Weight is now an issue - lockdown

[Halfwayful]

Hi, I've name changed as I am embarrassed but I could really do with some advice please. I have always been on the chubby side but until before lockdown I felt healthy.

Last week, I've had a bit of a reality check. I'm sure it did not happen overnight but I was walking with the children and it felt like an effort! Also, lately I've felt so tired and quite achy. I'm so embarrassed by my weight.

I signed up for Slimming World, first class starting next week. I need some help to keep on going and to keep motivated. Please tell me that people can and do lose weight and get healthy again.

You can do it. You are certainly not on your own in putting weight on in the last sixteen months, most of us have. It has been a rotten time for everyone and comfort eating has been a common solution for many of us. Last November, as we went into the second lockdown, I took stock of myself and realised that I would not fare well if I caught COVID as l was asthmatic, over fifty and overweight and gaining. I am still over fifty and asthmatic - that is not going to change - but I started 16/8 intermittent fasting and have lost around 2 1/2- 3 stones and am no longer obese. I am now in the normal/medium/average range. You have made the right decision to deal with the problem and, by taking it step-by-step, you can do it. Good luck.

Some excellent testimonies here, well done everyone!

I gained about 2.5 stones over lockdown and was diagnosed with diabetes in January. I went on a diet - just watching what I eat, nothing drastic - and am now 3 stones lighter and have reversed my diabetes. Still another 3 stones to go until I’m at a healthy weight, but after reading up about diabetes I’m highly motivated to get and stay healthy.

How old are you, OP? I piled on weight and felt exhausted as a result and it turned out I was perimenopausal. Now I'm on HRT and it's doing wonders for my energy levels – I'm exercising again and eating really healthily (because I'm not eating crap to counter to tiredness) and the weight is, finally, slowly coming off.

I’ve got a “corona stone” to lose too. Diets have never worked and I just gain it back, so I’m tracking with MFP not so much to meet a calorie goal, more to be aware of what I’m eating, when, how much and how it makes me feel. I realise I need to change my relationship with food post-lockdown over and above losing weight - it became comfort, emotional solace, a source of interest and variety, etc.

I was 17 stone at Christmas and am currently in the 12s, aiming to get into the 11s. Calorie counting and walking. You can do it!

I'm carrying half a stone more, and it's only that because I've been running and walking pretty much every day. I had my reality check on Friday when I was getting ready to go out with my friends for the first time since pre Covid. I could not get into any of my going out dresses at all. I have zero motivation to lose it. Even my wedding in six weeks isn't helping. On the flip side I've never been fitter than I am right now, but I wish I could find it in me to calorie count for a few weeks and I know it would come off. I think alcohol is my sticking point. I never used to drink as much as I do now because I always used to be out in an evening singing and performing.

Well done for joining SW. You won't be the only one that has put weight on with lockdowns. I have been doing SW since 2014 and I have been at target for over 6 years now losing 4 stones, and that was after being overweight since I was a teen so if I can do it, anyone can. Best of luck.

1.5 lockdown stone here, started this week. Cutting down on snacking and drinking. I'm greedy and love food! I ate my unhappiness and frustration in lockdown.

Consider doing the couch-to-5k programme to get started with running - it would fit well with your current plan to do a daily 30 minute walk because the first step is basically to do a 30 minute walk during which you accelerate to a jog for 1 minute at a time a few times. When I started, I needed a "week zero" or even "week minus-one" in which I just jogged for 20 or 30 seconds and had to gradually work up to being able to keep it up for a minute. Keep going and by the end of the programme (taking it as slowly as you like over as many weeks as you need) you can run for 30 minutes non stop. Doing this during lockdown totally changed my life. Getting the eating under control is important too but is only half the battle.

I haven't read all the replys but I put on about 1 1/2 stone too, it all came to a head when my blood pressure went through the roof, I went to give blood and was told to visit a doctor urgently. The high BP wasn't just due to my weight, life where I am is very stressful, anyway, I got extremely worried, bought some scales and joined slimming world online, I don't usually advocate diets BUT it has taught me to cook from scratch, eat consciously, and in a way where I can have treats but then balance out my meals so I'm full but have had a healthy diet. I lost about 1st 5lbs in 8 weeks. I'm now classed as a normal weight and have stayed where I am for a few months now. I want to lose another 8lbs for vanity reasons but I'm on no rush. My BP is medicated, that isn't a weight issue I don't think.