Just engaged - Have lots of weight to shift.... Advice please

If you think there is such a strong mental element to your eating what about talking to your doctor and seeing if some kind of counselling might be possible to help you to deal with this?

HI there, i read your note and all the other replies. I am a personal trainer and have been in this industry for over 8 years. I agree that quick fix diets are not the best because it messes up with your system and not healthy. One will keep on going back to your size you first started. I believe strongly in sticking to healthy eating and watching what you eat and how much. Exercise also plays a very big role and that is where i come in. I offer great packages for ladies wanting to lose weight for their weddings and we also offer a free online support on nutrition and fitness. My clients will also find that i will always ask about their diets and give helpful tips. I have a christmas special on this moment where you save up to £100 on a package of 10 sessions, big bargain. So i am inviting yourself and all who see this letter to contact me for a free consultation to discuss your goals and the prices.

I am based in Manchester areas and offer home training. I bring all the equipment and train you in the comfort of your own home. You can email me on *****.*******@*******.***.

x

Hello,

Congratulations on your engagement!

I understand the fear thing, I used to have that as well and I can't think where it came from as I'm an only child and was fed well, too well, as a child.

I've just got engaged myself and I weigh just a bit more than you. I would like to get down to a size 16 by my wedding day. If I aim for anything lower I might just not manage it.

I'm going to try a zumba dvd regularly and build it up from there. I've been on diets since 1986 when I was a child and I keep ending up this size. The times when I've been the slimmest are strangely enough when I was clubbing (ie dancing all night) at least twice a week and wasn't really watching my food. I once lost 5 stone despite eating macdonalds twice a day but I was more active as well as clubbing a lot. But when I was walking 20 miles a week and training for a 27 mile hike plus watching what I ate, I actually put on a bit of weight. When I've just dieted, my weight has yo-yo-ed

So I'm finally thinking that starting the exercise route first and working it out from there might help me more.

Perhaps that might help you? Exercise effects what you want to eat in the end I find. Trying the diet first might not give you the energy to exercise in the first place.

Obviously this is just something I've wondered about myself, as to why I keep ending up back here along with the thoughts that I have messed up my system with all the diets I have done.

I wish you good luck - how long have you got?

Congratulations on getting engaged. I lost two stone with slimming world, I was never hungry as you can eat lots-you don't feel like your being deprived. X

I agree kelly..slimming world is fab...especially if you like to eat lots...

I lost 4 stone on slimming world a couple of years ago..taking me drom a size 24 to an 18...ive maintained that weight for the last year or so and to be honest im pretty happy with the size i am...but i do have to be strict with myself to stay even this size as i believe i have fat genes!

Sooo i eat the slimming world way during the week...hit the gym 4 times a week...and then at weekends if i want something i have it....after a time you change you opinions and the way you think about food...compared to what i used to eat i now wouldnt even consider putting some things in my mouth....anyway thats all about me....

I think you should go down the healthy eating route...exercise...not because you think you need to lose weight but to makeyourself feel better....

and hopefully the weight will fall off.!

Hi,

I'm in the same situation! I have over a year to drop over 2 dress sizes and can agree with every thing that you mentioned.

I have signed up to weight watchers as I want this to be a long term change and not just a quick fix. I was 30 in May and really need to shift some weight.

If you want a weight loss buddy / something to help motivate then let me know and we can do it together! Anyone else want to join us then more the merrier!

x

This is serious matter, you have not enough time for practicing so refer to doctor or weight loose guider,I know you will be definitely get right advice at right time.

I was in exactly the same situation when I got engaged in July, I went to slimming world and Lost 2 stone in 5 months. I love food and all the diets where you have to weigh and measure everything didn't work. I don't have time for much exercise but go to the gym a couple of times a week with my bridesmaids which is really motivational.

I would recommend slimming world!!!

Hi Mrs_S_2B

I know just how you feel i got engaged a couple of weeks ago and over the last few years put on a huge amount of weight I did the lighterlife diet and lost 7stone which was fab but 4 years later its all back on and if im honest a little bit more.

Were planning our wedding for March 2012 and really want to loose 7stone so a a stone every 2 months seams fesiable but I have no control - I think thats why the lighter life worked as I had no choice in what I ate!

Im trying to get into excierse but i really hate it! Been to Zumba and walk the dog everyday but need motivation to do more and eat better.

Any tips I was really hoping this engagement would kick me into it cos if this cant nothing can :-(

xx

Have you thought about weight watchers? I've been on ww for 6 months and I've lost 48 pounds. It's been much easier than I thought it would be and I eat chocolate every day ha ha xx

I'm not a fan of programs that dictate what you eat, especially as OH and I eat together in the evenings, and I enjoy cooking, etc. I'm only just getting back into the swing of things regarding weight loss myself, and I'd ideally like to lose at least 1.5 stone, so not quite as much as you.. but it's still a daunting task.

You say you're afraid that you'll start making excuses, but I'm afraid you already are! Saying you have zero time for exercise is in itself an excuse! Surely you have time in the morning to take 10 minutes out to do squats, lunges, press-ups, and crunches! Surely you can take the stairs at work and in the tube stations. You could get off the couch while your favourite tv program is on an do yoga and other home exercises in front of the tv!

First- go to your GP and get yourself weighed, have your body fat and lean mass measured, and have your waist, hips, legs, and arms properly measured. Also get the go-ahead from the doctor for weight loss. This way you have a solid starting point to base your progress on.

Then, if you don't think you'd be able to devote enough time to make a gym membership worthwhile, I would invest in a couple different weights of dumbells, a yoga matt, balance ball, and maybe a medicine ball. You can find work out routines online to follow if you need guidance, and videos on youtube. Then for motivation you can watch those shows like the biggest loser and i used to be fat while you work out! You're going to need some cardio, so getting a couple home video cardio workouts is helpful. Zumba can be fun, or other dance-like ones. You need to make yourself sweat, make your legs and arms shake, and really push yourself to do more than you think is possible. That's the only way you'll see results!

As for eating- I suggest you start writing down everything you put into your mouth. You only really need to do this for a little while, but it's really important to understand how much you're actually eating. If you can, invest in a food scale. I had only used mine for weighing ingredients for baking, but I started weighing out portions so I could understand just how much 40g of shreddies looks in a bowl (not a lot!). Also- by writing things down you'll probably start to overcome that fear that you haven't eaten enough!

And finally, the best thing I've discovered: when you first get those hunger pangs in between meals DON'T snack, instead have a glass of water and wait 5 minutes. Then, if you're still hungry have a healthy snack. If you're dehydrated your body will start calling for anything it can get water out of, including food. So by drinking water (or sugar-free squash if you're like me), you get rid of hunger without eating. It's an easy way to drink those 8 cups of water a day, too.

These aren't difficult things to do. I've been doing them for 4 weeks now (I know, not very long), but I've lost 3 kg. You might not think that's a lot, but after 8 months of going to the gym with no results whatsoever, it's amazing to suddenly see a change.

Because I want to really ramp things up, I've shelled out about £250 for 8 personal training sessions at my gym. They're cheaper than most, and I want to learn the best techniques for working out. I've gone last week and this week and they are amazing- it's like being on one of those TV shows for that hour!

Congratulations on you engagement!!!

I'm with MY Food, it's a great diet delivery service. I've lost 8lb in 14 days with them and am so excited to carry on. The food tastes amazing and it's surpricingly easy!!

Good luck and I'm sure you'll look GREAT on your big day!