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??

My heaviest weight was 16 stone (5 foot 5). I'm currently 13 stone 12 so have another 3.5 stone ish to get to target (a few lbs inside my healthy weight range). I'm 37. I'm on Slimming World and I'd really recommend. It's the only plan I've tried that's resulted in steady, maintained weight loss and my way of eating now I feel I can easily continue for life.

So far I've no loose skin at all but i've still a way to go and this has been my main concern. I've done a ridiculous amount of research into it and am basically just doing everything I've read some sources claim to help, to give myself the best possible chance.

I mean, maybe none of it will work but I'd rather know I've at least tried everything. And failing that, I'm trying to be pragmatic and accept that being slim with loose skin will still be infinitely preferable to being obese. The 2 stone 2 I've lost so far has already made a HUGE difference to how I feel, my energy, my confidence. I'd forgotten what it was like to be able to leap up from the floor or run for the bus without being out of breath. Or to put a dress on and actually feel good. I've gone from a solid size 18 to a small 16, with size 14 only just round the corner I feel.

Antway, my 'rules' are:

• Lose weight slowly. If 1lb a week feels crap, just calculate what your weight would be this time next year, 52lbs down! It should be a marathon, not a race.
• Stay very hydrated at all times.
• Eat a healthy diet, all the veg/salad.
• Take a daily, excellent quality vitamin tablet.
• Take a marine collagen peptide supplement.
• Dry body brush top to toe several times a week.
• Thoroughly moisturise top to toe after every body brush.
• Weight lift and do resistance training regularly.

@Wantachangefor2024 - you can ABSOLUTELY do this. Same height as you and I'm now the on this journey for the second time. First time took 2 years to go from 15 to 9 stone in my early 40s. I kept it off for six years, until a perfect storm of lock-down induced inactivity, injury (also fall from a horse!), health issues and stress had it creep slowly back up over the course of 4 years, until I found myself having gained 1.5 stone over a very stressfull 1-month period just before Christmas last year, followed by Christmas, and there I was at 15 stone again!

I decided I had to do something about this before I got heavier than I ever have been. I've now lost >2.5 stone since late January. I had no loose skin first time around, and I was actually just looking in the mirror a few days ago wondering about this 'loose skin' I'd heard of (as I've lost weight faster this time than I did before), but it doesn't seem to happen to me.

One thing I've found is important is that I have to feel good about myself before I start my weight loss journey. If you are feeling bad about your body, you're not going to care about it. First time through I bought myself some nice-looking clothes that fit well and made me look good. Even though I knew I wanted to not be wearing them soon! But having the confidence to feel I looked good made all the difference. This time I took those clothes down from the attic - plus bought myself some accessories off Vinted that I should be able to continue wearing once I'm smaller. (in fact, one waist coast already buttons that when I got it didn't, although I prefer to wear these open so it won't matter when it gets too big as well!)

You'll have to find something that works for you. I counted calories first time around, and didn't really do much else. This time I'm (1) counting calories using MyFitnessPal, and doing it even better this time (I use my kitchen scales so I always know what I'm actually eating, including carefully measuring out my home recipes and being HONEST), (2) avoiding ultra-processed food - this has actually made a massive difference, as I find I am enjoying the food I'm eating SO MUCH more, strangely, despite the fact that I'm eating less, and quick snacks like crisps and packaged sweets actually taste bad to me now, so I have no interest in keeping going even if I do slip up and take one at some party or such, and (3) have started Couch to 5K. Unlike a poster above, that looks like they did it in the 9-weeks, I'm doing this SLOWLY. I spent about 6 weeks on repeating week 1 over and over, 3 on week 2, and I'm pretty sure I'll be doing week 3 at least 4 times. I sometimes feel a bit weird, like a giant whale jogging along the street, but I also know I'm less giant than I was when I started a few months ago!

@CertainAppealToIt- is the collagen/body brush/moisturing for skin?

What have you found about avoiding loose skin? Even though I didn't get it before, being over a decade older, plus apparently quicker at weight loss now, I am worried about it this time around.

@murmuration , yes, everything in my list is aimed at my skin.

Basically in all the research I've done, my ultimate finding has been that there's no right or guaranteed answer to avoiding loose skin. I've read reviews, scientific studies, nutrition guru guidance, what feels like 100's of peoples personal experiences and recommendations - and they all say different things 😂

Lots of people swear by the body brushing and moisturising. Lots say it's down to toning exercises/weights. So 'external' things. Then there are the groups that say it's down to the 'internals' - hydration, vitamins, to make sure your body has what it needs to renew skin and collagen from within. Marine collagen peptides in particular have a HUGE amount of mentions with quite a few studies showing improved skin elasticity, but results varying by individual.

Anyway, I read and read and decided to follow a routine which 'hits it all' - internals and externals. And keep my fingers crossed!

I went from 15st 8lbs (and a size 20) to 10st 2lbs (and a size 10) and I’m about the same height as you. I didn’t get any loose skin. I counted calories and exercised a lot.

It’s totally do-able.

Hearing from people who have been where I am and worn the tshirt is really the best thing. My friends meant well, and I think it’s really sad my generation think like this - but I don’t want to just get a tummy tuck after dieting. I want to be the best version of myself naturally. And healthy!

I think what comes with weight gain is a lack of care in all aspects of your life. So I’ve been and bought some gym clothes. A body brush. Thick moisturiser. Raided Holland and barrett for vitamins. I’m day four in and I’ve had no sugary drinks or sugar at all! Lowered my portions. It’s a learning process I’m learning! I’d love for people to join along with me and this be a thread for how we get along.

I’ve just ordered Will powders (Davinia Taylor) bovine collagen powder that apparently you pop into tea or coffee. I’m reading as much as I can and Davinia had a lifestyle overhaul and this powder has great reviews so trying it.

Yeah I have some loose skin on belly and boobs are a bit saggy but I look good in clothes and that's so worth losing it for, and health.
Most people don't see me naked so 😂

@CertainAppealToIt You are half way there on your journey so doing great! You sound like you’ve done a lot of research too - great advice. Incorporating it all together and into a routine will be a big overhaul for me as I’ve been living soo unhealthy but I’m at the start of the race! Just eat is wondering where I am.

@Gonnagetgoingreturnsagain thank you for all the great advice. Yes my confidence has taken a massive hit. I was never the larger girl, the biggest in the room…to suddenly be the fat friend. Its a hard pill to swallow

@Thehonestbadger wow!! You look amazing!! I’d be thrilled.

Just eat is wondering where I am

😂😂

When I started a few months ago I half expected my local Chinese to put in a welfare check 😂

Oh dear wrong end of yorkshire!

In more ways than one! Thank you though

🤣🤣 I know, like is this person still with us? I have been living it up, just eat everyday and if not, I go out and it’s always Italian with wine or lots of cocktails. The worst part - I don’t even like alcohol! Just another comfort. I’m actually looking forward to retreating socially and stopping in. See where I am in a month and then treat myself to one night out.

I’ve stuck to it today and been for a long dog walk which has refreshed me so I can move! Heading to my first slimming world meeting in half an hour x

Good luck @Wantachangefor2024! Sounds like you're well and truly 'in the game' now!

No!!!! I was 15 stone and 5’7. Lost weight and got to 11 stone which was perfect for my frame. I’m now more than 15 stone but planning on losing for my wedding last year, I don’t worry about excess skin, it’s more important to lose weight for the health benefits.

What did you think of the SW meeting @Wantachangefor2024?

@CertainAppealToIt I was a little intimidated at first as I was the youngest there and most had there own little groups. But I’m sure I’ll get to know people as I go along and the plan sounds manageable vs. What an online trainer would give me as a diet plan. All the recipe swapping I was taking note and was really helpful!

@Gonnagetgoingreturnsagain haha, tell me about it!
My mum loves digestives too. I'm obsessed with malted milk at the mo! 🤤

SW is great for the support network it affords, as well as an easy to follow plan for life. It is for life so once you get your head about it, just make the changes you know you can live with

I myself was the biggest veg dodger whoever lived, now Im liking my veggies and if Im having a few beige days, I start to crave the veg

So when Im eating on plan, every meal contains fruit or veg, even the saturday morning bacon baguette is stuffed full of tomatoes and rocket ( no need for spread or butter , the tomatoes moisten it )

If I cant fit in veg, I at least try to get a vegetable soup in me, today it was tomato and red pepper and tomorrow its courgette and basil ( I work in a restaurant ) Actually the courgette and basil tastes of pesto so I might take a cup to have on pasta later on in the week. And thats another joy of SW, making recipes fit the diet. Like using fat free cheese spread instead of cream in sauce, blitzing onions to thicken a curry instead of coconut cream, using wraps made of just egg intead of tortilla

For those that think I’m not being unreasonable in the poll, may I ask why? Do you think it is too heavy to not need some other intervention like a gastric sleeve or injectables?

I certainly dont think you need any intervention.

You have a weight gain due to lifes circumstances . You have now taken a hard look at yourself and have decided to make changes , those changes can be made by changing your diet and adding some exercise

The weight didnt suddenly appear over night and you havent been obese all your life , you have got into bad habits, which I totally understand having been in the exact same position myself, and you can reverse it if you are motivated enough

I'd ignore the poll results @Wantachangefor2024 - I'd guess that there are plenty of people who are rather fatalistic about their own weight gain, and chances of losing it. Whereas you seem to be full of motivation and a strong desire to lose the weight.

Also, there's a phenomenon about weight that I've seen - here and in real life - where those who are overweight become jealous of those who are, but who are losing weight, and will do seemingly anything to jeopardise/sabotage their efforts.

Don't focus on the negatives! You're doing really well by being positive, and taking charge of things for yourself.

Hey guys just wondering how any of you also losing weight are getting on? Three weeks in and I’ve lost a stone. I know that it is mainly water weight, but it’s given me the buzz of this is achievable!