Where to start?

[Early Kids]

I need to lose at least 20kg, preferably 25-30kg.

Wow, that looks huge writing it out I hate that I let myself get away and get like this. I wish I had more self control....

Anyway, where do I start?

I've made a few small changes, but sticking to them is really hard

I'm pretty healthy (well I thought I was but not according to the scales) prefer to eat my salads and vegies. I can't do a lot of exercise, because I can't take the boys out. Walking is not a good idea, I can barely control the kids in our house let alone walking down a road with idiots driving around (our road is often used as a drag strip ) A gym is not possible because of the kids. I spend most of the day following them around cleaning up etc so I'm not a couch potato either.

I feel like I'm just making excuses though and really need to get serious

[Sunny Love]

Good for you for wanting to lose the weight! I lost around that much just recently.
I was a snacker, healthy, naughty, I snacked. I found having a big bag of ice on hand was enough to stop the naughty eating. Im not an exerciser as such, so incidental exercise was the way to go for me. I would do lunges and squats when vaccuming and mopping, jump up and down 10 times whenever an advert (or even the thought popped into my head) came on TV. Gardening out the back was a VERY good all over work out too. Stretching the arms and torse when doing the washing. Whatever you can think of that works with your own daily routine.

Good luck, i'll be cheering you on from the sidelines now
xx

[The[cookie]Doctor]

They say more than 90% of weight loss is diet so focus as much as you can on that (says I who struggle to do so).
Different things work for different people and you might have to try a few things to get the results you want.
And also remember that at the beginning your body is adjusting to change and it will retain fat and all sorts until it reprograms to your new schedule so to speak!

I am not very good at heeding my own wisdom but it is from a nutritionist.
Start by (if you are not already) making the only fluid you intake water. 1L per 30kg of body weight preferably, and more if you exercise.
Cut down your portion sizes and start eating six meals a day.
Kickstart this with something in the morning - even if it is half a banana, it gets your metabolism running.
Eat fruit or vege with EVERY meal (breakfast: omelette with onion, spinach, mushrooms etc, mt: yoghurt with banana etc...)
Try not to leave more then 2.5-3hrs between meals and eat things more rich in protein as it helps you feel full.
Don't worry so much about how late you eat before bed - your body needs that fuel... the longer it goes without food the more it hangs on to.

The last thing i got told was to minimise carbs unless it was after exercise. I cant do it. I have eaten pasta, rice, mash, sandwiches, rolls all my life. Cutting to just grilled meat and steamed veg with no mash/rice/pasta SUCKS. Good luck though!!

I recommend taking things one step at a time so you dont get overwhelmed by the changes. Once you have water going, then start something else.
Despite not losing weight, I felt good when i was following these principles, i lost centimetres and i could tell it was working. Remember to give it time!

And to try different things out, what works for me wont work for someone else!

[UsPlus2]

I just wanted to add to break down your weightloss goals. Into smaller increments. They say to aim for around 400-500grams loss a week. So say you want to lose 25kgs thats roughly 50 weeks. I know some weeks you can lose more etc but its good to have a realistic goal. So going by those figures break down when to aim to have 5kg, 10kg, 15kg etc. I think it will help you feel less overwhelmed and help stay on track. But if you follow that small weight loss per week you'll be one hot mumma for christmas

[Daytona's Mummy]

I can't really say much about diet cause I'm not fully sure on what is right or wrong because when I lost all my weight, I didn't really change what I ate, I changed when I ate it (certain foods) and I also ate smaller meals more regular. I also kept a bowl of chopped up fruit or veg in the fridge for when I felt like graising.
As for excercising... I was an absolute shockka! (still am actually) I get alot of pain in my back & legs (dodgy knees & neck injury) but I loved shopping so what I did was put Ds in a trolly (thats how long ago it was lol) and walked several times from one end of my shopping centre to the other (we had a very long shopping centre). I did this until i did it with ease, then I added in the weekly groceries at the end & had to push that heavy trolly all the way back to where I'd parked at the other end of the shops (across carpet made it more difficult) when that was easy done, I changed doing the groceries at the end to the middle of my 'laps' and eventually to the start.
This worked for me cause It didn't feel like I was exercising & I had plenty to look at (so did DS) Just start off slow & do something YOU like doing otherwise you could find yourself very sick of it very fast and it will be nothing but a chore.

Oh and as for your very 1st question... where do I start?.... You already have! Congrats & good luck!
And just remember, If you fall down, it's no big deal, we all do at some stage, just jump straight back up, brush your self off & keep going!!!

[C~Q]

Sorry I have to disagree about 90% of losing weight being diet. You say you can't join a gym because of your children...why not a gym with a creche?

A healthy, balanced diet in combination with regular exercise is the best way to lose weight, regain your health and keep it. Of course you can exercise at home but you'll find a lot more success at the gym.

GL, any questions just ask

[Enchanted]

I would recommend Weight Watchers! I have no self control usually but WW helps you track what you eat, so you think about what you are putting in your mouth.
I have just signed up for 3 months and I think it was $89.95, I think it's well worth it and a great starting point. If you feel you can't leave the house with the kids what about buying some exercise DVD's to do at home?

[The[cookie]Doctor]

And
I need to lose half my bodyweight S
I lack commitment, motivation and i am full of excuses (time poor mostly).
So I know where you are at, just try and stick in there...
and pressure N into coaching you because I struggle without the real support from me - it makes it so that there is temptation.
They have to be prepared to want it for you too, i think.