Weight loss for IVF 2021/2022

[WeightlossKin]

I need to lose three stone to qualify for IVF. I've got one to lose for my referral and two more after that for treatment.
Creating this for myself and for others who might want to buddy up!

Hello
I need to get my bmi down to 30 or under for them to help me. To be honest haven't checked what mine is because im scared it will not be achievable

Mine needs to be below 30 too.
My first goal is for my GP to do the fertility referral so we can be on a waiting list and lose the rest of it whilst waiting.
I've not made much progress in the last three weeks but I have lost 40ish pounds since the beginning of the year. I'm currently doing slimming world but have done a variety of things since Feb/March when I started. I'm a 1lb a week loss type person. I can't believe I'm still not there yet if I'm honest. But I will be! Just have to keep going.

Everything is doable @lol2015! Do you have a weight loss plan?

Hi all! Hoping you don't mind me jumping on. I've got about 3.5stone to go, have lost 2.5stone so far. It's been a slow and steady progress for me. My dr won't even refer us until I get to the lowest goal weight, by which point we have to have all the testing done again 🤦🏼‍♀️

I'm finally in a good head space to focus but my diet has gone out the window as I've already decided it's near enough Christmas 😂 so this will help me to keep a bit more focussed!

@WeightlossKin

Mine needs to be below 30 too. My first goal is for my GP to do the fertility referral so we can be on a waiting list and lose the rest of it whilst waiting. I've not made much progress in the last three weeks but I have lost 40ish pounds since the beginning of the year. I'm currently doing slimming world but have done a variety of things since Feb/March when I started. I'm a 1lb a week loss type person. I can't believe I'm still not there yet if I'm honest. But I will be! Just have to keep going.

Everything is doable @lol2015! Do you have a weight loss plan?

That's really good, well done

I don't even know where to start to be honest. I've got pcos as well so it adds to the difficulty of trying to lose weight.
I've just been put back on metformin to see if this will help a little
But over than that I don't really know what do to x

@Lakyta1717

Hi all! Hoping you don't mind me jumping on. I've got about 3.5stone to go, have lost 2.5stone so far. It's been a slow and steady progress for me. My dr won't even refer us until I get to the lowest goal weight, by which point we have to have all the testing done again 🤦🏼‍♀️

I'm finally in a good head space to focus but my diet has gone out the window as I've already decided it's near enough Christmas 😂 so this will help me to keep a bit more focussed!

I was going to start after Christmas and have a fresh mindset and not worrying about not enjoying Christmas. So January 1st is it for me!

Hi everyone!

I got referred about 2 years ago when my BMI was 31. Had all the tests and they said I don't ovulate, so was put on clomid. It did make me ovulate but we didn't manage to conceive. I also put about 3 stone on in the process. Clomid was awful for us :( now the hospital have said everything is fine to go ahead with IVF... as soon as my BMI is under 30. Currently at 32 so have about 2 stone to lose.

It's a lot of pressure isn't it, when everything is hanging on you getting your backside in gear and losing the weight.

I've got a weight loss plan, just calorie control basically. I'm a 1lb a week girl as well. So hoping to get there by May 2022 (all being well). Could lose more if I exercised but that's my biggest problem, I hate it and just can't be bothered most of the time!

Nice to have people to talk through on similar journeys!

Also meant to say I have depression and anxiety so sometimes think s*d it I'll never get there and end up binge eating like an entire cake :-/

@Hol87

Also meant to say I have depression and anxiety so sometimes think s*d it I'll never get there and end up binge eating like an entire cake :-/

I'm similar. I have depression and find I sometimes spiral and undo any good work I've done!

It's really difficult just getting on with it. You know what to do and how to do it, but actually doing it is another thing altogether.
I found out years ago now that we would need IVF but it wasn't until this year that I found out I was on medication that was making me gain weight/it difficult to lose any weight. So I've only been losing weight successfully since May/June.

It's nice to know that there are other people in similar situations, so we can help each other and spur one another on 😊

Hi all, @WeightlossKin may I join in ☺

@Hol87 oh my, I'm the same! Stress eating is my vulnerability. I can be so good all day, eating healthy, my salads and everything, and then I stress about something and overeat.

I like that there are people here that can actually understand me...

I have lost a lot of weight during the pandemic, but have been stuck for the past 11 months. I just need to lose a few pounds (no matter what) in the next 10days and then just slowly keep losing weight (i will be taking ivf meds)

@Lakyta1717 I was worried my GP would be the same and do have this feeling that the referral will be rejected when it is put through but will see. Well done on your weight loss so far!

@lol2015 my PCOS tends to react well to lower carb and lower sugar (for me that means less chocolate!) and gentle exercise (in the form of a walk a day). If you're hoping to start properly in the new year maybe this time in between is a good chance to reflect on your current eating habits and what you might be able to change in future? Hard to know where to start without knowing where we are 😊

@Hol87 you're really not that far away! My BMI is still 37 I think. Feels so massively far away. You're doing amazingly well and I'm sure you're gonna be an inspiration for me 😊 no pressure!

@IsabelHerna welcome! The more the merrier. You're so close to your IVF and you've worked so hard for it! How have you lost the weight so far if you don't mind me asking?

Those with PCOS are very susceptible to depression and anxiety. We also tend to have a sensitivity to the stress hormone which can perpetuate sugar cravings and emotional eating. ❤️

I already feel so much better knowing there are other people feeling the same, in the same position who understand the pressure associated with being the hold up for IVF in an already brutal process.
We've got female and male factory infertility issues so to be the reason we can't move forward is awful.

We can definitely all do this!

Our Dr took ages to refer us for all of our original investigations and the specialist who would be taking care of our IVF has refused to let us be referred until I lose the weight.
Frustratingly, we have male factor and I've been told all good my side. I feel annoyed that I'm now holding us up when it comes to getting the treatment we need but medically speaking I'm not the issue. It also frustrates me that our dr just said "nope, lose weight" and then left us to it. No support or guidance.
I've been doing the body coach app, although I feel the portions are too big, so do go off piste and follow my own diet.
I'm just relieved there are others in the same position of having to lose weight too IVF. I don't know about you guys, but whenever I've looked for some support most are simply "just do it if it's important enough to you". Which does not help in the slightest!

Hey guys
Sorry just catching up

So I've worked out I need to lose 6.5 stone for doctors to help!
No idea where to start, what kind of meals did you do low carb?

@Lakyta1717 It all takes so long doesn't it? I've had blood tests and internal scan and husband has had two sperm analysis done. I'm hopeful I won't need too much more testing when we get referred to fertility clinic as I have PCOS and his sperm have issues I can't imagine what other tests matter!
It's doubly frustrating when you're not the one with fertility problems but you're the one who has to lose weight.
Everyone I know that has lost weight has starved themselves to do so, I just can't do that to myself! It's nice to be around people who lose slowly or aren't just stopping eating until they get there.

Lol2015 6.5 stone is about where I was at the beginning of the year. I do things like have a homemade burger without the bread and only ever eat homemade chips. Curry with cauliflower rice instead of normal rice. If I'm having a carby dinner (pasta etc.) Then I plan carb free lunch and breakfast. If I have toast for breakfast then I'll cut a carb from my dinner by having salad or extra veg instead of potato.
Weight loss is about finding what works for you and your lifestyle and your body. What do you think you'd be comfortable trying?
Low carb, calorie counting, fasting diets like 5:2?

@WeightlossKin it really does! I felt so poked and prodded during all of it. Dreading having to go through them all again - especially with how hard it is to get appointments at my drs these days.

I've found with the body coach, the low carb meals are really filling so if you haven't already, have a look at those @lol2015 there things like butternut squash lasagne (which is delicious!). I'm married to a northerner who lives off carbs, so if he can cope with those meals anyone can 😂

I started off with 30kg to lose, then gained 10 more in lockdown. I refuse to starve myself, as much as I want to lose weight for ivf, I also want to be healthy and not damage or risk my health just to lose it. At the end of the day, you've got to be in a good physical state too for ivf. So starving yourself isn't sustainable or healthy at all!

@Hol87 I'm so sorry 😳 I've realised you've made a thread as well. I thought maybe you were struggling to do so or might not come back. I should have been more patient.

Laktya that's such a good attitude. It is important to nourish your body as well as losing weight. I do wish I could lose weight a bit more quickly but I think it is what it is! When people starve themselves I don't know where they go to maintain that? I've also just not go the willpower to do that 😂

This week I'm working on cutting right back on sweet treats as I noticed they'd started becoming my go to snack again! 😊 It is birthday season as well as Christmas in our extended family so there are a LOT of meals out planned over the next few weeks 😬 better get my will power pants on!

@WeightlossKin I lost most my weight doing low sugars and low carbs (but nothing extreme) and I was sure to include having take out dinner and/or deserts 2 times per week. Somehow this helped me but then I got stuck for all those months... I have PCOS too, and now that you mentioned how stress affects our weight, it all makes sense, it's like pieces of a puzzle coming together!

As I feel the countdown clock ticking, somehow I get hungry more (?!) I am so annoyed by myself, so I am trying to remind myself what is important.

My goal for this week is to do some exercise. Be it a walk, a cycle or workout video. I want to get back into a routine of working out regularly as that not helped with weight loss but also my mental health.

I'd love to lose the weight quickly, but that's not how my body works... so slow and steady it is. I've got faith in us though, we got this! 💪🏻

Feeling the weight of everything today :( I'm the one with the fertility issue, I'm the one that has to lose the weight, and I'm the one that has to work on my mental health issues. Had counselling session today (referred by hospital) and she said regardless of my weight I'm not mentally ready to go through with IVF :( need to go back to GP to get help. I'll call them tomorrow. Determined to do a workout later. Just feeling meh.

@IsabelHerna I think it's a bit of self sabotage isn't it? When we are so close to our targets there's a fear of failure and fear of the next steps to come and my natural response to that is to seek comfort in food! I drink lots of lemon water or sugar free squash and chew gum when I feel I want food but not actually hungry. So hard though. I sometimes find myself snacking without realising 🙁

@Lakyta1717 that's a very good goal! I'm here with you in the slow and steady but "getting there" group! We can definitely do it 1lb at a time!

@Hol87 I know that feeling so well ❤️ it's so easy to beat yourself up about it all. On the other hand YOU are the one with this sitting on your shoulders and coping with that. YOU are the one doing everything you can to get to IVF. YOU are the reason you will get to IVF eventually. If you weren't the type of person to face up to the challenge, then you'd not be any closer. But because of how strong you are, everyday you're making an effort to get there. You're having counselling, you're trying to strengthen your mental health. You're not just sat there letting life happen to you. Give yourself some credit. A light workout might make you feel a bit better, releasing happy hormones and everything. But don't use it as a way to pressure or punish yourself ❤️

All we can do is accept who and where we are right now and take steps forward and be kind to ourselves. Life is being cruel enough to us as it is without us joining in!

Hope everyone is feeling okay today!
I've got a planned coffee and came treat this evening with a friend but am feeling really good about my ability to say no to chocolate, biscuits etc. This week 😊

I am determined to actually exercise today! So I'm setting aside 30 minutes to go on my exercise bike and just pedal.
I'm also absolutely starving today and cannot. Stop. Eating.!!! But I'm trying to make better choices and not eat all the biscuits in the staff room 😂

How did you get on with your exercise and avoiding those biscuits?! 😊

@WeightlossKin

How did you get on with your exercise and avoiding those biscuits?! 😊

I stuck to just 2 biscuits and ended up doing 30 minutes of yoga and stretching rather than cycling. I'd spent a day lent over marking exams, so couldn't face another 30 minutes sat down... but figured yoga was better than nothing! How've your gotten on today?

Oh well done! Yoga is so good for you physically and mentally. I think it takes more commitment than sitting on a bike sometimes as it's a bit more movement related! ⭐ ⭐ you should feel good about it 😊
I've had a doughnut and coffee with a friend after work but otherwise completely on track. We've got a family chinese planned for a birthday at the weekend. There aren't going to be any healthy choices so I might have healthy snacks before I go and eat a bit less at the thing? How do other people manage these events?

That's what I would normally do. Try to hold back during the day and then enjoy the meal. There's no point going to the meal and not having what you want, you'll just feel miserable and jealous of everyone else's yummy food!
You could make sure you go for a walk during the day before it too, or get some movement in somehow to feel like you're counteracting the meal a bit.
That's my plan this weekend, lots of walking to get some fresh air and movement in!