Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Half a stone, bloody hell

64 replies

Zaphodsotherhead · 09/04/2020 13:15

That's how much I've put on since this started.

I lost four stone last year and am training for a half marathon. But for some reason I can't stop eating. Crap crap and more crap, sugar and fat and cake and chocolate. To lose the weight I'd nailed my diet down and was eating really well, but now I've fallen off the wagon big time.

I am still working, so my routine is undisrupted, so can anyone give me some ideas on how to stop craving massive amounts of carbs and sugar?

OP posts:
glasshalfsomething · 09/04/2020 13:16

Nope, but following for the answer!

DianaT1969 · 09/04/2020 13:21

Same, afraid to weigh myself. It's the stress and lack of routine. Really want to lose weight, not put it on 😳

SunshineInMySprocket · 09/04/2020 13:23

We’re on week 5 and I’ve stopped getting on the scales. We are in 24 hr lockdown so I am trying to do a few kms around the garden during the day.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Weight management
tellmetostopbutikeepongoing · 09/04/2020 13:27

The first couple of weeks I was alarmed at how much I was eating and gaining! Realised there was potential to stack it on so I've reigned it in. Just tracking everything on fitbit app. I'm only in a tiny deficit each day or maintaining but at least not gaining anymore. Also trying to do exercise here and there in garden/house.

ShowOfHands · 09/04/2020 13:29

Is it possible to not buy it?

I exercise when stressed so I'm actually getting fitter and have lost half a stone. I'm also buying only essentials due to worries over reduced income so no treats in the house at all.

Haworthia · 09/04/2020 13:30

I’m doing 16:8 fasting. Seems to be working so far. My weight has stayed the same.

Original poster
Zaphodsotherhead · 09/04/2020 13:31

I work in a supermarket. So the end of every shift, I'll be hungry, tired, stressed and angry and have usually been shouted at. So I find myself buying food I don't need, going home and eating it.

Other than that I'm not unduly stressed, run 35 miles a week with my dog so I'm fit and active, just...eating...everything.

OP posts:
rarotonga2 · 09/04/2020 13:31

I've put loads on and am depressed about the fact even my comfy clothes are getting tight. I can pretty much only wear PJs. I had a bit of an epiphany when listening to Dynamo the magician on a podcast recommending using this time wisely. I don't want to come out of lockdown the fattest I have ever been and have people comment on that behind my back. So today I have downloaded Nutra check and will be attempting to drastically cut down calories to get this situation under control.

Original poster
Zaphodsotherhead · 09/04/2020 13:32

I did start out doing the 16;8 to try to keep track of it all, but because I work late shifts I can do it any more (because all my eating hours would be when I'm at work and I can't eat on shift!)

OP posts:
PlywoodPlank · 09/04/2020 13:33

Have you tried making sure healthy snacks are on hand? Carrot sticks, strawberries, almonds, walnuts, bananas, houmous, or a bit of cheese or chicken? Whatever healthy things that you really like. Keep some with you at all times! When you feel about to break down and reach for the cake... try eating something healthy, then maybe a cup of tea or coffee, then hopefully you will have distracted yourself.

BeatrixPottersAlterEgo · 09/04/2020 13:34

I'm stress eating and I've hurt my back. I'm giving myself the weekend to eat Easter nests with the kids, then I'm going to start c25k again

PlywoodPlank · 09/04/2020 13:35

If you can stay off the rubbish for a week, it will get easier.

ladybee28 · 09/04/2020 13:38

If it's not in the house, you can't eat it.

That means you only need a few minutes' willpower each day after work to leave the building and go home without having stocked up on carbs and sugar.

Don't focus on the not eating, focus on the not-buying.

And be gentle with yourself –your work is not easy right now, emotionally or physically. Try not to beat yourself up for half a stone.

Lua · 09/04/2020 13:40

I know it is easily said than done, but I have very poor control over myself, so the only way to reduce eating sweets for me is to not eat at all.
Once I am in for a week without any sweets I don't crave them anymore.
The first week is hard, and it helps if you do not have any at home - so don't buy any! I also try to drink a lot of fruity and herb tea. They have some sweetness, but not nearly as much to wake the devil up.
I also try to get myself engrossed into something. Whatever vice, keeps you busy. Binge TV watching at night, candy crush, puzzles, a good book....

You can do it OP.That marathon is waiting for you!

Mysterian · 09/04/2020 13:41

Me too. Same amount. I'm not getting my daily exercise and eating more than I need. Will turn over a new leaf. Got my cycling stuff together so I'll hit the hills tomorrow morning.

MitziK · 09/04/2020 13:44

How about whacking the protein up and buying fancy fruit for the sweetness? And then using that extra 7lbs to fuel a bit of musclebuilding?

BlancheDuBlah · 09/04/2020 13:49

I really worry that this excuse will be used constantly afterwards for people getting fatter when actualy calorie intake is far more of an issue with weight gain compared to lack of exercise.

I also wonder if there's a correlation with the initial grabby stockpilers and their weight now.

fairydustandpixies · 09/04/2020 13:49

I feel your pain! I daren't get on my scales but I know I've put on weight and I was bloody fat to start with! I had visions of emerging from lockdown a couple of stone lighter and and super toned from all the yoga I'd done. In reality, work has gone insane so I'm spending all day in front of the PC stuffing my face with crap. I'm not even going to be able to bend down to pull my knickers on at this rate Grin

Straycatstrut · 09/04/2020 14:06

Same. Half a stone+. Disgusted with myself because I also feel sluggish and it's affecting my depression.... I'm not as cheery and motivated for the kids./

I normally walk (march!!) 8+miles a day (school run, dog walks) and I do lane swimming 3x a week. I can't get into home exercise - after entertaining 3 and 7yo boys allllllll flipping day long I am exhausted, and I just want to rest and drink in the peace (and the gin!)... be able to properly relax. I think that's important.

I was snacking on absolute crap. I got through 3 bottles of my fave red wine the first week so I've stopped that and got gin, diet lemonade and frozen fruit.

I'd snack before I ate my tea and after. The boys aren't allowed in shops so my parents go for us (not happy with this but what can I do) my mum does theirs, my dad does ours. The list I gave them this morning was all fruit and veg and healthy protein. I wrote "Please no junk I'm getting huge!" and politely asked them not to send treats for the kids. The kids have had a whole sweetshops worth sent out by the GPs it's ridiculous. Instead they were bought lots more activity books and craft.

I am so jealous of the runners getting that time to themselves. I'm not a runner I'm a swimmer and there's no way I'll get that back for weeks/months. I'm 6.30-9.30 every day before both kids are asleep. Eldest always begs to stay up until 10.30 too.... I count the hours until I can have a gin and feel myself relax!

lubeybooby · 09/04/2020 14:10

I was on the way to doing the same myself having lost 7 stone but I caught on to myself and thought hell fucking no! No no no! No way am I even slightly heading back there, it was awful.

I gave myself a few more days of being a bewildered mess and then made myself get a grip and do what made me lose weight in the first place - accurate calorie control and exercise. I am all for being kind to yourself for a little while, when processing something as big as the covid emergency BUT there comes a point where it's kinder to yourself to look after yourself, look out for yourself and your health

Featurewall · 09/04/2020 14:11

MFP? 1500 cals a day and try factoring treats into it. With all that running you are definitely earning some. And up the water. If it's gone on quickly it will come off quickly. And dont be too hard on yourself. Thank you for all you are doing Flowers

UncleHerbie · 09/04/2020 14:13

I've been going to slimming world since August 2019. Last weigh in was on 14/3 when I was 1.5 lbs off a 2st weight loss. However, I've been deliberately striving with myself and have continued with eating to plan. I think I've lost a few but who knows. I would be raving with myself if I gained as I've struggled a lot with getting this weight off.

OP you can get back on track. If you've used a notebook of your food intake, review a week where you've lost weight, and go from there. Good luck

Original poster
Zaphodsotherhead · 10/04/2020 09:36

Thanks everyone for the motivation. My big problem is that I can't just have 'one' of anything - plus the home baking!

I can take quite a high calorie intake because, like Featurewall says, I use quite a lot, but there's a fine line between 'calories I use' and 'calories I just want to stuff in my face.' Am cutting back and hoping this helps.

I can't up my exercise because work shifts have changed and there isn't time to do any more, but work is fairly frantic so hopefully it should work. You're all right, I need to stop buying the stuff in the first place!

My weight had actually dropped a bit low (I was 8st 3 at 5'6") and I'm now hovering around 8st 10 so it's not disastrous, but I don't want it to KEEP going on!

OP posts:
Jellybott · 10/04/2020 09:52

That gives you a bmi of 19.5, so you really have nothing to worry about - you could technically put on another 2 stone and still be in a healthy weight range. Don't be so hard on yourself!

Tonyaster · 10/04/2020 09:54

So I find myself buying food I don't need, going home and eating it

Be kinder to yourself by not punishing your body by feeding it sugary shit? One sugary thing a day is fine.