To think finding the time to lose weight is IMPOSSIBLE?!

Sorry you’ve had such a shit time.
As a start, buy lots of apples celery and carrots etc and munch them when you get hungry. You’ll be less inclined to eat junk and feel healthier and it’s quick to do.

Have you tried recipe boxes like hello fresh/gousto? You can filter by healthier/quick cook meals so it takes the planning and prep out of it.
Something that works for me is “fasting windows”
so I try to limit my eating to between 10.30-6.30 which means I have a “brunch” then normal dinner with the family. Takes less time in the morning because I don’t have breakfast anymore!

Probably not what you're looking for at all but reading your post I just thought, wow you've been through a lot. A lot. And I thought, give yourself a break. Worry about the weight loss when your toddler is sleeping through the night. Though I find homemade soup is soothing and wholesome, sets me up for a healthy evening but still feels like cosy, filling comfort food.

Edit to add - on the soup, that's just if you want a v basic easy tip that works for me. I really do think you should be kind to yourself and rest as the priority. Your life sounds really full and busy at the moment. 💐

Some people here are not very nice.

OP, I'm in a different situation - my son is 12 but autistic - also want to lose weight and be more active for other health reasons, but am finding it difficult. The disturbed/disrupted sleep on its own without other stresses makes it very difficult.

I don't have a neat answer, but I hope things improve for you.

Exercise doesn"t make a lot of difference to our weight, it's mainly what we eat.

Focus on giving yourself a better diet, and make sure that you are consuming the right amount of calories, and your weight will soon be sorted.

Fucking hell.

I lose weight best through intermittent fasting and not snacking, which takes less time than eating frequently all day (for example I don't take lunch to work, I work 7:30-4:30 and eat 5pm-9pm).

BUT

Your life sounds incredibly stressful and you've been through bereavement and had a baby recently and are on medication. Give yourself a break.

If I'm honest I didn't get started sorting my health out until my youngest child was 9 (had also had a lot going on) and although I got to a healthy weight and fitness level another stressful period knocked me back and I slipped quite a bit for quite a while before getting my head straight again.

I feel better, healthier and stronger and fitter when I keep to an eating window and fast in between and avoid refined sugar, but it's easy when I'm feeling good and hard when I'm feeling stressed and overwhelmed - like everything. Generally it's hard to make positive changes from a position of self loathing, so you actually give yourself a better chance if you can be nice to yourself and prioritise sleep and self care first - hard with a toddler of course.

Is the six day working week permanent? I don't think that's legal if it's every week! Unless you are self employed.

You have had a really tough time of it op, so first thing is not to beat yourself up about this.

I would agree with the advice already given. Nutrition drives 80% of weight loss, so focus on that in the first instance. Find out what your ballpark TDEE is (there are calculators online). Then work out a moderate deficit. No more than 500 calories. Prioritise protein (1g/Ib desired body weight). Carbs and fats make up the remaining calories. Track what you eat in an app like my fitness pal. It will take a while to get it right but it will become easier over time.

Any more movement you can fit in is a great start. A walk at lunchtime, maybe a longer walk on your non working day or weekends.

That’s where I would make a start and you will see some progress by doing those things. Other forms of exercise will come over time as you are able to give them the time and headspace.

Also as other posters have said, a lot of comes down to what you eat. Any chance of intermittent fasting? You'll save time too.

I might sound crazy but wearing spanx for me has been just as good as the weight loss injections. I don't feel hungry when they are on and have lost 6lb just from wearing them. I was a normal weight before so that 6lb was hard to lose.

Can you afford weight loss injections? They will really help. They just make losing weight easy and quick and have given me a lot of confidence. I know they aren’t right for everyone but do some research (lots of threads on Mumsnet) and you can offset the cost against food bill reductions. Just an idea. X

I’m so sorry for your loss, it sounds like a really hard few years and you are doing well to be juggling it all.

I would park the idea of formal exercise for now and concentrate on eating well. I think when you’re super busy and stressed, the idea of fitting in exercise adds to the stress. If you can go for a walk at lunchtime, or with your toddler in the buggy at weekends, then that’s great x

A majority of weight loss comes down to what you’re eating. Plan your meals. Cook wholefoods, cook enough for 3-4 days then cook again for the rest of the week. Weigh your food if it helps with portion control. Excuses will keep you overweight. If you want to find time you will