Introducing myself...

[Marie-Jill]

Hello,

I'm new here, my name is Marie, second name Jill. I am a 71 year old woman who has type 2 diabetes. For most of my adult life, since having my first children, I have been struggling with my weight. Currently I'm 4 stone overweight, but will keep trying to lose it. At the moment I'm with Rosemary Conley Online. I have lost weight with them before, also with Weight Watchers. Tried Slimming World briefly but didn't like their diet. My husband is also overweight but at the moment he is a lost cause. We live in Derby because of his job, but I am from Kingston-on-Thames and he is from Manchester, we met in Reading where we were both living at the time, this is a second marriage for both of us.

I'd better finish for now, as I have a tendency to ramble on!

[EllaMidlands]

Hi welcome! I live near you! I hope you find the forum useful. If you use it a lot I find it really helps! 🤞

[Marie-Jill in reply to EllaMidlands]

Thanks Ella. I will try and use it daily. Counting calories (approximately!) on my own at the moment but will have a look at the NHS guide if I can download it. How are you doing? Is 5 stone what you have to lose or what you have lost already?

[EllaMidlands in reply to Marie-Jill]

The grey badge shows what we have lost. The admin people give them out. You can have one that says newbie if you want one. I am 2lb off my 6 stone badge which I am shooing to get next week but I still have some way to go as I currently weigh 17 stone 2.

[Marie-Jill in reply to EllaMidlands]

Well done Ella, that is a stunning weight loss. I hope you will be able to get your 6 stone badge next week. I have asked the admin person, Rose, how we get our badges, currently I don't have a working printer but perhaps that isn't relevant. My weight is 14 stone now and I would like to get to 10 stone, the highest recommended weight for my height of 5ft 2ins. I don't feel able to go any lower than that now that I'm in my seventies. When I was young I averaged 9 stone and in my teens I was 8 and a half stone, but there's no way I could do that now.

[EllaMidlands in reply to Marie-Jill]

It isn't a badge you print, it's just a label on here but it's nice as it can be a talking point and you feel good when you get a new one.

[Marie-Jill in reply to EllaMidlands]

Thank you Ella. Rose has already sent me a Newbie one! You can tell I'm slightly a technophobe, although I used a computer all the time when I was working. Going to sign off now as I'm not even dressed yet - shocking or what! Look forward to messaging with you again.

[Marie-Jill in reply to EllaMidlands]

Hello Ella,

How are you doing? I thought I was doing okay yesterday but have put on 1lb grrrrrr!

Whereabouts in Midlands do you live, is it Derby? I live in Oakwood, a suburb of Derby, have been here for 12 years now.

[YellowRose55]

Morning Marie-Jill

Welcome to the weight loss forum.

Take a look at the Welcome Newbie post in the Pinned post section at the right hand side or at the bottom if your on a mobile. Have a look at the nhs 12 week plan, many members have had success following this plan. Use the BMI checker to work out your daily calorie allowance.

Have a look at the Daily Diary which you can find on the Home page in Events. It is where all the members are sharing their daily plans on what they are eating and any exercise they are doing. This thread will give you some ideas on how to start.

Below the Pinned posts are the Topics where members share a range of weight related subjects.

Take your measurements at the start together with a photo so you can see the changes on the days the scales don't move.

We have daily weigh ins so why not come along and join us today. You can find the weigh ins on the Home page in the Events section on the right. Just click on the post in Events and record your start weight and any loss/gain or maintain for the week.

To get the most of the forum be active, share tips, recipes and experiences. Read some of the posts they are very motivating.

Have a good first week.

Rose

[Marie-Jill in reply to YellowRose55]

Thank you Rose. Please tell me how we get the badges? I have no access to a printer at the moment. Apparently I could have one that says Newbie, maybe till I have hopefully lost some weight.

Marie-Jill.

[YellowRose55 in reply to Marie-Jill]

Hi Marie-Jill

The badges are awarded by the admin team which is myself -yellowrose55, moreless IndigoBlue61 or Hidden

Your Newbie badge is on it's way.

Rose

[Marie-Jill in reply to YellowRose55]

Sorry to be thick but where do I record my weight? Someone said it's at the bottom of the events page but I can't find how to get to that page.

[YellowRose55 in reply to Marie-Jill]

Morning Marie-Jill

I will tag you in on the weigh in so it so when you get a mention form me which pops up by the "bell" sign just click on it.

The Event section is on the Home page on the right hand side if your on a laptop or at the bottom if your on a mobile.

Rose

[Marie-Jill]

Thank you Rose!

[Microbabe Restart June 2024]

I have type 2 diabetes as well as recovering from ovarian cancer... trust me to get cancer that makes you fat lol... I'm struggle to lose but it's coming off slowly... I do slimming world as it suits me but I've done rosemary Connolly too in the past but missed cheese ... I've joined a weigh in on this site and support is great it's kept me going as the weight is shifting very slowly and it can be hard to accept when you have had a good week and lose half a pound but a loss is a loss ... we can do this together 👍🏻

[Marie-Jill in reply to Microbabe]

Hello Shellygirl, thank you for replying.

Sorry you've had such a huge health problem as cancer but it's good that you're recovering. Diabetes can also be hard can't it, sometimes I feel as though I'm not supposed to eat anything! How long have you been diabetic? I have had it since 2000.

I don't use any Rosemary Conley diets, just watch the calories and use their site to weigh in and for motivation plus information. Not sure how to weigh in at Health Unlocked, I'll have to investigate it. You have done well to lose a stone. We can keep each other motivated perhaps. Do you need to lose much more? Altogether I need to lose around 4 stone. I did lose nearly 2 stone three years ago but since then have put half of it back on, due to some stressful times with my husband having two knee replacement operations and being off work for a long time.

Let's keep positive!

[Microbabe Restart June 2024 in reply to Marie-Jill]

I have had diabetes just over a year still struggling to get medication sorted... I know what you mean about not eating anything especially if people know you have diabetes I feel judged.... I've got around 4 stone in total to lose too so we can keep each other going it would be good 😊 it's so easy for the pounds to pile on but so difficult to get rid of... we can do this 💪🏻👍🏻

[Marie-Jill in reply to Microbabe]

Yes it would be good to keep each other going. It's easy to get disheartened, yesterday I thought I did okay but this morning have put on 1lb. I hope you can get your medication sorted, it must be difficult for you as you have had a major health problem too. I am on Metformin and Gliclazide by the way.

You are so right - it is easy to put weight on but much harder to lose it, but we will keep trying.

[Microbabe Restart June 2024 in reply to Marie-Jill]

Me too metformin and gliclazide but having problems with side affects from the metformin 😳

[Marie-Jill in reply to Microbabe]

Sorry to hear you're having problems with metformin, is it the slow-release or the 850mg? I had problems with the slow-release but now on the 850mg which is better for me. Gliclazide isn't the best if trying to lose weight as it can increase the appetite. My diabetes nurse has offered me alternatives but they have side-effects which I can't tolerate, so will stay with gliclazide. Another thing with the gliclazide is that it can cause hypos, but so can the alternatives. The best thing, obviously would be to lose all my weight and then could maybe cut down on tablets. My GP told me this some years ago, but my will-power is so weak especially when under stress for various reasons, that I haven't been able to take his advice.

[ceejayblue in reply to Microbabe]

If you are on the general release metformin, ask them to put you on the slow release one, it doesn't affect people so much in the same way. I changed from general to slow release and it stopped the tummy problems for me.

[Marie-Jill in reply to ceejayblue]

Believe it or not I had problems with the slow-release metformin and now doing much better with the 850mg metformin! My tummy problems first came about after I had a hernia-repair operation three years ago, nothing to do with the metformin I think..

[Microbabe Restart June 2024 in reply to ceejayblue]

Thank you so much I will definitely be inquiring about that the side affects had become overwhelming for me 😊

[Marie-Jill in reply to Microbabe]

Hope that works out for you. But please see my earlier message to you saying that I won't be continuing. Sorry but it's taking up too much time for me. Hope you do well.

Marie Jill

[Microbabe Restart June 2024 in reply to Marie-Jill]

I did see that just saying I'm here if you change your mind

[Marie-Jill in reply to Microbabe]

Okay, thank you for that.

[Microbabe Restart June 2024 in reply to Marie-Jill]

Forgot to mention that weigh in is at the bottom of the page in events section ... the lovely admin staff run a weigh in everyday of the week so you just choose a day that suits you ... I weigh in on a Saturday 😊

[Marie-Jill in reply to Microbabe]

Hi, I must be thick as I can't find the events section, so I've asked admin about it.

[Microbabe Restart June 2024 in reply to Marie-Jill]

Your not thick if your using your phone to post it's not easy to find 😊

[Marie-Jill in reply to Microbabe]

Haven't got an i-phone, I'm using my desk-top computer. Admin have told me where to look on the Home page - guess what, now I can't seem to find the Home page, doh, LOL.

[Microbabe Restart June 2024 in reply to Marie-Jill]

At the top of the page there should be a a black band with various icons on the one with the square of small circles if you click on that then scroll down to the bottom just above the nhs choices bit there is an events section the weigh in days are there just click on the title and you can post a message ... hope this helps 😊

[Marie-Jill in reply to Microbabe]

thanks Shellygirl. I have got to that section, but what title do you mean? All I can see is lots of pages of diaries to fill in but they are sideways on and can't be typed on. YellowRose gave me a sign by a little bell which I responded to and there was a lot of posts which she said is the weigh-in, but I'm confused not knowing what to expect. Quite honestly I might give up and just stick with my Rosemary Conley online, their site is much, much easier to navigate and to input weight weekly.

[IndigoBlue61 in reply to Marie-Jill]

Good morning Marie-Jill I'm sorry you are finding the forum confusing to navigate. 😕

The Home page has a picture of strawberries on the top. The pinned posts, events etc should be on the left hand side when viewing from a tablet or PC.

have a read of this which may help healthunlocked.com/nhsweigh...

I do understand how confusing it is, especially for our generation who have had to learn how to use computers as adults. But stick with it, nothing beats having a good look around and explore 😊

[Marie-Jill in reply to Microbabe]

Hi Shellygirl - thanks for all your help, I have input my weight now, but I won't be continuing with the site as I am finding it too time-consuming. I have a lot of sorting out to be done in the house which must take priority.

Wishing you the best of luck with your weight loss and your health.

Marie-Jill

[Microbabe Restart June 2024 in reply to Marie-Jill]

I don't spend a great deal of my time on the site but I do pop in through the week ... always try to post my weight as the support is really good and keeps me motivated... you have to do what works best for you .. I'm here if you want a bit of extra support ❤️

[Marie-Jill in reply to Microbabe]

thanks Shellygirl.

Take care, all the best from Marie Jill

[SukiV]

Welcome MarieJill. Like you I tried weight watchers and SlimmingWorld and although I lost some weight it always crept back on. I joined this (life) plan 11 weeks ago and so far managed to loose 11 lbs which is amazing for me. I find the whole thing brilliant it just works for me. I use MyFitnessPal to log my calories everyday, I print of the 12 week tracker every Sunday ready for the week ahead. I stick it on my fridge so it reminds me to log what I've done. I've even got my husband telling me off for the days I don't exercise because he can see it on the tracker lol. All that plus this forum it really has changed my life. I will be pounding the streets of Derby soon as I will be running the half marathon on June 4th. I really hope you enjoy this group as much as I do. Everyone's a great motivator, plus you pick up great tips and friendly advice.

[Marie-Jill in reply to SukiV]

Hi SukiV, thanks for replying.

You are certainly doing very well with this Health Unlocked plan. As yet I haven't got back to counting my calories, my will-power isn't great, but I will keep trying to get myself motivated. I usually go out for at least a short walk every day, sometimes longer walks depending on what I'm doing. Last Saturday, my birthday, my husband and I were in Scarborough - lots of walking along the sea-front.

Good luck for the half-marathon on 4th June. Do you live in or near to Derby?

[Marie-Jill in reply to SukiV]

Sorry SukiV but I have decided to call it a day with this site, as it's taking up too much of my time. I have a lot of sorting out to do in the house, which must take priority.

Best wishes, Marie-Jill

[ceejayblue]

As a type 2 diabetic are you keeping an eye on your carb intake? You don't have to go fully fledged low carb high fat (not suitable for everyone) but if you watch your carbs that will help you lose weight and control your diabetes. Also, have a look on the diabetes.org.uk website as they have some great healthy eating tips which will help with the control of your blood glucose and to help with weightloss.

[Marie-Jill in reply to ceejayblue]

Thanks ceejayblue.

I am not great with controlling carbs, they are a comfort food for me. I belong to Diabetes UK so have seen lots of tips on healthy eating, not always suitable for me though as I have a tendency towards tummy upsets and can't have certain foods, especially wholemeal.

[ceejayblue in reply to Marie-Jill]

Carbs are the things that can increase our blood glucose and if we don't control that then we get complications with our diabetes. I know that carbs can be comfort foods but to a diabetic they are not good in large quantities.

I try to keep to 150g of carb per day (50g per meal) and I have 45g as a buffer for if I need a snack or I'm having a treat. It is hard sometimes but it is what has helped to bring my blood glucose down and I have recently gone added sugar free and stopped eating processed foods. I don't test so don't know if it has had an affect on my BG but I will know when I go for my HbA1c in June. What I do know is, that I've not been hungry or really craved my usual comfort foods.

If you have problems with some foods (and too much oily food affects me badly) I would say speak to your GP and ask for some tests to see if you have any food intolerances (other than glucose). It may explain why you have problems with wholemeal bread. I now eat sourdough bread as it has no sugar in it but I only have a couple of slices a day

[Marie-Jill in reply to ceejayblue]

Some oily food affects me too, but not all. Same with wholemeal stuff and healthy green vegetables. This has only been since my hernia repair op, so is not a food intolerance.

Of course you're right about carbs, but you obviously have more willpower than I do. I don't eat anything with obviously added sugar, but I do have processed foods for the convenience factor, they fit into my current lifestyle.

My last blood test a week ago showed the blood glucose has gone down slightly. I will have the rest of my annual tests next week.

[ceejayblue]

I went on the Xperthealth.org.uk 6 week course (half a day a week) and 2 refresher courses and found that really helpful. Just realised that Dr Trudie Deakin of Xperthealth is also part of the Public Health Collaboration