Hello everyone... long journey ahead!

Healthy2010

Gold Member
Hello everyone,

I have been searching for a site like this, to help me on my long weight loss journey.. it looks like a great place to be.

A bit about me..
I am 33 and currently live in Derbyshire, I have always been a little overweight but maintained a relatively active life, whilst at Uni, the little became a lot overweight (19st)! The misery of being overweight, and my inability to recognise the need for change led me to focus solely on my successful career in banking, but long hours and little movement from my desk led to worse eating habits and more weight gain(26st). At that weight, nothing in life is simple, I felt like life had become inaccessable as everything was either too far to walk, no parking near, nothing to wear and general fear of things like a chair being too small to fit my ample bottom!

So after 10 years in a job I loved, I asked for redundancy, as I knew that I would never do anything about my weight whilst in the job. Over the years, I have missed out on so much as my weight held me back, I didnt want to admit it to myself, and used work as the perfect excuse to get out of social occasions and I'm sorry to say I lost a very close friend as they thought work was more important than them. Luckily, I was given redundancy and since the day I left my one goal is to be healthy! I plan to not work for 12 months and focus solely on changing my lifestyle and getting fit.

I started my diet in March and used a diet that a friend gave to me years ago, from something called (Dietline slimming magazine club). I don't think its around anymore, but the principles are just based around calorie counting. I have 1200 K per day and so far the weight loss has been good. I am a bit scared of going to a slimming club due to my size, and fear that everyone there will be a size 12 looking to be a size 10 (probably irrational i know).

Anyway, today I have hit my 4 1/2 stone loss milestone and the difference to my life is immeasureable. I can now go shopping, I walk the dog, I have more energy, my asthma is under control and I feel a bit like my old self again. I have a very long journey to my target, but I am absolutely determined that I will and have to get there.

As I am quite embarrassed about my weight, I dont really confide in any of my friends and family about my diet and consequently I end up trawling the internet for tips and recipes and inspiration to keep me going.. I'm hoping that this forum will become my new companion on the long journey ahead!

I have rambled on long enough, but its probably the most honest I have ever been about my feelings towards my weight .. even with myself so this place is obviously a good place to be!

Thanks for having me everyone, and I look forward to getting to know you all a bit better:)
 
Wow!! you are definitely on the right track. There's no need to be embarrassed on here as we are all in the same boat and support each other without judgement but with humour and advice (if you want it). Have a look around the site and you will see for yourself how much we have all struggled but by being on here we find a place where we can talk about anything, have a laugh and lose weight at the same time.

Have fun in your journey I'm sure I will see you in other post soon.
R x
:welcome2:
 
Many, many congrats on the weight loss so far! You have done amazingly well and you should be proud of your achievement to date. I wish you every success, hope to see you around x
 
Hello, and welcome. I am new myself and have already found lots of interesting things on the boards to keep me motivated. I have a long way to go but i am concentrating on this a day at a time.

All the best and good luck

Donnaxx
 
Thanks everyone for your kind messages, it's a really good feeling to know there are others out there going through the same thing. All your words of encouragement mean a lot to me and I hope to be as supportive and welcoming to others as you have been to me.

XX
 
Hello there, you sound really determined. I hope that i can be the same. I am determined now on the first day but know that i will flag abit on the way. Thats where you guys come in i hope.
I wish there was someone who was living a bit closer to me so we could do some walking together etc.
I did it for about 7 months last year and lost 44lbs in that time. But then i just lost interest, even though i could feel the difference.
I also avoid social situations. I miss out on parties, weddings get togethers, all things like that. Haven't lost any friends over it cause i only have a few and they are understanding.
Keep in touch, we can help each other.
 
Hi Slim,

I think we all have days where we struggle, I find on those days that I either make myself go for a walk or go to bed! Or I get photos out of me that I hate and that usually shocks me back to a determined mental state! The other thing I do in the evenings straight after dinner is brush my teeth and use mouthwash, somehow this stops me wanting to snack on things in the evening. Now I've joined up here, I too am hoping that it helps to keep me motivated on the bad days.

It's good you have a supportive friends, and walking is a great way of gently starting to exercise, I got a puppy back in March which has forced me to walk every day. Maybe if you know someone who has a dog you could offer to walk it for them. Well done on your previous weight loss, that should give you confidence that you can do it again. Focusing on one day at a time and setting mini goals has helped me.

When do you plan to weigh yourself? I have found it really helpful to stick to once a week (Thursday) and I go to Boots as the scales are more accurate than mine and I have a printed record each week. Also I make sure I haven't eaten or drank anything and wear similar clothing.

Hope your day is going well let me know how you're going on, hopefully we can swap tips!
 
My friend that has set the diet up for me recommends a daily weigh at the same time every morning after you've done your business etc. Then you can see if you have put on weight and see what you do did wrong the day before or the day before that i think she said. So i have been weighing myself for the last 3 days and i've lost everyday. So things are off to a good start.
I had thought about a puppy but i don't really like leaving them on their own all day. Plus i don't think my 13 year old cat would be too happy. And i
refuse to put a lead on her and walk her around the block before you suggest that!!
Thats a good idea about brushing your teeth after dinner. That was probably my downfall because i read for a good hour or so before i sleep and i like to munch crisps or sweets etc. Am having special k before bed now.(That stuff is really nice, never tried it before)
Have you tried "myfitnesspal"? Its great for keeping record of your food and tots up the cals, carbs, fat, protein etc.
 
Slim,

Congratulations on the weight loss!!! Thats fantastic you have done really well, you must be so pleased. Is that after just three days? You're a weight loss machine!

I have never tried weighing myself daily, but it makes sense that you can see how the previous day went and make corrections as you go. Maybe I should try that too..

Whats up with walking the cat? Slow pace to start with, if anyone asks just say its a rare breed dog!

I like special K too, I'm currently loving rice cakes with laughing cow 20 cal cheese triangles piled with salad so filling and low on cals.

Have you seen Dave's blog under the diary section, his pictures are awesome and a real motivation!
 
I had homemade veg curry and prawns last night and cause i made so much i kept half back without prawns and had 2 salmon fillets with it today.
I love my salmon fillets. They do wild alaskan frozen fillets in tesco at the mo for £4.50 for 6. I need 2 for a meal, so its not too expensive.(especially for wild salmon)

Well, i ordered my goggles online yesterday and am off to the bigman shop at the weekend to buy some swim shorts, then gonna start swimming next weds.
Gotta build the confidence to be almost naked in front of people who are much slimmer. Do you swim? I love the water and really miss it.

I've actually lost 9lbs since Sunday, i know it goes off quickly at first and then slows down, but i am savouring these first few weeks. Maybe savour is the wrong word.:p

How are you doing this week? Have you hit the "is it worth it" point?

Oh yeah, Daves blog is amazing. I actually took a photo of myself on Sunday with just shorts on and needless to say i was sort of ashamed. I am about the same build as Dave so i know i can it as well.
 
Wow slim 9lbs is absolutely fantastic !!! Yes, weight drops quicker at the start, but that doesnt detract from the fact that you have to be really good still to make it happen! So big pat on the back for you, you have done brilliantly!

I havent reached the 'is it worth it' stage yet, and I'm praying if I do, the answer will be a resounding 'yes'! So far, I just don't feel that I have any option, I have to do this as my life needs to change. I am really trying not to see this as a diet, more just a change of lifestyle and I am now going to be healthy. So really there isnt an end to my journey, it just has be the new way of life. Hopefully, I can maintain that mindset, if I don't I'm screwed!

I love salmon too, and that is a mighty good deal, my favourite meal at the moment is smoked haddock, 80/90 cals per 100g baked in the oven with one cal spray and some dill and lemon... yummy!

Swimming is amazing, i miss it very much! Its great you are diving back in .. so to speak! Dont worry about other people, jusy get yourself in and get going you'll feel great afterwards and once the first session is out of the way, every other one will be easier. Let me know how it goes. I'm going on holiday for three weeks at the beginning of August so my cozzie will have to come out of its deepest darkest hole! Not overly looking forward to it I must say, especially as the friends I'm going with will be in dental floss bikinis! However, it must be done and I'll feel better after the first day... plus brown fat looks better than white fat, so I'll focus on that instead. When i get back from hols, I will make myself go to the local pool and start swimming again as Ill be used to having it all hanging out by then I suppose.

Its a good step to take photos at the start of your weight loss, and keep them to hand to motivate you when youre having a weak moment. Just think, your perfect body is in there waiting to get out, and after 9lbs loss youre on your way! Dont be ashamed, maybe think of it as that was the old you, and you won't go back there again. Have you measured yourself yet? Its another good way to track each week, I only did this in May which is a shame as I dont know my measurements from back in March when I started. However, I can still seem massive changes which is such a motivation.

Its my weigh in day tomorrow, really hoping its a good one, I have no idea though as I have thrown my own scales out to stop me peeking! Maybe I should get some more though as like you said, at least you can keep an eye on how your doing through the week. Just scared of obsessing if my weight fluctuates during the week and it demotivates me... will think about it a bit more..

Hope you have a good day tomorrow
x
 
ps Are you going to start a diary on the other forum? I have started one as I think it will help!
 
Well done Healthy2010.You are doing really well.Reading everyones post is helping me to stay on track and keep focussed.Thank you
Cathy
 
Thanks Catthin, Its great on here, a really positive, supportive place to be. All the best with your weight loss, before you know it you will be at you goal weight!

Starting a diary on the other forum has helped me, hope to see you there.
x
 
Hello Healthy2010! Many congratulations on a fantastic weight loss so far!

Speak Soon
Sharkbait1983 x
:p:p:p
 
Thanks Sharbait, I have a long way to go but it helps being on here. All the best with your weight loss too.
X
 
Hey,
You're doin a good job at losin the weight, how much do you lose most weeks on average. I'm new on here and need to lose a lot by December do you think its gonna be possible?

Nice intro , you sound like a nice girl, dont often hear such honesty very refreshin.
 
Hi Callum,

Thanks, I usually lose between 2/3 llbs sometimes 4lb. Not sure why it changes so much, I'm new to calorie counting and healthy eating too.

You have the best motivation to keep going though and I think going to a slimming club might be a good idea for you as you will be surrounded by people who will support you and givebyou advice and diet sheets etc. I wish I had done this as it's easier than muddling through on your own.

Good luck, look forward to seeing your progress!
 
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