March 26 starters thread 2 - still going strong!

[MoneyJo]

Hello all, didn't want us to get to the end of the first thread without a link to a sequel. Looking forward to seeing where we all get to in the life span of this thread.

@Beehivebabe, i hope you feel better soon. Sounds awful. I hope it is just the rich food though and not that you are reacting tot he increased dose.

I feel absolutely exhausted today so giving exercise a miss today.

The weather is changing and I now have barely any suitable clothes that fit so that is a bit of an issue. I've just got one pair of jeans that I bought a few weeks ago. Jumpers/ tops are ok baggy but I'll need to get some more new trousers I think. I've been living in shorts for the past 3 months!

I'm back to work today after an extended period of leave. I mostly wfh but will have some office days so need to sort out what on earth I can wear for them!

Happily I don't seem to have the hair issues so you definitely have my sympathy @rockstarshoes and @ShebaQueen. I've heard collagen supplements are good for hair/ skin and nails.

What I do have now is loose skin/ bingo wings on the top of my arms. I am hoping the weights will help with that!

I'm a bit fed up that despite no snacking, calorie counting, eating sensibly, I still have only lost a pound in two weeks now.
I haven't done much exercise and my steps are not great but still! I don't want to eat less as that wouldn't be healthy.
I've been swimming the last two mornings in the hope that will help.

That's frustrating @MoneyJo, have you had any NSVs recently? Maybe a couple of those would give you a boost.
@taratill I desperately need work clothes for autumn too, and same with the bingo wings. At my age I am not sure that I can tighten up loose skin, but I am giving it a go, it's preferable to being obese at least!

@taratill I have the bongo wings too! Also really wrinkly thighs all of a sudden. I’m taking collagen and also slathering on q10 moisturiser recommended on another thread. It is either helping or things are resolving by themselves. I’ve also read that autophagy from fasting helps. I currently do time restricted eating (two meals a day, no snacks and at least 18 hours fasting overnight. Really helps with hunger. Might try to throw in a longer fast now and again as it fits in with life once schools/uni are back. Dr Jason Fung has some great resources about this. But mostly isn’t it nice to have an empty bag flapping that used to be full of lard?!?

@MoneyJo So disheartening to make efforts and not feel like there was enough reward. Keep going - you don’t know everything going on in your body. I had a few weeks of hardly any progress then lost a good amount last week - so hopefully your whoosh is just around the corner!

@Beehivebabe Soz about your tummy troubles - bet the lasagne was worth it though! And it’s all data - you know what will happen and can make a future decision with eyes wide open. Hopefully you will recover quickly and double down on your enthusiasm for salad!

Thank you all! I’m better today. I have to say Saturday was not only the lasagne but Doritos, dips, profiteroles and cream 😬 so it’s no surprise. I actually recall being ill after eating at a friends so perhaps it’s the cream?

I’ve been taking biotin since day one but keep seeing adverts for collagen so perhaps I should look into that. Also thanks for the suggestion of q10!

Thank you for the hair loss sympathy & good to know I’m not alone! Obvs not wishing it on anyone. wouldn’t say my weight loss has been rapid though!
i can’t take collogen or any fake protein products I seem to have an adverse reaction to it & get cold sores in the lining of my nose! That is as horrific as it sounds! ☹️
it started when I was taking collagen before I started on WLI & it’s a real shame as I really felt the benefits of taking it.
@MoneyJo I feel your pain! I thought the uplift to 7.5 would give me a real boost - the pound on last week was abit disheartening!
@Beehivebabe glad you’re feeling better!

Thanks all.

@ShebaQueen I did have an NSV - I tried on a size 16 dress from white stuff and it fitted perfectly! Last year I was a 20/22 on top.

@SmallTreeDeepRoots I hope you're right about the whoosh!

I realised last night that yesterday the food noise was back for the first time since the beginning of March. Nothing like it used to be, and for the most part I could just tell myself no, but it did make me think that despite only a couple of weeks on 7.5 I might need to go up a dose. I don't jab until Saturday so I'll see how the next couple of days go but I hope it all settles.

That's great about the dress @MoneyJo you are definitely shrinking! Fingers crossed for a whoosh. I have found that my suppression varies from week to week - it's been really strong this week, but last week I felt hungry most days on the same dose and same routine, no logic to it. A friend of mine went up a dose every month, she said that's what her supplier recommended and she believes it was cheaper overall as she then titrated down and is now maintaining on Wegovy tablets

Morning all! Mega frustrated at the moment. I increased to 6mg but have lost and gained a kilo over the last 2 weeks so am the same as I was when I was taking 5mg 2 weeks ago. I'm following the same food intake and drinking loads of water but feel really bloated and the scales are showing it!

I haven't been exercising the last few days as I have a bit of a cold too and we're having a bit more work done in the house so I can't do any weights unless I get up really early and I never fancy it later in the day (I'm a real morning person).

So I'm hovering still just above 12 stone. I wonder if this is the 'set point theory' in action?

So I don't know whether just to bite the bullet and do 7.5 on Sunday @ShebaQueen it's interesting to hear your friend's opinion, there is definitely conflicting advise on what to do, most people seem to say stay as low as possible but it's not cost affective if we don't lose a thing.

@MoneyJo Size 16 from a 20/22 is awesome! Have you decided what to do about the dose yet?

@rockstarshoes what a shame about the collagen allergy, I haven't tried it yet as I don't have any issues with hair, although I've had a few nail breakages despite having Biab gels on. I seem to be taking so many other supplements so I don't know whether to add collagen or not. My skin sometimes looks crepey, so I will try the Q10, @SmallTreeDeepRoots do you think it's working for you?

@Beehivebabe your lunch sounded delicious, I'm sure I couldn't tolerate it though, I still feel bloated from eating a pasta salad the other day!!!! Hope you're back to normal now.

Well done everyone still losing. It seems people are beginning to plateau a little too. Maybe it's a pattern at this stage.

I had a few NSVs but entirely in my own head. I was on a ryanair flight and usually I dread the bag rummage because I have big thighs and boobs and if I need to really get into my bag I have to open my legs really wide to fit my boobs between my legs so I can lower myself, anyone relate?? This time I just bent over and rummaged like a normal person. It's funny the little things that matter. I also noticed when I went to the toilet I didn't have that slight panic that I had to queue and block an aisle while my ass was in someone's face, I literally didn't think at all about myself until after. It not just the food noise that goes away, the nasty critic in my head is keeping quieter too. For me that is the biggest thing.

I didn't take a jab for week 2 of my holiday and I have to say I was happier. I could have a few drinks, I ate nice food and I really enjoyed it much more. I gained 1lb which was good going. Unfortunately since I came back life has been busy and a bit stressful and I've let myself down by eating a lot of crap, I just can't find the energy to focus again. I'd say I gained more this week after returning than I did on holiday. I'm not going to weigh for another few days and will try to get back on track first

@taratill hang in there! I am going to stick with 7.5 for a while and see. I did drop a pound eventually yesterday and am about to go swimming again today. I'm one pound off losing 3 stone on MJ.

I think I might need to accept that my weight loss has dropped from 2lb a week to 1lb. That's still infinitely better than my consistent gaining pre MJ!

@MoneyJo Have a good swim! A loss is a loss is a loss. I defo think there is a slow down as we progress. Partly the low hanging fruit has gone, partly the body saying “hang on a minute is there a famine”. I was listening to a podcast talking about the half life of weight loss. Like if you have 8 stone to lose, the first 4 stone might take a year, then the second 4 stone might take twice as long (2 years). And that seems to match up with what people say on the 5 stone thread. So I’m trying to accept the slow down as a sign of success - a natural consequence of nailing the first chunk of the journey. 3 stone loss is awesome!

@taratill I’m happy with the q10 - I always think (too late) that I should try stuff out on half of my body/face to see if it really works. But whether it’s the cream or the massage or in my head, I feel it is helping. And it’s fairly cheap as these things go - often a deal on Amazon.

@Dontlletmedownbruce Love the nsv! I have always avoided using the loo on flights because of the dreadful squeezing down the aisles - so that is something for me to look forward to! And only 1lb gain is a real win!

Weigh in day & last weeks pound gone but that is all!
crepey skin ✅
I’m using a combination of:
Nivea Q10 firming lotion
Dove Pro-retinol & firming body serum
Bio Oil
i can’t say that any of them are making a huge difference but my skin feels soft & hydrated.
NSV my latest gym leggings are looking baggy in the legs! I’ve pulled an old pair for Body Pump this morning! 💪

Hi, just checking in. Everyone seems to be doing really well still!
I am down to 10st 4 from 13st 13 so am happy with that.

Am a size 8 on top but 12/14 ish on the bottom. My biggest issue at the moment is tummy area, my apron is still huge, if I could get that sorted I would be really happy. Multiple stomach surgeries might just mean that I need to invest in spanx!

I started another thread a week or so ago as I was having awful issues with constipation and bloating. A lovely lady in Boots suggested peppermint capsules for the bloat and high fibre gummies for the constipation and they work like a dream. No bloating and am going to the toilet every day. Well worth looking at imho.

Thanks @SmallTreeDeepRoots swim was lovely. That's really interesting about the speed of weight loss.
Well done @nickdrakeslovechild

Afternoon all, weather can’t make its mind up here, alternating sunny and hot and cloudy and cool! Of course it’s a bank holiday weekend haha

@MoneyJo. I would agree about the slowing down and also slight food noise again. But experts say a lb a week is optimum for long term sustainability so dig deep into what you’re already achieved and what a lb a week for the next two months can mean. A size 16 dress from 20/22 is an amazing achievement!! And dealing with food noise has to be our long term plan. I have had the same as @ShebaQueen mine varies and there seems to be no logic to it.
I got the Q10 cream yesterday so will let you all know!
Also has anyone found it hard to think of yourself as slimmer when you’re shopping? my wardrobe has so many sizes now and I must have been deluding myself as to my actual size I think. I went to buy a new cardi and instinctively put xl in my basket which apparently is 20/22 (Asda and they are generous I find) and then thought actually I need a large really 16-18 especially as it will probably go baggy. Large out of stock of course!
@nickdrakeslovechild thanks for those suggestions!

Also has anyone found it hard to think of yourself as slimmer when you’re shopping?

@Beehivebabe yes! I sometimes put on a smaller top and as my arms are going in I think well this isn't going to fit. And then it does!

@MoneyJo that’s a good feeling I bet!!

Yes I did that this week with a beautiful shirt I bought 10 years ago. Can't actually believe it fits me again.

How are we all doing?

I'm back on the exercise which is good I've got a real NSV in that I can now get up and down off the floor with much less effort than before. I am also feeling muscles that I haven't used in what feels like a life time. It feels really good!

It was (official) weigh in day for me this morning and I'd STS as anticipated so I decided to jab 7.5mg as I want to keep moving with the loss and then (sorry tmi alert) I did a big poo and re-weighed myself and was 400 g lighter than first thing this morning! 😂This brings me just into the next stone bracket at a fraction below 12 stone, 11stone 13.9 lbs!

@Dontlletmedownbruce, it's hard to get back on track after a holiday, I've lost the way and have started eating a bit of bread again. I'm sure you'll get your mojo back! I'm another one who feels your airplane NSV, I was always in fear of having to request seat belt extender!

@SmallTreeDeepRoots thanks for the feedback. I've realised my existing moisturiser contains Q10, I treated myself to some neck and decollete cream as my neck is looking crepey. Fingers crossed it works!

@rockstarshoes well done on your NSV!

@nickdrakeslovechild glad you've sorted your tummy issues.

@Beehivebabe Yes I had this the other week with jeans. I picked a pair up and thought they couldn't possibly fit and they did!

Brilliant @taratill
I can never remember what STS means though!

It means stayed the same, although I didn't really I just needed a big poo! My poo was almost 1lb in weight!

I wouldn't have increased dose if I'd pooed first!

🤣 a win is a win!

I know right? I even bored/ shocked my husband with news of my epic toilet visit! 😂

Hi all, weigh day yesterday for me, another 0.5 kilos down. Pace has definitely slowed, but am still losing thankfully and still on 5mg. Dreading when I have to go up as I still get side effects for a couple of days after jabbing.
Went shopping today and tried on some trousers for work, I can definitely identify with those of you who overestimate their size, I took 4 different sizes into the changing room! Also most things look ok at a size 14/16, no more buying stuff I don't like just because it fits. Ironically I didn't end up buying any as I'm tall and they didn't have long length in store, but at least I know which ones to order. Am going for one navy and one black for now, just to see me through office days for the next couple of months.
Well done for getting back on the exercise regime @taratill, I have noticed the same about getting up from the floor, it's much easier now. I also don't use my hands to push up when getting out of a chair, even on the train.
Hope everyone has a good rest of the day and BH Monday, we have the option to work on public holidays and use the day off at another time, I've done it in the past and it can be really flexible and convenient, but am taking tomorrow off.