Well...this is it.

Am starting my weight loss journey today. Am looking forward to seeing some results. Am in this for the long haul. I've tried everything else but never Calorie Counting. It's lovely and sunny here which has motivated me even more. Good health and happiness everyone xx xx

[thepurplecat]

I'm starting another weight loss journey today too so wishing you all the very best. Eat well, drink lots of water and try to keep busy.

Are you following the NHS plan or another one?

[Hidden in reply to thepurplecat]

Hi there... yes - I'm following the NHS 12 Week Plan. I'm counting all my calories. I'm hoping to make this work for me but realise I'm only going to get out what I put in... I'm going to have to be my own Fairy Godmother!...Lol. Hope all goes well for you

[dreamcatcher67]

"I'm starting today" is a red flag for me to fail. Despite that....I am. I'm starting to realise that I have to change something, somewhere. For good. Like giving up smoking - which I did for good in 1997. And I don't miss it.

One or more of my habits has resulted in obesity, which is increasing.

I too have tried Slimming World, WW and even Dukan. I have managed to lose about 17 pounds before losing motivation and eventually giving up, returning to old habits and gaining more weight than before.

I'm looking to make lifestyle changes for good - but I know how hard that is to do.

[Tracy-TOPCAT in reply to dreamcatcher67]

WATER!! is the key to losing weight. Eat healthy and drink plenty of water each day and you will find the weight come off. If you have a glass of water with each meal, the water will help flush out the food before it has time to break down into fat.

[Carolee13 in reply to Tracy-TOPCAT]

I agree with you about water. Not sure about flushing out the food, but I know if I drink more water I feel less hungry. Sometimes when I think I'm hungry I'm actually thirsty.

[Tracy-TOPCAT in reply to Carolee13]

I learned about the water flushing out food faster by a Dr. He was telling me that this is the reason water works well on diets. I tried this method of water with every meal for a week and I had lost 9 lbs in 7 days.

[Carolee13 in reply to Tracy-TOPCAT]

Well that's worth knowing - thanks!

[Hidden in reply to dreamcatcher67]

Hi there... nearly all my adult life I've been on one "Diet " or another. I've had some success but put it all back on and more. I've got to the stage where I realise I have to knuckle-down and get serious about losing all my excess Fat for the sake of my health. I've been strict with myself in the past but felt miserable in doing so. I've come to the conclusion that I have to be kinder to myself. 'Counting Calories' might be a bit time consuming but at least this way I can eat what I want knowing I'm within my calorie allowance and for me that is a Lifestyle change in itself.

Good for you for giving up smoking... you must have achieved that "one day at a time"... this is how I'm going to attack my obesity!... I will be thrilled with a weekly 1lb weight loss.

Bye for now and keep going

[dreamcatcher67 in reply to Hidden]

When you give up smoking you accept living with the constant cravings. It's horrible and it wears you down but going back to square one is almost more unbearable.

I think perhaps if I isolated one unhealthy eating habit at a time I could use the same kind of technique to kick it.

Being kind to yourself really resonated with me when I read what you wrote. Now that's a habit I'd like to take up.

Good luck. Keep posting. It encorages us all.

[Tracy-TOPCAT]

Good luck girl. Wishing all the best. Although Calorie Counting is really time consuming when you are shopping. Just stick to Gluten free and Carb free options. Fewer Carb's mean's fewer Calories

[Diane12 in reply to Tracy-TOPCAT]

I usually have a sandwich for lunch quick and easy if cutting carbs should drop this I

[Hidden in reply to Tracy-TOPCAT]

Thank you for your good wishes.... I think I'm going to need them !

I started Gluten free last August, lost 20lbs by Christmas- was thrilled with the results but couldn't maintain it. I've gone Carb free several times, with good results but couldn't maintain that either. I hoping to exercise control over my calorie intake but still eat what I think I want. One thing I was guilty of was eating when I wasn't hungry, so I'm also going to apply Paul McKenna's " FOUR GOLDEN RULES".

Thanks again. Bye for now

[Penel in reply to Tracy-TOPCAT]

Supermarket ready made Gluten-free foods are often full of sugar and unhealthy additives. I have to avoid gluten and I wouldn't touch them.

[Tracy-TOPCAT in reply to Penel]

Thanks for the heads up on the Supermarket ready made products.

[Tracy-TOPCAT]

I really do wish you all the best. Losing weight is never easy no matter what anyone tells you. Good luck

[weedeepeachy]

Good luck xx