Hi all
 

Hi all,
A friend recommended joining this forum, so here I am.

I have put off dieting for a long long time, all previous attempts failed, or I gave up. But my current weight is such that if I don't loose, I am a heart attack waiting to happen. I've used all the excuses under the sun so far as to why i've not started to diet again. But, weekend before last I met up with a friend who I knew was going to a slimming class, but I didn't realise was a morning one (I have to go to a morning class because of work), so I invited myself along to his class last week. I joined Slimming World on the 26th January 06... I'm 28 and currently weigh (I think this is right!) 322.5lbs. (UK= 23st 1½lb) It upset me no end when I got on those scales. And it was made even worse by the fact, I was the biggest woman in the room. :cry:

I have gone down the doctor route, but it left me feeling humiliated. I was actually due to see my doctor today (31st) but I cancelled because I couldn't face sitting there being told I'm "beyond help", which I have had from 2 previous doctors.

I have done the eating plan religiously since Thursday. I've followed it to the letter, even weighing the correct amount of meat, or pasta... something unheard of in my household.

I wouldn't say I over eat. I have always been overweight, both of my parents are overweight. And since starting at my current job, my shift pattern meant I was coming home at 10pm and eating a full meal. I've put end to that now.

Thankfully my mum has agreed to eat as I do, so finding it easy at the moment. She lost weight before, without any help. She lost over 4st, but put it all back on when she had a bad few months. She had to lose weight because her doctor warned her she would be put on insulin for her diabetes. I think that has happened again, because she's doing this diet with me.

I have no life, I just exist. I make excuses why I can't go out, I just don't want to! Being this size, I know people watch me if I go out for meals, so I don't... skinny friends say i'm being paranoid, but I think that's the case! I find it uncomfortable sitting in chairs. (Actually afraid I will break them!)
I've lost friends because I won't go out anywhere. And I have no boyfriend, I hate my body, I wouldn't wish it on anyone!:(

I'm not exercising and I don't plan to until I've lost a fair bit. Call me stupid if you will, but muscle weighs more than fat... I want to get some of the weight off, not add to it.

I need support though. I need encouragement, tips, advice, help, tellings off, anything to help me stick at it. I'm determined to keep at this diet, but there may be days where I think about giving up. I just would like to know there are people willing and ready with size 9 boots on, to kick me up the backside!

That's about it for now,

Luv
Mands xx

By the way, I know 140lbs is a far fetched wish, on my little progress bar thingy, but if it's there and those scales get closer, i'll carry on going just to get it to the end. ;)

Hi Mands, welcome to the forums! I see you're a Brit and there is a forum just for UK chicks here, if you are interested.

It is true that muscle weighs more than fat, but it's important to remember that muscle also burns more calories than fat. Keeping your muscles in form also boosts your metabolism. Exercise has proved vital in my continued weight loss and is instrumental when a dieter enters maintenance phase. I began at around 15 minutes a day of exercise because of the physical difficulties. I could only manage 4 minutes at a time on the treadmill (now I can do an hour with great ease).

I've also heard that beginning with diet OR exercise (not both) is a good route. It is difficult to make both changes at the same time, and I suggest you do whatever is more comfortable for you.

Depending on you height and frame, 140 may not be far fetched at all. But quite a few ladies on here like to break their goals down into smaller ones. I'm like you though and like to aim for the final goal.

I wish you tremendous luck and strength as you begin your journey.

Hiya, thanks for the welcome.
I'm not really worried where the support comes from. Or shall I stick to the UK part of the forum?
Once I get down a bit, I will for sure start the exercise thing. But it's too uncomfortable right now. And I am using all my will power on eating healthily alone! It's taken me long enough to decide enough is enough, so one thing at a time. :)
My weigh in isn't until Thursday Morning, but I feel different. My boobs (am I allowed to use that word?! ;) ) feel much, much lighter. Today walking around work, I noticed I am definitely walking taller and straighter, not hunched over.
And my bum didn't seem as tight in the chair. Maybe i'm just wishful thinking as i've only been on it a week.

Truth will be told on Thursday. I will be devastated if I haven't lost anything! But hopefully that isn't the case.

I'm absolutely amazed by your weight loss. I hope I can be as successful as yourself! :)

You're welcome anywhere in the forums :D I just wanted to let you know about the UK forum in case you didn't see it. You are very much allowed to use 'boobs.' There are much worse terms that that!

I do understand about the uncomfortability factor when we have the extra weight to have to move. It is difficult, but it's also important, but like I said before, whatever you are more comfortable with. Yes, one change is definitely better than none.

My weight loss journey has been a difficult one, I can say that. It's definitely been a struggle. But I like to encourage and support others because I've been there (and still am).

My official weigh-in days are Thursdays as well. It's when I change my tracker.

Feel free to ask me any questions and tell me when you need a kick in the bum, I'll be happy to do it!

LOL! Thanks.
Thursday my bum might be in need of a kicking. Cause I think if it's not good news, a chocolate bar or crisps will be my best friend for the rest of the day!

How do I change my tracker? Do you have to create a new one everytime you loose something?

When did you start loosing weight, may I ask? :)

Don't be discouraged if you don't lose! That's the kiss of death for dieters!

You have to create a new tracker everytime you have a loss. They don't have any kind of automatic updates for trackers.

I started my diet/exercise regimen June 1 2005. I've had quick results because I'm on a VLCD (very low calorie diet). I also started right away with exercise. But it's getting harder as each day goes by. I have to exercise more and I can't cheat as much because I'm so much smaller.

I spotted how to do the tracker on one of the stickies. You change the last number to the current weight and it should do it.

A VLCD. How do you overcome hunger though? I messed up the first 4 days of my diet, I didn't eat nearly enough. I was so hungry! But I resisted the snack machines in work.
I really need to loose a lot. It's beyond a joke the size I am now. I wear UK size 30/32. :( I can't even shop in a fat persons shop because their 30/32 is too small! I have to buy from a catalogue. I don't have many clothes because they're expensive.

Roll on the day where I can just throw anything into my shopping trolley and it will fit!!

I lucked out somewhere along the line, because I rarely got hungry before my diet and rarely get hungry on my diet. I was suprised too: I began (while in the morbid obesity stage) on a 600 calorie a day diet and never got hungry. I actually only get hungry when I haven't eaten after 8 or 9 hours. And I can eat a few crackers to satisfy the hunger and it won't come back for another few more hours. Isn't that strange? I can even do a juice fast with minimal hunger. I consider myself very lucky, because my mom says she starved to death on a 1200 calorie a day diet, and mine is 1000!

At my biggest, I wore a US 26W (and my pants were tight) I actually shopped in the mens department for shirts! (What an embarrassing secret) I used to only have 2 pairs of pants that fit and a few t-shirts. Now I have a new wardrobe! Buying smaller sizes is one of my favorite things about losing weight. And you'll be able to do it too!

Here's what I suggest you do: Sit down and make a master list of foods you like that will work with your diet. From vegetables, proteins to snacks and convient foods. Try to strive for more real foods than processed or junk food. Even as I say that, I am munching on a string of twizlers. :) Keep revising and adding the list. The purpose is to create something that will help you shop with variety and will help you when you are needing something in a pinch (instead of grabbing the first food you see which may be junk food).

Get a fitday account. www.fitday.com. That'll help you track calories.


I personally don't recommend going that low on calories because when you start to lose weight and need to shift down, there is no room to go.

That sounds familiar. I literally only have 2 pairs of Jeans... although one I had to buy a size too big because they didn't have the length in my size. I have long legs. And a handful of tops.
It's embarrasing wearing the same clothes into work all the time. I'm clean and tidy though... so it doesn't really matter. But it makes me paranoid people think i'm scruffy! Bleh.
I went for a job that doesn't require a uniform because all the places I looked only went up as far as a UK26! :(

I said to my mum when we've lost our weight, i'm going to do a pretty womanesque thing. Go into a shop and spend obscene amounts of money on new clothes!:carrot:

I'm on the Slimming World diet. It consists of a Red or a green healthy eating plan, or alternate the two.
On a red day you eat as much lean meat as you wish. On the green, you eat as much pasta and potatoes as you wish.
You eat a weighed amount of potatoes/pasta on the red and weighed amount of meat on the green.
Veggies and fruit are all free foods, so you can pig out on those if you so wish.
You are allowed 10-15 syns (correct spelling) a day. Which can be used on anything from more potatoes on a red day to a chocolate bar.
You have to have 1 or 2 'A' options a day, which is your milk or cheese. (set amounts) And 2 'B' options, which is your crispbreads, potatoes on a red day for example, or bread. (All set amounts)

I have been on the diet before and did ok. But I didn't have the willpower to keep it up. I hope at the age I am now, I can. Because I don't want to stay this big and do the old coffin dodging!
I have to jot down everything I eat or drink over the next 4 weeks. If I don't loose, they look back through it and try and work out why. That is getting on my nerves a bit, but their website has a food diary section, so I can just pick what i've had from the lists.

I've been good, in the nearly a week i've been doing it, the only naughty i've had was a sugar free mint yesterday because I had a cup of coffee and i'd forgotten my toothbrush!

Some people try and feed you with crisps or chocolate, it's annoying. :(
I am not telling people how much I have lost in work. I will tell them if I have lost, but not how much... or how little.

Yes, I'm feeling that as I type. I'd die if I go down any further. I don't recommend it at all. I regret it. :( But there isn't anything I can do about it now. I'd probably GAIN if I upped my calories. I can blame my poor choice on my terminal impatience.

Mands, I know what you mean about only having a few shirts for work. Back when I was working, I think I only had 5 shirts in rotation. And one got deemed inappropriate (it was from New Orleans and had a skeleton on it (I worked in a preschool)) and I couldn't wear it anymore. It was embarrassing as ****. Now, if I actually had a proper job, I'd have 20 shirts in rotation.

The key to sticking with a diet (besides willpower) is being aware of it (like in journaling and reading labels, etc) and not kicking yourself and falling further off the wagon when you do something off the plan. Give yourself the flexibility to be human so that you don't say "ughh, forget this diet." I also think of dieting as a learning experience. It makes it kind of fun. It helps that I do what I can not to feel starved, but in a good way.

BTW, I ate a HUGE bacon cheeseburger last night. Is that on my plan. NO WAY. Kids wanted to go to this special place and I never take them out anymore. Today, I only ate 600 calories of food (too busy at work, should have had my meal bars but forgot them. :o ). Is that according to my plan? NO WAY. I try to find a good balance most days but sometimes life gets in the way. Like our principal (teacher) said this morning to the students "if you make a mistake, learn from it then move on."

And so will I one day. *crosses fingers*
I wanna wear a skirt too! LOL! The old Gypsy style skirts are all the fashion here right now, they're really pretty. But I can't wear skirts... my legs are too big... lots of rubbing if I don't wear jeans. :sorry: :o
I'll beat it! Grrrrrr. :devil:
This is me by the way, if anyone is interested... no full body ones I don't think... cause it's damn embarrassing! :(
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...yRox/po043.jpg (me and Matt Lucas (from UK's Little Britain TV comedy show), people think we're related haha!)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...x/mexmas05.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v70/SkullyRox/me3.jpg
http://photobucket.com/albums/v70/Sk...h_Picture1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v70/SkullyRox/bbv.jpg (about 2 years ago)

Hey do you know me already? Cause I have said that many times before!:p

I don't have any pics of me uploaded on my computer, although I should because people seem to like the before, during, and after pics. My driver's license photo is horrendus, I should use that one.

Mands, btw, you are very pretty. I've heard about that Little Britain show, something about the Queen watching it or something.

I would love to see before, during and after pics. It gives me something to aim for. ;) Knowing I can look like you do!

Thanks for the compliment. I don't see it myself... But i'm like the ugly duckling. Hoping I am a beautiful swan when all my weight is gone.
Weigh in tomorrow. Dreading it. I can see me walking around grinning like a cheshire cat all day, or crying buckets. :(

Yeah, I think the Queen has watched Little Britain. I'm a big *pardon the pun* fan of the show. :) Well, more of David Walliams. ;) *Phroar*

See, it's David that spurred me in to loosing weight. When I met him back in November, I honestly thought he was thinking, how dare someone like me like him! He seemed a little offish. Paranoia? Maybe. :^: But at least I am doing something about my weight now!:D

I'm the biggest at my slimming world too ;) I lost 3 stone there (was half pound off 3 and half actually) 2004 but stopped going and put it back on. :o :mad: Tsk!

I love your pic with Matt Lucas :cool: you look good in your pics. :D

See, I'm not the only one who doesn't think you are an ugly duckling. I'll fish through some pics and upload some soon for you.

I weigh in tomorrow as well and I know it won't be good, because I'm retaining water for a reason not needed to be mentioned.

I'll tell you my story of my very first weigh-in: I was at least a week and a half or two (I can't quite remember) and I hadn't bought a scale yet. I had always assumed I was 280 because that's what I had weighed the last time I stepped on a scale. WRONG!! After a week or two on my diet, you know what the scale read? 307!!!! I was 27 pounds heavier than I thought. That was devastating. So I'm actually unsure of what my starting weight was. I don't know how much weight I lost my first week, but I can't imagine it was too much, and it probably was a lot of water weight anyway. So it was like I GAINED 27 lbs in a week and a half. But I didn't give up and look where I'm at now! 106 pounds lighter. If you have a disappointing weigh in tomorrow, don't you dare give up. That's going to be part of the diet process. Everyone has good weigh-ins and bad weigh-ins. You won't find anyone at 3FC who can say that they every time they stepped on the scale, they grinned like the cheshire cat all day. I have cried over weigh-ins. But I never gave up.

The difference between success and failure is not letting ONE disappointment turn into unconditional surrender.

:wel3fc:

Welcome Mands, I am so glad you found us! I’ve made so many friends here over the past year and I have been amazed at some of the people and the weight they have lost! :grouphug:

Tell me about it, we both started new jobs within about 6 weeks of each other, mine had a uniform but thankfully I got out of wearing it as the new staff could get away without it as they where designing a new one and therefore didn’t want to spend money on a new uniform for us for it to be changed within months.

I vowed to drop some pounds – I didn’t!

I eventually had to be fitted for my uniform at which point was May 2005. I was pleased I was being fitted and didn’t expect to squeeze into a small size. It took 6 weeks to arrive in which time I’d lost 22lbs because I joined the gym!

6 months on that uniform still does not fit and it still hanging in my wardrobe at home waiting for me to slim down. I think at this rate I need to drop about 30lbs to even attempt to get into it!

I will succeed!

Anyway Mands your a great friend to me, I swear we could be sisters except your older!!!!

:soap: <-------- look it's Per on his SOAP box! ;)

I've known for what 3 years now, and I'll always consider you to be the best internet buddy I have! :comp: :hug:

And the results are in!

TEN AND A HALF POUND BABY! ;) Yeah I'm shouting! ;)
It's a boy! ;)
LOL!
I have lost the equivalent of a baby this week!
I am so so pleased! 10 and a half pound in a week.

Geez, am I happy!
I will reply to the other messages in a bit, just gonna have a nice cup of tea and get down off my little high!! :D

Mands xx

Just quick... how the **** do I do the tracker? Ok I was 23st 1.5lb, I am now 22st 5lb... confusing myself!

We need a jaw dropping smiley!
 

:dancer: :high: :tied:


DANG! I lost 9 in one month that thought that was EXCELLENT. I bet you feel better now knowing that you are on the road to weight loss. No matter what you lose from here on out, you know that you have picked up the hurdle, slammed it down, and jumped right over it. Way to go!

Yep, still the same today. Biggest in the class. :( It's horrid! We're all there for the same reason, but they look at me as if i'm a leper! :?:
What really got my goat today. The consultant announced my weight loss, the ladies went mad, clapping and stuff. :carrot: Then this one woman who people call bb... I found out today it means busy body. :D Anywho, she pipes up, "Don't expect to loose that again next week", in a really snotty voice. Well, my friends mum wasn't having this. She said to her, actually Amanda is going to try to break the stone next week. The consultant said, "yeah, you go for it it Amanda"... oh dear. Yeah, I thought stick that in yer pipe and smoke it to the woman, but kinda put the pressure on me to try for the stone! I'm gonna though!:carrot:
And cheers, I luff Matt. He's an absolute sweetheart!
Gonna try for a picture with David the end of this month, when i'm my stone or more lighter. ;) Teehee!:hug:

Aww shucks!:hug:


Similar to me, I thought I was lighter... only a bit, I thought I was low 22 or something. But nope! Well, I nearly am now! ;)
My mum said it's been worth it then... yeah it has, but thinking of doing this for years, I dunno... but I will obviously have to do what it takes! :)
I won't give up, I've lost this much it would be silly to. Hopefully next week I will loose. But I hope this isn't a case of, that's your lot! :^:

Aww shucks. I love ya doll. :hug: :hug: Woo, older by 4 days... blimey! LOL! Hehe!
You're my bestest buddy too and I love ya! ;) Just gotta get my butt in gear and mail you more eh? Teehee!

Mands and Homer xx

Thank you!
All the way in, in the car I was saying I haven't lost. When I got on those scales and saw the 22 I thought, woooo go me... at least i'm in the 22 box. But when she said 10½lb...:carrot: ! So I KNEW my boobs felt lighter! :D
I know you don't wanna know, but it's that time of month... and I hadn't been*coughtoiletcough* yet, so who knows might have been more!
I know not to expect much next week. But hopefully I can do well again.:dizzy:

They asked if I had done measurements before I started but I didn't. I wonder what inches i've lost. Hmm.

Yay well done :bravo: just ignore the snotty people in class. ;) There is always at least one.

Move More? Truth or Joke?
 

You know how we vow to move more?

I've been dieting for a month now and last week I decided I wanted to measure myself so I bought a measuring tape. It's been a week and I haven't even brought myself to go downstairs and do it.

:o

Yay!! Congratulations Mands!! My results today were a big fat 0. But like I said before, it's only one disappointment. BTW, what's slimming world? Is it the equivalent of Weight Watchers? I thought you had WW over there; you know one of your fellow Britons is the spokeswoman for it over here.

Mands to change your tracker, just click on any tracker that you see and it'll take you to the tracker page. When you make your new tracker, copy the URL and go to your user control panel and click on 'edit signature'. Then cut out the old one and paste in the new one.

BB just sounds like she is jealous. You go for that stone!!

Thank you! :D
I managed to do my tracker, go to your profile on here... edit signature. The last numbers /322 or whatever, edit those to current weight then click save. That worked fine. :)
We have weight watchers here, but everyone I know that did it always said they felt hungry.
This is slimming worlds website.
http://www.slimming-world.com/

I haven't felt hungry since about 3 days in and I am actually leaving food. :)

Mands xx

But just look at what you have achieved so far! Triple figures. :dizzy: And you didn't put on right?:hug:

Yes, I know. I never give myself enough credit. I'm just on a binge week because of PMS :( Why does it always do this to me? And my PM buddy is sick :(

Isn't it a bit late in England now? Almost 2 in the morning? You said you get off work at 10 though, huh? I prefer a late schedule as well, because my circadian rhythm is a little screwy.

It's good not to be hungry on a diet. It's another reason so many experience failure.

I've been slacking on my exercise as well. I've been so lazy.

I'm so happy you had a great loss! It's such a great motivator, isn't it? I kind of wish I did the group thing as well, except I don't have a job and can't afford it right now. I think I'd get competitive with the other ladies and want to lose more weight than them. I always like to be the best!

I've really got to get back on track; this gets harder each day. But there's no way I'm giving up now. I've put in too much hard work.

Aww bless you. I've got my period this week, which is half the reason I didn't think I would loose. But I stayed good. But am I grumpy! Give me chocolate NOW!! ;)
You can natter to me until your buddy is well again... make the time go quicker until they're back!:D

Yup, it's just 2am. I usually go bed between 2-4am. Early one for me tonight because I was up at 8 to get ready for weighing!

If I felt hungry I would give in, that's it with me, miss negativity! LOL!
I haven't started exercise yet. Maybe if I get 2st odd, I will start then.

No, don't give up. Noooo. If someone like you gives up, what hope is there for me! :hug:

I think I have RSI in my left hand index finger... grrr, I type for a living and today, cor is my finger hurting.:( Gonna have to mention it in work tomorrow, grr. More reason for me to want comfort food!:o

Oi, get to bed missy... it's too early to be up at this hour... lol

Oh hang on it's 7.30am, you are in bed I guess, it's silly me up at this hour at work!

Hi Mands,
I think you're pretty!
Good luck with your weight loss, you've taken the first, hardest step...realizing that you need to make a change and taking steps in that direction!

Aww bless ya!:hug:

Trouble is now i've started, I want it all to happen now! I said to mum yesterday, had a particularly bad day, that I feel like stopping eating, cause I want the weight gone. I can't imagine doing this eating pattern for another couple years! But I soon got my head back in gear.
Been taking the stairs more in work and at home. So hopefully my weight loss this week will be as good as last week... ok, not AS good, but a good loss all the same. :)

Hehe, I have to get up about 8 on Thursdays for Slimming World... you would think I was getting up in the middle of the night! Well, for me it is! LOL! I go bed about 4am, I get up about 11am... bad bad sleep pattern. :mad:

Hi there! Wow, 10 pounds in a week is pretty much my fantasy. You should be so proud of yourself!

I know what you mean about starting strong and being afraid that you'll have a bad day or two and want to give up. It's hard to have to realize that weight loss is something you'll have to deal with every day for the rest of your life-- first to get there, then to stay. A little trick that keeps me motivated is to keep a journal and every day write down something that you're proud of. "I'm proud that I took the stairs/avoided that cookie/didn't get a second helping/etc." That way, even when you have a bad day (or several) you can look back at all the good things you've done and all the things you'd be giving up by quitting.

Good luck, and I know you'll continue to rock that scale!! :hat: