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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think I’m going to get fat again?

52 replies

NotFattyBomBom · 21/03/2020 20:53

This time last year I was 4 stone heavier, had high blood pressure, could hardly walk and was in so much pain most of the time I couldn’t sleep.

Now I’ve lost 3 dress sizes, am the strongest and fittest I’ve ever been, have optimal blood pressure and am in no pain at all.

The reason for this change was going to the gym 6 times a week. Using weights machines just about cured my back problem in 6 weeks.

My mindset was ready to do it, I had a routine that worked for me. Hell I loved it. I was around 2 months off hitting a healthy weight after over 20 years of being overweight.

Now that’s all gone out of the window, being at home 24/7 with 4 DC (one with special needs), worry about illness, food, money, crime, societal breakdown.

I know I’m going to put weight back on as I already can’t eat as I have been doing due to the shortages. I know I won’t be disciplined to exercise everyday now we’re in this situation.

I know this is a ‘first world’ problem but I’m so pissed off and MH is starting to be affected already.

OP posts:
HowIrresponsible · 22/03/2020 08:14

It sounds like you have already decided you're going to.

Very defeatist.

Your body will be able to burn calories more efficiently because of all the muscle you will have built in all your weights sessions.

Weight loss is 90% diet and you can control what you eat. It's your choice in the end to let it go to shit or not.

JellyfishandShells · 22/03/2020 08:15

I go, well went ☹️, to a gym circuits class - I found that worked for me because I would lose focus doing the same exercises by myself. It was also a social point for me.

Now the gym is closed, one of our group has set up a FB page and is hosting live work outs for us at the time our classes would have been on. Keeps the motivation going.

We are fortunate in that we were already a strongly bonded group but people have also been sharing the huge range of free class work outs on YouTube. Definitely easier to keep going with someone barking out instructions rather than doing it off a list. You don’t need special weights - a couple of bottles filled with water give some resistance.

BraveGoldie · 22/03/2020 08:16

OP, congratulations on all your weight loss. That's a huge achievement!!

I understand the anxiety about keeping it off but I am sure you can. The quicker you work out a new routine and stick to it the easier this will be.

Wishing you luck!!

BatleyTownswomensGuild · 22/03/2020 08:16

Do you have a trampoline in your garden by any chance? I've found that much more effective for keeping weight under control than walking....

doadeer · 22/03/2020 08:18

I know these are tough times but if you can financially afford it - please consider supporting some of your local fitness groups.

A lot of fitness instructors are self employed and struggling. I have lots in the family and they are having such a hard time because everyone is accessing free videos on YouTube etc.

Karwomannghia · 22/03/2020 08:20

Sounds like you’ve just about talked yourself into putting on weight. Don’t let that voice of temptation get to you! Be creative and adapt to keep up your healthier lifestyle.

cavabiensepasser · 22/03/2020 09:19

You lose weight in the kitchen and gain shape in the gym.

During lockdown, the best way to maintain your weight is to strictly count calories. Get a food scale, it's all you need.
You can track your macros too, if you want to maintain muscle mass.

You can eat whatever you wish as long as you stay within your calorie limit for the day.

thecatsthecats · 22/03/2020 10:02

I've lost six stone and am actually finding it easy to eat much smaller amounts so far.

I used a combination of diet and exercise, but am cooling it on the exercise for now since I can't afford to scoff so much food to fuel workouts. But it's so far very easy to stick to 1200-1400 a day plus a light walk at lunchtime.

The MOST important thing I have learned about weight maintenance is to be adaptive - I've kept up my loss by switching strategies to suit my lifestyle and circumstances.

MorganKitten · 22/03/2020 10:06

Les mils have added free home work out videos

allhailthegingerninja · 22/03/2020 10:26

I understand OP. I've lost weight recently and I don't want to gain it back. Emotional eating is a huge issue for me, when I'm stressed, I eat rubbish. Right now I think I might be the most stressed I've ever been! But, I lost through intermittent fasting which I'm determined to continue (I just turned down a Mother's Day breakfast in bed offer Smile). And I'm planning on starting HIIT classes online.
If you had that time available to go to the gym before, try and put some time aside each day to do a workout at home. Routine is really important, so if you can get one in place it will help massively. Good luck x

Lockheart · 22/03/2020 10:32

You've done really well OP and I'd encourage you not to think in these terms.

What you eat and do over the next few weeks is in your control.

formerbabe · 22/03/2020 10:38

I'm getting fatter..it's the boredom

Winter2020 · 22/03/2020 10:40

I just saw that Davina Mcall "Own Your Goals" is free at the moment due to the situation (no idea what it's like). I appreciate the sentiment of previous poster asking you to support local trainers and echo it if people can but I'm guessing as you are at home with 4 kids you are probably not in a position to do that at the moment.

You could get the whole family doing their PE at set times such as doing the Joe Wicks sessions which I believe are each morning at 9 on you tube.

don't give up but at the same time be kind to yourself. You have an awful lot going on. Just do what you can to keep well at this time.

Duchessofblandings · 22/03/2020 10:41

It’s not a first world problem really because now more than ever we all have to take individual responsibility for our own health and decrease the burden on the health service while it tries to get through this.
Can you afford to buy a treadmill or cross trainer? Amazon are still delivering non-essentials, but not sure for how long.

Good luck, you've done so well.

OhioOhioOhio · 22/03/2020 10:42

So many inspirational stories.

CheddarGorgeous · 22/03/2020 10:44

I completely understand OP. I train with weights as well and will really miss them. But you can replace with body weight exercises. Slow your reps right down, e.g. 10 second squats with a 2 second pause at the bottom. Bean cans for lateral raises. Planks with a heavy book on your back, wall sits holding something heavy.

Boredom will be your biggest enemy if it sends you to the fridge. I'm distracting myself with housework Grin

Lordfrontpaw · 22/03/2020 10:46

I’m hoping to find a good video on online class. We don’t have room for a bike or rowing machine so I might need to run up and down the stairs (we are in the 5th floor!).

chocolatesaltyballs22 · 22/03/2020 10:48

I sympathize - I've been going to the gym 5 times a week for the last 5 years and I'm really going to miss it. (Proving the poster who said it's 'excessive' and 'not sustainable' wrong. I'm going to start running again and use the hand weights we have at home. Is running outside an option for you? Or there are lots of online exercise videos. You don't have to let it all slip.

RoyalChocolat · 22/03/2020 17:27

Toddlers / young children on your shoulders are also great for leg exercises (squats, lunges...). 😁

Lordfrontpaw · 22/03/2020 19:15

I’m going to get bloody huge - it looks like the parks are going to close.

We went for our usual walk in the park today and it was bloody mobbed with tourists and groups of students/young folk having picnics. Loads more kids that usual on bikes and scooters. It was like a bank holiday.

There are defiantly still tourists coming over - I couldn’t say for certain where from but I saw a few with cases (we live next to several hotels) wandering along.

Womenwotlunch · 22/03/2020 19:22

I intend to do an Insanity work out six days a week and reduce my carbs.
Just set a time to do it. I have made it 5:30 am

peanutbutterandfluff · 22/03/2020 19:42

I know how you feel. I worked so hard last year and lost 4.5 stone of baby weight plus and extra stone to boot. I have been in self-isolation this week and struggling so hard to not feel like I’m going to gain everything back. I agree it’s a first world problem but it’s affecting my mental health already too. Hugs

iamtherealitycheck · 22/03/2020 19:45

You tube is on. Sky q lots of cardio videos

magoria · 22/03/2020 20:19

My local Waitrose had what looked like one grapefruit, a shelf of pre-prepared salad meals (which expired in about 2 days) and thousands of easter eggs.

Going to have to buy and eat them if I can't get anything else.

camelfinger · 22/03/2020 20:27

My clothes are feeling looser after just a few days of:

  1. Cutting down on portion sizes
  2. Not eating breakfast
  3. Eating homemade veg soup
  4. Not having snacks
  5. Feeling really stressed I agree with the previous poster that weight gain/loss is more about eating than exercise. Exercise is great, don’t get me wrong, but in my experience a person doing a small amount of exercise but with controlled healthy eating tends to be slimmer than someone who exercises loads but has big takeaways, large portions, snacks etc. I myself usually fall into the latter category unfortunately.