Newbie with lack of confidence

[SarahEllio01]

Hi. I am 38 years old, have 3 young children aged 7, 4 and 19 months. I do the school run every day and the walk is about 15 mins each way.

I currently weigh just under 13 stone and am struggling with motivation and confidence in losing weight. I try to do some cycling on an excercise bike every other day for around 20 minutes.

Would love to lose about 3 stone.

Am not a lover of fruit or certain veg as ceetain textures make me gag!!

Need some help with weightloss and dinner ideas for 5 people that still taste nice and are cheap!!

[IndigoBlue61]

Hello SarahEllio01 and welcome to the weight loss forum ☺

I can feel your frustration. I always said it was a miracle I was overweight whilst running around after 3 children! 😊 The beauty of calorie counting is you choose what to eat 😊 I eat all favourite foods but carefully watch portion size.

Here are a few suggestions for getting the most from the 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 ☺ (Please note if you are using the new HU App these facilities aren't available yet so you may prefer to use the full website version)

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

[jopo]

Hi SarahEllio01

You'd be most welcome to join our weigh in's every Wednesday or indeed any day that would suit you.

No time like the present to start healthy eating for you and your family.

You'll soon lose your unwanted weight lots of support and advice here.

[SarahEllio01 in reply to jopo]

Thahks for replying. Am going to try writing down any excercise i do to see if that helps.

[Leman]

Hi Sarah, I have just started the 12 week plan and am finding it really flexible and straightforward. I'm at the end of day 4 and feel like it's something I can stick with - plus it's fun coming on this forum and being motivated by all these other people doing the same thing.

As for food inspiration - because the rough guide on the plan for evening meals for women is 400 cals (or just over) I quite often google '400 calorie dinner' and it brings up loads of ideas. Plus the bbc good food website puts the calorie content of its recipes, which is handy.

If you also searched around which vegetables you like that would give ideas, or maybe try a 'hidden' vegetable sauce, say, to use in a spag bol or lasagne, then that might get you going? I often make a tomato sauce with loads of grated carrot and courgette and chopped up red peppers as a way of getting my kids to eat more veg.

What fruit and veg do you like? I bet we could come up with a good list of suggestions

We have certain similarities: I'm 38 and have 3 kids, too, aged 8, 6 & 3.

I think it's great that you are taking this step towards a healthier lifestyle, and I think with this supportive environment, and if you try the 12 week plan, which is very flexible, then you will find your confidence growing as a result.

[jopo in reply to Leman]

That's a very nice reply Leman , I do hope SarahEllio01 sees it.

Great support !

[SarahEllio01 in reply to Leman]

Thank you!!

Fruit i like: pineapple and raisins

Do drink most fruit juices ie tropical, coconut, apple, orange

Hate tomatoes but eat tomato soup and sauce (not together!)

Eat cabbage, carrots, parsnips, cauliflower, potato

Trying to increase my excercise which i am keeping a note of.

Fingers crossed!

[Leman in reply to SarahEllio01]

Here are some ideas!

Chicken with roasted veg,

leftover chicken in a tomato sauce with pasta, or leftover roast into a pie with a potato topping

Cauliflower cheese with ham (a gammon is lovely with this but could just be ready sliced ham)

Baked potato with cheese on and a side of cabbage and carrots

Egg fried rice with cabbage, carrots and cauliflower mixed in

tomato soup with a bread roll

Spanish omelette with potatoes and carrots (do you hate peas, i'd naturally throw peas in!) and a bit of grated cheese on top

Bubble and squeak

Yum!

I'll leave it at that because that's a week worth of meals

Oh, but just to say that Jamie Oliver does this pizza base which is super easy, it has totally converted me to making my own pizza... You make it an hour before you need it, leave it to rest, then roll it out (or spin it over your head if your'e feeling adventurous) then I make a sauce out of tomato paste with a bit of oil and water, then you can add whatever you like. And it's fun to get the kids putting on the toppings.

[SarahEllio01 in reply to Leman]

Soke fab ideas!! Thank you!