Hi, i'm Becky and i'm joining for the first time on Newbies.

[becky3344]

Hi.

I am Becky, i'm a 47 year old woman.

If anyone has any advice about what how i can start on here, i would be very grateful to hear it.

Here is a summary of my current situation.

I've had a bad asthma flare up start of this year, which lasted 6 months. I was so many steroid tablets to help control my breathing, that i put on more weight from taking the tablets, and it also has made me borderline diabetic.

Also i had my first ever operation; on my knee. I have put on an extra 2 stone in weight over the last 2 years due to illness, medication, reduced activity, peri-menopause, and overeating.

My knee pain has diminished my level of enjoyment in life. As i can't go on long nature walks for the last 2 years. When i happened to get a medial meniscal tear in my knee from road cycling up a hill. I had a operation in May this year, but it's still not right.

I am able to go on my exercise bike, or go outside on my bike, i doesn't seem to effect it as much, but walking and driving are where the pain in my knee is the worse.

I'm thankful that i'm out of work at the moment, literally my job ended as my asthma attack started.

I don't think i'd be able to do a job like gardening this year, which is what i'd like to do, but not full time as my knee couldn't handle it. So i'm thankful that i am able to rest it a lot while i'm not working. But then i am being less active, and eating more, while i'm at home, and putting on more weight.

I saw a consultant 2 days ago about my knee pain still, and he has asked me to loose 1 or 2 stone. As that will help my knee pain he says.

So i really need to loose one or two stone.

I have heard people say, when eating food, try and chew each bite 25 times before you swallow. That way you are more mindful of your eating, and it slows you down from eating fast and then wanting to eat something else straight away after it.

And i read that it takes the body 20 mins to tell the brain that it's full. So that is another good reason to eat food slowly,...

I've only just been following that advice for the last 2 days. And i can see what they mean, it does make me more mindful of my eating habits. And it slows me down. I used to be a fast eater i would say. And it would then make me want to eat more straight afterwards.

I shall end it here.

Thank you for reading, and listening..

I look forward to progressing through this Newbie, weight loss NHS support group.

All the best,

Becky

[Marion_63]

Hi Becky. I have been on this journey for the last 3 weeks and you seem to have a lot going on. I would say just take one step at a time and you will get there. You have taken the first step by joining the Newbie Club. There is loads of information there to help.

My husband is in the same boat as you as regards his knees and trying to get around the way we used to together is a struggle.

Welcome to the group.

Marion.x

[becky3344 1st 7lbs in reply to Marion_63]

Thank you Marion for your reply and welcome. It is much welcomed.

Yes one step at a time, i just not sure which step to take first; at this stage.

I feel for you both trying to get around the way you and your husband used to.

I feel i need a plan.. Something to work towards.

Q1, Do you eat off smaller plates and bowls, in order to help you get used to eating smaller meals?

Becky.

[Marion_63 in reply to becky3344]

Hi Becky

Yes eating off smaller plates can work to help with portion size.

I use calorie counting as that works for me. I also try to plan some of my meals for following day and if it is possible to box them up I do.

Hope this helps.x

[becky3344 1st 7lbs in reply to Marion_63]

Hi Marion_63.

That's good that calorie counting works for you.

I did try calorie counting a few years ago, i meticulously i tried to count everything which i ate. I wrote it in a notebook, i kept it up for about 3 weeks. Then i ended up stopping.

I feel it's good idea to have an idea of how many calories are in foods, and i can then work out roughly what my calorie intake is.

I don't eat processed foods really, meat free vegan burgers, hot and spicy vegan burger that's it for the processed foods.

I have been eating lately a fair amount of slices of bread a day, and i have ice cream a day. And sometimes bake beans on toast for lunch and then cooked tea.

I am still chewing eat bite of food now try to chew 25 times before i swallow. It is definitely slowing my eating time down, and i'm more aware and savour and taste each bite.

I am unable to box food up in advance. The freezer is quite full lately. With loaves of bread, bread rolls and packets of frozen veg, ice-cream, chips, burgers. It all vegan.. But it is taking up the whole draws.

I tend to see what i feel like eating on the day, instead of planning in advance.

Are you finding this Newbie group helpful for you? Have you learnt new things, and gained advice and tips of what would help you?

Becky

[Marion_63 in reply to becky3344]

Hi Becky.

Yes I find the Newbie Club great for hearing other peoples experiences and being able to compare different ideas. I have tried lots of ways over the years to lose weight. I do try to eat healthy meals and mix things up a bit.

I don't pick out my meals in advance all the time but when I plan for next day I am not thinking about food all the time. Calorie counting for me is just a way of knowing what measures certain foods have, and it means it is easier to put meals together.

We tend to choose our meals say breakfast will be cereal or toast and egg. lunch something cooked like protein and two veg and tea time we tend to have a sandwich of some sort. I put in some fruit and nuts usually as snacks but tend to try not eating crisps and biscuits. That was a bit hard back then but I got used to not having them and don't really miss them. So really I know what to do but just need a little encouragement sometimes.

I did try the chewing so many times per mouthful. I like this forum because everyone has tried a different path to success and there is a method for everyone.

Hope you find a good way for you.x

[becky3344 1st 7lbs in reply to Marion_63]

Hi Marion.

Thanks for your reply. Chewing a mouthful lots of times, i'm finding when i'm hungry quite challenging.

But i definitely am aware of how many times i chew, and to be more mindful of my chewing habits.

Yes i can see how reading other peoples comments and hearing about their experiences. And gaining new and different tips might help in our quest to be more informative about loosing weight, and finding ways to do it which suit each other.

[Hidden]

Hi Becky

Please look at Moreless's reply to you in your post yesterday as it has all the information on how to get around the forum and other links for you to look at

Wishing you all the best

[becky3344 1st 7lbs in reply to Hidden]

Thank you Cracker 10. Yes i shall read Moreless's reply now. Thanks. Having read Moreless's message, i realise i had read it 2 days ago, when she replied to me on another page.

It does have links, which i did go on. I think because there is so many posts on here, it's hard for me to know best where to start.

Thanks for your post. It's welcomed.

[Vickiejane]

Becky, find a healthy way to lose. Remember it will take time to do change to be healthy. You can find chair exercises. My grandma garden all her life she lived to 89 she had a bad heart. Find ways todo like flower boxes planter to bring up on tables. Or sit on ground if there is a way you will find it. I didn’t start health journey till I was 61 I found a life way I don’t like diets. I find away to control my carbs for my diabetes which is in control. My blood pressure in control. My depression which I’m in control off of meds for it and close to being off diabetic insulin. My asthma is a lot better I’m off of the steroids now very few attacks but the cold weather is here I may have problem again mine was like yours. Give your self a goal on trying new things and for how long. Before you know it problems will be gone just by weight lost little by little. If things you can do not can’t. I’ve lost 180 in about 1 1/2 yrs. now I’m looking at how much I lost but I only have 70 more to go. I don’t look at time it will take. I dont set a goal on it. I’m not going anywhere soon. I don’t stand on the scale to much maybe once every few months I don’t want it to rule me on how I feel. I know what makes me happy. Learn new ways on eating and cooking. Learn how to cook things you don’t like so u give allyou can by change in life a new journey for your self learn how to make life happy one life is so short.

[becky3344 1st 7lbs in reply to Vickiejane]

Hello vickieJane thank you for your reply. i really appreciate it. I don't like diets either. I know it needs to be a way of life now i'm getting older and my metabolism is not what it once was.

Set myself goals.. I wonder what. I was going to say loose 3 lbs. But like you i think i would become a slave to the scales. And i'm not sure that is healthy for me.

I know when i feel lighter, as i feel it in my clothes. I have the big tummy situation. and getting a double chin.

I'm thinking of buying a smaller dinner plate and bowl, as that will make me put less food on it. I think that will be good practice for me, to eat smaller meals.

I must say going through peri-menopause has made me feel less motivated and energetic to do things like floor exercises.

I can motivate myself more to get on the exercise bike, but not to do the floor exercises for my knee, back, neck, hips. I think i have less room on the floor to do it on.

Q1. Can i ask you, do you eat much bread? And do you snake between meals?

That's great that you found a way to manage your carbs, with having diabetes. You are off your anti-depressants, that sounds good, and do you feel better for it?

And you are nearly off insulin for your diabetes. That all sounds positive and good going. Good for you.

Q2. Do you feel alot healthier and happier in yourself with all this happening to you?

Congratulations for loosing 180lbs; is that?

That is 12 stone..Nearly 13 stone.

Q3. That is remarkable.. Well done... I'm guessing that you feel like a new person? Without having to live with so much extra weight? Well done...

Q4. What new ways do you cook, if you don't mind me asking you? You don't have to tell me, if you'd rather keep it to yourself.

That's also great that your asthma has improved greatly, and that you are off steroids...

Thanks so much for saying hello, and telling me how things are for you, and for giving me some advice. It's much appreciated.

Becky.

[Vickiejane in reply to becky3344]

I live life my way now. I just change stuff when I cook I look at a recipe and change it to health ways and things I like. I may add veggies or spices. Right now I’m intodiced diced tomato’s so I’ve been adding it to things. Set your mind up to trying things. I put smoke turkey in my soup like wings just to put flavor in it but take it out when done. If you have problem eating veggies make a veggie soup and put a piece of turkey or small piece of beef or ham to change flavor. I do that in my beans and bean soup. Let you mind go wild when cooking not all my stuff turn out but I learn to change it so eat it and don’t do it that way again. I’m not a baker. No I don’t eat to much breads. But I will make a taco it the stuff in a bowel or in a Romain lettuce. I will eat lunch meat in lettuce ora slice of cheese. When I go out to breakfast or lunch I will get a white. Egg omelet with veggie no cheese.

[becky3344 1st 7lbs in reply to Vickiejane]

Changing recipes for a healthier option sounds a good thing to do.

I'm a vegan so i don't eat animals at all. I bought myself a smaller dinner plate, and it's working. When i think about cooking tea, i'm aware that everything i want to eat has to fit on the plate. I can tell after 4 days of eating off a smaller plate, but stomach doesn't feel as full as it used to. And because of it, i'm not feeling a hunger or desire to eat more during meals. I was a one for eating alot of bread, but i've noticed i limit myself to one slice of home baked bread a day, for the evening.

I do feel like my eating habits are more under control now, which feels i'm back in control again.

[Vickiejane in reply to becky3344]

Great job. When you see it wrote down it will tell you a lot. I’m turning more and more not eating animal stuff. There is a lot of different ways to eat. I try them. Now I find there is a lot of place you can pick up things made. Now.

[Vickiejane]

With dry wheat bread sometimes turkey bacon. Just make better choices. Once you start you will want to keep going. Yes I have two weeks of sugar blues but than sweets are to sweets for you. I’m 62 soon 63 I can eat anything I just change it to healthy way. If you think of food to much do something read a book, crafts, sit out side. Call someone to say hello . You will forget about food or eating. It just go away. But always journal so so you can see what you can change. Write what’s going on. How you feel than when you look back u can say gee I made it once or see what I have changed its only a few mins to do. Just remember you are great, you are strong, you are loved. My dog loves me any way and any time, and so are my family. We all have problem and will always but it’s how we handle them and what we do you are not alone there. Other make it so can you

[becky3344 1st 7lbs in reply to Vickiejane]

Yes i'm finding now, if i feel a food urge, i stop and say am i really hungry or am i doing it for comfort eating? And the answer comes back, comfort eating.

So i say, well i don't need to do that, i can do something else.. And so far it's working.

One thing i'm not doing at the moment, is making a record of what i'm eating each day, i'm not doing that.

I feel i will only do it for a while and then i'll stop doing it.

I'm not counting my calories either. But i'm wondering how many calories i am eating a day, as i have no clue really.

Yes the positive affirmations are a good thing to do, rather than getting the same feeling from eating. I'm glad you said that, as i feel it is important to remind ourselves that we are great, and that to love ourselves is so important.

Thank you for bringing that up.

[Vickiejane]

You are doing great but do keep a journal of your food. You can find a lot about your self when you do it. I found I can not eat dairy and strawberries. I found out what mood I’m in by what I go to food. How much I’m putting in my. Body. If I’m getting the right foods to keep my body going and to stay healthy. It also can help your doctors on your health. I keep track on spark it tells me a lot it bricks down my food in take