Hello everyone, Treecle here. First time I've posted since I joined the forum. On holiday in Portugal with my daughter. Beautiful place, people and wall to wall sunshine. Feeling my pain yet?! Plucked up the courage to sit by the pool alone, terribly self concious, everyone here is coupled/loved up. Never noticed before but nobody speaks to a woman on her own. Think people are afraid that you're either a raving predatory sex monster or a crashing bore. In my case probably a mixture of both. Still, a big girl takes what she can get! Please send me some love or its the sweet trolley for me. Chow
First holiday as a single parent, feel... - Weight Loss Support
First holiday as a single parent, feeling fragile, fat and frumpy.
![Treecle profile image](https://images.hu-production.be/avatars/c1ae9f587eb8d6413a8b37fbedc4a261_small@2x_100x100.jpg)
![Treecle profile image](https://images.hu-production.be/avatars/c1ae9f587eb8d6413a8b37fbedc4a261_small@2x_100x100.jpg)
Hello Treecle and welcome to the Weight Loss Forum
How lovely, a holiday in Portugal! But it must be difficult on your own, are there any other children your daughters age that you could strike up a conversation with the parents? Does the hotel offer any entertainment? The trick is to keep busy, swimming, walking etc You are doing really well 😊
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. 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
You enjoy your holiday to start with you are brave going with your daughter on your own. I did it myself a few years ago. I went to Spain. Don't worry about others and enjoy. Now it is second nature. Stay on this forum you will get a lot of support.
Enjoy the sun. Plenty of people don't have a partner with them. Enjoy the holiday and try not to be self conscious about it.
Thanks for your kind thoughts and responses. Means alot. I will leave the sweet trolley alone.😊
Although you may have endured a stressful period, particularly if you've recently become a single parent, a holiday in the sun may just be what you need, in order to revive a flagging spirit, hopefully allowing you to return home with a fresh perspective on what you wish to achieve for yourself going forward, alongside possession of a superb tan (be sure to moisturise with coconut oil, as it's fantastic for ensuring longevity of golden skin).
While you are on holiday, though, try not feel self-conscious, since nobody else around the poolside is aware of your current circumstances. To many, they'll probably view you as a caring and responsible parent, who is simply enjoying a sunshine break with her daughter and not how've you've described yourself.
If the hotel offers a kid's club that you can place your daughter in for an hour, for example, on the assumption that holiday finances allow and the hotel also benefits from one, take yourself off to the spa, to enjoy a mani/pedi, or other similar beauty treatment, as it'll hopefully allow you time to re-connect, in addition to improving self esteem.