Feeling disappointed in my holiday weight

[Thebgreen]

I've had an absolutely awful year. It has been very stressful and between August and December last year, I lost a stone through stress. I looked great but obviously was too unhappy and anxious to eat.

Things started getting better and the stress reduced, so I got my appetite back. I gained a little bit of the weight and decided to be careful as I didn't want to put the weight back on. However, I felt unwell, run down, tired and sick all the time so about a month ago, decided to just enjoy my food and eat whatever I wanted.

I felt so much better health wise, and my stressful situation has now been resolved. I go on holiday in a week, a holiday of a lifetime kind of thing, and I'm back where I started. A stone on from Christmas.

I just feel deflated that I know I'm not going to be comfortable in my swimsuit and that I'll feel self conscious.

I'm certainly not overweight but I've got a very slight frame and can't carry much weight without it looking like too much. I'm also pretty flabby and untoned. I've got a 2 year old and never quite bounced back from having her.

Has anyone any kind of words of wisdom to help me get my head around not being in the shape I had hoped? Some perspective, some ideas for a quick loss for a little boost, some ideas to make me feel better generally. At the time, I didn't care as eating made me feel better but now I'm annoyed that the holiday is so soon and I've literal days before we leave.

You have been through a really stressful time but now you are healthy and that is the most important thing.
You don't need to lose weight for holiday focus on going and having an amazing, relaxing time and you will look fabulous. Just enjoy!!

I know the right thing to say is to love yourself however you look, which is true…but I’m here to tell you that you still have a week and with discipline you can get yourself feeling better in that time.

Here’s what works for me (our body type sounds similar):

1. intermittent fasting, don’t eat before midday and after 8pm
2. no refined carbs
3. lunches are either a two egg omelette with some kind of veg (peppers, mushroom, spinach) or a huge salad with protein (tuna or feta usually)
4. lean protein (chicken or fish) and cruciferous veg for dinner
5. a cup of mint tea while watching telly in the evening helps (somewhat!) as a replacement for wine and chocolate
6. if you’re desperate for a snack berries & Greek yoghurt
7. loads of water

This obvs isn’t sustainable long term but it’s only a week - you can do it.

Also should add, PP is absolutely right, you should just relax and enjoy and not worry about how you look but I also know that for me a week of cutting out rubbish so I feel better in my summer gear makes me feel more positive and good about myself.

Thank you both. I am very glad that the stress is over and would rather an extra stone of flab than the emotional weight I've been carrying. At the same time, I love fashion, love putting outfits together, love style and I feel like I'm in somebody else's body. I do feel inspired to be very careful this week just to get one little edge over my big bloated belly, which is spilling over my knickers as we speak! And I also want to remember that weight doesnt matter if you're very stressed!

I find fake tanning helps - as look better than when super pale!

Just relax and enjoy your holiday - get nails done maybe as a treat and then concentrate on maybe losing the weight gradually when you return home.

I am short and small framed and it is amazing how a few pounds makes such a difference so I empathise.

Nah, don't do this. Crash diets are only good for maybe a one day event, not a week long holiday. My friend did a mad diet for a few weeks before a big trip. She had a lovely body con dress to wear and she dieted into it. There are videos and photos of her in that dress and I swear to god she looks 7 months pregnant. One decent holiday meal and she bloated like a beach ball.

I truly don't think you should focus on looks too much, and my friend did not need to diet to that extreme at all. She was already beautiful. But even being totally superficial I think crash diets are a bad idea

But re the op, I imagine you won't be the only person on holiday who has gained a lot of weight lately! It happens. Nobody likes it when it happens to them, but it is part of life really! There are so many people in the same boat and probably a lot bigger than you.

Sorry you've had a crappy year too 💐

Here's an idea - no one will be looking at you and judging you when you are on your holiday! Everyone comes in different shapes and sizes. You are your own worst critic. Enjoy your holiday - get a couple of outfits that make you feel great! I think in the UK there is far too much emphasis on looking a certain way and that is usually thin. You had a baby. Your shape changed. So what? You might lose your stone later this year. For now say " fuck it" and enjoy your holiday of a lifetime.

I dont know what you look like but I can almost guarantee that if you saw someone with exactly your figure and proportions walking along in their cossie, you wouldnt bat an eyelid, you wouldnt think 'oh, that doesnt look good, or she doesnt look good' You would probably think 'I hope I look that good'

Treat yourself to a really nice high end cossie, some accessories and enjoy yourself.

You have to work out what is panic and anxiety talking to you (because we all feel this, its normal) and what is logic and reason.

Thanks everyone. I'm rationalising things a bit more and really I should just be glad the awful stress is over and enjoy being with my husband and kids on holiday. I've a lot to celebrate and even though I'm not as slim as I would like, I do think I'm still attractive and look good (in the right clothes!) But there are ways around it to feel my best at the pool and I will feel fine. I'd love a spray tan but I have a reaction to all types of developing tan 😔