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To ask for advice and support around losing 6+ stone between now and May?

106 replies

ForMerryPinkCat · 07/08/2026 12:57

I've been offered a job starting on May 27. My old trainer is setting up a new eventing yard and wants me as head groom/rider.

It's a fantastic opportunity to get back to the sport I love but unfortunately I had a horrible accident last year that resulted in multiple injuries and a long hospital stay.

Because of that and the medications I've been taking, my weight has ballooned up to 20 stone. I'm 5'4 so I'm massively overweight. Ideally i'd be under 14 stone when I started with the goal of getting back down to my ideal weight of around 8 stone.

I've told my family and friends it's for my wedding which is at the start of may because they're very against me riding again and I don't want to deal with the aggo if it's not even vaguely possible. My partner knows and is very supportive of me trying.

I've been eating around 1500 calories a day and walking briskly for 20mins several times a day. I've included a few pics of my diet/exercise for the past couple of days. (I will be adding more fruit/veg/protein in starting tonight when my groceries arrive, and switching out the whole milk for skimmed. I'm just trying to empty the fridge so nothing gets wasted!)

To ask for advice and support around losing 6+ stone between now and May?
To ask for advice and support around losing 6+ stone between now and May?
To ask for advice and support around losing 6+ stone between now and May?
OP posts:
Thread gallery
8
SilenceInside · 10/08/2026 09:58

@BluntButEmpathic I think that a lot of us who are using weight loss medication have realised that, over the decades, we have not been able to lose weight and keep it off successfully by diet alone and therefore "keep it natural". I'm nearer to 50 than 40, and I am very tired of trying it by diet alone, succeeding for a bit and then regaining the weight plus more. I have been overweight, obese or morbidly obese nearly my whole life. Hence choosing medication to support me.

bothydreamer · 10/08/2026 10:52

Personally I'd ditch the ready meals, they're not doing you any favours. Get back to real ingredients. I really recommend Emma Bardwell's most recent book, all calorie measured but with a focus on protein and fibre which will keep you much fuller for longer, and actually give your body the nutrients it deserves. My DH is on a big weight loss push so we're working from her book mostly - then I add a lot of extra carbs for teens. Good luck!

Minasama · 10/08/2026 10:56

Eliminating UPFs (and drinks) is a good way to go (read “Ultra Processed People” - it will change the way you think about food.).
Then buy yourself a smaller plate/bowl. This makes a huge difference, believe it or not, because it makes your smaller portion look bigger!
Cutting down (not cutting out) carbs helps as well eg instead of a sandwich have an open sandwich with only one piece of bread, then an apple or other fruit to follow.

I am 5.4, about 9 st and my Apple phone says I burn about 1400 calories a day so I wonder if you need to drop a bit further to ensure a calorie deficit? Could the GP advise, given your medical situation?

Viperregency · 10/08/2026 11:07

SilenceInside · 10/08/2026 09:58

@BluntButEmpathic I think that a lot of us who are using weight loss medication have realised that, over the decades, we have not been able to lose weight and keep it off successfully by diet alone and therefore "keep it natural". I'm nearer to 50 than 40, and I am very tired of trying it by diet alone, succeeding for a bit and then regaining the weight plus more. I have been overweight, obese or morbidly obese nearly my whole life. Hence choosing medication to support me.

Me too. 80 percent of people who lose weight, regain it all within 5 years on average, some weight loss methods having a much higher regain weight, ie slimming world is 97 percent regain and weight watchers 95 percent, but you’d expect that, that’s how they make money.

obesoty is a relapse disease, the goal is not just to get to a healthy weight, but keep it off. Forever. That’s why the WHO and other global health authorities recommend people take the meds and stay on them long term.

the good news is you can move to a low maintenance dose and maintain your weight, or if you regain within 12 months, most pharmacies will allow you to restart, they don’t want you to wait until you hit obesity again, so there is solutions depending on your finances. Ideally everyone could access of course.

but everyone on these drugs legitimately is on them as a last resort, not a first resort. No one is taking them as they don’t understand how to diet. As the simple fact is you do need to diet when on them. Again unless you abuse them, go on too high a dose, and rely on the drugs to do the heavy lifting. Which is the height of stupidity

i think it’s great the posters posting about their success without can do it, and keep it off, but they are in the minority, we have an obesity crisis. Two thirds of the uk are overweight or obese.

And it’s not becaude people are lazy and greedy,

it’s way way more complex than that, if it was just laziness and greed the drugs wouldn’t work, as everyone on them at the correct dosage for them, knows you can push through, eat more.if it was just laziness or greed, we would all do that and the drugs would fail.

Their very success is evidence of the complexity behind our bodies and the metabolic processes involved. Very few people wish to be fat. It scares us in terms of the very significant health impacts, we don’t often like our appearance, leading to mental health impacts as well as the physical ones.

and there has not been one death globally directly caused by the drugs. Not one. Lots of scare stories abound, from pancreatitis to random shit, I saw a ridiculous article in tne mail the other day saying they caused you to lose the fat pads in your feet.

in reality fhough these are very safe meds, used by about 70 million globally, been in use for decades and trials for 15 years before that, and they have many additional health benefits , for example about to be approved for cardio vascular disease, with fatty liver, sleep apnea, dementia etc all now in final testing. And fo course we factually know about the reduction in cancers, the fact there is no increase in pancreatitis, following several studies with tens of thousands of people and a significant reduction in pancreatic cancer , 69 percent on mounjaro.

Overall if you can do it without and keep it off, then absolutely thays fantastic. But if you’re not in thay minority, then medical science has moved forward, and we can now take a safe medication to enable us to achieve and maintain a healthy weight, without all the pscychological struggles normally associated with it.

FriendofDorothy · 10/08/2026 14:43

You are drinking quite a lot of calories in whole milk. Maybe you could switch to half fat, or drink water instead.

Riverliving1 · 10/08/2026 15:08

Well done on what you've done so far, that's a really good start.

I'm also on a big weight loss journey aftet putting on a lot of weight after surgery last year. A lot more minor that your surgery though!

I've found Jamie Smart/Body Smart on Instagram a really useful source of help. I am doing the paid programme now, but the socials alone so helpful and v realistic.

It's all about getting strong foundations in place:

  1. Daily movement - 8,000 steps daily or buildng up to that.
  2. Eating in a calorie deficit while losing weight - My fitness pal useful here. Focus on upping protein to help you feel full.
  3. 2 x 30 mins weight training a week - this has been transformational for me. I always used to run, swim etc. I still do when I can, but the weight training is the only must do not only build strength but boost your metabolism.
  4. Take sleep seriously - 7-9 hours per night. If you're tired, you're more likely to eat poorly. Good sleep also helps regulate hormones. Exercising as above and walking more has improved my sleep.

Pulling all of this together has really, really, really helped me. I'm not perfect at it, but aim is to be consistent so a way of life. Better to do 80% of the above long term, than 3 weeks of hardcore dieting and exercise perfectly and give up.

There other things eg. Intermittent fasting etc, but impact limited if the right foundations aren't in place. They're best added later.

Good luck with it all.

PS Sally Gunnell is also a good person to follow. Realistic, practical messages.

Riverliving1 · 10/08/2026 16:26

To add, I meant Jamie Moran of BodySmat in my post above...

Smudgesmith · 10/08/2026 21:27

If you go on a glp1 its even more important to strength train as basically its muscle wasting. My friend has lost a lot in a year. But she's doing strength training twice a week and a circuits type class. She's accessing a local weight loss group that is run by the council but you have to be referred by the gp. Basically free gym membership and classes. She pays for her glp1. Shes also eating lots less processed food. Doesnt drink.

Do you not have a freezer for bread? I keep seeing about you hate food waste.

Thesafetygeneral · 10/08/2026 21:35

Are the lists above what you’re eating now? There is still way too much processed food on those lists if so. You need heaps of veg and lean protein (piece of unbattered fish / chicken breast) could do a fresh turkey and veg stir fry. Would keep you fuller for longer.
cut out the processed stuff and you’ll notice a massive difference. Swop fried eggs for two egg white scrambled eggs too

SilenceInside · 10/08/2026 21:40

@Thesafetygeneral the OP is pretty clear in her post that she’s using up existing food as she lives alone and doesn’t want to waste it. She says that she’ll be adding in more fruit/veg/protein in her next shop as well as switching to skimmed milk.

ForMerryPinkCat · 12/08/2026 15:34

Smudgesmith · 10/08/2026 21:27

If you go on a glp1 its even more important to strength train as basically its muscle wasting. My friend has lost a lot in a year. But she's doing strength training twice a week and a circuits type class. She's accessing a local weight loss group that is run by the council but you have to be referred by the gp. Basically free gym membership and classes. She pays for her glp1. Shes also eating lots less processed food. Doesnt drink.

Do you not have a freezer for bread? I keep seeing about you hate food waste.

Thank you! My freezer is so full I can't get anything into it unfortunately! I have a tiny kitchen and only have space for a smaller fridge freezer.

I'm doing strength training at the gym twice a week currently.

Still losing weight 🥳🥳🥳

To ask for advice and support around losing 6+ stone between now and May?
OP posts:
ForMerryPinkCat · 14/08/2026 16:42

Tonight's dinner

To ask for advice and support around losing 6+ stone between now and May?
OP posts:
EmptyTheFrickingBins · 15/08/2026 20:04

Looks delicious!

ForMerryPinkCat · 17/08/2026 16:23

Omg I'm under 20 stone for the first time since my accident! 🥳🥳🥳🥳

To ask for advice and support around losing 6+ stone between now and May?
OP posts:
Victorius19 · 17/08/2026 22:04

Well done, OP, that's brilliant.

Keep going, you're doing so well.

ForMerryPinkCat · 18/08/2026 15:43

Thank you 🥰😁😁

OP posts:
Robogob · 18/08/2026 15:53

If you can afford it, do Mounjaro. It’s revolutionary. I lost seven stone in just under 10 months. Am 5ft 4 and weighed 18 stone. Now 11.5. I also combined it with rigorous weight training. My body shape is better than it has ever been, including when I was 8 stone.

I’ve tried all kinds of methods to lose weight. Mounjaro has altered my mind. That’s the only way I can accurately describe it.

ForMerryPinkCat · 18/08/2026 16:48

Thank you!

I'm still considering it but need to discuss it with my GP first ☺️

OP posts:
ForMerryPinkCat · 20/08/2026 17:23

Officially hit seven pounds down today! 🤯🥳🥳🥳

OP posts:
EmptyTheFrickingBins · 20/08/2026 20:17

Amy that's awesome! Well done! I hope you feel better with it too!

ForMerryPinkCat · Yesterday 16:41

Amy?! 🤔😆😆😆

OP posts:
EmptyTheFrickingBins · Yesterday 20:15

Oh god I meant amazing sorry! 😫😆🤦🏻‍♀️

herbetta · Yesterday 20:27

Cut the butter / spread etc- such a waste of calories & by the time you get the beans, eggs etc on there you'd never notice!

I'm another one to say ditch the ready meals - you can try out some easy recipes, but you can just do simple things & season them. Have salads or veg + protein + little carbs. Have a small amount of good quality choc rather than the hot choc. I hate wasting calories on 'nothing' foods that have no nutritional value or don't fill you up. Get some dates, dark choc & nuts.

herbetta · Yesterday 20:31

ForMerryPinkCat · 14/08/2026 16:42

Tonight's dinner

You didn't need those wrap calories on top of everything else - the rest of the plate looks lovely / nutritious, but you could get much better calorie value from something other than that wrap. Is it even a protein wrap? You are doing great btw, maybe just think again about the empty cals in some foods. Have you watched the Food for Life TV programme?

ForMerryPinkCat · Yesterday 20:58

I know myself well enough that if I have to cook I'll go back to eating junk or takeaways. My partner is a chef and has tried to teach me but I'm just genuinely utterly crap at it and have no interest in cooking.

The ready meals are all gym kitchen or prep kitchen so have a good balance of fat/protien/carbs and actually taste good.

To ask for advice and support around losing 6+ stone between now and May?
OP posts: