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I'm not even going to bother with the how many pounds - oops sorry stones I've put on. I start afresh this week weighing 11st 13lb. My target for now is simply to weigh less by next Monday Tracey

Hi tulipz, Sounds like you're doing an awful lot to me if you've only just started, maybe you should be doing less at first and then increase it as your body gets used to it I started swimming 2 or 3 months ago and even though I swim a lot every summer at first I was very tired after 15 -20...

I'm not on facebook so if anyone has put photos of me on there I'm happily oblivious. I don't like having my photo taken on anyone's camera but my own, that way I can delete any unflattering ones. Tracey

I find buffet type occasions are always the worst because there tends to all the really heavy calorie foods made with pastry and fattening salad dressings. If it's available I will have only cooked meats, salad and pickles but if the only stuff available is very fattening I have been known to...

well done both of you, Kaylee 2lb is a great loss don't be disappointed. I've lost 0.8lb - well pleased! Tracey

Last time I lost weight I aimed for halfway across the ok band, for me that was 9st. But when I got less than 9st 7lb I though my face and neck were getting scrawny looking so I stopped losing and went onto maintenance. I found 9st 8lb was about right for me and that's about what I'm aiming for...

I don't think anyone can tell you how big you are getting without it being hurtful and I'm not sure I could have taken any comments about my weight well. I think it has to be something from within that triggers the decision to diet seriously. Tracey

I didn't know that what or when you eat before exercise made any difference to fat burning. I do try to swim at a reasonable pace that I can keep up though because i've heard that is the best for fat burning. Too slow doesn't work neither does too fast. Tracey

You've lost over 2 stone and you have still lost weight in the last month even though you've had a bit of a blip - we all have times like that. Well done on the weight you've lost and the dress will look brilliant come September. Tracey

Thanks, as long as something comes off every week I'll get there eventually. Tracey

I swam for over an hour yesterday without even realising it. 2 months ago I was looking to see how long I'd been swimming after only 15mins because I was so tired. Tracey

Just lost 1/2 lb, bit disappointed after my first week but it's a packet of butter's worth of fat. Tracey

I have mirrors all over the place I look at it loads of times a day. I'm now making myself look in it and take notice of what I see and not what I think I should see. Tracey

Both Becksie and KateR's ideas are good but please don't try a crash diet. If you're being successful now stick with it because crashdieting will only muck up your metabolism. Tracey

Yep, that's what i've been doing but it's too hot in the afternoon and a lot of wasps around so at the moment I've to wait till late afternoon. Tracey

My mirror must be like yours. I didn't notice the weight going on but hopefully I'll notice it coming off. Tracey

Yep, I agree, the weight will come off from where it wants to and it's always the bit you want it to come off that it comes off last. I'm doing all the swimming though so than when the weight comes off a bit more like you say my arms will be better toned. Tracey

My favourite exercise is swimming and although it's recommended to wait an hour after eating, I find that's not long enough and I can't swim properly. If I swim before meals I find I'm hungry and that's difficult too. There seems to be a very narrow band of time between meals that exercise is...

I like the hot choc satchets too but it's a bit too hot for those at the moment. The soleros sound good, I'll have to see if I can get them here. Tracey

I find I've bought allsorts in sales that are the wrong sizing. Instead of looking for my own size I look at how big the clothes are and if I think they might fit, I try them on. The stuff I bought last week is lovely but the dress that says 'size 10' would drown someone who was really that...

I went shopping last week and bought 3 dresses, a size 12, a size 10! and a size XL. All of them fit me as I am now yet I would say that I'm a size 14. Tracey

I find I need to eat carbs every meal, they help you feel full and give you slow energy release. You just need to watch your portion sizes. Tracey

I've never had a pink lady apple. Are they like normal apples but sweeter? Tracey

I agree with you legomum. If we avoided foods there was hype about we'd not eat eggs, beef etc. Even if these things are not as good for you as some others, I think being overweight is more of a threat to my health than eating these diet foods. Tracey

I definately like how you get treated when you are slimmer and as you say it's not just men it is women too. I just think it's sad that it happens because of your weight because you are the same person. On the other side, I did get certain women 'friends' who started to treat me differently...

Does anyone have any normal foods that they like and eat without sabataging their diet? I have mikado biscuits (11 cals) and merangue nests (about 50 cals depending on brand). It would be nice to know what other people eat without blowing their diet. Tracey

I love all the products with artificial sweeteners. Without them I would be at least 4 or 5 stone heavier than I am. I don't have sugar in coffee or on cerials but the likes of yogourts, fizzy drinks, drinking choc etc I always have diet variety. In an ideal world I would prefer to have...

I'm swimming everyday and doing half breaststroke and half frontcrawl. I'm hoping the breaststroke with tone my legs and the crawl my arms but not sure if it's working yet - will let you know. Tracey

I was definately treated differently when I was at my target weight (put some back on now but that's life). Cars would stop more readily for me to cross a road. When travelling, some bloke would always offer to put my bag up in the overhead lockers on a plane for me. I would be served...

I went rafting a couple of weeks ago and I had to wear a wetsuit. We went over to pick them up and one of the lads sort of looked at me (to assess the size) and handed over an XL suit. I had sort of expected a Medium! Worse was to come! It had to be zipped up over my thighs and after a...

So do I but there's worse vices, Tracey

Thanks for the warning. Tracey

I think everyone on here is being very good. I officially weigh once a week but I found the last few weeks I was too half hearted about the diet coz at the begining of the week the next weigh in seemed such a long way off. I am now getting weighed every day and hoping that will give me the...

Yep, I've been in denial too. Hopefully half the problem is accepting it and getting on with doing something about it like we all are. Tracey

I'd like to be able to stand up, lie down or even stand on my head for that matter and stay the same shape instead of having all the loose fat, flesh etc hanging down. Tracey

Shop windows, changing room mirrors and photos all do the same. The worst are photos on other peoples cameras or phones coz you can't delete them. Well done on the loss this week. Tracey

I want to wear the clothes I see in the shops that I like best and not the ones that hide certain bits of my body. Tracey

I love this post. I too look in my mirror and home and think I look ok or even good. Strange thing is when I go in the changing rooms in clothes shops to try things on, their mirrors show a different me (like the photos everyone mentions). Tracey

Well, I did it once (got to target weight) in my 30s but I still did it, so I can do it again. I've been playing at it recently but given myself a big telling off and I've got to be serious about it. I'll be 50 next year (March) and I want to look great by then. I've done the easy jobs, new...

I've tried buying things that are in a smaller size in the past but then when I slim down to that size they still don't look right. Probably because you never quite know what your body shape will be at that weight until you get there. I did go out and buy the dress that was just a bit too...

You're right, they are the most clever of animals. Ever heard the saying, 'owners train their dogs but cats train their owners' - so true. Mine's got me well trained! Tracey

Any of the diets you mention will work if you stick to them. Why not look at their websites and ask people on here about them to see which would best fit with you. It might also be good if you find out which have clubs local to you. Tracey

You also need to make sure that everything you eat is weighed or measured - it is very easy to underestimate what you eat. The only way to be sure of the calories is to weigh and measure. Even healthy food has calories. Tracey

Thanks, Thanks. I did see a dress that was just a bit too tight across my belly but with only a few pounds off would look fantastic - I didn't buy it. Maybe that would be the best place to start coz it would get me started again properly and I'd see a result quite quickly. Tracey

Think of that half pound as a half pound of butter being shaved off your hips - it seems a lot then. Remember as well that muscle weighs heavier than fat so with all the exercise you're doing you will lose inches as much as pounds. Tracey Tracey

I don't think these super-thin girls look their best. I much prefer the slim and toned look but still with some boobs and a bum. Women aren't meant to be sticks. I'm aiming for slim and toned and I think you'll find a lot of people on here that want the same. Tracey

I'm sure what susieqt says is right. I'm pear shaped but when I lose weight it comes from my top half and arms first, it takes the last stone to come from my hips, thighs and bum so I too look worse before I look better. Tracey

I've been really struggling with my diet, I just can't seem to back into it so I need some motivation. One of the things I'm trying is I've gone out and bought new clothes. These are dresses that fit well and are flattering. I'm hoping that looking better will help put me in the right frame of...

I'm sure my cat can smell, if not he has a terrific inner sense. If I open a tin of tuna or cook fresh tuna he comes running home at high speed even if he is off in the scrub a long way from home. He then sits at my feet waiting patiently till he get some of it. Much as he loves tuna though he...

Well done! I bet it was difficult but to eat something would have been punishing yourself not the person you were angry at. Tracey

If only emotions were easy to control we'd probably all be a lot slimmer. I think emotional eating is the problem for most of us, I eat when I'm happy, sad, upset, stressed, depressed, cheerful - you name it, any emotion is a reason for eating. Tracey

I would say like 'kerryathome' that a recognised eating plan could work. I think I eat very healthily but when I don't write down on a diet sheet everything that goes in my mouth, I put weight on. Even healthy food has calories. Tracey

I don't think there's anyway you can lose the weight from your prefered places. I know from experience that I lose from my boobs first and hips, thighs and legs last. Tracey

It's not really 'chafing ' but does anyone else get that thing with shorts where they seem to rub higher ad higher on your thighs but the outsides stay where they should be. Tracey XXX

Wish this happened to me - my boobs are the first place I lose weight from. Tracey XXX

Why are people justifying reading books more than once? I love re-reading books, if they are good enough. Tracey XXX

Thanks, I need to get my water percentage up, it's only about 40% but maybe that's because I get weighed first thing in the morning. Tracey

Having abandoned my wii for weighing purposes, I have invested in some new all singing and dancing scales. As well as weight, they measure bodyfat, hydration, muscle and bone percentages. Apart from the bodyfat, I have no idea of the ranges I should be aiming for. Does anyone have this type of...

Hi Leanne, Just noticed this on Cherry-blossom's signature, should cheer you up, 'If someone is an ass to you because your large just remember: You can lose the weight. They will always be an ass.' Tracey

Hi Big H, If you keep putting the weight back on after doing cambridge, maybe you could try something like ww or slimming world that will be more likely to train you in the way you need to eat whilst you lose weight and how to continue once you get to target. It doesn't matter that you don't...

For the first time ever I am only weighing myself once a week now. Maybe that's why it gives you the lecture. Tracey

I've been trying to be good and go on my wii everyday but I am just so annoyed with it. I do the bodytest and if I've put a bit of weight on (we all know weight fluctuates hourly or daily) it wants to know why, I usually put any old reason but then it starts giving me a lecture on 'eating too...

Hi, 10 years ago I lost over 4 1/2 stone doing no exercise at all. It was similar to you in that I had a smashed heel so any exercise was out and like you I had put weight on with the inactivity. I started on 1,350 cals a day and lowered by 100 every time I reached a plateau. Again like you...

I'm hoping I've just hit 2 turning points after semi-dieting for a long time. First I've gone over the 11 stone mark and last time I did that I got to 13 and a half before I did something about it, and second I am now squeezing into my 'fat' clothes. Tracey

I find I always do best when my weigh-in day is Monday. If I had it at the end of the week (and I have tried) I tend to think 'yeaaa' if I lose weight and go stupid over the weekend. If I know weigh day is looming after the weekend it keeps me more focussed. Tracey

Catcrazy, I've had a similar experience dieting that you have had smoking. First time round, I found it easy to stick to, lost weight to my target and kept it off for 10 years. Over the last 2/3 years it's kept creeping up and I'm just stuggling sooo much to get it off. I lose a bit then it...

Not sure I like the idea of fruit only for breakfast, if I got hungry during the morning I'd then eat all day. Tracey

This probably goes against what everyone else in doing, but I've bought myself new clothes, new shoes and had all my hair cut off (it was long and is now shoulder length and I'm hoping that looking better will make me feel better and that will give me the incentive to lose weight. I've stuck...

alexstephen21, What! Don't get it! Tracey

I know exactly what you mean. When I went to a slimming club and reached target, I thought my face looked too scrawny so I put on about 4 pounds (very enjoyable!) and my face improved without my bottom being too big. At the moment my face is fine though, it's the bottom that's the problem...

Would the book help with losing weight or is it smoking specific? Tracey

I like the idea and use food as rewards. My trouble in the first place is instead of having a bit of something for a reward is that I had a lot all the time. Now I'll have a funsize milkyway at the end of the day sometimes whereas before I'd have 2- 3 bars everyday plus piles of other stuff as...

Hi, I agree with Sammy, it's about finding the right diet for you and if you do have a slip-up all is not lost just get back on track asap. Tracey

Sorry, can't help with your dilemma as I don't know what zumba is but I wanted to say well done on losing enough weight for your pants to fall down - great acheivement! Tracey

Well done! Sounds like WW is the right one for you. Tracey

I would say go with whichever diet you feel you can stick to whether it's a quick results one or not. On most diets you can lose quite a bit in the first week or two which will give you the impetus to continue. You are far better to reach your daughters birthday just a few pounds lighter and...

A lot of weight gain and loss doesn't seem to make sense because of water retention, TOTM, etc. The only way to check as realistically as poss is to weigh at the same time, on the same day once a week. Saying that I'm worlds worse for weighing too often and if I seem to have lost I can...

Not doing it as often is def an achievment. Keep it up (and i'll try to) Tracey

I write down everything I eat too. I stop doing it every now and again and even though I think I'm sticking to my diet I put weight on. The only way for me to lose weight is to weigh or measure everything and write it down before I eat it. Tracey

Goin'down, I agree it does sound mental when you put it like that but we all do it. Tracey

Hi Kassy, I'm taking sertralina, I'm in Spain so not sure if they are ones given in England coz they have different things here. Sounds like you are improving, hope it keeps up Tracey

I have had medication in the past that has prevented me from losing weight. They were antidepressants and I went to the docs armed with sheets filled in of exactly what I was eating 1200cals, to convince him to change them. He didn't want to but I insisted that being overweight was overiding any...

Maybe I could say that if I smoked dieting would be easier? Knowing my luck though smoking would make me hungry. Tracey

Hi Karen, I've been off here and off the diet for a while now because of personal problems. I fought against going to the doctors because I didn't want anti-depressants. I finally gave in a couple of months ago and I'm so glad I did. I've started to feel better, last week I re-started my diet...

I weigh everyday, first thing in the morning. I've been off the diet for a while but still weighed most mornings, Even though I could see the weight going on I think seeing it kept it to a minimum whereas I can't imagine the shock I'd have had getting on the scales when i decided to go for it...

Like a lot of people on here, I'm really struggling to lose weight and have been for the last 15 (or so) years. Some of these years I've been at target, and some I've been 4 stone+ overweight. Most of the time though, I hover somewhere inbetween. For me, dieting is an ongoing process that I...

It's the only place I can find that everyone understands what you are going through because they are all going through the same thing. They understand that when you say you don't want a cake, you mean you don't want one, not that you want persuading to eat one. They understand that when you...

Hi Kirsty, I know it's not really the best thing to do but sometimes it's easier to tell a white lie than the truth. If you only go for an odd McD's try having just a small burger and coke zero but no frys. If anyone says anything, just say your not hungry rather than you're dieting - it...

I think it would be a great idea to have the calorie value of meals on the menu but like others have said it could be quite difficult. How about having one or two items on the menu that are 300/400 cals or less for instance. They do already cater for some people ie. vegetarian or gluten free...

Thanks Kes. Wow you look fantastic, well done! I've bitten the bullet and started again for real today. I'm not gona let personal problems make me put all that weight back on. Stuck to it until now - it's only ten to 8 but it's a start. I'm going to London to stay with my brother in a month...

Hi everybody, You're doing really well Kes, just looked at your recent losses - wow! I'm working up to Mondays weigh-in, think I've pretty much stayed the same but I've got to make the effort to shift it. Here comes Monday! Tracey

Well done - keep up the good work - with the dieting and shopping. Tracey

Shortcut to weight loss? Wouldn't that be heaven? Tracey

I do have a couple of roasties (my allowed 5oz) but made with 1 cal spray. I also allow the meat juices to go cold and take any fat off it before I make the gravy. Tracey

Oh Fine-looking, what are the new salad dressing spritzers? They sound really good. Where do you get them from? I'll try the grapes in the freezer too Batgirl, thanks. Tracey

Hi Marxina, Welcome to the forum. You're not the only one who's done the slip-up thing and put a bit of weight on. You've done the first step though with the walk and coming on here. I'm determined to have lost by next Monday. Cross fingers! Tracey

The clothes size thing really hit a nerve with me. I don't even know what size I was at my biggest because I never, ever bought anything above a size 16. When I couldn't get in those, I bought L, XL, XXL. Anything if fact that didn't have a number on it, somehow things could be ignored easier...

Thanks dextermummy, Any support is most welcome. I managed to stay the same this week, which is quite a feat as my son came to stay (he's a chef). Next week I'm determined to have lost - here's hoping. Tracey

Hi Kes, Had a lot of personal problems recently so I'm afraid the diet went out the window, anyway things are settling down now so back to it. Last week probably wasn't the best time to start because my son came to stay last week (he's a chef so I'll say no more) I think I've done well to stay...

Yep, Thank God I didn't say, 'sod it' and eat like mad otherwise I would have had it by now. It's surprising how difficult it is to get into the habit again of counting everything. I've not been too bad but I have been picking the odd thing up and eating it and not even realising until later...

I'm fine. Trying to get back on the diet properly. Hubby was evacuated from Nigeria and I've been thrown completely off track. He was skin and bone so I had to feed him up - not a good thing to do when you're dieting! I tried to stick to it as much as possible so I've only put a few pounds...

Aimeelu, I have the ticker and the scales sorted, it's just my head that's the problem. I've just had a massive meal (chinese, but made well within my calories) but my head keeps telling me to eat more so I came on here to try and stop it. Tracey

Nothing to post weight-in wise but I'm starting this again today as an incentive to lose by next week. Tracey

Hi izzywizz, It's interesting to see all the foods that you class as 'safe'. They're all the same foods that I use either to fill myself up with meals or when I've used up all my calories for the day. Tracey

Good luck, I'm in the same boat - starting again! Got to get my head round it and get into a routine with food. Tracey

Hi everybody, I've re-started my diet today and I'm trying to think of all the little things I used to do to keep myself ontrack. The ones I can think of are: 1, Make sugar-free jellies up and leave in fridge to have with yogourt as a very low-cal snack. 2, Don't allow myself to get...

I've just had a few months off because I had personal problems. I have tried to be very careful still even though I've been nowhere near as strict as I should be and I'm not too much bigger than I was. I'm finding very hard to get back on task though. Tracey

I lose from my waist and boobs first and it's only when I can get rid of the last half-stone that it shifts from my hips and thighs. Tracey

Jesca, I agree totally, especially 2 and 3. If anyone knows you're dieting, they either try to get you to eat stuff that you don't want or they try to make you feel guilty for eating stuff you do want. Tracey

Yep, saying you're full, not hungry etc defo keeps them off your backs. I never say I'm dieting any more because that's like a red rag to a bull. Tracey

You are all doing so well on the exercise and fitness. Mine has been limited to total gym but soon it will be warm enough to swim -yea!!! Tracey

Whether eating out or at other people's houses, I tried watching what thin people do. They eat what they want and are happy to leave things. It's not easy, but I try to force myself not always to say yes to food or nibbles. Anything I think is too fattening, I refuse on the basis that I've...

Aimee, Of course someone could love you, it's what's underneath that matters and as for the wrapper, you've made a start by coming on here. Have you decided what diet to do yet? I'm sticking with calorie counting but I think any of the diet on here work if you stick to them. Tracey

Erls and hchappyh, It's not just the size with the wobbly bits. I got to target and stayed there for 10 years and still had the jelly belly. Got to say though, it's gone worse since I put weight on again. Tracey

Hi Isobel, Well done on the 5 stone, that's fantastic. My reasons have pretty much stayed the same as when I started but every now and then I see someone elses reasons and I think, 'Oh yep, that's me too.' Isn't it surprising how many times the photo thing crops up? I don't mind a photo now...

It might be 4.5 behind your target but it's 4.5 less than you were 2 weeks ago - well done! Not sure what I am. Hubby has been brought home urgently coz he's lost so much weight and can't stop losing it. Chance'd be a fine thing for us wouldn't it? I am now trying to feed him up whilst keeping...

I stayed the same - again! Never mind hopefully it'll come off next week. I always lose very slowly coz I eat as much as I can get away with and still lose. I reckon if I'm gona have to stick to this all my life I won't cut anything out completely. I used to go to a slimming club and I quite...

I had a nice surprise yesterday. I was bending over weeding and one of my boobs kept coming out of the top of my bra. I'm so pleased coz I hadn't noticed any difference recently. Tracey

Suzy, I don't mind the spiders unless they're the really big ones - then I get something to poke them into and move them away, I don't kill them though. It's the scorpions I don't like, we don't often get them but you have to cut them in half to kill them. I always wear gloves if I'm moving...

That's really good news about your job - bet that's a relief. You can look forward towards your holiday now without that problem hanging over you. I hope you find something to wear here. Tracey

Hi instant karma, Welcome to the site, I'm calorie counting so that's similar to your healthy eating but I always use a few of my calories for chocolate or alcohol. I'm not too good on the completely healthy diet. I too want to wear my knee length boots again, I can just about zip them up...

Hi Gerry, Sorry you're feeling like this, like breadbin says, you really should see a doctor. Even if it is the menopause it doesn't matter, it still needs treating. Tracey

I can't wait to get to target and on maintenance coz I'll be able to increase my calories and I'll fit into all those clothes. It won't be easy though, I have been at target and stayed there (within 5lbs) for 10 years. After so long I eased up last year and the weight crept back on - I didn't...

Well done Lolabelle, you're doing well with the bunnies, I think I'd have been tempted at least to have the firste one day and then the other the next. I'm a chocaholic too but I'm still having a little bit everyday. Tracey

Well done happy, brilliant news. I'm so pleased for you. Tracey

Suzy, It's cloudy today but still quite warm. It's been completely cloudless for most of the week. I find it difficult to judge though because I'm climatised. When I meet my mum in April, she will be wearing sundresses and I will have jeans and a thick jumper on. I hope it stays nice for you...

I'm so glad you said that Suzy, I can watch the ants for hours. It's unbelievable what they can carry. Where were you in the jungle? That sounds really exciting - not the being ill bit but a hut in the jungle. Tracey

I bet you can't wait to go now. It does make you feel good just knowing that you're having a holiday soon. I hope you manage to find something in Primark. It'd be upsetting to spend a lot on clothes when they'll soon be too big. I like the Spanish boutiques coz they only have 1 or 2 of each...

Well done Kirsty, not far to go now. Tracey

We do get lots of the nasties here like big spiders, we get massive ants too. They move along in lines and disappear into their nest. If there's a dead wasp or something, one of them tries to drag it and if it's too heavy they scamper off and return with reinforcements and they work together to...

wannabe, My hubby is doing voluntary work and he seems to be doing a bit of allsorts at the moment, he's really a mechanical engineer but they do what is necessary. Well done on the cossies fitting you suzy, it's been really nice weather here for the last week so hopefully we've come out of...

Sometime between 10th and 14th April. My mum's there then and I usually go up in the middle to split it up for her. There's a big shopping centre on the way up with a Primark there so I'll stop on the way to have a look round and hopefully I'll find something too. There's some great little...

Oh, I do have nice walks, I see tons of lizards and other strange wildlife. I suppose if I lived in Madrid or Barcelona, I wouldn't have a problem but I do like it here. It's going to take me a while but I'm on the last stone now so if it takes me 6 months I'm not too bothered as long as I'm...

Hi Kirsty, Hope your new scales are ok, I wouldn't let anyone use mine. If you lose at 1400 keep at it and you'll get there. Tracey

Hi wannabeminime, You've got plenty of time yet so you should be well on your way by August. I hope you feel more like yourself by then, you'r esure to get a good deal. Where is hubby? Mine is in Nigeria 'till next Feb doing voluntary work, so I'm hoping I'll be thinner when he comes home...

Have you tried Primark Suzy? That's usually good for cheap and cheerful - it's not really worth spending much while you're still losing is it? I can't wait to get this dress, I'll be taking stuff to wear over it in Benidorm. Tracey

When it's very hot or in the night are the only times I drink plain water. I don't know about your diet, but calorie wise diet lemonade is practically zero calories but any juices are at least 50 calories for a very small glass, normally a lot more than that. Tracey

It won't stop, don't worry. It might slow down but you'll get there eventually. Tracey

Hi happy and suzy, You wouldn't believe how difficult it is getting post round here. We did try getting things delivered that came by courier but gave up coz it's so stressful and nothing ever got here. We get things by royal mail international ok, but they can take anywhere between 2 and 6...

Hi Peachy, I'm the opposite of you then I like maths and science, I did maths and computer programming at uni. Sugar, if I go anywhere on holiday I have a little phrase book and that's about my limit. I can't imagine ever liking them. copster, I think almost everybody has this fear of being...

I've never tried Go Lower but it seems to be working really well for a lot of people and everybody seems able to stick to it. Don't think I could get it here coz it can take a while to get a packet delivered from England but I'm happy enough with my calorie counting and losing slowly. I wish...

Hola todo, Estoy muy bien, como estais? Sugar and Peachy I don't know how you can do those different languages, I'm terrible at them and I only really do Spanish coz I live here so I have to make the effort. I know what you mean about being attached to somewhere until you leave Peachy. I...

Isn't it nice to keep getting a reminder of how well you've done? Even if it is something as annoying as janking your jeans up. It's so nice when other people notice too, it means you've lost a good amount for it to show enough for people to mention it. Tracey

Thanks suzy and amylou, I'll get the size I am now. Who knows in a few weeks time I might be able to get another in a smaller size. Tracey

Hi Kirsty, Last time I lost weight, I had to drop my calories as low as 1100 just to move the last half stone. It refused to budge with my calories any higher than that. When I got to target though, I increased my calories gradually by only 50 a week and found I could eat between 1500 and...

Join the club, I've stayed the same. I'm looking at it that my body is getting used to the new weight. At least I've not put on! We'll both do better next week. Tracey

Hi rugbykirsty87, I've tried working out my BMR online and it says I should lose weight having 1400 calories a day. If I eat that much I don't lose anything at all, I have 1200 a day and I am losing weight. My losses aren't big but as long as it's coming off I don't mind. It may be worth...

Me too, but I can't resist a little bit at the moment coz oranges are in season and very cheap. I have a fruit allowance everyday so I take that as the orange juice. Tracey

I think life might not be easier being thin but it is definately pleasanter. When I was at my target weight, I found people held doors open for me, people offered to carry heavy things out to my car for me and were generally far more helpful. Like hchappyh says though, the fact that I haven't...

I know. There's a lot of people seem to confuse foods that are good for you and low calorie ones. I do have freshly squeezed juices but I only have a very small glass in the morning because you could easily drink 200-250 calories in one glass of orange. What a waste of calories! Tracey

I think you're very brave too throwing out you scales - I couldn't do it. If you've started eating what you used to and your clothes are getting looser then it's working. Well done on losing 14lb, that's a great start. Tracey

Wow, 1st 10lb in 7 weeks is brilliant - well done. Just asked you what you've lost in another post then came on this. Are you noticing your clothes getting looser yet? I know what you both mean, I come on here just for a quick look and I'm on ages - stops me eating though. Tracey

Don't think I would ever go to a hypnosis show coz knowing me I'd be dragged up so I wouldn't risk it. Hubby went a couple of times years ago to give up smoking (that's his vice - mine is eating and drinking). He stopped for a while but then started again, I don't think it did any good, but he...

You're so lucky to prefer still water and tea, I wish I did. I seem to have been made to like everything that's bad for you. I always drink coffee instead of tea, I like it really strong too. I do try to limit it as much as possible but it's difficult when I'm limiting everything else. I suppose...

I thought of hynotism so I tried it the cheap way - utube. Don't think it did anything but I spent a pleasant half and hour on it and it didn't cost a penny. Tracey

I too have to limit my calories to 1200 a day or less. At 1400 I put weight on because I'm only 5ft 3in and I've had many years not moving about much through injury so my metabolism had slowed. I think it all depends on the individual and with the limited calories I have I eat a very good diet...

I've done very well today, I've had no fizzy pop until now - and this one is laced with lemon bacardi. I've had water most of the day, it's fizzy and with raspberry flavouring but it's a start. I seem to find plain water really boring but in the summer when it's very hot I drink gallons of the...

That sounds really nice, you'll get in it again and it'll look good again coz it's been made for you. I've lost weight and put it on a couple of times but my basic shape has always stayed the same. Someone said earlier to get a slimming dress a size smaller than you need. Did you get one the...

I love the fizzy stuff. I got some flavourings to add to water to make it more interesting so I do try to drink that most of the time but I still like coke etc. Those meal deals sound really good, we don't get anything like that here. I'm on the usual sort of thing tonight, trout, potatoes...

Thanks everybody, I've got back to it now so hopefully not to much damage has been done. At least now I think of things like that as treats and not what I eat all day and everyday. Tracey

Oh, I hope you find something. I bet it feels really good that your jeans are getting baggier. I think jeans are the worst of any clothes to get to fit coz you have to try tons to get a shape that matches your own. I have a big bum, big legs and a little waist so I can never get skinny jeans...

It's nice when you fiddle with something for ages and eventually fix it. It comes as a bit of a shock when I do get something to work again, I always half expect it to end up worse. I think they just say they can't find them because they want you to get them. It's weird now being on my own...

I agree with sugar fiend, it would be great to have the sort of brain that tells you to stop eating when you're full and not to think about food so much. I would love to not be so greedy - maybe a brain swap with hubby who never overeats. Tracey

Well done on the 3lbs, that's a good loss! Here's to next week. Tracey

Amylou, I couldn't see anything for getting it sent here but my mum will get it and send it for me. She's going to Benidorm in April so she could bring it then coz that's where I will wear it, I'm not going out anywhere here. I go up to stay with her when she goes there - I can't wait. Suzy...

I was terrible last night and ate 2 choc bars and an icecream. I'm dreading getting on the scales monday, but I've just ignored it and got back to the diet today. I suppose I must be improving if I think of that as a binge because not so long ago that was a normal evening. I woke up with a...

Poor hubby, does he like cooking? I do that with stuff that I pick up that says low fat, I read it and put it back again. I look at what's actually in some of these things like cerial bars that you would think are good for you and I think I might as well eat a mars bar. I don't mind stuff that...

I've not needed to tidy anything. He has one normal toolbox, screwdrivers, pliers, clamps etc; one plumbing toolbox, all stuff for pipework; and a box of bigger stuff, electric tools and spare parts etc, all very organised into trays - I don't think I could organise it any better. Believe it or...

Hi Shelz, I agree with just peachy and hchappyh. Be careful about losing too much. If you think you are going to have to persuade your fiance about a lower goal weight maybe lowering it is not right. Your fiance should be a good judge for you as he'll want you to look your best and stay healthy...

I do try to cook a lot of my stuff from scratch but like you I think yogourts are going a bit too far. You should be ok with stuff like pasta though - it's the sauces you put on them if you buy them readymade that are the problem. I only used to look at the calories of foods before I bought...

Suzy, It is definately doing you good if you're not getting out of breath like you were. You'll be dashing around everywhere soon. Just think what you'll be like in another few months. Amylou, I'm jealous, I was gona wait for the dress till my mum came but I might ask her to get it and post...

I hope you get to the weight you want to for your graduation. When do you graduate? and what diet are you doing? Tracey

It is 2 wheels, and yep it is an old lady one. I wouldn't have dream't of using one but I've seen young women tottering around on high heels before now pulling them along. I do get taken as Spanish if people haven't spoken to me though - no-one English uses one. I can't believe those petit...

I'm so jealous of you shelz, have a great time. I'm proud of myself coz even though I've only lost 11lb, it's been enough for hubby to notice the other day on the webcam. I wanted to lose weight for next time he came home but when he saw me, the first thing he said was, 'have you lost weight...

Like the way you call it 'my' toolbox Suzy. Don't think hubby would agree, it's taken him 30 years to accumalate all those tools. Tracey

Too old at 26 - no way! If you want it get it done. I'm 47 and if my belly smiled instead of frowning (you know what I mean) I'd get mine done. Tracey

I think it's our own fault if we are fat because of eating these things but the bogoffs and cheap junk foods don't help. I now go to the supermarket with a list and stick to it and get all my fruit and veg from the market. I usually get a full trolley (suzy's gona kill herself laughing if she...

Hi Suzy, If the weight is coming off without exercising that's really good but if you're finding you're walking quicker it'll only do you good. You must be doing well if you look like you're power walking, I've just been for a stroll - there's no way you could call it power walking, even walking...

Wow!!! well done. I've lost half a pound but I'm pleased with that, it's still coming off. Tracey

I hope you managed to resist the junkfood amylou, hopefully you'll lose the taste. If you're walking faster on the school run you're definately doing well suzy. I've been going on the total gym for exercise unless I've been out for a walk or doing energetic stuff in garden or around house -...

Hi breadbin, That's a great incentive to lose weight and when you have lost enough to start again it should speed your losses up. What diet are you doing? Hi suzy, Nope, that's not my job. It can't be done until all the building work is finished and that's a long time off yet. I don't mind...

Maybe they're in training for being teenagers. We all have to have an odd whinge though, I'd like to say I don't but I've whinged for England last couple of weeks. Mind you there's no-one to hear it but my cat and he doesn't seem to be able to tell the difference between whinging and talking so...

Hi Suzy, I'm glad to hear you got the dress and it's good. I'm asking my mum to bring one out when she comes. I can't wait for sandle weather, like you we've had a really bad winter. Not as bad as you've had but for here it's been really bad. Hi Amylou, If you're cutting out junk food you're...

Lost a pound. Couldn't believe it after just halves or staying the same. Tracey

Not the best time to be a parent - teenagers. They do come out of the other side eventually but it takes a while. Make the most of them while they're at a nice age. Tracey

Fig tree looks like it's just starting to bud so fingers crossed. I only started to put plants in this time last year so we'll find out which have taken. Most seem to be ok. It was strange about the bluebells coz I put crocus and hyacynth bulbs in too and they are ok, they've just started to...

Well done to both of us. Yep, supergood and big losses, Tracey

Wowwwwww! A pound and a half! Can't believe it after all those half or sts weeks. How've you done? Tracey

Suzy, At least that's a nice decision to have to make. I hope some of your boots and shoes fit, I tried my knee boots on the other day - still can't zip them up but the zip goes a bit further that it did. By the time I can zip them fully it'll be sandal weather. Amylou, I've not got one of the...

I hear it, well done. You've well and truly earned that belt. Well done on your 4lb loss hchappyh. Tracey

I don't think the frayed jeans would go down too well in a glamourous granny contest. Most of the people I went to school with have got teenage children now - don't think I could go back to that, I'm glad mine are older. Tracey

I'll have to do some investigations on google about them. Some things quite like the English weather, I brought some bluebell bulbs and other stuff from England and they all died. It seems to be mostly citrus fruits, peaches, figs, almonds and olives that grow here. They don't seem to need...

I totally agree with small goals, like hchappyh I know where I want to end up but for now a series of small goals will do. 1. To weigh less each month than I did the previous month. 2. To stick to my diet for today, I know it's really for ever but I still do the one day at a time thing. 3. To...

No, I'm not trying to make you feel older (yep, I read your other post). You don't need to be really old to be a grandma, I was a grandma at 38, and my mum was a great grandma at 62. We all seem to have had kids young. Tracey

Oh no, not the shoes! I wouldn't even worry about the 60th I'm thinking 70 and over (I have to say that, my next 'big one' is my 50th)! Good luck with the organising! I hope you get it all booked ok. Tracey

I've not thought of bananas before, not seen them round here. They do grow oranges and lemons all over though, oranges are in season now so you can buy a big crate for about €5 (all shapes and sizes). I'm trying to grow things that I like but are not as cheap. We've got a mature almond tree...

I agree with you about what some of these people say you can't have. There's absolutely nothing that I say I can't have - sometimes I choose not to eat a thing (like chips coz I don't think they are worth the calories) but there's nothing I have banned. Like you say, it's the amount that...

I'm the same without carbs and I get really bad headaches so I have carbs every meal. Small portions but I never miss. Tracey

Well done Johnnio, keep it up! Tracey

Hi Peachy, If you're hungry try to make more use of vegetables that are virtually calorie free. Make up into soups that you can fill up on but don't need to count the calories. You've done really well so far and if you're still losing at 1200 cals keep it at that. I wouldn't drop your calories...

I saw something on the tele once where a survey was done about which shape fellas went for. There were all shapes and sizes of female celebritys and Nigella was the favourite. I personally think she's got a great figure and it is what I would call curvy but definately not fat. Tracey

Don't worry, you'll have grandkids to look forward to eventually. I had one of those big prams too - mine was a mothercare one - with a pramseat on for my daughter. And the double buggy but just a normal one. My daughter has just been to my mum's to collect the crib. It's the same crib that...

Don't forget the slacks and elasticated waistbands! Tracey

Yep, we got the massive ones too. I'll have to see wether I can get the raspberry plants here but I can't put any in yet coz the place I'm intending putting fruit is piled with sand, cement mixer and other building stuff. We'll get there eventually, a lot of the garden is done now. Tracey

Oh, good luck! I wish I could say I'd eaten a big roast dinner or something but I hadn't. Maybe it was the wine the other day? Let's both go for good losses this week. Tracey

sts!!! At least I haven't put on and it's a few weeks since I didn't lose anything so I'm not too bothered. How have you done this week? Tracey

I wonder if raspberries will grow here? I'll see if they sell the plants and if they do they should grow ok. Think I'll get some strawberry plants too, they've just come in season so I've been eating tons of them. Digging the holes is hard work, the ground is not soil, it's just a sort of...

If I take it anywhere, it'd have to be in a pram. I used to love taking mine out in the pram. I don't like carrying things much, except the M & S shopping! I do quite like going in M & S when I go back, just not for the slacks and t-shirts. Tracey

My mum wears the t-shirts as well and she's got the bus pass, she makes good use of it. She goes out with her friends and they look like they've got a job-lot of them. I have known her go out with a couple of her friends shopping and if they see something 'nice' they all buy one. They all go...

I think I was supposed to prune these but it's a bit late now. I didn't know what to do with the almond tree so I asked an old Spanish fella who lives near. He looked at it and went and brought a dangerous looking curved saw and started hacking away at it. It was a bit worrying coz he's in...

Partly that and partly not liking sewing them - lifes to short to hem jeans. It will be nice to have a new baby, the other two can't wait, they're 7 and 9 so will be old enough to help out. I'll have to plan a trip back to see it (got to call it 'it' coz don't know what it is yet). I don't go...

You're right they do or they bring them back from England. They buy the same t-shirt in all available colours or patterns (yep, patterned! Usually big flowers on the front or embroidered flowers) and a few pairs of the black slacks that I am told 'no-one else makes them like M&S'. When they...

It is tiny amounts and I shouldn't keep them. I'm gona have to grit my teeth and throw them away. Tracey

My arum lilies have just started sprouting too. Not used to these plants here, some have still got flowers on and my rose has got 2 buds coming out - very strange. Tracey

I'm guilty of having my jeans trailing on the floor, and they are all frayed coz they are cut off not hemmed. They don't normally get wet here and if it rains I don't wear them. Grandkids are so much nicer than your own because you can spoil them. I'm getting another grandchild in about 6 or 7...

Oh, I wish I had flatmates to eat them up! I suppose it's that I feel guilty if I eat it (coz it's not doing my weight any good) and I feel guilty if I throw it away. So I opt for waiting till it's inedible then I can throw it away without the guilt. Tracey

It's never vegetables coz I can pile them on my plate. It's stupid things like potato (only small amounts that I've cut off so that I'm eating the right amount). The other night I put sweetcorn and peas in (they don't count as veg coz they've too many calories). I haven't eaten them coz the...

Does anyone else have a problem throwing leftovers away? At the moment I'm weighing all the food I put on my plate but sometimes there's just a bit of something left over - not enough for a meal. If it's fish, chicken or meat, that's fine - my cat eats it. Otherwise I seem to stick it in a...

Just tell them you like it, that's what I did, and you don't look any different than other people drinking from bottles. The only comments I really got were about me drinking low alcohol beer - just not me! So I showed them the alcohol content and they seemed happy that I hadn't gone cuckoo...

Oh no, well that sort of makes 2 of us. I drank too much wine so I've got less calories for next few days. Hope we haven't done too much damage! Tracey

I don't know that part very well, you probably know it better than me. We drove round there a couple of years ago when we went to Portugal and Gibraltar but I've never stopped there. I tend to go up to Benidorm, my mum goes on her own and I meet her there. My daughter once said she was going...

No, they're not the ones we can see but they're only supposed to be about 2 hours from here. 2 hours is not too far considering the size of Spain. We were going to go for the day just before Christmas this year when my son came but he'd seen enough snow to last him a lifetime when he got here...

Well done, here's to good losses next week for both of us. Tracey

Ahh, I feel for him having his jabs, I used to hate taking my kids for theirs but they didn't bat an eyelid. Your mum spoiling them is all the fun of being a grandma and not a mum. When my daughter has her first, I bought her some really nice stuff from Gap - my daughter couldn't believe it...

Hi peachy, I remember the feeling of wanting a big fat juicy pint well, student days and going to the pub before football (not really times for a G and T). I used to have a bottle of Marston's Low C, it's about 100 cals a bottle but the strength of something like pils and it does taste nice like...

Oh I am so glad that I don't like pancakes that much! I've had a normal salmon, potatos and veg for my tea. Don't forget to start them again tomorrow. Tracey

Yep, you're right Theresa, my weight is coming off very slowly but I don't mind coz I'm still eating quite normally. I think of half a pound as a packet of butter, and that's a lot of fat to have got rid of. Tracey

Not surprised you're chuffed with 5lb, that's really good. I like Monday weigh-in coz it stops me binging over the weekend coz weigh day is looming. Tracey

Oil hasn't got carbs or protein in, it's all fats. It is fat that is good for you unlike most other fats but it still has a lot of calories. It might be worth asking your councillor for your type of diet about it. I just go off the calorific value of foods so I avoid any fats like the plague...

I know, I couldn't believe it when I got up. It's the second time since we came here 5 years ago. The last time it was 2 foot deep and all the Spanish were out taking photos coz they'd never had it like that here before. There is snow normally on the mountains in winter but not here. It's...

I think some men are as bad with the hoarding, they just like wizzing other people's stuff. I'd be good at wizzing other people's stuff, it's just my own I like to hang onto. I haven't got any exercise books from secondary school but I did have tons of work from uni that I had to get rid of...

I'm glad you're feeling better, I hate being ill. When do you start on the tablets again? Do you have to have a break from them sometimes or can you take them continuously? Tracey

You can lose weight without exercise. I lost over 4 and a half stone dieting only - I couldn't exercise due to an car accident. Like all the others on this thread, I calorie count, eating basic unprocessed foods as much as possible. Everything is weighed or measured because even sticking to...

Yep, and isn't it so much easier to say 'no' to a biscuit if others are saying 'no'? Tracey

Well done 6lb!!! I've lost a half - again, never mind, they all add up. It's a packet of butter. Tracey

Just wait, it takes a while for it to register with people. Even if they've noticed they don't usually say anything until it's a substantial loss. Don't worry, it'll come and once you've had one complement coz someone's noticed you'll probably find you get a few. Tracey

Oh no!!! Well you have been ill so that's probably why, even medicines will have calories in them. I've lost another half, not much but they will add up. Hope you have better luck next week. How are you feeling now, any better? Tracey

Hi Suzy, Nothing to do with the thread really but it's snowing! Been snowing on and off all day! Tracey

He should enjoy that if you don't normally cook but it would be hard for you to stick to your diet if you were cooking other stuff as well. The menu of the day here is healthy as most of the mediterranean diet is but although it's healthy, it's not low in calories. Everything is cooked with...

Sugarfiend and just peachy, Just think when the weather improves and you don't need to wear your coats anymore everybody is going to notice your weight loss. The coats are probably hiding it a lot now so it'll be very noticable then. That'll be something to look forward to. Suzy, I'll never...

I think you're right about the still craving sweet things in the past. When I was little I would have loved to have had the biscuits, cakes and crisps they have now but they were so expensive then (1960'). If I was hungry after school I had a jam butty or a buttered crust until my tea was ready...

I hate my hubby routing though old things in attics, but I love doing it especially things like photos and cards. I have all my 21st cards, the kids cards from when they were born and their 1st birthday ones. I also kept both their first shoes too, I did have their christening outfits and the...

Some of it will be down to the availability there is now. Our parents and grandparents who lived through the war had them rationed. My mum was a little girl then and I'm sure she said her ration was something like 2oz sweets per week. They were the last thing to be on ration, I think they were...

Hi Clairebear, I've had a similar problem to you. I got a smashed heel in a car accident and after 10 years of walking with either crutches or a stick I had my heel fused. After the accident, my weight ballooned but I did manage to lose it and get to target weight despite no exercise, not...

Maybe you could go out on a different day for Valentines. It'll be a bit less busy so you'll probably have a nicer time coz it won't be so rushed, and you're more likely to get any different things you order as they get things wrong when they're rushed. Or you could have a 'unbirthday' like on...

Well done hchappyh, that's really good over 3 weeks. Nearly a stone already - wow! Tracey

I'm unsure of what size to get too, specially as Collystrings says best get one a size smaller coz they're generous. Maybe I'll get one 2 sizes too small coz I'm not going anywhere in the near future so hopefully I'll be a dress size smaller by the time I wear it. Does that make sense? Tracey

Missy, Well done on your loss, it must a great incentive to have all those clothes ready to put on as you fit into them. Hobbesy, A whole inch off your waist and backside is fantastic - not far to go now -last half stone. Suzy, I think you must be like me, I had a tiny waist and a big bum...

Could you drop the kids off at the party then go home to have a bit of you time while they're there? I can only vaguely remember parties now, coz it's so long ago. I can remember that however long it was, if I had my kids and others, the time passed so much slower than when I was on my own...

You'll do it, just take it bit by bit and you'll get there. I didn't save any of my bigger clothes coz I hated them. They all went the same way as the tracksuit. Trouble was they were a reminder of a bad time in my life as well as being big. On the good side, you'll find the smaller you get...