Where do I start?

[Lisajane1234]

I am a very overweight (obese) lady who needs to change her life. I have struggled with my weight all my life but now it is affecting my health and state of mind. Any ideas / suggestion would be much appreciate on my journey to loss weight. X

[Hidden]

Welcome. You will get lots of support here. Most of us are following the nhs 12 week plan which you can find on this website. It is mostly about planning and portion control. It does work but patience is required. Many of us have a lot to lose and some have reached goal so we all know what it is like.

[Hidden]

Hi Lisajane

You've come to the right place for lots of support

My personal top tips are as follows (but remember that everyone does things differently - you've just got to find something that works for you) :

1. Check your BMI on the NHS website and have a look at the calories that they recommend. If you are on the heavier side, then you will probably find that you can eat more than the 'standard' 1400 recommended calories.

2. Plan ! - try to plan a day or two's food that keeps you within this calorie range. You can use an app/website such as myfitnesspal or similar, or just pen and paper.

3. I found it really helpful for the first couple of weeks to keep to the same few breakfasts, lunches, snacks and just vary the dinner a bit. This really got me into a good routine, and also stopped me obsessing about calories (and, therefore, food). You want to try to get to the stage where you know what you are going to eat, you eat it, and then you forget about food 'til the next snack/meal.

4. Just think about the next few days - have a few good days eating wise, and then weigh yourself. Hopefully you will have a lost of little bit of weight, and that will then motivate you on to losing the next little bit - small steps, don't worry about the overall weight loss just yet !

5. Join Lowcal's weigh in thread on a Monday to keep yourself accountable.

6. Try to save something in your calorie count for a daily treat if you feel like it. Something to look forward to at the end of the day can keep you motivated.

7. Remember that healthy eating isn't just about salads ! You can make great things like healthy cooked breakfasts etc and still keep a good calorie count. Experiment with your calories and fill up on lots of veg !

Good luck

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Oh - forgot one other thing. Plan something else that you can automatically reach for/do when the urge to snack takes over. Leave the house for a walk, pick up a book and read, log on here and post something - anything that keeps you away from the fridge !

[Lisajane1234 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for all your feedback and I will let you know how I get on

[Hidden]

Lisajane1234, welcome, you will find lots of support and advice here. This is a friendly group of people with a common aim. The 12 week plan is indeed a good starting point as already said by Aqua_marine. I was obese too, and now just a little overweight. This is the first and only time I've ever dieted and a lot of people on here have pointed me in the right direction.

I've got a feeling that you will succeed.

[Hidden]

Hi Lisa-Jane,

I agree with all the excellent info given in the other posts, give it a look and keep posting

Have a lovely weekend

😇

[WeightWarrior]

Welcome! Couldn't have put it better myself, haven't anything really to add to the other tips, Lucca's "save a snack" tip is spot on, it's my salvation at the end of each day if the family are eating crisps etc during a film I don't feel left out as I have my snack too. If you want recipe inspiration or snack inspiration, just post and ask, lots of folk have great ideas.

I will also say, if you can't manage exercise at the moment (I can't for several reasons), then don't worry. I'm losing weight purely through adjusting my food intake. So don't think you have to join a gym, wear pink lycra and go out running if you can't face it. That said, if you feel like it then definitely go for it, there's no way I'm trying to talk you out of it, just to give you hope that you can start your journey with food.

Good luck, you are in the right place, and you can do this!

[Hidden]

Good luck Lisa-Jane

[moreless Administrator 7 stone]

Hi and welcome Lisa-Jane

I can't add anything to what's been said before, but I will give you some links so that you can follow up some of the suggestions more easily

nhs.uk/Livewell/weight-loss...

healthunlocked.com/nhsweigh....?

healthunlocked.com/nhsweigh...

All the best

[Lisajane1234]

Thank you for the posts, it is great to know that there are other out there like me and I get great support and advice from. Keep posting...😀