Don't Know Where To Start!

[JollyFrog]

Hi need to lose weight! I have known this for ages but keep ignoring it, have no willpower, get hungry etc etc but I need to do it

6 years ago I lost 3 stone with WW but put it all back on and more

Going on holiday at Easter so would like to lose at least a stone by then (have about 4 stone to lose realistically)

What's the best approach? I think I get bored counting points,syns etc so give up to easily
Do I just go for 3 meals a day? I was thinking Meat and veg/salad,fruit,yogurt, lowish carb intake, veggie soups,
Don't belong to a gym but thinking I could do brisk walking 4x20 mins a week. My job is pretty active, my diet on the other hand is shocking! I honestly can't remember the last time I ate an apple

Does this sound doable or is it not enough??

Hi Jolly. Don't feel down, you have taken the first step which is realising the need for change. I'm in a similar position, where I need to lose 3 stone. Frankly I am a very lazy cook - I work hard at work and don't want to exercise my brain cells by worrying about meals.

I've joined mfp, just so that I can count the calories that I'm eating. It's been really helpful for me, and making me realise just how much I was eating. I started it for fun, and one the first day consumed 2600 calories! Quite a wake up call.

I think you'll do well by having 3 healthy meals a day, with 2 snacks.

There's too many choices, too much to think about isn't there? I agree, Myfitnesspal is great and just writing down EXACTLY what you eat helps. I think it's good to measure and weigh to start with - it's a faff but will give you an idea of portion sizes.

I've gone for three meals a day, no snacking. (I can't grate cheese without popping half a block in my gob) I can eat what I like as long as it's at the table, as part of a meal. Glass of water before, knife and fork, no telly or reading etc. so if I want biscuits I eat them but only when I'm sat there.

Recently I bought a Jawbone pedometer which I really like. It was on sale on IWantOneofThose website. I've worn it every day for about three weeks. It monitors sleep, movement and links up with mfp for nutritional info.

I read somewhere that it's 80% diet and 20% exercise. Which is rubbish for me and how I wish it were the other way round!

Good luck with it. It is entirely do-able! Keep positive. Your frame of mind is incredibly important.

My Fitness Pal should be your first stop - download it and away you go. You'll be surprised at how the calories add up.

Aim for three meals a day of good wholesome "proper" food - lots of veg and full fat dairy, lean meat and fish. Completely avoid processed foods, ready meals and "low fat" sugary nonsense.

And move more. It is so easy to fit exercise into a daily routine. I have two jobs and a toddler, but I run home from work, run on lunch breaks and do bodyweight exercises (plank, push ups etc) when DS is in bed.

If you stick to your goal calories (prob 1200 a day, net) and fill up on nutritious food then you WILL lose weight. Good luck!

How often do you drink alcohol?

What do you eat in a typical day?

Thanks everyone, some useful ideas quitelikely I hardly ever drink alcohol, don't really like it. Maybe the odd beer but I would say only 2 a month.
I rarely have breakfast unless I'm at work, but fill up on hot cross buns,crisps,biscuits, sandwiches. Actual meals are ok, it's just all the other junk
I must say my frame of mind is the downer, I'm easily swayed if someone at work says have a cake I will!
I will look into MFP.

jolly in December I decided that January 1st I was going to change my diet, not go on a diet. So far I have cut out all the crap and been eating much better foods. I have also started running but only because I am signed up to a Race4Life in July and I don't want to be dead at the end of it. I also need to lose 4 stone (or at least be a size 12 instead of 16) by the end of the year. To my amazement I have actually stuck to it. I feel so much better after 6 weeks of running and eating better too. It has taken me nearly 5 years to kick myself up the arse and do it.

It does also help that where I now work everyone is on a health kick, but I now find I can resist when they sometimes give in and eat haribo!

Oh Haribo they are another diet staple!
I know it can't be done, I'm just crap at this willpower thing!

But, I remember feeling enormous on holiday last year and want to be at least a bit smaller running out of time tho

can be done! not can't!!!!

Do you suffer from candida imbalance (thrush)? It can cause cravings for refined carbs and sugary stuff.

good I've only ever had thrush twice and that's when I was pregnant, so don't think it's that.

Right, gonna look at this mfp today!
Is it easy to use? Im not great with technology! Does it track your calories? How does it know the calories of everything??
Can I have it on my phone/ipad?
Sorry for all the questions. ....
And after reading another thread on here ive ordered the Davina 7 minutes DVD......go me!!

On MFP you log all the food you are eating. Do a search and try to select the "official" entries (some people create entries for 10kcal double chocolate cookies or 100kcal triple cheese pizzas - be careful). You can log all types of food, whether you are cooking from scratch or buying ready-made food. The database is really good. You can also save your own recipes so that you don't have to log a dozen ingredients for a spag bol or chili every time.

You can have it on an iphone / ipad, but I cannot tell you anything more (my phone is 10 years old).

You can add me as a friend on MFP if you want (I am LadyGisborne).

You can also scan barcodes on mfp which makes tracking super-easy!