I can't believe how much weight I gained

Hi Helen, please don't get too upset at your weight gain, it's a bit of a shock, yes, but it can be dealt with - you can up your exercise by walking, exercise dvds or on-line (YouTube) videos. Try Leslie Sansone's walking exercises on YT, they're brilliant and really got me losing weight fast. I also have a 4gk kettlebell and use that after aerobic exercise when the body's warm.

Keep your snacks up, but to a sensible rate, you obviously need them for your blood sugar, so being careful with them and doing more exercise will, I'm sure, soon see you back on track. I don't know how old you are, but whatever your age - you can still exercise!

Best wishes, Sue.

Thank you Sue for your moral support. It means a lot. I am starting to get my head round this now. I am seeing a Personal Trainer tomorrow for some advice and some proper official measurements and fit tests to start me off.

All this week I have been cutting out my snacks, although I felt light headed I feel better today. I have eaten proper healthy meals at meal times and apart from my 10.30am fruit (I HAVE to eat at this time), I have had nothing. No chocolate, no biscuits and I don't actually fancy any of them. This is so unlike me. I am normally hungry all the time.

I am going to get a kettlebell I think. What exercise DVDs do you recommend? I dont' have a lot of room, so something I can do in a small space would be good. I am going to try and walk part way to work too, but it means leaving my car at the top of a housing estate which can be dodgy, but I did it today - oh and I nearly went A over T on an icy puddle! Need to open my eyes! But I know I can do this, feeling much more positive.

Hi again Helen, well done with all you're doing. I can understand about your 10.30am fruit, very wise to stick to it too.

I've only a small space to exercise in indoors too, but it's perfectly ok for what I do, especially in the wet weather. I don't us DVDs these day, but always used to use Motivator dvds; he gets on my nerves a little with his chat, but they served a great purpose at the time . Go to YouTube and tap in "Leslie Sansone's walking exercise" and you'll get many of hers. Try the walking 2 miles one first, there are 2 videos to the entire 2 miles, so start on Pt 1 and then you'll see Pt 2 from others on the right hand side.

Re the kettlebells, I use mine with a site called "Livefit Revolution", it's a marvellous site and the tutor, Alysia, is ideal. On days when I haven't the time to do a whole workout I do a few different exercises that I can remember and fit them to the time I have, it's so easy and I really enjoy them.

I know you say you're normally hungry all the time, but I suspect the shock of the weight gain gave you all the motivation and incentive necessary to push snack food right out of your mind, take the bull by the horns and make the most of it.

Well done on the walking! I have a "Fitbit One" pedometer that tracks all the steps I do so I'm always fully aware of whether I need to do more, that has been incredible for me and thousands of others too. My husband has a Fitbit Zip which is cheaper but doesn't track stairs and inclines as being anything other than steps whereas with mine I like to know just how far/many I'm doing on stairs and hills as we obviously burn more calories that way. The trouble is I became too obsessed with them and have now ended up with a bad knee!

IF it's possible to walk all the way to work then why not do so and save on the fuel, but if it's not possible then do as you've done and go for as much walking as possible - though beware of the ice at this time of year as going A over T wouldn't be pretty or enjoyable!

You sound so very positive so really go for it and enjoy getting back to where you wish to be, just stay healthy while you're doing so and keep aware of your blood levels! Good luck with the PT, I really do wish you well. Stay in touch as it's always good to hear how people get on.

Sue

Thanks for your ongoing support Sue. This personal trainer is a nutritionist too, and he is helping me to completely change my diet. It will be a bit harder than cutting out snacks, but it is to prevent things like type 2 diabetes etc. So I am going to give it a go. I have already made a 'paleo crunch' which is full of seeds and is delicious. I can't follow it fully but I'll do my best.

I wish I could walk to work but its 5 miles and I would have to get up at stupid o'clock to do it, walking in the dark and along lonely paths in places. Not for me. And it would take me about 1 1/2 hours minimum maybe 2. Each way. In the summer I might get a lift or a bus to work and walk one way home when its light.

I have already lost 3lbs since I cut out the snacks. The PT guy weighed me on the same scales I used on Monday in the gym. So I am feeling positive and will keep going.

I haven't had chance to look at the videos yet but I will do when I get chance.

Thanks again.

You're most welcome, Helen. If you haven't really been eating a healthy diet then, thank goodness you got that personal trainer! It is vital to do so. He's possibly told you how many daily calories to stick to, but if you wish, try myfitnesspal as that only allows you a certain amount depending on age, weight etc.

Although my husband & I (oh, very royal!) didn't always eat healthily, but I didn't fully understand about calories until going to MFP. You can even scan food for all the contents and percentages, brilliant place!

Oh no, please forget about the thoughts of walking all the way to work as that's way to far to be safe! Saying that, I find 5 miles daily is the perfect distance to keep me trim. You could always take the bus for half the distance there and back.

Wonderful news about the 3lb lost already, just goes to show you what snacks do!

All the very best, Helen, keep safe and healthy!

Sue

I am also doing the weight loss program and taking some snacks after exercise. It is very helpful to reduce weight. also I am taking the balanced diet which is always fat free. so, don't get upset. just try to take proper meal that can help you a lot to reduce your weight.

Make sure you take the dieting steadily as your body obviously reacted badly to a drop in blood sugar. The simplest advice is to make sure you are burning more calories than you are consuming, if calories consumed is less than calories burned then you will lose weight. Then you just need to maintain this slight calorie deficit and your body will lose weight gradually. Bear in mind that you will need to maintain this healthier diet for a surprisingly long time, often many weeks until you notice a difference. Then once you reach your weight goals the best thing to do is to maintain your new healthy lifestyle as research has shown yo-yo dieting to be very ineffective in the long time.

taking the perfect diet will reduce your problem. it is very important to burn calories if you want to make yourself fit and fine.

Hii Helen….

Don’t worry;

Feel free about your body weight gain. Sometimes it happens. As you have told, it might be cause of snack. I think you should include regular exercise in your daily routine in order to maintain your body. And you should have a perfect diet plan then definitely you will get back fit body once again.

Good luck

Wei Zhang

eat a balanced diet and do more exercise. it will give you the best lifestyle. the thing is only that you should take care of your health.

Thanks for the helpful advice.

Those of you who commented I should do more exercise - if you read my original post you will see I work out several times a week!

For Sue who has been very supportive - an update! I have lost 11 lbs since I changed my diet to healthy eating. Not calorie counting as such, just better fuel for my body as I exercise so much. And it worked! I got advice from a nutritionist and some targeted exercises from him too as he is a Personal Trainer.

I am just right now, and so happy.

UPDATE:

Following a healthy eating plan (which I intend to stick to for life), I have lost 14lbs

Happy !

It can be done, it just needed will power - to stay away from the biscuits etc, and just eat fruit instead, for snacks.

Excellent work, Helen!!!!!!! I am so happy for you. It just goes to show that healthy eating, daily exercise and determination are key to weight loss.

Brilliant news and keep up the great work!

Sue

You did well. Taking proper diet and regular workout is really good for healthy lifestyle.

Thank you all for your support