can I ask for some moral support and advice? I need to do something.

[echelon]

I'm 33 and ever since my early teens I've been overweight, it's gone up and down a lot over the years but I've always been at least 4 st overweight.

I did SlimFast shakes a couple of years ago and lost a couple of stone.
Then put it back on again (we moved house and I was homesick, so comfort ate a lot and we ordered takeaways etc a lot).

I have an unhealthy relationship with sugar. I will CRAVE it and CRAVE it almost every day, mostly in the evenings. I can quite happily eat entire packs of biscuits, entire tubs of Ben & Jerry icecream, entire 200g bars of Cadburys chocolate.
When I'm feeling low I comfort eat. I don't feel happy if i don't have something sugary in the house, eg a packet of biscuits.
I think I'm heavily addicted to sugar.
After a sugar binge I feel disgusted at myself and sick.

Lost the plot lately.. been having sensible(ish) breakfasts, not so sensible lunches, and not so sensible dinners such as creamy pasta dishes with cheese, pizzas etc. Friends came round Sunday and Monday, ended up getting takeaway on Sunday and barbecue yesterday.
Plus sweet crap as usual.

I weighed myself this morning. 18 stone 6 pounds.

EIGHTEEN AND A HALF STONE.
How did this happen to me and how did I let it happen?

I'm scared of heart disease, stroke. Diabetes. Sleep apnea. Arthritis.

For full disclosure I suffer with polycystic ovarian syndrome. Doctor told me once it's "linked" to obesity but I'm not sure how.

Today I'm going to start over. I've thrown out a cherry pie that was in the fridge and a half eaten packet of custard creams
I really really REALLY need some help and support though.
I have a sit down desk job which doesn't help.
DH is skinny and has a physical job which keeps him fit, but it also means he's always too tired to swim/gym/go for walks with me.

What kind of diet should I be following? How can I kick my sweet tooth addiction?
This is going to be so hard.
I need to do something though don't I.

sunflowersinthesun I can't say I'm a massive fan of Angel Delight - reminds me too much of my childhood and not in a good way as my Mother wasn't overly great at making it! I do think it's a good thing to have something at home that's enjoyable if you have a sweet craving - I've just got belvita biscuits which seem to work.. and as they're in individual wrappers, it's already portion controlled for me

I do think that if you stick to most diets, they'll work - However I think how miserable and hungry you feel on them really depends. For example the 'Maple Syrup diet' might get you to lose weight, but you might be really hungry and depressed on it. On the other hand, the Atkins one might make you less hungry, but could potentially have other side effects (constipation, apparently?).

Therefore I think it's quite a personal thing and not 'one size fits all'. I've had a look into the Slimming world and Weight watchers and think they're sensible, but not for me as I don't want to learn 'points' / 'Syns' and then there's now 'pro points' I believe and different colours to things? Then you're encouraged to pay a subscription and go along to classes - Something I just wouldn't enjoy as I'm such a lone wolf. Then there's all the 'ranges' of food you can buy associated with each plan - Both of them are businesses and as the main aim of businesses is to make money, I'm too sceptical about them.

Anyway! Day 5 and so far, so good - Porridge with honey and raisins for breakfast and that's really keeping me until lunch time without feeling hungry . Tomorrow I'm going wedding dress shopping with a friend as she's getting married next year, however she's lovely and has no problem finding somewhere that does healthy food for lunch, so that's kept my anxiety down a bit!

Thankfully 99% of my friends and family are supportive - the ones that aren't (that I can't really get rid of), I keep very quiet about what I am doing as I don't need the negative comments or the criticism!

I hope everyone has a great start to the weekend

Yes Fluffy the way of eating that people choose to lose weight is definitely personal. I have never counted calories and I still lost the weight with Mackenna. Which is about HOW and WHY and WHERE we eat rather than WHAT.

I was ill on the Atkins diet it didn't suit me at all. (so I stopped after 2 days). I couldn't cope with the 5.2 . Yes I eat healthily (including sometimes having a brownie, see above for a meal, rather than a dessert.) because my stomach has shrunk since 'listening' to it IYSWIM.

Giving up caffeine and alcohol is a brilliant kickstart to weigh loss too. Plenty of water and herbal teas help. Drink water when you feel hungry. I do that in the morning because I try and only eat outside of 7.30 p.m. and 8 to 9a.m.

Thanks for all messages, can't reply much as I'm literally running out the door but just wanted to say I'm still here and I've read them!!
Porridge today, planning another hummous/crispbread lunch so that's so far so good!!

I'm just sick of the green tea !!

I want this

have a great weekend and I'll check in on Monday!

Incidentally, I weighed myself this morning and I'm now 17 st 13lbs??!

Is that even possible to lose 7lbs (half a stone?!) in 4 days?!

Yes its possible because if you've dramatically cut carbs, ie by not having any chocolate, your body relinquishes a supply of water. Its the same reason why you can gain it all back after one big binge!
Re:green tea. If you make it with cooler water (90* rather than boiling) it's so much nicer and not bitter, I just put an inch of cold tap water in the cup before adding the BG and the boiled water.
Well done op, hopefully you feel really motivated now, that's a great loss!

That should say bag, not BG

Also add a mint t bag to the green it improves the flavour dramatically! You can get nice mint\green tea bags too, I often have 2 mint Tbags I always change my teas around , ginger is lovely and great for your digestion, as is camomile at night time, it helps you sleep.

Green Tea = Minging

Jasmine Tea = Awesome - plus, there's a massive difference between normal tea bags and those triangle bags with tea in them...

I find I lose a lot of weight in the first 1-2 weeks, then it stabilises to 1-2lb loss per week.. then after 2-3 months, it stops and I get really annoyed as I'm doing exactly the same thing. I think that's when the 'Lifestyle' vs 'Diet' happens and you've got to push through it.

I'm going to use jeans sizes as my goals - When I can fit into a size 18 in the shops.. size 16 in shops.. size 14 in shops... I've got size 12 in my cupboard that I've not worn in.... 7 years? But that's the 'ultimate' goal and if I get to a 14, I'll be really chuffed.

Went out with my friend today and we stopped in a cafe for lunch - Chose chickpea and vegetable tagine with sweet potato wedges which was nice and I didn't feel it was a 'bad' option.

Tonight is more low GI beef stew and I'm going to sprinkle some feta cheese in there to make it taste even nicer .

Fluffy Have you tried (when your weight loss stalls)

1. Eating fruit on an empty stomach?

1. Eating protein separately from heavy carbs? So no meat burgers with a bun but ok with salad and loads of veg. (that is brilliant for health and digestion too)

1. Cutting out alcohol and fizzy drinks?

These all work for me. Oh and cut out all pork products.

ppfruit - I've tried all 3, but not at the same time. What's the biology behind them? I've never tried cutting out pork products though - Never even heard of that as a thing!

I'm not drinking alcohol at the moment but Pepsi Max is a defacto standard of my life - however I'm limiting myself to a maximum of one can a day at the moment and that's not every day. I wouldn't eat a burger bun on GI as it's quite high - so only complex carbs that my body takes time to process .

I did go through a phase where I'd have an apple and banana for breakfast and that lasted about 4 months - that was fine, however I was really hungry for lunch at exactly 12:00 and I don't think I could have sustained that for much longer.

When you started losing weight, did you like / mind people commenting? I was having this discussion with my partner and counsellor at two points this week and I really have to say - I HATE it when people say 'Oh, you've lost weight' - they don't say 'You've put on weight', so I just wish people wouldn't say anything!

I don't take what people say seriously I knew I was reaching a vanity size 16 which was too much for me (I wasn't keen on my double chin in photos!). So DD1 saying "oh mum you're 60 you don't need to lose weight " Just amused me and also challenged me!

But tbh I suppose I never looked that fat so no one commented when I reached my target size 10. I know I still have to bleedin' keep on top of it though. I LOVE giving my old clothes to charity now And buying new ones!

Oh pork is very very fat (think of pigs!) DH lost some weight and his terrible arthritis, when he stopped eating it!

I have a lovely seasonal fruit smoothie with ground almonds and linseeds for breakfast it's filling. But I usually have a snack and a herbal tea when I feel hungry again. Like Paul Mackenna says.

Do what it takes to stay off refined sugar for 3 days. I found I felt much better in myself. For the first couple days I knew I would be really low and would want to comfort eat. However, this time I reassured myself that I would better in hours. I did have to take myself to bed to sleep it off and I did feel so much better and more assertive on day 4. My very best wishes to you.

Can I join in? I'm over 17.5 stone (I haven't weighed myself lately because I know I've been putting on weight) and a size 24. I'm diabetic, my back hurts, my knees hurt, and I'm dreading spending the summer sweating and being uncomfortable!

Narcy I'm not echelon but I'm sure that she would say welcome .

I heard on the radio this morning that backache can be helped by tightening up yr. bum cheeks. I find that walking around on my tiptoes (in the kitchen) and pulling in my stomach and bum at the same time helps my muscles tighten up well!

I hope it's okay if I join in too. I'm 5ft 5, weight 18 and a half stone and yesterday I saw myself in a Premier Inn mirror and was disgusted by what I saw. Like another poster above said about seeing herself in a Travelodge mirror, there really is no hiding how the weight has changed my body. I also have back pain, waddle rather than walk, have to stop to sit down when out walking due to the pain. My feet are already swelling due to the heat. The truth is, I am a food junkie.

I've just joined weightwatchers so will post here as to my progress.

Good luck everyone. I identify with so much you're all saying.

We can do this!

Hi and welcome everyone

So let's do this together. We're all strong and determined ladies who obviously value our bodies and our health, and we can certainly achieve this.

So I'm feeling pretty good actually on Day 6 of New Me. My weight loss is 6lbs and I'm feeling great about this.
I am aware though that this is just my "water weight" and my weight loss is going to slow down soon.

I've been working out every morning and drinking the green tea like it's going out of business.
My IBS has improved, no stomach cramps and no wind (sorry tmi) like I get normally.
Mentally I'm feeling good.

BUT:
I need to confess!!!
How worried do I have to be about this?
Last night we had friends over and one of them BOUGHT 2 TUBS OF BEN AND JERRY'S. A yummy delicious CHOCOLATE BROWNIE tub of Ben and Jerry's.
I admit to giving in to temptation and scoffing at least 200g of the stuff
To be fair my dinner last night was very very healthy and so has been my food today (poached egg, green tea, jacket potato, salad, tuna sweet corn, banana, and grilled salmon with cous cous).
I also confess to having a slice of apple strudel last night as well

I don't think you need to be worried at all - Just mindful. I think 'normal' people (and I'm only saying this is my perception, so not trying to be rude!) are able to eat something unhealthy like icecream / strudel or even a massive bar of chocolate, but then continue eating healthy - It's the whole 80/20 rule, I believe?

If you have an amazingly healthy week / month, then it's nothing - If you have strudel and Icecream every day, then you may not notice any more weight loss .

I try not to influence my friends / family as to what they can / can't bring over my house as I think 'it's me on the healthy eating plan... not them and not the whole world', so I think I'd also struggle if temptation is right there in front of me - However I have been known to be so bloody minded, people around me would be eating Easter eggs and all kinds of things and I'd have a green tea and a banana - it all depends on how happy / sad I'm feeling, really!

I have had a good day so far - I went wedding dress shopping with my friend for her wedding and she found her dress! She looks absolutely BEAUTIFUL in it and I am really looking forward to being her bridesmaid next year. She's lost 8 stone with a gastric bypass and before she had it, I always thought it was an easy option - but seeing how well she did before hand in weight loss and how controlled and dedicated she was afterwards, she's completely changed her life around - She does karate twice a week and is just really fit and active - She drinks, eats chocolate etc, but it's all in moderation and her portion sizes are a lot smaller.

I don't think the bypass is for me as I don't think I'm 'that' big and if I lost eight stone I'd be getting towards underweight for my height - However it's really nice to see my friend so happy and I hope that I can lose weight before my wedding and feel as good in my dress as my friend seemed to feel in hers, today .

BBQ tonight - However healthy vegetable kebabs and chicken - no buns, nor anything fatty in site

Hope everyone is enjoying the weather!

True Fluffy

I'm sure everyone overdoes the indulgent foods sometimes echelon You just go back on the way of eating that suits you the next day. It's no big deal, I have noticed that as I get older I get more bunged up and allergy prone with dairy though, so ice cream is a no no for me. I'll have a tofu 'cheese' cake sometimes. Or my own cake .

That's incredible about your friend. How did your friend cope with the 'loose' fat though?

And congratulations to you all you losers!!!

Sorry I meant your friend fluffy

I'm off to bed I've been up since 5.20 am so as it's an hour later here , I'm falling asleep Good night everyone!

Oh Fluffy I just reread your last post for your upcoming wedding!! Is it soon?

ppeatfruit My friend hasn’t done anything with her excess skin – we were talking about it yesterday when we went dress shopping – I think she just has some around her middle and she could do something about it, but she’s very happy and confident about herself (and honestly looks awesome), so I don’t think she’ll be having surgery or anything. She was wearing a short dress and you just couldn’t tell with her legs, they look 100% ‘normal’, no excess skin or anything which is great!

My wedding isn’t until July 2018 as we just set the date so I’ve got loads of time to lose weight, but I’d rather do it now, than panic 6 months before hand – There were a lot of slimmer brides in the shop and I kinda want to be able to get a dress and look like them, rather than ask the question ‘And does this go up to my size’?

I hope everyones Monday is going well – I put on my work trousers this morning and they DEFINITELY feel loser. I’m not weighing myself, however by the end of June, I’m going to go into next and see if a size 18 fits (it bloody should do as I am ‘just’ a size 20 now….) and then in August, I’ll try for a 16 and if I can be a 14 by Christmas (as I think it slows down as you continue) I’d be so, so, so happy.

So that’s my ‘overall’ goal…

Has anyone got an overall weight / size they want to be and by when?

That sounds very doable and sensible to me, my weight took about a year or so to come off.

I never weigh either just go by the mirror and my jeans. I used to weigh occasionally but our scales have broken and I only miss them when anyone is flying (for luggage weight )

Oh talking about belly fat I have an amazingly easy exercise that works well for flattening and shaping your waist muscles . I have abs now which I didn't have as a size 8 when I was 21! Are you interested?

Yes please ppleat! Thanks for the recipe by the way, will DEFINITELY be making those brownies!

So how was everyone's weekend?
Fluffy your friend sounds like she's done amazingly well! Glad you had a great time dress shopping. What kind of dress are you thinking of for your own wedding?

So I weighed myself again this morning (am going to restrict my weigh ins to once a week) and I seem to be 18st 1lb....so looks like I've put back on a pound? Oh well I blame the Ben and Jerry's /strudel!

Back to work today! Yesterday was a bit of a mish mash, I worked a 10 hour shift and didn't have much time to eat a lot. Lunch was kind of a Belvita breakfast biscuit, a handful of cocktail sausages (don't ask!) and a black tea. My DH had made a pepperoni pizza last night so I grabbed 3 slices again when I got home.

Anyway my size 22 work trousers feel LOOSER!! I think that actually that's a much better guide to my weight loss then the scales, isn't it?

Yes!!! Good news echelon

The Amazing Belly Busting Exercise ;

Lie flat on a firm surface (I do this in bed) Raise the top part of your body (shoulders and head) to the count of 5 VERY SLOWLY and keeping your head in line with your spine. Don't poke it forward or let it droop behind.

HOLD to the count of 5 Then release slowly.

Do this 3 times in am and pm . (it's good for sleeping too).