Is it even worth trying to lost weight?

[toolatetoloseweight]

I am currently in the obese range and about 4 stone over my healthy weight. I basically put on loads of weight in my first pregnancy (6 years ago) and I've never managed to shift it.
I was previously a healthy weight but was a fat child and have always struggled a bit with putting on weight very easily.

I keep reading stats saying how unlikely it is for an obese woman to ever lose the weight and keep it off without bariatric surgery - and it is making me wonder if it is even worth trying at this stage...

For context, I am relatively active - walk the dog twice a day, swim twice a week, run around after kids, occasionally go for a run (3-5km so not massive distances but just to put in context that I'm not so big as to be struggling to get around). I dont have a terrible diet (though obviously could be better!). i know from experience that small changes don't make a difference to me- I need to eat under 1200 calories to lose. I am terribly unhappy with the way I look and dread going out and being see by people. However not sure if it is all just a losing battle at this stage...

Oh my goodness! You're me!
I've bought a 'loud' dress for the wedding as I know I can't simply blend in with the slim people.
I'll see you at the wedding 😅

It really is about educating yourself about what calories are in what item.
Bread is 100-120
Butter is 20 cals on the slice. 2 slices and you're at 250 calories. Add jam or peanut butter and that's an extra 100.

Eggs are 70 calories each

Cheese is just ridiculously high

Sweets have a huge amount of calories

Chocolate is about 200-250 for a Mars

Rice is about 200 if you portion correctly

Chicken is high- but it's protein so I will always have more of that.

I don't calorie count anymore but I am mindful of what calories are in what and I know my 2 biscuits I eat per break in the staff room (3 breaks a day) will add up to 360 calories.

Coffee with sugar and/or milk. Hot chocolate. Alcohol calories.
A packet of walkers crisps is 130 calories. Wotsits, Pom bears are only about 70.

Sorry people probably know this information but they forget it's the added extras.
The cake. The butter on toast. The milk in coffee. The third sausage on breakfast. The second glass of wine.
However, I was willing to give up those things, so I just make sure I work out 4-5 times a week.

Find the diet/lifestyle that works for you and do it gradually.
Also drink a lot of water. A lot.

I can maintain my weight as I'm active like you, but loosing weight is cutting right down to get a deficit to loose weigh. It's tough but you will feel so much better. As you get older yes your metabolism slows, and your shoe changes but it's possible to get back to a healthy BMI. I have in the last few months.

In the end is simply science calories in v calories out. You need to have a calorie defict to lose weight thats what fasting, weight watchers, slimming world etc all do, the create a calorie deficit. Everybody needs to find the way that works for them.

@QueenofDestruction it's not a simple case of CICO. Although it works for a while, it doesn't guarantee ongoing results. Many people hit a plateau quickly then fail. Different types of foods may have the same calorific level but some will not raise insulin levels in the same way as others. Low calorie foods don't sate our appetite, whereas protein / fat do, without raising insulin levels in the same way (not that it's recommended to eat too much fat unless your body is fat adapted e.g. in ketosis because you may store it). Insulin levels raising = body stores more fat. Protein and some fats raise insulin less than carbohydrate per calorie. Depending on your body type and metabolism you might eat the same amount of carbs as someone else but put on loads of weight. Depends on your insulin sensitivity / resistance in the first place. Restoring your body's insulin sensitivity is key.

Here's the problem. everyone thinks they are an expert on diets - after all, we all eat, don't we?

Mumsnet weight loss threads are an extremely mixed bag. Some great weight loss advice interspersed with absolute bullshit. I am very surprised to learn for example that the human body has 'nothing to do with physics'. presumably the energy used to breathe, walk around and exist arrives through pure magic. Even more surprising to see that when people are not losing weight it's because they are "not eating enough", as though the body can hang onto energy somehow - I wish my car could do the same thing when I don't put enough petrol in it. Apparently some foods have the right kind of calories - not so. IF I eat 1200 calories of mcdonalds every day, guess what, I'll still lose weight. I'd be hungry, but I'd still lose weight and even get healthier (see 'twinkie guy': Twinkie Guy — also known as Mark Haub, a professor of human nutrition at Kansas State University — is the genius who lost 27 pounds in 10 weeks subsisting almost exclusively on Twinkies, Doritos, Oreos and other treats by ensuring that he consumed fewer calories than he burned.)

It is simple calories in vs calories out, but people don't want to hear that because there's no magic in that approach.

This is diet woo - if you are not overeating your body will not store fat.

Why do people want to make it more complicated than it actually is?

No I don’t think they like the reality that there isn’t something external causing the weight issues. Like ‘I eat too much and don’t work out enough’ it’s a trick we do to ourselves and others do it to us to make money. The PT who wants your business or someone selling tips and tricks online are making money from selling you the myth that there is something else external affecting you and if you do or buy XYZ it will help you.

unless you are body building or training, keto diets are usually just another version of a low calorie diet. And even body builders don’t do keto for their whole lives it’s too hard and unsustainable.

I think the comments that we all want a quick fix, loose a shed load of weight in a short period of time is probably more accurate than anything else.

I've just done the sums my excess calories per day is 23 on average. But over 12 years x 23cals x 365 = 2 stone

And actually you can probably bet week to week I'm not gaining weight. It will be Holidays and Christmas when it has crept on.

But like everyone else when I start consciously watching my diet I start wanting stuff because its on my mind but I also want instant results.

I really struggled to lose weight when breastfeeding op. I did, but it was much quicker once I stopped.