Hi there!
My life went down hill and I started drinking excessively. It turns out, alcohol is a devil for putting on weight. I am ready to change now and would desperately like to lose weight or at least my beer belly! I'm just lacking motivating sometimes and I need to stay on the ball!
I'm hoping joining this society helps me achieve my goal!
Lois x
Welcome Lois! I haven't been here long, but it's a great place if you need help from some friends! Well done on wanting to change. That's the hardest part for me. Once I started, seeing the results inspires me to continue. I walk/run 3 times a week, after 3 years of NOTHING and it's hard. But I look back and remind myself that a 2-3 months ago I couldn't even manage a one minute run! For me the dieting is easyish, as I was already eating very healthily but I wasn't losing any weight (it turns out that when I did the maths, I was eating waaaaay over the amount of calories that I should).
Good luck, and we are all here to cheer you on!
Hi Lois.
The first step is often the hardest one, so well done on coming here and introducing yourself. Gobbolino has summed it all up well.
An admin will reply to this post with information on how best to use this forum. This includes the NHS 12 week plan, which many people here use to good effect.
Do post if you have any further questions.
Hello ltd321 and welcome to the weight loss forum ☺
The first place to look is at the Pinned posts section to the right of your screen (bottom if you're using a mobile), read the Welcome Newbie thread first and move through to the challenges, where we hope you'll find at least one that will appeal to you ☺
Move down to the Topics, to find a variety of threads, collated into specific topics for ease of access and we ask that you also 'file' your own threads, so that others won't miss your important news ☺
Have a look at the NHS 12 week plan, as many people have had success with it. Also use the BMI checker to find your target calories, it's important to eat enough. This was a major turning point for me, realising I could eat anything I wanted as long as the calories are accounted for ☺
Don't forget to take your starting measurements and a 'before' picture, as they can be very motivating on days that the scales refuse to co-operate ☺
The forum also have group weigh-ins every day if you wish to take part. The posts can always be found in the Events section on the 'home' page ☺
You'll notice a grey box next to people's names, these are achievement badges, and as a new member you may have a 'Newbie' badge. If you have any questions or would like a Newbie badge please just ask ☺
We've found that to get the best out of this community, we need to be active on the forum, as it's where we exchange information, get motivation and inspiration and make friends. We hope that you'll join us here, regularly, too ☺
Best wishes
Anna
Well done on realising you need to make a change.
I didn't think I was a heavy drinker until I realised that 5 week nights in the pub after work from 4-7 consuming 5-6 pints was essentially killing me!
All I will say is you will feel so much better for changing and I wish you well!
Wow, WN, that's some drinking pattern to have to change, and I think you're on the right road now you have changed your habits. well done you! I was a heavy drinker in the past and the hardest bit is acknowledging the need to lower your consumption. It gets easier then!
It's a shame that drinking alcohol is so much an accepted part of western culture. Smoking was once, too, but that's almost been kicked into touch. In our profit-driven society the easy availability of both food and alcohol makes it so much harder for foodies, and those who love a tipple, to get into sensible, abstemious habits.
Good luck to you Watson-Nimrod, and to Lois and all the lovely folk on this forum trying to lose weight and live a healthier lifestyle.
You are so right about business and profits being such a driver battlethebulge . They spend mega, mega bucks on roping us in. The wiser we are to their dirty tactics the better off we are.
My hard earned money gets spent on good healthy food which I thoroughly enjoy.
Yay, Ceals! I'm always so pleased when I hear someone who understands how badly our profit-driven business models affect peoples' eating habits. It's not just that there are SO many food outlets to tempt us, but the advertising of them, which is at brain-washing levels. No wonder folk struggle to stick to healthy living habits.
Well, I'm making a rude gesture at the Fast Food (and supermarket) industry and their 'in your face' tactics: losing weight, being happy, positive and confident and eating what I know will keep me slim and healthy! I'm only 68, but I want to still feel like this when I'm 88!
Just noticed your 2 stone badge Ceals - Well done! Keep doing your own thing, it's obviously working well for you!
Thanks battlethebulge I love your positive attitude, only 68. At one time we would have thought this was old, thankfully it isn't any more; I am only a few years behind you in the age stakes.
Really can't claim credit for losing 2 stones, I was very, very ill. However, what I can claim credit for is keeping it off and adding another couple of pounds on the downward slope - and that will do for me. Although it is a very long downward slope!
Ceals, I'm so sorry to hear you were so poorly, I do hope you're well enough now to be undertaking a bit of gentle exercise along with your further weight loss. Take it steady!
Yeah, 68 going on 48! Apart from two knee replacements (which means I can't jog any more, unfortunately, but walk for England!) I'm a pretty fit ol' bird really!
Good luck Ceals, with your ongoing weight loss programme.
Every cloud and a silver lining and all that-it was my wake up call and I am paying attention.
At the moment I have little energy for what had become a daily Good, hard walk as I am trying to get back to work and that consumes any available energy-but I will get both cracked one day!
I was where you are with the drink. I used to have one or two glasses of wine a night, and it was getting to be a consuming habit. I did Dry January and I'm still going. It was very hard for the first week, with the withdrawal symptoms. It became easier, I just had to ignore the cravings. I don't miss it or need it now. It's seriously made me reevaluate everything so I can be healthier. You can do this 
It's very easy to get into a bad drinking or eating habit when life goes a bit wrong. My marriage broke up when I was 51 and a few glasses of wine and some picky foods became my prop. Then the next year I met a new man which was lovely except we celebrated by eating out more, a few drinks, trips away etc. Overall , I managed to gain 2 stone!!
Anyway, at 61 the realisation hit me that I could tackle this if I really tried and, with the help of this forum and calorie control, I achieved a 2.5 stone loss. I'm now in my third year of maintenance.
Btw, I do still drink once or twice a week, but no more than half a bottle with proper food.
Good luck, you've come to the right place 😊
This is THE best place to be for support and motivation.
Come on regularly, join in the conversations and challenges, get to know people and change your lifestyle. There are lots of people on here who have given up alcohol. It isn't just the alcohol it is also the munchies and lack of "saying no" power after a couple of drinks.
Everyone here will cheer you on but you have to make the changes.
Good luck with your new healthy lifestyle. It could be your best adventure yet.
Lois hi there I was in the same boat with drink. I did put on weight once I stopped with the drink I lost the weight with exercise better eating .I was at 1 point I was 112 kg now 98kg and dropping still. once I get to 90 kg or 85kg is good enough for me.
giving up the drink is best the thing I did . I feel so much better.
Well done for wanting to make positive changes in your life .. You've come to right place on this forum the kindness & support is inspirational !! Good luck👍
You are in the right place to start making the changes .. Acknowledging the devil's juice has deceiving consequences . Many of us have been in the same position, although I cut back I still enjoy a snifter or 2 & always will!! Good luck 👍
Hi ltd321
You've made the best move ever.good luck you will get great support on here.
Gary
Wow, thank you for your support everyone! I didn't expect this at all. The weekend didn't go too well in relation to eating healthy and not drinking. But today, I plan on going for a walk and actually sorting out the mess I call my life.
Thanks everyone! Looking forward to being involved on here.
Lois
Hi I'm New
Hi need advice 
