Hi
First day and I am hoping I will succeed! I am a carer for my husband and so can't manage to make it to the gym and have kind of let myself go. If I feel and look better I will be able to look after my husband and children much better and hopefully feel happier. Any support would be greatly appreciated.
Em
Sending best wishes and well done on making the decision for a healthier and happier you 
Oh thank you so much, just getting a reply is so fab!! Gosh with people being inspiring like this, I am sure I can achieve things. Thanks so much Kitty x
You can achieve! I'm new to all of this too and it really is a boost to know there is support out there 😀x
Well done for coming to the decision to improve your overall health. Day one is a big step. I would highly recommend calorie counting and although I have not used it, the twelve week plan has also got very good reviews.
Like you, the gym is not for me. Neither can I afford to dedicate time to swimming and running. It's still possible to exercise within your normal daily routine. I have found speed or power walking to be very effective. Whether it's doing the school run or going to the shops, I avoid all forms of transport and instead of strolling along as I used to, I power walk instead.
I have found that I save a considerable amount of money on food. I'm setting the money aside so that I can treat myself to some smart clothes when I reach my own personal milestones.
I wish you well and hope that your first day/week/month/year go well for you x
Oh goodness, thanks so much! I don't know what I expected joining a forum but replies like this make me feel so much more able! I used to be slim and full of life and I am sure that I can get back to that, I just need more people like you who can help me along the way. Please keep me posted as to how you get on with the new clothes.
Em x
Welcome! This forum is great for support, tips and motivation, just keep posting and commenting, everyone is fab. Don't worry too much about going to a gym. I honestly think losing weight is achievable purely through watching what you eat. I need to lose a LOT of weight and I am very limited on what I can physically do, but I have lost about a stone in about 6 weeks. There is a weekly Monday weigh in where everyone posts whether they gained or lost, and we commiserate or congratulate accordingly. I find that very motivating, as we are all behind each other and cheer each other on. Just look on Monday mornings for Lowcal's post which starts something like "Please join us for a Monday weigh in...". You don't have to do it, but anyone can join, you simply comment underneath with your loss or gain, or if you haven't done the first week yet, you can even just introduce yourself to everyone to get you started.
Good luck on your journey, keep posting and commenting and it will help to keep you motivated and on track, folk are really friendly here!
Hi
Thank you so much for writing to me, you are definitely inspirational having lost so much in 6 weeks. I actually feel confident to join the weigh in as you all seem to be so helpful and not competitive which is what I was worried about. I do hope you continue to do well, I have never felt confident enough to join a weight programme, but this is amazing. Thank you so much x
It really is great here. You don't have to justify yourself if you put weight on at the weekly weigh in or feel guilty. Honestly, I put on weight at two of my weigh ins, once was hormonal and last week, I have no idea why I gained that pound and a half, because I didn't "cheat" once in my food, I double checked my food diary. I just keep going because the long term goal is to stick to healthier eating for life. No one judges you, they just accept your gain or loss and try to help you stick at it. If you look around the site you will find a good few posts where people have had a wobble and posted about it, and find the replies are full of encouragement to carry on and not give up. x
Oh thank you, actually looking forward to a Monday weigh in!! Never ever thought I would say that!! xx
Hello and welcome to you. There are lots of people on who are here to support you when ever you need it whether you are having a good or bad day, just unload if you want too.
I agree with Tewson that getting out for a few minutes power walking is brilliant exercise and also it helps to brighten the spirt! Well done for starting your journey back to the slim and healthy you.😜
Hi and thank you, I feel better than I have in ages just feeling that I have support. Goodness if I knew how great everyone would be I would have done something like this sooner. Thanks so much Ros x
Hi Em and welcome what a lovely post and well done for taking this step to health and happiness. Have you checked out the nhs 12 week plan ? it is brilliant and has changed my life for the better and my families lives. You will receive so much support and encouragement from this community as it's such a great place to share. I've been on my journey for 41 weeks now and still posting to this very day and have met some really lovely supportive people and have lost 78 lbs in that time too following the plan and sticking with all the changes I made during the 12 weeks.
I wish you the very best of luck on your journey and remember to keep posting and respond to posts it really does help in every way.
Enjoy it and believe in yourself you can do this hun
Trafford1 x
Oh wow, you are definitely a super success story how marvellous that you have done all you have! A real inspiration and a definite reminder that we all can do it! I am worried that I will fail, and up until now there was no real reason not to, but just to think that someone will ask me how I am doing or not laugh at me if I fail is just unbelievable. Thank you soooo much. Em x
Well done you. Don't worry about the exercise at the early stages. If you keep within your calories the weight will come off. Wish you luck x
Ah, thank you. Am trying to be good, but quite a minefield working out the calories. Em x
Find time for yourself...even if 10 minutes a day...have a good week..
Hi and welcome onboard
I enjoy listening to a podcast called "Cut The Fat" and I clearly remember them saying that weight loss is 80% diet and 20% exercise so don't get too hung up on not being able to get to a gym BUT the value of doing a 30 minutes a day walk can not be understated as you will feel so much better for doing it and it gives you a break from what must be a stressful situation for you.
A few things I would suggest.
If you are a smartphone person download the myfitnesspal app and start logging your food. Its VERY easy to use and many of the people here utilize it. And do not underestimate how it can help.
When I suddenly realise my low fat latte was still costing me a 100 calories a day I swapped to long black with a splodge of milk.
That saved me 32000 calories a year - or about 10 lbs of fat!
I am sure you are definite planner considering your situation but I generally find that for most of us its when we do not have a healthy snack or meal on hand that we go for the junk food. Try always have a healthier alternative that you can turn to first.
You can do this.
I know it.
Oh thank you for all your help. That is a good idea I am going to have a look at that app, as it really is a minefield trying to work out the calories, quite surprising how much some foods have in them!! Em x
Welcome to the forum, which I have found to be extremely supportive. I hope you do too. I am following the NHS 12 week plan which has helped me keep my calorie intake on track. I don't go to a gym either. At the moment I'm doing the Davina 'Fit in 15' DVD every other day. It's a mixture of cardio and strength training. I also like walking because it gets me outdoors and it's free! All the best!
Hi there. Do you have 25min for only ur self at home everyday!
Hi, well I think after reading all the great tips from everyone, I really need to make that time, after all, I am spending time replying to everyone now and I should just factor the time into my day!!
Hi Em, when flying on a plane we happily listen to the safety instructions....put your oxygen mask on before anyone yoire caring for...paraphrasing here. So it's time to look after you. It will then give you more strenght to look after your family. You've already seen the power and support of this forum..it's amazing isn't it? So come on em, have a wonderful week...enjoy the journey. Looking forward to hearing about your success.
Oh thank you what a lovely reply! I am actually looking forward to doing this, just so that I can hear from all the lovely people on this forum. I hope I have some successes to share over the next few weeks!
The first thing you have to do is look after yourself, do you belong to any carers groups if not see if you can find one, I belong to 2 and they have been great and I also belong to Derbyshire Carers Association and they have also been very helpful.
Anytime you want to chat you can get in touch though this group.
Take care.
Oh, that is really kind. My husband has relapse remitting MS, so have times when he is quite able and others when he can't see/walk/talk etc. Decided that while he is relatively OK at the moment, I am going to get myself fit and organised so that when he has his next relapse I am all ready to get on with it all. I am not a member of any carers group I always thought that other carers must have it much harder than me, but if everyone is as nice as they are here, maybe I will try getting in touch with the group my doctor suggested. Thanks so much for your suggestions. Em x
Pleased you are working out a plan. It does not matter whether other carers have harder or easier as everyone's situation is different but we can help each other.
Hi Freeland 74 - I can only endorse what everyone has said. This forum has been brilliant to me, ive spent my first month going nowhere weight loss wise, and just moaning to everybody about my health try never ONCE has anyone been sarcastic or judgemental of me. Im feeling im on the right path now, and if you stick around im sure you will be on it as well. Being a carer is the most under rated activity ever - so I admire you getting yourself together under very trying circumstances
Good luck - stay with it and it will come off x
Hi Libby
Thank you for your lovely response and so lovely to hear that no one is judgemental. I am so pleased that you are on the right path now and I so hope that you do really well. Keep me posted it makes it much easier to hear others successes - good luck too. xx
First day nerves
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