Nervous, first day, but need this

SkezzaShredder

Hello, I'm 24 and from England.

Growing up I was really skinny. I played a lot of football and did a lot of running as well. Anything I eat just fell off me and I could pretty much get away with eating and drinking whatever I wanted.

At 18, I found beer, or as I like to put it, beer found me lol. I didn't visually put on much weight at Uni, but I broadened out a lot. I continued to participate in a lot of sports and also abused my free membership at the gym by regularly spending hours on the rowing machine, treadmill and other equipment. I like to think I went from being a stick to broad. Weight wise, I wouldn't say I put on huge amounts. My display picture is me at 20, a few weeks before my 21st birthday and graduation.

I immediately took a job as a software developer, the first time I've ever been truly sedentary in my life. Add the fact I have to drive an hour and half to work, and back everyday and my time for exercise is severely limited. I haven't exactly kept on top of my diet either and haven't cut down the amount of beer I drink to compensate for my lack of exercise. In truth, I'm not in a very good place right now. Regarding the alcohol, I don't binge anymore, like in Uni, but I do tend to enjoy a few beers when watching sports on TV etc and it all builds up

I do play a good standard of competitive amateur football on a Monday night (not a goalkeeper!) and sometimes play for work on a Wednesday too which isn't a good standard but is exercise nonetheless, but that's about it really.

What is annoying, or more to the point worrying, is I don't look anywhere near my actual weight. That isn't me in denial, but if I ask someone to guess my weight and be truthful they'll usually say anywhere in the region of FOUR stone lighter than I am. People notice I've put on weight but they think it's a stone, maybe two. Most people think it's nothing more than a little pot belly. It's more than that though and I've noticed changes in my own health (e.g. I perspire more than I've ever done before).

Yesterday, before starting my new diet, I got on the scales for the first time in years and the reading wasn't nice. I don't want to disclose it really, but my word, it shocked me and that worries me.

So here are my aims. I want to lose roughly 6 stone. Is this too much? This would take me back to roughly what I was just after leaving University. I feel like I need to do this and losing that amount would help me greatly.

I've taken up the 5:2 diet. This is my first day of fasting and my word it's hard, but I'm doing okay. I've eaten a bowl of porridge, and a very light salad with just gem lettuce, peppers and leek, no vinaigrette, cheese, dressings or anything like that. I've also had an apple, and one cup of coffee which I stupidly put milk in without thinking. I reckon right now I'm on about 380 calories approximately, that's just a guess though. I'm also going to cut out drinking for the foreseeable future. Hopefully by cutting alcohol completely for a while, it'll be nicer when I can enjoy it without having to drink more.

Can anyone provide me with advice? Tips? Motivation (desperately in need)? Are my goals too much?