My doctor said I need to lose about 30 pounds, I weight at the moment is 191 pounds and my doctor wants me to get down to 130 pounds, my biggest problem is that I don't have a lot of energy to exercise and I don't feel hunger. This causes me to often eat when I am bored (which is often) or I don't eat.

[Travelinglady]

Hi, Snow Kissed Angel, and welcome to Psych Central! I'm wondering if you might have some depression. I eat when I am or when I'm upset. Sounds like your body is not helping you out.

What kind of doctor told you to lose weight? I'm the pot calling the kettle black when it comes to me telling you how to lose weight, but I do know from experience that counting calories does work. Find out how many calories you need for good health and to lose weight. Also, cut out the carbs. It's amazing (and distressing) how many foods are carbs. But these things can be done.

Is there anything you want to do or like (besides food)? I call myself getting exercise when I walk in and out of stores. Of course, I usually come out with some sort of purchase. In other words, try to make exercise fun. Walking with someone else can help, too.

Let us know how things are going!

[Evening]

I've had to lose weight before, and being an emotional eater and an overeater, that's a big struggle for me. But for me a number of things helped. They my not help you but I will tell you anyway in case there is something that benefits you.

I go on websites like Pinterest and Instagram and use them to find myself motivation boosters like healthy meals, nutritional info, clothes I'd like to wear when I've lost weight, people who look how I'd like to physically, etc.. That just keeps my mind on what I'm aiming for.
I started looking into nutrition, how things work, how many calories I'm currently eating vs. the calories in foods I should be eating, etc. and started adding things into my diet.
Is there one thing that you eat/drink a lot of when your bored eating? 1kg- or 2.2lbs of weight is 7,700 calories of energy. So to lose 1kg/2.2lbs, you need to burn or consume a deficit of 7,700 calories. You'd be really surprised how many calories are in a lot of different food and drinks, and you could start by simply cutting back a little on something, or replacing one meal with something healthier, or having more fruit/vegetables in a meal that you would have more pasta/meat, etc. to reduce a few calories. Since you eat when your bored, maybe have a few options lying around that you might pick up, like carrot, fruit, or what I love to do is buy a can of chick peas and roast them in the oven until they become crunchy. I also do the same with sliced apple. Or even popcorn kernels, without salt or butter on them. They may not be as exciting as junk food, but I find if it's near me I tend to just constantly graze on it and wind up eating it all. Eating a bit better might give you a bit of an energy boost too. Of course if you suffer from mental illness it's easier said than done.

Remember also that when losing weight you need to increase your protein intake as not enough protein can mean you'll be burning a lot of muscle weight as well as fat. Building a little muscle can increase the calories you burn, even if it's something simple to start off with like using dumbbells while watching tv. Muscle burns 3 times as many calories as fat, so the more muscle you gain the faster weight loss will become. But also bare in mind that muscle weighs more, so don't just look at your weight, measure around your stomach, and look at how that reduces. You could gain some muscle and weigh the same, but wind up being thinner.

Invest in a few things that might boost your motivation too if you can afford it- an outfit to exercise in, an ipod to put music onto so you can zone out while walking/jogging, some new kitchen items for preparing better food, books on health, etc.

Drinking more water will help also, not enough water means you will actually retain water, and that will add a bit of weight on. I literally lost 2kg in water weight the other day just because I had been drinking more, and had been eating more fibre. Water can be boring, so even consuming it with lemon or green tea or having soups will help. I try and drink a glass of warm lemon water in the morning now, before eating.

I shop at a market now because of the variety of food options they have there, I LOVE shopping for healthy food. I'm just bad at eating healthy all the time.

Even if you aren't motivated now, little changes can make enough of a difference that you may notice a bit of weight coming off and it might boost your willpower a little.

Perhaps keep a record of things, I love writing notes of things, you could buy a little notebook and write your starting weight and measurements, what you eat in a day, including calories, what exercise you do or don't do, and then slowly start changing it. Maybe even a 'before' photo. I did that and I didn't feel great about myself, but the after photo made me feel as though I'd really achieved something.

I don't know if any of this gives you ideas, but I know how much of a struggle it is. It's all easier said than done, and my motivation still comes and goes in waves.

Hi

I also find I don't have the energy to exercise, I am trying to get back into it but I find when I do I am exhausted the next day.

So I would say if you start an exercise program don't be like me and go overboard! take it slow, don't do an hour of cardio, just start with 15 -20 minutes.

As for eating due to boredom, I get that. I found drinking water with fruit or making my own ice tea helps. When I go to eat when I am not hungry that does help a lot.

Best of luck to you, keep us posted on how you are doing.

Exercise is healthy but not critical for weight loss, IME. It just comes down to calories.

I know the feeling. I have decided to break up the weight loss over three years. Doing 25 to 30 at a time. I think that might be better. I will go to the diet place with a 30 lb goal.. achieve it... stop for the year... go back the next year with he same goal.