Hello!

[Ruby8]

Hello there, Well, here I am, deciding to take control of my eating habits and life! I've always been curvy/cuddly/slightly overweight, and never really minded. However, as I am now in my early fifties I really feel I need to take action. My dress size has gone up two sizes over the last two years, and I feel noticeably less fit than I used to. I want to start taking better care of myself!

[Alli_Awan-]

Best of luck for a new start for healthy lifestyle from now.

You will find this platform always welcoming and helpful. Whenever you need to ask about some questions or motivation you will get from here.

See the welcome newbee post in the pinned post area.

Good luck.

[Ruby8 in reply to Alli_Awan-]

Thank you!

[Crimson85j]

We are all here to support you. You can get to your goals x

[moreless Administrator 7 stone]

Hi and welcome Ruby

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

[Ruby8 in reply to moreless]

Thanks for that, I am gearing up to do the 12 week plan. I don't even know how much I currently weigh other than it's way too much! x

[moreless Administrator 7 stone in reply to Ruby8]

Do you have scales? It's a good idea to take measurements of as many different places on your body, as possible. Take a "before" picture too. Sometimes, we lose track of how well we're doing, so having starting points to compare with, is very motivating

Good luck!

[Ruby8]

I'm on it!

[Hanna_Kim]

Good luck, I hope this change brings you lots of health, confidence and happiness

[freyja12]

Hi Ruby8 welcome to the gang we are all friends here and it's really great because we help each other when we are struggling and support each other it's fantastic. well i am freya i have gone to my GP and joined a weight clinic program and what do is they weigh you ask a few qestions about why you want to lose weight and every month they weigh you to see how to have lost they are very good this a 12 week program and after a couple of meetins they give vouchers to a slimming club for 12 weeks hopefully that will help if you need anything esle we are all here for you good luck and WELCOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.

[Ruby8]

Thanks Freyja12, I am enjoying looking round, and hey, while I'm on here, I'm not eating!! I have only just resolved to seriously lose weight after drifting and having made one half hearted attempt earlier this year. I think being on here is really going to help. It's my love of cake that is my big downfall I'm afraid!! I am going to post more about myself soon. Nice to meet you and good luck! x

[albinohedgehog]

Heya! You sound like youre losing weight for all the right reasons and im sure youll have lots of success! Ps if you love cake ( and who doesnt tbh) you could try experimenting with healthier cakes eg. Use a little 'sweet freedom' fruit syrup and dried fruit instead of sugar, maybe a liitle less fat, add grated veg, use half wholewheat . Id recommend having healthier cake often (but in small portions and count the cals), and then you wont feel as deprived. The Hairy Bikers do an AWESOME low fat carrot cake, if the recipe isnt online i will post it if you like. X

[Ruby8 in reply to albinohedgehog]

Hi albinohedgehog, all sounds like good advice to me. Have you seen my post about soda bread. I haven't checked it's nutritional credentials but it contains much less sugar than cake. You can make it with wholewheat flour and throw seeds, chopped nuts or dried fruit in. It's yum and very easy to make. I'd love the carrot cake recipe, cheers!

[albinohedgehog in reply to Ruby8]

Heya i found it online

bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/carr...

I need to eat gluten free i will have a look see if theres any GF recipes for soda bread, thanks

X☺

[Penel in reply to albinohedgehog]

Have a look at soda bread recipes using chickpea (or gram) flour if you need to eat gluten free.

[albinohedgehog in reply to Penel]

Cool will do thanks. I like gram flour crepes. X