Hi there,

Just joined this site as I've got a huge mission ahead of me and am looking for a little support and encouragement as I guess all of you are too.

I'm 30 years old, used to be a UK size 10/12.... Then I started teaching, and over the past 8 years have gradually put on 6 stone/82lbs and I have never felt so uncomfortable. I currently weigh 118.5 lbs (just over 15 and a half stone) and hope to get down to 126 lbs (9 stone) by 27th December as I'm going to New Zealand for 5 weeks and really really would love to look good in a bikini.

I realise this is a mammoth task but hope that by eating 500-700 calories per day it will be achievable. I've read about the pros and cons of consuming such a low amount of calories but it would mean so much to me to lose the weight.

Is anyone else doing a similar thing?

Jabba (the hut) x

Welcome! Good luck with your goals, though I recommend upping your caloric intake and putting in some time for exercise.

Dhani

Thanks. How do you get the weight loss tracker? Congrats on your weight loss so far!

Hi, good to see another member thinking in stones!

Do not, I beg you, dream of going as low as that in your calories. Seriously, you will cease to function.

I'm no expert but I do know that if you eat too little, your body thinks you've gone into a starvation situation, and it will struggle to hold onto every little ounce of fat; of course you'll lose quickly at first but, very soon, it'll slow down. The best thing is to start at a fairly strapping number of calories, 1800 wouldn't be too high, it's bound to be lower than you've currently been eating. Then when that weightloss slows down, you can either up the exercise or lower the calories a little. If you start too low with the calories, you've nowhere to drop it to.

With your determined attitutde, though, you are on track to succeed!

Welcome. Since Chicks can be overwhelming at first, I suggest you look for a support group or challenge to join; a small group of friends to help keep you motivated. Find one you like that fits your needs, or inspires you, and just post to join.

Hi and welcome to 3FC.

500-700 calories a day, in my opinion, is not the healthy way to go about losing weight. I suggest going here - http://www.freedieting.com/tools/calorie_calculator.htm - plug in your info, work it for a few weeks and tweak as necessary. I also recommend finding time for some sorta exercise.

Good luck with your goals.

Hugs
Michelle

Thank you all for your comments and advice. It's just so hard as it's nice to see quick results so you know you're making a difference... I find dieting so hard to stick to when the results are slow to take effect. With me it's all or nothing... I never seem to find that happy medium and I guess that's why I've got weight issues. At the moment I'm ready to put everything into this in order to lose the weight by Christmas... I'm just about to have a look at the link you sent Onederchic, thanks.

Just had a look at the link Onederchic... that was really helpful, thanks... apparently 960 calories most days will still result in rapid weight loss.

I agree with PP. Raise those calories or you will just disappoint yourself. Just wanted to say good luck!!!

Thanks.... I take it you're a teacher?? Don't you just find yourself eating comfort food to give you energy because you are so tired from work all the time?? I did. Just changing my job after 8 years and with any luck I won't be as stressed and will find time to eat properly... just want to shift the weight first.
Good luck with your goals too!