Hi. I’m Gideon and I started this group. I’m particularly keen on red Chilean wine and good Rioja and am partial to smoky Islay malt whiskies. Recently though my weekly alcohol consumption has been well over the recommended average and I think it’s time to stop for a bit.

My goals are
(1) to stop drinking alcohol altogether until December 24 2008
(2) to find a partner with whom I could go running regularly
(3) to go for a run at least four days a week until December 24 2008
(4) to run at least one half-marathon before December 24 2008.

As a guide to others, although I’d recommend being honest about your starting-point, probably most of us don’t want to know your darkest secrets, to see your guts on the carpet. Capisce?

For your goals, I suggest being as specific as you can, giving dates by when you want to have achieved things, and trying to get other people involved in your project. Also, don’t feel you have to give up alcohol altogether. That’s just my choice.

Wow Gideon
Very precise list of goals, good luck with them all!

Hi, I'm a nineteen year old girl with a little excess weight. Around this time last year I piled on the pounds and went from ten stone to nearly eleven.

Earlier this year I got back to ten stone, but now I'd like to lose the last ten or so pounds.

I'd also like to quit smoking so I can exercise more and lead a more healthy lifestyle.

Hi, I'm also a newbie wanting to make some changes to my lifestyle. I find the idea of counting calories too confusing so have decided to focus on getting fitter by increasing activities and cutting down on so called bad foods. Don't think I could join you Gideon in total alcohol ban, but will set my goal not to drink Mon-Thurs and moderate on the other nights. Exercise is proving more difficult to be consistant with so any tips on realistic targets will be appreciated.

Good luck with the goals. It's really not that hard to give up alcohol.

When I started with THC I decided to give it up for a month and for a variety of reasons I lasted without drinking for 5 months.

Now it really is not part of my lifestyle except with meals when I am eating with friends and family. I find being outdoors exercising or knitting more fun.

Vix, there's a thread on stopping smoking where you'll find some support http://www.timeshealth.co.uk/19_1095_0.html#msg268 98

I hope that works - if not do a search (search box is top right) for smoking and you'll find it. Good luck!

Well done Jane - that's amazing with the alcohol. I've given up sugar products. It's funny because at first you can't imagine enjoying life without whatever you've given up and then before too long you've reset your relationship with it.

hello

I embarked on a Very Low Calorie Diet (VLCD) on the 18th August so this is day 9.

I am on 850 calories a day, I know that sounds very low but the point is to get the weight off quickly so you are motivated!
these are my goals:

1. Lose 3st 6 by 18th December
2. to stop drinking alcohol altogether until December 18 December (unless it's a very special occasion eg I had 2 drinks at an engagement party this weekend)
3. Walk to work at least 4 times a week (4 miles, burn around 470 per walk)

Quite difficult but totally doable, i am in the zone!

Lou

Hi Lou - that's great that you are so up for it! However, those of us who have been around for a few months longer than you would probably advise not to do the VLCD thing for very long - especially if you're doing a lot of exercise. The danger is that your body (a) starts to burn up muscle because it's not getting enough protein and carbohydrate to keep going, and (b) your metabolism grinds to a halt as your body thinks it's being starved so when you do eat 'normally', you pile on the weight.

Can't see your profile so I don't know what you weigh, but I'd say you've set yourself a very ambitious target. Why don't you join Ab Fab and have a read at some of our experiences? We're into being realistic but supportive at the same time!

Hi Fi

Yes i have furnished myself with all the facts. The diet is devised by doctors and you are assessed before you go on it and monitored weekly. They are very keen to stress that you need 40g of protein a day to prevent exactly what you talk about

a) starts to burn up muscle because it's not getting enough protein and carbohydrate to keep going

the shakes and meals combined give you all that.

i have lost 7lbs in the first week, the many other diets i have tried have been so slow it's difficult to stick to them. At least this will be full on but short!
Never planning on going back to how i was though - feel fitter and much better already!

Lou

Thanks for starting this thread Gideon. I've managed to get my day to day alcohol consumtion down by loads, and now only really drink when there's a reason to. I gave up for a month in January, and now don't drink on a dialy bsis like I used to, but still have a very long way to go.

I shocked myself this weekend by the amount I got through at a recent festival I was at. My kids complained about my behaviour which was totally out of order, and the roles were totally reversed, Instead of me keeping an eye on them, they had to keep an eye on me. I am so ashamed. I should be setting them a good exmple, and I'm doing the opposite. I now need to learn that I can enjoy myself without buckets of vodka - scarey stuff as I've been a big drinker since I was 18, and I'm now 46!

Would welcome some support here.

Hi Louise. I would also be rather worried about the sound of your diet but here's wishing you all the best with it. My sister in law did the cambridge diet and was on similar calories and she had to give up her running while doing so as she was feeling rather faint. Good luck Louise.

I certainly think you could do anything that you put your mind to Sue and well done on cutting down what you consume on a daily basis. Since I've given up sugar I feel like I've sort of grown up in this area of my life. Like it was almost childish behaviour to be eating so much chocolate, cake and sweets until I felt sick. Also I was desperate to feel better about myself and knew there was no escaping the facts of the situation. Hope you are not being too harsh on yourself though Sue. It's good to let your hair down! It can only be your individual journey though - but we are all here to support you, you know that.

Dear S & S

They are both very courageous statements and congratulations to both of you.

There are a few things that I have held on to over the last few months. Some people can do things alone but most of us need some form of a support network whether it be friends, family, an online network or professional help and it is up to that individual to decide what form of help that takes. However, the only person that can make the decision to change is you and if it is going to work it is going to be you that wants to do it and wants to continue to do so. That is so demonstrated by the comments on these boards.

Sue, sometimes a shock does help you change a lifestyle so use it as a stepping stone not as S tafford says something to beat yourself up with.

S tafford, I totally agree that the better you feel about yourself, the easier it is to change and wow what an amazing thing you are doing.

I have been so impressed that there are so many people on these boards who have confronted demons and conquered them and still keep on going. It's amazing.

I am such a different person in looks and motivation to January. (can't find any photos I am afraid) and now I have set myself the challenge of running which I never would have dreamt of in December. Still working on a goal though.

So onwards and upwards (or in the case of weight downwards)...

Sue
How brave of you talk about your issue with drinking. I at 47 have always drunk when bored and since jan have reduced to 2 glasses a day but still trying to cut it out completely. I so feel for you about embarrasement I have been drunk and sick infront of parents in law so awful my boys still remember it. I am trying really hard to say I do no need to drink as I am training for a 5K in a few weeks. Sue just start day by day and I wish you all the luck. Im sure having teenagers does not help with the stress levels we feel.

Louise
Welcome
good luck with your diet but hope that you will not follow it for too long

s tafford
Again really brave of you. I know just what you are saying but have never gone quite that far with the sweet stuff. I admire you for what you said. I have had an issue with food since a teenager and am now only really facing it all.

Jane
I so agree with what you are said and perhaps we can be running buddies in spirit! I like you never thought I would be able to run when I started in April and it is down to the THC forums which have encouraged me so much.

Good luck to all!

Jane that's really good to hear. I think sometimes those of us who have been here for a long time just witter on, and forget there are others who maybe don't post a lot, but who are reading all our comments.

I probably speak for most of us when I say that, on-line (especially if you're still a green blob) you have enough anonymity to say what you really think and feel, and this can be very motivating for lots of us. So glad you've made sense of some of our distracted thoughts!

That's just it - I need to grow up! I had a vivid dream last night in which an aunt of mine told me in no uncertain terms to GROW UP! At 46 it really is time to stop this silly rebellious behaviour and move on!
Dare I even mention that I've been smoking hash too since I was 16? (don't feel able to admit this on Ab Fab to my shame). I've decided to kick this as well, but it won't be easy!
At least I can only hope my kids will rebel against me and not do all the self injurous things I have.

Pippa - a soulmate I feel - I made a total arse of myself infront of my inlaws many a time, but the worst was on my mother in laws 70th birthday when I got everyone sucking the helium out of the balloons in a restaurant and made the youngest cry my stealing his balloon!

Time for all this hedonism to take a back seat and get on with the rest of my life. There, soul bared for all THC to see!

What an incredible set of posts, I am in awe of you all. Gideon you said you didn't expect bared souls on this thread but I think that's what you got. If you can all make such changes than I think I can too so thank you for your honesty I will now change my profile and show that I've put 2lb back on!

These are an interesting set of posts. Glad you feel inspired Laurel - we can all change anything if we really want to. I've always been know as the one who loves chocolate and cakes and it's great to reinvent yourself in a way and think - I don't have to keep doing that just because I always have done.

Hit another goal - found a photo I liked, cropped it and loaded it!

Gideon, you have gone very quiet after what you have unleashed?

Great to see you Jane - lovely pic!

My aim is to complete this mini triathlon in 3 weeks time.

Fingers crossed for you Jackie!

Good pic Jane!

Sue
Gosh what a lot of admissions from you. Onwards and upwards now spiritually cleaned I think! My goal is to finish the 5K race in 3 weeks and then join the running club!

I came on here this morning to edit my post as I've worried over the last couple of days that I said too much. i've been really active on this site since January and I didn't want the friends I've made here to change their opinion of me or judge me. However, I'll leave it for now. so far so good - 4 days with no crutches. Thanks for your support Pippa and others

Hello

As a newbie here but a vetran of other forums. I think it's great that you're all so honest.

Sue, I don't think you need to worry at all, i personally think smoking a bit of weed with lashings of vodka is very tame, but if you want to make changes then good for you, it's not for us to stand in judgement of anyone - well done on the 4 days. I am on day 10 of my journey and I had a bit of a wobble last night (it's so boring drinking water when everyone else is pissed!) but back on it today!

S Staffod, I totally get that I was always the biggest drinker and the last woman standing, but I don’t want to be known for that anymore, it’s funny how people react to you though loads of my mates are miffed that I am off the booze!

Lou x

Lou

Well done for 10 days. I was lucky that most of my friends were really supportive and mostly the reaction I got was I couldn't do it. I also found that it was quite entertaining as all around became less discreet.

I know you are on the very low calorie thing so maybe fruit juice is out but maybe you might like to think about getting some limes and having lime and soda or one of the flavoured waters?

Jane

Well done on day 10 Louise! I too have always been the last woman standing and was getting worried about the quantity I could consume. I'm also getting worried about the long term health consequences of my lifestyle. I gave up ciggies when I was approaching 40 (with Allan Carr also)- now I'm approaching 50, I need up my game.

Utterly horrified Sue and still looking forward to seeing you again tomorrow you rebel!

Absolutely Louise - that's what's so good about my "friends" on here - and the ones I've met in person are even nicer in real life