Is 15 st too heavy to come back from??

[Wantachangefor2024]

I am 32 and currently weigh 15 stone. 5’3. Had an accident and had to have surgery, sat around feeling sorry for myself and got depressed and the weight I’m at. I finally faced myself in the mirror and burst into tears. Am I being unreasonable that I’m too far gone to come back? I’d like to lose 6 stone and get back to 9 stone. Will I be left with terribly loose skin??

stop thinking about 9 stone

and start thinking of… 2 pounds by next week and so on and so on

Of course it’s not too late! You’re still young. Even if you had a bit of loose skin you’ll live a lot longer at a healthier weight for up or height and be more comfortable. Have you had support with your depression?

I wouldn't be so harsh on yourself, set yourself smaller goals, a dress size down or a stone to begin with rather than 6 stone
Slower weight loss is also better for your skin to adjust naturally.

Not at 32, you won't. I lost 10 stone between 36 and 40. Didn't have loose skin. Kept it off too. The trick is to avoid silly fad diets and anything that promises quick results. It's a change of habits, not a diet. You should also consult your GP to talk through your options. They have had great results with weight loss drugs. Try to combine with exercise. Good luck.

I've also had a health set back have consequently put on weight whilst I recover.

I am going to start with exercise. Is there a good place you can walk? Walking/hiking and getting moving if/when you can should make you feel better.

Also weights are great at converting fat to muscle.

In the end diet is the thing that makes the biggest difference to weight, but getting active and feeling good about yourself again, is where to start imo.

No. At my heaviest I was around 17, lost 8.5 stone and now run marathons. I'm 50

Thank you for the quick replies! All great advice. Yes I’ve had a lot of therapy and feel over my depression, but as is often the case, family, friends, therapist - all too polite to mention my weight. Definitely I know that slow and steady wins the race. I guess I’d like to hear from someone who has lost a lot of weight and not been left with loose skin? I have been told it’s all genetic and pot luck when it comes to stretch marks and loose skin.

Thanks again ladies x

Surely you’d rather be a healthy weight with loose skin than obese with all the associated health risks?

Honestly forget the idea of getting rid of 6 stone. You are setting a goal it just isn't possible to reach in one go. Think about smaller losses to get to that target otherwise it will always feel unobtainable. Set yourself smaller goes that you can reach x

Nope. I'm 39. Lost 5st in just over a year. No loose skin. I've lost this amount before at 29, and again, no loose skin.
I've got 2 more st to go to a bmi of 25 and 9st 10 at 5ft 2.5.
My challenge is keeping it off! Last time I lost the weight, my ex left me after cheating (oh the irony that I was feeling the best I'd ever felt huh!). So I kept it off whilst single, but I met my now partner and we'll, he's a bloody feeder I swear. Anyway, this time my life is more stable so I'm hoping he will help me stay on the straight and narrow. Fingers crossed I can keep it off. I've made loads of little lifestyle changes that I hope will give me the ability to stay healthy.

I’m just learning how this works in how to reply- but wow “helenawaiting” and “I don’t jet wash the fucker” both amazing accomplishments and really encouraging!! To be running marathons. I feel a 90 year old would beat me up the stairs and that makes me mighty ashamed.

Fat doesn’t convert to muscle. It’s a complete myth. They are two completely different types of tissue.

Instead of thinking "can I lose 6 stone" think, "can I lose 1 pound". Now go ahead and lose one pound. Once you have done it, and you will, ask yourself the question again. And again. And again. Before you know it you will be a changed woman.

“Youdontevengohere” completely valid point and yes I would. I guess I’d just like to hear that I won’t look like a deflated balloon after. Realistically I’m looking at a year-2 to get to a healthy weight

Completely agree, you have muscle under fat and when you lose that fat you see the muscle. I wish it did convert to muscle I'd be ripped.

It’s absolutely do-able. And you are young enough that you may not be left with a lot of loose skin. I lost 6 stone in about 20 months, but I’m a lot older, and alas, my skin is never going to tighten up. All you need are persistence and patience.

I’m 45 lost 4 stone last year and still have two to go. I was 17st 9 (I’m 5’ 9”). Not too far at all.

“Thismustbemydream” could anyone let me know how you reply - again massive achievement and amazing you didn’t get loose skin. You shed the loser cheater too - another ten stone. Massive win! Hope you are well xx

No of course not. You just have to understand it will take a year and you have to do some walking. I'm 62, I've gone from 15.5 stone to 11 and I cant do any exercise at all becsuse I'm waiting for a spinal op. I need to lose another 1 and a half stone. They would not operate initially because I was too heavy but I am on the list now.
You just need motivation.

following as I also need to shift a load of weight.
I reckon you can do it op, and even if theres loose skin these things can be taken care of.

Don't get me wrong, it was bloody hard work and it took a few years and lots of falling off the wagon but it was well worth it, especially when I'd finished my first half marathon. I broke it down into half stones and treated myself to something new each time like an item of make up or a fancy hair dressers as an incentive. I also bought myself a Motivacelet which has silver 'beads' for half stones and stones and it was pretty full by the time I'd finished.

“Gettingbysomehow” it was a spinal operation I had after falling from my horse. So much love and best wishes for your future op. Mine went amazing and I’m pain free so I have no excuses not to get my health back xx

amazing on your weight loss too.

thank you ladies. I’m realising I’m feeling sorry for myself again!

@Wantachangefor2024 firstly, it's absolutely doable! And second, if you lose the weight gradually, then you shouldn't be left with loose skin.

I'm sorry that you've had such a hard time recently, but hopefully you can reframe this as a positive, new start?

As PP have said, don't look at it as having to lose 6 stones, as that is too overwhelming. Focus on a half stone at a time as your initial target.

The key thing will be the food that you eat, so think hard about the kind of way of eating that will work best for you. Bearing in mind that you'll need to stay focused for a while, it has to be a WOE that you're happy with.

Have you ever dieted before?

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Whether or not you have loose skin is pretty much genetic. Some do some don't. Plenty of young people on YouTube who have lost significant amounts of weight who have loose skin. Some don't.
Agree with others. Work towards mini goals. Going away this summer? Try and lose Xkg by then.
Download an app like My Fitness Pal and track everything. Everything. Do not guess, weigh/measure stuff. You probably need to reacquaint yourself with correct portion sizes. I find eating two meals a day rather than three smaller meals helps. I bulk everything out with lots of veg. Limits carbs, especially white potatoes/white rice kind. You want whole foods that are nutrient dense - last thing you want is to lose weight then go back to old habits and regain. You need to change your mindset about 'diet' and think more 'lifestyle'.

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