If I’ll ever be able to lose weight!

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In the past few years my weight has steadily climbed. I’m now at least 6 stone overweight. I have three kids (two have Sen) and the last few years have been massively stressful especially as we’ve had to go to court on behalf of one of our children. So in times of stress I’ve turned to food. I feel ashamed and embarrassed by my weight but I’m not sure where to start. My mum has suggested slimming world but I’m not sure if that would make for a forever lifestyle change.

I feel so stupid for letting myself get this big. And feel I’m letting my kids down. Especially as I know I need to be healthy as they’ll need me.

Try fasting. It works for me. Look into time restricted eating. It works

I've lost six stone (it's taken eighteen months) and it's been a combination of 16:8 and cutting down massively on carbs.

No advice but I totally get it. I am about 5-6 stone overweight too. I have two DC both with additional needs and I stress eat all the time. Food makes me happy.

I have done slimming world. I lost weight pretty quickly but I slipped off the band Wagon pretty easily.

I have had success from an app called nutracheck I believe it’s called (I’ll check). It’s a calorie counting app. I know calorie counting sounds hurrendous but it did work for me and I lost 2 stone in 2 months. Im assuming you’re in the Uk? It’s got a database of most foods you can buy here and you put it in and you can log how many calories, how much fat, carbs, sugar etc you’re eating and tells you how many you should eat to lose weight based on your weight, activity levels etc. It means I could have a little bit of everything I fancy as long as it’s within my calories. If I knew I fancied pizza for dinner, I’d have a really healthy breakfast and lunch and try fit in some exercise.

I know it’s not easy though. I totally get it. I am up and down. My downfall is chocolate! 😭

And I feel the same about being healthy. I really need to get healthy for my kids!

Assuming you can’t fit in regular exercise in your day, the only option is changing eating habits.
Maybe start gradually by first dropping alcohol and sweetened beverages.
Then drop high calorie treats, and start trying what works for you, as suggested above, intermittent fasting and low carb are quite effective.

I feel ashamed and embarrassed by my weight
I feel so stupid for letting myself get this big

We live in a weird society, don't we? There's a very strange attitude to different types of body tissue - you've put on weight, that's all. This shouldn't mean anything about you personally. Give yourself a break!

What has always worked for me is focussing on building muscle / increasing fitness. That starts me trying to look at food as fuel - plus, if I have had a good workout, I am less likely to want to 'mess it up', if that makes sense. The more muscle I have in my body, the easier I find it to maintain my weight. Lifting weights worked for me (I am big fan of the Chalean Extreme workout, but I appreciate that Beach Body is a little contentious, due to their sales model!). However, if you start with an attitude of seeing yourself as 'less than', or 'not good enough', then it is so much harder to find the motivation to want to improve your fitness.

I’ve lost 5.5 stone in past 3 years
It’s harder when you get past 50, wish I’d done it sooner
I’d like to lose around another stone but won’t fuss if I don’t
I feel amazing like I’m a whole new person
Whatever diet you choose just set yourself small goals
Eg I’m going to stick to diet for just one week
I’m going to cut down drinking/chocolate/cake whatever your weakness is for next 2 weeks
Aim to loose half a stone at a time etc

@Areyoufree I feel ashamed as it puts me off swimming with the kids. I know I shouldn’t care what people think but I can’t seem to get over that part. But you’re right being down on myself makes finding the motivation harder.

I don’t drink alcohol or tea or coffee. My downfall I think is snacking. I’m not even really sure I’m aware what I’m putting in my mouth.

@Shootingstar1115 I’m in the U.K. I’m going to log my food I think.

I do walk our dog an hour or so each day. I feel it’s the food side that I’m failing on.

You can do it!!

Have you looked at the Weight Loss Chat threads on here?
have been losing weight by doing 16:8 and found it incredibly easy and sustainable long term.

Just take the first step

Not being aware what you put in your mouth sounds like there could be an emotional cause there. A food diary could be helpful - see if you can identify any triggers.

Fasting and low carbs has helped me. I think I might have been insulin resistant. Makes loosing weight very hard.
This works albeit it's slow, but steady.

Please write us an honest list of what you eat and we'll help.

Or, start a thread in Weight Loss. Loads of helpful folks over there.

You can of course but you have to get in the mindset.

I lost two stone doing low carb but to be honest I jsut didn't really eat that much as I found that easier than having to plan. Or I wouldn't eat all day and then have a big meal at night but because it was only one meal I was still losing. I find I can quite easily not eat much for most of the day and just have coffee and pick at little bits. I'm sure really slim people eat hardly anything especially at over 40...