I need a trigger for weightloss

[Whyping]

I had a baby 18 months ago and lost tons of weight on maternity leave through EBF and marching round the park with the pram to get DD to sleep going back to pre-pregnancy weight and size 12 in a few months. Then I went back to work and everything changed and my weight just ballooned with more time in car, 9.5 hours at a desk then no energy (or childcare) in the evenings to go out to exercise or to cook exciting/healthy food. The last clothes I bought were a size 18 and now they’re getting too tight. I am in a bad rut of eating DD’s leftovers, snacking from the fridge, drinking wine every evening and ‘treating’ myself with a midweek takeaway or run of ice cream because I can’t go out and socialise in pubs/restaurants like I could before DD. DH is only at home on weekends and we both see that time as ‘treat time’ so there’s more takeaways, meals out, alcohol, snacks. I know I need to lose weight and that this upward trend is not healthy. I know DD will start to model my behaviour soon and I don’t want that. I know things need to change but I just can’t make myself - I’m so weak-willed. Can you help? Sorry no AIBU but posting for traffic.

You’ve identified your weak points and where you feel you are going wrong.
How can you change all those unhealthy habits?

I always find that losing a pound or so to begin with spurs me on to do more, but the initial bit is very difficult. How about making the weekend healthy time to begin with? Take your daughter swimming together, get back on the pram walks, go to the park. Then in the week you make small swaps to begin with. Park at the far end of the car park. Don’t buy ice cream. Squirt washing up liquid on your daughters food as soon as she is done to stop you picking at it. If you are financially able, consider something like slimming world or weight watchers. I would recommend Cambridge diet, which is hard and expensive but really works!

I had a fecking awful dream about abandoning my child last night...I'm hoping that will finally spur me on to talk my health seriously and stop eating to plug the emotional gaps.

I am so far down one chocolate bar that I definitely would have had if I hadn't been dream cursed.

I'd make the weekend the less healthy time. I used to try to throw DC's leftovers in the bin straight away so I couldn't eat them.

Also, and it's a simple thing, write down everything that you eat each day. It hurts to see it all written down. Buy a small notebook and don't tear the pages out.

can i jump on this thread- I completely hear ya! I feel my weight creeping up, after sitting at my desk all day grazing, i get home and ram a load of carb down my throat before bathing my 15month old and putting her to sleep. Then i spend 7pm-9pm putting the house back together- no time for the gym- no inclination to want to cook myself something decent, grazing on crap until I pass out about 10pm.
I have a gym membership and used to go 4 times a wk pre-baby- my DH has said he will help me go once in the wk and twice at the weekend. Im hoping some activity will encourage better eating habits (I type whilst eating pretzels at my desk).

My motivation?

That I deserved it. I deserved the time and effort it takes, to put my body first, and I wasn't going to let any of the shitty reasons that have been holding me back and causing weight gain in the past to win again.

So every time I came back from a shitty meeting that left me reaching for a consolation glass of wine or chocolate bar I said, "Fuck you". Stress and negativity don't get to control my body and my health any more. I DESERVE to make my body healthy.

Works for me!

My problem is getting so low in mood that I will basically just eat sugar till the pain stops.

While switching to another drug might ease the weight issue it probably wouldn't improve my life expectancy.

You've asked for a trigger, I have one.

Years will slip by and you will become diabetic unless you get a grip now. I know someone personally to whom this has happened. years and years of "I'll start a diet then", or "I just really like food".Eventually your body will get into a state where it become so difficult to recover that the effort will be so much more than what is needed now.

I'm aware the above sounds harsh - it's meant to. I'm fighting my own weight battle at the moment, and wish I'd just got my arse into gear about it years ago. The diabetic person I know is full of regret for opportunities not taken and chances missed.

You already know you need to do something. So do it. You'll thank yourself.

Good luck!!!!!