Where to start?!

[Bethan13]

Hi!

I'm always moaning about being overweight and wanting to lose weight but I never stick to anything. I'm just about to get married and soon after we'll be trying for a baby so I want to get as healthy as possible before that happens. Any ideas?

[BrideToBe51213]

Hello Bethan13,

I've just started my second week of the plan and lost 5lb in the first week. I started it as I have my dress fitting in under 11 weeks. I hope I have finally found the resolve to stick to it now, knowing that the wedding pictures will always be on display!

There are lots of different tips but so far the best tip I have is to cut out picture of wedding dresses and put them in you key areas to remind you what your aim is. So far I have one in my purse so that if I go to buy a snack it reminds me, three in the cupboards and one on my mirror to remind me if I'm not happy with what I see, that I am making the right changes to make me happier.

Good luck

[Bethan13 in reply to BrideToBe51213]

Is that the NHS plan?

When I looked at it briefly yesterday it didn't look like there were particularly any guidelines other than "eat less, exercise more"... Is there an actual plan to follow or anything?

[bispers]

Hi Bethan 13

The NHS Choices gives you 12 weeks of ideas and suggestions. I have lost around 9 lbs on it so far. It is far more of a health way of eating for life than what most of us think of a diet, sticking to around 1400 calories a day. I have tried lots of other diets in the past but changing the way I think has helped. Whilst trying to eat healthily, I have had my share of treats - but have felt so lethargic afterwards I realise I prefer to make healthier choices.

I use the Weekly food and activity charts the plan provides - and stick it them in a prominent place for all to see, My Fitness Pal to log the calories I eat everyday (that was quite an eye opener at first) and use some of the recipes from Change 4 Life (Google both) and recipes from the Hairy Bikers Diet book.

Good luck.

[BrideToBe51213]

Yes, that's the plan and its more focus on changes. To be honest it amazing how much food you can eat when you make the right choices. My meal last night was huge and was only 375 calories, I didn't even have my usualy planned dessert as I was still full!

[Hidden]

Hi Bethan 13,

The place to start is to look very seriously at what your current eating and exercise/acitivity habits / routines are.

The next thing is to change all the "wrong" things about those that have caused you to become overweight.

And everything you eat or drink, counts. The sauces, gravies, toppings, deserts, lattes, pints, glasses of wine.

What you eat at home, at work, en route to and from work and when socialising.

And those 'oh, one won't make any difference' and 'it's only little' things too'!

Get yourself into some "good" eating habits and you'll not only lose weight, but you'll train yourself into a lifestyle that will ensure the excess weight stays off.

Lots of good advice on the NHS live well lose weight webpages and their eat well pages too.

Good luck with your weight loss journey.