I'm new here and want to lose weight to get rid of huge belly

[missmermaid]

I'm fortunate in that I'd never really been overweight despite having a healthy appetite. But post menopause in the last 4-5 five years I have put on a couple of pounds per year and now I am almost a stone over the weight I'd been for years. I know this happens as we get older and I could live with it if it was spread evenly all over my body but it is all around my middle and from the side I look five months pregnant - I notice people staring and wondering! I've read that this is the worst place to store fat as it may indicate fat stored around the organs as well. I work full time in a stressful job where cakes/sweets are often brought in and I have no willpower. I have got into the habit of having a glass of wine or two most evenings to unwind which is also isn't helping. I don't have much time to exercise. I know a stone isn't particularly overweight but if I continue like this my weight will steadily creep up and up and I will soon be out of the healty bmi band. I have tried to be more thoughtful about what I eat and to walk more often but it doesn't seem to make any difference. I want to change my habits but I'm feeling very demotivated so hoping this 12 week plan will help me.

[IndigoBlue61]

Hello missmermaid and welcome to the Weight Loss Forum

I'm also battling to lose weight during the menopause and it's not easy but not impossible.

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. And if you just want to chat, to say hello or share any news or struggles then look out for What's Happening Today thread.

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

[missmermaid in reply to IndigoBlue61]

Thank you Anna

[pinkhairedgirl]

Hi missmermaid, I am new also to this forum but so far have found it very supportive with lots of tips and ideas but also support when things don't go so well. Good luck with your weight loss xxx

[missmermaid in reply to pinkhairedgirl]

thank you good luck to you as well x

[pinkhairedgirl]

Thanks you xxx

[missmermaid]

Well day one was ok. I managed to keep within my calorie goal and still have a sneaky small glass of red. Every time a fancied a snack I had a huge glass of water which seemed to work. At lunchtime I had a mountain of crunchy salad veg that gave me jaw ache from chewing. But to my amazement I wasn't hungry all afternoon. Have a party this evening so that will be harder.

[HubbysMissMouse]

Hi there do you actually know how many calories you eat on average daily. Even on the days when you eat the cakes and wine. There are many of us including myself that think we are eating not too bad but I found on here that I just wasn't eating enough calories. I tended to be eating around 1000 calories a day and that is something that you should definitely check out. I was putting on weight and looking quite fat because my body thought I was starving it and was turning everything I did eat into body fat to ensure it could continue. This was why I wasn't able to lose weight when on diets and also meant that I was putting weight on sometimes as well. More of us do this because we think that by eating less we would lose more weight quicker and things like this. Since I found this out I have upped my calories and managed to lose 2st and my body is becoming firmer all the time. Please don't make this same mistake as well and check this out on the NHS bmi calculator as this gives personal amounts and a variable range for you to choose to lose weight. Good luck with your journey.

[missmermaid in reply to HubbysMissMouse]

Hey that's interesting. I never knew that eating too few calories could have that effect. TBH I think am eating too many every day though. And I've just been in denial. I'm hoping that recording what I eat will make me more aware and less likely to eat calorific crap. It's good be ok so far even with a party and a BBQ but only time will tell. Thanks for your reply and good luck x

[HubbysMissMouse in reply to missmermaid]

I do understand as most of what I did eat before was always that healthy I just thought eating less would always help. Even now I don't always eat majorly healthy like 5 vegetables/fruit every day I do some though, I just mainly look at calories in things I do buy and leave many items out I would have picked before but still have things like chips occasionally but have them from an actifryer and do eat out but try to look at calories before I go and then do pick healthier these times though. Hope you enjoy yourself, I am enjoying myself with this as I am enjoying the change to my body.