Gettting started

[gunge80]

How easy are people finding it to lose weight I really need to before I crack up

[Zest Healthy BMI]

Hi Gunge80,

Welcome to the forum. I really hope you'll find it a helpful and supportive place - I've been on this forum for a while, and my experience so far has been a positive one - the NHS website pages are really good in that they provide sensible and helpful advice, as well as providing a 12 week structured plan to follow - and there are lots of posts from people who have followed that plan and lost weight over the 12 weeks. Just read around the site, and you'll see plenty of evidence of that.

Take a look at the link to the NHS website pages if you are interested in trying their plan out for yourself:

nhs.uk/Livewell/weight-loss...

Being overweight can really impact on our lives in so many ways - I used to be 18 stone 8 pounds at my heaviest, and I've got down to 13 stone 2.2 pounds - it's been a slow journey for me, as I've come down very gradually over the last 7 years or so. I lost weight quicker at first, but it slowed down as I reached closer to the normal BMI. My BMI is currently in the normal range, at 24.3 and I am feeling much healthier and happier.

I hope that you'll enjoy whatever plan you decide to follow - but I hope that you'll take a look at the NHS website pages as they do offer very good advice (in my opinion). Also, using an app to help you to log your food and drink intake and any exercise you decide to do is helpful - Myfitnesspal is a free app and it's quite good.

Wishing you a good week ahead.

Lowcal

[gunge80 in reply to Zest]

I

Thanks I hope it works for me as my weight really gets me down

[Zest Healthy BMI in reply to gunge80]

Hi Gunge80,

Hopefully it will be helpful for you - this forum is a supportive place and you can always find someone who will be able to offer you some supportive words of encouragement, as we're all facing the shared challenges of losing the weight.

Good luck

[gunge80]

It's down to me to do it

[fibronfedup]

I dont think anyone would say losing weight is easy, but with eating right and exercise is it totally doable

Take a look at the 12 week nhs plan, its a great starting point and this forum is great for support and motivation. I find having a weight loss and exercise log helps keep me on track. I started at 18st 13lbs 6 months ago and now im down to 14st 12lbs, so you can do this!! Take it one day at a time and set yourself smaller goals, aiming for 7lbs is less overwhelming than aiming for 8st. So your goals should be constantly changing as you progress.

All the best

[Hidden]

I would add that even starting to lose weight helps you feel better. Try not to see it as a big insurmountable task. Set small manageable goals and promise yourself rewards e.g. a new top after losing half a stone, plan a weekend away/daytrip for the next goal, etc. I'm following the nhs 12 week plan that Lowcal gave the link for. You can hope to lose 1-2lb a week by following it, and of course by coming on here for encouragement. I've lost 6lb so far and feeling the difference already.

Hope that helps, Ruth

[gunge80 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks its just so hard everything is laden with calories

[Hidden in reply to gunge80]

I felt the same, it can be really disheartening how quickly the daily calories get used up. You basically need to start seeing everything as separate things. Sauces as separate elements of a meal you might have to do without, or have less of. Even adding oil to your cooking - I've had to completely re-think the way I cook, boiling instead of frying, or using 1 cal/spray oil. But I found a good way to keep calories down to begin with was always put the salad/veg on my plate first. Then there is less space for the higher calorie parts of the meal. You have to make sure the salads are tasty though You'll find your own tricks as you go along. Some people swear by soups, cauliflower instead of rice, lots of small low calorie snacks during the day to keep you going... loads of tips on here if you read through. Good luck!

[gunge80 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks its must depressing

[Hidden in reply to gunge80]

I hope some of this maybe helps you to see how to get started, and that you feel less depressed soon. Best of luck, Ruth

[Scrit1 Restart Feb 2024]

I found the first week very easy and did not eat white bread and processed food,no crisps or cakes and lost weight easily,Week 2 I was complacent towards end of week and ate too much of the wrong foods,so stayed as I was,back on healthy eating,not dieting and happy to be doing so.Great support on here,use it,I am ,Good Luck

[trafford1]

It's not easy but well worth it and beneficial. Once you find your feet and get a routine in place then you will find it does become easier. Keeping focused on your main goal which is to lose the weight will see you through and believing in yourself and knowing that you can do this will take you along way. Take it one day at a time and good luck on your journey