This is it. I've had it. I've really got to do it.

[BitchyInnerMonologue]

I'm 39 (nearly 40).
I'm 5ft 1.5 and I'm 13 stone 2lb and I wobble.
I'm a 16 on my bottom half (I discount my top half because I'm very well endowed in the chest - I need an 18 or so in "normal" clothes, but can manage a 14 in Bravissimo stuff) and it has to stop.

Yesterday, I was called grandma by the neighbours adult son when I went to collect my DS and he was visibly shocked when DS said mum.

I'm hot, sweaty, chaffing in this heat and I hate myself.

I've flirted with weight loss before (see previous threads!) but I binge and self sabotage because I'm scared that if I really try, then I will fail; so I sneak chocolate & crisps and I hide food in my desk at work. I blame the fact that I'm pre-menopausal for my failings.

I'm terribly unhappy with myself and I don't want DS to look back as I do with my DM and realise that an entire childhood holds no photos of us together - or out of focus ones which aren't memories.

So, on one of the hottest days of the year, I'm saying enough is enough. I'm going to listen to my body and not eat because I feel I should - only when I'm hungry.

It's hot this morning and I'd normally be cooking a grill up in the kitchen. DH has offered me breakfast, but I've said no. I'm having a coffee the way I like it, and I'm content without the food.

They say weight loss is 80% food and 20% exercise. I can do both if I put my mind to it.

I will do this. I have to do this.

[BetterEatCheese]

I'm about the same height and weight as you and am reading Alan Carr's easyway - weight loss for women. It's great and echoes your sentiment of not trying for fear of failing.

Good luck!

[OnnaNoHito]

It's great that you're taking this step!

My advice would be not to skip meals, but instead have small portions of healthy items, such as a slice of toast and some fruit for breakfast or a bowl of healthy cereal. When I skip meals, that's when the cravings and "oh, I suppose one or two biscuits wouldn't hurt, since I skipped that meal..." starts up, and by the evening I'm binging on bad things. If I have something healthy throughout the day, I find that in the evening I can think "I've eaten enough today" and stop snacking

[EnglishGirlApproximately]

Op check out Richie Howie and team rh fitness on Facebook. I've been following them for a few months and steadily losing weight whilst eating a great diet. No fads, no restricting certain foods just no nonsense nutrition and exercise advice in an incredibly supportive ce group. I've lost 1 1/2 stone since March following the plan and I've had a holiday in that too!

[BlahBlahBlahEtc]

I've just started my weight loss journey. I bought a cheap (tenner) activity tracker so I wear it all day and can see exactly how many steps I've taken and calories I've burned. It helps massively. I also wrote down some healthy meals but portion size is my downfall so I'm weighing food currently to calorie count.. or I'll pile on shed loads of food and weight. good luck to you!

[TheVicarOfNibbleswicke]

Consider joining the low carb boot camp on here? I've been low carbing 4 weeks now and I've lost 12lb and I'm a slow loser normally. I needed to smash my snacking and sugar addiction too and I can't believe how this had worked. I don't even think about snacking. I also bought a fit bit and track food on my fitness pal.

[lastqueenofscotland]

Come and join us on the 7lbs a month thread.
We are all lovely I promise

[BitchyInnerMonologue]

I have a Fitbit so I'm trying that now; my target is 7000 steps for the moment, 10000 if I'm going to the gym/exercising etc.

I can't do low-carb due to my gallbladder having been removed; I found that if I try I end up in all sorts of pain.

I tried MFP last year but couldn't get on with it although I might try again; I found myself trying to be too accurate so that I could eat more

I think I'm just out of control on portion size. DH is 6ft and large framed (a whole other story!) so when he cooks he gives me the same size portions. Given my DM used to get grumpy if I didn't clear my plate then I feel conditioned to eat it all rather than acknowledging that I felt full and stopping.

I'm going on holiday in 34 days. I'm a small size 16 just now, and I want to be a 14 so I can fit in my linen trousers for going away.

[EnglishGirlApproximately]

Honestly OP, team rh would be ideal. You do need to use mfp but once you've been doing it a whole its second nature. Now low carbing on rh, in fact I'm about to have a bbq and it fits my plan. I'm happy to give you a bit more info if you're interested? Fwiw, I have 5 stone to lose and I'm a good way in, eating 1800 calories a day and exercising.

[BitchyInnerMonologue]

Looked at RH and it looks okay, and say I should use 1700 calories per day; but the meal plan has loads of stuff I can't eat sadly. However, I guess I could use MFP to work out alternatives.

I'm hoping to get to the local gym twice/three times a week, and also to start walking in the mornings or doing an exercise DVD.

I can do this!

[EnglishGirlApproximately]

Op there's no meal plan, the thing on the website is just examples. You can eat anything you like if it fits your calories and macros. I eat exactly the same meals as my family, it's a great plan

[BitchyInnerMonologue]

That's good to know. Might do a look a bit more in depth and try to incorporate it into my plans. Thanks for the recommendation.

[EnglishGirlApproximately]

If you follow Richie Howie on Facebook it'll start making sense 😊

[InferiorDecorator]

So, I've done over a week. I've run/jogged/walked for 12 miles in 3 mile chunks. I've logged all my food (mostly!) on MFP.

I'm about to step on the scales...

[InferiorDecorator]

And I haven't lost any weight. But I haven't put any on either (and I'm on my period).

BUT my trousers are looser; I'm about to go find a belt to hold them up. I feel better in myself. Walking around work, I don't feel as jiggly.

And, I haven't restricted myself. I did have two shortbread biscuits yesterday, and a can of fizzy juice.

And wine

So, I'm going to ditch the scales. I don't think they're helpful for me (other than for weighing a suitcase for the holidays!). I'm going to use my clothes as a guide instead.

Does that sound okay?

[Lyreco]

Ah girls how are you all doing . I have been fooling myself . I am putting on and taking off the same damn 3 lbs now for 2 months or more . I weighed this morning at 13.13 at class . Last week I was 13.10 . I am down about it . But I know why , I had biscuits , ice cream , prob a jar of peanut butter , white crusty rolls , brown crusty rolls , potatoes wedges with my wrap which had cheese on it . I too use excuses like menopausal , retaining water etc . But the truth is I am greedy and adore food . So today I am changing how I live . I have promised my friend who lives abroad that I will commit to a minimum of 3 exercise slots a week of 30 mins . He is going to do the same . Oh I'm 5 ft 7 btw . All help would be welcome