Hi, I'm a newie.

[looking_up]

Had a scare 3 weeks ago when my blood pressure had hit 200/100 despite regular meds.

Migraines increased in last 5 months

46 year old dad of 4.

Morbidly Obese.

Arthritis in spine (Ankylosing Spondylitis) since late teens.

Battling depression for 25 years

Food is a comfort and a way of celebrating.

Despite making some positive changes like walking & stopping caffeine, feel daunted and really scared that I will fail again.

Trying to walk "briskly" but getting paralysing pain in lower to mid back. Wondering if anyone else gets this and if there's much benefit of walking slowly?

Food is a comfort and a way of celebrating.

[moreless Administrator 7 stone]

Hi and welcome, looking-up

My advice would be to start slowly and gradually build up. Any type of movement has to be better than sitting on the couch.

It may be that cycling, or swimming would be better, less painful ways for you to exercise?

Take a look at the Pinned posts section to the right of your screen (bottom if you're using a mobile), or in the drop down on the 'Posts' page (it says 'arrange by'). 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 NHS 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 a weigh-in every day of the week and you'd be very welcome to join one of them. The threads can always be found in the Events section, to the right of the HOME page, bottom on a mobile.

We also run a Daily Diary, where we share our meal and exercise plans for the day. It's a great place to get ideas and to keep us focused. The link can also be found in Events.

Be aware, 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

[Maggy1947]

food is definitely a comfort - I wish I had an answer for you, an alternative to food, but I don't. However, maybe write down each time you eat something that isn't particularly healthy and see why you need comforting at that particular time... it might help - you might be able to deal with the reason later that day or week.

I have high blood pressure - and I say walking slowly is better than no walking. I used to be able to jog but now take beta blockers for tachycardia and therefore can't push my heart rate up but I walk nearly every day. It maybe doesn't help to lose weight if its slow, but an hour out in the fresh air and standing upright instead of sitting all the time is definitely beneficial. OK it won't give that 'feel good factor' like it would if you could walk a couple of miles in 12 minutes, but its not a bad way to start.

Lots of us are just starting on this programme so I'll wish you luck and perseverance - and me too - actually luck doesn't come into it - but persevering at something does!

[Hidden]

Well the good news is that losing weight is much more to do with calorie reduction and although exercise is important, it's not vital for weight loss. If you follow moreless' advice, and spend some time getting to grips with the 12 week plan, this would be a fantastic start. Stay in touch with people on here for support and advice, and we will help in whatever way we can. We've all been there, to a greater or lesser extent, and so we know what challenges you are facing. Good luck!😊

[DTtech1]

Hey looking_up,

I get where you are coming from.

I'm a newbie here too!

I'm very obese and migraines are steadily increasing for me too.

I have an acetabular labral tear and some days walking is like there is burning in my hip joint, other days like a knife in my groin and some days totally fine!!! I have two kids and work full time in a fairly physical job. Needless to say most nights I'm utterly knackered.

I also use food (and wine😬) as a comfort and then pass out from exhaustion early evening.

Because of my weight they won't operate on my hip and I need to lose weight.

I'm trying, it is bloody hard and I don't have a huge amount of motivation and exercise is a difficult one due to the pain.

I don't have any advice as I'm at the start too but I just wanted say that I hear you and totally get where you are coming from. It is hard and it will get harder I fear.

Good luck!

[Debs2510]

Hi looking_up and welcome to this incredible forum.

This time last year I put 2 discs out in my lower back and had to walk (with 2 walking sticks) by moving right foot forward then bringing left foot up to it (couldn't get it in front of right one) then I had to rest for a minute before I could take another step.

I got an activity tracker and when I started I was struggling to walk 100's of steps now I can walk normally (still with sticks at the moment) and I average between 6,000 and 6,500 a day now, nearly a week's worth lol.

So just build it up slowly as trying to do it too quickly will cause you too much pain. Swimming is brilliant as you weight is supported in the water and even if you can't swim walking in the water is really good as weight is off joints.

Check NHS BMI calculator and make sure that you have enough calories a day as otherwise body goes into starvation mode and stores every single calorie it can. I know I made that mistake

Read as many posts as you can as fantastic way to get helpful tips and if you post loads that helps too. Hard to type and eat at the same time lol

Hope this helps

Debs