How to get rid of my unsightly fat (photo included)

[6demandingchildren]

I'm so bloody fat, I'm in tears writing this,
I have always had trouble with my weight after child number 4 was born 22 years ago.
I'm so fed up with myself, I used to run and cycle to work and swim every morning but due to my health problems getting worse I can now only manage a swim twice a week if I'm lucky, I don't eat much and don't drink fizzy drinks. I will once a month have a chocolate binge (3 small bars and maybe a packet of crisps) I'm also on and off quite a lot of steroids.
I'm thinking of getting a tummy tuck but I'm not sure if I'm eligible.
I'm 6ft tall so I can carry some weight but this is ridiculous, I'm so ashamed and I'm pushing my husband away as I just hate him looking at me the way I am.
I went to slimming world and lost 6lbs and that's all even though I kept to the diet. I left as I felt I was not getting the support.
I have no stomach muscles either I think having 6 children ruined them.
I just don't know where to turn to to get help.

Maybe if you met with a person trainer to talk about the exercise you can do with your health?

Are you working on your stomach muscles at the moment? They always say the core muscles are like a natural corset, holding everything together, so perhaps starting to work on them would help a tiny bit? I've not had children though so don't know what it does to your muscles!

What exercise, if any, are you able to do with your health conditions?

I was watching a programme (Dr Christian) when lying on the sofa I'll. There was a woman with a similar issue and it was explained as her muscles stretching due to her having three children. He explained that exercise would not help and she ended up having an operation to pull the muscles together again.
Disclaimer I watched a TV show and have no personal experience I am fat all over

Yoga, Pilates and the like can really help the core muscles, and are zero impact on joints, don't require great endurance, and don't need lots of equipment.
There are great videos on YouTube, add the tag 'beginner' and it will get you started in no time.
There are even exercises designed to be done in bed, in needed.

If you are taking steriods then it can be difficult to lose weight. I think your self esteem issues are a bigger problem for you and working on those will help you in the long term.

I find that diets are just too restrictive and make me focus on food non stop. What did work for me when I was unable to exercise for health reasons was using the 5:2 way of eating. It completely reset my appetite and cravings and I am able to eat healthily and sensibly and am in a normal weight range after being in the overweight range. My tummy was my problem area too after several surgeries, but this made a real difference and I am now confident in my clothing and that boosts morale significantly. I'd really recommend it.

I lurk on the 5:2 threads on here and find them really supportive. You aren't judged at all, and if you slip up and binge then you just carry on from where you left off and don't beat yourself up about it, which is counter productive anyway.

I hope you find something that works for you.

I will look into the 5:2 as in fine with not eating, another problem I have is I can only eat when I'm hungry and I know that is not good for you.

Is your BMI over 29? Check here: www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-weight/bmi-calculator/

As you're on/off steroids for medical reasons, I'd tell the GP/specialist that it's stopping you losing weight, and maybe they could change the treatment, or prescribe a magical slimming aid, or something? If your BMI is over 29, it's dangerous so they'll take it very seriously. Worst case, they can prescribe you your SW or WW membership!

Good luck, OP. I know how depressing it is. Don't push your DH away, though: a good shag burns 250 calories. :)

another problem I have is I can only eat when I'm hungry and I know that is not good for you.

Eh? Surely that's what you're supposed to do? If you're not a stress/comfort eater then surely that's half the battle won already. So presumably now you just need to eat healthier things when you are hungry.

I don't eat that bad, my favourite food is leeks and I will eat then every meal if I could

I can't understand what you're doing wrong then. While exercise makes a big difference to health and fitness its effect on weight isn't as great as people seem to think, it's what you eat that really counts. It must be down to the steroids as I can't see any other possible cause. How shit for you.

I'm as far from an expert on this as it's possible to be though.

I agree with people that yoga and Pilates help a lot but I will say that with Pilates if you want it to make a difference you have to follow it with an intensive session, then 30 minute daily sessions (at home) and up the Pilates sessions (eg intensity) after a while.

This is what my friend has done after a stroke.

I’ve done yoga and Pilates and still do them after having a DC and my elasticity is still not what it was (luckily no stretch marks) and I have to watch my weight too to keep fat off the stomach area. And I’ve had a fall back in recent months!