Just wondering...: When you first... - Weight Loss Support

Weight Loss Support

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Just wondering...

hudson95 profile image
20 Replies

When you first decided to lose weight, did you immediately start actively trying? Or have you been stuck in a cycle of 'I want to do this' but falling to do so?

Am completely lost for motivation :( bought a lovely dress for my birthday (my first purchase in over a year that wasn't a baggy jumper or shirt from Primark) and instead of slimming down to fit into it I managed to gain a stone :( feeling pretty gutted and now with summer round the corner I am dreading it, I won't even go into my boyfriend's workplace to say hello because I'm too embarrassed that his colleagues will see me.

Everyone I have spoken to said it is a matter of just keeping going everytime you fail but what happens if you keep failing!!

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hudson95 profile image
hudson95
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20 Replies
EllaMidlands profile image
EllaMidlands

Hi, I was in a cycle for 25 years of wanting to do it, losing a little bit then putting it back on. Then something clicked, can't explain why it was different and since then I have put on weight twice - once for Christmas and once recently in holiday. Both times I have got straight back into and gain has come straight back off within a few days. I think your head has to be in the right place and you have to be ready and know why you are doing it. I wish I had done it sooner! (Still got a long way to go but pleased with loss so far in 6 months. Good luck, you can do it! 🤞

hudson95 profile image
hudson95 in reply to EllaMidlands

thank you Ella that makes me feel a bit better! Well done you're smashing it :)

moreless profile image
morelessAdministrator7 stone

I suspect we've all been in the same position, numerous times, Hudson and as Ella has said, suddenly, something just clicks and you're off.

My advice is to get actively involved on the forum and commit to a weigh-in and all the challenges and then you can't just drift off, without someone hauling you back in line. Once you get properly started, it's easier to continue :)

Wishing you all the best :)

hudson95 profile image
hudson95 in reply to moreless

I hope something does click, as there have been times where I have been really motivated and lost anywhere between 7 and 20 pounds but it's hard when there is nothing to hold me accountable so I think I'll join the Saturday weigh in! Thank you :)

moreless profile image
morelessAdministrator7 stone in reply to hudson95

Great! I'll see you there! :)

Ceals profile image
Ceals

hudson95 forget failure and forget diet. Think about making positive changes to your lifestyle that are sustainable. You have to change something(s) in order to get where you want to be.

Some people can change everything at once because that is the way they are, others need to take it bit by bit. Could you cut out sugar, eat more vegetables, stop eating processed foods, not eat a biscuit everyday. The little things all add up.

Overtime you change one little thing keep telling yourself what a success you have had, nothing breeds success like success. Come on the forum regularly and join in the conversations and challenges, keep believing in yourself, that you are worth doing this for.

Take care and good luck. Have a fabulous adventure with food, make food your friend not your enemy.

LittleLynne profile image
LittleLynne in reply to Ceals

Great advice. I was going to reply to the post but you've said my thoughts. Everyone on here is brilliant.

hudson95 profile image
hudson95 in reply to Ceals

Ceals I have just whipped my notebook out and written points on most of what you have said, thank you so much :)

Ceals profile image
Ceals in reply to hudson95

hudson95 the forum is just so full of advice and guidance I am sure you will be inundated. It is important that you choose the right bits for you, that you can deal with at the time.

Mindset around healthy lifestyle is, for me the biggest issue.

A couple of days ago I was at a meeting with lunch provided. Lovely looking sandwiches, big bowls of crisps (used to be my nemesis), sausages and dips, not to mention cake. I didn't feel virtuous by not eating anything (indeed felt a little guilty), but I really and truely just wasn't interested. I was prepared to appear rude because none of what had been presented was good for me. My point is saying this is that I could do it because my mindset has changed. I now think, carefully, about what I eat and only eat it if it is good for me.

Good luck to you and keep coming back on here.

EllaMidlands profile image
EllaMidlands

See what good advice you get here! People really care and because we all on a 'journey' we all understand

lucigret profile image
lucigret

hudson95 I don't think there is much to add to what Ceals has said. EllaMidlands is also right, your head has to be in the right place. As moreless said, get involved in the forum, take part in the conversations and join some of the challenges to help motivate you. Set your self some small goals, it can make it harder to look at the bigger picture all the time. Have in mind some small non-food rewards for every small goal you achieve, new lipstick, nail varnish, smellies, what ever means something to you. Try to embrace this new adventure in your life and have fun along the way trying food you haven't tried before and finding new recipes to create. Good luck:)

hudson95 profile image
hudson95 in reply to lucigret

I like the idea of having small non-food rewards! and also small goals, one bit at a time! thank you :)

hudson95 profile image
hudson95

thank you so much everyone, I really appreciate all the advice and am really looking forward to being a more active member in such a supportive community!! x

I had loads of false starts, weight loss graphs that dipped down then went higher than they'd started, a gym membership I didn't use, and even a useful but ultimately ineffective free weight loss programme offered through my doctor.

I did couch to 5k thinking if this doesn't get things moving nothing will, but 9 weeks later I had only a modest 3lbs loss to report. However that was what changed things, it wasn't a diet but a genuine lifestyle change and a shift of focus. I started the nhs 12 week plan knowing that in 9 weeks I had learned to run, so learning to eat healthy in 12 weeks seemed achievable.

Also by then I had support from both the couch to 5k and weight loss forums on here, so peer support was a massive gamechanger too. You'll definitely fit into that dress. I had an unworn pair of size 14 jeans that I bought on the way up the scales and had never managed to wear. When I began wearing them on the way back down the scales the feeling of achievement was immense. You'll totally get there :)

PippiRuns profile image
PippiRuns6kgRestart Nov 2023

My story is identical to that of Hidden . It was the learning to run which got me started and the thought of being a lighter runner that kept me going.

nteapea profile image
nteapea

Hi hudson95 I had a skirt in my wardrobe for a year! You have had great advice, I would just add that having a little goal can be very motivating, and I mean very little. Each week I think to myself if I lose 1 lb I am going to be really happy 😊 also don't try and do this because of what other people think it won't work. Be kind to yourself and forgive yourself for the past. Good luck 😊

Fran182716 profile image
Fran182716

I think something does have to "click" and your mind to be in the right place, like the others I have had various "click" times and lost the weight then put some or all back on again. This time I had been losing very slowly by healthy eating but a high cholesterol blood test result has been the kick up the behind I needed to start counting calories. I have six months to re-test and really want to avoid statin medications.

If you can power through the first couple of weeks on will power, once you get started seeing a loss even a little one is a good motivator, the you get one step at a time closer to that dress, you could try it on every few weeks and see it getting closer to fitting, then one day it will 😀

Daisy1925 profile image
Daisy1925

Hi Hudson95

I agree with all the above. I have lost 2 stone in 4 months by eating less and moving more. The one thing that helped the most was reading a book called Overcoming Weight Problems written by a clinical psychologist and dietician. Motivation is absolutely the key to success. Following the guidance in the book I listed all the positive reasons for losing weight and the consequences of not doing so. Even at nearly 65 vanity was up there but wanting to be healthy and active was No 1. The book suggested getting a pedometer as the single most effective bit of kit for monitoring activity and I have been using a Fitbit for 4 months to track calorie intake, steps and miles walked and calorie output.

We all need to find what works for us and many people find the help and support on this site invaluable.. You are not alone. Daisy 1925

Hi I will give you my answer tomorrow :) Prevarication is the name of my game too and I am in your situation as well. I keep reading the posts/replies and hoping for inspiration.

Weighless profile image
Weighless2 stone

I have spent years of losing then gaining weight. I would lose a few pounds and then hit a plateau get bored with the diet and put them back on again. My kick up the bum was high cholesterol/ triglycerides. I then came across a book called"The Fast Diet" better known as 5:2. I read the book and although I had been sceptical about the diet I tried it. I have lost over 2 stone and my levels were down within 3 months. I have made this way of eating a lifestyle change which I find easy to stick to and the health benefits have been brilliant. I know this is not for everyone but it is worth looking into. You can still use the forum for hints and tips and also for weigh ins. All the best on your weight loss journey.

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