AIBU to want to be slimmer

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I'm currently trying to lose weight despite several serious health issues and complications that make exercising almost impossible. When I go to the GP's they tell me that while I'm overweight/obese my blood pressure, cholesterol and the rest is fine and while I should lose weight not to worry too much about it because I'm not in ill health because of my weight 'yet'. In all honestly I would far rather NEVER become ill due to my weight and lose it all or at least a lot of it so I can avoid this. Am I wrong for thinking that the GP should support my decision and offer support now, surely this would save the NHS in the long run as losing weight 'might' improve a couple of my long term health issues even if only slightly.

I'm walking a mile a day for a week then upping it to two next week, then three and so on till I can't physically walk any further (I have a spinal condition and arthritis is beginning to take in my hips, knees and feet) losing weight and regular gentle exercise should improve mobility here but I run the risk of making it worse if I overdo it. I'm also going to aim to go swimming once a week (when my finances are sorted because right now I'm struggling to afford the necessities) and it's warmer because I'm asthmatic and mildly allergic to chlorine and I don't want to aggravate my chest to then walk out in the cold and make it worse.

I am also trying to meal plan but I have no idea where to start. This should help me to count calories AND save money in the long term because I'll be thinking about what I'm buying and how I'm using it. I know to ensure I have plenty of healthy snack type foods to have and the odd unhealthy treat because denying myself everything will just make me want to quit. I'm buying a mini fridge for my room because I live in a flat share and one of my housemates eats my food (I'm on a restricted diet due to mild allergies and income and can't afford to meal plan or shop generally for her to eat it).

Anyone able to share their favourite recipes? My allergies don't matter because I'm good at finding substitutions for foods I can't eat or altering recipes to improve their nutritional content (I look after a lot of fussy kids so mild tasting veggies that can be blended are your friend .
Looking for soups/breakfasts/brunches/salads and veggie ideas.

Hi. I too am trying to lose weight with a few minor issues that hinder my exercise.
I am staying away from groups like WW and SW.
I have my fitness pal app on my phone, I log what I eat through the day and it deducts the calories from my daily allowance. The app tells me my ideal calorie intake based on height, weight etc. It advises on food high/low in sugar, protein, carbs etc.
I also have a fitness tracker linked, currently an Apple Watch, previously a Fitbit. This records my exercise and calories burned and I usually have extra calories to use.
I've lost 10ib in about 6 weeks just by walking the dog and recording my food intake. Good luck

That's amazing Shezza71 I hope I can do the same. I don't want to try SW or WW because I don't think foods are necessarily bad just need to be moderated in terms of calorie intake and nutrition. I'll look at downloading MyFitnessPal and trying it out. I'm conscious about monitoring my calorie intake without becoming deficient in nutrients. I'm debating saving for an apple watch. At the moment its an unnecessary expense I can't afford but it's on my to buy list .

I lost weight and got healthier mainly via plant based diet . I realised that most of it’s common sense really . We know cakes and bacon sarnies are fattening !
That said you do need to really like healthy food to follow it ! Fortunately I do

I've lost 6-stone using MFP to log/track calories and using their community forum pages to ask questions and find out about any diet or exercise information I was missing. It's all on there, and it's free. As you know, all diets are based on taking in fewer calories than you expend. To that end, personally, I'd give the slimming clubs a miss unless you need the weigh-in and support as you don't need to restrict any food type (syns/points/free foods) unless it takes you over your calories or you need to do so for health reasons. Keep it simple, don't get caught up in the keto, blood sugar diet, carbs are the devil hype or anything else that complicates things more than eating fewer calories than you burn.

Keep it simple, don't get caught up in the keto, blood sugar diet, carbs are the devil hype or anything else that complicates things more than eating fewer calories than you burn

Agree ! Target 1500 calories a day
If you use up some with exercise so much the better

It’s really not rocket science

If you wish keep a food diary and track what
Makes you feel good , what less so

@fridgepants My friends/flatmates are all baffled by the fact that I don't eat sweets, rarely eat carbs (not a fan of bread and I rarely eat pasta because a lot of the time its slimy) only occasionally eat chocolate and when I do I get a big bar and eat maybe a square or two every few days, I dislike fried foods because of the texture apart from the occasional fish and chips or scampi and chips (maybe once every two/three months), eat a load of veg and proteins, I eat whatever I'm craving when I crave it so my diet is inconsistent at best as I eat random things at random times so my body has no framework for when it should be hungry and when it's not. Especially as I tend to graze rather than eat set meals.

I plan on stocking up on leafy greens and root veg for soups and salads as well as sweet and baking potatoes, cutting out dairy apart from a limited amount of cheese and milk and lean meats and fish.

The keto diet seems to be something I could stick too so I'll have a look into that now. Thank You