Just beginning.

[AlexJames]

Hi folks, I'm a 20 year old male who is quite overweight currently (weighing in at 14 stone, bearing in mind I'm 5'8) and just wanted to ask if anybody has any little weight loss starter tips?

I have never really tried to lose weight before because I'm not the type of person who rapidly loses/gains weight. I realise my weight isn't particularly bad currently, but I am indeed overweight will most likely continue to gain weight unless I make a change whilst I'm still able to.

Portion control is probably one of my biggest issues, and the fact that I always feel hungry. Any advice is welcomed, thank you!

[sueper]

Hi & welcome. Focus on making small changes you can maintain for life. Long term lifestyle change is what I would suggest you aim for. Portion sizes can be reduced gradually as can snacking. Try drinking a bit more water to stave off hunger pangs. If you find hunger drives you to eat more try to wait 20 minutes first and see if you are still hungry.

This forum is great for inspiration, advice and motivation and I am sure many more tips will follow

Good luck!

[Jenever]

Hi there and welcome to this forum, it's a great place for help advice and inspiration. May I suggest you take a look at the NHS 12 week plan for eating and exercise, there is a lot of good sensible advice on the site + a chart to log your calorie and exercise. I think to change your lifestyle to one of healthy eating is a much better and more sustainable plan than going on a diet, take it slowly rather than looking for a quick fix where you may lose weight and quickly but it will come straight back as soon as you start to eat normal food. Good Luck to you.

[Hidden]

Hi there, my name is Kayla, I'm 24 and have been struggling with my weight for a while but I'm now on the right track.

I use the my fitness pal app on my phone to keep track of those pesky calories which is helpful as sometimes things you think are good for you aren't as good as they seem.

A good tip is to try include slow release carbs in your meals so wholemeal bread, pasta and brown rice. Bananas are good for energy (I use them before a workout) peanut butter, branflakes, things like this.

Try fill half your plate with salad or veggies (we had huge plates so I bought a smaller one and fill it up so to my eyes it looks like a lot) and as others have mentioned drink more water and try to drink a glass before your meal, a lot of times thirst disguises itself as hunger.

Hope these tips help, feel free to private message me if you want a chat about anything. x

[Ros1]

Hi Alex, welcome to the forum, well done to decide to look at your weight issues now taking your eating in hand. Now is the time for you to start learning about healthy eating that will stay with you for the rest of your life.

I suggest that you firstly look at whether you're eating and drinking wasted calorie. Can you find lower calorie versions of the thinks you like, e.g. fizzy drinks, milk, cheese, crisps, grill meat instead of frying, cut sugar out of hot drinks or start using a sugar substitute to begin with and then gradually reduce that.

You said you are always hungry so make sure you eat more vegetables or salad with your meals then you won't want as much potatoes or bread. Try and eat slowly and enjoy what you are eating, don't just grab something on the run. If you are able to learn to do this it will help you to feel fuller. If you need something sweet at the end of a meal have a piece of fruit.

If you don't already get out of the house and try and walk a bit more and find some kind of sport you can do with friends.

It is not important how long it takes you to get down to the weight you want to be, what is important is that you get yourself healthly.

People on this site will always be here for you.

Ros

[Hairyman]

Advivice from a 73 year old man who has just lost 20 lbs in ten weeks and kept it off for 3 weeks now.

Sorry if this bores but Sugar and/or spuds will pass into your blod so fast that your pancreas will go into overdrive making insulin to turn blood sugar into fat and store it in your vital organs. End result = The sugar boost that you had has all gone, now you are hungry again!

Search "effects of sugar in humans / dietdoctor / sugar and inflamation"

[AlexJames]

Absolutely fantastic advice from all of you, thank you so much! I have taken a look at the 12 week plan, and the Fitness app for calorie counting, and have started substituting certain foods in the house, so I've definitely begun to take all of the advice.

Thank you again, such a supportive community on this website. Good to know that we're all here for the same reason.