Losing weight, weight loss injections or gym?

I am also a single parent, exhausted and most of these suggestions just don't sound at all realistic to me if you are working long shifts. I don't have the energy on weekends to batch cook, go to the gym, take kids for walks in the dark at 8 o clock at night, any of that stuff. What has worked for me has been eating three sensible meals a day plus a snack, Noom to help reset my thinking around food, Wegovy to get myself on track with a lower weight (I was maintaining prior to that) and the odd bit of home exercise when I can fit it in.

It's pretty obvious that a single parent with a full on job isn't going to become a gym bunny or walk off the weight. It's just a lifestyle incompatibility.

Once you lose weight the possibilities open up for improving exercise, and I also will say if you do go the injection route you need to eat much much better, lots of protein and veggies anyway, as you otherwise risk losing too much muscle mass as with all diets resulting in drastic weight loss. You can just eat crap and lose weight, but it won't be the right kind of weight and it won't set you up for success after you stop using the injections.

So you took your primary aged autistic child out at 8.30 every single night, even in the dark, rain and cold and walked for an hour? Then got them ready for bed and still got them up at 6.30am for school? I don’t believe you.

You've hit the nail on the head there with skinnies and gym bunnies enjoying silently - and loudly - judging fatties. Seeing obesity as a serious moral failing. Fuck 'em.

Fwiw, I would try the weight loss injections. I started on Mounjaro a couple of months ago. I've lost and regained more than my very considerable current weight over the years, and this has been the first time dieting has been a pleasure.

I've also been trapped in the house by small children and know how impossible it can be to make the changes you need to.

That said, if you did go down that route, I would strongly recommend trying to change your diet in the way you already know you need to long term. Not least as there does seem to be a relationship between eating crap and feeling sick on the jabs.

Joining a gym is great but it won't necessarily result in weight loss. It's what you eat (or don't eat) that counts.
Aside from injections, walking is a terrific exercise. It's free and you can do it at any time - to work, lunch break, even with the kids. Not a mindless amble, but with purpose and some speed. Good luck!

BOL does high protein soups and meals. Ready to eat.

Yes it's plastic packaging, but you have to pick your battles. You need convenience.

Have them as your evening meals in the week?

Doing high protein as a veggie is hard. Joe Wicks lean in 15 had a few good options.

The best thing you can do IME is give up wheat. It means bread, biscuits and cake are mostly off the menu (and you'll have to full up on healthier foods). It's the only way I've lost weight really.

The problem is you're so knackered and overwhelmed that making mindful choices is hard.

Meditation can really help with this.

Just do 15 mins a night before you start doomscrolling.

Chickpeas contain protein. 19g/100g.
Add some nuts, either to the food or after (maybe with Greek yoghurt for more protein).

Take the injections if you want.

But a healthy meal needn't take half an hour plus to cook, particularly if you're able to pay for convenience ingredients.

I just made mini tomatoes, chickpeas and spring onion, gently fried, on cous cous, with some bagged lettuce in the side. Delicious and took 10 minutes.

I’m just speaking from my own experience with a child with autism and ADHD who didn’t sleep and I worked FT as a single parent, like OP.

When I stopped seeing getting exercise and fresh air as a punishment and ‘dragging out’ my DC, then it improved my life massively in other ways.

The weight absolutely did fall off because it’s not just about the exercise and fat burning.
Its also about relieving stress, helping the hyperactive kids sleep, OP getting a deep sleep etc.

Of course OP doesn’t have to take my advice, like she doesn’t have to take anyone else’s but this is what worked for me and my DC.

Having recently had my mum rushed to A&E and having to have emergency surgery to remove her gallbladder due to taking weight loss injections, I really wouldn’t recommend it. A few of the A&E doctors said that they have someone each shift now who has taken weight loss injections. The one my mum was taking is strongly linked to gallstones and also feelings of depression and fatigue which may also not help your situation if you were taking injections with a similar ingredient. My mum often also reported feeling unwell and having stomach aches which is also worth considering.

I do appreciate it’s difficult when you’re busy, tired and have a lot going on to make diet your focus. Could you focus on smaller changes such as more protein and maybe lift some free weights at home to build more muscle? This can help you to achieve a more toned appearance although won’t necessarily massively lower the scale, your clothes will fit better.

You can sometimes get the joining fee waived, but from my experience with DL there is very little shifting on the monthly amount.

As it was so expensive I felt bad I couldn't get there as often as I wanted to make the membership cost worthwhile.

It doesn't sound like adding an expensive gym membership to your life is going to assist with weight loss, particularly as you walk a lot already. I can't comment on the injections other that it seems like a drastic way to do it.

I would spend some of the £150 on:
Meal plan kits like Hello Fresh or Gusto (you can usually get good sign up deals and then cancel and take an incentive to sign back up for a bit) - this would give you inspiration for what to cook, the veggie ones can also be easily stretched for extra meals in my experience (e.g. add in extra butterbeans and tin of tomatoes)

Some on gym sessions - I would book classes because then you actually feel like you have to go and you do a decent work out compared to turning up, faffing about, not being sure what to do etc but only if you know you will be able to make it to them which sounds tricky. Maybe online classes that you book? I know you said your kids don't let you but could they be occupied with a screen or something or you get up early? I don't know about weight loss but think that feeling stronger and all the other benefits of exercise are worth having

Sleep - think it is key to weight loss actually as if I don't sleep I want to eat junk food all day whereas when rested (and actually when exercising a lot as well) I crave healthier foods. Tricky when the kids don't sleep well - is there anything that would improve that?

Did you see the OP’s work schedule? She doesn’t get in until 7.30. So the walk would need to happen then, which would push food back to 8.30, or after dinner from 8.30 -9.30. Children would perceive both as ‘dragging out’ I imagine as they’ll be tired and/or hungry.

Edit: I walk an hour a day and do an hour’s directed training with a personal trainer every week and the weight is not ‘falling off’ as a result. I do feel healthier and stronger, but it’s not a weight loss solution.

They wouldn’t need to be out until 9:30pm would they.

It’s a shame you think going for a walk to collect leaves, splash in puddles, play in the park etc are seen as ‘dragging them out’.

It’s normal behaviour that kids love.
It’s not a punishment.

anyone seriously suggesting that an already stressed, highly active single mother should force two small children (sorry, not three), one of whom is autistic and both of whom are underweight, to take an hours’ brisk walk until 9.30pm every night, regardless of weather and time of year, is an idiot.

Walking 15-20k steps a day is not ‘so sedentary’. Dragging three young children - one of whom is disabled - out for an hour’s walk until 9.30pm in the cold, rain and dark is not rational, normal behaviour. Stop being ridiculous .

It’s normal and healthy to go out and walk every day.

Its not natural to be so sedentary and it’s why we have so many health problems.

OP said her kids don’t sleep well.
Fresh air and exercise will absolutely help them sleep.

OP also has issues with food.
Exercise and fresh air can release feel good hormones, which will reduce stress and the need to snack on crap food.
Exercise and fresh air can also help you sleep, which again is one of the best things you can do for weight loss.

We need to change the mindset that fresh air and exercise is somehow a punishment, rather than something that is beneficial physically and mentally.

Have you tried speaking to a dietician or qualified nutritionist? I would keep an honest food diary for 2 weeks and then pay to see someone to try help address where you can make improvements that are easy wins because they are possible.

You will get all sorts of dietary advice on here ranging from excellent to disordered eating and it’s impossible to truly understand what’s best for you. Start off with seeing a professional - if it doesn’t work, there’s no obligation to keep going but you can safely be reassured that you explored non-drug options first

The OP already averages 15-20,000 steps a day, yet you think she should drag her 3 young children, one of whom is disabled out for an additional hour of walking every day after 7.30pm (before dinner) or 8.30pm (after dinner) in the rain, cold and dark? This is insane advice!

Please be kind to yourself. Size 16 is the size of most uk women, you can buy all the clothes in size 16.
Please concentrate on eating tons of veg, and your weight will stabilise naturally, and you'll have so much energy for your very busy life with so many responsibilities. Your time will come before you know it, and you'll have all the time in the world for the gym, long walks, yoga etc.

Based on your updates, you need invest into therapy. You need to adress your low self worth and obsession of buying cheap food. Injectables won't address any of these issues - yes, you might lose weight by eating less crap, but you'll still be eating crap.

I definitely have seen this- it’s seen as cheating or somehow sinful (eg taking it away from diabetics even tho this isn’t happening). But I think you have to ignore it and do what’s right for you. Ultimately it’s really tough to lose weight- injectable’s help enormously. They have been approved for this purpose.

but yes, you do also need to address any underlying issues re food and diet or it will creep back on

Hi, I'm 37, I have 3 kids and my youngest is 8 months old.

I'm about 9 kg overweight.

Today was my first day of intermittent fasting, so I will only eat between 12 and 8 pm.

It worked really well for me after my 1st pregnancy, so I'll give it a shot.