Healthy New You: Your Change For Life

Up nice and early this morning (yes, this is early for me). Went to a party last night and behaved myself pretty well on the buffet, so not too bad I don't think. Got on the scales this morning and am already a pound lighter than I was on Monday, so hopefully I can get another one gone by Monday. Need to if I'm going to hit this "stone before uni" target!

Well done.

I'm having a bad week. Posted about it a page or so back but I don't think anyone saw lol. Is it normal for me to look in the mirror and think I look really fat still, even though I've lost a stone and my friends all comment saying they can notice?

I get like that all the time! I just look at myself and think how fat I still look (well I guess I am still 2 stone overweight) and how huge my stomach is.. then I think how awful I must have looked with an extra 4 and a half stone! But yeah I think it's normal :-).

Well done.

I'm having a bad week. Posted about it a page or so back but I don't think anyone saw lol. Is it normal for me to look in the mirror and think I look really fat still, even though I've lost a stone and my friends all comment saying they can notice?

Take photos of yourself in your underwear in a mirror and/or take measurements (bust, waist, hips, plus thighs/ calves/ upper arms/ neck or wherever else you like).

A lot of people (myself included) can struggle to see the difference in their bodies as they lose weight, possibly because we see ourselves every day and the differences are therefore small from day to day. Remind yourself of how far you've come, of how well you've done

Hello Everyone!

[[In an attempt to prevent this thread from going off-topic or moving into a hate thread, please ignore any hateful posts and report them to the moderators. Please do not enter into any arguments on the thread, or provoke "rep wars" or the like. This thread is supposed to be happy and healthy for all.]]

First of all, welcome to the thread. This is for anyone who would like to make positive and healthy steps towards changing their life. This could be losing weight, gaining weight, gaining muscle, improving your stamina- whatever you like.

Please feel free to post helpful links and resources, I will be more than happy to add them into this starting post if they're helpful. Also, when you post for the first time, please introduce yourself and include your aims, stats and a little bit about your situation!

Please be aware that we will only be supporting healthy and realistic aims, but we will be able to offer support to everyone.

Maybe if this thread has the right attitude, we might be able to get it stickied.. who knows.

Useful Links/Resources

BMI Calculator
Although BMI is not the be all and end all, it can give you a rough indication of how much weight you have to lose, or whether you're a healthy weight. Obviously if you're building muscle this will not be entirely accurate for you; but for most who are trying to lose weight this is helpful.

BMR Calculator
Your BMR is basically how many calories you'd burn on an average day if you did nothing. You should eat over your BMR if you're gaining weight, and under it if you're losing weight. Obviously you have to factor in how many calories you're burning during exercise, too.

MyFitnessPal
This allows you to keep a track of how much you're eating and how much exercise you're doing. The forums are helpful for specialist advice and there are lots of progress photos which I always find to be very helpful and motivating.

SparkPeople
Similar to MFP, also includes exercise videos, workout/stretch routines and healthy lifestyle articles.

TickerFactory
If you want to keep everyone updated with your progress, a ticker is very helpful (like the one I have in my sig). It helps to show how far you've come, and how far you have left to go. You can update your ticker at any time simply by clicking on it in your sig.

Exercise Websites

About- Exercise

Weights; Workout Ideas

Full Workouts Available on YouTube (Thanks to Sorani)

Bodyweight Exercises

Support Groups

If you feel as though this thread is not enough, there are Slimming World/Weight Watchers meetings literally all over the country. Try out the websites to see where your nearest one is. They're not free, but a good option if you find that face to face meetings are more effective for you than online support groups.

Slimming World

Weight Watchers

Diet/Recipe Websites

Recipe Videos

BBC GoodFood

Healthy Recipes & Recipe Calculator

Protein Meal Recipes

Style That Food

Protein Treats

Helpful Threads
These threads are all from TSR and are more specialist if you need any additional information.

Barbelles Society: Ladies Who Lift

For The Girls- Toning, Diet and Exercise a very basic guide

Workout Music Thread

Miscellaneous

Nutrition articles

..Obviously I will add more links and information as the time goes on, just thought we'd get the thread up and running so as many people could contribute as possible! I don't have much of a clue about anything other than losing weight, so if anyone wants to add weight gain websites, quote me.

Thanks. I feel especially bad at the moment because I've been unable to exercise for a week, and this makes me feel awful. But I'll get on with it as soon as possible and hopefully get back on track.
I might buy myself a measuring tape. Will probably help, seeing as I feel like I haven't changed at all lol.

I know the feeling after not being able to exercise

I'm sure you've been moving around a little though, even just doing normal things like showering and walking around the house or whatever. Just because it isn't structured workout time, doesn't mean you aren't at least burning some calories!

I know the feeling after not being able to exercise

I'm sure you've been moving around a little though, even just doing normal things like showering and walking around the house or whatever. Just because it isn't structured workout time, doesn't mean you aren't at least burning some calories!