Need a metaphorical kick up my (fat) bottom

[Heavymama]

Hi all

NC for this.

Basically I'm obese. But I don't "see it" I need to get my head in the game and loss some weight but I don't really think I need to necessarily. Maybe I've got a weird viewpoint of myself.

I'm late 30s. BMI of 37. The top end of a healthy weight is 9 stone 2 apparently. I'm just under 14 stone. I take a size 18-20. But I'm actually happy with the way I look. I'm pretty confident and have good self esteem

I'm seeing some minor health issues related to weight, my hips hurt, my feet hurt, I can't walk up a flight of stairs without pausing half way to breathe. I can't lift my toddler. I can't run. I have high cholesterol, I'm at risk of type 2 diabetes. I'm being treated for underactive thyroid but have no symptoms it's only my blood work that shows thyroid issues. I have a 45 inch waist

I have a very good diet. Lots of wholefoods, fruit and veg etc. But I eat crap on top of that. I have a stressful life so it's gets to the weekend and DH and I treat ourselves to treat type food wine and chocolate.

I go to the gym 3 times a week. One gym session one swimming 20 length in 40 mins and one Pilates class.

Ive tried slimming world and weight watchers but I don't have the headspace or time to go to class.

I'm debating doing the NHS 12 week app thing.

How do I get the motivation I need to see.myaelf as big as I am. I'm seeing the numbers in back and white of my cholesterol, my BMI, my weight etc but something isn't clicking in my brain.

Can anyone relate / advice

@mnhq can you move this to weight loss chat please

Try RHFitness app, it's all online and basically calorie tracking using My Fitness Pal with workouts and step targets. Even if you don't follow it religiously it makes you think about what you're eating before you put it in your mouth! The health issues you're having should be enough to motivate you, it's not normal to be out of breath walking up stairs at your age.

There's a good forum here: healthunlocked.com/weight-loss-support

add up all your calories and see what you’re eating on a daily basis, then reduce them. I would also advise eating different amounts each day, say 1500 one day, 1700 the next. Try a small deficit and see how you get on. Try adding more incidental movement to your day, getting off the bus a stop early or walking to the supermarket instead of taking the car for example.

It’s great you’re happy with your look - good for you. You now need to focus on your health and your toddler. You’ve already said you have high cholesterol and some mobility issues which will get worse. Also carrying weight around the middle is unhealthy particularly if pre-diabetic.

Sounds like you can eat well but fall down on the extras. Depending how hard/easy you want it, if I were you I’d cut out the snacks and keep main meals the same. Not sure what you’re doing at the gym but get at least 1 weight/strength training session in there instead of Pilates. Keep the swimming and other gym session. Alternatively you could try Fast 800. Loads online about it particularly for diabetes and can recommend.

good luck 🤞

You don't need to see your body as big and you don't need to hate your image to lose weight. So many overweight people know and feel they are fat and suffer with low confidence as a result of their weight but they still struggle to reduce it so I'm not personally convinced this is an issue of you being in denial about how fat you look or how much you need to realise how big your body looks in order to lose weight. What I would do in your position is focus on the fact that your cholesterol is high, that you're in your 30s and so unfit, that you diet and stress levels are messing up with your health and leading you to prediabetes.

Motivation is all well and good in getting started but you're looking at a lifestyle change for it to be sustainable long enough to get you to a healthy BMI and to stay there. Someone here said focus on creating healthy habits so that it's easy and convenient to be healthy. Look at your patterns and habits that do not help your weight and health and find ways to make a healthy alternative more attractive and easier to go for and avoid all or nothing and 'forever' and never again thought patterns. Aim for 80/20 and give it time. This could well take a year or two. but you will feel better at 3 months in and continue to feel better and get stronger.