To be so depressed that I've got another 4 months (at least) on this?

[autumnsunsets]

I am doing a VLCD.

I have lost a stone and a half.

I have roughly another 4 stone to go.

AIBU to be depressed at the thought? I'm a SAHM and am finding the days incredibly long and dull without food to break them up and I am well aware that's how I ended up almost 6 stone overweight

And then there's the fact I am still massive despite having lost weight!

Keep going start exercising and weaning yourself back into food carefully once you've hit your target. Be strong!

Yes, but my target is so far away

And I am being weighed tomorrow and I will have lost weight but I will still be fat!

Just imagine how amazing you will feel at the end,

Clothes will fit and you will smile when you look in the mirror
Your self esteem will be through the roof
You will be happier
You will be fitter, less out of breath

The hardest part is starting, you have done an AMAZING job of losing 1.5 stone!!!!! You've got this, you can do It! Don't stop! Just picture yourself at Christmas, slimmer, happier, healthier and feeling fantastic!!!

Yes, this is what I am desperately trying to do - envision a happier, healthier future!

I just wish I could press a fast forward button.

Could you get a hobby that is sufficiently distracting or uses your hands so you can't eat? Like knitting or crochet or sewing or something?

And to think about it another way, you're more than 20% of the way to your goal!! That's pretty damn good!

Make yourself a graph so you have a visual representation of your loss. Go on pinterest. There's loads of motivational stuff on there. Up your exercise so it comes off a bit quicker?

Unfortunately I am rubbish at all those and in all honesty food is all I think of, the only time I'm not is when I'm with other adults.

I'm a bit too big to comfortably exercise tbh.

I've lost 4st so far. But at first it all seemed too much. So I broke it down into smaller more realistic targets. So 1st then 11lbs, then another stone. Currently have 1lb to lose to my next target.

I've always found breaking it down makes it more reachable. I think I have another 1st 7lb until an end goal. But will break it into 7lb goals.

I think at the moment, I'm about 14'5 (though tomorrow's weigh in will tell) and so even losing half a stone, I still am going to look really pretty massive for at least another 2 stone. Then 'big' for another 2.

Keep your hands busy, learn to knit. Or crochet a blanket. Winters coming it'll keep your knees warm while you do it.

Set yourself small targets. Do you get a sticker or ribbon at every stone or half stone? Print off a chart and colour in every pound. Get 2 jars, and put buttons or small pebbles m, 1 button for each pound you need to lose. Then every time you lose put the buttons into the goal jar. This is only 4 months out of the rest of your life. Hey someone to take photos of you in your underwear - front, back, side. And retake these photos every couple of weeks - you will literally SEE the difference. Ok it's 4 stones now to goal, but every pound you lose makes you feel better and look better. Stay strong 💪🏻

Well done on your loss so far thats an amazing achievement. Try not to focus on the end goal, set yourself an interim target then treat yourself to a spa day or similar instead off a food treat as a reward. Picture yourself in a beautiful dress for Christmas in the size you're hoping to be. Keep going, you can do this.

Could you buy a pair of jeans of eBay you like in a smaller size? Then every week you can try them on any you can pull them further up your thighs. Then as soon as the fit you by a smaller pair.

I would second lots of exercise. Lots of long walks where you don't take your purse out with you so you can buy a latte/ice cream whilst you are out!

And you don't need to do masses of exercise. Walking up and down the stairs, walking to the shops.

I go to a fitness class where many of the ladies are over a size 20z

Yeah, I get that but realistically the weight comes off as and when it does, if you see what I mean?

Keeping my hands busy doesn't stop my stomach wanting food!

I am almost exactly the same weight, and in the same position-a stone down, 4 to go. I never let myself think about the whole amount. I am concentrating on getting under 14, then it will be under 13 and a half, etc.

I completely agree that it is breaking the habit of eating that is so hard. I honestly can't say I am hungry on this diet, just missing the pleasure and comfort of food. I am also reading The Marshmallow Test about self-control, which is helping.

Fiddly hobbies do help. I have taken up sewing, beading and even do those adult colouring books. Plus gallons of herbal tea instead of eating. Tonight I am even going to resort to tidying up as a distraction. If you knew me, you would know how desperate that is. But then, I am desperate not to be this overweight any more.

Thanks. I am struggling tonight.

You are not losing weight, you are gaining health.

You will never be as big as you were yesterday or last week or last month.
You are today slimmer than you were yesterday or last week or last month.

Honestly, your posts sound like you are trying to talk yourself out of what you are doing.
Tbh, while VLCD can be very good to kickstart weight-loss, the though of it for months make me cry and I am not even doing it...

I think longterm you'd be better to find something more sustainable, but you are doing so very well, so rather than concentrating on how long it will take or how hard it will be, celebrate your success and give yourself a big pat on the back for how far you've come.

@autumnsunsets - I know exactly what you mean. I need to lose in excess of 10 stone - I have finally managed to like myself enough to start, and I am calorie counting (using my fitness pal) with the aim of losing 1lb a week - and it is working - I am losing about 1.5lb a week, and people are starting to notice - but it is going to take me years to lose it all.

The thought of doing this for years seems unimaginable. Part of me is sure I will fail, long before then. Part of me is daunted by the thought of having to weigh food, calorie count, and deny myself stuff for so, so long.

But you are doing so well - you are nearly a third of the way there! We CAN do this.

Well done on your weight loss! You should never be hungry on a diet - just eat different things - an apple or banana, a carrot or some oatcakes.
Not very rock and roll but it can help you get over the immediate cravings.

Also allow yourself a little bit of what you fancy every now and then - a chocolate biscuit or a glass
Of wine on a Saturday night isn't the end of the world! Just no more than that.

Also try some mind apps like Paul McKenna or Andrew Johnson - they help break the connection with always eating. Listen at bed time.

Establish your "trigger" times - e.g. Cake in the morning, crisps for afternoon snack or chocolate in the evening - do something else instead - go for a walk, have a bath, phone a friend, do something with the kids.

Finally get active! Move as much a possible - walk, cycle, swim run, do a yoga class - anything that gets you moving, and if the kids can join in all the better!

You are doing brilliantly, well done!

You didn't put 6 stone on overnight so yabu to think you will lose it immediately.

But, I am lchf at the moment so totally understand your impatience! Are you drinking plenty of water? This can fill you up.

Something like aquafit classes are good for bigger people

It seems to be coming off slowly too. Proud I haven't buckled though.

At 14.5 you should still be able to exercise. That was my heaviest weight and I spent every day doing exercise on wii fit.

Watching your weight and bmi go down every day is also great motivation.

And you can't eat while exercising.. well you could but it would be tricky!

Well done and keep going!

Exercise. I did pole fitness, spin and lifted weights at 16st 10. Even if you just walk