Hi

[WoodstockL]

I'm new to this, so how does this work?

[IndigoBlue61]

Hello WoodstockL 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, 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. And if you just want to chat, to say hello or share any news or struggles then look out for What's Happening Today thread.

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

[EllaMidlands]

Hi, welcome! I hope you find the forum useful. Have you been trying to lose weight for long?

[blackbeauty99]

Hi and welcome WoodstockL

All the best with your weight loss journey

[Stevo5585 7lbs]

Hi WoodstockL, welcome to the site. The way it works is basically by calorie counting. You fill out your details in the BMI calculator here....

nhs.uk/Livewell/weight-loss...

It will give you a recommended calorie intake range based on the information you submitted. By consuming slightly less calories than your body requires to function on a daily basis it will 'make up' the shortfall by using stored energy, i.e. fat. This leads to the weight loss.

Of course there's a million different variables, calories come in all different forms, some more beneficial than others. Also activity levels, some Arctic explorers burn so much energy they take blocks of lard to add to all their meals, even their tea! That's because it's one of the most calorie dense foods you can imagine. However they may be burning 7-8000 calories a day in a hostile environment, so even with the lard diet they are losing weight. So activity levels are important too, putting your body to work so it burns more energy.

The 12 week plan gets you eating healthier options, making sure your body is getting the different nutrients it needs. Nothing is banned, you can have your cake and eat it, just make sure to count it in your daily allowance!

Some people turn out to be moderators, they can have a chocolate cake in the house and only have a little bit, some people are abstainers, no cake in the house or it will be consumed in it's entirety, with a bottle of wine to wash it down. We're all different, what works for me may not work for you.

The goal is to understand what your body needs to survive, what you need to survive (some of us can't live without wine!) and controlling your intake appropriately to achieve your goal.

The calorie counting is a pain at first but you soon get into it and it becomes second nature after a few weeks. There are lots of apps out there now that help a lot.

Good luck, it's a real supportive forum, the more you put in the more you will get out of it.

[RG07 Maintainer]

Like Steve5585 I am doing calorie counting adn currently maintaining after starting in january. However some poeple on the forum are doing 5:2 or variations of this diet- so either eat what they like for 5 days and reduced caloriesfor 2 days, or eat at set times of the day and specialist diet or on weight watchers/slimming world. I like to be able to eat what I like as long as I stick to my calorie allowance rather than restrict myself. Mentally I don't like to think I am on a diet I am just eating more healthily and in moderation and for it to work whatever you decide to do, it needs to become part of your lifestyle so it becomes sustainable rather than a chore.

good luck