New to this and looking for some guidance

[AliceDaisy]

Hi, my names Alice and I'm 21. I'm in my 3rd year of university and in those years I've gained 3 stone! I am starting to become very unhappy about my weight and know that need to make a change. I have tried dieting before but never seem to keep the weight off. I am hopeful that joining a support network will help me to achieve and maintain a healthy weight that I'm comfortable with. But, I have never done this before and need some guidance on how to get the best out of it and also wondered if anyone had any recommendations for healthy weight loss planning. Thanks

[EllaMidlands]

Hi. I am so glad you have posted. Like you I put on lots of weight at uni which as then stayed with me and I am now over 40 (age not stone). I wish i had been more aware of it whilst at Uni. You are doing the right thing to lose it while you are younger. I know now how to lose weight for me and this year I will reach a good weight for me. Good luck with losing weight. I am not the best one to advice you on how but people do say the 12 week NHS plan has worked for them. For me it is cutting out all processed stuff. Good luck!

[MrNiceGuy]

Hello AliceDaisy and welcome to the forum.

Firstly, you can rest assured that you’ll never be short of advice and encouragement, since the forum offers both in abundance.

Although you may have initially succeeded but then struggled to maintain weight previously, by continuing to stick around and ask questions, on this occasion, you’ll hopefully find things are somewhat different, as far greater appreciation is gained for how calorie deficits and minimum/maximum calorie allowances influence chances of continued success, for example.

Additionally, increased awareness of just how important the reduction of refined carbohydrate is to chances of success should hopefully endure, too. As such, through the guidance and support offered by members, you’ll come to learn that you are in control of nutrition.

Furthermore, you’ll gain a greater understanding of how the increased uptake of regular exercise encourages an improved rate of weight loss alongside calorie reduction, due to its physiological effect upon the body (it goes way beyond simply improving levels of fitness).

If you’ve not already done so, take a look at the NHS 12 Week Plan, since it provides an understanding of the kind of food that ought to be consumed and that which should be avoided, in addition to benefitting from a BMI calculator, so that minimum/maximum calorie allowances can be calculated.

Also spend some time reading the Pinned Posts section, where you’ll find a plethora of useful hints and tips on everything related to weight loss and fitness.

Most importantly, though the maintenance of a daily calorie deficit, the gradual reduction of refined carbohydrate and the increased uptake of exercise, you’ll hopefully come to appreciate that nothing is off limits; provided your diet is largely wholesome, all kinds of food can continue to be enjoyed.

Wishing you a very Happy New Year and all the best with your studies and weight loss ambitions throughout 2017.