I really don't think you need to worry about that Sue. I think you have been very honest and brave.

However, I am a bit concerned about any of your 'parents' seeing the posts. Some may not be so understanding.

Good luck on your goals Sue - thinking of you and wishing you success.

Good luck to everyone on their journeys towards their stated goals. I am sure that at least the regulars on TTHC will only ever be supportive towards us and if anyone isn't, well... Anyway, it's probably dead easy to ignore some unwanted nasty comment with everyone else around to help. I don't actually recall having seen one myself anywhere on here, but I am sure we would all rally round if such a thing appeared.
However, in light of Natalie's concerns with regard to work commitments/relationships, should anyone want to edit out/tone down comments made earlier, the option is there, isn't it?
My overall aim is really to get back to the healthy life style I used to have that includes regular physical activity along with wholesome food. I don't think that physical activity always has to be sport, but as an urbanite now it will have to be that way for me. I also want to get back to normal weight - and stay there!

... just in case anyone who doesn't know me thinks I'm serious, I am totally in awe of Sue and think she's one amazing lady

I'm no better in fact I may have been worse. Will confess tomorrow.




The thing is what is it that gives us that kick. I'm great without it for weks/months, al of a sudden you have a pig out and find it hard to stop. But you feel no better from carrying on so why do we do it. BOREDOM, ans LONLINESS, in my case at least.

That's where this forum can help - I was finding tonight pretty difficult, and chatting on here, plus meeting a few of you today has really helped boost my resolve. If you are ever feeling lonely, there's usually someone online to chat to! I had to go and play Monopoly with youngest son tonight to keep me away from temptation!

Fiona and I were chatting today how some people reckon moderation is the key. I'm afraid I'm an all or nothing girl and find moderation really difficult, so I'm better abstaining. Looking forward to the time when abstainance is a habit - 21 days maybe?

In the evenings and at weekends, I do try to keep logging in just in case anyone is messaging. I can't do this on weekdays though and I'm sure that's the case for many of us. This will probably be the worst time for anyone at home or near food in any way and needing distraction.
The distraction of being able to go online and see what everyone else was doing and saying certainly was good for me when I was first getting back in control. I think it made breaking my insane 'home-from-work-must-have-loads-to-eat-with my cup-of-tea before I start preparing the evening meal' cycle.

That's the worst time isn't it! I've tried to have a bag of dried fruit and nuts to hand and eat it before I leave work. It's the 'home-from-work-and-I-deserve-a-drink-and-smoke' that I need to kick!

Sue, I think they are closely related, don't you?

Definitely!

Hi there guys

I just joined yesterday and have been having a good browse of the forums. I thought I'd better introduce myself and state my goals on this thread, so here goes:

I'm Amy, I used to be an avid runner until I moved house in April and got lazy. I also have overeating tendencies when it comes to sugar and chocolate, so I've piled on over a stone in 5 months. I am giving up sugar, because I can't stop if I start eating it! And I get the most horrible lethargic comedowns from it.
I've recently started running again and feel amazing! It most definitely helps one's sanity!

I've really enjoyed reading through all the posts: I can relate to lots of what has been said. I look forward to getting to know you all better!

x

Hi Amy - if you join the group called Ab Fab you'll see that Simone has successfully been sugar-free for weeks now and has lost loads of weight. Sue has also gone sugar-free - apart from 2 After Eights yesterday at lunchtime

I'm sure there's a topic called Sugar Free where you'll get lots of motivation and support - let us know how you get on.

Fiona

Thanks Fiona, I think I may have inadvertently posted my initial post in the wrong section.....just realised this thread is in the 'Get Fit and Lose the Booze" section. I am a tad confused! Sure I'll get the hang of it soon...

I'm off to join Ab Fab now....

Most of us are, Mamie. Err... I've just noticed that Fiona is calling you Amy, so sorry for getting that wrong to start off with.

I think your posting is fine in this section too as several of us have taken it in a wider sense and not just to do with alcohol.

Well, have done Friday night and Saturday without any booze or other substances in no small way thanks to the support of some of my Ab Fab mates. Thanks guys, you've been awesome! Woke up this morning full of life and have done a good morning's gardening!

Am hoping that giving up booze will help to reduce my waistline and give me more energy for life, especially at weekends and on a Monday morning!

Traditionally Sunday evenings have always been a boozy affair in our house with several gins whilst cooking Sunday dinner, followed by a couple of bottles of vino between the two of us. To get away from this, I'm not cooking the usual roast, and am doing homemade pizza - I need to break these rituals and their associations!

Oh dear, I'm just adding to the confusion, with my name change!

I signed up using my full name, posted my first post, then worked out how to change my name....clever hey! Everyone calls me Mamie or Mame anyway

Thanks for the welcome....I'm getting the hang of this place now....

Sue, I think this is an important insight. Rituals we enjoy are dear to us and we don't like to let them go, but sometimes it can be the better choice. Well done on your successes on Friday and Saturday and good luck with breaking the ritual this evening.

We'd better warn you now Mamie, err we often go off the subjuct quickly.

I love how this thread has developed, it's so reasurring how you all support what is important to a member whether or not it's relevant to the title. Has Gideon abandoned us to our ramblings? I've cut down wine this week and have walked quickly up and down the road with the dog as a test to see if I could face jogging, still working up to that but have bought trainers so my new goal should be to start. Back to work on Tuesday so will need to keep motivated in the evenings, please feel free to nag and question my idleness.

Well he's not been on line since. He may of got fed up with all the talk of rhubarb, and cows.

Laurel, I know what you mean. The trainers are a good start as you need to protect your feet, ankles and hips if you are going to jog or run, especially if this is on hard ground. These modern trainers make such a difference; there's no way I would have been able to even contemplate jogging or running in the old 'pumps' days.
I don't know how fit you are, ie if it has been a long time since you exercised or not, but is it the thought that you've got to start jogging so and so many miles at such and such a speed that is off putting? Have you had a look at any beginners' jogging or running plans? You really only need start with short spells of jogging, only a minute at a time if you are not used to exercise. Are you on another thread about this? Sorry, it takes me a while to remember names as well as photos and what's already been said.
Several of us started out with just the most basic beginners' plans and some are now running for an hour at a time regularly. I'm saying some as I am not in this group yet, but I know I'll get there by taking small steps up. This will work for you too, I'm sure.

Check out the "I'm Much Fitter But Weigh More" thread - you'll need to join the Runnerbeans group to view it, but its a thread for all us (sane) runners to compare notes, ask for advice, just tell people what you've been doing etc.

Thanks, Teresa. Forgot to point out any helpful threads when I asked. There's also a Beginners Running? in theTraining Routines section. A couple of us less experienced 'runners' post on there as well as the inspirational ones!

I'm with you on this, Sue! I think I can have one glass and then three hours later the bottle of wine is gone and the spirit hunt begins!

All the posters on here have been so honest and it's really given me a boost as I was feeling somewhat of a failure, having not really done much since signing up.

So, my goal is reset - my tenth wedding anniversary takes place 31st October (yes, it's Halloween!). He and I are celebrating by a full weekend at Whitby Goth Festival. I want to fit perfectly into my corset! Hence, my goal to lose 8 pounds by then. It may not sound much, but it's that stubborn last few pounds that refuse to shift!

In order to do this I know I need to abstain from the red wine. Painful though it is, I have to acknowledge the sad truth that it's these 'empty' calories two to three times a week (binge drinking if I'm honest) that build up the pounds.

But on the 31st Oct there will be no limits! Whitby beware...

Hi everyone! Jane R, you commented that I had gone rather quiet after what I had "unleashed" by starting this thread. The truth is that I was feeling annoyed with THC about the way you can't choose which of your goals to show your motivators and hadn't been using the site. (It seems designed mainly for those who want to lose weight and that's not important to me.) After receiving no replies to my questions about this from the administrators I logged on today (no doubt wearing a particularly cross look on my face) intending to delete my membership... But faced with such a lot of generous and heartfelt mutual support, I shall certainly stay!

People have written so much since I last logged on that I am not going to comment on individual posts. I'll just say that I am full of admiration for the openness shown by so many of you. I think it really does encourage others to do the same - so thanks, and good for you!

Well, my turn now I suppose (gulp). Jane, your comment that it isn't hard to give up alcohol reminds me of that old joke about smoking: "It's not hard to give up smoking. I've given up hundreds of times."

My last attempt to "stop for a bit" lasted only three days. Part of the problem I think is that I live on my own (except at weekends when I look after my little boy) and as I only drink in the evenings, there is no one else to whom I am accountable. No one else knows, unless I tell them. Well, now that everyone here knows, perhaps that will help!

The first of September - that's today - seems like a good day to try again. If anyone would be able to email me to ask about progress in a few days, I'd appreciate it. Thanks.

Gideon - some of us who have been here since January try to think of a new "challenge" each month. For September, we're doing something we've never done before. Why don't you join us, and go cold turkey on the alcohol?

Good on you Gideon
I too have gone one day sof far with out alcohol and as am in training for a run in less than 3 weeks am aiming at not having a glass of red ie Merlot my fav until Saturday. I hope that this goodness combined with exercise and diet will help me lose a few pounds!

Laurel
Have you rum in your new shoes yet? Just a couple of mins or more if you can manage alternating with walking is how I started! Good luck!

hello

Good weekends all?

I have had a very hectic weekend, i had a reunion and diet was v hard to stick to - not because anyone was de-railing me just because i had a picnic and then a curry on Saturday night, not condusive to weight loss at all! I did however stick to gin and slimline (and only 2!) and protein but very difficult nevertheless! I really do feel like hibernating until xmas!
So how did everyone get on any falling off wagons?

Lou x

Hi Fiona

Yes, that was the idea: I'm stopping (again) today. Hope I won't be seeing green wriggly things out of the corner of my eye.

Pippa - I love the Freudian slip about rum in the shoes! I'm also intending to start running again with a short run this evening. I do tend to try to go too far at first so, like you, I'll be taking it easy.

G

Good luck - report back tomorrow please!