Who's in for healthy weight loss in 2012?

[TartyMcFalalalalalalalalarty]

I'm sat here piling on the pounds over Christmas, not quite having lost those I gained last year!

It's got to the point where it's now or never - DH and I are TTC #2, so I have to get to a healthy weight to give us the best possible chance, which is motivation in itself. I need to lose about half a stone to get into my healthy weight range, but ideally would like to lose another stone on top of that.

I've half-arsedly tried Weight Watchers and Paul McKenna over the last year, and if I gave it a decent shot, either of those would help. The main thing I'm going to do to kick start the weight loss though, is make a new year's resolution to cut right back on junk food, which is my weakness. Basically, if it's not something nutritious, or if there's a healthier alternative, I'm going to try to give it a miss!

Having cancelled my gym membership last year, I joined a running club instead and will be going out with them once a week, and once with my DM. I have a kettlebell and DVD at home, http://www.amazon.co.uk/Kettlercise-Just-Women-PLUS-Kettlebell/dp/B0053YNSDY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1325074972&sr=8-1 this one, and will continue to use that twice a week. I'll also be going to a PAYG spinning class once a week, and maybe the odd Kettlercise class to vary the routine on the DVD a bit.

So, anybody interested in joining me? I'm not sure whether to go for it immediately from 1st January, or to wait until the 3rd (I have parties to go to on Sunday and Monday, so might be setting myself up for failure). That said, it would be a real buzz to manage a couple of social occasions straight away - they're usually another downfall for me!

I'm in too please!

My BMI is 27 as of this morning (was a bit lower before Xmas!). I would like to lose 2 stone before a friend's wedding at the end of June. That's only 1lb a week so I feel it is a realistic aim.

I eat fairly healthily, but my big issues are portion size (esp carbs) and snacking on crisps and the kids' leftovers . I eat when I'm not really hungry - am going to really try and think before putting anything in my mouth.

Hathall I like the sound of your list of rules.

Good luck everyone!

I will join you. I have already lost 3.5 stones, am now 11 stones 5 pounds, BMI just under 28. I need to lose another 17 pounds for a BMI of 25. After that , who knows?
I have been eating healthily for the last 7 months, concentrating on eating 5 a day, fresh cooked from scratch food in smaller portions. I have also beaten my crisp addiction.
My other tactic is lots of exercise. Currently it's mainly swimming, plus I have just started lifting light weights. This is something I would like to get into on a more serious basis once I have reached a healthy BMI.
Good luck everyone.

I have had to work from home today. I had tight deadlines and have been very stressed. I have eaten croissants, bread and crisps all day. I feel awful and to top it off my thighs feel huge as I've been sitting down all day and I think some xmas over munching has caught up with me. depressed
I feel like I should run for 10 hrs now.

fatlazymummy, I think the first thing you need is a namechange with progress like that already under your belt.

Hathall, don't beat yourself up today, it's.still Christmas until 1st January in my book!

Bought some healthier drinks today -decaff coffee, peppermint tea, lemons for hot water - along with porridge for filling breakfasts and plenty of fruit and veg, so I'm ready for the big transition!

One exercise tip I'd recommend, btw, is buying a new piece of exercise gear for motivation - just a top or DVD.

Hope today is better, hathall. Can you try to learn from this experience? Eg if you find yourself in the same situation again, recognise it as one which is likely to be problematic for you, and think in advance of ways of dealing with the stress other than reaching for the comfort food.

I have just ordered the Paul McKenna book on amazon and I'm about to go for a run. I did eat FIVE mince pies yesterday though! As you say tarty, it's still Christmas isn't it?!

I'm off for a run in a bit too. What Paul McKenna says makes a lot of sense if you're in the right frame of mind. I have the CD on my phone so I might give it another go, as I don't particularly want to call this a diet.

Today was worse than yesterday! I've been so stressed but I won't moan about it.

I am really looking forward to getting back to a decent diet.

I'm one of those people who love good, wholesome food. I love vegetables (except aubergines and turnips/swede yeuch) and could quite happily be a vegetarian. My problem is I loooooove junk carbs. Anything crisps or pastry is a problem for me as I can't stop eating them once I start.

I am going shopping tomorrow and filling my fridge with some nice healthy food.

Tarty great idea. I'm looking for a new Davina dvd. I might get one for motivation.

Hathall The Davina dvd's are fab. I'm digging mine out tomorrow ready for the 1st! :) Along with Zumba Wii , has anyone tried this? Any good?

I have semi-cleared out the cupboards today of chocolate. Just kept a few last treats for me for NYE, and kept the stuff I dont like for dh and ds.

To be honest, I think my main problem is dh. He is a bit of a chocoholic like me but still buys it even when he knows I am trying to be good. I think I may have to start putting my foot down if Im going to get anywhere! I figure, if its not in the cupboard then I cant eat it!

I have also decided Im going to get a bike and start biking everywhere possible. I have'nt been on a bike for nearly 8 years so that should be interesting.

I used to cycle everywhere when I was growing up and in my 20's. I live in London now and am too scared to cycle. I really miss it.

I have to say, I am abit nervous about cycling on roads, but I guess once Im into it I'll feel better. Have to say though, I'm in a market town, big town but surrounded by countryside , so its not that bad. I dont think I would dare get on a bike in London!

Cycling is a good plan. I have a Wee Ride seat on the front of my bike for DD and we can get to a lot of places on cycle paths. I might dig my Shred DVD out for Feb, but have a busy month with lots of extra work in Jan.

Veg is going to be the most important part of my diet too, along with wholegrains. We're aiming to eat meat twice a week, oily fish twice and do veg-based meals the rest of the time. Dunno how I'm going to wean myself off the Christmas junk but it has to happen!

Have you looked at the Harcombe diet? It's very good for getting rid of cravings so you just don't fancy junk anymore. The initial phase is meant to be for 5 days and when I did it I lost 6lbs.

I'm going to kick start January with that.

I sort of adapted it when I did it so every day I had
plain porridge (75g) coffee
tuna/other fish salad or omelette
chicken & veg or chilli/bolognaise & veg
Snack only on natural low fat yoghurt

I used this
www.mirror.co.uk/life-style/dieting/2009/07/26/the-five-day-bikini-blitz-diet-115875-21547673/

Well I did it. I stepped on the scales last night. OUCH! I've got weight to lose and feeling my jeans are getting tighter I need to do something about it...BMI is 28! Have got 2st to lose but going to give myself around 6-9 mths to lose it slowly. Once the schools go back next Monday, I'm planning to get back lane swimming two evenings a week. Little steps and all that!! Like others, I've just been eating crap over the holidays. Pure gluttony.

Good luck to everyone else on their health kick starting tomorrow. Anyone use an exercise bike to get fit? Have one at home, so may start using it regularly.

lovechoc I was swimming 3 times a week up to the holidays. Brilliant exercise, especially for the stomach. It has really helped me to avoid 'loose skin'. I know I won't have a perfect body after being nearly 5 stones overweight but it is already looking much better than I thought it would.
Hathall I was a crisp addict. My solution is to just never buy them [or at least not ones that I eat. I do buy crisps for the kids sometimes, I just buy the meat flavoured ones as I don't eat meat]. Same thing with pastry.

I had a look at Zoe Harcombe's web page, but decided to give it a miss as she seems quite dismissive of Weight Watchers, which I think is reasonable as a healthy 'normal' eating plan. I don't really want to do either though; I just want to eat sensible amounts of nutritious foods, and take plenty of exercise.

My brother gave me a reconditioned spinning bike a couple of years ago, but it's been in the garage since we moved. I might set it up outside and cover it, so it can easily be brought indoors.

Swimming = great, but our leisure centre charge nearly a fiver for a swim

Happy New Year everyone!
Are we all starting today or the 3rd?

I wanted to start today but we have party food at home. Not any old party food but M&S yummy party food and we've been invited over to a friends for lunch tomorrow so its going to be very difficult for me.

I agree with you Tarty about Zoe Harcombe. I'm just going to do her 5 day kick start as I need something strict otherwise I won't be able to kick the carb cravings. After that, I'm going to stick to healthy eating, lots of veg but regular healthy meals.

Here it is, and not before time. I feel so bloated that I'm really quite uncomfortable today. I'm starting the day with hot water and lemon, and porridge. I'm going to weigh myself, take measurements and assess the damage in a moment. I've got work to do this morning, and I'm planning a short run at dome point.

Happy new year - here's to a healthy 2012

X-post. I know what you mean about party food. We have a family birthday party today and another get together tomorrow - I'm dreading the temptation.

Happy new year everyone! I ate and drank a ridiculous amount yesterday, but am feeling really motivated to start today. Just good healthy food, lots of veg, small portions.

Happy new year! :)
I've decided to start tomorrow. I got slightly ridiculously drunk last night, and we were invited out for a roast today. I thought rather than beat myself up about it I would just put it back a day. Dh also goes back to work tomorrow so I will find it easier during the day!
Now the heavy head is wearing off I'm feeling very motivated! Going to do my shopping list tonight and try and meal plan ( a new one for me!) for the week. Hopefully if I know what I'm eating then I will be able to resist the urge to pick!

Good luck! :)

Can I join?

I'd like to lose 1.5 stone, maybe two stone.

Don't want to do slimming world, etc.

Plan is to exercise more, long dog walks, shredding, maybe some swimming. General healthy eating, more salads and less carbs. Less cake. More water.

Starting on tues.

Hi all can I join you too. I have to loose a massive 5 stone. I'm planning on healthy eating and exercise. Maybe the shred. I also have an exercise bike at home so I'll dust that off too. My main problem is motivation. I just get so bored and then give up. I also love junk food, I could live on it.

I'm starting on Wednesday. The kids go back to school and that's the day slimming world starts so seems good day.
My friend has agreed to come to sw with me too