Hi!

[Mama_Bear0987]

Hi. I'm just starting out. I don't want to diet, I want to live more healthily and hopefully lose weight and get fitter and stronger too. I look forward to connecting with people as we go

[YellowRose55]

Hi @Sonia-lu and welcome to the weight loss forum.

The nhs 12 week plan is not a diet but a healthier life style and you have now taken the first step to getting healthier and fitter by joining the forum.

You are invited to join our Newbie Club, where you can meet other new members who are just beginning their weigh loss journeys too. Here's the link for all the information you will need to find your way around the forum:

healthunlocked.com/nhsweigh...

Write a brief note to introduce yourself to other newbies and I'm sure you'll be making friends, in no time.

Good luck with your first week.

[MrsTee34]

Feeling fitter is one of the best parts for me so far, just wish I could push harder, or had more time to push harder! not enough hours in my day to do more exercise?

[Mama_Bear0987 in reply to MrsTee34]

I am off work at the moment and so have lots of time to cook and exercise (and eat too ) but I'm starting a new job in a couple of weeks so I know I will have to be more organised and stricter with an exercise routine, rather than doing what I fancy at the time now. It's gonna get tougher!

[RG07 Maintainer in reply to Mama_Bear0987]

I work shifts and some weeks I can work 4 long shifts (12.5hrs) and other weeks I work 2- so my exercise level varies depending on my shift work, so have to fit in any exercise on my days off, but you also need to have a rest day in between exercise to allow your muscles to recover and repair which sometimes makes it difficult. I just have to accept that some weeks my exercise levels will be low and I cannot change that- don't fancy doing any exercise after being up since 5:30am and not get home again until 8pm! I just make sure that on the days I can exercise I do exercise

[Mama_Bear0987]

Yeah I will only get weekends off so will have to exercise after work 😩 Harder for you but at least you have those days off. My concern is that I will start making excuses when I go back to work and I will look back in a few years after putting on a few more stone wishing I hadn't! But I'm determined I will get into a routine with it.

[pcrw Maintainer Healthy BMI]

Hi Sonia

Nice to meet you. I think health is the best motivator and it is secondary that you will be looking slimmer. Aiming fit a new way of living and better habits and better choices is certainly the way to go

I have totally changed my eating habits to low carb and over the last 3 months lost 14 kg and feel a lot better for it. I plan to continue stick to a Mediterranean diet and avoid bread, potatoes pasta rice and sugar so that a) my blood sugar levels remain steady and B) I don't put the weight back

I have bought a new wardrobe of clothes and had some altered so it would cost me to slip back into bad habits

Wishing you well

[Mama_Bear0987 in reply to pcrw]

Thank you! Yes I really do want to be fit and healthy as well as slimmer! You have done so well already! I hope I can start losing soon and feel motivated. I am already feeling a bit stronger after swimming and cycling for a few weeks. I have to keep reminding myself that the changes I make now have to stay with me forever if I am going to stay fit and healthy.

[pcrw Maintainer Healthy BMI]

That sounds like you have made a good start. How about adding to that walking at least 10,000 steps a day as recommended by the American Heart association? I do that and it has made me a lot fitter and my legs slimmer

[Mama_Bear0987 in reply to pcrw]

I've bought a pedometer! It will be interesting to see how many steps I do in a normal day and then I can challenge myself to do more. Thank for the tip

[pcrw Maintainer Healthy BMI in reply to Mama_Bear0987]

I look forward to hearing how you get on

[Hidden]

Hi and welcome to the forum which is all about healthy lifestyle , I'm sure you will get lots of support , good luck

[Under-orders]

My story started when I was in Israel last year, my left knee broke down & from then, I joined change4life at my local GP surgery and lost about 2 stones, since then, have been on a maintenance diet. But things were starting to get out of hand. This morning, just weighed myself. I am now 89.1kg. And can feel the difference. So HealthUnlocked will have that effect on you as well, as long as you keep a positive mindset.

[Under-orders in reply to Under-orders]

Keep going

[Under-orders]

Good luck in the new job Sonia lu

[Mama_Bear0987]

Hey thank you under-orders. I feel so bad knowing so many other people have injuries and health problems and I've just been greedy and lazy! Although I do think there's been at least a few years of comfort eating. I guess it's about identifying your individual weaknesses and barriers and then you have a better chance of success.

[Under-orders in reply to Mama_Bear0987]

I had my left knee break down in Israel last year as a result so I have been told by my surgeon, of an old sport s injury

[Under-orders]

Only 2 weeks then my operation will be over and hopefully, I will be back home and in my own bed! Will keep up to date with everyone only in for 1 night anyway.

[Under-orders in reply to Under-orders]

Now in for 2 nights as confirmed by RJAH hospital this morning