I honestly feel disgusting - please help

[DianaMitford]

I CANNOT BELIEVE that I weigh as much as I do. I didn't weigh this much when I was 40 weeks pregnant!!

I used to be so slim and fit and due to various factors my weight has crept up and up over four years really. It's due in part to medication but a lot to diet (alcohol!) and no proper exercise plan.

I bought a set of scales today to really start losing weight in earnest and I was absolutely shocked and disgusted to find that I am almost FOUR STONE overweight!!!! Jesus bloody Christ.

So - I need advice. What's the best way to start losing weight quickly? Low-carb-ing? The 5:2 thing? I just don't know! What I do know is that I am totally committed. I just haven't done this dieting thing before.

I also have gym membership which means I have access to all classes and a pool and a gym (obviously!) but I hate swimming for exercise, I find it so boring.

Also relevant is that I fractured my foot a while back so I can't run yet. I can cycle/cross-train though. And walk fast. I've also torn a muscle in my back so no heavy weight lifting or anything (partner is a GP so I have on-site medical advice :))

If there is anyone out there who can help me kick-start then I would be so, so grateful. I've waded through a few weight loss threads but I just do not know where to start!

I lost 5'5st April- September by low carbing and lots of exercise xx

I do have an occasional cup of coffee and or wine, when did I say otherwise?

People are brain washed by the huge producers\manufacturers to eat ALL the food groups. How come in the 2nd World war with rationing people were much healthier and slimmer? They cut right back on meat and could eat as many veg. as they liked , funny huh?

No faddy diets, they don't work because they are unsustainable.
Cut the booze, at least three quarters of it, when you have the occasional glass, make sure you savour and enjoy it.
Check your portion sizes, BIL uses hotel sachets of muesli.
There are some lovely supportive threads on here and some pretty weird ones. Find the right one for YOU.
Aim for slow, steady and sustainable.
Good luck. You sound like you are in a good place to make it work.

How come in the 2nd World war with rationing people were much healthier and slimmer? They cut right back on meat and could eat as many veg. as they liked , funny huh?

They could only eat as much veg as they liked if they were growing it themselves. Otherwise, the rationing diet did include all the food groups, just limited quantities of them.

"Allowances fluctuated throughout the war, but on average one adult’s weekly ration was 113g bacon and ham (about 4 rashers), one shilling and ten pence worth of meat (about 227g minced beef), 57g butter, 57g cheese, 113g margarine, 113g cooking fat, 3 pints of milk, 227g sugar, 57g tea and 1 egg. Other foods such as canned meat, fish, rice, condensed milk, breakfast cereals, biscuits and vegetables were available but in limited quantities on a points system."

Yes, people were healthier because for once they were actually getting all of the required nutrients. Prior to this, much like now, people could only get what they could afford, which meant cheap, less nutritious food.

They also weren't eating things stuffed with sugar. Which is sadly everywhere. Hence why I said people should focus on healthy home cooked meals, rather than fad diets.

Rationing did include all the food groups as fitfatty says.
Read up on it, is was bloody genius.

Only when the particular food, meat for example, could be got though. (unless you knew someone of course).

People were not driving everywhere either, or sitting at screens all day

*Only when the particular food, meat for example, could be got though. (unless you knew someone of course).

People were not driving everywhere either, or sitting at screens all day*

Either way, it was more about portion sizes than about cutting a food group.

And yes, the fact that people didn't spend 9 hours a day in front of a screen and walked more would also be a factor. Exercise isn't a fad diet though.

Whoops we derailed the thread.
Unless we suggest Diana throws off the shackles of modern society and embraces a true 40s lifestyle.

A ruthlessly honest food and drink diary is probably a good place to start.

Unless we suggest Diana throws off the shackles of modern society and embraces a true 40s lifestyle.

Only if she adopts the fashion as well, my gran did praise her girdles for helping her maintain that hour glass figure.

OMG - I actually adore 50s fashion and own a heap of girdles and fully fashioned stockings and vintage dresses.

The problem?

I CAN'T BLOODY WELL FIT INTO THEM!!!

Thanks for all of the advice, it's much appreciated. I agree with making lifestyle changes rather than following a rigid diet. But obviously overhauling my diet is a big part of that.

I think I'm going to go with the "slow and steady wins the race" philosophy

Brilliant Diana The definition of FAD diet is one that follows a fashion. Paul Mackenna is about eating differently to how most people eat. So you eat ONLY when you are hungry, stopping when you are full (you get to know the signs your body gives you) chewing slowly and enjoying your food properly. Not eating in front of screen. or standing up.

Check it out. As I said earlier I eat healthily, I cook my own food, but I still put on weight until I began with Paul Mackenna. I didn't do extra exercise either. It's the way we all should eat including children.

Reality check, this was the luxury set up

Yes that's another reason why everyone was slim then!! The housework was terrifying!

This book is facinating. If anyone else is nerdy and interested. Has a good section on rationing.

www.modcloth.com Diana, they've got a great range of sizes.

ppeatfruit That sounds like intuitive eating. Which is sort of what I follow. I have lost weight that way, but I never heard of Paul MacKenna.

To be fair though, it is a learning process. Definitely more slow and steady, than quick and overnight.

Log everything that you eat and drink for the next few days and count the calories in those foods. You may be surprised how much you are eating.

Then set an achievable calorie goal each day and decide on an exercise routine which you can stick to.

You will lose weight over time. I have!

So an alternative approach would be to ditch the washing machine and tumble dryer, get rid of the car and vacuum cleaner and embrace 1940s cleaning methods?! Love it!

I definitely will check out the Paul McKenna thing. And I've actually already started a food diary

Thanks for that recommendation Pestilence I'll see if I can get it for Christmas.

Nerdy that's me !

By the way Diana 4 stone is not that much and you are not disgusting. You've just got into a few unhelpful habits which can be changed!!!!

It's a really good idea to look at Paul Mackenna because he helps with self esteem issues too He helps us accept ourselves!!!

Just been to the gym - most depressing thing ever seeing my naked body in the mirror :(

But! I'm making changes and working hard in the gym :)

Or just live like a true Mitford and don't eat sausages or processed white bread

I'm fairly sure Diana would have had the odd vino though.....

oldlaund I find that works for me I don't touch any pork products. Gives dh terrible arthitisy cramp.

The real DM wasn't a very nice person was she?

I don't eat sausages or white bread!!

I thought Nancy was the unpleasant one? Or possibly Pamela. Diana was the great beauty and married Sir Oswald Mosley. And it was Unity who had an affair with Hitler.

I've read the families' history and as you said she married the well known fascist, Mosley,

She also never apologised or took back her support for him and his philosophy even when the concentration camps were uncovered.

Yes she was very beautiful and charming. . Unity was worse