Thought I would give you my story so far, if for nothing else but to keep me moving forward.
July 25 2016 I decided I had enough of being overweight and unfit so embarked on my journey. Starting weight 223lbs totally unfit.
Today 182lbs (1lb short of 3 stone) and completed C5K.
When I started C5K at 223lbs I found it quite difficult but enjoyed it, it took me 13 weeks to finish the programme as I repeated some weeks where I knew if I went up a week I would not stick with it.
During the 20 weeks so far I have lost weight 19 weeks of it and gained 1lb after a weeks holiday, and for a change I didnt let this gain knock me off track.
I have decided that over the Christmas break I will give myself one day of eating what I like within reason, the remainder of the holiday I will try to be good, but if I dont I wont give myself a hard time, chalk it down to experience.
This is the longest I have stuck to a healthy eating plan, I have been a member of Weight Watchers and Slimming World and the only pounds I lost were those I handed over to them. I have had medication from the GP, but I am useless at remembering to take tablets and I have had hypnosis and as you can guess this didnt work either.
As they say in C5K slow and steady wins the race, this is also true of my weight battle, if I loose it slowly I dont plan on gaining any.
I have used many different tricks to help me along, breaking down my vast target to managable 7lb goals, I have target clothes that I have never been able to wear (bought cheaply on the market between £5 and £10 each) and every time I hit target I do a trying on session, then I decide if I can wear them, if I like them or if I need to loose more before I decide, these then wait until the next 7lbs are lost.
Recently I bought myself a pair of size 16 jeans from Primark (Pennys to our Irish friends) as a target item and guess what they fit. I have never worn jeans so I was so happy that finally I will be able to wear jeans in to work on a training day instead of my normal office attire. Little things like this make it worthwhile.
Another silly benefit is that I can now buy nice delicate costume jewelery and know that I can wear it, one size does not fit all.
I now wear dresses to work as well as occasionally wearing my uniform of leggings (grow bags) and long tops. It feels great having an option instead of the same old same old.
I now eat slower and enjoy my food more, putting my knife and fork down between mouthfulls, and guess what, some of my favourite fattening foods dont taste as nice now that my mind has time to register what I am eating. I drink loads of water so my skin is looking nice and clear, not bad for a 51 year old. My belly hang isnt as big, this is disappearing slowly and I definitely dont want this back again.
I think the main reason this is working is that this time I really want it and I want it for me and the benefits it gives me, more energy, happier outlook and most of all more confidence.
Sorry to have rambelled but I would like to say to those of you with lots to loose, dont look at the big picture otherwise you will feel defeated, break it down into managable goals and celebrate each achievement, keep looking foward not back, if you have a bad day put it behind you dont let it derail you.
I still have my takeaway every two weeks, I still very occassionally eat out (once every 6 weeks) and I still have my chocolate but I make sure I enjoy and savour them.
Through all this keep smiling.
Take care all
Progress so far
Oh FFS this is so frustrating! 
Jeans 👖 
Hide and seek - fatty found me
