nancheska

[nancheska]

Have just signed on to this site and found that I am registering as obese and needing to lose 4.5 stone to bring me into the middle range for my age and height. That seems so impossible to achieve but would love to be able to do it. If there are any encouraging stories out there would love to hear them.

[RuthMarianne]

Hiya, it's great that you have started to take control and get yourself more healthy. I have loads to lose too, 4st, and although the whole seems daunting I have set myself the first target of half a stone loss (I only started Monday) it feels doable, and with the support here I am confident it will happen. It will be challenging but a challenge is good. Have you printed out the weekly sheet? Sometimes I get to the kitchen cupboard (for a nibble) see the sheet and know that I would have to write it down, and so far that has dissuaded me from snacking. You've taken the first step just do a bit at a time and I am sure you will get there.

[nancheska in reply to RuthMarianne]

Thank you so much, RuthMarianne, how nice to be in touch with someone else who has much the same amount to lose. I have printed off the entire 12 weeks information and put it in a folder, but will put the weekly sheet on the fridge as you suggest. I have become good friends with a lovely woman who runs her own cafe and makes all the lovely cakes there too - now I will have to have only a coffee when I visit her - there is temptation all around, isn't there, I love my food since giving up smoking, that is when all this weight gain started, ten years ago now, I discovered food and got my tastebuds back!! But will be determined, thank you again, do stay in touch.

[slimming_lady_22]

I truly believe you can do it! You are very much at the same stage as me. I have 4.5 st to go till I am a healthy weight too. However in January I weighed 2 st heavier than I am now and I've really started to notice the difference. It's all about finding something that works for you and using this forum should help too. It's amazing what a bit of support and positivity can do. So maybe try a little target first - say, half a stone and see how you go. Then it won't feel so impossible and you'll start to feel good about what you have achieved good luck, you can do it!

[nancheska in reply to slimming_lady_22]

Congratulations on losing two stone already, that is a fantastic achievement and very encouraging for me to hear. I will set my sights on half a stone, that seems not so bad indeed as 4.5!! I shall let you know as soon as I have lost half a stone, thank you for your support, that is so nice to receive.

[TheFairiesMadeMeDoIt]

Hi Nancheska,

I thought the same the first time I started to lose weight. Just set small achievable goals to start with and small changes can really help. I work in the accounts department in a building that has 4 floors so now I take the stairs to go everywhere rather than use the lift. I'm sure you can do it

[nancheska in reply to TheFairiesMadeMeDoIt]

Hello, thank you so much for a lovely message, I admire your determination and it is good advice not to simply think of 4.5st but rather break it down into a few pounds at a time - 2 per week would be good, although it seems like a drop in the ocean!!

[HRHGaby]

Hi! The sooner you start the better, your metabolism will run faster after some time sticking to the programme and you'll lose weight quicker. Just be patient and make positive choices. Good luck!

[nancheska]

Dear HRHGaby Thank you so much, that is very encouraging, I know I have to find the will power but there are so many lovely cakes, biscuits, breads and cheeses out there, not easy for a foodie like me!

[nhs2015 in reply to nancheska]

Nancheska, maybe if you snack at home before going to your friend's shop, it will help. Snacks as in : carrot sticks, celery, Apple.

[nancheska in reply to nhs2015]

Dear nhs2015 - sadly a carrot stick cannot compare to her carrot cake, and her upside down apple cake is to die for!!!1 But what sensible advice, at least I can visit her not feeling peckish, and then the willpower is needed to resist anyway, thank you for your advice and support, much appreciated. Will keep thinking of that first half stone loss, sounds so good, but am only on day one, and it is only just past breakfast time, so far to go.

[nhs2015 in reply to nancheska]

For snacks we also make muffins which are around the 139 calories each or less. We use the recipe in Week 9 Fruit banana bran cake. We also swap the sugar for Natvia natural sugar which is about a third less calories. We change the ingredients here and there. We sometimes use spinash (frozen pack) and Ricotta cheese for a savoury muffin.

[Zest Healthy BMI in reply to nhs2015]

Hi Nhs2015 and everyone,

Just a quick question - how long do you bake your Muffins for? I love making the Banana Bran Fruit cake, and it sounds good to make them into muffins - so just wondered how long you bake them for and on what oven temperature?

Many thanks,

Lowcal

[nhs2015 in reply to Zest]

Hi lowcal. Muffins were trial and error first but we got it down to a fine art now: oven at 170 Celsius for 20 minutes. We had started at 12 / 13 minutes at 180c. Then 15 minutes. It was ok but a touch soft in the middle. We found that our outside oven (husband oven) was hotter than the inside oven, so next lot of muffins was at 170 Celsius for 20 minutes and it was good. Today my husband is doing ricotta and spinash. Using fresh spinash leaves and as a trial he will add on a teaspoon of his home made chilli chutney. We sometime use blueberry instead of apricots. We just play with the base recipe and work out the calories accordingly. Muffins are an ideal way to fill up as a snack and also practical when visitors just drop in.

[Zest Healthy BMI in reply to nhs2015]

Thanks for those - I'll definitely try out making some muffins, and your variations sound delicious.

[julie762]

Hi I started my diet last July I have lost 3st 6lb. I am now down to a healthy weight just by calorie counting and keeping an eye on portion size oh and determination helps. Good luck.

[nancheska in reply to julie762]

Dear julie762, I thought it would take me at least a year or more to lose what you have lost so far, that is a fantastic achievement, well done, you must be so delighted , I will keep your success in mind and count the calories, downsize the portions and hopefully see a transformation from this apple shaped woman to a more attractive set of curves!!!

[nhs2015]

I registered as Obese before I started and now I am in the lower half of overweight. BMI Actually 26.9 . I love my food and the 12 week plan works for me because I am now eating healthy, I am always full, I am not tired anymore and feel much fitter in all areas. I follow couch to 5 K as well. If I can do it, so can you.

[nancheska in reply to nhs2015]

Dear nhs2015, what a wonderful BMI count, mine is 32 now, I am increasing a little every year for the last ten years since giving up smoking and taking up eating - in a big way! I do feel tired a lot of the time and would so love to have more energy to do all the things I enjoy. So thank you and will bear your record in mind when tempted by soft cheeses and iced buns

[nhs2015 in reply to nancheska]

Nancheska, have a go at "couch to 5 k" . three times a week only and just half an hour. Week one starts with one minute jogging but I started with walking, then graduated to just 30 seconds jogging or so, and slowly built it up. Each week takes me a few weeks to achieve but I am amazed how I can do it. I have never been an active person and now I don't find it too hard. I actually love the feeling of it.

[Hairyman in reply to nancheska]

Nancheska. Tiredness often comes from too much sugar as it boosts insulin production and yuor body will then store calories as fat instead of allowing you to have them for energy.

Case in point. I have just come back from a hotel where the desserts were LOADED WITH SUGAR. Result, I have put on 3 lbs in 5 days as the dessert told my body to store the calories from the meal as fat! Bah

Now I will have to live on less than 1100 calories a day this weekend. Tough but I have done it before and will do it again.

That advice to always write the calorie value of all you eat will take you far and the record of what food keeps you satisfied will help too.

[nancheska in reply to Hairyman]

Dear Hairyman

Well, I hope you had a really nice time at the hotel and indeed enjoyed the desserts! Thank you for all the advice re sugar and keeping a record of satisfying foods. I am still on day 1, having a salad and pastrami supper, trying hard here, hope I can keep going until 4 stone is gone. Thank you again for your encouragement. Nancheska.

[Anna999]

Hi nancheska,

I also have a similar amount of weight lose as you and I started on monday. It's so daunting! But I've been feeling great so far this week, not been hungry at all! I've had a couple of chocolate cravings but I make myself a green tea, wait ten mins and it's passed.

Im finding this forum very supportive and inspirational!

I've also set myself a half stone goal to try and make it more achievable.

Also, I use the my fitness pal app to count my calorie, you just scan the barcode or search for foods and add it to your diary, I find it really useful!

Best of luck with your first goal and looking forward to hearing how you're getting on! 🌸

[nancheska in reply to Anna999]

Dear Anna999

So encouraging to hear from another member with the same amount to lose, it is daunting, isn't it, but so nice if we can motivate each other, what a nice idea, as doing it alone is much harder. I have been online to the MyFitness site, very good, am using that for the calorie count also. I shall buy some green tea if it takes away the need for something sweet and stodgy, I love my cakes and buns, rather than chocolate, but so fattening.

I will let you know as soon as a half stone has gone, good motivation for me now to be able to tell someone when I am there, thank you for your lovely message and do tell me how you are progressing too.

[Anna999 in reply to nancheska]

If you're more of a cake lover, try just using banana and oats for a snack, blend oats till they're like a four, mix together with the mashed banana, add a handful of raisens, make into little balls and bake in the oven on high for about 15-20mins. You still can't over do it on them, they are about 60kcal each for a tablespoon size dollop. So make sure you add them into your calorie allowance. 🌼

[nancheska in reply to Anna999]

They sound delicious, I love bananas, porridge oats and raisins, thank you so much, I will most definitely be baking those as a treat once in a while!

[Zest Healthy BMI]

Hi Nancheska,

Really enjoyed reading your post and all the responses - very positive and inspiring. Welcome to the site, and hope you really enjoy it.

I can definitely recommend the NHS week 9 Banana Bran fruit cake - I have it as a snack most days - just noticed Nhs2015's comment about making muffins with the same mixture - sounds really good.

I think this community is really good, and very supportive. Wishing you lots of success with your weight loss goals, and hope you have a great week.

Lowcal

[nancheska in reply to Zest]

Dear Lowcal

Thank you for your lovely message. This site seems to be a very friendly and motivational one, which is great for me as have no willpower whatsover! But there is hope in having some sweet goodies with banana bran fruit cake, marvellous. Have you just reached week 9 or are you way into healthy eating and using the recipes on this site? Would love to hear your progress re weight loss. Have a great week too and look forward to hearing from you again.

Nancheska

[Zest Healthy BMI in reply to nancheska]

Hi Nancheska,

I've been on this site for just over 2 years now, but my weight loss journey has been ongoing and gradual for the last 7 years or so! I weighed 18 stone 8 pounds back then (i.e. 7 years ago), and I'm 6 feet 1 inch tall. I was clinically obese. Now I have a normal BMI, and I weighed 13 stone 6.2 pounds on Monday just gone. My goal weight is 12 stone 7 pounds, so I've still got 13.2 pounds to lose. I hope to do that by the end of this year if I can. I usually weigh in on Mondays, as it inspires me to try to not overdo things on the weekends.

I really like the NHS weight loss advice in the 12 week structured plan, and I try to adhere to the guidance there, and I particularly enjoy the recipe for the Banana Bran fruit cake.

Enjoy your weekend!

Lowcal

[ellandrhia]

Just joined here as well and need to lose another 9 stone before I can get to a healthy weight. Been dieting for the past 2 months and have lost 1st 4lbs but now I'm in need of motivation as it's so booooring!

[nancheska in reply to ellandrhia]

Dear ellandrhia, you are doing so well to have lost well over 1st in two months, I hope I can do as well as that. It is boring having to watch everything you eat and not indulge in lovely pastries etc, I am going to miss that, I know, but won't it be worth it in the end, that is what we have to think about. I read that it is good to visualise yourself as you would like to look and to keep that image in your mind whenever you are tempted to eat badly.

[nancheska in reply to ellandrhia]

Dear ellandrhia

You have done so well so far, well over a stone in just 2 months, may I do as well as you, that is a great result. And when you are feeling bored and tempted to have something fattening, I read that visualising yourself as you would like to look is very good for checking you at any weak moments. Keep up the good work, I am only on day 1 so have forever to go!!!

[nancheska]

ps my first message wouldn't go through so wrote again, now there are two very similar. Nancheska.

[ellandrhia]

Hi nancheska,

Thanks for your post, I'm trying to keep motivated and look forward to a time when I can walk without pain. My doctor says that they wont replace my hip or knee without major weight loss so my reasons for losing this weight are mostly health orientated, although it would be nice to shop for nice clothes for a change.

[nancheska in reply to ellandrhia]

Dear Ellandrhia. I am so sorry to hear that walking is painful for you, and you have to wait for the hip or knee replacement until more weight is lost, that is a hard task ahead, I can see. We must motivate each other, I am nearly 14 stone and have emphysema, so am adding to any breathlessness, tiredness and vulnerability to chronic bronchitis by this 4 stone excess weight.. So we both have very good health reasons for needing the fat to melt away, wish that it could. But I hope we can motivate each other here, please stay in touch, tell me your progress as I will mine. Very best wishes to you, Francesca (nancheska)