I need to take a grip of my life and get healthy and focused.

[Sundancerintherain]

So, like many people I have been just existing rather than living for the past 18 months. Too much screen time, far too little exercise, not very good eating habits. I have 5 weeks off work coming up due to shift change so I've decided now is the time to do something about it. I'm early 50's, adult DC, overweight by about 2stone. I've been sort of following slimming world ish eating plan for this last week.
Any suggestions or anyone want to keep me company? 😀

Congrats op! I've managed to lose maybe half a stone and am trying to keep it off.

I've gone in for a couple of themed staycations, so one will be a chillout one and the other will be themed around doing something physical every single day. I also have a weekend away booked.

I then want to do a declutter week.

I don't know, some people say 'chip away at things', but for me work eats into my time so I am better off having a big push on work then easing up on work, while I have a big push on another project (not one that involves spending money though - those decisions do need thought!). Otherwise I feel like I'm making no progress.

Yes pleaseI need all the help I can get. I was doing so well until xmas 2020, exercising in lockdown, I even lost weight in the first lockdown, and then... it just spiralled down. I just find it so hard. So is it ok if I join you? I am 53, not sure if I dare step on the scale but I am going to make a plan and bloody do this!!

Hi can I join you
I’m off work for the next three weeks and I’d like to really focus on me . Sort out my eating and try to incorporate some exercise and book some pampering
I’m 48 and my teen DS will be with his dad for most of the next two weeks so I don’t have to think about anyone else.
I’m with you and I’m very happy to find some mutual support

Fantastic, welcome all 👋👋.
First thing I'm going to do is restrict going on my phone to 1 hour per day in the early evening. I'm finding that its becoming quite the addiction, read up on it and you can become addicted to the dopamine released by the brain and the instant gratification.
I've also just downloaded the FitOn app. Going to set it all up tomorrow ( I'm actually still in work today, just on a break).
A friend has recommended Slimming World, not sure yet as I tried it years ago and didn't get on with it at all.
Also I need another hobby. Thinking of crotchet and also brush up on a foreign language that I used to be ok at.
I live in mainland Europe, in a beautiful place and I'm sick and tired of just reading/ sleeping / internetting on my time off. I'm quite excited to start this now 😀

Same here OP. My get up and go seems to have got up and gone.

Wonderful to hear your plans
I’m going to try a (sort of ) clean eating plan for the first few days . Lots of veg and whole grains and nothing processed
I’m also going to start yoga with Adrienne tomorrow morning . I’ve tried it before and really enjoyed it

I would love to join. I want to

1. lose weight- 1stone initially as it seems manageable (but more than that needed)
2. spend more time on hobbies and less on phone
3. go to the gym 4 times a week - joined recently and want to make it a habit.

Same here, I’m 55 and decided to get a grip 6 weeks ago. I joined Jason Manfords weight loss support group on Facebook which isn’t naff at all, it’s been helpful and inspiring to see all the transformations. I now do my best to do 10k steps a day and have a PT session once a week. I use nutracheck and count every single thing I eat and there was the revelation. I’ve lost 1 stone 1 lb and feel so much better for it, it’s hard but I couldn’t go on being such an unfit lardarse. Good luck

Start Couch25k. In 5 weeks you'll be running for 20 mins at a time and it'll be habit. Just need halfway decent running shoes, nothing expensive.

@Outfoxedbyrabbits I would love to, but I have a disability that makes running problematic. I can walk / swim/ cycle ( I should like the 80's Tampax advert 😂😂).
My DD has also recommended mindfulness and some podcasts.
I think we women can get to a certain age and just stop considering out own changing needs.

@Cheermonger I've had a look and joined that too, what a great shout .

I'll join if I may?

Early 40s, two small DC, worked from home during lockdown (still am, as is DH). I'm ok with the exercise part, it's the only thing keeping me sane (although suffering from back problems so I need to go carefully). But my diet is very poor, and I've got a bad sugar addiction I really need to break. Too lazy to eat much fruit and veg (and I'm a vegetarian!) Sick of cooking all the meals for the family. Weight is slowly creeping on and I know I really need to act now if I don't want it to get to a stage where it's much harder to shift.

Also far too much screen time. Way too addicted and I need to cut down, DH too.

@RobertClementHughes excellent way of putting it! I feel I have lost my MoJo...skin,hair and general appearance all feel very dull.

I’ve done SW and it takes me two weeks to stop feeling hungry. I don’t spend my life eating muller lites and endless pasta either. I don’t agree with it all but I do eat more fruit and veg when on it.

Yes, upping fruit and veg is a priority & cutting down on processed crap.

I have four weeks until I get married and I've gone low carb and started a gym membership. So far I've gone every weekday morning and already I feel better.

We are eating lots more veg and lean meat and as I'm off on school hols I have plenty of time to cook and shop etc.

I don't have a lot of weight to lose. Just a few pounds but my skin looks better and I feel so much better. And I'm toning up.

Worth a try?

I feel the same. I found listening to this really helpful: pod.link/chrisxand

I'm 58 and have lost just under 2 stone since mid April with no calorie counting (and still drinking wine!). Having been stuck in a rut for years at the same weight I was given the proverbial 'kick up the bum' when a blood test for a chest infection showed I'd slipped into the pre-diabetic range. I have embraced 3 things:

1. Adopted my version of 16:8 'fasting' - in short I don't eat between dinner and lunch the next day. I do however drink many mugs of tea with milk in the morning so not a true fast.
2. I have dropped as many carbs as I can, I don't always achieve it but it's much easier than I thought.
3. I've tried to avoid processed food, no bacon, sausage, pastry etc.I have embraced 'good fat' salmon, roast veg, avocado's, eggs etc

I have loads of weight to lose! Lockdown wasn't kind to me at all unfortunately.

I started Slim and Save 3 weeks ago today, and I'm 500grams off my first stone!

First time in my life I have never cheated on a diet.
Here's to us all achieving our 2021 goals

I'd like to join too. Food is a social thing dor me so i like to eat with family in the evening but need to cut down and lose about 8kgs to avoid going into overweight BMI. So far have increased vegetables, water and a bit more exercise. Thinking about joining gym but worried won't actually go so maybe workouts at home are the answer. Did Noom for three months but willpower not great! Sugar and crisp addict.

So, am going to focus on:

• 10k steps/ movement
• 10 min stretching each day
• 2 aerobic exercise workout sessions per week of 20 - 30 mins, moving to 3.
• reduce calories 3 days per week

Posting for accountability. Good luck, everyone!

Good morning! It's my day 1 of getting healthier and I am awake at 6.20, drinking mint tea in bed and quite excited about it all!

Today I am going to be mainly observing, planning, and trying out slowly a sustainable exercise regime.

• I want to move more and eat better.

• I want my lifestyle to be sustainable and sensible and embracing the full range of human food... just eating less of it, especially the processed rubbish.

I am tired of starving myself for months, exercising compulsively, getting as thin as a rake and then putting the weight back on like a party balloon 🎈 because it's unsustainable.

I think one of my main problems is that I have too low a weight in mind as my 'ideal' weight. I can get there but it's unsustainable. I have to say goodbye to that elusive butterfly and accept and embrace my natural chunky shape ... freeing myself from the skinny myth without pandering too much to the chunk, if you know what I mean.

Right... now to sort out what does all this theory mean in practice...

I am thinking of committing to building up to 30 minutes morning exercise, then 20 minutes at lunch and another 30 minutes after work.

Starting easy with walking/walking workouts.

A sensible approach could be starting 15-10-15 mins for the next 2 weeks and then reassess.

Not sure yet about weekends. That will require more thinking as there are full family dynamics to sort out. It's going to be more difficult until school starts again and in September my older son leaves for his university year abroad.

Food wise I am going to start by cutting out the mindless snacking: having breakfast, lunch, dinner, keeping an eye on portions and making sure that there's something green and vegetably for lunch and dinner and something like fruit and yogurt and porridge for breakfast.

Ok, the map of the journey is ready. Now I need to start travelling!

I will keep you posted step by step and good luck to us all, whichever way to better health you have chosen!

Ooh hope you don’t mind me joining in! I need accountability. And have 3 stones to lose (well 4 really but I can’t bring myself to admit how much weight I need to lose ) and a big birthday coming up. It starts with a 5 😩. Apart from the weight loss I’ve decided I’ve put everyone else first for quite some time and I look OLD..so I’ve upped my skincare regime using the Caroline Hirons FB group. I’ve also had major dental work to improve the aftermath of 70’s/80’s childhood dentistry. Next steps in My master plan to be 50 and fab :
-We’ve just ordered a Peloton so I’m excited about that. It arrives Friday. I will be using it every day as it has everything from Spin to yoga/meditation.
-also in Jason manford FB group so plan on calorie counting, 16:8, MFP logging and reduced carbs

• invest in and sort out menopause situation to get a better emotional balance. Have made contact with a specialist.
• AF at least 4 nights pw

Good luck everyone!