Hi guys. I'm new to this. I re...

[hayleybunyan]

Hi guys. I'm new to this. I really want to lose about 2 stone by summer. But can't get my head into it. Can people help me??

[Hidden]

Hi, I started yesterday, also would like to lose 2 stone by the end of June. I was shocked by my calories yesterday, over 2000 and I thought I was being good! A bit better today, but still over the limit. The advice from others on the site to keep a track of what I'm eating throughout the day, and to write it down so it can be seen where to make changes seems a good idea.

[jo1971]

I'm probably not the best person to give advice, but I would say, you definitely need to have your head in the right place before you start and try to figure out what works for you. What I've found helpful is firstly posting on this site and reading other people's posts - that keeps me motivated. Second, trying to bear in mind why I'm doing this in the first place. Like you, i have stuff going on in summer that I would like to be slimmer for. Keeping my reasons at the forefront of my mind helps me when I feel moments of weakness. Third - expect moments of weakness but dont let them derail you. Get straight back up and on with it as quick as you can. Fourth ( and i really can't believe i'm saying this) exercise is great. Try the couch to 5 k if you can or whatever else keeps you active - it's hard to motivate yourself to get going on exercise, but once you've done whatever you need to do for the day, you really do feel 'awesome'. Finally, this is just my opinion, but change a few things at a time and get these down and then move on. Giving up the booze was a big one for me, but by the end of the 12 weeks, I am aiming to be a 'health goddess' of sorts, maybe give up coffee and tea, etc. I just couldn't go straight from a diet based mainly on Haribo and pinot grigio to the full on healthy diet. So I'm doing it in stages.

Before you start, take accurate measurements of everything, photos if you're happy to do this, try on your clothes and note down how tight things are and where you do your belt up - because all of this will change, even on the weeks when your weight doesnt. so take measurements so you can feel good about that.

Enjoy your journey and best of luck with it

[hayleybunyan in reply to jo1971]

Thanks for the reply. I do find it hard to motivate myself. I work as a kitchen manager working 6 days a week. It's hard being at work even if I take my own food cos I'm like ooooo ill add that etc. I'm gonna start tomorrow and also do some home fitness videos and start swimming. Hopefully I will get my head into it. Is pop bad for you? I drink a lot of Pepsi max or other pop but it's sugar free. I also find when starting a diet I do good for 2 weeks then go down hill. Cos It's like I'm eating the same food.

[Lippysue 6lbs]

Hi, I am new as well so I am not really able to help but I know I am finding reading these messages very motivating so I would say stick around.

[jo1971]

I agree with Lippysue - it is hard to stay motivated and week 3 and 4 are apparently when most people start to lose motivation - a bit. But, as she says, make sure you keep checking in on this site and it helps you stay focussed. You realise that lost of people face the same challenges and can offer you a bit of support and suggestions - which are really useful.

You'll hear some different opinions on whether things are good or bad for you - Pepsi max is obv not as good for you healthwise as water. some people might say that the sweet taste might make you crave sugar and I think there is some evidence for the body treating artificial sweetners as though it were sugar - i.e. your body produces insulin to bring your blood sugar level down. But, in terms of weight loss, it has no calories and so shouldn't affect your weight loss in that way. I think if you're aware that you're drinking a lot of it, it might be a good goal for you to reduce it. If you are drinking lots of it, it might make you a bit anxious and excitable because of the caffeine. If you're like me, as soon as I start pacing about and getting stressed, that is def a weak point. Problems seem bigger and that gives me the perfect excuse to destress myself with cake or sweeties.

Try to set yourself some reasonable goals that fit in with your lifestyle/personality and what you want to acheive overall. the thing I like about this site is that it is about health as well as weight loss. So it does push you to consider the long term effects of your lifestyle and make improvements where you can.

so today is day 1 for you! I hope it is a rewarding and exciting journey and you get to where you want to be xx

[Hidden]

I want lose 2 stone also by summer - have you created a goal of mini weight loss acheivements ? breaking it down into smaller chunks will make your loss more manageable.

[prosecco_lover]

Hi

I started last week. I lost 4lb last week (but poorly so won't last) and am trying to shift the last half stone of baby weight before she starts school in September when I can no longer officially call it baby weight. It takes ages for me to lose weight and it's usually a half a pound per week when I'm trying, so make no judgements on the amount I need to lose!

I'm trying the 1400 cal per day thing and using my fitness pal. I'm also going to the gym twice per week and finding that I'm actually enjoying it- making me sleep better and not nearly as sore as I was when I first restarted in Jan.

The hardest bit for me is the evenings and about 3-4pm at work when the chocolate box calls my name (screeches sometimes). Unfortunately chocolate seems to calm me down like no other substance known to man. So, I'm working on it slowly.

I think there's a big difference between knowing you need to change, preparing for the change and actually being ready to change. I reckon I've been in the middle phase for about 12 months now and have just been beating myself up when various diets (I've been paying slimming world online £5 per month now to essentially record my weekly static weight- why??). Still, I'm in the zone now and am ready to start making some changes.

What I can't decide is whether to completely stop the chocolate or to have small controlled amounts- I'm a bit like an alcoholic in denial in a pub- I think I can have one and then eat the whole box.

Anyway, good luck and wish you all the best.