Is there anybody there?

[struggle]

I am new here having, as usual, started off diets with good intentions, and increasingly swiftly fallen by the wayside, usually by comfort eating. For years, therefore, and I mean years, I have been about one or one and a half stone overweight. I even started this NHS diet in March and am now having to reboot. Oh dear! So the decision here and now is to shake that stone off and reach my goal of 10stone. I am currently 11st 2lb so my challenge is to reduce weight consistently to that end.

[Hidden]

Hello Struggle, I also started my journey with a stubborn 1.5 - 2 stone to lose. Started at 12st4 aiming for 10st7, and am now just under 10 at 9st13 18 months later. So it can be done. Are you going to follow the Nhs 12 week plan and weigh in on here on Mondays? I also really recommend couch to 5k, that was a gamechanger for me.

[struggle in reply to Hidden]

Thank you so much for your encouragement. I have had an overwhelming number of positive replies. With such support I feel I will be very motivated to stick with the NHS plan. And well done you!

[yatesco]

I also highly recommend the c25k programme for many benefits including weight loss. Try it, it really will make all the difference. Every single run is a victorious win :-).

[struggle in reply to yatesco]

As I didn't mention that I am almost 75, though active and on my feet all day, running is not for me but I do intend to restart Pilates classes and swimming, both of which I've let slide in the past year...so thanks for your encouragement...it is much appreciated

[yatesco in reply to struggle]

75 and still active - wow, congratulations, seriously. Kind of puts all my excuses to shame :-).

[struggle in reply to yatesco]

It doesn't really you know. We're all our own worst enemies and although we do have to work things out for ourselves and adopt a positive mindset in order to perform, it does help to have this forum for support. You've many years ahead of you, I trust, so I'm sure you'll sort it out in due course.

[muffintop67]

Hi struggle. Your story sounds similar to mine. I have been about 1.5 stone over my preferred weight for about 5 years. I have tried and failed before until I found this forum. I managed to lose 25 pounds in 19 weeks. Losing average 1 pound a week - more at the beginning and sometimes up to 1.5 or 2 pounds a week. I am positive that if you stick with the NHS plan and keep on this forum for help and support you will soon lose that weight and get to your 10 stone goal. The great thing about this forum is that you can come on at any time and read some inspiring posts or join in with the challenges. Hope it helps you as much as it did me

[struggle in reply to muffintop67]

Thank you. I really think this forum will be the help I need. It is good to see just how many people are facing similar challenges and how they are dealing with them. You can be justifiably proud of what you have achieved. I trust I can emulate it.

[muffintop67 in reply to struggle]

Thank you very much - I am sure you will get there too

[OFarrell]

I feel your pain having tried for years also without making any real progress. It's a tough one but we must keep going because the alternative is worse! Keep going and I'll keep going with you. Best of luck!

[struggle in reply to OFarrell]

Thank you. Day 1 has been excellent And a great part of keeping to, apart from the normal initial enthusiasm, has been reading the many helpful responses I received to my plea yesterday. I'm sure I've come to the right place at last.

[katy6860]

head up struggle! I "fall off" quite often and just get up and dust off and get back on again. I have been chubby my whole life and I am now 49 years old. I finally figured out that I want to be healthy. if you eat something that is not healthy for you, next time you eat, then eat something healthy. if you eat a biscuit, it is ok just try not to eat 2. if you eat 2, don't beat yourself up about it. the worst thing you can do is beat yourself up about something that has been a habit for so long that it is really hard to break in just a day or two. it takes like 6 weeks I think to make a good habit stick so chin up! we can do this!

[struggle in reply to katy6860]

You are of course quite right. However I am determined not to leave the "dusting" too long in future. Thank you for your cheerful sentiments

[jjgilb in reply to katy6860]

Hi Katy, if you fancy 2 biscuits then swap to eating 1 carrot and then 1 biscuit. It hasn't been all plain sailing for me. Sometimes I added a lb or 2, but I made sure I cut down the following day.

[katy6860 in reply to jjgilb]

you are absolutely right! that is a great way to do it. like for breakfast I had a biscuit sandwich and 2 small mandarin oranges. it was delightful, I got what I wanted and was fairly healthy too!

[Gottodothis]

Hi Struggle,

You go for it, you can do this and if you find yourself going off track then just come on here there are plenty of people who are where you are or worked past it.

Good luck you can do this.

[struggle in reply to Gottodothis]

Thank you very much. I can now see that there's no need for a lonely fight. The response has been so encouraging and like your own, extremely positive...I am so pleased to have found such an excellent forum.

[jjgilb]

Hi Struggle, nice to meet you. I started off about the same weight. Now down to 9 stone 12. It has taken me just over a month and a half by cutting portion sizes and not eating rubbish. I know it is difficult but I had already given up chocolate. Carbs turn to sugar in the body so I lowered my intake of them as well. I snacked on nuts at the begining but I don't now. I used to when I was in my 11+stone size, indulge in all naughty snacks. The way I weaned myself off was to find a snack that lasted ages. Gob stopper, chewing gum, anything that would stop me filling myself up with bad things. I don't exercise as such but I enjoy gardening. It's great on here as people are so helpful. Let us know how you get on.