Is 15 st too heavy to come back from??

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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??

I’ve seen a guy at my gym shrinking before my eyes. He said he’s lost about 7 stone in less than a year. He does weights about 4 times per week and tries to get 10k steps in per day. He’s 40 so absolutely doable at your age.
Don’t think of an end goal as such just yet but maybe every half stone lost have a treat - manicure, new outfit, massage etc to reward your hard work.

I’m in my forties and last year was 15st 7 at 5’ 3 and now im down to 12st so far, I’ve no loose skin so far it definitely can be done, 9st is my target too

Of course you can reduce your weight. I'd say setting the six stone goal would be a bit daunting. It's best to take it in small increments. Like a kilo or 2 every month. If you do it consistently it will stay off hopefully rather than crash dieting.
Is there some physio exercises you can do that would help mobility and burn calories?
I guess you could try injections, just to kick start the process? Though obviously not without consulting a doctor.
Reducing carbs helps a lot. For example if you were to have bread, only one slice instead of two. Only one new potato or half a big potato etc. then fill rest of the plate with veg. And up your protein. A 2 egg omelette with veg will fill you longer than just toast and butter.

I’ve got a best friend of mine who’s a similar weight but older than you (51) and with health issues including some with mobility.

She’s recently lost 2 stone with keto but has cheat days too. She has done this over approx 2-3 months though so it’s been gradual. And if she slips up she just gets back on keto which is key.

As a pp said don’t look at it in a huge chunk rather smaller doable chunks. That’s what Weightwatchers told me when I was with them

A group like Weightwatchers or Slimming World might help you as you get support from other members plus the coach and the app to track food and fitness.

I lost four stone post menopause. I'm still losing, slowly. I'm not getting loose skin. I was on the Exante social media pages, not everyone gets loose skin. I had to be mindful of activity, do intermittent fasting and calorie count. I used my grandchildren as motivation. I'm wanting to go swimming in the sea on next year's holiday (I'm vain), so that gets me over the wanting to eat whatever I want.

I was 15 and a half three years ago, and am now 11 and a half (still not brilliant but a size 12 rather than 16/18, and I feel a million times healthier).

Of course it can be done. Eat less, eat well, walk more.

Oh and no loose skin.

Don’t forget go whole meal or brown bread nothing white.

Warburtons thins are good, plus Ryvita and oat cakes.

Switch cheese to cottage cheese or lighter cheese (cathedral city do one). Boiled eggs and skinless meat are good.

Snack on fruit and veg eg crudités, rich tea light biscuits are ok too.

Switch beer/lager/cocktails to preferably clear spirits with slimline tonic. Cut out fizzy drinks. Low sugar fruit squash is nice.

High percentage dark chocolate is nice for a treat.

What's the point of the loose skin question though? You wouldn't want to lose their weight and have loose skin? Of course you still would.

Don't be daft. Get a grip. You can easily lose a lot of that weight relatively quickly.

I am 44 and was fatter than that - started Slimming World 8th January and have lost 3st and 4 lbs. I feel so much better and my bad knee is no more. The only exercising I have done is to increase my steps.

At your age you'll spring back into shape and I bet you'll look fab.

No I was 15 stone 10 before Christmas, and now I'm 12 stone 3. I need to 11 stone 5 for a 'healthy bmi' so nearly there! Then I plan to keep going till 10 stone 5

I think that'll come off nicely once you get going. As others say, loose skin isn't the end of the world if you end up with it. I don't think it'll be that drastic at 15st, I went up to more than that at a couple of inches taller (medical issue too). I still have a stone or so to lose so am not exactly toned to perfection but haven't got loose skin.

Myfitnesspal is great and I'd say see this as a gradual process rather than trying to stick to a tiny calorie allowance.

My trick was shiritaki noodles, in any sauce

Ah there you go, I stand corrected! There was something I'd heard about weights being good, as the building of muscle happens a lot whilst you're resting, but that might be BS too.

Honestly, really inspiring your story. And really great advice - a reward for losing instead of my rewards are daily takeouts to make me feel better and eating out on weekends. My hair is like rapunzels as I feel too embarrassed to have my hair done as I’ve lost my confidence. Don’t want to face mirrors. If I could get to a basic level of fitness I’d be happy. You’ve motivated me!

That's a great achievement...can I ask how to managed this?

Thank you for giving me a shake!! That’s what I need to hold on to the feeling of looking and feeling lighter and brighter.

This inspires me so much!

It was a spinal op I had after falling from my horse - really wishing you the best luck, the best thing I ever had. So it’s a shame I’ve let myself go to the extent I have, I sat around waiting for the op immobile and just eating like it was Christmas Day, everyday!

I’ve lost over 4st and I do not have much loose skin only some. But even if I do, it’s a better payoff than me feeling really obese and all the issues I had with that. The loose skin isn’t a reason not to try, it’s maybe a possibility which would be genetic rather than something you can control but it’s worth it. I would take loose skin because it doesn’t affect your health or mobility as much as obesity does. Anything that wobbles can be strapped down in clothes and I don’t really pay attention to it.

the advice about starting small is very good. This is you trying to talk yourself out of taking a big step. Don’t listen to the negative voice in your head

You can do it. Just make a start. I had to force myself to go to Slimming World- I thought I'd last a week. The first week I lost 5 1/2 lbs and all of a sudden a half a stone was on the horizon and I believed I could do it.

You can too. You'll feel so much more confident as well as more healthy. Bet you are back here in a month saying you have made a great start! I lost a stone the first month.

I think if you are younger and lose the weight slowly then you shouldnt have a loose skin problem. But even if you do its not the end of the world.
Ive lost 7st in a year and a half and as Im older I do have quite abit of loose skin. It really doesnt bother though....in fact Im proud of it! Im so much healthier and happier now so the loose skin is worth it IMO.

@Marine30 rewarding myself the right way sounds like a good plan! Unfortunately I have seen rewards as takeouts and eating out, all the wrong things! Thank you for telling me it’s doable and he sounds great. I’d get a personal trainer to do weights and get into the gym but I don’t know if they’d think I was silly at the weight I’m at.

My weight has been up and down since I had my first ds. 15stone is roughly the heaviest I've been. I don't tend to lose weight quickly but calorie counting always helps me lose even if slowly. I'm not a great sportswoman but do walk and use Jessica Smith sessions I've bought or on you tube. A mixture of cardio and strength. I'd love to say it is easy but it does take some dedication. I've listened to some good advice lately that does advise recognising you will have bad weeks but don't give up. Just keep going. Even if you manage it 5 days a week it will help over time. Good luck!

Of course they won't think you're silly! They'd think you were really great for getting yourself into the gym!

I've been in a similar situation.

13 months ago, I was obese. I've lost 33 lb.

The biggest single difference I've made, is exercise.

On Coronation Day, last year, I woke up, realised I had a significant birthday coming up, I was desperately unhealthy and setting a poor example to my children.

So, on Coronation day, I went out early, and tried the first Couch 2 5k run

It was 9 x 1 minute runs, with time in-between to recover.

It nearly killed me. At that point, I hadn't run willingly in almost 20 years.

I didn't even own a pair of trainers, and had my phone on speaker.

But, I'm a stubborn cow, and I refused to be beaten.

The next day, I went to my local supermarket, got a pair of unbranded trainers and a pair of ear buds that hooked over the back of my ears.

I didn't quit. I got up to 5k, over 10 weeks.
I cut back on alcohol, chocolate and cake.

There was one moment, at about 6 or 7 weeks, where the coach said, at the end of the run "you're a runner now", and I started crying.

Post exercise euphoria really was a thing.

Over the winter, due to the cold air being a trigger for my asthma, I had to stop running, but found an exercise class where I could take my child along. The time became available to swim whilst my eldest had her swimming lesson.

I have a Fitbit, and average 15,000 steps a day.

I'm back to running now, running 6 or 7k, three times a week.

On Sunday, I took part in my first ever race. 5k, and the first time I have run with other people since school. Last year, I would only run very, very early in the morning, so people wouldn't see me.

I'm still overweight. I've dropped 3 dress sizes, but still have 20 lb to lose, to be a healthy BMI.

But, I'm fitter, stronger and happier that I've been for most of my adult life.

My eldest child threw her arms around me, last week, and could hold her own hands together around my waist. She said "Mummy, you're shrinking"

I do have stretch marks, and my tummy skin is a bit loose, but I don't care.

I wish you all of the best.