Ladies, I posted this exact thread about four years ago, when I had gone from a size 10 to 14, cut my long hair off and was fat and unhappy. Lockdown ruled, January was minging, and I was facing giving away all of my pretty summer dresses that would no longer fit, and would they ever fit again and was that it for me, who once used to be hot, capital H.
What happened WAS -
I broke off a long term relationship.
I started to eat like I used to eat - less, and better.
I began a fasting lifestyle because I was mid-peri, whereas now I am late to end stage peri...(even worse, you'd think).
I lost a stone and a half really BUT realised that at my/our age, we really do have to eat less calories.
I did give away some of the dresses, but not all, and I fit them once again (thank f).
I got a trampoline and some weights.
If peri has anything to do with it, what helped was thinking - this won't go back to how it used to be - this is the new normal - how do women manage it?? How do I propose to manage it? Its not what it was and will never be like that again.
Being honest, being wise, sacking off shit choices, dressing my age but still sexily, wearing more makeup, making different food choices and doing what works.
The best of the lot tho - FASTING. Simply stopping eating. Yes I'm hungry at times (I eat then) but it astonished me how little food I need. A coffee can last me until 4pm sometimes (not when working) and I do sometimes still over eat, but on the whole I just can't do it anymore as it doesn't work for me.
If you're feeling stodgy, have a long period of no food and plenty of water instead and see how you feel.