What is the next step to losing weight?

[NiquaCrazi92]

After a long night of thinking about why my life isn't where I thought it would be I decided I should start doing something about it. I want to be healthier but everytime I would google ways to do it I wouldn't find something at my pace. Due to eating unhealthy for years and drinking a ton of soda I was at 242 lbs. I had never been little but I would always blame it on me getting taller. I haven't grown since high school and still stand at 5'9"or 5'10" and had gained around 40 pounds since the last time I grew. My shirts had gone from x-large to a 2x. So about a month ago I started at my own pace by cutting all soda out. It was hard at first but once I got used to drinking juice and tea it got easier. Now I'm down to 223 lbs and honestly it makes me feel good to see that I actually got somewhere. Now I'm sitting at that weight ( I guess it only helps you lose so much) and I don't know what else to do. I don't eat a lot of snacks since I started working third shift and I get plenty of sleep. Only drinking water is hard and if I start exercising I would have to start very light. What should my next small step be. My goal is to get under 200 but I want to get down to a medium or large size shirts. I'm top heavy that's why my goal has been set in shirt sizes. I want to be able to wear cute cheap stuff instead of settling for ugly plus size clothes. Also, my high blood pressure runs in my family and I keep hearing about people getting diagnosed with diabetes. I don't want it to happen to me.

[Kiwedin]

That's great :) really proud of you for making a change for the better with your health. The great thing about nutrition is that it's actually more important than genetic predispositions when it comes to developing health problems. The science shows us that genes are only responsible for 10-20% of disease risk, which is really uplifting for people like us who have certain health problems that run in the family.
A book that I read is called How Not To Die by Dr. Michael Greger. It's all about nutrition and what has been scientifically proven to improve longevity, quality of life, and reduce as much risk as possible for various diseases. I love it because it isn't a weight-loss, fad-diet book, but rather evidence-based facts on how to achieve life-long health. His book isn't specifically about weight loss, but I've been following his recommendations and eating a diet completely centred about fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, seeds, and whole grains and have been steadily losing weight. I feel the best I've ever felt in my entire life and you don't even have to restrict calories to lose weight (which was my absolute least favourite part about dieting).
When it comes to exercise, I'd definitely recommend biking to begin with. It's easy on the joints, it's actually pretty fun, and easier to get into than other activities you could do. You're doing great by making smaller changes though, it's better to ease into it and make it last rather than jump into it and give up in a few weeks/months.

[ManaX]

Hey hun, if you really would like to loose weight drop me a message and i can help you :)

[palek]

My diet book was recently published after a prolonged legal battle. It's called "Eat Less; Weigh Less" and I'd be glad to send you a copy. In fact, I just did.

[31yovirgindude]

At least you want to change for the better. There is already good advice here but have to say:good for you!

[TravisG]

Well congratulations on losing weight. Just keep ok eating healthy and stay away from a lot of sugar and continue to exercise.
I can't wait to hear when you reach your goal. I just know you will.

[sjoes006]

Avoid things like mayo and ranch. Start taking brisk walks.

[ilovesexyfeet]

Start slowly with exercise and build it up. Eat healthy and change your life.