How do I start this???

[chezzy43]

Ok so having been out of work for a couple of months, and feeling low/depressed, diagnosed with high blood pressure and I've finally admitted I need to make serious lifestyle changes. I'm 49 and 17stone...... and mortified. I'm drinking a bottle of wine a night and eating ready meals. I feel so lethargic and ache all the time. But this seems like such a long hill to climb. I need to set short goals with exercise and healthy eating..... hate the word 'diet'. We have a wedding in July and I'm dreading photos/trying to find a dress. Any ideas how I start this? Kaz, Derbyshire

[moreless Administrator 7 stone]

Hi and welcome, Kaz

Take a look at the Pinned posts section to the right of your screen (bottom if you're using a mobile), read the Welcome Newbie thread, then 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.

Take a look at the 12 week plan, as a lot of people have been successful with it, making sure to enter your details into the BMI calculator, to get a calorie allowance tailored to your personal requirements. 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.

We run daily weigh-in's and you'd be very welcome to join us. The threads can always be found in the Events section, to the right of the home page, bottom on a mobile.

Be advised, that the HU app doesn't give you access to all of our important features, so we advise that you use the full website page.

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.

It's only left for me to wish you well on your journey

[Tiggerr]

Hello Kaz and welcome.

The best place to start is to read through everything that Rose has written and follow the links that she has suggested.

I agree with you about not using the word diet. From day one when I started in Jan of this year I called this my lifestyle change and that is exactly how I've dealt with it by creating a way of life that I feel is sustainable in the future.

You're also spot on about setting yourself mini goals. You can receive badges by losing 7lbs or 5kg or maybe look to getting below 17 stone if that is a closer option... it's what's good and sensibly achievable for you.

If you stick to the calories suggested by the NHS BMI calculator and follow the NHS 12 week plan then by July I'd expect you to be pleasantly surprised. There are other methods of weight loss that others here use and its a case of doing what suits you. I got a new badge as of yesterday so you can't tell that I've lost nearly 15kg since the beginning of Jan

Wishing you all the best!

[chezzy43 in reply to Tiggerr]

Thank you for the reply! Wow you have lost a lot of weight in just over 3 months... Well done and thank you so much for sharing that with me. It has really spurred me on! I'll go through the links as Rose suggested. I'll also join the 'weigh in' forum too. I'm in the process of creating a 'low fat food plan' and shopping list. My first 'goal' is to get 2llbs off by this time next week... thanks again. Kaz

[zc81 in reply to chezzy43]

Welcome on here! You've taken the first step and asked for help. You have found the best place. xx

[Hidden]

You will find loads of support and good advice on here, Kaz. Start now, download the 12 week plan, and maybe MyFitnessPal so you can record what you eat. You will have good weeks and not so good, but the main thing is that you stay with us at every stage. Every time it feels too hard, log on and tell someone. And when you start to see results, tell us on here, and we will be cheering loudly for you. Good luck!

[Ceals]

Hi Kaz welcome to the forum, I hope you like it here.

I don't use the word diet because it is so badly misused, I always talk about a lifestyle change. I think it has to be that way to be sustainable.

You will have to decide what your focus will be. Could you cut down on the wine? Ot ditch it altogether? Processed foods are full of extra stuff that you probably wouldn't choose to eat if you saw them as separate parts of the meal. Try cooking from scratch - I have made my lifestyle change a hobby and have an adventure with food. You might find that good freshly cooked food improves your depression. It is also likely that the high salt/sugar/fat content of processed foods is not helping your blood pressure.

Whatever you decide to do keep coming on the forum and join in the conversations. Get to know people and be assured that everyone will want to support you.

Take care

[tubbymummy]

Hi. Welcome. I was in a similar position to you, regarding the blood pressure and wine drinking before I started my 'healthy eating plan'. I didn't drink as much as a bottle a night, but still far more than was good for me. I decided to cut it out altogether at the end of January and haven't looked back since. My original plan was to cut it down in stages, (thinking this was the recommended way to do it). Then I had a rethink. I know that one glass leads to another, then another, then before you know where you are, the bottle has gone. So I decided none at all was my best option. I kept to it, started counting calories, (therefore eating what I wanted, in moderation) and lo and behold five weeks later, I'd lost a stone! I only have a total of about two stone to lose, but I'm almost at a stone and a half loss now and feel terrific! No more sluggish days, waking up thinking why did I drink so much?? There was no need for it. I wasn't depressed. There was just no excuse at all, it had just become a habit. A very unhealthy one at that. I have joined a gym......can actually run again and honestly, I feel tons better. My blood pressure is completely back to normal now and people tell me all the time how well I look. If I can do it, anyone can. On my last post I was telling everyone about being away for a few days and the apple pie I had eaten! I actually lost a pound that week! Please try and do it....you will soon feel the benefits and your blood pressure will thank you for it. Good luck!