What week are you on?

[TheEditor]

Are you following the NHS Choices 12 week weight loss plan? What week are you on? Are you finding the plan easy to follow? Share the good and bad points about the plan.

[AnewMe]

Hi - I'm only on week one, day 3 of the NHS Choices 12 week weight loss plan and I am finding it really interesting and easy to follow! It's all the basics, things we should already know! Nothing complicated, just good advice with no gimics! I look forward to reading next week's tasks.

[bunblebeaz]

I'm on week 5 day 2.

> Are you finding the plan easy to follow: Yes, the main rules are clear and simple. No random units of food (ie 'points' or 'syn') to stick to either.

> Good points:

> Simple rules of 1400 cals per day plus 150 mins exercise per week

> Weekly diet/exercise chart is a good mental tool, makes you visualise your week, and you get a boost when you have done well. If you have not done well on one day you can compare to the rest and say 'oh well ...NEXT!'. Or see that although you may have overate by 150cals or so, the other few days you under ate by 50, plus you have done a lot of exercise, so you don't get so hung up about it.

> Nothing is banned - chocolate, crisps etc are still allowed but obviously have to be in moderation to fit in with the calorie limit

> Resources available for recipe ideas etc

> BMI calculator

> Self reliance - as there is no set meal plan, or food products to buy, it really makes you think about the food you are eating. My eyes have been opened with some foods, realising I WAS eating waaay too much of that food with my meal. This brings me on to...

> Ethos - A lifestyle change rather than a diet, and a food re-education.

> For strangers to exercise the resources for strength and flex c25k etc.

> This forum!

> Bad points:

> Took me so long to find the plan!

> Getting used to calorie counting (but once done its easy)

[2Bhappy]

Today (Friday) is the last day of my sixth week. I've lost 5 kg, and want to lose 2 more. This plan is perfect to me, and I intend to come back to immediately it in case that I gather 1-2 kg over my ideal weight.

[dush3003]

I'm on Slimming World, yesterday was my first weigh in and I'm 3.5lbs lighter yipee!

On the plus side I'm finding it much easier than counting calories and there's very little that you have to weigh/measure.

Don't think I have found any think I don't like about it up to now.

[Cheerfulone]

Day 3 feeling optimistic.

Good to know I am not alone in this.

I am setting a Stage Goal, a stone a a time.

I downloaded a calculator on iPad spent quite a while working out weight conversions!

Keep going.

[Hidden]

Hi Steve,

Week: I'm just starting my 8th week.

Plan: I kind of adapted the plan / wrote my own which was mainly based on just a) getting the rubbish out of my food intake (fatty, creamy, sweet and fried stuff) b) correcting super-size portions to human-size ones c) making better food choices and d) upping the exercise / activity. Oh and adapting a few things like how I cook some things.

Ease of following plan: I've found it much easier than I thought it would ever be! I'm really left with the notion of why didn't I do this years ago?

Good points: I now feel so much fitter. People have noticed the weight loss and ask me "Have you lost weight?". I carry my body weight much better. I walk (not waddle) better, I'm more flexible, have better stamina, run up and down stairs again, etc. etc.

I actually spend significantly less money on food! A tub of spread now lasts ages - I limit myself to two slices of bread a day. A pack of biscuits lasts ages - again two a day max. Hardly ever use the olive oil. Grate a tiny bit of chocolate onto fruit and zero-fat yoghurt, instead of stuffing myself with chocolate-covered snacks. Don't buy bottles/cans of fizzy drinks. Etc., etc. (The 'costs reduction' WAS an unexpected 'bonus'!)

Bad points? Well, none really. A bit of temporary inconvenience as I adapted to the new regime.

[bunblebeaz in reply to Hidden]

Haha, you know I was focusing on how good the plan was for your body and mind that I forgot the pocket and the best reason - its FREE! And yes, less money spent on crap food is not a bad thing.

[llb25]

I'm just starting week two tomorrow..... 2.5lb off for my first week and I've started exercising again which is helping me sleep better.

Using the Change for Life app and it's going down well at home!

[maimonica]

I am on week 2 now and have lost 2 lbs in my first week.

[fatshazslim]

day one of week one here. wish me luck folks x

[Gaylita]

I am on day 2. I'm using myfitnesspal.com to do the calorie calculations for me. I'll update when I have some results, either positive or negative

[sueper]

I am on week 13 but not following the 12 week plan at present. The reason for that is because I have a lot to lose. I hope to use the plan eventually when I am a bit lighter.

I am finding the support of this site and the posters really motivating though, so glad to be part of it.

Would love it though if we could get stickers on our profile (next to user name) for each stone we lose - just for a bit of motivation and so others can see how we are getting on and vice versa. Similar to the "I did it" sticker.