Twice my body weight

[ByAllMeansMoveAtAGlacialPace]

Got on a set of scales for the first time in over a year to find I weigh 16 stone. I'm 5 foot tall so double the weight I should be according to some chart I'm looking at.
I'm signing up to the gym on Wednesday and ditching the bus to the station from tomorrow onwards. I wear a size 20 which I know is massive but I just don't feel massive. I can't really explain but I've never thought of myself as grossly overweight, more just chubby but clearly I'm deluded. I know my eating habits are pretty bad too so I'm going to keep a good diary and make some changes.
The bit that I hate the most is the overhang stomach. I don't have kids so I've got no excuse. I'm determined to be healthier and lose weight but my dsis says my stomach is beyond and will likely get worse if I lose weight too quickly. Anyone have any tips on how I can best concentrate on that area? I'm basically sedentary but I've got to do something!

[nocutsnobuttsnococonuts]

If u book an appointment with the gym they should be able to advice which exercises are best for you.

But in regards to food have you thought about slimming world? Ive lost 2.5 stone and theres people there who have lost 9st plus. Its nice to have a support network and know you arent alone, get advice and share new recipes.

[ByAllMeansMoveAtAGlacialPace]

I think I should give it a try, always found an excuse but can't really think of a good enough one not to now. I terribly shy in groups so hoping the local one isn't too cliquey

[ByAllMeansMoveAtAGlacialPace]

Well done on losing 2.5 stone by the way!

[Iamnotacerealkiller]

Going to the gym and walking more is really great, will make you feel good and make your heart healthier etc. However you must remember the old 'you can't run away from a bad diet' Diet should be your main focus as weight lost is 70%-80% based on diet over exercise.

I have inadvertently proven this as i lost 30lb after breaking my foot so basically sitting at a desk everyday and basically 0 exercise.

If you are interested in food recommendations i would heartily suggest going low carb, especially if you are weak to sugar/pastry/pasta and other carbs. i didnt think i could give that up but it is so freeing once you do.

Im currently reaching the end of a pregnancy so i'm not doing any strict diet but will do so after he is born. If you want a kick start you can get one of those company which you can order in a months supply of low carb food. i lost 11lb in the first two weeks by doing this. i didn't realise it was low carb at the time and just wanted the convenience and to avoid the temptation of shopping and cooking myself, i did it for a month and by then had read more about the principles behind it and had had massive motivation in quite drastic weight loss. (i think that first month i lost 16lb) so i then felt i could start doing it myself for another two months.

I would recommend either a group or join an online forum. talking about it regularly really helped me.

[nocutsnobuttsnococonuts]

It will be worth a go, ours is nice and friendly. If u are unsure have u any friends/family who could go with you?

I feel in control of what im eating and as you can eat most things in moderation i dont feel like im missing out.

[ByAllMeansMoveAtAGlacialPace]

Carbs are my biggest downfall. Bread and pasta especially. I could give up everything else with little effort but struggle to stop bread and bread products. I don't really have anyone who would go with me to slimming world but I should still try. I have quite a long day and often don't get home till 7:30pm and have been relying on takeaways or quick crappy foods.

[AllTheUserNamesAreTaken]

What company did you use for the low carb food cerealkiller ?

[BIWI]

Why not come and join the low carb Bootcamp here? Totally free! We're just starting week 4, but that doesn't matter. People can join at any time.

[demirose87]

Definitely slimming world, you can still have carbs but just have to limit the bread. I've gone from 15'9 to 14 stone 6 in three weeks, just following the diet at home. Sometimes it's hard but its easier to stick to as there's a lot of food you can have.

[ByAllMeansMoveAtAGlacialPace]

BIWI I'll head on over and take a look!

[Iamnotacerealkiller]

alltheusernames

I used a company called golower aka natural ketosis. When i did it they had a Councillor call you once a week and a really good forum.

Some of the food wasn't my taste (i ma decent home cook) so i just ordered the stuff i liked in the end. Generally you will get a granola like thing for breakfast, soup/salad for lunch and then a hot meal for dinner that comes in a pouch that you microwave. you will need to prep your own veg to add to the salad and dinner, green veg only so green beans, courgette, spinach. I think you get a daily snack too. the chocolate covered raspberries were divine!!

Like i said, some of the food i didn't like but it introduced me to low carbing so i will always be eternally grateful. i started at 13st3 in 2010 and went down to 10st10 in 3 months. so i averaged about 2/3lb per week.

The defining moment was end of week one where i lost 8lb. then 3lb for the next two weeks. i couldn't fricken believe it! I was a total carboholic and didn't consider my diet unhealthy before, before the diet i ate lots of variety, lots of fruit and veg and lean meat but the weight crept on. Some people are really suspicious of low carb diets as they advocate for eating more fat. fortunately i had always been brought up that real food was best for you and so it wasn't difficult to make that transition for me.

It wasn't just my weight, my skin cleared up (adult acne) i was less bloated and my hormones leveled out.

In a carb heavy world we are really used to big spikes of hunger as a result of our blood sugar being all over the place, turns out that isn't really natural. While low carbing a meal time would go by without be noticing because i just wasn't hungry (prior to this i always watching the clock for the next meal)

I would also recommend watching Michael Mosley's documentary about fasting if you don't believe me about the fat/suger stuff they study people who ate nothing to see if there metabolism drops...it doesn't, for days.

Anyway i'm starting to sound like a sales person low carb diets may not be for you, they tend to work best on people who are carb addicts as this suggests you may be insulin resistant. like any addiction its best just to give it up.

Yes there is the sugar withdrawal to contend with, headache dizzyness etc, people say this is because you are running out of energy but this is BS, you are withdrawing from sugar for the first time and your body is having a whinge. Anyway i WANT to be running out of energy i'm covered in Kilos of energy and want to use that!! if im constantly stuffing 'energy' in my face to not let it run out how am i going to burn of my layer of personal insulation!!

[Iamnotacerealkiller]

My, that went a bit long! now you know what my family have to deal with!

Gacial, i would be happy to give you a little meal plan if you want to give LC a go. I wont go back to ordering food to me as it can get expensive, its a good kickstart though. Now i do it myself. make up the meals in little tubs before hand so i know i can't have anything else and don't get tempted to make something else...

[Iamnotacerealkiller]

Glacial i mean! darn dyslexia!!

[ByAllMeansMoveAtAGlacialPace]

Yes please @Iamnotacerealkiller !

I booked my gym induction for Wednesday night. Gulp!

[crackerjacket]

Just popping in to say low carb really works. Good luck

[ByAllMeansMoveAtAGlacialPace]

Thanks crackerjacket.

[LastOneDancing]

If you feel a bit shy but want some support and to celebrate your successes, how about setting up an instar am account just for your firness/weight loss?

I have one for running but there's a big crossover with people in weight loss journeys & they post meal ideas, before & after pics (reslistic ones!) and seem a supportive, positive lot. Could be worth a look?

Good luck OP. As a one time size 18 person I empathise. Weight loss is hard but so, so worth it.