I am currently a size 18, would like to be a 14 by the time I turn 30 at the end of January. If I am really disciplined could I acheive this do you think?

Exercise is only moderate as I have very, very poorly knees so can't do a lot of walking or any running or anything high impact.

I don't want to look like this at my party

Can I just have some words of encouragement please? Even if I don't fit into the size 14 dress I've bought (because it's gorgeous and I got it for an 8th of the rrp on ebay), please keep me going with my effort.

So far I've managed to lose almost half a stone by cutting out treats and not stuffing myself, but the last few weeks have stopped losing so need to actaully "diet" now.

go onto www.fitday.com and put in your current weight in the weight goal bit, and the weight you would like to be - it will tell you if it is realistic.
it will allow you to log your calories and eating habits too if you like.

half a stone is great!

I have bad joint pain and my knees are affected and I found swimming pretty good. also things like hulahooping on wii fit.

normally around a pound or two a week is a good healthy loss, and you can lose a pound a week by cutting out 500 calories a day.

so in eight weeks you could lose another half a stone or a stone, by my calculations.

if you can find a way of elevating your heart rate for 10 minutes 3 times a day that will probably really help.

i found that jumping or skipping on my dc's trampoline was easy on my knees, and using a cross-trainer was ok if i didn't set the resistance too high.
I also noticed less pain day-to-day the more i exercised.
I love walking so I will do it and just not get up the next day but that's a bit daft.

Oooh thanks, that site is really useful.

If I were to plan for a 2lb loss each week (thinking positive here!) that's 1st 4lbs by my birthday, does a stone = a dress size?

I've only really dabbled with WW a few times before but each time got pregnant and gave up before I lost any more than about half a stone, so am not really sure of these things.

Thanks

because of my frame - wide hips - i have to lose 2 stone to drop a dress size for trousers - it's probably different for everyone.
when i lose weight, it first goes from my breasts, then my face, then my back, arms, torso. it takes me ages to shed the weight on my hips as it is sort of meant to be there iyswim?

i read a great book called aomething like 'reduced calorie dieting for dummies'. it basically said that although fad diets work up to a point in some ways, you have to reduce your calorific intake and up your metabolism with exercice in order to lose weight steadily.

there are some 'painless' things you can do like cutting out alcohol and caffeine.

i lost loads by switching from fruit juice to water.