I am the heaviest I have ever been.

[Einsamall]

I have gradually put on weight since lockdown - when I actually got down to a healthy weight. I have only myself to blame- I just eat constantly and really rubbish stuff. I have put on 3 stone . I live by myself and I just can’t get any oomph to do anything about it but today was a bit of a wake up call.
I don’t want to go down the slimming club route - I am hoping that just by cutting down and trying to eat sensibly I can undo some of the damage. i don’t know why I am telling this - but seeing it written down might make me realise I have to do something. I know I am more at risk of a stroke, health problems if I carry on.
I am over 60 , widowed and just think what’s the point now but I have to do something.

Same here. Shit isn't it.

I decided in March that enough was enough. Read a few books about nutrition and ultra processed food and it's made me realise the damage I'm doing to myself.

I've been eating proper food (90% of the time) and have so far lost 23lbs.

I have treated eating as a kind of hobby, spending time creating salads and interesting healthy food - loads of ideas online.

I've kept carbs quite low and concentrated on lots of protein, veg, fruit, nuts and seeds.

Try reading Ultra Processed People by Chris van Tulleken and Food for Life by Tim Spector and look up the Glucose Goddess on Instagram. I think the more you realise about nutrition the easier it becomes to eat healthily.

I now see this as how I live, with maybe a night out each week where I'll have alcohol, snacks etc. The balance seems ok for me.

Good luck 😄

Are you a person who benefits from visualisation?

You could create a mood board with foods that are good for you, healthy snacks, physical appearance, fitness, all you aspire to in other words, as well as encouraging quotes for yourself. You could make a private Pinterest board or similar.

Start swopping unhealthy snacks for healthy ones - take baby steps.
Start getting out for a walk every day and gradually make it longer and faster.

Start meditating once a day. Light a candle. Sit quietly with yourself. There are lots of guided meditations online.

If you think you're more isolated than you have been in the past and if you have any spare time, maybe volunteer somewhere?

Go to your GP for a thorough checkup, blood work, etc.

Read Atomic Habits. Start small and very basic. It sounds like you binge eat because you're bored and it's become a habit. If that's the case, you need to find things to do that don't involve food. Walking, an activity class, learn a new language, anything. Be more mindful of how much you are eating and try to reduce your portions. Think about whether you are genuinely hungry or just bored before you eat anything.

You can do this OP.
Get a bin bag and remove ALL the crap from your cupboards. ALL of it, and don't buy anymore. Download some tasty but healthy recipes (don't need to be complicated). Get a friend on board to help you. Exercise - doesn't have to be the gym, make it something you enjoy and preferably in good company.
Not sure if you have kids, but do it for them. Tell yourself you want to be around to see them graduate, get jobs, buy their first homes etc. You are right that you are on the road to health problems if you don't change things - but you have time to turn this round. BEST OF LUCK.

Firstly, you mentioned widowed. I hope you're okay. Experiencing lockdown and a loss is a lot of trauma for a person to experience. Sometimes food offers the comfort we need but we don't get from other people because we feel like a burden and we believe we can handle things on our own.

You have to do what makes you happy. If you don't feel happy at the size you are then it's a wonderful idea to maybe find some hobbies that take you outside and move your body or even look into cooking and creating new fun healthy recipes but please don't be hard on yourself. Personally, food is my guilty pleasure. We all need something that makes life a little brighter. You deserve to be happy.

So was I, until 10 days ago.

Every so often, I follow the Blood Sugar Diet. I always lose 2 stones within 2 months then more slowly after that.

I just need to deal with eating sensibly once I'm at a healthy weight...

It might be good for you to start with?

I've put a good bit of weight on since lockdown too, and I was just within my BMI previously. Nothing fits! I do eat healthily mostly although probably my carb levels are too high. Certainly I haven't lost weight. My eating style is similar to @JoeLovesGina .

Ignore this advice.

Restricting is exactly why most people regain weight back. Until.you learn to eat in a balanced way you'll always struggle.

Try Slimpod.

Me too. The joy of Mirtazipine!

I sat down at work today and arse of my trousers ripped.

I'm not sure it's given me the motivation to move more or just made me feel more demotivated.

There's definitely a point OP. You matter 🤗