thanks rabid. will join up before i turn out the light. we have something really good and helpful going here. i am feeling the most positive for decades about losing weight, changing lifestyle

again good luck to us all

liz

Well guys I've managed to lose 6lbs in my first week - if I can do it so can you! How you all going?

Sam xx

Well done Sam that's brilliant ! My weigh in is tomorrow, gulp ) Keep going, we all have a lot to do but it's nothing we can't achieve !
x

Well done Rabid for setting up Ab Fab. Jane, I am happy to manage the group if you are pushed for time with your father being ill, but don't want to be presumptious as you started the thread! Am busy myself, returning to work after a 9 month sick leave with back problems, but will happily manage as it will keep me focused on being positive and losing weight.

Just a thought ......what does managing the group actually involve? Now Rabid has set it up as Ab Fab surely all we need to do now is support each other? Correct me if i'm wrong!

I think that "managing" the group is a misnomer - as far as the website goes it just seems to be about the appearance of the site/page and whoever set it up is named as the manager by default.

I agree with Sue - all we have to do now is support each other. Which is what we all seem to be offering and requesting anyway.

Rabidherbivore

Thanks guys for your good wishes. Sarah I'm sure your weigh-in will be just fine. Rabid a 1lb loss is great - they say between 1 - 2lbs a week is the ideal loss to actually maintain weight loss. Next week you may even lose 3lb - its not an exact science. I've only lost 6lb this week as it is the first week and it tends to be mostly water loss (though with the amount I've drunk this last week I can't see how lol) Actually stepping up water intake does seriously help with the weight loss as it flushes out all the toxins and fat out of your body.
There have also been studies that show an increase in calcium in the diet can also help with weight loss - it was a BBC programme last year - can't remember the name of the programme though - maybe someone else saw it too?
Still we can go on about bits n pieces which should help us lose weight - the main thing is to find a diet that suits you for now - can always change it later - so long as you are losing you are a winner!!

Hi everyone

I have a bit more than 4 stone to lose and need all the support I can get!!! Ive got to shift this bulk by end of march. I cant be fat and 40!!!

Good Luck everyone xx

Hi everyone,

I had my weigh in today and lost 1lb, I am excited that the kick off has gone so well. What amazed me was that I actually lost anything, so now that the motivation has kicked in and I am in full gear I am rearing to go.

Samantha,

Thank you for the tips, I actually love fish so I am hoping to gets lots of variety. I have managed to stay away from the alcohol (I'll have you know that it takes lots of will power, but I keep fighting). I am not big on creams in sauces so I have stuck to fruit plates and sorbet as afters.

I am more determined now more that ever to do it and the thread provides real motivation, thanks ALL, and keep the motivational threads coming.

2 pounds lost ! Hoped it would be more but I'm happy with that )
Go for it Maureen, were all behind you !

Hi All

We are all told that BMI is important, what I didn't realise was that losing even the smallest amount has an immediate effect on your BMI. As I said in my previous thread I lost 1lb amazingly to me that has had an immediate effect on decreasing my BMI......(Oh so that is how it works, I am now officially a convert..........

Congratulations to all who have had a successful weigh in this week and to the others YOU CAN DO IT.....YES YOU CAN.

Peace out

Hi all who have felt this forum strike a chord with you, and been moved by Jane's honest comments which started it all off. We have set up a group (or rather, Rabid Herbivore has), with the intention of supporting each other in our quest to lose 4 stone or more.

We all seem to come from the same place, wanting a far better quality of life...to be able to wrar clothes that don't mark our body when we take them off etc etc. I could go on about all the reasons why we want to lose weight but don't.

The new group is called 'Ab Fab u Less'. We WILL be Absolutely Fabulous! So if you want to be part of it, and make something work then join us! Some of us are having a weigh in day of Thursday and will post results on Ab Fab.

The more members the merrier!

Just rescuing this post from disappearing from the top thread. Come and take a look at our group
Sam xxx

Hi Jane,
Your goals sound exactly the same as mine. We are the same age, with the same amount of weight to lose. I too have found that my sex life is suffering due to my perceived body image, even though my husband doesn't seem to mind. I know what I used to like like 20 years ago, pre kids, and want to look like that again (an older version obviously!).
I have set myself a reasonable weight loss target of 1.5 lbs a week, in order to get to target weight and fitness by October, when I have booked to go trekking in Ethiopia.
So far I'm well on track with this, having lost half a stone since 1st Jan. Been going to the gym 3 times a week, making time to go is hard but at last I realise that I'm due some ME time, dinner can wait or they can cook it themselves!
Keep in touch, let me know how it's going

Hi Jane and Everyone

I am Jenny, 58 years old, 5'6" and 16 stone 2lb. I have always had a tendency to be a bit overweight, but three things have piled on the pounds.

1) 19 years ago I had a car accident which left me with a back problem and stopped me doing the regular hill walking and tennis that kept me reasonably fit.

2) 4 years ago my husband was diagnosed with cancer and we both gave up smoking and I put on another stone.

3) 18 months ago my wonderful husband died and I didn't really eat much at all for a while but then I started with a vengence and am now 5 stone overweight. I know that it is mostly 'comfort eating' and I could easily have turned to drink or prescription medication so I suppose it is better that I turned to food.

Apart from all the obvious medical reasons for wanting to gain control of my eating (heart, stroke, diabetes etc) I know that being this heavy really exacerbates my back condition.

I have joined a Motorcise Gym, which is aimed at women over 40 who need to keep their joints supple and to generally tone up but who have a problem that can make normal exercise difficult.

I really need the support that this group can offer.

Jenny

Did someone recommend a book about eating and our emotions? I tried trawling through the previous posts, but can't find it. Would like to read something along those lines. Can anyone help?

I have exactly 4 stone to lose and to start me on my way have joined a sponsored slim. My motivation has gone up 99% and so has my diet and exercise but for some weird reason I have only lost 2lbs in the past two weeks and I have another 18lbs to reach before the sponsored slim ends though I will keep going to lose the 4stone after the slim has finished.

I am concerned though about the lack of weight loss as I have literally given up all bad habits (takeaways, chocolate and alcohol). I have taken up the gym and am exercising for at least 30minutes a day.

Good luck to you though maybe we can keep a track on eachothers weight loss.

Hi Fiona - 2lbs is an ideal amount to lose each week - slowly does it and you'll stick to it and keep it off. Why not join us in the Ab Fab group - we all have about 4 stone or more to lose and are a great bunch.
Sue

hi just thought i'd post here again..to say that if you agree/identify with the posters on here you can find us in

AB FAB U LESS

come and join us!

and if you want to find this post again...its under

Motivation tips

hope you're all achieving your weight and fitness goals..!

see you in ab fab!

regards
Jane
x

Hi Everyone

I am Teresa, I am 38. Two years ago I was diagnosed with diabetes and lost 7 stone. I have put about half of it back on and now need to lose a fair bit.

I lost it too quickly first time around and plan to lose it slowly, I hope to be my ideal weight by my 40th birthday which is October 2009!

I have also enlisted the help of Paul McKenna's CDs which I find do help, but I suppose it is not for everyone. I find they give me a calmer approach to food.

Anyhow, nice to meet you all

hey teresa - how did the 7stone loss have an affect on the diabetes?

Well if you aim to lose 1lb every 1.8 weeks you'll be back to 7 down (ie 3.5 to lose) by the time it's your birthday assuming your it's October 1st! !!

Wishing you a good loss.

Emm

Losing 7 stone made the diabetes easier to manage. This is mainly because it reduced the weight around the major organs and therefore allowed me to use the insulin I was producing more efficiently.

I reckon I will lose 2lbs a week as I am trying to do 10,000 steps a day. By my 40th next year I hope to be around my ideal (or comfortable) weight.

Thanks for your good wishes

hi theresa

Come and join us in Ab Fa...! we're all trying to improve our fitness/health and lose weight..

i've just joined race for life to give me that extra added incentive to keep going...i went last year as a spectator..it was very moving...and inspiring i..was thinking ...i should be doing that...so i hope to run/jog round the course...but if i walk,wiggle or wobble my way round it doesnt matter does it??....

I'm doing it ..not just for me ..but my mum and dad...family and friends....

bye for now best wishes everyone..x

I have over 4 stone to lose and I am feeling great right now. For the 1st time for years I am on track. I feel stronger, yes we fall down but so what? Does a kid stop walking when he falls down for fear of falling again? NO! Would you punish someone for eating that chocolate bar that was meant for a later date? No, if they enjoyed it, they can have it as they deserve a treat. Who decides we are bad and are all going to fail? US! Time to get your mind into the imaginary store and buy some stunning clothes, it can be real if you want it to.

Cheers Sue

How do I joint the Ab Fab have gone on to motivation tips but not sure what to so from there.

Cheers Fiona

Hello All,

I couldn't remember how many pounds are in a stone, so I went and looked it up. I am wanting to lose 4 stones as well, so I thought I'd make a little post here. I am wanting to lose weight and improve my health. There is heart disease in my family so I am doing a diet that specifically targets that. So far it's going well. I'm keeping a food log/journal now to track calories as well and have started walking after work a few days per week with a co-worker. I want to get back to running also so I can get back in shape to play some football again in a local league. So far with my new changes the biggest difference is saving money on restaurants and fast food (which I don't do anymore).

Thanks, Jane, for starting this forum for people with similar goals.

We can do it!

Lisa

Hi Jane

I have to lose about half of my present body weight roughly about 7 stone, when I looked at the chart the doctor showed me I became so depressed I just came home and ate ate and ate and guess what I was even more .

I have decided to make my goals a little more attainable [to me anyway] and I am going to do it 2 stones at time, I have started my new healthy eating plan today and will hopefully show a slow and steady decrease over the weeks ahead.

Reading your thread and the subsiquent posts have helped me no end today and put me on the road to a smaller me . Thank you.

I have walked 2.5 miles in 45 minutes, three times a week for the last two weeks. I have eaten an apple every day in the afternoon during the week and had oatcakes for breakfast.

On the days I haven't walked from work to the train station (which forces me to exercise at brisk speed) I've had a short walk at lunchtime.

Tomorrow I start gentle jogging.

I haven't sorted out my weekend eating habits but I'm getting there. I haven't noticed much weight loss since my belly still feels hard and pushed outwards but I know the results will come.

I am pleased I've done all this so far. I'm telling you all this because I weigh 19 stone and I'm 5ft11; I'm trying, oh Lord am I trying.

Keep trying Grant. It certainly sounds like you are doing all the right things.
I have started to run and have entered a 10k in June, so I have got a target also got a recent training plan specific to my speed( or lack of it)
from smartcoach. google it and it's on runners world. Anyway I am just off on my first run of the plan.
If only I could adjust my eating so effectively, one step at a time and I do eat off a small plate so that's something! I wish my belly was hard mine is like a bowl of jelly.
good luck to you all for next week, remember no-one else can do it for us!
Ruth

Hi all - I want to lose atleast 4st 7lbs by the end of the year. A few years ago I was 14stone & a size 20 - Got down to 10st 10lb, size 10 but just bundled it all back on plus more! Now 14st 7lb and 14-16. I try to go to the gym as often as possible, but finding it hard to get motivated at this time of year! I want to feel better for myself, I was happier and a lot more confident in my size 10 days! Abs