2017: worst year of my life

[lucyfitzpatrick]

Hi, I'm lucy and I'm 18. This year has honestly been the most derpressing and life changing year of my life. I was at the Manchester arena attack and it has changed my liver forever. The months after the attack and still to this day, I went into a spiral of depression that I couldn't see my way out of. Every minute was spent thinking of that night. Along with the trauma came a huge increase in my weight. For 2018, I want to break the spiral and become me again...any tips x

[Bernieis8]

Hullo

What a difficult time you have had

All your problems are just what terrorists hope for aren't they

Killing your spirit even if you escaped physically

I hope there has been professional help available for you to help you regain your life

This forum is very supportive and realistic

Can you find one thing to do to help yourself to live a healthier life

Then do it

An Administrator will give you an official welcome and advice

I hope you will feel strong enough to follow it

All the very best for the new year

[Tiggerr in reply to Bernieis8]

Nice reply Bernieis8 very thoughtful.

Am I right that you have already reached your goal. Just thought you might like a badge of one sort or another

[Bernieis8 in reply to Tiggerr]

Hullo Tiggerr

I lost 2 stone in a year and now I am maintaining

Well working on it

Rely on this forum for reminders of how I need to keep keeping on

[Tiggerr in reply to Bernieis8]

That's great news about your loss and that you're managing to maintain.

Totally with you on needing the reminders that this forum offers. I'd be the usual wreck of myself if it wasn't for here.

If you ever want a badge, just ask for one in What's Happening. You could have Maintenance, Healthy BMI, 2 Stone or possibly the lot together. Of course, you don't have to have a badge at all, definitely your choice.

Happy New Year

[BridgeGirl Administrator 2 stone in reply to Bernieis8]

A lovely first reply to Lucy

[YellowRose55]

Hi lucyfitzpatrick and welcome to the weight loss forum.

Sorry to hear about your terrible time you have had and I hope you have been able to get some support to help you deal with how you are feeling. There is lots of support here for your weight loss.

You are invited to join our Newbie Club, where you can meet other new members who are just beginning their weigh loss journeys too. Here's the link for all the information you will need to find your way around the forum:

healthunlocked.com/nhsweigh...

Write a brief note to introduce yourself to other newbies and I'm sure you'll be making friends, in no time.

Good luck with your first week.

[Hidden]

Hi and welcome!

[MrNiceGuy]

I’m so sorry to learn that you were caught up in and witnessed the atrocities of the Manchester Arena attack, Lucy.

While we may try to appreciate that which you must have endured, unless present ourselves, we’ll never truly understand what you went through that evening.

To some degree, we do understand and appreciate your current state of mood, particularly since traumatic events often breed feelings of intense anger, distrust and uncertainty, not least when we have very little control or influence over those acts that may have gone before, as we begin to obsess and fixate upon that of hindsight.

I’m sure that you’ve been told on many occasions since that you simply have to move on, remaining thankful that your own life is in tact and that you lived to ‘tell the tale’. The reality of such, however, is so much different, particularly since the events of that May evening will have undoubtedly altered your outlook and perception upon life itself.

Although the events of that evening will undoubtedly remain with you, no doubt shaping your character, with increasing age, you’ll hopefully discover a way to understand and control your emotions.

Don't be afraid to continually express emotion, though, since those closest to you will understand, even if they don’t wholly appreciate what you endured.

In the proceeding months since, you’ve simply sought solace and comfort in food, attempting to come to terms with what you witnessed that evening, not least the sense of grief, even if your and friends/family did safely emerge from the arena.

Given your age, since your body is still developing, I wouldn’t necessarily embark upon anything too drastic when it comes to reducing the excess that may have been accumulated over the past few months.

By reducing the consumption of simple/refined carbohydrate (cakes, sweets, pastries) and increasing levels of physical activity, whilst maintaining a modest calorie deficit of up to 300Kcal per day, you should find that excess adipose tissue begins to reduce.

As a runner of over 20 years, I’d whole-heartedly recommend the activity, since it allows thoughts and concerns to be processed.

By simply concentrating upon placing one foot in front of the other and nothing else, upon finishing, you’ll hopefully enjoy greater clarity of thought, whilst gradually improving levels of fitness.

If the thought of running is of interest, visit the C25K forum on HU, since the plan can be downloaded, taking you from week 1, through to week 9 and beyond.

Moreover, there are members of HU who frequent both the Weight Loss and C25K forums.

[Hidden in reply to MrNiceGuy]

Lovely reply x

[Cat33 Restart Dec 2023 in reply to MrNiceGuy]

Fabulous reply you definitely deserve the user name Mr Nice Guy 👏

[BridgeGirl Administrator 2 stone in reply to MrNiceGuy]

Lovely, kind and thoughtful

[Tiggerr]

Some heartfelt and thoughtful responses there Lucy and I can't add more than they've said.

I hope you can find some of the help you're looking for here. Come regularly and you'll find that moving towards a healthy lifestyle can be enjoyable as well as beneficial.

Follow the link that YellowRose has provided you and try to find time to read through everything, especially the NHS 12 week plan which many of us have followed to good effect.

I hope you can find the peace that you are looking for.

[OliveOyl]

Welcome Lucy. I am so sorry to hear you were caught p in the atrocity that happened in May and hope you find peace

Good luck with your weight loss

[xvanillaskyx]

Hi Lucy 👋 I think your so sensible to want to take control of your weight, becoming a healthier individual is something we can all do for ourselves and is possibly the best gift you can give to yourself.

In a world where so much is out of our control healthy eating is something we can all focus on and be in complete control of.

I’m sending you a really big hug 🤗 I know you’d much rather that terrible experience be erased yet I hope over time the memory becomes more distant x

[SlimmerSue62]

Hello and welcome 😊

[Copperbird]

*hug* Welcome and good luck with the weight loss. The 12 week plan gives really good tips - keeping a food diary has really helped me keep on top of things.

At 18, every year is going to be a lifechanging experience - so I hope this next year to come can be the one that turns things around for you. What a terrible experience you had this year; I remember the excitement of going to gigs as a teenager and hope that music can still be a help to you.

But coming here is a sign that you're ready to start moving forward. Good luck, we're all with you.

[Hidden]

So sorry to hear of the sadness you've been struggling with I hope 2018 becomes a better year I also remember concerts and shows as a teenager and the enjoyment. Remember now is the time to reach out for the good people in life there is lots of support on here and I hope you have at home too. My daughter turns 18 next year and as a mum I know it can be a a difficult age my daughter has put on a few llbs in the last few months and I'm trying to be strong to help her although my older son who is a qualified personal trainer maybe better for the both of us

Big hugs for new year and what ever age we are we can get there xx

[Cat33 Restart Dec 2023]

Oh Lucy what a terrible ordeal you went through being in the Manchester attack I'm so so sorry

It's still early days for you so please don't try to rush things We are all on here to help you with your weight and you will get loads of support with that and we do listen to emotional issues too and help each other out

I hope that day by day you will be able to get better and get back to the old you before this terrible event Be kind to yourself and I hope you have a good support network remember you are never alone

I'm sending you huge hugs xxx

[BridgeGirl Administrator 2 stone]

Hello Lucy and welcome.

None of us who haven't had an experience like yours can truly understand how it has been for you, but describe the impact very well. It sounds as though you are now gathering the strength to take your life back into your own hands, and I wish you well.

As for tips, take it slow and steady, and be kind to yourself

[Claz]

I'm really sorry you have had to go through such an experience and send a big hug to you.. I have kids of my own and don't even want to imagine how this must have felt.. I'm not going to even try to give any advise on how to get over such an experience but can give the following weight loss tips...

1 - Make sure your head is ready to lose weight now - I find setting a date to start really helps me focus and get ready for success.

2- Start an exercise that you enjoy.. I love swimming and it makes me feel good afterwards and stops me wanting to eat the bad stuff ! or as MrNiceGuy said try running.

3 - Gradually start cutting the sugar & refined carbs out of your diet - don't deprive yourself totally else you will crave them.. just start to cut things out each day and take 1 day at a time

You've come to a very supportive forum here and there is always someone here to give you a cheer or hug when you need it. good luck x

[Hidden]

Welcome to the forum lucyfitzpatrick . So, so sorry you have had to go through the trauma of the Manchester arena attack. I can't begin to imagine how that feels. Wishing you well for 2018 and sending you (((hugs))).💐🌸💟❤

[lucyfitzpatrick]

Thank you so much everyone for the kind messages. I've only just recovered my password and so haven't been able to reply till now! Such kind words and great advice, thank you for giving me so much motivation for my journey!!!!

[xvanillaskyx in reply to lucyfitzpatrick]

You are most welcome and I wish you lots of luck 🍀😊