HELP NEEDED!!

bluessy

Hi there,
I'm going travelling for a year to Oz in 8weeks. Im looking forward to it except for the fact im feeling nervous about my weight etc. Im a size 16 and dont know if i'll fit in with the beach scene there. Ive lost 7pounds and am trying to be more active and doing it the healthy way. Ive never really let my weight get to me but this time it has and I am considering not going at all
can anyone give me any advice if they were in my position?

LegacyUser

bluessy wrote: »

Hi there,
I'm going travelling for a year to Oz in 8weeks. Im looking forward to it except for the fact im feeling nervous about my weight etc. Im a size 16 and dont know if i'll fit in with the beach scene there. Ive lost 7pounds and am trying to be more active and doing it the healthy way. Ive never really let my weight get to me but this time it has and I am considering not going at all
can anyone give me any advice if they were in my position?

My best advice is not to worry. Seriously. Its hyped up as Australia being full of beach babes...its absolutely not. Take a walk around any shopping centre or street and you'll see it. At size 16 you aren't big...so don't let it ruin your holiday.

My bf went to Australia for the first time last year and commented on the really casual way of dressing, but also how it didn't live up to his expectations from watching Australian TV. Not everyone is blonde and gets around in a bikini all day.

Wrap a sarong you is you are self conscious, not that you should be, and enjoy it.

Best of luck and have fun

whatdoicare

Don't worry about it - Oz is very similar to America with obesity. I lived there for a year - there are plenty of curvy ladies and gents about and everyone just lets it all hang out.
Size sixteen is not huge btw. (aqlso well done on yr weightloss )

midnight_train

Hi OP,

Although I have read the other posts, I think it sounds like you will be more comfortable in your own skin, and healthier, if you were able to lose weight before going to Oz, regardless of what other people look like there.

Congrats on losing 7 pounds, by the way! Clearly, you are well able to make the right choices and lose weight effectively.

You still have a while before you. My advice would be to put yourself on a 3 or 4-week challenge. Cut out alcohol, sweets, and junk foods, and limit your amount of dairy and carbs. Eats loads of fruit, veggies, lean protein, and whole-wheat carbs (i.e., brown pasta and brown rice). Exercise, walk to work if you can. The way to lose weight is to burn more calories than you eat, so keep track of how many calories you're consuming daily and do exercise (cardio, where you work up a sweat!)

If you stick to this plan for 3 or 4 weeks, you'll have set yourself up with some good habits, along with losing 5-7 pounds if you're disciplined. So, now that you're in the groove of eating healthily and exercising, you'll be less likely to get back to old, junky eating habits.

If you want to lose weight, do it for you, do it if it'll make you feel lighter, healthier, and happier. You CAN do it if you put your mind to it!

Good luck

robman60

Oz definitely has an image of beach babes on every corner but it's similar to anywhere else really.

However, this obviously isn't going to help you, so I'd go the alternative route. There's still eight weeks until you leave, so maybe you could set yourself some realistic weight loss targets until then. You'd be surprised how quickly the pounds are shed with a little effort.

Good luck and enjoy your trip.

RandyMann

bluessy wrote: »

Hi there,
I'm going travelling for a year to Oz in 8weeks. Im looking forward to it except for the fact im feeling nervous about my weight etc. Im a size 16 and dont know if i'll fit in with the beach scene there. Ive lost 7pounds and am trying to be more active and doing it the healthy way. Ive never really let my weight get to me but this time it has and I am considering not going at all
can anyone give me any advice if they were in my position?

Did you try the health/fitness forum? They will help you. It is very simple though, healthy eating, activity and patience. It may take a while to lose the weight as you must remember that it probably took a while to put the weight on. The problem is consistency with some people. You just need to make your mind up that it is a lifestyle change for good and not for the short term.
I believe the focus should be on health and vitality rather than solely losing weight. You should find an activity/sport that you enjoy, that you will maintain for the longterm rather than just to lose a few pounds in the short term to look good on a beach. Healthy eating is quite simple if you keep as close to the natural foods and stay away from processed. The weight loss will then be a consequence.
Being overweight is a outward visible problem that some people are worried about more than what could be hidden problems due to unheathy eating and lack of exercise. Change your lifestyle for good and your weight should never be an issue.
And no, I dont think you should cancel your trip to Oz because then you are giving in.

bluessy

WOW!! The advice here is incredible
Thanks to each of you. My main goal is to get fit and healthy!! I feel so much better now and am looking forward to OZ now why shouldnt I go Im doing my best to change my lifestyle. Ive shown myself I can do this and this advice has given me the boost i needed.
Yeah I definetly need to get some diet plan going as I want to know the foods to eat etc. any other advice appreciated. Thanks again I feel so much better now.

midnight_train

I was in a situation this time last year where I had to appear on film for a work thing. I saw myself in a promo video and really didn't like the way I looked! I had a hard time doing a diet, but when the time for the filming came around, I got pretty serious about it! I did a 5-week plan of healthy eating and exercise (and totally cut out alcohol and sweets, and cut down on carbs and dairy) and got great results - lost around half a stone and it felt great. I had confidence in myself for having willpower and although I didn't stick to the plan so rigidly after the filming was over, I was on the path to a healthier lifestyle. You don't feel like eating rubbish all the time after you do 5 weeks of healthy eating.

You've got 8 weeks, that's ages - good luck!!