TTC through Donor IUI or Donor IVF - weight loss spin-off thread

[witchmountain]

A few of us on the donor IUI/IVF thread have got some weight to lose, and rather than bore everyone else we thought we'd set up a spin-off thread. So, if you're doing or contemplating donor IUI/IVF and also have some weight to lose, join us here, newbies welcome.

I guess we do introductions/goals? I'll start, but obviously share whatever you prefer in your intro.

I'm witch, froze some embryos last year with donor sperm which are waiting for me to save up enough to fund a career change post baby. I'm fortunate in that I don't have loads and loads of weight to lose, but enough that I could so with some supportive friends to do it with.

I don't really like the idea of dieting per se, I think my aim is more around establishing a healthier relationship with food. I read Fat is a Feminist Issue years ago and I probably need to re-read it again now - it's about women's relationship with food. I'd recommend it, or a much condensed book by the same author, Susie Orbach, called On Eating.

My weight has fluctuated over the years, but the band it's fluctuating within is only trending in one direction. This is almost the heaviest I've ever been, I'm too fat for my fat clothes, and my thighs are getting in the way of each other. In BMI terms I'm a little way into the overweight category, but I carry it all on my stomach so I'm quite a way over the recommended maximum waist measurement. I have been offered a seat on the tube and on one occasion asked if it was my first baby

The numbers aren't the be all and end all - for me that point is that I am at this weight because I don't prioritise sleep and activity and compensate with carbs and caffeine! And for some other more psychological reasons which I'll get to, but this is already the longest intro in history.

I'm going to take Saturday as my starting point:
5'9"/1.75m
12st10.5lb/81kg
BMI 26.4
Waist 36"/91cm
Targets, let's see, but I'm guessing somewhere south of 11st/70kg - I'll head in that direction and see how I feel. I'll never be right at the bottom end of the BMI range, I'm broad!

Eating wise - I'm cutting back on high glycemic index carbs and trying to get some more protein in. I know I feel better and less hungry when I'm not struggling from one sugar rush then crash to the next.

So tonight had a bit of an Indian takeaway. Oops. Some was homemade veg curry and I picked the least fattening thing.... tandoori mixed grill so meat with no sauce with salad, half a prawn on purée starter portion, tablespoon of saag paneer and an onion Bhaji. Damage limitation enough? Eek
Do u think if am close to the bmi boundary the night before weighed by nurse... that kefir and dried bananas will make all the difference.... 2 lbs? kwik?

I had an Indian takeaway too... did not go for healthy options - chicken korma, pilau rice, peshwari nan, onion salad, poppadoms, mango chutney.... did not stuff myself as much as usual though

I am at a conference next week: I need to be strong!!!!

What is the bmi boundary for your clinic ever?
We all need a wee treat sometimes

It's 35, and am so close to it. Am sure Mabel's belly is contributing at least a stone which would take me way below it but the weight is stubborn no matter the odd Indian takeaway mixed with a healthy home made one. The most calorific was probably the onion bhaji and the pastry case the prawns were in but that was smallest amount.
Had a decent breakfast just now and will eat less today in hope I ve got 2lbs off by mon!!

kwik re yr conference. R there any healthy options amongst the usual fare or are you going to have to limit or take yr own food? I guess it's usually pastry or bread based stuff is it? Xx

ever best of luck - you can do it!!!

The food at the conference is likely to be amazeballs - and I will want to wat everything!!! I am going to try and be sensible and not go wild!!! They will no doubt be showcasing the best food & beverage on offer. The only thing I am taking from home food wise is my Pukka 3 cinnamon tea which I LOVE and some organic decaff tea.

Sorry wat = eat

Look this is just the offering in my room for the first night... person who delivered it told me there were more to come...
#nohope

Oh dear! Can you pretend it's not edible?!

Omg, is the whole thing edible and not just the bunny?. It looks amazing, pretend it won't taste amazing kwik

Aww that looks lovely, so difficult when people put temptation in your way. Can you have a little bit of the things you like and then throw away / give away the rest?

So official weigh in day today. Have lost a pound since mid week so have achieved about a 2lbs loss. Felt I could have lost more but a major realisation this morning.... I had forgotten that scales weighed me 2 lb heavier than most scales I step on so nearly sitting on the bmi boundary I needed. 0.2 to go
I just can't do heavy weight loss more expediently xxx

Thats good ever, what date do you need to achieve bmi by?

I am off out on bike again tonight in an effort to increase my exercise

About 3- 3.5 weeks depending on my errant cycles bear Am basing this on at approx ovulation stage now and will see fertility nurse at around cd10 of next cycle but could be surprised by random bleeding, altho I think I had my fair share of it in the last month as they have been all over the place. Looking more promising this month, so f xd and also that the weight continues to fall.
It feels so pressurised at times x

Hope you enjoy your bike ride x

Hi ladies!
I'm wanting to lose 4 stone before I start TTC. I'm very much a yo-yo dieter and can lose weight relatively easily but struggle to keep it off. When I told my mum I was planning to have a baba, her first reaction was that I need to lose weight! I've looked into it more and have realised how bad it is for both me and baby for me to be overweight. I've now got the best motivation ever to lose this weight!

Hi mamasloth it's very good motivation. Have you a food/ exercise plan in mind?
Do you have a target in mind as to when you want to start ttc or is the 4 stone loss your target mostly
You are amongst friends here

Welcome mamasloth!

I spent most of the weekend eating ice cream and roast potatoes and other delicious things with family and friends. Back to avoiding sugar today, apart from a couple of the sweets that arrived with my wiggle order.

Have made an unexpected discovery about running. I started a couch to 10K programme again three weeks ago (app is called 10K runner - I've done it before and would recommend). Normally I go very slowly and just wait for it to be over - I drag myself round, plodding. I noticed I was doing that on the first run and decided I'd try and run with a bit more determination, so I would kind of feel stronger. It should be harder, because I'm putting more effort in, but weirdly it's easier. Maybe that will change when I have to run more than three minutes consecutively, but so far it's a welcome discovery! I've actually looked forward to running and have ended tuns feelings like I could do more.

I also got my vitamin D tested and am now taking a hefty supplement. You're probably all taking it anyway but because I wasn't actually trying to get pregnant I wasn't. Only been taking it a week and I don't know how long it takes to kick in but hopefully it will help energy levels. I had colds most of the autumn and another one in February and then again in march. In between I had no energy at all, like the way you feel when you have a virus. Feeling much better now, at least physically!

Thats good witch, I used to love running first 5-10 minutes are always the worst for me. I have been thinking about giving up my gym membership and getting out running again but then the wind picks up and I change my mind haha

Yes the first bit is always worst!

I love running in the wind! I'm like a horse, it makes me excited! Not into a full on headwind obviously. There's not enough wind in London, I'm guessing you get more up there.

I always used to run in gyms but for the last ten years ish it's all been outside and I much prefer it.

Yeah outside is definitely better but each year the wind seems to get stronger (maybe its just cause I am getting older )

There's a few things that I need to do before I can start TTC. I start a new job a week today (much closer to home!) so I need to be there long enough to get mat leave before I can get preggers. I'm also planning to move house (to a lovely town, with loads of family friendly things, and my parents are planning to move to the same town). I don't really want to move when preggers, and my mum has strongly advised that I move first. My house isn't on the market yet, but should be in the next few weeks. So, I need to get mat leave sorted, move house and lose weight, and then I can start TTC.
As for diet and exercise regime, I've given up all sugar. I'm a massive sugar addict so I'm much better giving it all up. I eat healthily all the time, but I can eat masses of chocolate on top of it. If I cut out sugar, I have no cravings and I don't miss not eating chocolate. I've started couch 2 5k again and am enjoying it. I'm trying to go to some classes at the gym, especially as my new job will be so much closer to home.

I'm another sugar addict too, especially when I'm tired. Had hardly any sleep last night because I procrastinated for hours before finally finishing some work, so today was a struggle. I did have to scavenge a biscuit before leaving the office as I felt like I was about to fall asleep. Have just managed a run though. Going to bed now!

How long until the mat leave kicks in mamasloth? Do you get a good deal? I think it's nice to have a baby where you plan to stay because it means you start building up your baby network in the right place. Is it far from where you are now?

Kwick, hope you aren't buried under a mound of elaborate Easter themed confections.

They fricking put a new edible delight in my room every day!!!!! Only succumbed to one small meringue - so that was good, although have had dessert for two nights running...

Welcome @MamaSloth !!

witch how much vitamin D are you taking?

Good skills kwik, glad you ve managed to get away now

Am also interested in what vitamin d dosage you are taking. I used to have v scant vitd levels and was put on prescribed medication. Now have a gp saying levels are adequate and we only recommend a supplement because of awareness of me doing ivf again, however fc want me on a therapeutic dose
I ve just decided to get out in the sun ( should there be any) and have a liquid supplement and take the suggested dose of that. No idea if this is sufficient really but can't seem to get an answer of what my level means and what is needed

Weight is still reducing and haven't strayed apart from a handful of doritos and 1 or 2 biscuits xxx

witch after out running chat I have started a 4 week beginner running plan. 2 runs down

Another kilo down this morning, seem to have been stuck for a couple of weeks but my exercise has obviously helped