What plan would you follow if you were me?

[desperateaboutweight]

Hello, I'm really after advice on what to do to help myself.

Bit of background- I was a very fat child, put on a stone a year ie was 10 stone at 10, 11 at 11 etc.

At the age of 20 I got a grip and by the time I was 22 was a size 14, so not slim, still a little chubby but OK for my height/ healthwise etc and weight ceased to be an issue in my life for about 15 years.

Last August I got PG, lost the baby at 5 months at end of Jan. Got PG in April, lost the baby at 7 weeks at end of May. Got PG in June, lost the baby at 11 weeks in September. During this time i.e. from last August to now, I have put on 5 1/2 stone and gone from a size 14 to 24.

The consultant said this is unsurprising- I have been PG for 12 months, and they would expect this kind of weight gain from the three PGs, but although she has a point I also know a lot of it is also down to the post MC periods when I largely sat on the sofa, cried and ate a lot of toast and butter, particularly after the first loss in Jan when I put on 3 stone in 3 months.

I now need to lose weight for my health, my self esteem and as it would not be good to be so overweight when TTC. I have lost the knack I'd got of having an easy relationship with food- it has taken on far too big a position in my life and this needs to stop.

I just don't know where to start.

I think low carb things are probably out (Consultant said don't do these if TTC) apart from that I feel like there are so many approaches and I just don't know what to do for the best or where to even start. How do you decide what to do, and then how to get back that knack of an easy relationship with food where what i'm eating and concerns about my weight are not dominating my life??

I don't really trust my own judgement as I'm not in the best of minds with everythign that has happened, so I'd appreciate some wise MN wisdom about what to do to help myself.

[desperateaboutweight]

PS should have said I'm a bit embarrassed about having to write this so might not be able to check replies all the time, depending on who else is around.

[wouldratherbeonthebeach]

Paul McKenna diet? It's works with hypnosis and can really help especially with cravings. Good luck

[desperateaboutweight]

sorry what is the Paul McKenna diet?

[PositiveAttitude]

I was going to say Paul McKenna, too. No guilt, no pressure and it really will help your self esteem.

So sorry to hear that you have had such an awful time this year. If the weight has gone on that quickly, then I think I am right that it should come off quicker than "old" fat, too!

[desperateaboutweight]

I've had a look at it and it sounds a bit wooly for someone in my current frame of mind?

I've rung the GP this am to ask for advice, so I'm waiting for them to ring me back, so I'll see what they say about it all.

[desperateaboutweight]

Shit, have spoken to the GP and am completely deflated....basically advice was to go out for a walk every day and eat less and write it down.

She said I probably could do with some counselling and the dietician but both have massive waiting lists.

I feel so overwhelmed by it all.

[JennyPiccolo]

I lost quite a bit of weight with weight watchers, you are given a points allowance and you eat within that. You can eat any thing you want but you have to keep within your allowance and keep track of everything. I did it online because I couldn't face the meetings. I lost 3 stone.

I think anything will work if you stick to it, but the more sensible your plan is, the easier it is to stick to. I like that weight watchers is just normal food and you get an 'extras' allowance for weekends etc so you don't need to be all HIYA AM ON A DIET, just eat normal food with your friends and count it up later.

[Babieseverywhere]

I'm a big fan of My Fitness Pal. It is a free to use big database which allows you to track your calories and exercise with a few clicks of the mouse.

I have lost 74 lbs to date with it.

You tell My Fitness Pal your current weight, what you want to get down to and how much exercise you do if anything and it tells you how much to eat and how much you will weight next month if you keep it up.

The forum is very friendly as well, if you want any advice. I would recommend 1lb weight loss a week, slow and steady is the way to do it.

I also tracked my weight though my last pregnancy and only put on 8lbs by term (with my midwives permission and I was obese to start off with) and dropped 2 stone two weeks after the birth !

Good Luck OP

[Bingdweller]

Have you ever tried Slimming World? I have literally tried everything - Scottish Slimmers, WW, Cambridge, Atkins and more.

I have had a dreadful year health wise (cancer and shattered ankle) and something just clicked. I need to get rid of this excess weight once and for all. 6 weeks ago I weighed 14st 4.5lb and today I am 13st 5lb. The eating plan is amazing and definitely good for somebody who likes their carbs! I have a really great class leader and lots of support.

I'm 100% sure I will reach my goal weight of 10st and I have never, never said that before - I've been overweight all my adult life. I'm determined to break the cycle of gaining and losing the same pounds!

Good luck with your weight loss, it isn't easy but it is do-able.

[littleacceb]

I'm a WW girl. I like the absolute flexibility and the knowledge that I can stuff myself with banana soft serve.

Having said that, everyone I know who has lost more than a couple of stones has done so with Slimming World. I kind of have a "flat tyre? Let's slash the other three!" attitude, so I didn't get on very well with it.