Hi everyone, it has taken me a week of reading all your comments, but have eventually built up the courage to join in (I am a forum virgin)!

I too have 4 stone to lose and have mostly been overweight for all of my adult life. I have tried all the weight loss clubs, and whilst they work initially, I become demotivated once I have lot weight, and it slowly creeps back on.

I used to exercise a lot but just stopped for various reasons/excuses and I find it hard to break my couch potato existence. Don't get me wrong, I am not unhappy with my life, just with my weight!

Do any of you also suffer with having a sociable family? In mine, we have a lot of get-togethers which involve lots of food and drink. This time of year we have a lot of parties, and I find it hard to stick to my diet. This leads me to that state of mind of 'what the heck'................and it all goes to pot.

We need to get this forum set up as a group, so we can support one another through all the good and bad times!!!!

Well done to you who don't normally join in with groups like that. It is a hard thing to do, to write about the negative things about yourself. First step to the new you possibly. I lost around 3 stone about 4 years ago and then let myself go again - but this time I'm feeling just as motivated as I was then so I know I'm going to be successful. It is daunting to think you've x amount of stones to lose - to make it easier break it down into bite sizes - 7lbs maybe. Maybe give yourself a reward each time you get there - but be sensible with your rewards. A new cd or a new outfit because you've gone down a size - NOT CHOCOLATE!!!!!
I would love to see this forum become a group - I think we have some very motivated members here and to have someone give you a push if you have a bad day is what we need. If you slip up don't despair, just get back on and put it behind you.
Keep going guys

Sam x

hi all! been away for a few days and came back to all these/your fantastic posts! great!!..

as i said we can and seem to be motivating each other..I have to admit i've had a few glitches this week...re watching what i'm eating... have to stay vigilant because habits so ingrained..

i quite like the name The Motivators for the group but dont like reference to mr motivator...oh no!!... i thought The motivated....was also a good name...any other suggestions?...

just like to reiterate once again..that we are the type of group/people that the government/doctors/media are aiming at when they talk about the type 2 diabetes explosion...another reason why each and one of are to be commended for logging on and having a go at losing weight to take responsibility for our health...which is a symptom of our society...Mr gates has a lot to answer for too..for turning us all into sedentary computer geeks!!(My main reason now for wanting to lose weight, apart from the ones I cited in my original post!.is that I know first hand the effect of diabetes..as you know my dad's recovering from major abdominal surgery for pancreatic cancer at the age of 80...and although he's led an active life,worked till he was 70..gave up smoking 30 years ago...and carried a few extra stone around and mum never drank /smoked, but had a very sweet tooth and carried 1-2 stone extra around...(ie they didnt leave an excessive lifestyle not like people do today)..both of them have had their fair share of health probs..eg heart/kidney/prostate/cataract ops...(i know its also down to improved medical techniques../knowledge) . the doctors/government...know we're going to have a massive problem health wise in the future as a society..but we're simply not going to be able to afford the necessary treatments...so we each have to accept individual responsibility for our own health..NOW... could sugar be the drug that helped our industrial expansion/success ?eg was introduced in the last century to keep the work force going...but could it also cause its demise..? I read somewhere that since china has become so industrialised its demand for sugar has gone up...hmmm?..intersting eh??...anyway i digress!!...er alot!!...oops sorry...er where was I ?...
The main point is we have to keep focused..(not my strong point!)..on our particular reasons for wanting to lose weight and/or regain our health and vitality...self esteem...etc etc...

As i said this for me has to be about a long term change/ shift in my eating and lifestyle and thinking/attitude habits...so its about each step towards that goal...so trying to focus on the postive...eg each time i walk...or exercise..tick!...each time i make a healthy eating choice...tick!...each time i drink more water...tick!...step by step...towards our goals ...

Keep up the good work people..
Keep posting to encourage our fellow dieters..each other
Keep on trying..
Keep going...
Lets stay motivated

Bye for now
best wishes
Jane
x

hi again..

just thought of a few more things to say...as was re reading some of your posts...I feel i should commend and congratualte you all on your success so far...not only for making a commitment to yourselves for making this year count...but for what you've done this week...i know what it feels like at the beginning..each day sticking to the plan feels like a success ...and each little succes feels so good..and gives hope...

also reading the posts i realised a common theme..is that, although we all want to lose weight...a similar amount..i realise for this to succeed long term i have to address reasons why i eat emotionally? What thoughts lead to those emotions?..presumably negative emotions..although sometimes we over eat when we're happy!!..eg when we're on holiday..or in love,,.....reasons why i focus on food as opposed to focusing on just enjoying life..being active?..getting on with life??..Alot of it is to do with anger..self pity..warped thinking...habitual thinking...procrastination...

one of the posts that really spoke to me...was Jon's (2nd post on this topic...when he said..Quote: but you need to be aware that it doesn't solve everything and that you may face new challenges which relate to you as a person rather than how you look.

Your post is painfully honest and self aware. When I was fat I found the real challenge was dealing with day to day issues and problems whilst being focussed on becoming the person that I wanted to be and perhaps this is your position as well. [i][/i....thanks jon..wise words..

so we all have to concentrate... not necessarily on our weight ..but on our fitness regimes..our .healthy diet/lifestyle choices ..recognise the dangerous trigger times when we go off the rails..and preferably pre-empt them... identify the activities that will make us happier with ourselves, as people, more content...and do what will help us to become what we want to be.. like for me ....do that art/photography/dance group course? stop procrastinating...get off your arse and stop making excuses why you cant.do something....(no such word as cant as my nan used to say!) maybe join that assertiveness group?..to deal with our social anxieties?...contribute more... join in...face our fears.... learn how to say no...and how to say yes...but also to ease up on ourselves and not give myslef such a hard time if i make a mistake..not to expect perfection...that its ok...to leran from your mistakes and to practise new skills..to learn to love myself..etc etc...bla bla bla..

ok..i'll shut up now and get off the soap box!!...

was also thinking...that we should set a monthly date for a weigh in..somewhere to post our results?.. how and what we did?..the benefits achieved?...physical/social/psychological/emotiona l/sexual?...what do you think ppl?...ok i'm definitely going now!!

byee
jane
x

Today is my first day in this club. I was previously 21st and when I discovered that I was shocked. I have joined and left Weightwatchers about 4 times. each time it worked until i stopped going. Am i alone in yo-yoing with diet organisations? I recently got down to 18st 9 and have now put on a whole stone since I stopped going to the meetings. I don't want to go back so I am giving this a go. I think i am healthy but I fear there is a time bomb ticking away unseen. The time to act is now. Your postings are a great encouragement.

yes we are the ones in the governments target group, diabetes, high blood pressure etc, but is anyone else like me in feeling sometimes that i am a social leper with what feels like daily health pronouncements. i know that i have to do something, already am a type 2 diabetic, and to continually have it rammed down my throat is not helping as far as i am concerned. as i once said to my gp i sometimes feel that the most socially helpful thing i could do is roll over and die, now!! so i now positively turn off/do not read the health pronouncements. what i intend to positively do is shed weight, take exercise, doing it for me.

What about 'Absolutely Fabulous' for a name for our group? Many of us lack self esteem, and we need to remind ourselves that we are absolutely fabulous now, not just our perceived selves when we lose all our weight which, with each other's support, we will. So Jane and the rest of us, shall I start a group in this name, and will you all join? Will do it early next week when I get a mo.

Hi everybody.

Thanks for starting the thread Jane - a hell of a lot of what you said struck a cord and applies to me, just as it does a lot of you other folks on here.

I am 46 and have been on many diets on and off for the last 10 years.
My weight has ballooned from 16 stone, (which I was comfortable with as I am of big build), to 23 1/2 stone last Sunday.

Every time I have started a new diet, I have been heavier than the time before and just seem to have continually rebased my 'starting weight'.

This time, I will succeed.

I need to lose 7 1/2 stone and I am targetting 31/12/08 to achieve this by.

This is not going to be a diet. I am going to change my lifestyle. I have drawn up a lifestyle contract upon which I have committed to various things that I feel I can work with, (e.g. an exercise 'programme', eating 'rules', etc).

To start off though I have gone back to the only diet that I ever achieved quick wins with and that is the cabbage soup diet. It's horrible, but I'm determined that by the time this programme is complete, I will never have to even consider doing it again.

Good luck everybody and thanks for sharing your stories. Lets share our successes and help one another when the going gets hard.

Terry

Dear All, but especially Jane who started this thread,

Throughout this great thread, we have all talked about wanting to do things (lose weight, get fitter, etc) and our difficulty with making it happen. We have also talked about starting a Group. How do we make it happen? I think it is a great idea, I agree it has to have a upbeat name, and I would be very happy with Absolutely Fabulous. Can I suggest we set ourselves a target of getting as many ideas for names as possible, perhaps by Wednesday say, then going for it?

I am happy to do so if I can find out what to do, though some other people have contributed some really wonderful comments, especially Jane, with your honesty that has touched so many of us. Lets show we can make it happen, just as we are going to get fitter and healthier and happier!

On the note of how we are doing, I have been doing my strength exercises everyday, and eating to the Slimming plate system - one half veggies, one quarter protein and one quarter carbohydrate. I have slipped a few times, and one evening I pigged out on chocolate - . It won't surprise any of you that it was after a very frustrating day at work. Oh yes, just one chocolate for me and buy the rest for the family - but needless to say they didn't get any in the end. But I am keeping on going strong. Day after day I am succeeding and I am enjoying the veggies more and more - and my family are accepting that if they don't like them well tough, they don't have to eat them.

Probably weigh myself tomorrow

Lorna

Hi everyone,

It would seem that the general concensus here is that we want to create a group.

Jane Up - as the instigator of the entire thread, would you be the manager of the group? You have already succeeded in motivating all of the people here.

I also agree with your suggestions (quoted here):



It looks like we need to agree on a name in order to proceed. The names I've seen so far here are "The Motivators", "The Motivated" and "Absolutely Fabulous"

Any others?

All the best,
R

Susan seems keen to get a group going for us - what about Jane and Susan being the managers?

I'll certainly be joining the group - whatever we decide to call ourselves

Sam xxx

I like the name Absolutely Fabulous
And the reasoning behind it!
R
x

Hi,
I just joined today. I have nearly 5 stone to lose! I got diagnosed type 2 diabetes a few months ago but have been told by my GP that if I lose weight because I am quite young still (44, feel 84) I should be able to get off the tablets. So, that is my goal!
Good luck to everyone
Faith

Hi All,

Bit of a help please does any one have any ideas for eating healthy when you spend 4-5 days a week in a hotel.

Any ideas are welcome,

It may sounds wonderful but it can be quite challenging when you are not able to prepare your meals yourself. HELP

hi guys,

I am a newby as of today I joined yesterday but only got onto the scales this morning!

Wow was that scary, have managed to put on 5lb since the last time I decided I needed to loose weight cos I look terrible in photos (approx October last year!)

I am kickstarting the diet by doing the special K Diet for 2 weeks before going back to the good old points diet (Oh and no more alcohol this month!)

good luck to us all !!!!!!!

Absolutely Fabulous is a great name and I really like the thoughts, emotions behind it.

Please do get it started and count me in.

Hi Sha

Try avoiding things with heavy cream sauces. Do you eat fish? Not everyone's taste I know but great for people on diets and there is so much variety. Avoid the chip stuff and try to go with new boiled potatoes or a baked potato instead. Stay away from the dessert trolley unless it is fruit and NO to the double/clotted cream though a little single cream won't do too much damage now and again. If you need a starter go for something like a soup unless it is cream of 'something'

We know what we should be eating - so look at the menu see what you would normally have and then challenge yourself to pick something different instead. I know I would go for something with a rich sauce so having to force myself to go with something like pasta with a tomato based sauce - and I actually do end up enjoying it!

Let me know how you get on. Good luck

Sam
Oh and watch out on the wine!!!!!! If you must have alcohol stick to spirits lower in calories - but don't over do it

Oh and Absolutely Fabulous is a great name - love it

Hi all,

Just look what you've done, Jane Up!

You've started a brilliant thread, that's all!

Everything you said struck home, especially this:



Quite a few of us have said something similar, and it's certainly true for me.

Some of us are getting help from books and DVDs. I'm using this guided meditation morning and evening as a kind of immunisation against looking for happiness in the fridge and down the pub. It takes less than 15 minutes - with speakers turned on - and it's great for relaxation as well. So far, so good!

Although recovering from a bad patch, I'm managing to walk round town more often and further, despite still being overtaken by all things on two or four legs no matter how old they are. Still, it's not a race.

Speaking of races though, I'll be going to my first weigh-in in a few days. Eek!

It's so good to know that we're all in here - and out there - supporting one another.

Keep the faith!

Mike

PS:

When you listen to the meditation, he starts by saying stop if you haven't read what he wrote about posture. You won't have, but not to worry (!) - just sit upright and tall with your hands on your knees or lap, and enjoy!

Mike

ok the consensus is we need to start a group!

quite a few of you like the group name"absolutely fabulous."

but was just thinking the men posting on here might find that a bit weird..and think twice about joining?!...let us know guys!

Susan has offered to start it up..thats' fine by me..or we could share management of it?..(as i'm still looking after my dad who's had a very rough 6 months and isnt out of the woods yet..)

I'm still a little overwhelmed/amazed/pleased about the response to this thread and its great we all have the same goal and can support each other in achieving it...it isnt a race but...any weight loss and gain in health has to be good and a step in the right direction...?

let us know folks about choice in name and we'll set it up by the end of the week?..

ok hope to hear from you
best wishes
Jane

Had a random thought. Ab Fab is a great suggestion. What about making it completely our own and calling it Absolutely Fat less!!?? Just a thought. I would be in this group of positive motivators whatever the name.

Ian

Dear All,

Count me in for the thick end of 5 stones to lose by the end of August. It sounds like a lot, but let's see. The time to stop buggering around has arrived.

Photo to follow when I can find one that looks fat enough - the one thing I don't want is to start with a thin looking picture - that would be madness.

Best wishes,

Martin

...or absolutely fab you less...?[u][/u]

I like both absolutely fatless and absolutely fab you less? Decisions decisions - this is going to be so much fun! Ok hard work etc but look how we are all gelling together and we don't even know each other!

Congratulations guys!!

Have my first weigh-in in the morning - wish me luck guys - I'm nervous

Sam xxx

hi everyone, first of i wanna say well done for joining its the first step to what i hope will be a good thing!!its nice to know that there are other people out there going through the same thing!!!

Leah xxxxxx

Ab Fab!

BRILLIANT!
Applies to all - whatever the gender!

Do we need to wait?

Hi Everyone

This is a wonderful thread and it would be great to be part of the group. I have found the biggest difference between this and all the other diets in the world, is the motivation and the uncovering of all the emotional dross beneath out weight.

I have about 8 stone lose, I am the heaviest I have ever been in my life, but also feel the most motivated.

In my first week I haven't lost any weight yet, but in my first week I stuck to my target of doing at least half an hour of exercise every day. This weeks target is to keep up last weeks and drink at least a litre of water every day. I am going to keep adding things one week at a time, as I know trying to do it all at once would be to much of a shock. I feel there is a lot of emotional stuff hiding under that weight and for me to be successful I am going to have to take my time and be gentle with myself.

I have had years of food being my comfort, my friend , my source of love. I am sick of it, I want to love myself and treat myself better, I deserve to live in a healthy and beautifully looked after body. I want to express myself as a woman by wearing fabulous clothes and feeling fabulous.

I got asked to a hen night and my first thought was no I can't go I won't look nice and attractive. Wow this has to stop, how many things are we not doing because of our weight!? It's madness. I want to love and wholly approve of myself right now, not just when I have lost the weight, but right now for having the courage to face whats lurking beneath.

We are all lovely gorgeous people and deserve better lives and you know what we are going to do it.

As my friend said to me "God doesn't make crap........."

smile on

Jennifer
xxxx

to everyone - I really feel i want to log on and see what all of you are saying and doing. I haven't had the courage to go and weigh myself again, but i will try to do so tomorrow.

Sha, I occasionally find I am stuck in hotels and it can be really difficult - there is rarely that much vegetable there to fill yourself up on. I do find that many places are getting much better at doing salads, and in hotels they sometimes do really interesting ones that you wouldn't bother to do for yourself, so there can be a sense of indulging too. Beware dressings though - they can be pretty calorific. Nice hotels can be good about doing fruit salads too, again the kind of time consuming stuff making it look pretty that makes it look really special.

Depnds where you are staying, but when I stay in London, I often find that, without the restrictions of family, ironing to do etc, I can spend the evening walking round just looking at the interesting architecture. Alternatively, in the posh hotels , there is always the gym - but I would rather walk in ever decreasing circles than spend time in the gym!

Good luck any way

Lorna

Group has been set up as Ab Fab.
It's a bit sketchy but we can change that later. Any ideas gratefully accepted.
Still to come:
Group Photo
Group Logo
Group Header
Group Tag Line
Group Description

We can change anything we want to. It's put me in as manager only because I pushed the buttons, but if anyone else would take it over that would be great. I thought it should be Jane and Susan, but it seems we can't have 2 people. In fact, it doesn't seem to allow us to be as democratic as we all seem to be in this group!!!

Sorry if I seem to be impatient to get started (but I am!).

Rabidherbivore
x

ok that's great rabid...doesnt really matter who sets it up..does it...and the name is good cos it sounds like we're talking about our abs too!...and thats's we're working towards isnt it?....

just wondered if it conveys what we've really been talking about?..

think should be "ab fab u less".... or how about?.... 4stone2go? support?

bye for now
jane