Hi everyone! Just joined the forum and it is lovely to see all the encouragement and motivation here!
I have previously tried weight watchers and managed to lose 2 stone but then over the past two years it all crept back on and more! Finally, I decided something needed to change to improve my wellbeing and confidence. The support here is great and I am looking forward to taking it a step at time with everyone.
Starting weight: 15st 2lbs
Hi jess-ellon,
Welcome to you. You're right, this is a great place to be and everyone is amazingly supportive.
One step at a time is a great mind set and I'm sure a recipe for success.
Best wishes for your journey 
Hi Jess,
Hopefully you'll get lots of support and ideas here. Are you following the NHS plan or going back to WW or anything else ?
Good luck and keep posting
I'm trying out the NHS 12 week plan at a recommended 1700kcal a day to start with. Fingers crossed! Just hope calorie counting isn't too much hassle or that it becomes easier.
Thanks for the motivation!
Hope it works out ok - I've been following the 12 week plan (onto week 6 now) and started off calorie counting. I've got a good routine worked out with what I eat now, so I find that I calorie count less which works ok for me
Hi hun, nice to meet you. Welcome to a fabby forum. Have you any starting goals in mind? Or just to get through the first week! Whatever it is, good luck with your first steps to a healthier and slimmer you. 😊
Hi ShellieL
I have yet to set any goals but I'm thinking of maybe setting a 7lbs or 5% to begin with. What do you think?
I'm giving Couch to 5K a go to add in exercise so hopefully that'll be a good starting point
7lb is a really good place to start, and the couch to 5k has many fans on here so you would have some super support with that too. 😊
Hi Jess,
Good decision, you will find loads of inspiration and support here as well as loads of reality and humour.
Have you decided on a target/goal or just fancy the scenic route ?
Enjoy your week
😇
Hi flossie358
Thanks, I'm hoping to have a good start to this. Thinking positive!
Erm...goals will need to be set i think, but starting small like 5%/7lbs. Will see how this week goes
Hope you have a good week too!
Hi jess-ellon1385, I think starting with a small goal is a good approach. When I lost my first 7lbs that was when I started to feel like I was really making progress, rather than the usual lose a few lbs, put them on again, round and round. 5% will be a bit more, so maybe that can be your next goal. 5% is the point where hopefully you'll notice a change in your clothes, maybe you can plan to get something new then, or rearrange your wardrobe so older smaller clothes are brought back to the front again.
For counting calories, have you looked at the myfitnesspal app? It makes the whole process much easier. It's worth having a play around with it to find all the short-cut features, e.g. using it as a barcode scanner, storing favourite meals etc.
And for couch to 5k, have you looked at the couch to 5k community on here? They're really encouraging, and I absolutely would not have got through it without posting after every single run, so maybe give that a go too! Lots of luck
I have looked at myfitnesspal in the past but got annoyed by the notifications. I shall give it another go though, as I've heard a lot of good things about it now.
Thanks for the support!
Turn off all the notifications! I've turned off all the notifications on here too. I just like to check something when I'm logged in, and get on with my life undisturbed when I'm not. Good luck if you do try to have another go at mfp. There are other ways though, such as the NHS calorie counter, keeping a little notebook, purely following portion size recommendations, etc.
Thanks I'll try that. I have looked into the portion size stuff and it is a bit confusing but I'm hoping that by at least recording the calories correctly I can soon work out portions especially for fruit and veg. Thanks for the encouragement
Hi...I was in the same position as you about four weeks ago..with the help of this amazing forum, I've shed nine pounds already...ive stuck with 1600 cals and it's working for me at about a pound a week now...happy with that as it's quite a challenge to eat that much healthy food....good luck
Hi and welcome Jess-ellon1385, this is a great place to start your journey and the nhs 12 plan really does work and has been a life changer for me. Use myfitnesspal to count calories. The more you use it the easier it becomes when selecting foods as it is all saved for you and you can plan your whole day in advance using this app.
Take it one day at a time and stay focused on your goal. In the past I have lost 2 stone and put it back on plus some, but I didn't have this site or the nhs 12 week plan then so it's easily done. Now I have a world of support from the lovely members here and now you have joined this lovely forum you will receive a world of support too
I've been here now for 36 weeks so remember the changes you are about to embark on don't have to be just for 12 weeks you can continue for however long you choose the 12 weeks prepares you for what comes next and helps you to stick with all the changes you make over this time and continue with them for life.
Best of luck on your journey
Trafford1 x
Hi Trafford,
Thank you for this encouragement. I think it will take a lot longer than 12 weeks but I'm hoping these weeks will set up new healthy habits and look forward to continuing and progressing along side all you lovely folks on here
I have now made a section on my fridge door for weekly planning and hope that overtime i'm tempted i'll se that and decide to go for water and exercise instead haha!
Thanks. Wishing you well too.
Hi jess-ellon1385 it has taken me longer than the 12 weeks to get to where I am today too I'm on week 36 and have lost 72 lbs so however long it takes stick with it and all the changes you put in place now will become routine hun
Hi jess-ellon, how you getting on hunny? Hope your plan is coming along nicely for you and the cravings are not too insistent. ☺️
Newbie - Seeking a 'slimmer' healthier body! 
First step
Taking the first step
First step again 
