Hi there, I'm looking for some support as I embark on what I sincerely intend will be my final (and successful) attempt at losing my excess weight once and for all.
I'm 45, 5 foot 6 (1.65 metres) and weigh approx 15 stone (approx 210 pounds) but don't even own a set of scales so I don't know for sure. I'm going by my weight 3 months ago when I was in hospital and I don't feel as though it's changed since then. However, I'm going back to hospital tomorrow (long, long story, not really connected with weight) so I'll have a definite figure then.
Oh, where do I begin? I started my first diet at the age of 14 (with the approval of my mother) when I wasn't even overweight. I weighed about 9 stone as I recall, but wanted to be 8. I'm convinced that that first diet screwed up my metabolism (I was on something like 800 calories a day). Of course, I ended up bigger than when I started and it's been one long battle with my weight ever since.
I do have serious health issues now which are driving me to lose weight, as much as for the sake of my appearance. I have high blood pressure and I've had cancer twice - breast and bowel, so both apparently linked with weight and animal fat intake. Everybody seems to say "well, of course if I had your health issues I'd just get on with it and lose the weight". Oh really? If it was as simple as that don't you think I'd have done it years ago?
I've been on ALL the diets and I don't believe that going on another commercial diet is going to work for me. My plan is based on anti-cancer as well as weight loss, so my approach is to eat virtually no processed foods or white refined carbs. Basically, lots of veg and salad (5-8 portions a day), wholemeal carbs in moderation, lean meat/fish, pulses, some fruit, olive oil and that's about it.
I would love to hear from anyone my age who has achieved a big weight loss, as I'm beginning to feel as if my age is against me now and I'm starting to get a bit panicky that I've left it so late. I want to get down to around 10.5 stone (145 pounds or so). The last time I was that weight was when I was 28, just before I met my husband, so I don't think it's unrealistic.
I'm reasonably fit and go running/walking for at least half an hour every morning but am planning to do more.
I just need the motivation to get out of the unhealthy habits I've fallen into and onto the eating plan that I know will make me look and feel amazing if I can only get my head in the right place to stick to it until it becomes a way of life. I seem to go through phases of eating really badly - processed meats etc - which I absolutely love and feel almost addicted to, but which I know are disastrous for my health and weight.
I also tend to eat huge portions, sometimes more than my husband who at the moment has a manual job (he's slim, by the way). I know I'm using food to numb myself and avoid thinking/doing stuff. I also drink a fair bit of wine (sometimes a bottle a night) which I know is also disastrous health and weight-wise. Writing this has helped me to see what a slippery slope I'm on.
I desperately want to claw my way back up it to a slim and healthy place before it's too late. Help!
Looking forward to hearing from someone out there who understands...
I'm 45, 5 foot 6 (1.65 metres) and weigh approx 15 stone (approx 210 pounds) but don't even own a set of scales so I don't know for sure. I'm going by my weight 3 months ago when I was in hospital and I don't feel as though it's changed since then. However, I'm going back to hospital tomorrow (long, long story, not really connected with weight) so I'll have a definite figure then.
Oh, where do I begin? I started my first diet at the age of 14 (with the approval of my mother) when I wasn't even overweight. I weighed about 9 stone as I recall, but wanted to be 8. I'm convinced that that first diet screwed up my metabolism (I was on something like 800 calories a day). Of course, I ended up bigger than when I started and it's been one long battle with my weight ever since.
I do have serious health issues now which are driving me to lose weight, as much as for the sake of my appearance. I have high blood pressure and I've had cancer twice - breast and bowel, so both apparently linked with weight and animal fat intake. Everybody seems to say "well, of course if I had your health issues I'd just get on with it and lose the weight". Oh really? If it was as simple as that don't you think I'd have done it years ago?
I've been on ALL the diets and I don't believe that going on another commercial diet is going to work for me. My plan is based on anti-cancer as well as weight loss, so my approach is to eat virtually no processed foods or white refined carbs. Basically, lots of veg and salad (5-8 portions a day), wholemeal carbs in moderation, lean meat/fish, pulses, some fruit, olive oil and that's about it.
I would love to hear from anyone my age who has achieved a big weight loss, as I'm beginning to feel as if my age is against me now and I'm starting to get a bit panicky that I've left it so late. I want to get down to around 10.5 stone (145 pounds or so). The last time I was that weight was when I was 28, just before I met my husband, so I don't think it's unrealistic.
I'm reasonably fit and go running/walking for at least half an hour every morning but am planning to do more.
I just need the motivation to get out of the unhealthy habits I've fallen into and onto the eating plan that I know will make me look and feel amazing if I can only get my head in the right place to stick to it until it becomes a way of life. I seem to go through phases of eating really badly - processed meats etc - which I absolutely love and feel almost addicted to, but which I know are disastrous for my health and weight.
I also tend to eat huge portions, sometimes more than my husband who at the moment has a manual job (he's slim, by the way). I know I'm using food to numb myself and avoid thinking/doing stuff. I also drink a fair bit of wine (sometimes a bottle a night) which I know is also disastrous health and weight-wise. Writing this has helped me to see what a slippery slope I'm on.
I desperately want to claw my way back up it to a slim and healthy place before it's too late. Help!
Looking forward to hearing from someone out there who understands...
I think we can all identify with you for one reason or another so don't feel alone. I think you'll find it helpful here 
