The journey begins...

[Gavlaaar]

Hi, I have just started the 12 week plan. I am from England but I'm currently working abroad in Oman as a teacher. I've tried so many different 'diets' but none have really worked for me. I think my issue is that I tend to go too drastic and then find it a real struggle to keep up.

I'm looking forward to taking a balanced approach which involves calorie counting. I've not really done that before. I do find it a depressing subject when it comes to weight loss. I have a rugby frame to me and am quiet lucky that I carry weight fairly well. People always have me at a lighter weight then I am.

I am going to be starting this journey at 114kg which is the heaviest I've been in a while. I'm normally around 107kg but after the summer holidays and Christmas I never got myself back into a good routine. I'm hoping that being able to talk about the journey will help keep me motivated and inspired.

I feel that I am starting with a positive in the sense that I am active. I have a gym membership and do sports a few times a week. This consists of an hour of football, an hour of tennis and an hour of cricket. I then use the gym for weights to tone up. I'll be continuing this on this journey but I do have a question. As a male I get 1900 calories, when I exercise is it a case of what ever you burn you get back as food? For instance if I am on 1900 for the day and I've hit my target but I then burn 400 calories in the gym is that taken off my 1900 and allows me extra? Just a thought I had.

I do also have a fairly good understanding of what is good for you and bad. It's the whole practice what you preach scenario. I'm m also a bit fearful of carbs. I don't eat rice or pasta but I wonder if they're needed now and again if I'm being fairly active.

Anyway, I'm going to make sure I'm active on this forum and hope I can help and support others as I'm sure I'll receive the same assistantance. Apologies for the extra long post.

Thank you in advance

[Stevo5585 7lbs]

Welcome to the site Gavlaaar. I'm also in the Middle East, currently in Saudi but spent 10 years in Oman on and off, beautiful country and people, I miss it.

You sound like me, but you exercise more! Big unit, I'm 6' 4", ex rugby player, we're built different to regular frames so you have to be careful with the calorie 'estimate'. Use the BMI calculator on the home page, it will give you a more accurate calorie range to aim for. During a medical I had a few years back the Doctor refused to write overweight on my report, instead putting 'brawny' due to my size and frame!

I've just started myself, good luck fella and you'll be sure to get some great support and wise words from others on here, good bunch of people and very positive.

[Gavlaaar in reply to Stevo5585]

This would explain why I'm feeling hungry because I've been sticking to1900 but when I did that it gave me way more. So I'm guessing the amount they tell you includes the fact you are very active? I'm not quiet 6ft 4" lol I'm just under 6ft but am very broad and struggle with clothes as I only have a 29" leg so I'm more torso. Thank you for the reply and yes oman is a great place.

[IndigoBlue61]

Hello and welcome to the Weight Loss Forum

Here are a few suggestions on how to get the most out of the forum. Please note if you are using the new HU App many of these features are not available so I suggest you use the full website version.

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

[Gavlaaar in reply to IndigoBlue61]

I love the sound of group weigh ins. Sounds like great motivation. Give me what ever badge I need lol

[IndigoBlue61 in reply to Gavlaaar]

The weigh-ins run daily, but Monday's tend to be very busy 😊 Just decide which day you would like, respond to the other weighers on that day and then write your details in the reply box 😊

[AnnTandy]

My best advice in your situation is to write down everything you eat. And I do mean EVERYTHING! Even if you only do it for a week it will pinpoint whether you're naturally eating enough and what types of foods you generally choose. It's surprising how often people are simply not eating enough to lose weight (I know, I know - sounds bonkers!) so do check your BMI first to get a suitable calorie intake rather than just aiming for a generic 1900 per day. If you're active it will make adjustments for that, so you won't have to think about using up 500 cal in order to eat 500 cal. Best of luck!

[Gavlaaar in reply to AnnTandy]

Thank you for the advice. The BNO calculator game up with a few more calories for me.

[Anita44]

Hi Galvaaar, seems to me you already have a good plan set to reach your target goal, I do Slimming World and have my carbs all the time and a I still loose weight, I go gym about 4 times a week too, the weight is coming off slowly but I'm loosing inches especially around the waist. Good luck in loosing that extra weight and look forward to your updates. :).