12 Week Changes - Health, Head and Heart

[Pinkiee]

Hi, I'm Lucy. I'm starting the 12 week plan today, and this is so much more to me than just losing the weight.

For a long time I have put myself much further down the pecking order than is acceptable. In doing so, I've propelled my career forward but in the process have made myself lose personal time, interests, healthy habits. It's not unusual for me to start work at 8am and finish at 9pm, having not prepared myself for the busy day so end up eating chocolate and crisps from the vending machine. More than my body is asking for, all that my emotional eating is craving.

My family lost my nana last May, 4 weeks after my relationship ended, and both my dad and uncle are very poorly. I think amidst all of this I just let myself go, almost felt guilty caring for myself, when it felt as though so much was already ruined. Negative I know! But sometimes it seems impossible to pull yourself up.

12 months later and I've accepted things enough to make the first moves.

I've gained two stone and feel it more than just is discomfort with my appearance. My ankle joints feel tighter, I haven't exercised properly for so long that my body feels as though it has seized up. My skin is dry, and spotty?! I'm conscious I've got myself here and it's my choice to pull myself out. So here we go! If you are on a similar journey I would love to hear from you and support each other to healthiness. Xx

[EllaMidlands]

Hi, welcome! Thank you for your honest post. I our you find that forum a useful place to be able to be honest with being judges at all. I liked the image you chose. I think you are right to set goals which can be really small like a day or a meal at a time. Eating can be something you control even when other things around you are out of your control. I wish you luck and give yourself a big pat on the back for every goal you smash! 🤞

[lucigret]

Welcome Pinkiee

Sounds as though you have had a tough time of late. Well done for realising that sometimes you have to have time for you. Getting the life/work balance right is not an easy thing to do.

This forum is a great place for non judgemental support. You may like to take a look at the Daily Diary that runs each day. You will get lots of inspiration there for meals and ideas.

An administrator will be along soon I am sure to welcome you and give you lots of advice. Read as much as you can and don't ever be afraid to ask questions, how ever silly they may seem. We are all learning. Wishing you good luck.

[IndigoBlue61]

Hello Pinkiee and welcome to the Weight Loss Forum 😊

Well done on seizing control of your life after a difficult year. Our bodies are wonderful things that deserve nutritious food, it's a way of showing that we value ourselves. Good luck with the 12 week plan and the forum 😊

Here are a few suggestions on how to get the most out of the forum. Please note if you are using the new HU App many of these features are not available so I suggest you use the full website version.

The first place to look is at the Pinned posts section to the right of your screen (bottom if you're using a mobile), read the Welcome Newbie thread first and move through to the challenges, where we hope you'll find at least one that will appeal to you ☺

Move down to the Topics, to find a variety of threads, collated into specific topics for ease of access and we ask that you also 'file' your own threads, so that others won't miss your important news ☺

Have a look at the NHS 12 week plan, as many people have had success with it. Also use the BMI checker to find your target calories, it's important to eat enough. This was a major turning point for me, realising I could eat anything I wanted as long as the calories are accounted for ☺

Don't forget to take your starting measurements and a 'before' picture, as they can be very motivating on days that the scales refuse to co-operate ☺

The forum also have group weigh-ins every day, as well as a new Daily Diary, if you wish to take part. The posts can always be found in the Events section on the 'home' page ☺

You'll notice a grey box next to people's names, these are achievement badges, and as a new member you have a 'Newbie' badge. We've found that to get the best out of this community, we need to be active on the forum, as it's where we exchange information, get motivation and inspiration and make friends. We hope that you'll join us here, regularly, too. If you have any questions please just ask ☺

Best wishes

Anna

[Grannynise 6lbs]

Welcome Pinkiee You have had a really tough time but how fantastic that you are now going to take control.

I'd like to suggest that you make a series of small changes rather than go all out at once. You need to be very kind to yourself. So, for example, exchange unhealthy snacks for some really delicious fruit so that it still feels like a treat - my favourite is ready prepared mango and fresh raspberries. Healthy can still be fun!

[Pinkiee in reply to Grannynise]

Thank you, that is a wonderful idea and I will definitely try that today!

[SukiV]

Hi Pinkiee. Welcome to the forum. I can completely sympathise with you. My life was very similar. I became a manager at the age of 21 and I've been one since, Im now 42. The pressures of working long hours and working hard to get things done meant I didn't have a personal life. I certainly didn't have time to look after my health and diet just went out the window. My husband was the same. We both travelled all over the world for work. So saw each other at weekends only. At which point we would binge out on nice food and alcohol. Then start all over again on Monday. Because my role was global my phone and email was constantly on. Americas in the morning, U.K and Europe in the day and Asia in the evening. However my husband decided to finish work at the same time I turned 40. I remember seeing some runners finishing a race and thinking I'd love to do that. That was the turning point for me. I started training which meant I had to cut back on food. With my husband enjoying early retirement I also wanted to be at home more. I've had a great career and at a young age I've done everything I wanted to do. But now I'm focussing on my health.

It can be difficult and sometimes easier to grab the vending machine food. But to break the cycle you need an intervention (for me it was my husband retiring). This gave us both back some time.

You've taken your first step by posting what you did. We are all here to help you. It's a great community all enjoying the same thing, wanting to be healthy and happy. You will get there, I've no doubt.

Sorry for the long post. I don't normally post long messages but reading your post resonated with me.

[Pinkiee in reply to SukiV]

Thank you so much for this, it's so lovely to feel support already. I'd love to know more about your experience if you have time at some point. Hope you have a great week!

[SukiV]

Happy to. What I love about this forum it's a great leveller. You hear from people from all walks of life. Have a good week also. I look forward to hearing how you got on.