Newbie !

[Tee2512]

How did everyone start their fitness and diet regime ? I'm not sure where to begin ! I've joined weight watchers , but seem to be stuck at the same weight , give or take 2lb. I cannot afford a gym membership 😔. Any pointers ? Tips ?

[ju-ju- Graduate]

Start with Couch to 5k?? It's a great plan and you will feel great

[Rignold]

as JJ says, start with C25k and make exercise part of your daily life. Foodwise, start by cutting all processed foods and refined sugar from your diet, and drink a gallon of water a day. By the time you finish the C25k programme you will see great results, have loads of energy and be well o the way to a new lifestyle.

[Tee2512 in reply to Rignold]

Thank you I have started walking more , with the dog at weekends , and now that it's getting lighter in the afternoons , I'm hoping to walk or bike to work . The annoying thing is , I was just 4lb off my goal weight at WW back in 2011 , so I know I can do it but then again I was only 36 then lol !

[Walkerjusty Graduate]

Try the Couch2 5K programme. I haven't lost any weight but my body has toned up and slimmed down in only 7 weeks.

[millwalki8 Graduate]

My double chin and love handles has almost gone, scales don't say much different though

Mrs Millwalki8 likes it

[poppypug Graduate]

Hi Tee, Welcome, yes definitely try this programme, its amazing , it really works ! xxx

[5kOrBust Graduate]

Hello Tee, and welcome. I echo the replies so far - download the Couch to 5k podcasts, get yourself outdoors and let the lovely Laura turn you into a runner (if you don't already run!). When I started I couldn't go up two flights of stairs without getting puffed out, but I've not long come in from a 35 minute continuous run in the last of the day's sunshine - glorious! It's only taken me about twelve weeks to achieve that, and many (perhaps you?) will do it in only 9 weeks. It's a brilliant plan, if you give it a go you won't be sorry. Good luck, Steve x

[Tee2512 in reply to 5kOrBust]

Thanks Steve ! I can run to the end of the road , but that's my limit at the mo lol !

[Buffy007 Graduate in reply to Tee2512]

I couldn't run to the end of my road when I started - that was 9 weeks ago. Now I can run for 30 mins. I used to run from telegraph pole to telegraph pole and then give up after about 3 - but with this programme and the structure, Laura knows what she's doing. I bet to the end of your road is longer than a minute. Well with c25k you only run for a minute the first time (OK, you do it 6 times but that's over 30 mins). Do this programme, stick to it to the letter and you'll succeed. Change your eating habits completely like Rignold says. Warning - I've put weight on during this programme - but changed shape. I bumped into someone y'day who has lost 6stone in 2 years - taken a long time, but its stayed off - she is now running 3 times a week, was on the verge of diabetes. She looks stunning and her life has changed. Good luck Keep posting - the people on here keep you going. We were all like you at some point in our lives and now we're all runners - its a mental thing - if you really want to do it and are determined, you'll do it - and fast!

[rmnsuk Graduate]

I started eating better last july and started c25k in November. You need to do both to lose weight and get fitter. WW works well but costs. you can use myfitnesspal or some other app/site to control your calories for free. Cutting out processed food, salt and sugar is a great start as Rignold says. Cook from scratch. Don't rush, this is a change for life or it won't work.

[Northernspirit Graduate]

I came across C25K one morning on the Internet and I don't know why, but it just felt right. I got my trainers on and did it, didn't let myself over think it. I've never run before, hopeless at gyms, and need to get fit and lose weight. Now I'm 7 weeks in and loving it. My advice to get started? Start! Download the first podcast and see if you like it Bet you do!

[Wristy Graduate]

also - Slimming World is far better!!

[Hidden in reply to Wristy]

Agreed. In my first week I lost 6.5lbs without really trying and my OH lost 7.5lbs!

[Wristy Graduate in reply to Hidden]

good stuff. still doing it? I've lost almost 2 stone so far

[Hidden in reply to Wristy]

Yes, I only had my second weigh in last night. Only 1lb lost this week but had a heavy night out in Glasgow at the weekend, and it's my time of the month, so happy I still had a loss! My OH has now lost a stone in 2 weeks! Amazing!

[Realfoodieclub Graduate]

You have come to the right place. Take a nine week break from your sticking point and focus on the c25k. I found it did wonders for my confidence and I enjoyed learning to run, so much that I can not imagine not being a runner. My weight has stabilised and I have toned up tremendously but the most important thing is that I understand myself and food so much better. It was definately the best thing I have ever done to help my weight.

[Dunder2004 Graduate]

I think the first thing that needs to be said is that organisations like WeightWatchers are run primarily for the benefit of..................... organisations like WeightWatchers!

We all know how hectic modern life can be with the pressures of work, family etc. but when all is said and done there really can't be anything more important than looking after yourself.

About a year ago, Mrs Dunder and I each learned to cook 7 or 8 dishes that we both really liked and that could be prepared within about 45 minutes from scratch with fresh ingredients. We are not zealots but I would say we have cut down the amount of processed junk we eat by 80-90% in a year and we both feel so much better for it. Foods with added sugar (natural sugars are fine) including those happily peddled by WeightWatchers are the primary cause of the expanding waistlines of us as a nation.

[misswobble Graduate]

If you go to ww class your leader will help you if you are stuck.. that's what she does and what you pay for

Follow your program and the weight will come off. Start, and keep moving. C25k is a great place to start

It's your get fit program so fully engage with it . The results are in your hands

[Bazza1234 Graduate]

First rule -- until you reach the weight that you want to be - don't eat or drink anything that isn't either raw or was raw before you cooked it. This essentially means no processed foods - no bottled drinks, no sweets or chocolates, ice cream, biscuits , cake, etc, etc!!

[Moodyblues2 Graduate]

Hello I found c25k through Morrisons mag, best thing I picked up as I had just decided that I didn't want to spend 2 hrs at ww or sw each week, and would do it myself using My fitness pal, an app I found as I have a T1 grandson who needs to analyse his food for carbs. It's free and easy and quick to use, 60 continuous days of logging it must be! Records and remembers your meals and what goes with it, enter your favourite recipe ingredients and it works out the nutrional values and remembers them for next time! Great to analyse any dietary issues as well! Did I say it's free? So I can spend that ww sub on new clothes once I have lost weight and trimmed up using c25k! And the support groups here and on facebook are excellent. I am a convert. Sun is shining so I am going to start the strength and flex programme on alternate run days later.

[Tee2512 in reply to Moodyblues2]

It soon mounts up , without realising , how much you do spend at WW, as I often buy the snack bars from the meetings too . This healthy eating and exercise seems to be working well for lots of people so I'm confident this may well work for me too ! I've signed up with my fitness pal and already use map my walk , so it's a great start - hopefully !

[lou-34 Graduate]

Hi I do c25k and slimming world, I've noticed my waist getting smaller and I'm never hungry because of all the free foods you can eat and I feel better in myself because I am eating healthier.

[leggit]

The great thing about Couch to 5k is you start achieving goals very quickly and that in itself drives you on to reach the next set of goals/runs. This is a great way to start running all you need to start is a pair of running shoes and the outdoors. GL

[PrincessStef Graduate]

Since starting C25K I have only lost a couple of kilos but my body shape has changed dramatically. I have a curvy figure and had lost the middle bit but now it is back. I also use My Fitness Pal and Map My Run. they speak to each other and Map My Run tells me how far I have run which I find helpful. Try it, it really works.

[snowhillsteph Graduate]

I signed up to weight watchers too and am on week 3 of the C25K as want to speed the weight loss up abit. I find the WW app quite good. Am finding the running makes me more hungry though! I'm also doing Jillian Michaels 30 day shred to help with the toning. Good luck!

[misswobble Graduate]

I'm with you Snowy! I do WW, c25k and jillian michaels. Four stone lighter these days

Well i did c25k but i graduated and am running further distances now. More calories burned!

i think going to a slimming club is a good plan. It instils discipline which is good for those who might otherwise cave in on their own. I love going to my class each week. it's a blast and there are such inspirational folks there. It was a lady at my class that got me doing c25k. My group are a force! If someone needs help they act to help that person. same as we do here

[snowhillsteph Graduate in reply to misswobble]

4 stone?! Wow that's amazing! Well done. How are you finding the 30 day shred? I like it, only on day 4 though.

[millwalki8 Graduate]

The wife went to Slimming World the other week and was told by the lady in charge...

"There is no need to exercise with this plan to lose weight", does that not go against everything we are taught?

"Eat Well and take some Exercise"

[Zev1963 Graduate in reply to millwalki8]

I guess it depends what you want to achieve millwalki8. If you want to loose weight then sure, if you stop eating then you will loose weight. If on the other hand you are interested in being healthy then a balanced diet along with exercise is no doubt the better choice.

[millwalki8 Graduate]

True, I just believe they are giving out the wrong message. There was no caveats given along with the statement.

[Hidden in reply to millwalki8]

I joined up to Slimming World last week and they do encourage exercise through their "body magic" plan. But the emphasis is on what you are eating.

I think a lot of people don't have the confidence to start exercising straight away when they decide to start losing weight. So they don't put any pressure on you to do so..

[Coddfish Graduate]

I am not a fan of diets. They are difficult if not impossible to stick at long term, they mean denial, they can lead to a vicious cycle of losing muscle / gaining more fat. Eating sensibly is a different matter - I have always cooked most things from scratch and regard things like cakes, biscuits, puddings as treats rather than everyday fare. So eat proper food, be careful about sugar (and also alcohol). Avoid any processed food that comes with a 'low fat' or 'fat free' label like the plague as they will have replaced the fat with a load of sugar. Eat more vegetables and be careful about portion size. If you need to snack, use nuts or fruit but not biscuits or crisps. Eating real food you cook from scratch can also be cheap. It doesn't need to be time consuming, you can cook ahead and chill or freeze then reheat, so make things in batches. Above all, sensible eating needs to be a way of life - much easier than making some diet plan a way of life.

Weight loss is nothing more than creating a gap between the energy you use and the energy you need. Exercise doesn't change the equation much, but it's good at giving you discipline and focus. It will also tone you up even if your weight doesn't change much on the scales. Exercise is also something you add to your life, rather than take away, so it's easier to stick at. C25K is a great programme (I am on W9) and it's free. I would also recommend just trying to walk more alongside doing the programme - also free.

[Rob_and_his_westie Graduate]

The combination of Weightwatchers and C25K is pretty much perfect. I have done both, lost over 50lbs and run regularly. My advice is to be honest with yourself on WW. Count those points properly. Run 2 to 3 times a week and trust Laura and you WILL lose weight.

[Hidden]

Hi I used to go to weight watchers and I liked it, I think going to a group kept me motivated. I left & put weight back on. I use my fitness pal to keep track of my calories, as well I have downloaded podcasts for c25k. There is a strength podcast too but I haven't started them yet.

[misswobble Graduate]

When you actually go to a class Codfish you realise just how people get into such a pickle. Many people need crutches to help them, nothing wrong with that, and the support of a class can't be underestimated. It's like here, we are all here to prop each other up when needs be. My class is tiny but we have shed tons of weight, literally. The class is just part of a set of tools at our disposal. Folks who get to goal and stay there don't have to pay so nothing to lose by going each week (if necessar) to keep on the straight and narrow

Snowy, I love 30 Day Shred and have done it a few times. Doing the 30 day challenge but our building work has stopped play at the moment as I've nowhere to exercise as we have furniture stacked all over the place. Did you get the compilation pack of DVD's? If so you have a treasure trove of workouts there. No More Trouble Zones is my favourite. Banish Fat Boost Metabolism is the hardest I think. Ripped in 30 is harder than 30 day Shred. They will help you get stronger to support your running, and you will soon tone up if you do these regularly. I had never done anything like this before but soon got into it. It helps your MID SECTION!!!! You just wait and see what happens. You have to keep doing it though. I think she says to have one day off a week