So I have just returned from our family holiday in Corfu, although I know I have been putting on weight for some time I really wasn't that concerned, until; I had been playing volley ball in the pool with my Kids (16 and 14 years of age) and I got out to sit around the pool to soak up the sun, when I did this I started looking around and I became conscious of how many other men around me were overweight, and I actually silently judged them (in my mind) as to how they could let themselves go like that. Although I am fit, strong, and healthy for my age reality hit me square in the face as I got up and walked passed the glazed doors of the pool bar and saw my reflection, was that really me with exactly the same beer belly as the guys, and I had not realized just how large my upper body proportion had become to that of what remains of my muscular footballers legs. I was shocked and for the rest of the Holiday was very self conscious of the (Fat) shadow I left around me, I also realised that two years ago the heat didn't effect me, but this year I was constantly perspiring uncontrollably something has to be done. So now I'm back home and I don't want to continue this way so I have downloaded the 12 week plan and I will study it over the weekend with the intention of starting from scratch on Monday. God help me as I've been desk bound at work for the last 7 years and I know it's not going to be pleasant, but I've got to do it.
Has anyone got any tips if they were in the same position and didn't quite know how to get going? don't get me wrong the motivation to lose weight is blatantly obvious to me now, but its just taking that first step which is daunting.
Sorry for the ramble on but it's the first time I've ever spoken/written about my weight. I'm 5ft 11inch tall and weigh in at 15 stone 12 Lbs,I know I'll never get back to the racing snake I was at 33 years old of 11 stone but I need to get down to at least 13st asap and then work on the fine tuning after that.
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NinjaW78
4lbs
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I think we have all felt the way you did on holiday at some time and that is what as brought lots of us here so your not alone.
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. Take your measurements at the start together with a photo so you can see the changes on the days the scales don't move.
Below the Pinned posts are the Topics where members share a range of weight related subjects.
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.
We have daily weigh in's 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.
You may notice that members have a grey box next to their name, these are achievement badges. All new members have a "newbie" badge to begin with.
Please note if you are using the new HU app it does not have all the forums features on it, so we suggest you use the full website version.
To get the most of the forum be active, share tips, recipes and experiences. Read some of the posts they are very motivating.
Thanks for the welcome, and I'm not using a mobile I'm on my lap top so have the full down load, I can see the pinned posts you mention.
I have checked the BMI and it's not good reading I almost feel that I should be in a mobility scooter based on what its results are, yet I am physically fit???; it states that my healthy average weight should be between 9st 3lbs-12st 7lbs (so I'm 3st 5lbs over my top end weight) and my BMI is a whopping 31.8 'OBESE' Like I said I will review the plan with my family at the weekend.
I know getting on the scales and first realising what you weigh can be a shock but just remember it's only a number and you are doing something about changing it. There is a lot of support here on the forum so have a good look around and feel free to join in with one of the daily weigh in's and any of the challenges as they help us stay motivated.
Any questions just shout out and if the admin team can't answer it then someone on the forum will. I have followed the nhs12 week plan for just over a year now and have lost 5st 3lbs so it does work well.
A few things: first, ignore the BMI. It is a very blunt tool that does not take into account body type, particulary in men. My BMI still classes me as Overweight even though I am now 10 percent bodyfat.
Secondly, I would rethink the goal of getting to 13st "ASAP". If you lose scale weight too fast you wll be losing lean muscle mass as well as fat, and no one wants to be skinnyfat.
thirdly, work out a sustainable long term plan that you can stick to, for food and exercise, and just get to it. You mentioned that you are quite fot so I gues you already do some exercise. Have alook at how that can support your goals and how you could improve it. I am a keen advocate of lifting heavy 3 or 4 times a week and a bit of cardio inbetween. But everyone is different. What works for you is king, be it distance running, football or (god forbid) cycling.
Thanks for the advice, I am an aircraft engineer by trade, however due to promotion a few years ago now sit behind a desk most of the day. But I do keep myself active in my garage working on projects like Motorcycles, ride on mowers, anything that needs repairing, and general DIY so my activity is constant at home, as for running and cycling, that's why god invented the internal combustion engine so that I don't have to do that I have to admit my son plays football for our local team and they had a Dads V sons match, in reality I think that this was when I first realised I had a weight issue because my knees we in agony after for days mind you I am 55 now so aches and pains are a daily part of life.
Where to start? The first step is to realise - I've got a problem. Next you need to change things step by step. The NHS plan focus every week on the next step. They tell you exactly what to do. For support you have us! Keep the end goal where it should be, at the end. Each week you set a small attainable goal that can be measured and reached. Good luck. The whole family is going to enjoy all the beautiful colors and tastes from your new lifestyle.
Hi NinjaW78 welcome to the forum, you've made up the forst steps, you've done your homework and joined in..
My advice would be, the more you log into the forum, the more you will get out of it, either by posting a query or subject that's of interest, or reading and joining in with others.
Wishing you success towards your goals, sounds like you have a supportive family as your discussing this with them over the weekend..
HI I found with the NHS 12 week plan I didn't have to change my diet that drastically I just had to adjust how much I ate and also reduce my alcohol and crisps intake- I have a savoury tooth rather than a sweet tooth. I found that my alcohol intake had gradually increased so I was having a glass of wine every day, then I I had 2 alcohol free days then I decided if I was at work I would not drink any alcohol and now some weeks I don't have any and if I do its only one glass. Its used to a large one (250mls) now its often 175mls but only if it fits in with my calorie allowance for the day. I'm a vegetarian (though eat fish) so soya and quorn have less calories than meat so its a bit easier I think for me to keep in with my daily allowance. You can either stick to the 1900 or the lower range recommended by the NHS calculator for your weight and current activity to get within healthy BMI. Though as Rignold states its a rough estimate- I remember on a programme once The Olympic rower Cracknall was classed as obese- but it was due to all his muscles. So maybe use the BMI as a rough guide to working out approximate weight and calorie allowance but then look at yourself in the mirror and see what you feel happy with- even if it is a higher BMI than th 25 recommended- no use making yourself feel miserable since you will not stick to whatever weight loss plan you are using. Also measure various parts of your body- calf, thigh, hips, waist, chest and mid upper arm once a month and just see how they change, so even if you have a few weeks when you don't loose weight you may be loosing cm or inches in various parts of your body. Good luck
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