I'm new and looking for advice

[mustgeton]

Hi I'm 57, 5ft and about 3 stone overweight. I'm not particularly fit and find it difficult to squeeze exercise into my day, especially as by the time I get home from work, I'm very tired. My 18 year old daughter often leaves it till the last minute to let me know whether she and/or her boyfriend will be eating with us (she's 18, what can I say?!), making planning very difficult. I don't want to waste food and as a result often resort to more junk style meals. I'm not a bad cook and can create good meals when motivated so I think that getting fitter maybe the key to my success. I'm hoping if I'm fitter, I will feel more motivated and therefore organise my diet better. However, I'm worried that I'm too old/unfit to get to a good level of fitness. I want to be able to walk up and down hills over at least a 5k distance without suffering for the next 3 days! Any advice would be most welcome

[IndigoBlue61]

Hello mustgeton and welcome to the Weight Loss Forum 😊

Firstly, you are not too old to improve your health and fitness 😊 I'm fitter now at 56 than I have ever been, and I can't walk far at all but have found other solutions (cycling, yoga etc)

Secondly, my daughter is back home after Uni so I totally sympathise, but if I'm not told otherwise I ignore her meals, make for me and hubby, and she has to cook for herself, (although I do have a few cheat type things in the freezer) quite simply, I'm not prepared to let her unhealthy habits sabotage mine!!

Thirdly, losing weight is mostly about eating, so I strongly advise getting this right. The new Daily Dairy is excellent for help with this area. 😊

Here are a few other 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, as well as a new Daily Diary, 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 have a 'Newbie' badge. 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. If you have any questions please just ask ☺

Best wishes

Anna

[Bernieis8]

It is never too late

I am nearly 71 and decided 6 months ago to help my doctor with my hypertension by getting fitter

With anew regime not a diet in 6 months have lost 10 kilo

Consumption activity and consolation are what I consider

I am overseas for 6 weeks now so not sure about my weight or my I pad controls but I can keep those 3 elements in mind

With regard to cooking

I worked full time with 2 boys and whatever I cook I do extra which is then the start of the next meal veges, sauces, meat

I add a lot of easy flavours like sprinkles of olive oil or herbs to pep up veges

Whatever is in the fridge a late comer can eat

Your health both mental and physical is really important

[JDelve 2 stone]

No definitely not too late! Get yourself a fitness band off Amazon. The cheaper brands are just as good as the more expensive ones (like Fitbit), and start walking. I thought at first I did loads of walking because I was so busy, but once I had my fitness band I realised I averaged only around 2,000. So I decided I had to start properly walking. I now walk places I used to drive to. Even small things like parking further away from the entrance to places. You will be amazed at how much better, fitter and happier you feel if you walk. You can set your daily step goal and having a fitness band on your wrist keeps you motivated because you can see what you've done at a glance. I now average around 13 - 15,000 steps everyday. I would do more, but it takes time. I've now added in the NHS C25K, and that's a great program too. But my advice is to start with the walking. It gets you energised and helps give you motivation to eat better too. Good luck!

[mustgeton]

Thanks for all your replies. I am keen to get started. I do have an apple watch and that can be a good motivator (when I remember to use it!). I want to do 10k a day but I'm thinking that might be too much as, at the moment, I don't know when I would fit it in. Do you think 6k is a reasonable start target? Also, any ideas for meals that don't involve pasta (or just a little pasta) would be most welcome!

[IndigoBlue61 in reply to mustgeton]

For steps, I would see what an average day is and then try to increase it. 10,000 is recommended but any movement is better than none 😊

For recipes see the 'topics' section, and also the Daily Diary for what other members of the forum are eating 😊

Good luck 😊

[JDelve 2 stone in reply to mustgeton]

Do what you can, walking does indeed take time. I take my dog for a walk every morning for over an hour and that gets me up to about 7 - 8k. I have to deliberately decide when and how I'm going to get my steps in, otherwise it doesn't happen. Now it's light in the mornings and evenings perhaps you can plan for then? As long as you get the bulk of the steps done, you'll still be amazed as to how the others just add up. Set a realistic goal for you though, that will push you a little but is achievable. I tell you another great and easy exercise and that's rebounding (small trampoline) it's amazing for all sorts of things. Anyway, just a suggestion!