Hi everybody

[Carlyjohnson]

Hi I've just signed up, I'm a mum of two and I'm very overweight. I've tried so many diets but find myself sabotaging any success I have, I'm desperate for help and I thought maybe this could help me.

[EllaMidlands]

Hi, welcome. We are a supportive group. I joined in December and have come on every day since. If you want to lose weight then I would recommend using this to help. How much weight do you want to lose? A lot of us track our weight on here using one of the daily weighins, I am in the Saturday group. We praise and encourage each other. Some people lose, some maintain, some gain but everyone has the same goal to lose weight in order to feel and look better. Good luck!

[Carlyjohnson in reply to EllaMidlands]

Thank you for your reply I already feel more supported I have nine stone to lose and at the moment I seem to be going up and down and going nowhere. Also how do I join the weigh in groups?

[EllaMidlands in reply to Carlyjohnson]

Just turn up on the day (think Wednesday is full) look for the post - for example you can see Thursdays is sitting ready for tomorrow. You just read and reply to a couple of posts then intro yourself giving starting weight, goal for the week and any other info. I was 23 stone in September, currently 18 stone 6. If I can do it truely anyone can do good luck!!

[Ceals in reply to EllaMidlands]

Wow! Ella you have done so well. I do agree with you that visiting the site regularly/daily is a real help, and actually also a joy rather than a chore.

[Annde70 in reply to EllaMidlands]

Hi Carlyjohnson and welcome. Forget about dieting and think about changing your way of eating for life

Cut out processed foods. Cook meals using fresh ingredients. Plan your meals, keep a food diary, weigh and measure your food, it is easy to go wrong if you simply guess quantities. Get a set of measuring spoons and cups (dead cheap, you can usually find some in Poundland)

Use an app to help keep you on the straight and narrow I use MyFitnessPal, free and will help you count your calories.

Keep posting, and keep reading, you will find lots of support and advice on the forum

Good luck with your new, healthier eating x

[Carlyjohnson in reply to Annde70]

Thank you x

[EllaMidlands in reply to Annde70]

Hi. I don't think you need to keep a good diary necessarily. I cook all meals from scratch and don't eat bread, pasta, as they are processed. I have never counted a calorie or written anything down. Different methods work for different people as long as you are making a lifestyle change that you can stick to. I agree fad diets don't work but healthy diets do work. Good luck Carlyjohnson

[Annde70 in reply to EllaMidlands]

What's a good diary?

[EllaMidlands in reply to Annde70]

Sorry, food diary

[Annde70 in reply to EllaMidlands]

While I agree that it is not necessary to keep a food diary I think it can be of great benefit as it gives a point of reference. Should weight loss not be as good as you want it can show a pattern which may give guidance on what foods can be effective with loss and which foods may be slowing your loss down.

You say you have never counted calories or weighed your foods , you are very lucky then. While that may well work for you I would suggest that for the majority of people a more structured regime is necessary to achieve loss

[EllaMidlands in reply to Annde70]

I know I have cut calories because I follow a low carb diet. I know that there are less calories in veg than in pasta, rice, bread so I don't need to count them. Writing stuff down makes me obsess about food. I have made a lifestyle change that is sustainable, if I counted calories I would have to do that forever. I have lost 4 1/2 stone doing this but still have a long way to go. If I stop losing weight I may have to try another strategy. Everyone is different but I failed for 20 years counting calories.

[Annde70 in reply to EllaMidlands]

It's great that this has worked for you but it sounds as though you have followed a diet plan that has cut out (or drastically down) on one of the macro nutrients. I would suggest that this is not necessarily the way that many people would choose to go.

As you say, you still have a long way to go and you may find that as you get nearer to your target weight that the number of calories you consume from whatever source will effect your loss.

It is great that you are doing so well and I hope that you succeed in getting to your target weight without having to adjust what you are doing now.

[Annde70 in reply to Annde70]

To clarify when I suggest you cut out processed foods I do not include milk, cheese, pasta, Bread or other food staples I am referring to things such as biscuits, pies, pasties and the like.

I know some people find too much bread and other carbs can slow down their weight loss but would suggest that you try and find what works for you

The BHF recommended the Mediterranean diet so maybe have a look at that

[Hidden]

Hi diets don't work unless you stay on them for life. The only way to successfully lose weight is to follow a sensible eating plan which you can maintain. x

[Skaur]

Hey i have two young children and it is very hard to get out and about. When my elder son is at nursery i take the little one for walks. I put him in his pram and walk. My advice is do whatever makes u happy is that the gym or putting on a dvd and doing it at home or grabbing ur mum and take her along (which is wht i do).

You have 2 kids so your already tired. Walking is somethin u can do wit the kids . Good luck

[Hidden in reply to Skaur]

You sound like my daughter 😊 she often phones to see if I want a walk, I really think she needs to get a dog but she says I'm more reliable😂😂 xx

[missussim]

hi CarlyJohnson, dont ever forget to throw in some exercise....walking is amazing, round to your local convenience store or a local park, say instead of taking the bus to one stop, sing a song as you walk along....just joking, but if you look at it as a fun thing you are doing, you will love it more.and the weight will drop believe me

[Ceals]

This will certainly help. Browse around the postings, pick up some advice and tips and give others the benefit your valuable experiences. Everyone has something to share that is news to someone else.

Take care and enjoy your journey. I have four children, and lost two, so know only too well how pregnancy and small children can change things. As my youngest is almost 31 I am over that excuse, but I could find dozens of other excuses as to why I am overweight but that isn't really the point. Welcome.

[George56 in reply to Ceals]

You sound like a lovely & caring Mum. 💝G56 I wish you success.

[Hidden]

Hi Carlyjohnson and welcome to the forum.

Check out the Welcome Newbies post in the pinned posts section (to the right of your screen on a pc, bottom on a mobile) - this contains some great info for starting out and navigating your way around the site. Then work out your BMI using the NHS BMI calculator nhs.uk/tools/pages/healthyw... and have a look at the 12 week healthy eating plan. Don't forget to sign up for the weekly emails.

Take all of your before measurements and maybe a photo.

We run weigh-ins every day; at the moment Sunday is our least busy day and consider joining some of our challenges as they are fun and motivating.

We also give out weight loss badges and you are welcome to have a Newbie one for the first 12 weeks of your journey if you would like one?

Best of luck and I look forward to seeing you around ☘

[Carlyjohnson in reply to Hidden]

Thank you

[Linziwoo]

Hey there I'm completely the same, two kids and struggled to lose weight, I tried various diets but honestly I find the best thing is to calorie count, try and stick to 1500cals a day and include exercise, I do a few spin classes and walk quite a bit, I have two dogs.im currently doin a health and nutrition course and all the info that iv gathered all point me in the same direction.

[Skaur in reply to Linziwoo]

My issue isn't calories it's the sugar that is in everything grrr! U r like superwoman.. two kids and spin class! 😍