Newbie here!

[Undersoul]

Hello everyone! I'm 34 edging closer to 35, and over the last few months I can just feel and see myself getting bigger and bigger. I started going to the gym with a friend and it was working, but we have gone less and less due to family and work commitments. I work 40+ a week in a stressful (pharmacy) environment and I do love it but....a stressful morning can lead me to 'treat' myself to a naughty lunch or picking throughout the day on sweets and cakes. I know I need to, and that I CAN stop this, but most times I don't want to, then I look in the mirror.

I've been looking at slimming world and other diet plans but I'm a bit of a picky eater and all you see are these fancy foods that I can't stand. Plus I don't want to diet I want to change my bad habits, I want to maintain a healthy balance. Not just loss weight for a little while then put it all back on! Tonight I surf the net again hoping to find some diet plan that would suit me and VIOLA! I find you lot!! I've just read the first week of the 12 week plan and its looking good. I think this is just what I need.

So tomorrow I'm going into work and weighing and measuring myself (then maybe a little cry lol) then my journey can begin! I look forward to sharing with you all and hearing your triumphs and your struggles, your advice and recipes etc. Most of all just knowing I'm not alone.

Thanks for reading and hope I haven't rambled too much xx

[EllaMidlands]

Hi, welcome!! Good luck with your measurements. You will feel happy when you can celebrate yourself shrinking! 🤞

[Undersoul in reply to EllaMidlands]

Thanks! I'm gonna need the luck! I know in a few weeks (as long as I'm good) I will start to notice the difference. Its just getting there, as we all know! This feels positive tho, can't imagine sitting in slimming world confessing my eating sins in front of local strangers lol this forum feels more my sort of place

[IndigoBlue61]

Hello Undersoul and welcome to the Weight Loss Forum

I'm so glad you found us, and I'm sure you will get on great with the 12 week plan 😊

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

[katy9617]

welcome undersoul! I understand the stressful 40+ hour working and have a family that I work hard for as well. I just try to remember that I am most important too and must keep myself healthy to maintain my work schedule and my home schedule. I do not want to eat kale or seaweed either so I just drink a lot of water and cook healthier to try to lose weight. I look at it like it is a lifestyle change, not just a diet and that I will and do feel good when I do what I should. I reward myself with small things such as a long bath after a hard day or a bit of alone time to unwind when I get home. I think if you change your reward system, it will make a huge difference and you will feel terrific! good luck and chin up doll!!