12 months post stop smoking and I can't use that as an excuse anymore

[Valderal]

Stopped smoking 12 months ago in order to pay for our first family (of 6) holiday abroad. It worked, we went on holiday and had a lovely time.

Holiday has long been over and I miss my size 12 body. It wasn't a smoking body, but it was my body when I smoked :)
I am now a size 16, with arm fat, back fat and I look to be growing outwards. I am 5'10

I haven't weighed myself in ages and my clothes don't fit. I'm also getting married in September.

I'm on day 3 of getting motivated. I plan to start C25K, but am easing my way in gently with walking.

I've given myself a target of 5000 steps each day.

Day 1 - I did 3500 steps
Day 2 - I did 6800 steps
Day 3 - have done 1800 steps so far

After day 7 I will start C25K. So Monday 16th April.
I am using Samsung Health app to track pace, route, time etc but I need to work harder. I am desperate to change the way I feel about myself and become fitter and healthier.

When I say I was sedentary I really mean it, it takes 9 minutes to walk to work and I drove, which incidentally took 15 minutes because of the road ha!

Well done on making changes, TBh, if just start C25k now, it's a very gentle introduction with lots of walking to begin with, so you'll be fine. You can always repeat weeks if you feel you need it.

A 5000 step target is pretty low, that would be a very sedentary day for me, not getting our from behind my desk at all, so you may be able to increase that and start incorporating some walking into breaks, walk to work (9 mins would be about 1000 steps), and maybe do some marching around the house in the evening! You'll find your c25k steps help as well.

Lots of luck and keep us updated!

I feel for you. Every time I try to stop smoking I eat like a starving lunatic. I can’t control it or manage it.

It’s like my brain needs a new fix!

Thanks, I also feel 5000 is pretty low but it's a start I suppose. It's the app on my phone recording the steps - so I suppose I do a little more than that I just don't pick my phone up to walk around the office or the home and therefore the actual steps are not being recorded.
May invest in a fitbit when I'm into it.

I walked to work yesterday. took the long way home too and then went out for a 30 min brisk walk in the evening.
Today I intend to do the same thing. Might actually pop a few intervals of running in too to see how I go.

QuiteLikely, I really did eat like a maniac, but recently it's been alcohol. Which obviously makes me feel more sluggish.

Ah brilliant, yes you're likely doing loads more than you realise . Great start, keep it up!

You sound exactly like me 18 months ago. Right down to the height and dress sizes.

I gave up alcohol. That was the first major step. Then I started exercising regularly. In my case it was mostly weights. But I think running would be good too.

I lost 7" off my waist and got back to a size 14. It took maybe 3 months. I did deliberately diet for a couple of months after that and lost a bit more. I don't count calories anymore but I have to avoid sugar.

Exercising and not drinking go hand in hand with me. It's a mood and motivation thing. I now run or lift weights 7 days a week
So long as I stay away from sweets, I will eat whatever I want. Even if I eat sweets (sometimes I fall off that wagon) I don't really gain too much because I exercise so much.