What changes first?

[green_spoon]

I’m feeling really overwhelmed. So many time I have started healthy eating and weight loss and done really well, then fell off the wagon after doing everything “perfectly” throwing it all away then being back at square one. I get so anxious to think about how to start. I know small steps that are sustainable are the way to go, but I get really really anxious at the thought of not being able to do it all at once and ruin my health further. I am an anxious person and am working on this. What were your first small steps that helped you feel better and in control?

[BridgeGirl Administrator 2 stone]

Hello and welcome, green_spoon

In terms of the forum, a good place to start is by joining a weekly weigh in (why not this evening or tomorrow morning?) and using the Daily Diary, where members share their meal plans. Once you start chatting, I'm sure you'll feel less anxious as everyone has the same goal and they'll be happy to tell you what changes they're making.

You'll find everything you need in Pinned Posts by following this link healthunlocked.com/nhsweigh...

Active participation is a great boost to your own efforts so start browsing through the Pinned Posts and decide what you'd like to join in with

[Subtle_badger]

One thing? Give up sugar.

[RaggedClown in reply to Subtle_badger]

This is a good one but I found it hard to give up sugar completely in one shot. I went from two teaspoons of sugar in my tea to one teaspoon to half a teaspoon.

I still have a trace amount of sugar because I can't stand the taste without it.

[Weightloss30]

For me, it was exercise. Diet is a lot more important than exercise to weight loss, but I found if I was exercising, I wanted to fuel my body with ‘healthier’ options, I felt less hungry and more motivated. Working out (whether you like to run, lift weights, cycle, fitness classes or walk) is a lot of effort!! I found I didn’t want to undo my hard work by eating rubbish food. So, while exercise may not have contributed to my weight loss significantly, it definitely changed my mindset completely. Besides, you can’t be eating if you’re moving😂

[SofaJockey]

For me, the first step was clearing out my cupboard. Food with over 5mg/100g sugar. Pasta, bread, rice, potato. Low-fat/no-fat tasteless food. All thrown or donated. With the cupboard emptied of junk, I can't eat it.

Second step was to buy healthy low-processed food, veggies, meat, fish, full-fat dairy. And eat it 3 meals per day (sating hunger).

Step 3. Walk every day (or whatever exercise you enjoy).

[RaggedClown]

My first thing was to decide to stop having empty calories if I didn't enjoy them.

I always had potatoes with my dinner because I always had potatoes with my dinner. I chose to stop because, it turned out, I didn't really love potatoes after all and I'd rather spend my calories on beer (which I do love).

From there, I was able to cut out crisps and rice and sugar and other things that I didn't love. Some of these, I wasn't able to eliminate completely but I chose to save them for special occasions instead of scoffing them all the time.

Maybe you **do** love potatoes — but I but there are things you eat out of habit that you **don't love**. Stop eating those first and go from there.

slimmingwithstrangers.com/s...