Hello,
I've had a membership on Health Unlocked for a while now but I've felt slightly intimidated by everything involving weight loss. I'm hoping that I may be able to form some sort of support circle on here so that I can achieve my goals and try to live a healthier lifestyle. I'd love to here from anyone who wants to talk and support each other.
Merry Christmas,
Shannon 
Hi nonnygirl23
You will find lot's of support here. I hope you have had a lovely Christmas day. I've had a lovely day but in a way it's a relief when christmas day is done and dusted, then I feel I can start to relax a bit!
I have been on here since August and managed to lose a stone over three months. I have been a bit 'relaxed' over the lead up to xmas, and have put about 4lbs on over the last month, but now I feel ready to start being a bit more organised in my eating habits again!
Hello Ruby8
I hope you had a lovely day too! I understand about Christmas being busy and how easily eating habits can go out the window!
I do have a few questions regarding how you've managed to lose that amount of weight in such a short space of time! (ie. Did you for the NHS diet? What about excercise?, Etc). That is if you wouldn't mind answering my questions.
Merry Christmas!
Shannon
At first I just cut out all the biscuits and cakes I would have most days. I started looking carefully at my eating habits, and started eating more fruit. I bought a nice notebook to make notes of my habits,, meal ideas etc, and also to log my progress in. I signed up to get the nhs weight loss plan where they email you every week. However I didn't follow this plan to the letter, but it has lot's of good advice. After being on this site for a while I started to learn some things. I used this tool to check my BMI and calorie allowance:
nhs.uk/Livewell/loseweight/...
This is invaluable and really works. It can be surprising to find out that you can have more calories than you think and still lose weight. Be sure to avoid the dieting trap of eating too little, it is counter productive. So my range was 1800 to 2300 cals to start with, and I try eat 1600-1900 a day. Not difficult and the weight started to drop off at a rate of 1-2 lbs per week.
I don't exercise slavishly because I am a busy, working single mum, and it's not something I would stick to. However, I did start going swimming roughly every 10 days or so and I also walk everywhere and I find the weight comes off better when I am active like this.
I hope that gives you some pointers to help you get going. Look at the pinned posts on the right side of the screen, (or the bottom if you are on a mobile) there is more advice for newbies plus challenges to get involved in.
The Monday weigh in is a useful way to keep yourself accountable for your weight loss, but it's up to you.
Hello again!
I've checked out the link you provided and it definitely looks useful! I've looked at some of the pinned posts and they do look interesting - I think I will look at the challenges!
Thank you again!
Best regards,
Shannon
Hello Shannon.
A very merry Xmas and congratulations upon your first post.
Rest assured, there's certainly no need to feel intimidated, since all you'll receive from the forum is an abundance of advice, support and encouragement, helping to increase self-confidence and the belief that you can achieve what you seek.
Don't be afraid to ask questions either, since when it comes to nutrition and exercise, for example, no question is too absurd.
Wishing you all the best in the accomplishment of your goals throughout 2017.
Hi, count me in!
Hello EllaMidlands!
I'd love to have some form of support and a buddy on here to help me (and I'd do the same for you!) I don't know about you but I've always found it hard to stick to diets and excercise when I'm just the one doing it! So shall we be weightloss buddies?
Merry Christmas!
Shannon
Great idea, how much u want to lose? Have u started yet?
Hello again!
I have slowly lost just under a stone since March/June time. I would ideally like to lose at least one more stone this year but I'd also like to incorporate more physical activity. Unfortunately I'm fInding it very hard to actually follow any plan and stay away from chocolate!
May I ask you the same questions?
Shannon
I have lost 3 and a half since September but I want to lose another 8. I am aiming to lose 6 by xmas next year. You have so little to lose - with a bit more exercise you could do it by Valentine's Day !
3.5 stone since Septemberr is quite an achievement! You should be proud of yourself and I do think your goal weight loss is achievable! May I ask how you've done it?
Unfortunately, losing weight is quite difficult for me so I've set my goal to be a little bit easier! I struggle with following eating plans and I'm really too conscious to even excercise with people around. In all honesty, I don't even know how to even start with excercising!
Shannon
I have done it with a strict paleo diet. I exercise by swimming or going on my exercise machines in garage or I dance round lounge to music when nobody is looking. I have never felt self conscious - with only a stone to lose I bet you look better than most people around you
Hello. Nice to hear your post. I know what you mean about feeling intimidated. It took me a while to pluck up the courage to get posting on this forum but it really is helpful and friendly. I have lost over 1 stone in 15 weeks-others are faster. Others are slower...but we are moving in the same direction. Good luck and keep asking questions. This is a lovely forum for help and advice.
Hello Roset16
Thank you for the reply! I'll be sure to ask the many questions I have!
I hope you have had a lovely Christmas!
Shannon
Good morning Shannon,
Welcome and I'm sure you will love being part of this group.
I've only been here 3-4weeks and it's helped me tremendously.
I have about 1.5 - 2stone to loose. Just counting calories and keeping off biscuits, cake, chocolate and eating smaller portions. Also make sure I do a 1 mile brisk walk a day. Once I'm out I enjoy it and try and up it a tiny bit more each day.
Good luck on your weight loss journey. 🙂
Hello Shannon nonnygirl23 Welcome to the Weight Loss NHS forum. It’s great that you’ve joined. We are a friendly bunch! 😊
May I suggest that the first place you look is at the Pinned Posts section, to the right of your screen (bottom, if you're using a mobile) and have a look at the Welcome Newbies thread.😊 there is lots of info here, and links to the nhs12 week plan and also for checking your BMR and target calories 😊 it's important to eat enough so you don't get hungry or feel deprived 😊 I have lost almost three stone but it has taken me a while. However, my health and fitness are vastly improved 😊
I hope you had a good Christmas, it's a very difficult time to think about calories!!! But just being mindful and trying not to go mad can help your mindset 😊
I also suggest you be active on the forum, that's where we exchange ideas and get our daily dose of motivation and inspiration.😊
Good luck and best wishes
hi Shannon I feel the same, I've got 2 stone to lose. I feel tired and sluggish a lot of the time and unhappy in my clothes. I'm good at planning and making changes, but not so good at keeping new habits up. Here's to the new year and all it brings 😁🚶🏃
Hello Rachel,
I completely understand the whole feeling of "tired and sluggish"! I'm hoping that by eating healthier that it will change and that I will start to feel better about myself! Have you followed the NHS 12 Week plan? If so, how have you found it?
Best regards,
Shannon
hi Shannon, I've just printed off the plan and started yesterday - had a good food day, fruit, homemade spinach soup, turkey & broccoli, only to ruin all my efforts with 4 shortbread fingers and a slice of cake!!!and 2 glasses of wine 😉
Hi Shannon,
you are definitely in the right place. I have always felt intimidated too by organised weight loss clubs etc but in May last year I stumbled upon this community and it has changed my life. The support is always there when you need it; there are optional weigh ins (the next one is on 2nd Jan) or you can disappear off grid and no-one will mind. You are always in control and can do things your own way, but we all support and learn from each other and I have found it really helps to be able to talk about weight loss stuff to people who really understand the struggle we face when we try to turn over a new leaf.
You can do this; just believe it is possible and make small changes that you can sustain over time so that you set yourself up for success. The NHS 12 week plan is brilliant and doesn't just need to last for 12 weeks; you can keep those principles going for as long as you like.
My next step is to find homes for all of those chocolates and biscuits that have been gifted over Christmas as they are too much of a temptation for me to have around the house.
Good luck and I hope you decide to keep posting x
Time to be honest
Serious about losing weight
Struggling to get going 
What to eat to get there.
