Hi everyone

[Scary1983]

I’ve just joined up as I’m desperate to find a way to lose weight without surgery. I’m 37 and have always battled the bulge. I love food and I use it as a reward, a comfort, to celebrate and when I’m sad!! I need motivation to stick with things and I find the support of others does help. I have MS which does mean exercise is difficult for me, but I need to do something about my size as it makes me feel so depressed. Any tips on sticking with things are much appreciated.

[Barcud 48kg]

Welcome aboard and you've made a great start coming here. I can't relate to your health issues but can to the comfort eating. I lost my weight by changing my diet not by dieting and exercise didn't come into it until I started walking after about 6 months. I have lost 8 stone by cutting out refined carbs, no bread, pastry cakes, sugar, pasta etc. and eating healthy fats which keeps me full and cuts out the carb cravings.

I'm sure someone from TeamAdmin , who are our wonderful volunteers, will be along shortly with some links for you to look at.

It may sound contradictory but do make sure you eat enough and there is no need to be hungry and you'll still lose weight. I wish you every success.

[Bee-bop Maintainer 2st 7lbs]

Hi Scary 1983,

I have cfs/me and so can relate exercise wise. I have been losing weight since November and that was without exercise but, I have been trying Yoga recently as physio gave me a few moves a couple of years ago. The thing with exercise and disabilities is that you can still do a little and it can help. Motivation and energy can be a bit more of a challenge! It has taken me ages to even be able to try a bit of yoga. Last time I went swimming, (a couple of years ago?) I took ten days to recover and I hardly swam! Cfs/me gives you exhaustion, brain fog, flu like symptoms and pain when you do too much. The physio stated I had to do much less and start slowly. So my advice would be not to worry about the exercise part until you feel you can try to do a little and then don't try an hours programme, aim for a couple of minutes to start with or a bit of a longer walk etc.

Weightloss wise, I was given 12 weeks free slimming world and as I was told I was pre-diabetic in November, decided to cut down on things like white potatoes, white rice, sugar and deep fried things and substituted with sweet potato, brown rice and things without added sugar . The SW plan helped me up my veg and fruit also. I am not endorsing it, just saying that it has helped me lose weight. I don't have scales at home but, had lost nearly two stones up to March and 10 inches off my waist. I am sticking with the plan and continue to loose so, I am happy with that.

Hope this helps

[moreless Administrator 7 stone]

Hi and welcome, Scary1983

Sometimes it's our food choices that make us prone to turn to them for 'hugs', have a look at this well.blogs.nytimes.com/2013...

As you've struggled with your weight for a while, these may also help healthunlocked.com/nhsweigh... healthunlocked.com/api/redi...

You may find some form of exercise here that you're able for healthunlocked.com/nhsweigh...

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.

If you haven't already taken it, here's a tour of the forum healthunlocked.com/?tour=true

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

[Lytham 3 stone]

Hello, I find low carb easy to stick to, the food is gorgeous! Would you like to join our weigh in? Here's the link, I hope to see you there! x

healthunlocked.com/nhsweigh...