Fat and happy?

[fairyteapot]

I am, that's the problem. Lovely DH, wonderful DS's (x 3), all in all feel very blessed in life. Weigh alot (size 18-20), but can't help thinking that if all I have to worry about in life is being a bit fat then I'm lucky! So, always trying Weight watchers and doing more exercise etc, but never get too far because fundamentally, being a mum and being a bit fat isn't too bad, is it? Would love to be slimmer (14-16) but not enough to have no life for months.

Anyway, I read somewhere that 90% of people who lose weight put it all back on within 5 years. Anyone here actually lose weight and NOT regained?

i think you're right... you're very lucky indeed if that's your only real "worry"

i guess the only thing i would be bothered about would be possible health implications? not being able to charge around with the kids (altho, quite frankly i'd prefer to sit down with a coffee anyway)...

Why do you think that to lose weight you have to have no life for months? WHat an odd thing to say

I lost 7 stone 10 years ago.

I almost doubled my body weight whilst pregnant with DC1 (antenatal depression sent me into a major food binge spiral). Took me a year to lose it all and have never put it back on again. I definitely "had a life" during that time.

I didn't count calories or do any faddy diet except the "no carbs after 5pm" rule for the first month which I hoped would kind of kickstart the weight loss. Even then, I still had pasta etc for lunch. I didn't do any special exercise. I just walked everywhere, making sure I was paying attention to posture and using my muscles correctly (abs pulled in). I ate regular sized portions of food (which are a lot smaller than most people think they should be) and I ate for health - plenty of fruit, veggies, oily fish etc.

For me, yes undoubtedly vanity plays a part. I don't like the look of myself in a bigger version. However, the most important issue for me is the impact that being obese has upon your health, both on a personal and political level. I do believe that people have a responsibility to themselves and to their families to take care of themselves and keep themselves as healthy as possible. Furthermore, I say "politically" because I get very wound up by people not taking care of themselves and then using up precious NHS resources. And that is as true for obesity as it is, say, for smokers IMO.

Like tulpe I eat for health and have gone from a size 8 to 14 and i'd prefer to be a 12, it's much harder when you're older, come over to Paula Mckenna you'll find that it's easy and not socially imposssible.

Sorry Paul Mckenna and ignore the I Can Make You Thin title IMO it should be slim. It re educates yr. relationship to food no rubbish food (if you don't normally eat it)

Two colleagues of mine who were rather overweight have had serious health problems this year and it has really shocked me. One jolly bloke with a big tum, life and sould of the party, had heart attack and has been left with a degree of heart failure - now diagnosed as diabetic and high blood pressure too, his life is not much fun as he is on medication with horrendous side effects. Another - female- is also diabetic with high blood pressure and has developed really hugely swolen feet and legs which really restricts her social life and doesn't dound very good longer term.

My old boss, who was size 20 had a heart attack in ameting at work and was never fit enough to return.

I'm not scaremongering but since I've been 50 I keep seeing people I know who were just accepting of being overweight really suffering serious problems. I've lost 3 stone this year and certainly have not put my lfe on hold - I've joined a running club, done everything I usually do ( though I've never been much of a drinker) and just feel so much happier and fitter.

I suppose it depends on what your life is like anyway. Mine had become quite sedentary. I did a lot of ferrying the children around to activites but I'd given up actually doing things with the children.
Since I came back from our Alaska cruise weighing 11st5 (only 5ft3) and decided to do something about it, I think we are all much happier. Now, I have only lost 2lbs in weight, but I have lost nearly 2in on the bust, 3 ins on the waist, nearly 2in on the abdomen and 1 in on the hips. My upper arms are also 1in smaller. My boobs look perkier.
I had forgotten the endorphins effect - I feel so much happier in myself and am able to get so much more done. I am sleeping better.
Yesterday I took the dc swimming again and actually got in with them. This morning they came to the gym with me (am doing Gymophobics so only a half hour workout) and then we went for a long walk with the dog which we hadn't done for ages. Tomorrow I'll walk dd to school and then just carry on walking for an hour or so. Did this 2 mornings last week and couldn't believe how good I felt.
So although I did start off thinking 'got to be 9st10 in time for Mexico trip' actually I don't care that I've only lost 2lbs.

For 10 years I was size 16-18 and "happy" with it. Then I gave losing weight a proper try. Not just a "oh I've had a bad day, I'll throw myself off the wagon" or "I'd lose weight, but I love my takeaways/chocolate/wine too much", but I proper stuck to it, trying all sorts of different things. I changed my attitude to food, and the way I ate. My main source of fatness (as it were) wasn't the take aways, or the chocolate, or the wine, it was the portions.

I'm now a size 10/12 and I LOVE it. I still enjoy take aways, chocolate and wine, I just don't pig out. I'll make a take away last 2 meals rather than one. I'll make 3 squares of cholocate last half an hour rather than inhale two whole bars.

So many little things I love now that I'm slimmer - I never catch my reflection in the mirror and get a negative feeling, I'm often complimented on my figure(and was massively hit-on on a night out a while back - I didn't know what to do!), I'm happy showing off my tattoos (that I love, but was always self conscious about being the "fat one with tattoos"). I've got loads more energy, can play with DS properly, when I have a rough day with both DCs, I don't collapse exhausted on to the sofa at 4pm. And thin sex really is better.

I'd say try it - really give it a go, set yourself a target, and see how it goes. Try whatever it takes to lose weight, whether it's cutting down on carbs, calorie counting, using Alli, loads of exercise or whatever, try them all and see what works for you.

Oh, and iirc, it's 90% of people who lose weight on Weight Watchers put it back on within 5 years, not those who lose it in a more natural, sustainable way.

Yes naetha you're sooo right about WW and all those unnatural diets.

Thanks all - you've given me alot to think about. I do need to shift some weight; my joints are starting to ache which is not good as I'm not yet 40. I'm returning to work soon and will try then to make some sensible, long term changes - I'll find it easier to do once I'm in a routine.

Wish me luck!

I agree with the others. I was really, really happy with my life at size 16, but I am now really, really happy with my life and much healthier!

The health implications really are important. I lost my Mum to cancer when I was in my early 20s which was extremely hard on all of us (as you can imagine). I will do anything within my power to stay healthy, and reduce the chances of my kids having to go through that.

I have found the 30 Day Shred DVD really good for keeping the weight off. Even if I don't get time to do it, it has given me the impetus to build exercise into my day.