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Weight loss chat

A space to talk openly about weight loss journeys and challenges. Mumsnet hasn't checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. You may wish to speak to a medical professional before starting any diet.

Original poster

It should be easy but why isn't it?

35 replies

CoonMups · 26/01/2014 13:01

I'm 5'6 and currently weigh 12st7.
This is the most I have ever weighed except whilst pg. I have DC of 4yo and 18mo and am really struggling to lose weight.

I keep beating myself up and feeling bad as I know it's as simple as eat less, move more and is entirely within my control but I still struggle. I tried to lose weight a year ago by changing some basic habits and I got down to 11st5 but since being back at work (v sedentary and lots of meetings in Costa Hmm ) I've just put it all back on.

Things I struggle with are:

  • exercise as I just don't know where people find time with ft job and 2DC
  • DH is even more overweight and doesn't seem bothered
  • I have an under active thyroid and should take 150mcg thyroxine a day but often forget.
  • I've tried changing habits like I did last year but the weight is just not shifting
  • no time for breakfast before leaving the house at 7.30am and getting DC ready

Surely if it was important to me as it feels, I'd have broken through these barriers by now?

Can anyone help?

OP posts:
TalkinPeace · 26/01/2014 18:07

I have an under active thyroid and should take 150mcg thyroxine a day but often forget.
how, why, which bit of your brain stops you looking after yourself
they do not hand that stuff out like sweets
FFS
get the thyroid under medical control
all else is an irrelevance till you do
do you not want to be there when your kids grow up?

Original poster
CoonMups · 26/01/2014 18:29

That's quite harsh but probably fair comment.

OP posts:
TalkinPeace · 26/01/2014 18:33

coon
you have a serious medical problem : thyroid is a bugger - all my family have it
only once it is under control can you take charge of the rest of your life

I want to be a good granny to my kids kids ... that has to be the aim ....

RufusTheReindeer · 26/01/2014 18:37

How often is often with forgetting your medication? Once in a blue moon would probably be ok but it sounds like you are forgetting it on a regular basis.

Can you put the tablets next to something to remind you, like the kettle

Once that is under control it will probably help maintain the weight and then you can work on getting the excess off

Obviously nothing to stop you exercising etc now!

Original poster
CoonMups · 26/01/2014 18:45

I don't drink tea or coffee so kettle won't work. I'm going to try to put them near DC school/nursery bags in the kitchen and take them before leaving the house.

As for exercise, I do a Pilates class on a Wednesday when I'm off work and often take DC for a good 30min walk at the wkend (weather permitting!). I just feel I need something a bit more intense. By the time the DC are in bed of an evening it's normally about 8.15 and that just seems too late to go out to a class. How do other people fit it in?

OP posts:
Rooble · 26/01/2014 18:57

Would you consider taking a packed breakfast to work - eg some of that porridge you just add boiling water to, or a Tupperware pot of fruit salad and yoghurt, and putting your meds into your bag with that? Make it absolutely part of your routine?
If you drink a small white americano in Costa it's only about 20 cals. A bottle of water is 0!
One 30 min stroll with the DCs per weekend will barely burn 100 calories, and although Pilates is good for posture and toning, it won't really help with weightloss. If you don't want to be exercising that late (and I don't either!) would you consider doing a DVD, eg Shred instead?
Just some thoughts (these are things that worked for me! Same height, also hypothyroid, lost a couple of stones).
Good luck!

TalkinPeace · 26/01/2014 18:58

thyroid pills
my mum has hers with a sip of water as the alarm goes off - before she even gets out of bed
a did my granny and two aunts and as do my two cousins

Rooble · 26/01/2014 19:01

Oh, just saw you don't drink coffee, so the americano info is irrelevant. If you're tempted by the sweet stuff in there, read the nutritional info on it and make a conscious decision of whether you HONESTLY choose to "spend" over 1/3 of your calorie requirements for today on this oversized custard cream.....

Brokeass · 26/01/2014 19:03

Can you walk everyday? Even if for 30 minutes.

Try eating your meals from a side plate. You will have satisfaction knowing you can eat everything without feeling guilty.

Treat yourself to a low fat chocolate drink at home.

CynicalandSmug · 26/01/2014 20:08

get up earlier for exercise, there are plenty of short effective workouts. Maybe try some of Jillian Michaels dvds. I was doing tabata at 4am to fit it in before work.

Original poster
CoonMups · 26/01/2014 21:39

Thank you for the suggestions.
When in Costa I'm not often tempted by the biscuits & cakes but will have the odd hot chocolate. One of the bad habits I've broken is sometimes having the cream on top. I've only weakened and done that once in 2014 but the hot chocolate itself isn't great I know!

I've thought about getting up earlier but it would have to be about 5am and that doesn't appeal. As the evenings get lighter, an evening walk is appealing.

Funnily enough, I was looking at 30 day shred earlier. Not sure about having time every day but certainly on my Wednesdays off.

Another issue causing bad habits is just that the 4 days I work, we leave home at 7.30am and get home at 6.30pm. I spend time with DC and do bedtime so then often don't eat evening meal til gone 8pm. I'm going to try and have soup 2 or 3 nights a week instead.

I feel like I'm putting up loads of barriers but I'm struggling to get by them so appreciate your comments - the suggestions and harsh reality.

OP posts:
Bumpsadaisie · 26/01/2014 21:48

I have DD 4 and DS 2. Re exercise, its really hard to fit it in, but you have to.

I do couch to 5k (in fact am just about to finish it and can now run 5k in 30 mins). I do it three times a week from 8.30pm to 9pm - I run in the dark with my head torch on. Its hard to go out when you're knackered after dealing with the kids, but if you can just make yourself do it you feel very proud of yourself and you can also really enjoy the rest of the evening till bedtime as you are on a high.

And you sleep like a log!

Bumpsadaisie · 26/01/2014 21:50

I'm trying to lose weight too. I am slowly losing by eating smaller portions, only eating at prescribed times (breakfast, biscuit with coffee at 11), lunch, tea with biscuit at 3.30 then supper) and by watching portion size. And by cutting out my sweets/chocolate habit. To be honest it hasn't been that hard and the weight is coming off.

Bumpsadaisie · 26/01/2014 21:52

PS (last post promise!) Do look at Couch to 5k. Look at the Get Running app on iTunes. Its brilliant. You start off by running for very small amounts of time then walking. By the end you can run 30 mins without stopping. If you had told me I could do the latter 2 months ago, I would NOT have believed you.

capsium · 26/01/2014 21:55

Could you set a reminder on your phone for pills?

Or get a digital watch and set an alarm.

TalkinPeace · 26/01/2014 21:55

When in Costa
don't go to costa ....
save money, save calories for meal times

and set your thyroid pills up to take as SOON as you wake up : so you cannot miss them, ever

Original poster
CoonMups · 26/01/2014 22:00

Hard not to go to Costa when I have normally one meeting a day scheduled to be in a branch if Costa somewhere! However, it doesn't mean I have to consume there!

I did Cto5k with that app a few years back, before DD. I quite enjoyed it. Will just have to force myself and invest in a head torch.

At the end of the day, if I want it enough, I'll do it!

OP posts:
TalkinPeace · 26/01/2014 22:22

espresso time!

PlainBrownEnvelope · 26/01/2014 22:29

I also do a lot of cafe meetings. I tend to drink peppermint tea to avoid drinking too much caffeine. I know you said you don't drink tea or coffee but do you drink herbal teas?

Original poster
CoonMups · 26/01/2014 22:52

My fluid intake is rubbish generally tbh. I only "like" hot chocolate and diet coke! Will force a 500ml bottle of water down me each day but I know that's nowhere near enough!
I really don't like water, coffee or any type of tea!
God, I'm difficult!

OP posts:
BIWI · 26/01/2014 23:02

To be brutally honest, it doesn't sound like you're really that committed.

There must be many ways you could remember to take your pills.

There must be many ways you could organise yourself to drink more water.

You surely must be able to organise yourself to eat breakfast.

Until you really want to do it, then it's not going to work for you, is it?

CynicalandSmug · 27/01/2014 05:38

Yes you are difficult. If you want to change then stop being difficult. Drink water, take your pills, eat properly, exercise. Just drop the barriers and make the changes! Good luck!

BsshBossh · 27/01/2014 20:30

Take your pills!!!!! I slip my thyroxine pills inside my hairbrush so I never forget to take them.

BsshBossh · 27/01/2014 20:31

And you need to take thyroxine on an empty stomach 30 mins before food. This is why I take mine first thing in the morning after my shower, as I brush my hair.

Original poster
CoonMups · 27/01/2014 21:21

You're all right and hearing it from you has helped.

I was firm today and took my thyroxine with water on an empty stomach about 8am. I had a much healthier lunch than normal with a bean & chicken salad. Then had left over lamb casserole this evening. Not a hot chocolate in sight! Just need to keep my resolve tomorrow.

OP posts: