How I did it

At the age of 25, I was already 15 kilos overweight. I felt really bad about myself, and I didn't seem to be able to shift it.My health was getting worse and worse due to the excess weight and unhealthy lifestyle, so I made a real decision to lose the weight. I didn't really know where to start, so I went to my doctors as a first step - I would recommend this over trying silly and potentially harmful diets that don't work anyway.

I basically stocked my fridge and cupboard only with the food my diet allowed me to eat and did not buy any nice but unhealthy or weight gaining food. My theory is, if you don't have it, you won't eat it.

I told all my friend that I was on a diet and needed their support - this way they stopped tempting me with any activities which were bad for me - and some actually helped me out by going with me on walks and jogs, which was a fantastic motivator.

At the age of 25, I was already 15 kilos overweight. I felt really bad about myself, and I didn't seem to be able to shift it.My health was getting worse and worse due to the excess weight and unhealthy lifestyle, so I made a real decision to lose the weight. I didn't really know where to start, so I went to my doctors as a first step - I would recommend this over trying silly and potentially harmful diets that don't work anyway. I basically stocked my fridge and cupboard only with the food my diet allowed me to eat and did not buy any nice but unhealthy or weight gaining food. My theory is, if you don't have it, you won't eat it. I told all my friend that I was on a diet and needed their support - this way they stopped tempting me with any activities which were bad for me - and some actually helped me out by going with me on walks and jogs, which was a fantastic motivator.

Tips & Advice DOn't aim to get thinner just because 'you should'. do it because you want to do it. If you are really serious about losing weight, the single most important thing is to want it with all your heart and go for it. Also, don't pay attention to what society says - you should only lose weight if you really don't feel comfortable with your weight, or you need to do so to help keep you healthy. You need 100% commitment - I think the best way to ensure this is to really want weight loss with everything - if you feel like this you will succeed. It is also great to surround yourself only with supportive friends and groups Take the time to learn about eating healthily - get a healthy cook book and start making meals from this. I went vegetarian and, although this is not absolutely necessary, it really helped me. Drink at least 2 litres of water every day (it actually stops you from feeling hungry!) and eat your five peices of fruit and veg every day (fruit is a great snack if you are hungry).

How I did it

I had alway been quite a big girl, and I always wanted to be in good shape. I used to say things like, 'when I am thin, I will wear this', I'd love to this - I will when I lose some weight'. Actually, I had been saying this for years, and one day I realised that I was never going to actually lose weight unless I did something about it.
I put myself on a very healthy diet, and was actually very strict. I also started to exercise, which is no mean feat for me because I really hate exercising - I just don't get on with it! I gave myself this work program and diet, and I stuck to it pretty well. I had some better weeks than others, by generally stuck to it well and was really pround of myself.

I began to lose weight really quickly when I first stated, then this began to slow until I was losing about 1 or 2 pounds every week. In the first 3 months I lost around 30 pounds.

This is the regime I set myself:
No more than 1200 calories a day
Plenty of fruit and veg (at least 5 portions)
2 litres of water every day
Exercies at least 5 times per week for 45 mins. This must be aerobic - like running, walking, swimming. This was the hardest part for me, but really is essential.

Although I tried to stick to this, I did veer off occassionally but I always went back, and eventyually lost my target weight.

I can't begin to describe how much better I now feel about myself - self esteem skyrocketed! I feel sexy again.

I had alway been quite a big girl, and I always wanted to be in good shape. I used to say things like, 'when I am thin, I will wear this', I'd love to this - I will when I lose some weight'. Actually, I had been saying this for years, and one day I realised that I was never going to actually lose weight unless I did something about it. I put myself on a very healthy diet, and was actually very strict. I also started to exercise, which is no mean feat for me because I really hate exercising - I just don't get on with it! I gave myself this work program and diet, and I stuck to it pretty well. I had some better weeks than others, by generally stuck to it well and was really pround of myself. I began to lose weight really quickly when I first stated, then this began to slow until I was losing about 1 or 2 pounds every week. In the first 3 months I lost around 30 pounds. This is the regime I set myself: No more than 1200 calories a day Plenty of fruit and veg (at least 5 portions) 2 litres of water every day Exercies at least 5 times per week for 45 mins. This must be aerobic - like running, walking, swimming. This was the hardest part for me, but really is essential. Although I tried to stick to this, I did veer off occassionally but I always went back, and eventyually lost my target weight. I can't begin to describe how much better I now feel about myself - self esteem skyrocketed! I feel sexy again.

Tips & Advice Make sure you keep focused on your goals, and reward yourself when you achieve them or hit a key milestone. I found it great to buy myself smaller clothes - this was fun, but also motivating as I would look forward to when I could buy a smaller size! I wouldn't recommend treating yourself with food - this is sending the wrong message to me. Good luck everyone - I really support you all.

How I did it

A few years ago, when I set my goal to lose weight, I was over 190 pounds and only 5 ft 5 - which made me obese. I had gone through a period of time when I didn't even want to get on the scales to see how much I weighed, but I knew I had to face it. So I did.

I didn't have the courage to set big goals, I didn't think I could do it. So I set myself a target of a few pounds at a time.

Firstly, I cut out the fast food. I banned chocolates or chips into the house - I knew I could live without them, and I wanted weight loss more than I wanted them. I kept saying - 'Short term sacrifice, long term gain'. When I wanted sweets, I ate fruits. Over time I learnt to love them.

I started counting the calories for every thing I ate. I looked at the amount of sugar, calories and carbohydrate in each item of food and always chose the one with the least.

I forced myself to eat vegetables. I never liked vegetables back then, but once I got used to them they got a lot more enjoyable to eat - and they are so good for your body.

I started to do more exercise. Not in the gym as I can't stand it - but I changed the bus for walking, and it was a lot more enjoyable than I thought, and it only took a little longer than the bus itself! (A lot of time was wasted queing etc).

I also did cycling on weekends, and did sit ups and even progressed to jogging longer and longer distances.

After all this, after 11 months of this, I weighed in at 129 lbs. A year before, I would not have known this was possible. I won't lie to you and say it was all plain sailing, at times I was miserable, upset and felt like none of it was worth it. But when I reached this weight 11 months later, I felt prouder and more beautiful than I have ever felt. It was definitely worth it.

A few years ago, when I set my goal to lose weight, I was over 190 pounds and only 5 ft 5 - which made me obese. I had gone through a period of time when I didn't even want to get on the scales to see how much I weighed, but I knew I had to face it. So I did. I didn't have the courage to set big goals, I didn't think I could do it. So I set myself a target of a few pounds at a time. Firstly, I cut out the fast food. I banned chocolates or chips into the house - I knew I could live without them, and I wanted weight loss more than I wanted them. I kept saying - 'Short term sacrifice, long term gain'. When I wanted sweets, I ate fruits. Over time I learnt to love them. I started counting the calories for every thing I ate. I looked at the amount of sugar, calories and carbohydrate in each item of food and always chose the one with the least. I forced myself to eat vegetables. I never liked vegetables back then, but once I got used to them they got a lot more enjoyable to eat - and they are so good for your body. I started to do more exercise. Not in the gym as I can't stand it - but I changed the bus for walking, and it was a lot more enjoyable than I thought, and it only took a little longer than the bus itself! (A lot of time was wasted queing etc). I also did cycling on weekends, and did sit ups and even progressed to jogging longer and longer distances. After all this, after 11 months of this, I weighed in at 129 lbs. A year before, I would not have known this was possible. I won't lie to you and say it was all plain sailing, at times I was miserable, upset and felt like none of it was worth it. But when I reached this weight 11 months later, I felt prouder and more beautiful than I have ever felt. It was definitely worth it.

Tips & Advice Eat more cleverly – swap the packet of crisps of bar of chocolate for an apple or piece of fruit. Have some fish or chicken instead of hamburger or steak. Steam your veg instead of frying them. These small changes will add up to a big difference. Learn to eat the right amount – don’t binge and starve yourself, learn to eat the right amounts – everything in moderation. Praise yourself for small improvements – even a small improvement is an improvement. Weigh yourself regularly and praise yourself for any small changes, Small changes over a small period all add up over a longer period of time. Drink plenty of water – it will really help. Be patient with yourself. Keep it to yourself – you don’t need to tell everybody you are on a diet – let them notice in due time. Keep a blog, take photos, monitor it in your own way. This is about you and no one else.