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!

@WeightlossKin How are you finding low carb/5:2?

It's so hard isn't it? I keep telling myself it's just for the short term and I have the rest of my life to eat a bit more freely. You're doing so well @Lauralozzle ! Not buying the treats sounds a good plan, I think I'll do the same 😊 chocolate is absolutely my problem! I also relax by baking 🤦I can't wait to be able to bake freely! Can you brush your teeth as soon as you've had dinner? Or chew gum? Or invest in some lovely strong mint tea? Ask your husband not to snack! It's only for a few months. I might do that actually. Why should we be the only ones to be trying so hard??

5:2 is killer after a week away 😂 I've had to really bite my tongue - partly from hunger partly so I don't go into a sugar craving rage. I know my body responds well to this method of i can stick to it 🤞🤞

And an autumn holiday will be lovely. I'd never advocate for putting off fun things for IVF but I think at this stage it's not worth it as you say it wouldn't be enjoyable worrying about what you're eating!

@Lauralozzle sorry to hear there's more delay, but it gives you time to comfortably be within the weight range. Which you absolutely can do, those plans sound good for combatting chocolate snacking. If I don't have it in the house, I'm too lazy to go get some so I definitely eat less of it!

@WeightlossKin hope you're doing okay on the 5:2! I know what you mean about the sugar cravings etc causing anger and rage 😂 it's horrible getting through that stage!

I've had a good week, been catching up with friends/family and just enjoying being with people. Food wise it's been absolute carnage - people want to eat out and go for coffee and cake etc but Im not putting pressure on myself. I want to enjoy the time here and make the most of it.

I've weighed in an extra 2lbs 🙁 my period is due tomorrow and it's hot so I'm hoping it's water retention but what difference does it make. I'm never going to make my target am I? It feels so unfair and I'm struggling not to just feel sorry for myself today.
I found out my good friend had a baby shower and didn't invite me. And I understand it probably came from a good place of protecting me because she knows our situation. And I have never kept it a secret (even before TTC) that I don't like baby showers. But I'm weirdly hurt? Just another thing I'm not invited to because I'm not part of the mum circle or because it's better for me to not be there. 🙁 I'd been properly preparing myself to deal with it for the last eight months as I told her I wanted her to have the best pregnancy, baby shower, baby and to feel extra special as she's been through some rough stuff before this and I didn't want this to come between us. So it feels a bit brutal to have not even been given the option. Like I wasn't a person she'd have wanted there. I'm so sad.

That was a terribly self centered post but I needed to let it out somewhere otherwise I'd have started crying.

@Lakyta1717 it's great that you're not putting pressure on yourself and enjoying your experiences. Is this coming week a similar one?

@WeightlossKin I'm so sorry, that's a really sh*tty thing to experience even if it probably did come from a good place originally. I totally get that you feel hurt and upset by the decision, I would too. Do you think you could talk to her about it? Or would that make everything worse do you think?
Feel to get those thoughts out here, it's what this is for!

This week is much the same for me, visiting more family and don't get back home til Sunday, so just enjoying myself and not putting pressure on about what I'm eating/doing. I've already said to hubs that I'm going to join the gym and start going as soon as I'm back, which I'm really looking forward to.

I don't think I can talk to her about it as I don't feel my feelings are really justified and then she'd just feel terrible about it and that's not fair 🙁 she's a good person and lovely to everyone. So I know deep down it's because she didn't want to put me in that position. But people shouldn't assume what's best for you because they just can't even imagine what it's like. I hate this. I don't know how I've survived this far and IVF isn't even guaranteed to work is it. I need to snap out of this mood really. I usually feel better a couple of days after my period starts. 🙁 So I guess yay that that's on the way...

That sounds like you've got such a nice week ahead @Lakyta1717 and that's amazing you're looking forward to joining the gym! 💪 So good for your mental health and weight loss too! Thanks for letting me have a moan!

@WeightlossKin you're absolutely allowed to feel like that. People trying to do the right thing is nice, but like you say, they shouldn't assume. You should make the choice for yourself.
It's just crap isn't it?! No one talks about how hard it is, how it can consume every day life and be all you think about. But you've come so far, you can and will do this. You need to remember that it could work, that this could fulfil your dreams. You can do this ❤️ it's all a bit shit at the moment, but it will get better and you can do it.

I'm still feeling sorry for myself today. Made worse by period cramps and a sleepless night! Roll on a cooler night.

Thanks for your kindness @Lakyta1717 it really helps. I want to believe I can do it but my weight hasn't moved since April now. I'm not convinced it can move. And it can't work if I never make it there 🤦 I'd feel better I think if I make it past this point because I'm still stuck on the weight I've always gotten stuck at.
Have you been part of a gym before? Do you have a favourite class or piece of equipment?

I used to go to a "step and tone" class which was amazing...ly difficult 😂

My weight had gone down slightly today which is better than nothing I guess? I'm hoping to be really consistent for the next few weeks as I think that's potentially my problem.

Hope everyone else has had a good week!

@WeightlossKin A loss is a loss! Well done!

I’ve taken a bit of a mumsnet break, but can’t stay away too long!

Last week I had a good loss of 2.8lbs, this week I’ve had a gain of 0.8lbs. Urgh. Wish I would keep gaining and losing the same 5 lbs I’ve been like this all bloody year!

Endo appointment is next week. Hoping after that and go ahead for IVF from then I’ll have some dates to work with!

How is everyone?

@WeightlossKin loss is a loss! Consistency is a good plan - that's one area I slip up on. I'm good all week, then "treat" myself which negates all my good work 🙄

@Lauralozzle still a 2lb loss overall! Hope you're endo appointment goes well next week and leads to some dates to start IVF. That's super exciting that it could be soon for you ❤️ also more motivation right?!

I used to love going to the gym and exercising. I love weight machines, which I will be doing but I'm not going to lift too heavy as obviously don't want to bulk. Amazingly, I've lost 3lb overall whilst I've been away. I think maybe I relaxed enough that I made better choices with my food. I've also meal planned for the week and I'm doing a big shop today to get everything for it. Lots of salad bowls and veggies etc. I'm going to weigh it all out as I make it to look at calorie intake and try recording it on my fitness pal to make sure I'm in a caloric deficit.

@Lakyta1717 That’s a great loss!

I keep thinking about joining a gym, but as ridiculous as it sounds, I’m a bit nervous!

sounds like a good plan that you have!

@Lauralozzle I always used to be nervous going to the gym, hated going on my own- always felt like everyone was watching and judging me then came to a realisation that if anyone is, that's their problem, not mine. Plus I'm joining one my husband and mate goes to, and they've said they'll go at the same time as me if I want the company.

My mental health and fitness is more important than other peoples opinions. They can all bog off!

Why are you nervous about going to the gym? Is it something similar to that or something totally different?

@Lauralozzle goodluck for your endo appointment this week and well done on your overall weight loss!

Losing 3lbs whilst you've been away and w joying life is amazing @Lakyta1717. Goes to show how important being happy and reducing stress is!

I am not making any progress and I am at a loss as to what to do 🙁 I can't be in this limbo forever. Currently doing low carb, 5:2, averaging 1100 calories each day if you average it across 7 days. Go for a fast walk 30 mins five days a week, 20-30 mins cardio three days a week. I want to build some strength training in but what's the fucking point? 🤦 Thoughts anyone??

@WeightlossKin Are you eating enough/drinking enough with all that exercise?

weigh in this week was 2.4lb gain. That's probably the morning pastries from Costa and polish doughnuts!

3 square meals a day. Less junk. I want to avoid slimfast but we'll see when I have to go to IVF clinic again.

Just had my appointment- I've been given the go ahead for IVF. No issue with prolactin just need to keep an eye out on my thyroid and keep that monitored.

Ive emailed CARE. I imagine they'll want a letter, so waiting on that to send them!

re the gym thing - it's embarrassment. I don't mind when I'm running outside what people think but I think I'd be self conscious in the gym. I probably won't join one though given the fact that my gas/electric bill have gone up £110 a month.

@WeightlossKin how long have you been doing all that? And have you been doing it consistently? Because that's a hell of a calorie deficit overall, so like @Lauralozzle asked, are you eating enough with the exercise? Maybe it's a case of it being too extreme for your body? I'd suggest going to the drs to say it's not working, but they don't really do much these days about weight loss 🙄

I'm surprised I lost weight - I've stayed the same this week but I'm okay with that - I scoffed chocolate and popcorn because I was on my period so it's warranted. Signed up to the gym today, going to go for my first session this week. Excited to get going again 😊 I also don't blame you for not joining the gym with bills going up - I'm stressing about going part time until I quit at Christmas with the rate bills and food etc have gone up so far this year. I know we're in a position where I can do but it feels wrong to be doing this right now. I'm hoping to boost income with my plans for the cake business though - maybe if I make everyone else fatter with my bakes, it'll help me look slimmer 😂

@Lauralozzle hopefully they send the letter sooner rather than later. How much do you have to get to target weight for ivf?

@Lakyta1717 to be on the safe side of their scales, 7lbs.

I realised my last post was a bit rushed. I was at work!

I feel like things are moving again, which has revamped my motivation. I’m still officially doing weight watchers but I hadn’t tracked in two weeks.

I know where I go wrong, what my triggers are, I just have to make sure I’m prepared. I don’t get hungry in the morning, I miss breakfast, at about 11 I am starving and I make crap choices. So, the plan is pretty simple really, 3 square meals a day. No snacking.

I’m trying to be less wasteful with food too which is changing meals etc. On Sunday I cooked a roast, yesterday I made 3 small pies from leftover chicken. We are one each yesterday, today we shared the larger pie but I put a ton of veggies to help me stay full. I’m boiling down the carcass for stock, which will be made into a leek and potato soup for lunch tomorrow. I’m allocating myself so much fat/sugar/etc (like the war haha). It’s early days but I’m feeling good and this will help with fuel bill by buying less. I want savings to potentially go on subsequent rounds of IVF not on chocolate buttons and peanut mnms

I hope your gym class goes well! I do think about maybe using the swimming pool at the leisure centre. I do love swimming.

Your cake business sounds amazing. I bloody love cake!!!

Another little update from me.

CARE have got back to me. Right now I’m waiting to receive the letter from the endocrinologist. Last letter took about 4 weeks to receive after getting a non diagnosis from the fertility clinic.

Then I have to have a bmi check and blood tests once I’ve sent them the letter from endo. I also have to get copies of chlamydia and rubella blood work and send them too. Treatment will start within 3 month period from the blood tests.

Im down 1.6lb from Monday. BMI on home scales is 30.1. That gives me 4-6 weeks to be comfortably under. When they weighed me last my scales showed bmi of 29.8 and theirs showed 30.2 so I need to be comfortably under.

I have enough time if I’m sensible, and I shouldn’t have to resort to slimfast.

I’m tentatively getting a bit excited!

I'm sure I'm eating and drinking enough. As sure as I am about anything because surely something is wrong. How do things like the Cambridge diet and optifast work so effectively if there's such a thing as not enough food? 🙁
I'm also choosing my calories carefully and picking nutritious satisfying foods over crap. And I'm definitely drinking enough! I have 2.5l of water a day just during work 🤷 This is week 4 of being consistent. The doctor won't do anything will they? They just say to keep trying to recommend slimming world.

Polish doughnuts sound amazing @Lauralozzle ! I'm sure that's just a temporary increase and at least you know where it might have come from (2.4lbs hardly feels fair for some doughnuts and pastries though). That's amazing news that you've been given the IVF go ahead. It sounds like you've got a very sensible thoughtful plan around your food usage and diet, I'm very confident for you that you'll get to your target in time. I do think being prepared is half the battle. You're so close and you have a sensible time to do it in 🙂 I'm super excited for you! 🥰 And equally annoyed that their scales show so much heavier than yours 😒

@Lakyta1717 a baking business sounds like my dream career and yes to looking slimmer as everyone else gets a bit fatter 😂 I'm not good with recipes so go a lot on how things taste, especially with buttercream and suddenly I've made a batch of cupcakes and eaten three tablespoons worth of butter and sugar! 😳 I'd love to do something like that one day though. Well done for signing up to the gym! I look forward to hearing how you get on.

I do wonder if it's partly a cycle problem for me? It's harder with PCOS anyway and I can't afford even half a day off without accepting I won't lose weight that week. But because my cycles are so long I feel like from CD10 up to CD22 my body is preparing to/trying to ovulate (I usually have EWCM for that whole time until I ovulate) so I get bloating during that time and cravings and feel shattered, and then I have a week where I lose weight and then I don't lose the following week because my period is due and those cravings and exhaustion start again... So I feel like out of every 5 weeks there are only 2 where my body wants to lose weight?
Possibly clutching at flimsy straws though.

@WeightlossKin It could be a cycle thing, I bloat before ovulation and when I’m on my period. Always 2 weigh ins out of 4 where I’m heavier anyway. I think you just have to look at the overall trend, the bloat is just that, it’s water and when you’re not ovulating or menstruating you just have to hope it all evens itself out.

with the eating enough, I think the really low calorie diets work to start with and then mess up your metabolism where you end up gaining on a ‘deficit’. If you’re eating that little and nothing maybe the doctor could look into it, I dunno, with a good diary type thing. Dunno though. I gain VERY quickly, but it does come off again but then I never have the willpower to carry on eating like a rabbit! Then I attack the chocolate. Not eating enough for me always results in a massive ridiculous binge.

@WeightlossKin it could be related to your cycle - like @Lauralozzle says, look at the overall trend (maybe month by month) to see if the overall trend is downwards? A food diary and perhaps going to the dr may help, I know they just suggest slimming world but it could also put your mind at ease? It's so hard to know what to do for the best.

Sounds good about the next steps for IVF @Lauralozzle you've still got time to lose the weight and get safely to your target without having to do anything too drastic (hopefully!).

I'm quite lucky with the cake business, I love baking more than anything but I'm not too bothered by eating it - so I don't get tempted to snack on it at all. I'm hoping to get sales up over the next few months and really kick it all up a gear. I've been doing it on the side for about 2 years now, but I've got so many ideas for it at the moment. Cautiously excited by it all!

Thanks ladies. There's been no real loss since May but we've been on a lot of short breaks away since then. I'm going to be weighing daily for the next five weeks to see if the changes have an effect overall, which I started on Monday. It was edging down this week until today when it's gone back up a bit - I ovulated yesterday so that will be that I guess! The GP definitely won't help. I've been trying to lose this weight for almost two years now and I have asked for help 4 times.
Even though yesterday I'd lost 2lbs since Sunday last week, today it's 1lb! But that at least is a bit of movement. Also nice to feel so in tune with my body as often it's a big question mark over when I ovulated 😊 even though it's been three years now, I can't ever lose the hope that things might work out this cycle.

I do wonder how much easier I'd find it if chocolate didn't exist. It's my last week at work this week before my new job the following week, and I know my colleagues will be bringing in cake and chocolate and treats 🫤 puts me in a difficult situation as they're trying to spoil me but I've been so "good" I'm hesitant to ruin it! I gain super easily and always disproportionately to what I've eaten @Lauralozzle it's not easy. I do hope you don't feel you have to resort to shakes again. You're so close now!!

@Lakyta1717 I'm genuinely so jealous that you've got a baking business. That's amazing! I'd never be brave enough to even try. I am so excited for you!

I hope everyone has had a good week/weekend.