Inspired

[Wilma57]

Hello everyone , I'm new and about to start the plan. I have about 2 stone to lose and would appreciate any tips.

Reading all your posts is inspiring and it's nice to find such kind and friendly support in a group.

I've done weight watchers and several other diets in the past but I am struggling to motivate myself. I have just joined the gym and have a plan to follow.

I'm not really sure the best way to start - I've been used to doing quite prescriptive plans where the meals are set out.

Do you all plan out your meals and snacks on a weekly basis?

[moreless Administrator 7 stone]

Hi and welcome Wilma57

This is indeed, a very friendly and inspiring community with lots of lovely members and it's great that you've chosen to join us

I personally think planning is essential, especially at the start of your journey, as it enables you to see where things have been going wrong with food choices and portion sizes. I was horrified to learn that I'd been eating enough for about four! No wonder I put on so much weight!

Have a look at the Pinned Posts section, to the right of your screen, (bottom if you're on a mobile) and read our Welcome Newbie post. It has a link to the NHS 12 week plan, which is a great place to start. It doesn't give a specific diet plan, but gives guidelines for healthy eating.

Consider signing up for any, or all of our challenges, as they're fun and motivating.

We also have a monday group weigh-in and if you click follow on my profile, you'll get a notification when I post it on monday. You can have a look at the latest thread in the events section, to the right of the home page.

Be active on the forum, as that's where we meet to exchange ideas and get our daily fix of inspiration and motivation

Wishing you all the very best

[IndigoBlue61]

Hello

I agree with moreless planning is key 😊 I enjoy cooking so it's not a chore 😊 Portion control is also really important. There are lots of recipes on here if you need inspiration, or look at the BBC good food website 😊

Good that you have joined a gym, exercising is really useful as it helps turn fat into muscle as well as boosting self esteem and mood 😊

Good luck

[muffintop67]

Hi Wilma57. I agree with moreless and IndigoBlue61 - plan, plan, plan!!! If you have all your meals planned and the ingredients ready then it is so much easier to stick to the calorie allowance. I know you say you are not sure the best way to start but just take it each day at a time and stay within your calorie allowance and build in a session of some form of exercise if you can too. The good thing is you can eat most things but you just have to portion them out. Healthy options are the best foods to eat as you can generally eat more of them and will feel fuller for longer. Reduce your sugar intake too if you can. This forum is great for help and advice. Hope you can join in with the Monday weigh in as everyone is very supportive. Best of luck

[RoRoMama]

Hi, I joined today and I was wondering how you are getting along ?

[pcrw]

Hi Wilma,

you have made a start just by joining. Now the action plan. Are you going to follow the 12 week NHS diet?

Look in the larder and the fridge and chuck out anything which is not going to do your weight loss plan any good and will undermine your resolve. If there is nothing to snack and ing on in the house you are less likely to do it.

Next do a shop for healthy low carb, low GI and low Sugar food. Plenty of green vegetables and beans and protein i.e. chicken, beef, pork. No processed foods.

Losing weight is all about eating less than you expend in activity so start recording every mouthful so you can see what you are consuming. You can calculate the calories using my Fitness pal Ap or if you get a fit bit or similar that will also record calories in and out and do all the calculations for you.

I find if you reduce the sugar in your diet and the simple carbs e.g. potatoes rice, pasta, bread your blood sugar level remains more stable and you don't give the cravings to eat when you shouldn't.

Best wishes and I look forward to hearing of your weight loss next week.

[Wilma57]

Thank you, it's lovely to be part of the group and I am hoping by being involved I will be successful this time. I have already done my menus for the week and only have healthy food available.

My usual problems start at the weekends if we socialise so any tips to help me will be very welcome.