Hello, I am new!

[Guest guest]

Hi Everyone,

My name is , I am new to this group and will be starting the

Body For Life Challenge tomorrow!

Here's my story. I am 31 years old, married to my high school

sweetheart, mother of two. I was 18 when I had my first child, he

is twelve years old now. I had my second child when I was only 20.

Throughout the years I've never taken the weight off, only added to

it. I am 5'5 " , I currently weigh 185lbs! Yikes! Just saying it

scares me! I weighed 115 when I got pregnant with my eldest.

I have gone up and down on the scale, never going more than 15lbs

either way, however can't say I have every committed to a diet/meal

plan or workout longer than a few weeks at the most. That concerns

me, however it's time now. I think eventually you hit a point where

you see yourself and say " Who is that person living my life? " I

don't see the real me in my reflection anymore and it makes me feel

like the last 12 years have been a lie. Like wearing a costume

everyday. I am in a position where I do not have to work for the

next 2 1/2 years, I have promised my husband and myself, no excuses,

removing the weight and finding a healthy me is my job now.

I've never been one for the gym, I will admit to being intimidated

by the machines and the buff bodies! Lack of self-esteem, self

confidence came with the weight gain over the years. I would like to

remove 50lbs, that would bring me down to 135, I feel that would be

healthy and a do-able goal.

I have printed off everything and have made a journal for myself in

a 3 ring binder to keep track of my measurments, eating, workouts

etc. For the most part I am following the Body for Life plan. My

plan is to tough it out and find my way around the gym for the

nautilus machines three times a week, loosening up by using the

eliptical for 30 minutes prior. On the other three days I will walk

4 miles a day and do the Core Secrets videos. I have purchased 3-5

lb hand weights to use in addition to the Core Secrets videos and I

have bought a jump rope, should the day pass me by and I haven't

gotten my cardio in, I have no excuse to not take the jumprope out!

I've been living a sedentary lifestyle.

The one thing I am confused about is the calories I should be taking

in and then how much to burn off to reach my goal of 2-3lbs a week?

How do I compute that? I can find approx. cal burn info for weight

lifting, eliptical, walking, jump-roping etc. But how do I know how

many calories I burn using the Core Secret videos? I can't find

that information anywhere! Do you compute in the calories you burn

just doing normal stuff as well? Please someone help me. I haven't

taken measurments or photo's yet, that'll be tomorrow, my official

start date.

I am trying to prepare a menu for myself as my nearest grocery store

is a hour away and therefore takes planning! However I don't know

what to aim for on calorie intake so I stuck, yet planning to start

the challenge tomorrow! So menu ideas (for a picky eater) would

also be great!

Your experience and expertise is greatly appreciated!