Right, here we go again - losing weight because I need and want to. Come and join me.

[StealthPolarBear]

I am at the age where it is just a matter of (short) time before I develop a health problem relating to my weight - joints, Type 2 diabetes or even a heart attack. It really is that serious.
I am sick of not having any "nice" clothes (don't want to invest until I lose weight ).
I did it in summer, stuck to it for ages which is something I have never managed to do. I CAN do it again.

So here's the plan. Back to foodfocus as of tomorrow. No days off (logging, although I may choose to eat more than I am "allowed". Everything must be logged.
No excessive competitiveness with myself. I truly believe this is part of the reason it all went wrong.

3 or 4 lb to lose every week. Might sound a lot but it's easy when you're big - I'm sure I could do it by just eating 3 normal sized usual meals a day. So pathetic if I can't.

Coming back here to report on progress. Caring and supportive thread but not accepting bullshit excuses!
Anyone want to join me?

Fork - this will sound cheesey, but see this (the weigh in today) as rock bottom. now you have a baseline weight and motivation to lose weight in the new year the only way is up (or should that be down )

Mabs - walkers baked crisps or small bags of pretzels or rice crackers can be your friends (much less fat than ordinary crisp)

Alcohol is my downfall and will be seriously cutting down after this weekend. We don't keep hardly any snacks in the house, bread is also my problem. Will be soing SW next week. Exercise is also a problem or lack of it.

Lollipoppet, congratulations on your wedding.

Fivegomad (love that name) that is exactly my problem,the glass of wine in the evening and crusty bread.Also going to SW from next week,how much have you to lose?

I cant drink without eating crap so it makes sence for me to drop it for the month. Mum tried to come up with ideas of things for me to drink until I pointed out exactly what I ate when I have a drink . I cant really explain the maoam sweets I have just eaten as I have not had a drink, luckily I dont start until sunday but will really need to get my act together.
Period started today which will explain why the scales read 15.10 this morning when it was 15.6 the other day there, at least it should have calmed down by monday when I do my starting weight and measurements

Way to much to mention, I guess 7/8 stone, will aim for 4 this year. I woul dlove to go in normal shops and buy clothes.

Congratulations lolli :o Re: "I am currently squeezing into size 18 (so wedding dress would probably need 20 to fit) " - can I just point out that I was in a size 18 when I married, and I was definitely a 14. SO I think wedding dresses are VERY small fitting - all I'm saying is don't use that as your gauge and get dishearteded.

Thanks :) but oh no! I am in such a dilemma as to what size I order te dress in already... Do I order small to force mself into starvation? Or if I order one that fits now, I won't feel the pressure/ motivation to slim into it! What to do, what to do....

I echo the issue with the wedding dress sizes. I was a size 10 (just!) when I got married, but had a size 14 dress and it upset me alot. I think they are small fitting also. Which begs the question of why, really. Why not universal sizes??!!

I did quite well yesterday but was very hungry in the afternoon so will add a protein/carb snack today. Plan;
B - WW yoghurt, apple, banana and orange
Snack - toast and boiled egg
Ln - smoked salmon and green salad
Dn - vegetable soup.

I know that 'crash dieting' is bad, but I am really anxious about the meetup with family. One family member is very obssessed with weight and makes pointed comments 'Oh I could NEVER eat that much!' or 'Oh, I have an appetite like a bird'. My mother has had weight problems all her life, and has a tendency to 'approve' of me depending on what I weigh. I know that this is HER problem, not mine, but it makes me uncomfortable and anxious. Plus she has also made several pointed comments about how a cousin who has a baby 9 months younger than mine 'has already regained her figure'. I am not sure that 7 pounds is doable by the 14th Jan but I know that I have to at least try.

Hope everyone here has a good day.

Good luck everyone! I lost almost 4 stone last year and am a 8/10... and am maintaining it - 6 months now. I went from 12 5 stone to 8 8. Lost at a rate of 2 lbs a week (last stone was slower though). I exercise in gym and do shred and now have bikini body at 37 after 3 kids. It can be done.

Recommend low carb and low fat. Not necessarily ketosis but no grains, and def no wheat. The carbs I eat (even on maintainance) are from fat free dairy, fruit (only 1 a day when dieting) and veg (although exercise caution on root veg).

Typical day:
breakfast 2 egg omelette and fat free yoghurt with 10g oatbran
lunch salad with fish or other protein (tuna, sardines, smoked salmon, cottage cheese etc)
protein with mountains of veg

Snacks if hungry - apple (1 a day), nuts (25g a day), yoghurt (eat natural only)

Hi all, can I join in to
I'm 5'5 and about 12 and a half stone.
Live overseas so no ww or sw and can't afford the online either but I do have access to a gym and swimming pool so shouldn't have any excuse not to exercise but I do make lots of excuses!!!

So I need all of you to give me a virtual kick up the jacksy to motivate me into exercising at least 3 times a week

We have regifted most of the chocolates and biscuits to dh's work mates already

Good luck everybody

Morning all. Hope day 1 went well for everyone who had started. I wasn't going to start but did in the end as I realised stepping on the scales next Thursday could be a few pounds less painful if I did.

Have found a pair of size 16 trousers I have't worn yet that are a bit too tight so they are my first aim to get into those without having to lie flat on the bed and breathe in.

If anyone is looking for a cheap pair of boots for tide you over for this year, Very have some for £15 and have a wide fit.

Resolution for today is to stick a face pack on (need to take more care of myself) and learn to crochet (keep hands busy at night and away from food).

I'm in.

No time to post but so far had melon and grapes for brekkie - need to get back into the 'zone' of healthy eating.

Slimming World works really well for me but I don't have time to go to meetings.

House is full of biscuits and chocs - but when I am in the zone I can resist!

I want to feel better about myself. I have a wonderful husband, gorgeous kids, a house I love and a good job. But all I can focus on is how revolting I look and how little self-control I have with regard to food.

I need to lose 4 stone. I am about 16 st now and 5 ft 5.

Bearing in mind I haven't officially started yet I feel I have been quite good so far today.

2 slices of granary toast, lurpak and jam
1 banana
some kettle chips
1 slice gramary toast with DS's left over baked beans.
Chicken is cooking with some veg and mashed sweet potatoes
But wine is open (I have 2 mners turning up for NY)

Today I bought new digital scales, and my diary. V organised for diet start on Sunday. Going to get old WW info out in a bit and read through so am mentally prepared. I love Jan when we are all on diets and there are offers on healthy stuff everywhere!

Well done forever, you did well to lose that in such a short time, although the typical menu sounds...depressing...

Like the idea of doing couch to 5k thing too- anyone done running when obese? I cant go up stairs without puffing and I live on a hill.. scary!

New Jillian Michaels box set arrived today and have had a watch of both of them and am quite looking forward to starting on sunday , I also bought a nice note book for my food diary.
Well done to those who of you who have already started and a massive thank you Stealth for starting this as I now dont have to go it alone.

Yesterday was going brilliantly until take away and mountain of choc :( think I am taking a few days to get fully in the zone

Put today behind you. I thik it is very difficult to get into the zone this time of year until everything is over.

Yeah I don't think tomorrow or Sunday will be any better :o how's everyone else doing?

StealthPB dont feel too bad its not new year yet. ( Im planning a chinese takeaway tomorrow then I will start properly).

Been fairly good today, managed a 3 hr kids party resisting all the mini pizzas and cake and wine only ate a couple of carrot sticks

Blew it on the chocolate front this evening though. Yesterday I bagged it all up and put it in the garage except a couple of bags of choc buttons (the kids).
Caved tonight and had the bag of mini buttons. sigh. Still better than half a box of belgian chocs though right?

While Im on, has anyone done Rosemary Conley? Just got a flyer through the door so its local.

I bought myself a new pair of trainers today with the intention of using them at some point! I was looking for new clothes and thought how much better everything will look when I have lost 2 stone.

Someone mentioned beating the evening munchies by nibbling on olives/capers - I have a problem with evenings, that is when I am likely to cave in. There is a big bag of kettle chips, nuts and mini cheddars in my cupboard, I have to get dh to hide them...

FiveGoMad agree it will be impossible to get properly into the zone until Sunday.

I'm in too please. I will start seriously on 4th Jan when schools back but will try to get Into the Zone over the weekend.

chinax Another menopausal 40 something here.

Huge task ahead though, too much to contemplate in one go. I will have to set myself realistic short term goals.

Very disillusioned at the moment as I lost 2 stone 18 months ago and have gradually regained it all over the last 12 months. I really hate myself at the moment.

Anyway, I'm going to make sure I go for a walk each day and use Weight Loss Resources online.

Count me in too ! Same boat as lolli, getting married next May and would love to be a size 16. Turn forty in four weeks as well so plenty of motivation just lacking a little in the willpower department. Managed to lose a stone in six weeks during the summer just eating healthy and walking a bit more so know its possible. Must eat everything empty fridge of all bad things first. Big weigh-in on Jan 1st !

Joined MFP today .Bit confusing but anything which encourages me is good.
Will really start in ernest on Tuesday

I think it is really hard to get into gear with the whole thing until school starts and a more normal routine. I've ended up with takeaway and too much chocolate.

But on the plus side, thinking about it now and getting our heads round it will hopefully help when we do actually start. I'm trying to enjoy my last few days of being a mother of pre teens, am rapidly running out of time on that front. The only good thing is DD has inherited DH's genes and does things like push away half a brownie saying she is full, so unlikely to have the lifelong battle with her weight that I've had.