So, I'm changing my life on Monday...

[Runnaway]

Well, that's what I hope. Am currently overweight. I am tall so can carry it quite well, but I always feel very flabby and am uncomfortable with my size. I have lost weight successfully before so I know I can do it, but have lacked a bit of motivation and willpower in the last year. Gradually my weight has crept up and trying on clothes yesterday was not fun!!

My plan is this:
Food diary - am a mindless eater
Drink more water - tend to eat when I am actually thirsty
Move more - this will be the biggest change. I work FT now and move much less within my everyday life. I now need to factor in exercise as it is no longer part of my day to day life.

I would like to lose 14 pounds in total, but am going to start with 7 pounds as my first goal!

So, anyone care to join me?

Food wise a little better. Exercise wise not bad. I feel a bit more confident that I may have a slight loss this week. My medical colleague said lack of weight loss could be I'm putting on muscle... I'm not convinced.

Fingers crossed for tomorrow First.

Last night looked back at the progress photos I'd taken when we first started this thread. Was really shocking! My body looks so different. Even my posture has changed. It was incredibly motivating to see how much better I look now. I never want to be that flabby and bulgey again!!!!

Thanks! I rank a fast for me 4K last night so I'm hoping that will help.

I agree by body shape has changed massively too. I now have a waist for a start. I'm much happier with the way I look and am now a dress size 10-12 depending on shop, compare do 14-16 before. It's also great going into my wardrobe to find that clothes are too big on me rather than too small!

I shouldn't obsess with this last 7lb, I am much happier in myself, I have better energy levels. But I want to be 10stone and if I can lose 18lb I can lose 7lb more.

Keep it up! We're doing great!

Keep going guys, you're doing really well. You have even inspired me to take some more photos....I'm having a fat failure day... Oh well.

Weigh in......0.8 off so I'm just in the "10 stone something" bracket. Only just but hopefully not for long!!

First it's great to hear you sound really upbeat and positive. This is an achievable challenge. You've done so well so far. It might just be a more gradual process to lose those last few pounds.

Dakota I can't recommend taking photos enough. Was truly breath taking to see the difference. I find the first picture pretty hard to look at to be honest!

10stone 6lb! Get in! I've lost a 1lb after weeks of nothing. :)

Well done letme. dakota photos do help, they show much more of a change than a lb here or there. :)

Whoop whoop!!! Fantastic!

Well done both of you!! Hooray!

Thanks Dakota. How's your plan going this week?

Another STS for me (was up a pound yesterday but that's gone again today, so i'm ignoring it!!) and up to 2200 this week. I've gone from 1400-2100 calories and only gained 2 pounds. This could easily be caused by increased workout load so I'm happy. I wish I was going to be skinny for Summer, but once I've got my head round that I know I will be glad I've made this step. It feels good for my soul.

So the plan is to maintain at around 2400 for the Summer (2000 of those will be coming from G&T!) and then start cutting in September. in theory, my body will 'trust' me enough to let go of the weight then. By Christmas and my 40th, I'll be in my size 12 dress

Brilliant Dakota. Sounds like a plan! Really interesting to hear your progress. Keep us updated.

Just out of interest does anyone have weighing scales that 'measure' fat/muscle/water etc? I'd like to know how they work. Was feeling all smug because mine reported a 0.3% fat loss last week, but just noticed that, tonight, when I weigh three pounds more (evening weight as apposed to Saturday morning nakedness) I have also put on 1% body fat. So they can't be a true measure, correct? I guess the pattern from Saturday to Saturday is what's important but even so....anyone know how they work?

Mine doesn't dakota... Not convinced how they'd measure that accurately though.

I've been very stressed at work today and have just had a bacon sandwich for dinner. I eat crap when I'm stressed. :(

1 pound off this morning. That's 24 in total and I'm comfortably in the "10 stone something" bracket.

Off on holiday today. Just in UK but v excited! Determined not to blow all my hardwork and stay on track. Have new trousers without much "give" in them so hopefully they'll keep me in check!!

First, hope work has been less stressful.

Dakota, how are you getting on?

Hello and well done Bus. A great achievement. Have a lovely holiday.

Another STS for me but up to 2200 so am well chuffed. My TDEE is around 2500 so another three weeks or so and I'll have hit my maintenance level For the summer. Woo!

Excellent Dakota

I'm back from holiday and stayed on track. But I think this thread may have come to it's natural end.

Staying on track on holiday is amazing! Well done you.

Sorry guys. The thread disappeared of my 'I'm on' threads and I forgot to update!

I'm 10stone 6lb so didn't lose any this week.

I'm going all out this week to lose 2lb. I'm going to a conference so it should be quite easy.

I had a GP appointment Fo something unrelated. He told me to not beat myself up about this last 6lb. He told me to lose 19lb was a massive achievement. So ive stopped obsessing with MFP and am just trying to be sensible.

Thank you so much, the support of this thread made a massive difference to me!

Glad we can keep supporting each other here. I really value it too.

First your GP speaks sense. The bigger picture is you've made a huge difference to your health and how you feel in yourself.

I'm 25 pounds down on total. 4 away from being a healthy BMI. Feel a million times better than I did 4 months ago.

#sigh. My 5 pounds is shite!! BUT I really do believe in what I'm doing- just hope that when I cut back in September I can announce some losses. I'm a bit apprehensive about that, but keep reminding myself that I am healthier, stronger and happier food wise than I have been for years.

I would miss my occasional natter here. Funny how total strangers can become solid support. You two are my inspiration!

Dakota you are taking control, making a long term plan to be slimmer and healthier. I applaud you for that

Thanks for putting it like that! I really hope so. Have days where I really wobble and just want to be thinner NOW but know long term (think? Hope?) that this is better for me. Me and the family- 2 kids, DH - stared couch to 5k this week. Such fun jogging with those guys and so far loving being back out there. I'm hoping that can lean me up a bit before swimming costume time!

This heat!!! Bonkers, eh?

Hole you are all okay.

How fab you're jogging as a family. Love that. How old are your kids? Mine are 1 and 3.

Another pound off this morning so that's 26 and 1/2. 3 pounds from a healthy BMI!!!