It's probably more embarassing than smoking - but it's more visible - and could kill you more quickly.

I need to loose some weight but my thyroid is on the blink, until it is sorted I am double stuffed - however I am up for a challenge of loosing at least 1 stone if not 2 by June.

Got an exercise DVD for the PS3 in Game the other day - realised I had £15 on their loyalty card so spent it before it got swallowed up in their administration - wise decision. Also got a hula hoop and an exercise ball (just need to find where I put the pump for that) so got the gear.

Also found myself a training partner, somebody in my flats is doing a sports science course and needs a pupil, so I offered my body to them - they are delighted as they can guide me through an appropriate start up routine, increase as needed and take into account my arthritis and dodgy neck problems. (I have a compressed disc in my neck which makes some exercise - especially yoga - nigh on impossible).

I can keep my progress posted on this thread.

tbh, it is quite hard to keep discipline to have a healthy diet when you are stressed out with work.

I am not working - been unemployed for a year now. I've not been well lately but getting better now.

Found a 10 minute 'Tums and Bums' book yesterday I didn't know I had and a DVD which goes with the exercise ball, just need to get a mat now (found one in the local Works shop at a reasonable price so will get that today). I've also got a running machine in the garage I can use, its a mechanical one, bit old but works quite well.

There is also a local drop-in Zumba class a few minutes walk from here on a Monday so I can see what that is like - according to a nephew who works at a sports club Zumba is very good all round exercise.

I have a severely under active thyroid gland. It has developed a goitre now so may need to be removed. I know how difficult it can be to lose weight with this condition. Good luck, I will be routing for you.

Well why don't people start their own threads and give us a diary/blow by blow/lb by lbaccount of their weightloss campaign.

Im currently on a training regime, my waist is around 36 inch and im 14 stone (although im pretty built as i do weight training regular) but its getting worse as im gettin older, any ideas on the best sort of cardio to do to help shed the pounds?

Jogging/moderate cycling ( 9-14 mph, with a few light hills thrown in), or if you have access to one, a few 6 min intervals on a rowing machine. Pref 6 mins on at 5-8 intensity, 60-90 secs break, then back on for another 6. Repeat twice, or more if you feel you can manage it without getting too tired.

Im currently on a training regime, my waist is around 36 inch and im 14 stone (although im pretty built as i do weight training regular) but its getting worse as im gettin older, any ideas on the best sort of cardio to do to help shed the pounds?

You skinny cow - am I jealous or what - I dream of being 14 stone with a 36 inch waist

Wow you really are in good shape now. I've done weight training before but I gave because instead of losing I am gaining pounds. Some say it is just the muscle weight. So do I have to do it again?

Wow you really are in good shape now. I've done weight training before but I gave because instead of losing I am gaining pounds. Some say it is just the muscle weight. So do I have to do it again?

Thats normally exactly what it is. You'll start to lose a few pounds, but you'll plateau or increase your weight over time. People get depressed by this, but what they dont realise is even though theyre not losing weight, they're actually burning body fat. After all, that is the end goal really. To get rid of the fat.

If you wanted to lose weight and not gain muscle, then a low cal diet, coupled with moderate cardio workouts work rally well.

Oh okay...thanks! I'll be hitting the gym this weekend. And also thank you for the low cal diet tip.

Just dont go too low or you wont see any benefits. You need a well rounded diet, but say 500 or so cals less than recommended.

Doing this for a week only will make you lose 1lb in weight. Couple it with 45 mins-1 hr at the gym 3 times a week, and it's 2lb's. Thats without factoring in your daily routine, so add another 1lb or so on top.

A healthy weight loss is around 2-3 lb a week. you need to be burning around 3000 calories to lose 1lb of fat.

Theres 14 lbs in a stone. so just doing absolutely nothing else but changing your diet can cause you to lose a stone a month until your body adapts and plateaus. Then you simply need to change your diet again to more carbs/protein etc.

This means 500 cals less of food a day over 7 days = 3500 cals.

3 days at the gym, each with around 500-1000 cals gone = another 2-3000 cals.

Daily routine is normally 200-400 cals.

If you like cycling, a 10 mile ride on the flat in a semi-high gear is around 700 cals or so, 20 miles is around 1400.

It all adds up.