I went trying on clothes today. I tried on loads of size 14 jeans. Some fitted beautifully, others were falling off me!!! According to size guides I'm supposed to be a 16.

Ignore the numbers and wear what feels right.

Great successes Natalie and Jackie... Loving these successes, as they really inspire me! I wish I'd taken a few inches measurements, though your belt story is great. I think I've moved a notch and a bit, which would be an inch or two, and no overhang on my very fav 7-of-mankind jeans!

I agree whole-heartedly, Natalie. You'll like this: I have a dress - one of only two I own as for me trousers always feel right - which declares on the neck label that it is a 14, but on the label in the side of the skirt part insists it is a 16.

Well done to those who have lost inches. I have kept a record since the beginnning of the year and have lost 2.5 inches from waist, 3 froms and some from bust ie gone down a cup size it takes longer to loose inches from the boobs apparently but I am not sure about wanting to loose from here! I am determined to buy size 16 or smaller and have ordered some smaller size trousers for the autumn so hope they fit.

sorry above post should read
2.5 inches from waist, 3 from hips at least one size in bras and got into some size 16 fitted trousers today! hurray!

Well done Pippa! Happy losing!

Glad you've got into those trousers, Pippa. It's a great feeling, isn't it? Well done.

Yes really good and I will look forward to wearing them in the autumn!

Well done Pippa! I can't remember the last time I was a size 16. Keep on with the running its obviously working for you.

Jean
The running does help get rid of the tummy not sure why. Perhaps someone else would know the answer to this. I do generally fel better and more toned after running but it keeps pouring with rain here so the running will have to wait.

We seem to have had endless rain as well which is why I love swimming - you're wet anyway. Also the rain makes my joints creak. But went for a lovely walk along the prom the other afternoon whilst it was dry - not too fast as I had the dog with me - but I thoroughly enjoyed it. Unfortunately the lane I walk down to get to the pool has been full of midges and other little flying things all summer. Sometimes I feel like wearing a mask to walk down it!

I love wearing my size 12 mac - i'm an 18 by the way - daft really but it makes me happy that its a 12 - even though it isn't really!

Helen
great that the coat fits and I hope it is in a bright colour!

Congratulations on all those who have lost inches, pounds and dropped dress sizes. Despite losing some of the weight I am still the same size, (after 2 years),and am not very motivated with people saying that I look better and am more toned and muscles weigh more! I know that the day I can drop down from size eighteen will be a great cause of personal celebration and then I will feel I have really achieved something.
Hearing your stories I know I will do it - thanks.

Barbara many thanks for the water bottle and your very kind motivational words. They were very much appreciated.
I did try to reply to the bottle but somehow couldn't get the hang of how to do it as it kept coming up as an error - probably human error - mine!!
Thank you again.

Frances you can't "reply" to a water bottle unless you have already accepted that person as a "contact". The easiest way is to send a water bottle back - go to that person's profile page (it should give this at the end of the water bottle message, or click on their photo in one of the forums, or click on "members" at top and search for them), and then to the right of their photo click on "send a water bottle".

Oh I do wish there was a decent Help topic on THC that explained all these things. Barbara gave a brilliant explanation of how to use Water Bottles on another topic. I'll copy it here:

As always Jackie thanks for the valuable advice. I guess I'm not very adventurous with this site yet - wish there was an idiots guide to show everything you can do!!
Have you fully recovered now?

Milestone reached
loss of 2 stone only one more to go! hurray! Going to the Henlow Grange health farm for 2 days I think has really got me to the goal! And more clothes are feeling looser....!

Wow Pippa, that is a marvellous achievement! What did you do in the health farm? Lots of lettuce and running?

Congratulations Pippa what a wonderful achievement!

... in that case, I think we should all go! Tell us all about it Pippa - was it fab? Were you starving?

Hi All
No I did not starve but we had a portion sized plate for each meal and the food was superb. For example Poached chicken and fish lots of georgeous salads with dressing and interesting mung beans not to be repeated! Lovely fresh salads and the best swiss museli I have ever had!

The cetre is near Bedford and has a lake just behind it so very tranquil with a weir and lawns to the rear of the centre. We were encouraged to drink lots of water and have the right amount of food and to take part in classes and swim in the 25 metre fantastic pool. So I did a short run while I was there, swam each day and did aqua fit classes a lot of fun, I did vibro plate, worked in the gym with guidance and did body scupting classes, relaxation, pilates, as well as the usual treatments aromatherapy massage and facial - lovely. My husband Will came too and lay around relaxing whilst I did probably 4 hours exercise each day. The instructors and staff were lovely and encouraging so I also had a go at colour therapy and Will did the Alexander technique for his alignment. You could go there and just have treatments they offered so many ....! I do feel more relaxed but oddly energised as well so it must have been good. I recommend it to anyone and at Henlow Grange the best time to go is January apparently.

Fabulous news, Pippa! Well done and if, I understand your message correctly, it came straight after you had those fabulous energising/relaxing days.

Well done Pippa - two-thirds of the way there. What a satisfying feeling. You made the health farm sound really good - makes me want to go. I normally hate the sound of them, but I like the sound of all the exercise options rather than just body/beauty treatments.

Frances - we are the idiots who do our best to tell others how to use this site (even when we don't really know for ourselves)

Yes Jackie
It was very encouraging and not what I had expected at all.

I suggest you give it a go some time

Hey guys...

Just wanted to post my success!! I joined in the new year and have lost 2 stone since then. Only 9 more pounds to go until i'm in a healthy weight range! I'm not sure how to put up pictures but i'll try if I can!

Jo

Ok pictures are up on the pictures thread!

Well done Joanne - my scales refuse to move to the 2 stones off mark and have been hovering for ages now!