Hi new here

[meadow3]

hi all, I'm not very good at cutting out crap foods and have put on probably about 4 stone after having 3 children, giving up smoking and miscarrying 4 times. I'm currently on my own with children and desperately want to lose weight. I feel unhealthy and asthma gets bad sometimes. I've joined here in the hope I have some inspiration to help me shift some weight.

[Ceals]

Welcome meadow3

You will get shed loads of inspiration from the lovely folk on here, I am confident they will spur you on.

This is an amazing forum to be part of. Many of people on here have different areas of concern but we are all trying to get to, or maintain, our desired weight. As you get to know us, and share experiences with us, you will find what a super supportive bunch we are, and that we don't pass judgements.

Here are a few suggestions about how to get the most out of the forum.

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 topics for ease of access and we ask that you also 'file' your own threads, so that others won't miss your important news; and you will have important news to share with us.

Have a look at the NHS 12-week plan; many people have had success with it. Also use the BMI checker to find your target calories, it's important to eat enough. This can be a major turning point, realising you can eat anything as long as the calories are accounted for and are within your personal limit.

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; that happens to me quite regularly!

The forum also has group weigh-ins every day, just choose which day you wish to weigh, join the post for that day and weigh in once per week. The Daily Diary is a very useful thread where we post our planned menu for the day, including calories if you count them, any exercise you have planned and any tips that you can share. The posts can always be found in the Events section on the 'home' page.

If you just want to chat, to say hello, or share any news or struggles then look out for the What's Happening Today thread. There are many other challenges to get involved with, just choose to do what you are comfortable with and feel free to join as many, or as few as you wish.

The grey box next to people's names are achievement badges, and as a new member of the community you have a 'Newbie' badge. We've found that to get the best out of this community, you 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.

If you are using the new HU App on your mobile phone (helpful for when you are out and about), many of features mentioned are not available; use the full website version to maximise your experience.

If you have any questions please just ask. The more you join in and connect with people the more you get out of the forum.

I wish you well as you get started with a new lifestyle.

Ceals

[pcrw Maintainer Healthy BMI]

Hi Meadow3

You deffo have made a great decision to lose weight. It will help your asthma and also enable you to move more freely. There must be such a lot to do looking after your children .

You will find all the info and help on this forum to help you shift that weight

Hope to hear of your good progress

Best wishes

[jopo]

Never to late to start eating well meadow3 especially for your health and your children's too.

I know it's awfully easy to buy junk food but perhaps you could start to make your meals from scratch and learn about nutrition. You'll lose weight naturally rather than just going 'on a diet', diets just don't work.

Keep a food diary and if you'd like to share with us here we will help you with some good ideas and tips. Just eating more veg is a great start.

Glad you have found this forum it really can completely change your life. Good luck on your journey. Xx

[Wadestreet]

First congrats on quitting smoking. It must be hard to look after children on your own. But I know you can do it. Introduce healthy foods slowly and try to think of fun exercise with your children. Say a starting a 10 minute walk with them and gradually build up on it as they get used to it. Remember slow and steady wins the race.!!. Let us know how you are making out.