I am thoroughly depressed. I weigh 18st13lb!

[alessthandomesticgoddess]

The last time I checked (around three weeks ago) I was 18st3lb. I am now 18st13lb! I was weighed at the doctor when I went for a blood test and I just felt so disgusted with myself. I did have my coat and boots on so the doctor told me I could take around 3lb off but still - holy shit.

I am 5ft10in and a size 18/20. I am big but I am in proportion. I have fibromyalgia and rheumatoid arthritis so exercise is a big problem for me. There are no swimming pools local and I don't drive. I need to exercise but I don't know how to without overdoing it and causing myself extreme pain for days on end.

I'm new to dieting. What do I need to do? I can't afford to have meals delivered or sign up to WW/SW etc. I need something I can do for free from home that won't leave me feeling starving hungry or put my body in too much pain after exercise.

I know it's a lot to ask but please, any help would be appreciated. I need a lifestyle change, not a diet at this point :(.

I have been told that gleuten free will help with IBS and Fibro too so it's definitely on the cards.

Hello, I think a new attitude to food rather than this or that diet is what will help you keep on the road to weight loss. So that it doesn't feel like hard work and that when you have reached your goal you can just revert back to old habits. Lots of sensible ideas on this thread but generally don't give yourself too many rules that end up messing with your head. Allow yourself the odd treat but cut down on portion sizes. Use a side plate rather than a big plate. One biscuit once a week instead of 3 once a day etc. One square of chocolate rather than a bar. And choose the most rewarding time of day to have that treat like after the kids are in bed etc. Substitute red meat for fish and chicken most days. Choose extra lean meat and cut off as much fat as possible before cooking it. If you are eating out or at a friend's/family's house cut the skin off the chicken before you eat it. Don't completely cut out carbs - your body needs them to function but choose brown/wholewheat everytime for the fibre (also helps reduce cholesterol).Make your changes be changes of habit rather than telling yourself you are on a diet. It will take time so try to be patient and don't weigh yourself too often.
Most of all good luck and let us know how you get on.
For what it's worth I have been on a reduced fat diet plan (high cholesterol) and have lost about 10kgs in the last year but it hasn't felt like trying to lose weight because it was more about my eating habits. The weight loss just came with it.
x

Sorry - way too long

Thank you. I'm on day 2 of 1500 calories a day.

Hello OP. I also have RA, hypothyroid, an immune gut. Wishing you a great deal of success with your plans. I have been lucky enough to do lighterlife total recently: after 2 years of steroid treatment we've got the MTX and Humira dosing right, I got off of the depo-medrone and just wanted to sort the weight while I had a chance, in case it the RA fired up again. I chose lighter life as I have not been able to sustain the more usual weightloss programs (including WW twice), I give in about month 3 as they don't tackle the thinking patterns that caused me to overeat. What has been different this time has been the attitude change it has inculcated in me. I think differently about food, and lots of other bits of life, a bit wiser, more balanced.

I find my illness symptoms much, much improved. You will feel so much better if you can stick to your plan. I think my top tip would be - read the books about combating overeating which look at cognitive behavioural therapy and transactional analysis. The tools in these 2 disciplines are invaluable.

I've blogged a bit about the weightloss stage of my experience: mrsmin.wordpress.com/.

ps if you have a WII, the EA sports active is very good for exercising to.