Losing weight, weight loss injections or gym?

[undecidedfatty]

I've recently been lucky enough to go up a pay grade. The number one things which gets me down, which has always got me down, is my weight. I've been a size 16 since I was a teenager and I can't seem to change it. It goes up and down a bit but I've never been a healthy weight. I lost quite a bit a few years ago by fasting every day but I can't do it now as I get too shaky and irritated.
I'm a single parent, I have two small children all the time, I work full time out of the house in a healthcare related role and I cannot lose any weight. This is partly circumstantial as often the thought of a few rich tea biscuits is all that gets me through a difficult shift. My DC's don't sleep, one has autism and I honestly can't keep my mind on dieting. I don't overeat but I often make a cheese toastie for tea or pot noodle (I'm veggie) as I'm so busy and worn out, I'm also skint a lot.
I really need to do something and thought I want to lose weight. I'm not looking for a quick fix (and I don't think such a quick fix exists) but I can't carry on trying to reduce calories as it just feels so joyless in an already pretty difficult existence.
Would the weight loss injections be a good investment? Or would a nice gym membership (with pool) be a better investment? I really want to do something to improve my overall well-being, and feel more refreshed outside of work, mum life.
I would really appreciate some advice from mums in similar situations, especially if you have chosen one of these options. I really don't want suggestions on home exercise (tried it, kids don't let me, no room) or complex diets when I'm constantly on the go, running on adrenaline, no time to cook etc. I'm out the house from 7.30am until 7.30 pm and I have no time nor energy when I get back. I don't enjoy cooking and I can't even batch cook as we have a tiny freezer. I don't even get a lunch break.
I have about £150 a month to tackle this and I really need help after 20 years of trying to do this the natural way.

Op you mention a go-to meal of butternut squash, rice and pine nuts. This meal is very carby, especially if it’s white rice. Try more green leafy vegetables instead and more protein. Or even just simple things like using frozen peas more.

What I find using Mounjaro is that whereas I’d previously still feel hungry after eating mostly green vegetables and want to fill up on bread or rice or potatoes, now the vegetables make me feel full and are naturally what I reach for. along with protein, but I eat meat so can’t guide you on that as a vegetarian.

After reading your update about how active you are (steps) , I think you need rest rather than my exercise!

The gym you described does sound nice - would it be possible to visit sometimes without paying £180pcm on a membership?

If you are so focused on keeping your food budget low, I think you'll need the extra money you have to cut yourself more slack there.

Congratulations on your pay rise and I hope you find a way to use the money that makes your life easier and you feel more comfortable in your own skin.

I'd spend that money on reducing stress, not adding to it. E.g. get a cleaner, get food shops delivered (though I too enjoy the challenge of yellow sticker savings!). Anything to create more chill time. Reducing stress can help with weight loss.

If you can somehow fit it in, do try therapy. Sounds like you have some underlying issues you've been ignoring for a long time.

Gardening can be good all-body exercise and is free, plus you get to relax outdoors and have a nice garden.

Surely you're cooking healthy meals for your kids each night so why aren't you eating the same healthy meals with them? You say you've not got time to cook but you must be cooking for your kids.

I'd maybe look at some therapy to help with your mindset around food first.
I have found it an absolute game changer, it's helped me to completely change the way I think about food and myself.

Then I joined a gym and started to enjoy exercise for the first time in my life, my body shape changed and I became much stronger and fitter but I was still gaining weight. After around a year of regular using the gym and loving it I started to look at calories and using a tdee calculator.
After almost 9 months of experimenting I've found despite all the calculations and evidence saying otherwise I only lose weight if I either cut out all bread/pasta/rice/potatoes/grains etc or only eat around 900-1000 calories a day. I have started the injections to help me stick to this, I'm three months in and haven't had the huge losses some have had in that time but I'm losing and able to stick to my calories easily. I genuinely feel I'm in such a better position to keep the weight off from the therapy and exercise than I would be from the injections alone.

No I didn’t, didn’t know you could tbh!

it’s the pool thats the big draw for me, but my kids are older (15 and 18) so I’m lucky to have no childcare to worry about x

Hi OP,

Just wanted to add my recent experience with Mounjaro injections as I think many people are quite polarised in their opinions.

I have been using Mounjaro for 6 months and I have lost 5.5 stone very quickly. I was substantially overweight before starting the injections and the weight loss has improved my knees, my back, my blood pressure and I feel less tired.

Although this is an amazing result in terms of weight loss, I found the side effects really unpleasant. I also suffered more serious side effects.

I struggled to eat very much as I constantly felt full and sick. Certain foods I was unable to eat at all eg. bread, pasta, rice...basically any carbs otherwise I would vomit.
I was in a constant cycle of constipation followed by horrendous diarrhoea.

Rather than listen to my body I stuck with it as the weight loss was substantial. This was to my detriment...
I eventually ended up in hospital with gallbladder disease and liver issues.

I'm in no way saying this was 100% due to the injections, but gallbladder problems are a known serious side effect of Mounjaro.

Even so, I wouldn't say definitely don't use them but please go into using them with eyes wide open. Listen to your body and seek medical attention if things don't feel right.

Would I have done it had I known? Probably, yes. I was desperate to lose weight for my health, my mental health and my children.

I think it's very easy for others to throw stones about weight...do more exercise, eat less, eat better etc. but unfortunately it's a multifaceted problem that often isn't a result of one cause. It can be psychological, a social issue, a biological issue, lack of time, lack of affordable and convenient healthy food choices. The list goes on.

Have a look at the Slimpod threads on here. I joined a year ago after seeing it pop up on Facebook and thinking it was a load of rubbish. I have lost some weight but my attitude to what I eat and exercise has changed. You basically listen to a 10 minute NLP recording daily, there are videos to watch but they are short. It costs £99 spread over three months and there is a free trial and money back guarantee for the first 30 days. I was the biggest sceptic but am very pleased.
think they do a Blue Light discount.

I'm not in any way convinced by the weight loss injections. I remember five or six years ago when we started prescribing metformin to overweight patients as a trial. The weight dropped off, but none of their habits changed. I mean it was amazing but also worrying that it was a quick fix but it still required motivation and change in dietary habits in order to work long term.

However, I think they have worked for so many people. I have a suspicion people don't like them because it helps fat people to regain control and look good. If you're a size 10 who has enjoyed secretly judging fat people for years I imagine you'd feel bitter. I have found a lot of slim people are unrealistic, nor do they understand that if you have always struggled with your weight it is significantly harder to lose weight and maintain that weight for the rest of your life.

Sorry you been so unwell x that’s a lot of weight in a short time though (unsurprisingly if you couldn’t eat) which I believe can also cause gallbladder problems. I’ve been on them 4 months and “only” lost 2 stone and I’ve been fine x

I agree, it was far too much too fast. I questioned the amount of weight loss with the prescribing doctor, but they seemed unconcerned. My issues could have been caused by the speed at which i lost weight, or the injections, or a combo.

I also don't think my experience is the norm, but it was my experience and just wanted to put it out there 😀

Definitely sounds like you should have stayed on a lower dose @Chopbob !

I’m not sure you’re right about people being bitter when fat people lose weight with injections, although if anyone is that’s incredibly sad.

The thing is, you say that but in the same breath talk about changing habits to maintain and for it to work. And that has to involve changing dietary choices. I mean if you think taking the injections
to give you a boost to lose what you want to would help then maybe it’s a good choice - but you do also need to change your eating habits while on it and afterwards, right? Yet it seems this is what you are the most resistant to?

Besides even if slim people don’t get it - so what? You asked here if you should do injections or gym but you know dietary issues will come into it whatever you do.

I don’t think you have to use them forever- but you do need to have a good strategy to keep the weight off. I’m currently on Mounjaro. I have lost weight with a calorie controlled diet before but it’s hard when I’m so busy with kids wtc. Mounjaro helps that as I don’t have the compulsion to overeat

Forget about the gym for now and focus on walking.

Go out as a family for 30mins - 1hour each day, rain or shine and the weight will start falling off of you.

The kids will get more exercise and less screen time, so will behave better and sleep better.

You will feel less hungry, less tired and sleep better too which also helps with weight loss.

I would also swap the bread for oats.
You can buy them so cheap, they’re very filling and way better for you than bread.
You can do overnight oats too which takes a minute or 2 to prep.

I think you could try the injections for a couple of months and see how you get on but tbh it sounds like a couple of minor changes to your diet would have the weight coming off anyway.

The injections do give some people side effects, they’re very expensive and don’t get to the route of the problem.
But if they do help you lose weight and keep it off then they’re worth trying.

Hi, I'm 37, I have 3 kids and my youngest is 8 months old.

I'm about 9 kg overweight.

Today was my first day of intermittent fasting, so I will only eat between 12 and 8 pm.

It worked really well for me after my 1st pregnancy, so I'll give it a shot.

I definitely have seen this- it’s seen as cheating or somehow sinful (eg taking it away from diabetics even tho this isn’t happening). But I think you have to ignore it and do what’s right for you. Ultimately it’s really tough to lose weight- injectable’s help enormously. They have been approved for this purpose.

but yes, you do also need to address any underlying issues re food and diet or it will creep back on

Based on your updates, you need invest into therapy. You need to adress your low self worth and obsession of buying cheap food. Injectables won't address any of these issues - yes, you might lose weight by eating less crap, but you'll still be eating crap.

Please be kind to yourself. Size 16 is the size of most uk women, you can buy all the clothes in size 16.
Please concentrate on eating tons of veg, and your weight will stabilise naturally, and you'll have so much energy for your very busy life with so many responsibilities. Your time will come before you know it, and you'll have all the time in the world for the gym, long walks, yoga etc.

The OP already averages 15-20,000 steps a day, yet you think she should drag her 3 young children, one of whom is disabled out for an additional hour of walking every day after 7.30pm (before dinner) or 8.30pm (after dinner) in the rain, cold and dark? This is insane advice!

Have you tried speaking to a dietician or qualified nutritionist? I would keep an honest food diary for 2 weeks and then pay to see someone to try help address where you can make improvements that are easy wins because they are possible.

You will get all sorts of dietary advice on here ranging from excellent to disordered eating and it’s impossible to truly understand what’s best for you. Start off with seeing a professional - if it doesn’t work, there’s no obligation to keep going but you can safely be reassured that you explored non-drug options first

It’s normal and healthy to go out and walk every day.

Its not natural to be so sedentary and it’s why we have so many health problems.

OP said her kids don’t sleep well.
Fresh air and exercise will absolutely help them sleep.

OP also has issues with food.
Exercise and fresh air can release feel good hormones, which will reduce stress and the need to snack on crap food.
Exercise and fresh air can also help you sleep, which again is one of the best things you can do for weight loss.

We need to change the mindset that fresh air and exercise is somehow a punishment, rather than something that is beneficial physically and mentally.

Walking 15-20k steps a day is not ‘so sedentary’. Dragging three young children - one of whom is disabled - out for an hour’s walk until 9.30pm in the cold, rain and dark is not rational, normal behaviour. Stop being ridiculous .

anyone seriously suggesting that an already stressed, highly active single mother should force two small children (sorry, not three), one of whom is autistic and both of whom are underweight, to take an hours’ brisk walk until 9.30pm every night, regardless of weather and time of year, is an idiot.

They wouldn’t need to be out until 9:30pm would they.

It’s a shame you think going for a walk to collect leaves, splash in puddles, play in the park etc are seen as ‘dragging them out’.

It’s normal behaviour that kids love.
It’s not a punishment.