Hi. I’m a middle aged mum working as a pioneer minister in the Church of England. Busy life, busy family and bad habits everywhere! I’d love help and support to throw some of these off and change my eating habits in particular.
I’m pretty active as we have a springer spaniel, but as I say my eating habits are poor.
What have you found most helpful in making changes?
Hi and welcome, SingForHope 
The thing that made all the difference for me, was this healthunlocked.com/nhsweigh... which is supported by this phcuk.org/wp-content/upload... and, of course, this wonderful community.
All of the information you need about the forum can be found in Pinned Posts healthunlocked.com/nhsweigh... and I hope you'll be joining all the Events, Challenges and Clubs that we run, especially a weigh-in and the daily diary.
We've found active participation to be key to successful weight loss and, of course, it's a good way to get to know people, find inspiration and share support and encouragement.
Wishing you all the best
Thanks Moreless. I’m gonna give it all a go.
Good for you!
Hi and welcome!
I'd say the most helpful thing for me was starting small and starting with small changes. Lots of small changes add up over time and aren't as overwhelming as 'drastic diet measures'. When I started, I told myself that one meal a day I would make healthy swaps.
Once the healthy swaps for one meal a day became a habit, I started swapping out unhealthy snacks for healthier ones.
Once I got used to healthier ingredients in all my meals I started focusing on portion sizes, again reducing it only for one meal a day and allowing myself to stay in my comfort zone for the remaining two meals. Then, as I adjusted to that I changed portion control on my other meals too, etc. etc.
Eventually I got really into low carb lifestyle and that's what I've stuck with. It wasn't where I started though
best of luck and may you find all the advice you need on this forum
Thankyou for the sense of optimistic realism. Step by step feels like my little motto just now.
Terrific post. Thanks
Step by step for me too, making small changes that add up. And this forum! I’m on here most days, and have to say it’s wonderful for weight loss support 😊
Thankyou. Look forward to chatting.
Hi there I'm a curate in the CofE so can imagine how busy you are and how tricky it can be to find a balance between family and ministry. I've found trying to have regular meals difficult because of the irregular hours but for me what works is using the NHS 12 week plan and writing down my calories. If I don't see it written down I lose my way very quickly 😦 Wishing you every success, this forum is brilliant for support 😁
Thanks Bookworm. Yep curacy was super tough! Glad I’m through that....
Thanks for the encouragement....I think I might try a food diary as I think I can kid myself that I’ve not eaten as much as I actually have.
Hi and welcome best thing I did was come on here after starting the 12 week NHS plan and you've made a good start coming on here.
Secondly I'd say take it slowly 1 or 2 lbs a week the way to go and it's more likely to stay off if make healthy decisions.
Set yourself small acheivable goals and give yourself non food related treats on the way. Good luck.
Do you know what plan going to use? If calorie counting check your allowance on NHS BMI calculator and eat to top end of it then got wiggle room when start loosing or if not loosing to start with
Hello and welcome SingforHope.
When you have a busy life and lots of demands on your time from everyone its easy to forget your own needs. Obviously the main role of your job is the care of others, but do remember you have needs too. Take a bit of time each day to write your food diary and how you feel. Give yourself some self care and you will feel so much better and have more energy to help others. Wishing you all the best.
Another Newbie here 
Another newbie!
Hopeful newbie
