Losing weight, weight loss injections or gym?

I agree with this.

Your lifestyle is sounds unsustainable and incompatible with good health.

Somehow you need to slow down and be able to get decent food and decent sleep. What do your kids eat? This is something that impacts you all.

Focusing on better nutrition should have a positive impact on energy levels & everything else.

I agree with this. I am quite fanatical about my health and diet and it sounds to me that your way of thinking about food is really unhealthy. The fundamental thing is your priorities are skewed to loads of things that aren’t a healthy and aren’t about your own self care & health. You can’t live like that surely for your lifetime. I would spend some time seriously thinking about how I can reduce the ‘load’ of your current lifestyle to allow yourself more time and resources to focus on yourself and your health. Maybe you could use the money for childcare so you can get out for a run or two a week, or a gym membership that you can go to during your work day at lunch etc. I’ve no idea about weight loss injections but it seems to me to just be another unhealthy choice. You also need to overhaul your diet so you are eating actual food- biscuits and pot noodles are not real food, ditch all the UPF and eat food that comes out of the ground. You are not a human anomaly in that you’re the only person who can’t loose weight on the earth- you need to overhaul your diet and lifestyle and nourish your body properly. Best of luck however you go xox

Evidence shows it's more effective to exercise to maintain weight loss, not to lose the weight in the first place.

Honestly, I don't think you should do either. If I were you, I would use the extra money to buy better food and eat more nutritious meals than pot noodles and toast. Stop snacking on your children's leftovers too. When you eat better you will have more energy. Also, if freezer space is an issue stopping you batch cooking, save and spend some of the extra cash on a bigger freezer.

Its a lot easier to move around once the weight comes off so you'll naturally be more active anyway OP once you have lost some weight.

I understand where you are coming from and you have my sympathy.

What struck me is saying you've never been a healthy weight (as in bmi under 25). I am exactly the same so this isnt a criticism at all but what are you trying to achieve with weight loss. Is it how you look, better health outcomes or because you think you should or a combination?

Because I think it's harder for those of us who have always been overweight to get there and stay there and when your existence is stressful and difficult already, setting yourself up to work for something which isn't natural for you may create more stress.

That isn't to say you shouldn't be looking to lose weight at all. I think you will be fitter and healthier for it and it will do you no end of good. I just think striving for a target that your body hasn't ever achieved is a tough ask.

I would echo a poster above about using the spare cash to make positive changes to your day. A babysitter, something nice for your bedroom to make it a lovely place to sleep (weight loss needs good sleep). Food tracking apps can be useful to keep you accountable. Podcasts like the Zoe podcast can be interesting/inspirational.

I know you don't like cooking but there can be some good food prep ideas out there - stuff like your own noodle cups where you shove some dried noodles and pre cut veg in a jar so not actually cooking but better than pot noodles. Stuff like that (instagram is a gold mine for this).

It's a wanky thing to say but can you up your activity levels with the kids on weekends? Walks and swimming and messing around in the park? It's not hard core exercise I know but it's movement and being outside is good for you.

Basically nurture yourself. Spend that money on putting you first for a bit and finding out what that means. Look at ways to improve your health holistically. Remember being fat isn't a failing and you've done nothing wrong.

How old are your dc's? Can you tackle this one year at a time?
Weight loss is one thing but you also need exercise for your health going forward. I'm a lone parent but was able to work part time so I did get to the gym twice a week and I walk everywhere. It's hard to fit it all in.

Well what you'll end up with is throwing food away and you'll need to come to terms with that. I am exactly the same as you in that I cannot stand waste and squirrel every bit of food away, however Ive now had WSL which means I mournfully just have to chuck stuff away and tell myself every single time 'dont over buy'!!!
Im still not quite in the habit, its so hard if you are that way inclined. But I physically cant fit the food in me and have learnt Im not a dustbin! So in the bin it goes.
Criminal really with people starving in the world.

I would use the money to pay for additional childcare so you can spend some time on yourself and your mental and physical well being. I would also consider therapy to look at issues around your weight. I would also consider buying a walking pad or home treadmill so you can get some physical movement in whilst you watch tv in the eve. Best of luck. I too am overweight and know how hard it is physically and mentally.

I used ozempic and lost 4 stone over a year alongside a big change in diet. I’m now adding exercise into my life.

Realistically, do you have time to exercise?

Research fully Wegovy etc and also think about what you will do to stop the unhealthy eating habits.

Forgot to mention that I also try to make time for a small amount of exercise. I can't do it every day due to the kids/working away/back condition. I do it mainly when the kids are having tea so are occupied enough to not pester me. The max I can manage is 400 calories but it's usually nearer to 250-300. My weight loss slows when I don't do it and it's made a considerable difference to my legs.

I understand how you feel and I think tiredness has a lot to do with it. I barely sleep and it really doesn't bode well for diet. I don't have time to exercise due to work and a back condition. I certainly don't have the time or inclination to bloody batch cook.

I'm taking Mounjaro weight loss injections and I've lost 5st in 6 months. I've gone from bmi 40 to 26.7 and it's been relatively easy as I haven't really suffered any side effects (some people suffer quite badly).

I just don't want the crap foods anymore. I ate 3 biscuits yesterday - that's the first time in 6 months I've wanted any. I'm not bothered about chocolate/cake/buns at all.

My portions aren't much smaller, but I'm not filling up on rubbish through the day.

You do say in your OP that you want to improve your wellbeing and feel more refreshed. It sounds like you'd benefit from a health club membership, but when would you have the time to use it? Maybe weight loss injections first, then when you are at a healthy weight or your kids are older and you have a little more time, change to the gym/health club membership.

I have no idea what will happen when I stop the injections but I can't see me putting 5st back on (was due to having 3 pregnancies/2 children very close together and a medical issue that meant I was off my feet for months) so I'm not too worried at the mo.

Your supposed binary choice, really isn’t because there is nowhere in your posts that suggest that you would choose a gym membership You wouldn’t go to a gym, if your out of the house 12 hours a day, where would you find the time? You want to loose weight but you don’t want to change anything in your lifestyle, which means the quick fix that you supposedly don’t want, is exactly what you want.

You knew full well that the weight loss injection fan girlies would arrive in their fist pumping masses encouraging you to go the injection route. So why the pretence? The injections should be part of a plan of measure's but your posts suggest that you have no intention on working on your either your nutrition or exercising. So the injections will just become one of life's expenses that you will become accustomed to paying.

In your shoes I’d do the injections plus Noom.

Noom will identify why you eat how you eat (boredom, reward, emotion etc) and that will help when you stop the injections.

The injections will kick start weight loss and give you the incentive to carry on after losing something due to them.

I lost nearly 3 stone purely due to Noom - it’s a bit cringey in its style but it was the only thing that helped me realise how rubbish my diet had become and, more importantly, why it had got like that; why I wanted to lose weight; and how to stop food being everything from a crutch to a reward.

I paid for it for six months and still use the free version occasionally to keep myself on track. Haven’t regained a single pound, over four years on.

It doesn’t sound like you have time to use the gym and frankly what you put in your mouth stops weight loss far more than exercise alone. ‘You can’t outrun a bad diet.’

@olympicsrock that’s great, well done! Did you get lose skin?

I personally would do the injections to get to your desired weight and then when you are no longer shelling out for them use the money on a gym membership to help you maintain your new weight.

I'm in similar circumstances but with more weight to lose. I have the pen sat in the fridge ready to go

I did injections in your situation. Mounjaro does make you feel tired though. I’ve lost 2.5 stone in 4 months. It has allowed me to begin to exercise on a Saturday. I was also bmi 34 now 29 and still going. I’m going to try and continue healthier food and exercise afterwards as well
honestly I felt too fat and tired to start exercising. This has been a kickstart.

I would choose weight loss injections personally.

The old adage of ‘you can’t out train a bad diet’ is true. I run at least 20 miles per week, do a hour’s strength training session, and cycle at least 30 miles per week. Plus running around after two small kids. I’m still ever so slightly overweight thanks to my friends biscuits and cake.

Why would you want to take a drug to lose weight?
Stop eating so much crap and start eating better.
Be better in the long run.

@Manyshelves But with £150 a month that issue can be solved quickly assuming a spare plug socket and a spare corner in the house. If the op desires a change.

I really hate batch cooking too. But I can tolerate it for a couple of hours a month. Often the idea of batch cooking is spending your entire day off cooking endless meals which isn’t fun. If the idea is not of interest to op she can ignore it. Or maybe revisit it in the future.

To me 2 or 3 hours a month is preferable to 20 mins every night and possibly having to pop into Tesco to pick up missing ingredients too.

Hi OP

It sounds like your life is really full on and your3 always knackered, honestly I think its really difficult to lose weight in this situation, trying to find the mental energy when you're tired and stressed is hard.

You mention you've got a tiny freezer, any chance you could get a second hand chest freezer and stash somewhere else like a garage? That would help you batch cook which might make a big difference in the week

If not, I'd personally spend the money first on something that improves your life. Babysitting and a night out. Meal delivery service. Cleaner. Fresh flowers. Focus on the mindset first, try to eat a little more fresh veg, try and go for a few more walks if you have time. Over weight loss injections which are only going to last as long as you use them

Just to add to my last comment I can’t eat most breads now either. So toast from a prepackaged loaf - like warburtons or kings milk - nope it’s unpleasant.
I read the book when it came out and the desire to not eat upf has remained.

The OP specifically said she had a tiny freezer so couldn’t batch cook and doesn’t enjoy cooking.

Not what you asked but the book about ultra processed food by Van Tullekan has stopped my cravings for biscuits/junk etc. I cannot stand the texture or feel of it in my mouth. It’s repulsive. Once I would have loved a chocolate digestive with my tea - now I see ‘treats’ as none food items that are full of weird substances.

There is a book by a lady who batch cooks 40 portions of food in an hour. Then freezes them. That may help you to eat better without cooking each night. Defrost before work then oven cook it with an extra portion for lunch (to eat cold).

You would get a nice gym for far less than £150 per month, so I’d do that, book a couple of pt sessions for advice on training and diet for inspiration. Maybe do a class or two to meet people. Going forward, use the money to buy good quality nice food that you enjoy. Draw a mental line under eating the DCs leftovers. Walk as much as you can. My view is that this should all improve your mood and wellbeing longer term.

Some regular short gym sessions and upping your steps, no need to go mad, will help you a lot.

Or couch to 5 k. I did that in similar circumstances