Would like to see my toes again! I want to lose weight because...

[WideWebWitch]

I don't know if anyone else is trying to lose weight, but I realised recently that there are various things I do differently since I've put on weight, such as:

I half lie, half sit in an undignified sprawl on the bed to get my tights on since it's too uncomfortable to do it from standing and I'd probably overbalance

I roll out of our (very low down) bed in a kind of sideways, crab-like fashion and then get up from being on my knees. This one must be really attractive to watch!

I'm careful about my back all the time since it's slightly painful and I know it's due to the extra weight on my stomach...

I'm not gargantuan but have about 2 stone to lose. Realised today that not having to worry about the above is another incentive to stick at it.

Anyone else want to share their embarrassing reasons for dieting?? And I have no excuse for being overweight, ds is 4 and I'm not pregnant, although it's only a matter of time before someone asks me when it's due

Wow SueW - congratulations! Care to let us in on your secret? I am in a similar position weight wise - just need to stop thinking about what to do to get going and get on with it! I've signed up to take part in Race for Life and am hoping that following the advised training programme will get me started.

And my embarrassing reason for dieting - fed up of being as bigger back to front as I am wide!

Sorry, should of said 'as big back to front'!

SueW - congratulations - that's some going! I've been doing WW since January and so far lost 30lbs with only another 7lbs to go. Interesting about the different points values in the UK - I can't think of a reason why that should be. I don't suppose the points on chocolate are any different?? I realised I needed to do something about my bulk when I couldn't bear to look at myself in the mirror - the fold-over tummy, the overlapping thighs etc, etc. Everything was round - I had no angles!!
To WWW and amymum - just do it (and I speak as the High Priestess of Procrastination here)

I agree about weightwatchers, I went for a little while before I had ds (only had a stone to lose but couldn't shift it) and then again after I'd had him. It definitely works, the thing of having to write down each day what you've eaten and the amount of points is at first tedious, but then it really helps you to keep an eye on it all! The other great thing is that you never forget what you've learnt, so you can look at your supper and remember how many points it is. For me, its helped me maintain my weight for years now and if I put on a few pounds I automatically know what I have to do to shift them!

I have already planned to join Weight Watchers after the birth of my second child in October! Took me about 15 months to lose the extra 2 stone I put on after dd so I'm expecting something similar this time and getting prepared!! Its good to hear such positive reports of it.

WWW - embarrassing reasons for dieting

Over the last month 3 so-called friends have asked when the new baby is due.

I couldn't bring myself to renew my passport because it meant getting a new photo - and photos of me don't look like 'me' anymore, just some fat-faced stranger

oh, for some reason this got cut off my last message, maybe cos it's too gross!

Reason three - I just caught my belly in my trouser zip and now have a small bleeding nick on my stomach
So it's true that being fat is bad for your health!

dm2, agree about the passport photo: although mine's not due yet, I've put off sending for a new DVLC photo driving licence for exactly the same reason!! Who is the lardy mclard looking back at me in the mirror? Thanks for making me laugh...

Suew, I've also entered the Great North Run in october but am a complete beginner as far as running goes. I do walk everywhere but what kind of training schedule should I work to? I can only do it if I have some kind of targets to work to.

I've lost most of my weight now but one of my embarassing reasons was:

DH is of narrow build and thin and I didn't want us to look like Little and Large!!! I found that bad enough when pregnant and weighing a couple of stones more than him...

The problem is I'm just about back to my pre-pregnancy weight (save five pounds but since I lost that to be a bridesmaid for my sister-in-law who is the same build as DH - ie she is 5'9" and weighs 8.5 stone it doesn't count). Anyway the problem is that I still have a flabby belly. I've been doing sit ups and I can feel the muscles hardening up underneath the layer of flab but what's the point of that? Anyone got any suggestions?

Well done sobernow. 2 stone in 2 months? That is very impressive. Go on, give us some tips please.
What motivated you?

Hi, I'm too on Weightwatchers and haver currently lost 21 pounds - 8 to go!! Just reading this has spurred me on to keep going hearing how well you are all doing.

Why did I start the diet? - when dd asked me why her tummy was flat and mine was big and round!!!

Bozzer - tummy tuck? just joking, but getting desperate myslef. Will it ever go away?

I used to get asked a lot when the baby was due. Now I have health reasons for needing to lose weight. However since the start of the year I've lost 7 kgm by following a diet based on eating food with a low glycaemic index. Lots of books around about this but Eat Yourself Slim by Michael Montiganc is the easiest to read. I'm still dieting as so far no-one really seems to have noticed.

Bozza, Manna, I have exactly the same problem. Body back to normal except for kangaroo pouch which people tell me won't go. I think its loose skin !

I'm going to have to join you on this thread!

Last night dd (aged 2.5) sat on my lap, poked my tummy with her finger, and said "Just like jelly, Mummy".

wendyM could you give us a general idea of the low GI format?

Jasper You eat a lot of vegetables (but not potatoes, parsnip or cooked carrot - raw carrot is fine) and fruits from temperate climes (apples, oranges, plums, apricots but not bananas and grapes). You can also eat any meat, fish or cheese - pulses are excellent if you're vegetarian. Dark chocolate is OK in moderation!
Exercise is imporatnt as it improves insulin resistance. Some people take a lot of supplements especially chromium (to reduce food cravings), fish oil, zinc and soya lecithin (natural source of D-chiro-inositol). I'm trying them but not convinced.

Lots of books around with the same basic idea of controlling insulin levels but Eat Yourself Slim is the easiest to read.