Please help

[girlwithadragontattoo]

Hi all, I’m looking for suggestions so please help.
Bit of background, I used to be a really skinny toned size 8, I liked running, walking, rambling etc… so was very active and basically ate what I wanted to without really having to calorie count and I never really put weight on. I’ve been very unfortunate over the last couple of years and have arthritis starting, I have terrible pain in my hips, my toes and even my fingers. I’m now 32, I’m a size 20!! I’ve never been this big in my life and I hate it.
I moved from the UK a year ago and now live in Portugal (Algarve) and I’m very fortunate that there’s loads of walks along the cliffs and beaches to keep me active.
I struggle though, I’ve become VERY lazy and a lot of it is down to making excuses with my toes etc.. but they really do hurt while I’m walking. Has anyone got any advise they can give me re-weight loss and maybe some easy foods I can prepare at all to take for lunches at work? Or even suggestions to maybe get myself a little fitter to be able to go on big walks again? I’m hoping that I’ll actually become more healthy and the arthritis won’t be as bad as there’s less weight on it if that makes sense

How about swimming? That takes all the weight/pressure off joints etc?

Have you done a food diary to recognize where you can improve your diet?
They say it’s 80% food and 20% exercise so maybe start with really addressing your diet and doing light exercise, shorter walks etc

Download map my walk, the app really motivates me to walk as it gives you the mapped route, how fast and how many km (or miles) you have walked. I did 16km at the weekend,I’m aiming for completing a 25km in April working up to a longer 40km in June.
Good luck 🍀

I'm not a good swimmer but that's something to look at, i could learn to love it! I used to have myfitnesspal but i don't have it now. I'll have a look at my walk, thought would hopefully motive me a bit as well :-)