Slow and Steady

[Saviods86]

So I finally decided (after a lot of coaxing from my wife) to start exercising and dieting, its been about 18 days and I've lost 6.5 lbs so far and counting. Now to put that in perspective, I weighed 16.1 stone when I started and as per my BMI on NHS I am considered OBESE with a BMI of 36 @ 32 years old. However I still considered my self fit considering the fact that I used to go to the gym on and off for years but I know at some point I let myself go and was in denial about my unhealthy lifestyle.

Diet:

I haven't done anything out of the ordinary to lose this weight besides controlling my portions and making sure I chew slowly. Prior to this I was always the first person to finish my plate of food and more often then not I would go in for round 2! slowing down and chewing slow has actually helped me reduce my calorie intake. I now find that I start getting a bit fed up with all the chewing and sitting with my plate that I get bored with eating and actually find my tummy full even before I have finished eating. I did read somewhere that it take about 20 minutes for your body to tell your mind that its full and I definitely find this to be true. I have also reduced eating carbs by cutting down on rice and breads and adding more vegetables to my diet. Haven't had any crisps or other junk food and I have also been drink free so far.

Exercising :

I started the couch to 5K on Mon-Wed-Fri's and I am on week 2 now, its been good so far and I am actually excited about getting to the point where I can go the full 5K. Tue-Thu-Sat are strength training days and workout routines with weights.

There has not been a lack of temptation but so far I have been able to avoid most of them! Looking forward to weighing my self at the end of the week so see how much more I have progressed.

[S11m]

So you are not "on a diet" but you are eating less and exercising more?People can lose weight without counting calories - but much of what you have lost so far might be fluid etc.

I lost "slow and steady"... and I lost a stone at two pounds a week, and have lost more than another two stone at one pound a week.

[BridgeGirl Administrator 2 stone]

Hello, Saviods86, I see it's quite some time since you were here so I'll give you the newbie information so you can make the most of the forum. Coming here regularly - daily if possible - to read and reply to posts, join events and challenges, particularly a weekly weigh in, will all give you a big boost of motivation.

Our chat thread lists all the activities you can join in healthunlocked.com/nhsweigh...

The welcome pack explains how the forum works and how to find your way around healthunlocked.com/nhsweigh...

Please consider locking your posts; if unlocked, they can be shared around the Internet without your knowledge and consent. You will see the Twitter and FaceBook logos at the foot of your post. This explains more, including how to lock posts healthunlocked.com/nhsweigh...

Wishing you success in reaching your goals

[Saviods86 in reply to BridgeGirl]

Yes I signed up 8 months ago and then just didn't get started until a few weeks back on my weight. Thanks for the tips and support

[BridgeGirl Administrator 2 stone in reply to Saviods86]

Give yourself a few minutes each day to drop in: no need to post, just read and respond, you'll pick up so many ideas and so much encouragement.

I hope you'll join a weigh in at the weekend: all instructions in the welcome post above.

Do consider locking your posts, for extra privacy and security

[Eleanorba Maintainer]

This sounds absolutely brilliant - and sustainable too. I got far too obsessive when counting calories and found an approach similar to yours really worked. Slow eating crucial I agree!

[dawnz 3 stone]

What a good attitude you have and bonus points for crediting your wife! Your approach is one of using experience to date, looking forward to your weigh in...

[ollio]

Hey there....that's fab news. Welcome and your weight loss is great too. Keep at it, you will get there xx

[Rhosyn2]

Sounds like you are changing your lifestyle by adding in healthy habits! I like feeling like I'm adding to my life rather than subtracting. I'm 32 too and want to build a strong and healthy body and mind whilst in early motherhood and my career is taking off etc - strong habits that I can rely on sees me through!

I will try to chew and really taste my food more, that's a good point about rushing through food and not really enjoying it and letting it fill us. Sometimes I feel I spend most of my time thinking about food and then when I am eating - I'm thinking about something else!