Helenas journel

[helena]

Well i have decided to start my journal today as after reading some others i get the feeling you find this a great help!!
I am a yo yo dieter and desperate to stop the cycle as i know its not very good for my body. This time last year i weighed 45 pounds less and am desperate to get it off again! i am annoyed with myself as i have done it to my self and cannot believe how quickly the weight has crept back on
My first goal is to get motivated and get back to the gym and get back out running again. But am finding it quite hard to motivate my self.
any advice any one has got for me would be much appreciated!


HEIGHT 5ft 2.5in would love to be taller boo hoo
AGE 27
Starting weight 163 pounds
GOAL to lose everything that i have put on

[bradybunch]

Hi Helena,

Great to see that you have started a journal and I look forward to reading your updates!

Personally I am on the WeightWatchers plan which I have found has worked really well for me but hopefully you will find a plan that fits in with your own lifestyle and works for you. Will you be following any particular eating plan?

The only advice I have re: the gym would be just get started! I was a bit nervous about starting the gym in the beginning but once I made myself go a few times, I really started to enjoy it. Now I make myself go even if I don't feel like it and it's starting to become a good habit.

Best of luck with reaching your diet and fitness goals - I'm sure you will do great

Have a good week.

[helena]

I am doing the Gillian Mckeith diet, my hubby Dave is also going to do it with me too, which is great help, my kids are pretty good eaters so that wont be too much of a struggle.
I have done weight watchers before and got down to goal but i put it all back on again. I used to go with a friend who made it into a competion and she would put me down if i did not lose anything, so that was quite hard. So i just stopped eating for a while just because of how she made me feel about myself. Looking back now i realise that she was putting me down as she had no confidence in her self. But without meaning to she helped me get an eating disorder. Thank god that is behind me now.
I joined slimming world after my little boy was born and again i got to target, i was going to the gym everyday, i was out running with my dog at weekends, i love to run, i can just keep going, a bit like forresst gump really. But i find it hard living in germany sometimes being so far away from family, so i started comfort eating and its taken me a year to put 3 stone on!! And the worst thing about all that was going home to see my family at christmas and their looks said it all!!! But i am determined to do it again and keep it off this time!!!

[muppet]

I'm glad you started a journal, Helena. I think keeping one helps us all for very different reasons. Sometimes you need a word of encouragement, and sometimes you just need get things out. I find it helpfull, and encouraging to know that everyone has bad days. And people can have bad days, and still be successful, as long as they don't let the bad days take over.
I think the best advice for losing weight, and keeping it off, is to not go on a 'diet', but change your lifestyle. Change those bad 'comfort eating' habits to good 'healthy eating' habits. And do what you love, for exercise. Consistency is the key. So, if you enjoy what you're doing, and stick with it, it will also become a habit.
There are lots of ways to lose weight, but what good are they, if you just gain it back, once you stop the program? I'm not putting down weight loss programs, because I know there are some that do teach you to eat in the 'real world'.
It's pretty simple really. But believe me, I know it's easier to say than to do!
Good luck to you Helena, and keep us posted.

[susieokla]

Hi Helena! I'm glad you joined the journal thread!


Ok, so you've lost weight before, good. You know what you've got to do then. Now you just have to figure out how to keep it off. I believe it takes a complete lifestyle change with food and exercise. Start cutting out the unhealthy foods and add in fruits, veggies, fish, chicken and other things that are better for you. Then start your exercise program. Whether it's walking outdoors, joining a gym or like me exercising at home with Workout videos. Before long you'll be dropping the weight that you've gained back plus more!

You can do it!!!!

[Trying4Thin]

Hello Helena!

So you are a runner too? I am trying to get my endurance going and lose weight at the same time. It sounds like you have the right attitude about losing weight and wanting to be successful. Remember, the only opinion that truly matters is the one you have of yourself. Dieting is tough because everyone has their own ideas on how to go about doing it, what to eat, how much to exercise, and how fast you should be losing it. Try and tune them out, and just go with however you feel the most comfortable. Dont let others get to you (easier said than done). I bet your friend was being hypercritical of you because she was insecure about some of her own flaws; so it was easier to put you down than deal with her issues. In the end, you will be a stronger and happier woman and nobody will be able to take that away from you, ever. Keep up the good work! And let us know how you are doing.

~Carrie

[helena]

Hello everyone I had a really good day yesterday, i made a lovley vegetarian curry last night i really enjoyed it and so did hubby, the kids were not too keen on even trying it so had to do them some thing different but never mind!!! I have decided that I will start running or maybe power walking first on Monday, i will take my Beloved boxer dog zeus who loves to run with me. And then maybe see about joining a gym again, as we have moved recently i have yet to find one, i have heard through the grapevine though that there is a ladies only gym with a creche for kids, so i might see about joining that
My goal is to be running like i was last year, I was running about 10km every other day and felt really good, i am not a fantastic runner i just plod along listening to my music and take in the lovley scenery as i go by. I have also decided that i am not going to let my weight rule me any more, i am in control!!!

[helena]

Five reasons why i comfort eat
1. I am down in the dumps and only five chocolate bars will do!!
2. I have got P.M.T. And only sweet things will do, Why? you may ask.
BECAUSE I WANT TO!!!!!!!
3. Am annoyed at hubby!
4. Kids have stressed me out.
5. I miss home!!

[Missy]

Whenever you think about eating...when you are NOT hungry, try doing something else. Get away from anyplace that has food. Go out for a walk/run, read a book, do some crafts, do some knitting (if you do this)...or anytime you want to eat drink water instead. Fill your belly with water, it's better for you and it will make you feel full.

[Trying4Thin]

Hi Helena

I have never tried curry myself. What is in it? LOL the kids didnt like it. When I was a kid, if it wasnt a hamburger or mac and cheese, I wasnt happy. It is good that you are having your children exposed to different things to eat and not just junk. Any luck in finding a gym yet? I liked my Ladies only gym. The thought of lifting weights around a bunch of men made me feel really intimidated. But I am now at a coed gym and it is much better. Although I have yet to lift. I am sure Zeus loves all the exercise you two get together. Have you met Theresa yet? She has dogs too, and a few cute pics of them. I would love to run a 10k but I have to be more consistent with my running and pace outside before I sign up. I bet you will be back in fighting form in no time. I saw that you are homesick. Where did you move from and to? Keep us updated on your progress!

~Carrie