Struggled to lose the weight ?

[Mum2Terrors]

I've never being a small person and I know I will never be a size 6.

During my younger days I use to miss meals in order to try and lose or maintain my weight so I was comfortable with myself but then I met my now husband who always made sure I ate - even if it was something small.
Fast forward 9 years and 2 children later in the biggest i have ever being. 3 sizes bigger then when I met him.
I've being trying different diets and although I can not go to a gym I've being trying to keep as active as I can (I invested in the weighted hula hoop) plus running around after 2 small children.
The thing I've notice is that I can not seem to lose any of the weight I have gained and it is starting to affect me.
I've being to my GP who tested my thyroid which came back within the normal limits.
Im constantly exhausted, no energy at all. My skin is dry and im always cold.
GP just tells me it is because I am a mother to small children.

My second was born during the first lockdown which did effect me and resulted me being in antidepressants for a while.

As I am noticing my clothes are not fitting properly - I cannot afford to buy more and really so not want to buy a bigger size. I'm struggling to sleep - dread the thought of getting dressed or going out for how I look. I'm no longer comfortable within my own skin.
My husband has notice I am getting more and more self conscious in front of him.

Does anyone have an advice on what I can do from here as I no longer know what to do or who I can talk to about this.

What’s your diet like at the moment? Is it reasonably balanced, or full of sugar/snacks? What diets have you tried?

I’ve personally had good results with the 16:8 diet, but would say that if you are struggling with your mental health keeping an eye on nutrition is even more important than it would be under normal circumstances. I found that taking a vitamin B supplement and iron made a massive difference to how I feel. I’m vegetarian, which increases the chances of having those kind of deficiencies, so if you eat meat that may not be an issue for you.

At the moment I'm maybe eating one meal a day which I know isn't great. We don't keep snacks in the house to avoid snacking at the wrong times.

I've tried counting calories but found myself being OTT with it so switched to smaller portion. Like eating the same as my toddler. But that kid can eat and I couldn't keep up.

My weight as being on going issue since puberty and I think I'm finally reaching breaking point with it

I’m so sorry to hear that @Mum2Terrors. It’s rubbish that your GP isn’t taking this more seriously.

I wish I had some useful advice, but I don’t. The one thing I do know is that if you are stressed or suffer with your mental health in in general, it can be really hard to shift weight. Your body will be producing hormones that 1) make you hungrier and 2) prime your body for storing fat to get you through difficult times.

The only advice I have is to focus on nutrition. That may not result in weight loss, but could help to get you out of this mental state. So definitely make sure you eat enough and that most of what you eat provides you with the nutrition you need.

The exercise you’re doing sounds great, so keep that up! Are you on any antidepressants? If you’re so upset about your weight and not able to sleep it may be worth discussing antidepressants with your GP?