etc. It took me about 6 months to get away from sweets (although I still have them), fast food, etc. I mean, I still eat those things occasionally, but try to limit my intake and frequency. Since you don't have time for a gym, I would suggest walking. Thats how I started. The first time, I walked as far as I could as fast as I could. I lasted about 15 minutes. From there, I just kept adding more time, distance, pace etc until I was going 30 minutes. Yoga has been very helpful as well (the tapes are pretty good for yoga and pilates). Now I run/walk and do yoga (and swim at my University pool when I get a chance). Just do what works for you. Think of it as a lifestyle change, not a diet. Don't deprive yourself but limit the intake. Try to work out everyday if you can, even 10 minutes walking is great. Just do it slowly and while the weight comes off slowly, you will keep it off longer. I am here if you would like to chat more. Good luck and hope this helped a little!

I DONT EVEN THINK I EAT 1500 CALORIES A DAY. I EAT A MEAL OR TWO A DAY AND NOT HIGH CALORIE FOODS EITHER. I HAVE TRIED WORKING OUT IN THE PAST AND NEVER LOST A POUND. I DID STUFF RIGHT HERE IN MY LIVING ROOM.. CRUNCHES,PUSH-UPS,JUMPING JACKS, ECT.. FOR 4 OR 5 WEEKS STRAIGHT FOR AN HOUR EVERYDAY AND NEVER LOST A POUND.

I WANT TO WALK SO BAD. BUT THERE IS NOWHERE TO WALK IN THIS TOWN. NO SIDEWALKS AT ALL. AND IVE BEEN TRYING TO RACK MY BRAIN THINKING OF A PLACE I CAN GO WALK FOR AN HOUR A DAY AND PUSH MY KIDS IN THEIR STROLLER. BUT ANY PLACE I CAN THINK OF I SURELY WOULDN'T WANT TO GO THERE BY MYSELF. IN THE WOODS. AND ALL THE ROADS AROUND HERE ARE BUSY ROADS THAT YOU WOULD BE TAKING A RISK TO WALK DOWN.

Karyn, I think Elizabeth has given you some good advice. I just wanted to add that there are walking tapes (I know, sounds silly) but Leslie Sansone puts them out. They are the "Walk Away the Pounds" series such as Walk and Kick, etc. They really can give you a decent workout, I think each cd increases the level of exercise. Not expensive and worth checking out. Good luck, you can do it. It really is about just changing you lifestyle.

Karyn the key to losing weight is honesty. I think its important that you take responsibility for what you put in your mouth and how much time you spend working it off. The only way to be truly accountable is to write things down. Either you can do this privately or like iluvddc suggested you can join the various supportive message boards we have going here. There is no way though that if you eat less and exercise more, you won't lose weight. There is no trick to losing weight. Eat three healthy meals a day, a snack or two if you need it, stay away from sodas, drink lots of water, exercise 5-6 times a week for an hour. you want to focus your meals on protein and veggies, limit fatty meats and starchy veggies (potatoes).

You can do this. The first step is being honest...

Leslie's DVDs are great!! I use them a I can't find the time to the house for a good walk. Highly recommend!!

you have to count how many calories you are eating each day. I have lost 60 pounds in almost 5 months by counting calories. A great website to use to do this is www.caloriecheckbook.com . Its the only totally free one I have found and each day I enter my calories taken in, my weight and measurements I enter once a week and I also enter the calories burned each day.They give you a list of exercises and foods and they figure out the calories for you. I love it. After using the calorie calculator for a few weeks I was able to count them myself.

Sorry, if this is going to sound obvious - but have you considered talking to a doctor? I am seeing a weight management group - I have lost more than 50 pounds in 6 months. My group has a great plan, doesn't involve counting calories, and in a typical week, I have lost like 2.5 (slightly over desired weight loss goal)and that's with having a dessert of cheesecake one night. If you want more info, email me and we can talk.

Another thing - be positive - try to stop saying nothing has worked! Instead say something like - so far, I haven't reached my goal but I am on my way. Attitude plays alot for motivation. And don't step on that scale daily! I personally won't get on a scale until the doctor tells me to - that way, when there is weight loss, it is a larger number and i don't focus on the small stuff.

You've stated that you only eat a couple of meals a day. For me there is a "red flag" right there. You need to eat at least three meals a day. The question is what those meals contain. Some people eat 5 or more smaller 'snack' size meals.

I might compare it to not having enough money in the bank. You have one of two options, stop spending as much or start finding other sources of money.

With weight loss, you should either eat fewer calories or expend more energy in exercise. (preferably a little of both, because that way you can maybe not cut back TOO much and thus not feel deprived)

You said you feel uncomfortable walking where you live. Not knowing where that is, I would ask, do you have any shopping malls? Most shopping malls (even the small ones) have programs for "Mall Walkers", and will likely even be able to tell you how many laps around the mall equal a mile. For example, for me, Castleton Square Mall in Indianapolis IN, 2 laps = 1 mile.

If you don't have a mall, even if the only street you feel comfortable is right in front of your own house, the standard length of a block of street in most cities is 1/4 mile. So four trips up and down the block will cover 1 mile.

I wish you well in your efforts Karyn.
-Ron (murtagh)

Do you live around family? Maybe you could pick a time during the day that works well for the babes, and a relative, and have them visit for an hour, or stay home with them when they've gone to bed, and get out for an hour. It turns into a serious SANITY SAVER.

And I wanted to stress the doctor thing. There could be an underlying issue. You never know, but dont give up! :)

Hi there, this is my 1st day here and I really need support and advice to keep me away from food. I have been eating too much. I gained 12 pounds in 2 months. Very scary...binging at nite especially. But I will make it a point to try again. I will share with the frens here. I strongly believe if we eat rite we will lose fats for sure. No matter how hard we workout but if we dun control what goes in there then its a waste of time at the end. I must do it...startign from today...please support me...thanxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Diet and Exercise.

Hi Karyn,
Losing that amount of weight wil certainly take a combination of approaches. In addition to a healthful eating plan, not DIET, and some regular exercise, there are a couple things that could boost your fat/weight loss. There is a new product out that breaks down subcutaneous fat so it is released into the bloodstream. If you apply this to specific areas about 30 minutes before going for a walk it will send it out of your system and it tightens your sking which is very important as you lose that much. Don't want to need to get rid of miles of excess skin once you're done to 125. They tested this at UCLA and found the average woman lost an inch in each thigh in just one week with a once daily application. i use it and it really does work!!
I would also try the Miracle II Soap & Neutralizer for Detox Baths, I always drop a couple pounds after each of those. You can find all the details about this at www.SoakAwaythePounds.com, that's where I buy mine, they're very reliable. Good Luck!!

Well, I can tell you what worked for me. And I hope it helps you. First of all, read some good diet books that will motivate you. Some good ones are : FIT to LIVE, anything by Bob Greene (Oprah's trainer) , YOU on a diet, or anything by Leslie Samsone.
Check the Library if you don't wanna spend the $$$.
Sign up for a free Online account to track your calories and exercise. two really good ones that are free are www.sparkpeople.com and www.fitday.com
Account for every calorie you are ingesting. Eating two meals per day is NOT optimal. You should be eating 3 smaller meals with 2 or three snacks in between of great tasting healthy food.
Exercise. Commit to something. Make it a habit. Schedule it in. The best thing is DVDs or tapes. You don't have to drive to any gym. Check out Leslie Samsone's DVDs. It's a great low-impact aerobics class that really will do wonders. You can buy them in increments... 1 mile, 2 miles, 3 miles and 4 mile superchallenge!
Good luck!