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What was your light bulb moment? I've been a real idiot and I've had my wake up call

193 replies

T1gerEye · 22/09/2019 19:27

I've put on a lot of weight this year. An impressive 3 stone and I was a little overweight before I did that so today sees me looking at 14 stone something Blush

The death of both my parents this year meant that for some reason I felt I could literally stuff my face with cake, Doritos and pizza. Oh and chocolate. Was eating as if sometime had told me it was calorie free

Anyway, I've had my wake up call. I got a good deal on a private blood test subscription service and thought I'd try it as just a one off as I was idly wondering what my vitamin D levels were. The fact other tests were offered too was a bonus - I didn't think too much about those. Until I got the results ..

Vitamin D low. Iron low. I have tipped myself (just) into high cholesterol. Again with the CRP test - too high. Globulin is over what it should be. On top of this, I frequently have acid reflux - which I've never had before - some back pain and I'm a bit out of breath if I walk too fast. My stomach is terrible. Just an apron of fat. I can only wear loose clothes but I kid myself they're stylish as I buy them from Hush. Nothing looks nice on me.

Amazing! Hmm what a fool I've been. I spoke to my doctor who isn't too concerned from a clinical point of view as my results are just a bit off kilter but I know this has been caused by me basically eating for England these past months. Maybe not the vitamin D - I dunno!

Anyway that's my wake up call. I have children - one still young at 12 - and I'm in my 40s. I'm hoping I've had enough of a shock to actually stick to something now

I've started the 800 calorie blood sugar thingy. I need some fairly speedy results to feel better but don't want to do any diet not nutritionally sound so this ticks the boxes for me. I'll do the 8 weeks (please god I stay the course!) and is like to see 2 stone off for Christmas which I know is achievable with dedication.

Anyone fancy chipping in? Joining me? With any diet. Or I'll just ramble to myself and see how it goes

Oh and what was your lightbulb moment?

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T1gerEye · 22/09/2019 19:29

Day 1

Full fat Greek yogurt
Pear
3 Brazil nuts

Salad dressed with olive oil
Black beans and hummus

Mushroom and rice soup
Raspberries

Total cals ... 800 bang on

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KTD27 · 22/09/2019 19:30

Good for you! I did the 800 diet two summers ago and had very impressive results.

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BogglesGoggles · 22/09/2019 19:33

I should probably join you. I’ve done the same as you after my father got ill. Also low iron but struggling to get it up though. How are you planing on upping your iron while loosing weight out of curiosity?

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Thehagonthehill · 22/09/2019 19:33

My wake up was needing an operation in the Theatre I work in.No way were they going to see that BMI.Is is now much lower and I am still going.
I am menopausal on her and thought it would be harder than it is.Its all about being in the right frame of mind.

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thewinkingprawn · 22/09/2019 19:37

It’s definitely about being in the eighth frame of mind. I didn’t particularly have one lightbulb money but a series - getting out of breath walking, tired and grumpy all the time, snappy with the kids. All down to appalling diet. I have up sugar and went relatively low carb (although not extreme) in July and have lost nearly 2 stone. I still have between 3 and 4 to go but feel much better already so need to keep motivated to plod along. Good luck with yours!!!

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smeerf · 22/09/2019 19:39

800 seems really low and might be hard to stick to... But you sound determined!

I had a moment of realisation like this a few years ago and lost 3.5 stone in 6 months. I have kept it off (even with a pregnancy in the middle) so it is possible to change your habits for good. I used the app MyFitnessPal to aim for 1400 calories (going down to 1200) as I got smaller) and gave up alcohol/fruit juice (these were my empty calories I was consuming too much of). I just piled my plate high with veggies to make sure I felt full and made a few switches like almond milk instead of semi skimmed.

Good luck!

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AlbertWinestein · 22/09/2019 19:40

I’ve been following the burn 1000 active calories a day with the help of my Apple Watch and it’s working brilliantly. Means I don’t have to be quite so strict with what I eat too, which is always a good thing for me!

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T1gerEye · 22/09/2019 19:41

@BogglesGoggles I did some research about the best iron to take. I didn't want prescription stuff as it'll just cause me other issues such as constipation and I can do without that probably!

I bought the 'Active Iron' supplements. They're supposed to be easier to tolerate so will see how I get on with those. Add in my vitamin D , K (taken as needs to be ideally with D to aid the D going to where it's needed) and an optibac probiotic and I've literally gone from zero tablets to a small handful

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T1gerEye · 22/09/2019 19:42

@thewinkingprawn oh that's amazing! You must feel so much better! How inspiring - and it's a good enough drop to keep you motivated

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T1gerEye · 22/09/2019 19:43

@smeerf yep it's low but it's scientifically backed and I just can't face any more time than I need to at this weight. Because I chunked on the overwhelming majority of it this year, I think I'm feeling it more than if it had been gradual

You've done brilliantly. Impressed that a pregnancy didn't knock you off kilter

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T1gerEye · 22/09/2019 19:44

@AlbertWinestein love the sound of that but I'm just too unfit to contemplate it at the moment. I have a gym membership - I kindly give them £50 a month for precisely fuck all this year so far

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SmiledWithTheRisingSun · 22/09/2019 19:46

I'll join you OP!
I have a similar amount to lose.
It's piled on in the last 2-3 years.
I am going to do 5:2 I think.
Loads of exercise & try to cut out alcohol as much as possible.
2st by Xmas would be amazing wouldn't it? Smile

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SmiledWithTheRisingSun · 22/09/2019 19:47

Oh and I have lightbulb moments every time I see a photograph of myself! I just don't FEEL like I'm that fat 🤷🏼‍♀️

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T1gerEye · 22/09/2019 19:49

@SmiledWithTheRisingSun god yes! A couple of stone would make a difference. Being this heavy just feels like a slog. And I feel terrible for my husband too. He's super fit, exercises 5 plus times a week and really looks after himself. And then we have me - on the one hand, I look after myself - nice clothes, I work in the beauty industry so access to all products etc - and then ... I'm basically huge. So I'm battling with that feeling of having let him down as well as myself. There's a meme in there somewhere Grin

Please do join me in accountability!

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AlbertWinestein · 22/09/2019 19:49

TigerEye, So was I until I started this! Started having a goal of 500 and it’s amazing how quickly I’ve been able to ramp it up. Except for today where I’m largely just napping and stretching! Grin

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T1gerEye · 22/09/2019 19:51

@Albert what are you doing exercise wise to achieve it?

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CadburysTastesVileNow · 22/09/2019 19:54

Can I join, please? I have done the same as you - three stone up, now over 14 stone. Looking after two disabled parents has left me reaching for the chocolate and wine

I have been climbing towards the diabetes threshold since I had my first baby, but have always been below the danger zone. I dare not go for a test now

Do you have a link for succinct info on the 800cal / blood sugar diet?

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ISmellBabies · 22/09/2019 19:56

Good luck! I've been doing 800 for 2 months and lost 1st 9lb so far. I want to lose another 2.5st ideally by xmas, but as close as i can get is fine.
My wake up call was seeing a horrible photo that just made me desperate to stop being so fat!

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catflapuk · 22/09/2019 19:59

In order to get your iron up fast I can recommend Floradix liquid iron. It made a huge difference for me after just a month and during my last, rather heavy period I had no lethargy at all!

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CadburysTastesVileNow · 22/09/2019 20:04

Is it the Michael Mosley Fast 800?

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SmiledWithTheRisingSun · 22/09/2019 20:06

Accountability seems like a good plan op!
Will check in in the morning with my food / exercise plan Smile

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T1gerEye · 22/09/2019 20:43

@CadburysTastesVileNow yes that's the one! I bought the Fast 800 book and the accompanying recipe book. I'm familiar with how it works but it's trickier for me as I'm a vegetarian. I usually don't eat eggs either but I'm going to relax that for the next 8 weeks to give myself a little more choice. Join the FB group and have a read through as loads of info on there - all very easy to understand

Good luck to you! Check in here for accountability

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T1gerEye · 22/09/2019 20:45

@catflapuk ooh I'll look at that too. I considered some spa tone but may switch to floradix

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T1gerEye · 22/09/2019 20:49

@ISmellBabies I've just read through your thread! You're very inspiring and have done brilliantly so far - are you full steam ahead to Christmas now? What does a normal day look like for you, eating wise?

I've ordered some shakes. The Fast 800 one, chocolate flavour. Gone for that one as it's low sugar and all natural. I am going to try and do as much as I can with food but know I'll have to be strict with myself with portions - shakes and protein bars is all portioned out!

I'll also order some Cambridge diet bars I think.

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T1gerEye · 22/09/2019 20:52

@SmiledWithTheRisingSun excellent! Let's start strong and err STAY strong

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