Starting 12 week plan

[SineadC92]

Getting myself all sorted to officially start the NHS 12 week plan from tomorrow. Have already been trying to healthy eat and exercise the last fortnight but hoping this will give me the extra push to stick with it over the holiday season!

[SarahCloud]

Me too - good luck, sounds like you have made a good start already

[SineadC92 5lbs in reply to SarahCloud]

good luck to you too!

[Rachmcc]

I'll be a newby too tomorrow, your not alone in this journey! Fingers crossed for us all!

[SineadC92 5lbs in reply to Rachmcc]

good luck to you too then, hopefully we're both successful!

[gingernut49]

In August 2012 I watched a BBC Horizon programme called "Eat, Fast and Live Longer" tinyurl.com/a8ppjl7 which honestly changed my life!

It led to the 5:2 diet which is the most sustainable way of dieting ever and reduces the risk of cancer, diabetes and dementia, which we all want to avoid!

Do watch the programme - I watched it again last night - and then ask me any questions you like. I lost three stone (42 pounds/20 kg) in six months going from a UK size 16 to a size 10 and, most importantly, have kept it off since April 2013! And it's free!

[SineadC92 5lbs in reply to gingernut49]

well done you for managing to keep your weight off, I've heard about that 5:2 diet though and I don't think I'd cope with that little calories 2 days a week.

[gingernut49 in reply to SineadC92]

You would think that but actually it's easier than you think it will be, and it's only two non-consecutive days a week so fits in very well this time of year around social events. Hunger goes in waves and doesn't get worse so can easily be assuaged by having a hot drink and keeping busy. Watch the documentary - the health benefits are very compelling - and it's the only diet where the weight has stayed off by just 'fasting' one day a week. I'll be doing this for the rest of my life, instead of the grind of counting calories every day! If you start any diet saying you can't do it it's generally a self-fulfilling prophecy - tell yourself you CAN!

[Tann in reply to SineadC92]

Hi I found the 5:2 really difficult so changed to low fat diet and have lost 9lb in 6 weeks. I eat Jaffa cake as a treat as they only have a trace of fat or marsh mallow. It is working well for me and I don't have to starve myself. I want to loose 18lb and my target is to do it by March.

[SineadC92 5lbs in reply to Tann]

Yeah I don't think i'd be able to do it and im hoping with just healthier eating it will eventually become habit rather thn feeling like dieting. Good luck with you goal!

[RenateAsha]

Has a fundrasier yesterday at work where some photos were taken of me and I felt physically sick on how big I actually have gotten so instead of running to these groups WW/SW I thought, no you need to teach yourself how to eat properly so jumped onto the NHS website. Today is my start day since I joined at the beginning of the day.

<3

[SineadC92 5lbs in reply to RenateAsha]

Yeah i know the feeling, i had a doctor's appointment and they took my weight and that drilled it home for me. My little boy is only 7 months so fitting in ww and things is a pain. Hoping motivation paired with all the info and online support will work as well. Good luck to you!

[RenateAsha in reply to SineadC92]

Last time I had an appointment, she told me I had to change my pill because my current one could cause blood clots with the weight I am.

The sad thing is I lost 1.5st at SW but as soon as I came off it, I gained it back and then 2st on top of it. Although I'm wondering because I've NEVER been this big whether it's the new meds I was put on at the beginning of the year. I gained 2st within 3-4 months which seems excessive don't you think?

[SineadC92 5lbs in reply to RenateAsha]

Yeah that does seem quite a lot. Im sure some birth control can have side effects like weight gain. Unless you drastically changed your lifestyle id worry that had caused it

[pauline55]

Hi i joined this morning but then had to go to work so now i am trawling through the options of which way do i try to lose weight. I need to lose quite a lot of weight and i gave done sw and ww and even tried hairy dieters club but not very successful with the last two clubs! Everyone seems to be talking about the 5:2 diet but i wouldnt know what days to pick nor what to eat on those days!

[SineadC92 5lbs in reply to pauline55]

I personally don't think i could do the 5:2. I get really crabby when im hungry and my little boy is only 7 months so don't think it would fit in with my lifestyle just now. I tend to try to each 1400- 1500 calories a day and i try to pack my meals out with fruit and veg. Good luck to you!

[pauline55 in reply to SineadC92]

Thanks sinead i am trying to count calories cos I dont think the 5:2 is for me either. I suffer from diabetes and have a busy job so I dont think 500 cals would help me on the two days and obviously i would pick in the week when I'm at work no way would i do 500 at the weekend. Good luck with your journey xx

[RenateAsha]

The 5:2 diet is something you have to really plan for as the 2x500cal days need to have energy filled, filling and nutritional foods so your body gets what it needs.

Follow a simple calorie diet, along with reducing your sugar/bad fat intake and slowly increasing your exercise. Then when you're ready to branch out, do some research.

I'm just going to calorie count atm. I just need to teach myself proper food. What's healthy, what isn't etc.

Talk to my doctor about my meds also

X

[gingernut49 in reply to RenateAsha]

Watch the programme. The health benefits are convincing.

[Penel]

The 12 week plan is a good place to start. Perhaps have a look at the advice for healthy food in The Mediterranean diet, too, it includes olive oil as a good fat. Move from 'white' food to 'brown/whole grain', if you can, and just keep sugar for the occasional treat.

Read the labels of any packaged food you buy to check sugar levels, some are quite shocking, and find a lower sugar/no sugar option.

Enjoy Christmas with your little boy, and don't cut your calories too much.

[SineadC92 5lbs in reply to Penel]

Yeah i' intending to change to brown rice and pasta. The sugar content in some things is unbelievable I've made up portioned meals and froze them to try and cut out processed foods that are just full of rubbish. Hope you have a good christmas too!

[FinalDestination]

Thanks again for your thoughts and I think I'm looking forward to getting started too. I'll post when I'm ready and everything is ready. I know most people find it useless to start a healthy lifestyle during this time of the year but I think it's the perfect time... because it will be the hardest time and if I can survive it then I can make anything work. Now I won't give up on fitness!

[SineadC92 5lbs in reply to FinalDestination]

No problem. I think if you feel ready to change now then you should otherwise you're just putting off what you really want. Good luck, hope you make it through christmas!

[FinalDestination]

You're absolutely right! I'm so tired of promising myself that I'll start on Monday ... how many Mondays come and go while I repeat that over and over again?!?

I'll make it through Xmas... I have to!

[Willow308]

Good luck, I'm starting from tomorrow as well.

I wish you every success on your journey.

Let's do this 😀😀x

[feelgood41]

I have looked at your post of 2 years ago. Are you still with the site? I would like to know if you are still with it as am starting again myself. Have you any tips?