newbie yo-yo-er

[unlikelyrunner]

Hi,

I recently found the couch 2 5k forum, which is a great source of support and inspiration, so I've hopped over here for what is, in fact, my greater challenge.

I'm in my mid-40's and have done three 3-4 stone yo-yo's in the last 15 years. I know the highs of losing weight and the lows of gradually seeing it creep back on again. I've never been down to an official healthy weight - the best I did was about half a stone above a BMI of 25.

When I have been in weight loss phases I'm strict, motivated and don't find it difficult to stick to the rules (first time Slimming World, second time a hybrid of Rosemary Connely and my own low-GI/fitness regme, third time Weight Watchers). These phases each lasted about a year and I felt amazing. When I'm not in one of these phases I don't think about what I'm eating at all. I'm not particularly a binger, and my diet is relatively healthy (plenty of fruit, veg and wholemeal stuff), I just eat too much and end up gaining about 1-2lb a month.

I quite enjoy exercise - I'm in week 6 of the couch to 5K programme, cycle a bit, swim a bit, play a bit of tennis etc. I should do more structured exercise, but physical activity is not really the problem.

I would love nothing more than to find a way to lose weight and maintain it. I find it really hard to find the motivation to get back on the wagon having done it 3 times and failed to maintain.

Help!

[YellowRose55]

Morning unlikelyrunner

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. 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.

Have a good first week.

Rose

[Hidden]

Maintaining is a massive part of weight loss! We have a monthly catchup for maintainers on the first sunday of every month, and all share our woes there! Some carry on calorie counting, some catch small weight gains before they turn into big ones and swiftly reverse them, some seem to have found the "magic formula" through re-training their sense of what's healthy and "enough". I think the main thing is to continue to have support and remain accountable. I hope you're encouraged that this forum provides after care and good luck And by the way I also did couch to 5k first before joining this forum. There are lots of us in fact 🏃🏃🏃

[unlikelyrunner in reply to Hidden]

Thanks very much RCR - that is good to know. I think part of the problem is that I've never actually got down to a weight that felt like it was something to maintain - I just stopped losing weight. It's all in our heads isn't it...

[Hidden in reply to unlikelyrunner]

Yep it's a big psychological battle too. I suggest setting other goals apart from the number on the scale. I'm stuck at a bmi that swings slightly above or slightly below 25 - so in shoes at the docs I'm still overweight. But I achieved all the other goals - size 12 jeans, waist size, feeling healthy, being much more in control. And crucially not regaining. And still running