My BMI is shamefully 39. During the month of January I was tested for womb cancer. After a very stressful few weeks I have been told that

[Healthybmi4me]

Thankfully I'm ok and that I'm probably starting menopause (I'm 47). However the cancer nurse has told me that I need to get my bmi into a healthy range. I'm so daunted because I have almost 6 stone to lose. Please any advice and encouragement will be gratefully received. Thanks Janey

[Windswept1]

Don't be daunted, just set yourself smaller targets rather than thinking about losing the whole amount at once.

If you follow the 12 week plan on the website and start to exercise more then you will lose weight. I plan all my meals ahead and use smaller plates. I also don't let myself get too hungry as I am likely to binge if I do.

Good luck and be assured it is so good to feel fit and healthy that you will want to continue with your healthy lifestyle.

[Livinginthepast]

Yes my bmi is about the same & I need to lose 4 stone, I dare not weigh myself as I might just give up, I have diabetes 2 & recently started getting sharp pains in one foot - this was enough for me to take the exercise or lack of it seriously I go to the gym & its hard but I feel better after a tough workout but the main thing is I am more aware of calories for eg 10 minutes on the rowing machine burns 100 calories so I am more mindful just how easy it can be to eat a snack & put that 100 calories back...........so start going to a gym be patient & the rest will follow, I doubt if I have lost weight yet but the foot pain has 96% gone

Good luck

[Clarelouo]

Hello, you're not alone mine is 40.1. I have 8 stone to loose and also felt quite sick at the thought. I am just going to take each day at a time. This is week one for me, I have never tried calorie counting before so am feeling really motivated.

Good, luck please, let me know your progress

Clare

[Penel]

Glad to hear your results were ok, Janey. The 12 week plan is a good place to start, and you may find that this site has some useful advice too.

authoritynutrition.com/12-b...

Good luck

[Healthybmi4me]

Thank you all so much for your responses. Waking up this morning and reading them has definitely given me a boost. I'm the only one in my family with a weight problem and sometimes just feel so alone. It's good to hear from others making the same journey.

And thank you Penel the link is very interesting

[behappynow in reply to Healthybmi4me]

Hi, how much weight have you lost so far ?

[Healthybmi4me in reply to behappynow]

I've lost 2 stone albeit nothing in the last year. But on a positive I've not gained it all back which in the past I would have.

[behappynow in reply to Healthybmi4me]

Wow..thats great...2 stone lost in weight..

[GoogleMe]

First stop.... thinking of your weight as 'shameful' may not be the best way to encourage yourself to lose some of it. It's not a moral issue, it's a health issue. It's a great time to make some real progress with this as we are poised to come out of Winter and as you are able to throw off all the uncertainties you must have had during the cancer investigations. As it happens, I was in the obese BMI range, started C25K and then had new symptoms which meant investigations for the same cancer. That was two years ago. I completed the NHS C25K, I'm still running, I swim and I do yoga and my BMI is in the healthy range and I am able to get into a number of old favourites from my clothes drawers. I am still carrying more than suits my frame so I reckon I have another 9kgs to go at the time of writing. Please do keep posting here and let us know how you are getting on as I'd be really interested.

I didn't do anything fancy BTW. the NHS plan is a good one, although I work to a lower calorie guideline so that the times I am over a weight losing net intake are smoothed out and I am not relying on burning exercise calories, to accommodate my health issues (my list of activities makes me sound super-active - I'm not)

[Hidden]

Hi Janeyrob,

There's a whole lot of different reasons for wanting (or needing) to lose weight.

Huge piece of advice - don't be in a great hurry. Aim to lose in the region of 1 to 2 lbs a week on average. So think of this as the start of a 9 to 12 month journey to a slimmer, fitter, healthier you.

Lots of good (and free) advice on the NHS live well lose weight web-pages, and a 12 week plan. Which, like me you can repeat if the first 12 weeks don't get you to where you are going!

Good luck with your weight loss journey.

[BigSuitcase]

You are not alone. We're all here because we're overweight. And 1 in 2 people in Britain are overweight or obese. So, take heart. The gym might be daunting so simply get out walking for an hour. Outside is best, preferably in a park or somewhere that has trees or greenery or some sort of nature. Man's most efficient exercise is walking - that's what we're built for - so even us hefty overweighters can manage it, gently at first then gradually building up speed and then gradient. Read "Run Fat B!tch Run" - I'm not calling you that, by the way, I'm just saying it's a very funny book and will help get you get out walking...and eventually running. Yes, running. At the same time start on the 12-week NHS plan. And read posts on this forum. It all helps. After a little while, as your system starts to declog itself, you will start to feel so much better/brighter/cleaner/more energetic and that will help you buckle up for the ride towards a normal BMI. Don't forget, we're all on the same journey. Seatbelt fastened? Let's go!

[BigSuitcase]

And read this very inspiring post healthunlocked.com/nhsweigh...

[behappynow]

First step is asking and getting help to lose weight...and trying to get into a different state of mind...in eating healthy...try calories apps...gym,walking, fitness dvds, zumba...advice from doctors...advice from forum, advice from friends...there is plenty out there...I found jogging was a no no...especially if top heavy ...walking better...stroll to start with ...hope you have a good week...IVe actually lost 1 stone 3Lbs now ..

[Blanket]

Hi Janey,

Well done for making a start, that's the hardest bit. You've obviously put some brain-time into how you're going to achieve your goal as you've joined this group. Everyone on here as their own story but it's a weight-loss forum so don't feel alone!

I feel daunted by needing to lose 2 stone (I've already lost some but it's over a long time period so I feel like this weight loss is a separate goal). I'm just about to start again hence me joining the group at the weekend. As someone else posted, it's better to set smaller goals than to think about losing 6 stone. You can't do that in a few weeks but you can lose a pound or 2 (or 3/4/5...). They will all add up and before too long you'll have lost a stone.

I don;t mean to make it sound easy as if it was easy we wouldn't have so many people in the overweight category in the country. BUT you're doing something really positive about it so you should be proud of yourself and feel empowered, here's to that start of an exciting journey!! :o)

[Healthybmi4me]

So many fantastic replies. "Run fat bitch" made me smile. I've just got back from a 45 mins walk and eaten well today so a good start ;). Good luck everyone !

[gingernut49]

Many sensible replies here that are sure to help. I was inspired in August 2012 by a BBC Horizon programme "Eat, Fast and Live Longer" vimeo.com/54089463 and, at my age, I found the title alone interesting. Please watch it and let me know when you have and I can help you further. It totally changed my life.

[MusicMaker]

Don't worry about trying to lose 6 stone at the moment. Many reputable sites including weight watchers (sorry, can't insert links from my mobile phone) give the benefits of losing even just 5-10 percent of your weight - reduced risk of diabetes, cardiovascular problems, certain cancers etc, lower blood and so on. So set yourself a target of losing 10 percent with a midway goal of 5 percent. Perhaps even take some readings such as blood pressure before and after, and see how much better you feel and whether you can fit into a smaller clothes size. Then reassess and look at setting yourself your next target. And congrats on losing 2 stone earlier.