Needing tips on how to lose weight and stay motivated for a long period of time.

I'm a student and I want to lose around a stone. I find it difficult to stay motivated in weight loss and also to cut out alcohol (students drink a lot). I'm around 10st 4lb and I've had issues with my weight before (including a phase of bulimia). I think a network of people supporting me would help so any tips will be greatly appreciated.

[Catiosha]

I have found it helpful in my weight loss, to remember exactly why I want to loose the weight that I have wanted. I have also seen it as a lifestyle change as well, not something that I have done just to look good for a particular event. My best advice is to take a look at what you would are willing to do to loose that stone. You don't need to stop drinking completely, but maybe consider a limit as to how many drinks you drink when you go out, also consider what else you are drinking and eating, that you can exchange for a healthier option. Also if you can pick up some kind of exercise that you can do.

[Hidden in reply to Catiosha]

Yeah I need to change my eating habits for good and not just diet for a short while. I just seem to lose motivation after a few weeks and then j feel mega guilty.

[ehdurston in reply to Hidden]

Small changes are the best way to do it- it will take a bit longer, but trying to change everything and be 'good' all the time meant I kept landing flat on my face.

[mothernewt]

exercise 3 times a week and don't eat between meals apart from fruit. stop eating when you feel full and give yourself more veg and less potatoes, pasta and bread.

it also helps to log what you eat on a phone app or diary

[GRUMPYA]

If you have had an eating disorder you need to talk to the nurse at your gps or your GP for advice. You do not know who you are talking to on the Internet and although they mean well they may say something that acts as a trigger.

Most GP practices have a nurse practitioner who is an extremely well trained nurse. They often are more up to date than the doc so i would have a chat with her.

Meanwhile eat healthy foods and try pacing yourself when you go out don't preload. Have water instead of a round so you are still going out and having a drink but have water to replace a third or half the drinks.

[folkieboater in reply to GRUMPYA]

In my experience of eating disorders and the NHS it's hit and miss whether you get helped or not.

I'm not saying that if, as a sufferer, you have access to a good GP, nurse, psychiatrist or whatever helps you that they would not be your first port of call, but if not they are just as likely to be unhelpful (or downright more harm) than a well informed, caring person on here with more time to spend than a 5 minute appointment.

I have experience of some very harmful and stupid comments made by a so called professional!

[ashleighmadigan]

Hey, I'm in the same boat as I'm a uni student and losing weight is hard when 2 nights a week I'm going out and drinking away the calories! My only advice is make sure you only drink when going out out as at least you can dance some of the calories off, and also think about what alcohol you're drinking (eg. jagerbombs and vodka red bulls are a no no!)