Further to my post From the Monday Weigh in to This!

[Candystripe]

To all you lovely people who have asked "How are you doing this?" This is my abbreviated story.

When I lived in Portugal, I saw a blouse in one of the stores that I fell in love with. I so wanted that blouse BUT being a size 24 I couldn't even get my arm near it. I walked out of the store very miserable. My immediate thought was to walk right back in there and buy it anyway cos if it didn't fit me then I could fit it.

The start of my journey and I had to do this for myself and nobody else.

The only tools I had to start this in a foreign country was the website. Health Unlocked of course. I printed off the 12 week plan, weighed myself at 18stone 4.5 lbs and also used My Fitness Pal for documenting every morsel that I consumed within 1400 calories. My husband bought me an exercise bike and a Dynaband and off I went.

I decided that I would make goals realistic and achievable. At no stage did I think "I want to lose 7 or 8 stone" but I really want to get from those 18's into the 17's. I knew I wouldn't see it as a thankless task if I did that. My next goal was to lose half a stone, then a stone and so forth and so on. It was only last month that I actually decided what weight I would like to get down to.

I would plan my 1400 calorie menus and meals a few days in advance so could shop for the right foods instead of taking pot luck. I also found that I didn't have to deprive myself of chocolate or biscuits and could have a treat now and again if I planned it within those 1400 calories and didn't succumb to gluttony!!! It soon became my life.

There are always times when it fails. My husband and I were repatriated back to the UK and at the same time my Mum became ill, so we went to live with my Dad to help him care for Mum. It was a rough time. My Dad lost weight drastically and ended up being below 9 stone (He's now 11 stone) so I had to feed him up, cater for my diabetic husband and try and stick to my calories. It wasn't easy. My mother eventually died and my husband had to go back abroad so life was exceedingly difficult. No matter how many times I fell off that Damned wagon, I knew I had to get back on it again!

I always thought I was too fat to go to a gym and that people would laugh at me because I was so fat, but that's the way I felt. Stupid eh! If only I had done it sooner. I joined the local gym initially and now I also work with my personal trainer (This is not compulsory I hasten to add!) but I love all the new challenges from the times that I even struggled to walk without getting breathless!

Holidays are perhaps the most troublesome, but I always plan ahead and know to limit all carbs and have fresh fruits for desserts. Damage limitation in other words!

Hope this helps all you new lovely ladies and gents out there. This is just what suited me. Only 12 more pounds to go to my goal weight of 10st 7lbs. Yeeha!

Wishing so much luck to you all and believe me, YOU CAN DO IT. X

[slimpickings 2 stone]

You have worked so hard to lose every single one of those stones. I can only admire and applaud your willpower in the face of adversity. Congratulations and thank you for sharing your story. Xxx

[Candystripe in reply to slimpickings]

Thank you slimpickings. We all have a story to tell. Mine is neither unusual or much different from anyone else's. It's even taken a while, but it just goes to show that we can move forward and follow our own lifes path. We are in control of our own destiny. Keep up your great work. XXX

[melovesfood]

Hi,

Thank you for sharing, that is sooooo amazing ! Well done x

[Candystripe in reply to melovesfood]

Thank you so much. Have a great week. X

[TheJuggler]

Thank you so much for yet another inspiring story. I love them so much and they really help with the motivation. Always reassuring to see it is not an overnight process and that the occasional treat is fine. Huge congratulations on your success.

[Candystripe in reply to TheJuggler]

Thank you so much for your kind words. It's a lifestyle thing, but one which doesn't have to take over your life.

Good luck to you and follow your dreams. X

[Prin]

Darling Candystripe my heart bursts with pride at your tale 😘 You have had some really difficult times, and you have always found your way back, my Desigual sister well done - you know that store has a big part to play remember a while back when you were going to by the 14 jeans but didn't thinking you would hang on for a 12? They are yours for the taking my friend (and Spanish sizes being small not like M&S) A huge WELL DONE 👑 ( this is a crown for keeps, you deserve it👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

Oh yes and of course *\0/* 😜

[Candystripe in reply to Prin]

Dearest Prin,

You are such a huge part of my life. You were my tears of joy and my rock throughout my journey. Indeed my Desigual sister. Did you ever think I would be here two years ago??? Just 12 lbs to go to that premier goal. It seems unreal! I might not get there get quickly but it will be through your undying support that I WILL do it.

How's it going with you my Lovely???

Big thanks and hugs. 😘😘😘😘 XXX

[Itsbab]

You are such an inspiring person with a very strong mind. I hope your family are proud of you and you deserve all that's good in life now.

Buy as many lovely blouses as you wish you have EARNT them. 👕👚😊

Best wishes Bev

[Candystripe in reply to Itsbab]

Awww thank you. We can all do it Bev, just look at yourself. A bit of character and it's ours for the taking. Have a good week. XXX

[Itsbab in reply to Candystripe]

You too Candystripe let's hope the sun shines a little. 🌞

[IndigoBlue61]

Fabulous story 😊 I especially like the bit "No matter how many times I fell off that Damned wagon, I knew I had to get back on it again!" 😊 That really is the solution, which is so hard, so very well done! 😊😊😊 I don't doubt you will soon be at goal

I'm a bit like you in that I don't know how far I will get, ( another 9/10lbs will get me to single figures ) but I try to focus on each day, and enjoy my improving fitness 😊

Very best wishes 😊

[Candystripe in reply to IndigoBlue61]

Thank you Anna. Glad you enjoyed my story. Yes I enjoy the fitness side as every day is a challenge in my mind.

Good luck to getting into those single figures. You know you can do it. Have a great week. X

[IndigoBlue61 in reply to Candystripe]

Im having a few health issues that are causing delays but still on plan after 15 months, something I thought would never happen! 😊

Good luck to us both 😊

[Candystripe in reply to IndigoBlue61]

It's all sent to try us Anna. Hope those issues get resolved soon my Lovely. Here's to us both. XXX

[IndigoBlue61 in reply to Candystripe]

Like you said, it's sticking with it that counts!! Hoping to be going down again soon 😊

[moreless Administrator 7 stone]

This is a brilliant story Candystripe and I'm going to put a link to your other thread

healthunlocked.com/nhsweigh...

[Zest Healthy BMI]

Hi Candystripe,

It's so lovely to read your story, and hear about your progress, and remember what motivated you to keep going - your lovely blouse. How you negotiated the challenging things that came in your path, and how you got through everything, and here you are today, 7 stones lighter, with just 12 more pounds to go to achieve your goal weight of 10 st 7 lbs - I know you WILL do this, and we'll be here to celebrate alongside you when you do.

Hearing you say 'You Can Do It' is very motivating to all of us reading your post, as together we CAN do this - I am particularly motivated by you, Candystripe , as we have a similar amount of weight left to lose, and I am looking forward to getting there with you, week by week, pound by pound. Here's to seeing where we are at Christmas - a few weeks to go till then. We CAN do this.

Onwards and downwards,

Lowcal

[Candystripe]

Step by step, hand in hand. XXX

[Diana]

Lovely story, and so much to cope with! I haven't nearly had so much to cope with, apart from an unpleasant job leave, two deaths and dental dramas.

I'm still fighting the sugar monster ( and I have a heavily patched chipped tooth, more drama after my dental implant), at times it all seems a bit much.

Nearly ready to maintain again.......my weight keeps failing off, tho.

[Candystripe in reply to Diana]

Sounds like you've had your share Diana. No matter how major or minor, every scenario is a potential to alter our daily dynamics and commit an act of sabotage!

So very well done for continuing to lose. A remarkable achievement. Good luck. XXX

[Diana in reply to Candystripe]

I hope I can just save this tooth, otherwise more dental implants for me, it was an ok experience

[5ummer]

Hello, I just found and joined this site today and then found you. The story you've told here is inspiring me since I am starting from very close to the same point that you did and it feels impossibly daunting. I like the idea of starting with a goal of getting into 17s and then maybe 7 more lbs then into the 16s etc - that seems achievable. I also have a piece of clothing - in my case a beautiful sweater probably 4 sizes too small - that I would love to get into. Challenge has been set!

[Candystripe in reply to 5ummer]

Thank you 5ummer. I would be more than happy to help you along on your journey. It's not always easy and sometimes you have to expect knock backs but you can do it.

Please feel free to call on our help at anytime and the best advice is to plan your meals ahead so you are mindset.

Please join our weekly weigh in on Monday's run by Lowcal and Moreless. It's a great incentive

Go get it girl and get that sweater out of mothballs. X