Back again!

[Pols82]

Hi everyone 😊

I'm back here again after 2 years after many failed attempts at weight loss 😢 I have now embraced this as a long term change for life, for a healthier and happier lifestyle. I'm on the daily 1400 cals, and have cut out all bad stuff plus I have no cravings. 👍🏻 Good luck to everyone! Make a few changes gradually and they will become permanent x

[Zest Healthy BMI]

Hi Pols82,

Welcome back! Glad to hear you've re-started the 12 week plan, and that so far you've not had any cravings, that's brilliant!

Good luck!

Lowcal

[Pols82 in reply to Zest]

Thanks Lowcal! I started a month ago and have lost almost 8lbs. 🤗 Really pleased! Feeling, looking and sleeping better, and loving the new changes. Cutting out refined sugar has massively improved my skin too. Maybe it just takes several attempts to get going. I won't be looking back now!

[Zest Healthy BMI in reply to Pols82]

That is brilliant, Pols82. Congratulations on losing almost 8 pounds in your first month of re-starting, that is really great! Glad you're feeling so much better in yourself and that you've noticed a difference in your skin. You're sounding really focused and positive, and that's so great. Enjoy your week!

[Pols82]

Thanks so much Lowcal! I thought it'd be impossible, but it's actually been easy and very manageable. I've been eating regular, balanced meals and am amazed how it's just coming off. Also given up alcohol which is a major factor I think 👍🏻 Thanks again, you too, have a good weekend and week!

[Zest Healthy BMI in reply to Pols82]

Thanks!

[arikuja]

Hi Pols82,

I agree with you -- it's about making small, gradual changes that will become permanent. I really admire how you managed to cut out everything bad from your diet; I'm still really struggling with that and have something unhealthy every now and again :/

Having read your post, I feel very inspired. I think it's really important to remind myself how much better I feel having lost some weight, so that I'm not tempted to binge on unhealthy snacks.

Good luck and have a great weekend!

[Pols82 in reply to arikuja]

Hi arikuja,

Thanks 😀 I'm really pleased to hear that you feel inspired ☺️ That's great!

I think because I've had so many failed attempts at losing the weight before, I've tried and tested what works. It has been very, very hard previously, this time something just 'clicked.'

I have cut out everything 'bad' but might have the odd treat here and there. I have no treats in the house (apart from Jaffa cakes which are low fat/low cal!) I really don't miss these things! And I never thought I'd give up alcohol (I was definitely a Friday Fizz girl 😉)... But I have and feel loads better for it.

Do you monitor your calories? I use the MyFitnessPal app which is amazing for managing and tracking meals.

And you should definitely feel proud for losing some weight, because it can be really hard at times, and we should remind ourselves of making some changes at least 😊

It is a journey - but certainly not an impossible one. You can do it. 💪🏻😊 good luck and keep me posted! Thanks and have a great weekend too! x

[arikuja in reply to Pols82]

I think that until something 'clicks' as you say, it's very very hard to find the motivation to eat healthy.

I've been using MFP every day since I started the NHS weight loss plan (I had used it before, but stopped). It's really useful and it does force me to at least be honest with myself about how many calories I'm consuming.

I find it really hard to give up on snacks, so I've started looking for lower-calories alternatives and only having that in the house. But portion control is something I'm working on, so sometimes I end up having too much :/

I'm hoping that for me it's just going to be gradual - at first have an occasional slip-up and go over the daily calorie limit, but in time the slip-ups will be less frequent, because I'll stop craving unhealthy foods.

For now I count every pound lost as a win and take it a week at a time

[Pols82 in reply to arikuja]

I was exactly like this in the very beginning, so I understand where you're coming from. It has taken me several attempts to reach my current mindset.

We all have some kind of bad habit which has stuck with us for a long time. It's hard to break habits.

When I started a month ago, I thought 'I want to live a happier and healthier life. I want to reduce my chances of being ill. I want and need more energy.' Instead of thinking 'I'm only doing this to lose weight.'

One pound is a lot of weight still and still a great achievement! It sounds as though you are definitely on the right track, which is great! 👍🏻 Weight loss should be gradual, as in the long term you'll find it easier to keep it off 😊

If you indulge now and then in a snack or treat, do it, but don't have as much. I remember before I used to reward myself with food, then just feel awful and give up. It's very hard! But we need to treat ourselves (we are human after all), but try and control how big the treat is.

I'm sure you're doing really well - these things are very hard but you are definitely taking the right steps I think! 😊

Also, everyone is different and everyone's situation is different too. Sometimes there might be things stopping us from making further progress etc.

I think as I've stopped drinking that's really helped as I've never lost so much in a month. Keep it up! 👍🏻💃🏻