Having piled on weight this year I now realise that I've got 3 stone to lose which seems to me to be a huge amount, to be honest I dont really know where to start. I've tried numerous 'diet clubs' before and they really are a short term fix for me, once I slip up thats it, its really a free for all as far as food is concerned.

Anyone been here before and do you have any tips you could pass on?

I've been where you have several times Janice and I think this place has been the most successful for me. I've stopped 'dieting' and started being more honest with myself and talking to everyone here (especially within AbFab) which has made me realise that we're all on the same journey. Hopefully the wonderful support of all the THC members will be just as successful for you.

Janice
Welcome. I started with about 3 stone to loose ideally in January and having used a low carb diet and taken up running from March have really seen a difference with the help of logging diet, exercise etc and setting small goals. I am over half way to my goal and have chatted to some really insipriational people. Join some threads which ever will help you and get started. I started by taking more exercise gradually ie walking, drinking more water, and eating less and lost half a stone start with. Then by reading the runnerbean thread and ABFAB I was encouraged to start running and have just got to a 10K level which I am really pleased and being Times Member of the month an unexpected bonus has helped with the confidence. I like Goesona have gone up and down in weight throughout my life and wanted to take control finally. I read the library and followed advice on diet and exercise which has helped a lot. So take control and start with small steps ie small weight loss and small goals. Good luck!

Hi there Janice and welcome!
I'm also a member of the group 'AbFab' and most of us on there have been up and down with our weight. Some (including myself) have had weight issues from an early age so we all know where you're coming from. We've had a few monthly challenges during the year so far and some of these have included drinking 2 (or was it 3?) litres of water a day, eat five fruit and veg a day during the month, lose 5lbs in the month, one minute positive thinking a day in July and our current one is Exercise in August, a general guide being 1/2 hr a day but of course we all start a different levels. You may be inspired by some of these challenges but sure you'll find your own path along the way. Feel free to join in on the forums and here's wishing you all the best for your weight loss goals.
Simone

Welcome Janice,

I, like most of the others here have struggled to lose weight many times. Since joining the THC and more importantly the Ab Fab group I have been inspired, motivated and supported. I don't know what I would do without them all now!

Nat

Hi Janice and welcome to TTHC

I'm another person who has really always had to have a bit of an eye on her weight: first because I was curvy - I now realise not fat - when Twiggy became everyone's ideal; later whenever I got into a situation where I wasn't doing enough physical activity eg no garden, no wood burning stove etc and finally when I had the combination of no proper physical activity coupled with biscuits or ice cream when I got home from work. The latter being my situation until I decided to take control - again - this Spring.
I think a big step is identifying what is causing the overweight in our own particular case and the next one is starting to attack one area by changing the destructive habit and sticking with it till that becomes a good habit. And then going on to the next one (if there is one).
Diets are a possibility, but then ones that fit into your life style, taste and health situation and that don't just stop somewhere when you 'finished dieting'. A sensible change that you can stick to - perhaps forever - and that may deliver a slower weight loss, but one that is permanent.
I agree with everything said above by Emm, Pippa, Simone and Natalie. The challenges can be a good way to try something you would never try on your own, and the result once again can be the development of a good habit.
I joined 50+ first, and someone signposted Ab Fab. I log on just about daily and find the help and support, humour (You will have noticed I'm on the serious side), knowledge and creativity on the site something I look forward to. I wouldn't have believed it had anyone told me this, but it's true.
Have a look at a few groups and see what appeals to you. Ab Fab is definitely the most active, so if you want lots of contact, support, (fingers slapped now and again?), suggestions and some fun, give it a go.
The best of luck with whatever you choose.

Barbara

Welcome to the club Janice - we ALL have and there are loads of people here to make us see sense when we feel like throwing in the towel - or raiding the fridge!

Well done on being brave enought to start a new topic with your first post. Going public is the first step on the journey - we'll be watching you!

Welcome Janice.

I decided about 7 weeks ago that I really needed to sort myself out. Like many others here, I've been on the heavier side all my life but considering myself curvy, chubby or fat depending on the day I was having. A few weeks ago I realised I was heavier than ever before and when I calculated my BMI realised that I'd slipped from overweight to obese..... aargh.

Agree with everyone above...

1) Join the Ab Fabbers group - they're a great bunch. Some of them have been around for months and know each other personally but they are equally supportive of all. They inspired me to try get over my fear of (attempting) to run outdoors.
2) Stick with it. Set yourself small goals and don't beat yourself up if one day you slip up just keep going.

Oh and keep logging on to share your highs and lows. We're all in this together.

Love it, Carol! Women, eh, what can you do with us?

Hello Janice,

I seem to be always 'watching my weight' and realise that its the lifestyle changes that are what I need. I have increased my exercise dramatically since January and although my weight loss is pretty slow, I am so much more toned that I feel loads more confident and that has kept me going with the healthy eating.

Everyone on the threads is fantastic and give loads of useful advice and encouragement that really helps with motivation.

Welcome, Janice, and don't be too overwhelmed by your target. I started the year with two and a half stone to lose and achieved it within 6 months.

I'd say that taking things steadily is probably the best route to longer-term success. So many people go on crash diets and lose weight quickly, only to put it back on soon after. As most of us on here have discovered, it's not a diet we need, it's a change of lifestyle.

Don't become a slave to calorie counting but be aware of what you eat. It's amazing how those little extras tend to mount up. Cut down on those extras and go for healthier alternatives for those things you eat that are high calories.

Similarly, gradually step up your exercise rather than diving in at a pace you're never going to be able to keep up. It'll build up almost by itself because you'll find that the more you exercise and lose weight, the more you'll want to exercise.

Use the tracking tools on here so that you can see how you're doing. And when you feel a bit down and dispirited (as all of us have at times), post on here and you'll get encouragement by the bucketful!

Welcome Janice - now you must be overwhelmed with advice! And it's all true!

As for me, I have managed to lost 3 stone since signing up in January, and plan to continue for at least another 1 stone. Like others said, the big breakthrough has been realising that one needs to make lifestyle changes. In my case, cutting out a lot of the snacks I would sneak in during the day. And I loosely follow Slimming World because there is no calorie counting, I like the choices of food, and it fits into my lifestyle - in other words, I feel it is sustainable.

My biggest piece of advice: don't try to do everything at once. Identify one area where you would like to make a change, and work on that for a week or two until you feel you are making progress and can handle a slightly stronger challenger. Then add another change - can be food related, increasing exercise, or something like feeling more positive about yourself.

And second biggest: break your weight loss into a series of mini-targets. I found 4 stone just too daunting, and went for loss of first stone, 10% of bodyweight, weight of my dog (34lb), 3 stone, and now 20% of my original bodyweight. I'm within 3lb of latter - that is monumental.

Like Barbara, I'm pretty serious and write at length. But love the banter, support and encouragement within Ab Fab and other forums.