Hi *waves*

I doubt there'll be anybody here who remembers me, so I look forward to making new friends.

Here's my story.

I first started losing weight back in 2005, starting at 213 lbs. In a year and 3 months I lost 66 lbs, taking me down to 147. Then I got pregnant.

I didn't go right back to where I started - even 9 months pregnant I wasn't at 200, but I had a fair bit to lose.

So, back on the diet I went again, losing all the weight, and more.

I started running when I got to 140 and that helped tremendously. I ended up at a tiny 129.6 at my very lowest, which was in the summer of 2009.

In the meantime, I'd broken up with the father of my baby, met someone new and we got engaged in September 2009. We got married in July 2010, and I weighed 138. So I hadn't managed to maintain my lowest weight, but I was still looking pretty good (see avi).

I stayed reasonably thin, hovering about 140. I kept running. I even ran the London Marathon in April 2011. But after that was when things started to go awry.

I hurt my foot quite badly running the Marathon. I could barely walk for a month, let alone run. After that I never really got back into it. The impetus of training for the Marathon was gone, and every time I started again, I got busy, or bored, or it got hard.

The weight crept on. I put away my lovely small clothes in two big black bin bags and bought more, telling myself it was only temporary. The weight continued to creep on. I tried to diet, only to give up after a week or so.

The weight carried on creeping on until my new bigger clothes started to get tight.

So this time I really am determined to do it again. I weighed myself on Monday and was 172.6!!

Since Monday I've lost 3 lbs which I'm really pleased with. I've set myself a max calorie intake of 1400, which I know from experience is doable and doesn't make me feel too hungry. I've started running again.

I am going to DO it this time! I want to be thin by summer. I want to be able to run three miles again without thinking about it. I want to be that lovely slim woman my husband fell in love with. He never saw me bigger. The biggest he ever saw me before we got married was about 144. He says it doesn't bother him, but I think it does.

So I'm back. From outer space etc etc

You can do it! Keep up the great work

Hi *waves back*

Im at a similar weight 171 and would love to get into running, i have tried, bought the outfit, downloaded the app but then only managed about 2 miles. I dont even know how to work thia question but do you have like a routine or programme for building your distance up?! Sorry im not with it today.

My mum once said to me "you never see a fat runner" i dont know why its stuck with me but it has and obvious bonus its free so any tips would be greatly appreciated

Thanks x

Hi Missthomas

The best programme I found was the C25K. I started running in 2008 with it. I had never run properly in my life - the only thoughts I had about running were memories of dismal cross-country 'runs' at school where I walked half the way and always came in last.

But I found the C25K really good - it starts off easy, but gets a bit tricky about halfway through. However, it can be done! I did it, and so have a lot of other people.

In April 2011 I ran the London Marathon - all from starting with the C25K!!

Now I'm back to where I started again - running-wise, anyway, and the old C25K is my friend again. I got up to Week 4 then got a nasty chesty coughy flu-thing which hung around for about two weeks. I'm on the mend now and will be back running next week.

http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml

The basic plan is free, but they have an app you can buy. I just use the basic plan.

Yes, running is free, but you do need to have decent running shoes. Cheap trainers will just damage your feet.

I also ended up buying a GPS running watch which has been invaluable. I've used it for five years, so it really was an investment. Mine is a Garmin Forerunner 205 - an old model now, but it still does the job.

Hi again,

Thank you so much for the advice, I downloaded C25K that same day you recommended and I managed to complete the first week (3 days) by yesterday so im starting the 2nd week today. It hasn't been bad at all... I know its only the first week but I was really dreading it. I just need to find a decent route to run, I live on the riverside but unfortunately it is being renovated so i have been running through the high street but hopefully we will have the quayside back soon! Im also on day 8 of the squat challenge which I have been struggling more with.

How has your running been going? I need to find a little group who weigh in weekly, I was 171 last week and I am now 168 so 3lbs gone, im pretty happy with that.

Have you set yourself a goal? I go on holiday in 10 weeks ish and hopefully i would love to lose 20lbs by then.

Hope your weel x

Hi Missthomas - glad to hear you've made a good start.

I was planning on running last week but my chesty cough hung around longer than expected so I wasn't able to. Then again I was starting today, but my girls are home from school, and my eldest was off on a sleepover last night so I had to take my youngest with me to walk the dog this morning instead of leaving her with her big sister. Normally I run whilst walking the dog, but because I had my daughter with me, I wasn't able to.

Tomorrow for sure! I'm going back to week 3 because of my time off.

Well done on your loss. I'm up a pound from last Monday due to a week of chocolate, no kids, too many nice meals and wine with my husband - whoops! But back on the wagon again this week.

There are plenty of groups on the boards - just find one and jump in. My only goal is to get back in my slim summer clothes by the time the weather gets warm!