Somewhat discouraged and confused!

[cinnamon1]

Hello all! So I am 18 and weigh 202 lbs. I have been on jenny craig for 2 years now and at one point got all the way down to 179. Then Christmas happened and eating whatever I wanted happened and I gained most of it back. I started phen last week because I realized that I couldn't control my eating. I was on the 15 mg for about 4 days and lost 3 lbs. I just started the 30mg today. I feel discouraged after reading tons of posts on here that I am not going to lose anything because I won't eat right or I will just ignore the effects of the pill....idk i just feel like it's not going to work! I am a verrrry lazy person. Working out is not my friend, i hate it; but, i'll do it if i have to. I have worked out for the past 3 days I think its worked out for me but some times I just don't have the time or the motivation. Also, since I have been on phen, I don't eat breakfest because I just don't have an appetite for it, then I eat a jc meal and then either a "real" dinner at a resturant (not splurging though) or a jc dinner but after that im hungry and can't control myself again. I also have a horrrrribble sweet tooth! I just don't know what to do. I want it to work but I feel pessimistic and I think just need some advice. I'm going to college in a month and a half and I want to be down to 170! idk if it's possible but i want to. PLEASE HELP.

[dmnqdv]

You're going to (a) have to start eating breakfast as it boosts your metabolism and gives you energy, (b) work out on a consistent basis, and (c) have faith in yourself.

Breakfast doesn't have to be major. A simple protein shake or smoothie, yogurt and granola, cereal and milk, or some eggos and fruit will do you a world of good and get you going for the rest of your day.

I know you don't really like working out. How about finding something that's fun and burns calories at the same time? Dancing workouts are pretty fun -- so are video games such as boxing, step aerobics, and dance games too.

Finally, you need to have faith in yourself and stop putting yourself down. It's a one day at a time process to lose weight. Just take your phen, eat a healthy breakfast, have a fun workout, drink lots of water, and the weight will come off.

PS: Try to find some healthy alternatives for your sweet tooth. Frozen fruit, fruit bars, rice cake snacks (caramel is pretty good) are a good alternative to sugary stuff that can only reek havoc on your diet.

[BrewCityBaby]

First of all congrats on taking a step towards making yourself healthier. Now for the part you might not want to hear. If you dont have the motivation and commitment you will not keep the weight off if you do lose it. Maybe you need to be with a program other than Jenny Craig, maybe Weight Watchers because then you can learn how to eat, and still have some accountability. If you dont committ yourself to changing your habits the Phen will not do anything besides give you short term loss. My biggest advice is going to be sit down once a week and plan out your food for the entire week...and then stick to that plan. And eat real foods and try to keep the processed stuff to a minimum. A lot of people on here will tell you that clean eating has helped them a ton. Breakfast is extremely important, you have to make yourself eat something. Even if its some egg whites and toast or a granola bar. It gets your metabolism going for the day. You are young(with a faster moving metabolism) so now is the time to really develop some good habits that you can keep with you for the long run and hopefully make you sucessful at keeping the weight off once its gone. And the other thing is the excercise thing...its essential, no ifs, ands, or buts about it. Without some kind of physical activity this will be a whole lot harder. This isnt a magic pill that does all the work for you. If you think eating what you want, not working out, and then just popping the Phen will melt the weight off you will have a very unpleasant reality check in a few weeks. I have said it before but you will get out what you put in. This medication is a tool to help you make changes in your habits. If you are using it as a quick way to drop a bunch of weight you are on it for the wrong reason, and you will hear it from people on these boards.

Pretty much there are a few basic rules of thumb that a lot of people go by:
*drink tons of water (the average is about 100oz a day)
*Eat a meal plan that you can maintain and that you enjoy
*try to get at least 30 minutes of some kind of excercise 4-5 times a week
*Figure out what works for you--we are all different
*Use the Phen as a tool, not as your crutch...its you who makes it work
*And look through all the posts on here to see what other people are doing. We all have figured out what works for us, and most of us are more than willing to help you figure out what might work for you.

Sorry this is so long but I wanted to give you enough input to get going on stuff. If you want more help with figuring stuff out just private message me and maybe I will be able to help you. But just stay focused, find something that motivates you, eat right, and you will do fine.

[greatdanemom]

Sorry you are having such a hard time, being your age isn't easy. I remember. I feel like when I was your age I would have posted that I hated working out, I loved sleeping in late and I had zero self control when it came to food. The truth is I was just very insecure, unmotivated, spoiled and self-destructive in every single way. You are your own worst enemy and as long as you say "I can't" "I won't" "help me" you will not see the change you want. It really just comes down to whether or not you want to lose weight. If you do then commit to it and make it happen. Don't use "I have a sweet tooth" as a excuse...don't accept being lazy - fyi I am not able to work out much but I move..I walk.. I dance when I clean the house. I eat lean meats, veggies and fruits during the week and saturday is my cheat day...don't go overboard but if you've behaved then grab a bag of m&m's and have a handful of chips, it won't undo a whole week. Drink water... The more you pee the better! Once you see the first 10 lbs go or when you go down one size in jeans you will feel much more motivated. Phen isn't a miracle pill, but it will help. Also, I don't know how true it is but I was told once that jenny craig meals have high sodium...sodium is the one thing that can undo my success overnight. Try some non-processed, low carb, high protein options balanced with veggies and fruit. You can do this. I have lost 30 lbs in 2.5 months...if I can do it you can do it.

[cinnamon1]

Thank you all SO much. Honestly, the three of you are amazing! You just really helped me mentally hahahha but really I am now ready for this and to start being healthy. I will try and get in a work out every day and eat breakfast as well. Also, drinking water! I have given up caffeine in the last week so now I have to get used to drinking water which is hard for me for some reason but I'll get over it eventually. Your tips all helped me a lot, I appreciate it.

[BrewCityBaby]

Thank you all SO much. Honestly, the three of you are amazing! You just really helped me mentally hahahha but really I am now ready for this and to start being healthy. I will try and get in a work out every day and eat breakfast as well. Also, drinking water! I have given up caffeine in the last week so now I have to get used to drinking water which is hard for me for some reason but I'll get over it eventually. Your tips all helped me a lot, I appreciate it.

I have a problem with my water intake sometimes too. What works if I have a TON of different flavors of the Target brand crystal light packets (the flavors there are better) and I mix that into water for something with flavor. Or they make flavored seltzer water too. I would get away from the JC foods. There are much better options that taste WAY better. The other thing I didnt mention to you that has helped me and others on here is keeping a food log. It will really open your eyes to how much and what you are eating. It makes you think twice before eating things. Good luck and keep us posted. Just remember if you are having a hard day come on here and post and someone will help keep you moving forward.

[agentk]

Definitely start eating breakfast! If you can't manage a lot, a protein shake, anything, really, to get you going. It's huge, and you might find you feel better after you get used to it!

You can still have sweet things, but try finding more healthy alternatives. Frozen yogurt instead of ice cream is the big change I've made. You can try popsicles or fruit parfaits, little changes like that, rather than candy, or cakes. Some people use the 100 calorie packs to allow themselves treats without over indulging. You don't have to give up everything you love, you just have to cut back on it! Just start by making small changes--healthier choices, smaller portions, reduced fat versions of your favorite foods.

Exercise can be the hardest part, especially if you're lazy, but you might find you have a LOT more energy once you start. It's one of the most crucial things, though, so try to find a way to do it. Ask a friend, or family member, who would be willing to work with you, that way you have company and support. You can go for walks, do a fun aerobic DVD, whatever you enjoy. (Or if not enjoy, tolerate enough to stick with it.) I took a small TV in my exercise room so that I can watch a DVD while I sweat. I try to pick something engaging enough to keep me going, and then I'm not focusing on how much longer I have to keep working.

You can do it! We've all felt like we'd never be able to lose weight at some point, I'm sure. Once you make the changes, you'll be surprised at how far you can go, without wanting to look back.

[sarahollywood]

You're not going to get anywhere if you feel pessimistic. You have to believe in yourself and get the motivation from deep inside you. I don't believe any us LOVED working out before we started phen. I surely didn't. But again, that's where the motivation comes in to play. You're are only going to be ready when you make a commitment to yourself to eat right and exercise. The week I started phen I quit everything cold turkey..no caffeine..no fried foods..any of that junk. And honey, it was hard. I went through the caffiene withdrawls. I was cranky and even got depressed LOL. Sure I could have backed out and went to my old ways of things but today I would be down 16lbs and feeling amazing. It is ultimately up to YOU if you are ready for this. And we are all here to offer advice and support when you need it most.

Take care darling!

[koorbwest]

Ok Cinnamon here it is. Im going to keep it real 100 with you. You are going to college with the Idea you are Lazy. Laziness spills over into all aspects of Life, you didnt ask but I am going to tell you. College is no joke, you have to push your self to get up and go to class, no mom or dad or big brother or sister to make you stick to it. You have to do it on your own, as with everything in life. The simple fact that you got excepted in college tells me there is something in you that can do it. YES YOU CAN DO IT. No more I have a sweet tooth, eat yogurt its sweet, no more I dont like working out. Here is a tip. If you live on campus, WALK TO THE ACADEMIC SIDE FROM THE RESIDENT SIDE. thats usually a pretty far walk. If you are going to be driving park far away from class. This will aslo encourage you to be on time for class. Another thing that people may not tell you. As soon as you see one of those pretty little thin girls prouncing around on campus grabbing the attention you will quickly get motivated. No one wants to be the fat sympathy friend that none of the guys or girls talk too( just trying to cover all bases). Another thing do you know how embarissing it is not to be abnle to be active at a college campus because you get winded to fast or you get tired quickly? Its horrible, I had friends like that and always left them cause they physically couldnt do much. Being over weight is not a joke. Think of your heart and artieries that are suffering because you are to lazy too move. I am sorry if I am coming down on you but I refuse to let a fellow sister fall to obesity which leads to all sorts of physical and emotional problems. Be strong be active be motivated by LIFE and put it in gear. Good luck in college and in life.

[Krys]

Don't focus on the posts that show all the struggles. Tons of us have had great success too! But you have to be 100 percent committed! I did all those programs too. And failed every time. This time it's working because I finally accepted this is my life! You can't temporarily eat right and exercice! It's for life if you want to keep it off. You can do this! I almost lost 20 pounds my first month on phen. But I was all business and have been ever since. Do it for yourself! College is stressful. If you make good health habits now it will pay off