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!

How are you getting on with Paul Mackenna?

I'm the same age as you peat . I'm still carting around the same ten pounds. Not enough to make me feel gross but enough to spoil a nice outfit.

I eat healthily but as I age maybe I eat too much. It's hard when you're in a couple dh is hungry more often than me so I find myself eating to keep him company. I'm going to stop doing that. I'm doing intermittent fasting allowing 13 or more hours between supper and breakfast.
I've had 14 hours now and still not hungry after a big Turkey curry last night. So I shall postpone breakfast as long as possible.

Joan Collins never eats breakfast and she's always had a good figure. She said eating breakfast made her want to eat constantly. I have to agree with that to some extent.
I've cut out sugar. I done eat gluten and low or no dairy so not much else left.

Diana sw is excellent. I did it 20 years ago and though I've put a bit back( I lost 2 and a half stone )I've never gone over 11 stone again or put it all back.so it's principles have stayed with me. I only did the red days, the meat and lost every week. Usually two pounds. I'm a stingy old sod and it was a big incentive to go for free.

Afterwards I decided I would never pay anyone to lose weight again. I knew what to do so get my nose to the grindstone and do it . However I do think going weekly to classes keeps you focussed which doesn't happen once you stop classes. It's the only thing that works for my friend.

I shall check out Paul McKenna

Diana, just read this on the no s diet website

It might seem counterintuitive, but strictness makes things easier. There is no decision to be made, no wrangling, no "can I? can't I?". You're pre-disapproved, so forget it and move on to something else.

Seems to make sense. It's how I am over gluten. Gluten filled things look good, taste good but I take a look, know I can't have them as they bloat me up and make me feel dreadful and move on.

If I ate gluten foods I'd be much heavier. Same as I don't drink fizzy drinks. I know they aren't good for me so it's easier to leave them at the supermarket. I was on holiday abroad with my gc recently for two weeks. Every day they were having between 2-4 Fanta lemon. I had a little taste...sooooo sweet. Ugh and I like sweet things. So in a week that was averaging at 21 bottles each.

Too much. I don't even like theses zero drinks. Water or herbal teas are what I drink.

Nice to find someone else who actually cares about what they eat Dowser . I do also avoid wheat (rather than gluten) I'm fine with organic rye bread for example. I don't eat eat dairy either!

2 eats !

I was just wondering how you're getting on ^Diana*

Have you had a change of rhythm over half term?

Hi Stella

Yes, I had a change of rhythm over half term - a bad one!! We went away for a week with friends so although I was doing a lot more exercise, I was also drinking a lot more wine!

Anyway, home now so good habits can resume

I think part of my problem is that I'm on medication which can make you gain weight. Not in and of itself but it messes with your perception of how much/what you need to eat.

It's going to be a slow road - but I will get there! Thanks for asking

Yes, I'm a couple of pounds up following half term.

We had a break away for a few day, and it's amazing how quickly a bit of indulgence takes bodily effect, which seems most unfair compared to how long it takes to lose it.

So I'm back on lean rations for a week or so. And today is fully committed with Stuff but I'm also intending to exercise a lot from tomorrow (oh, those good future intentions again!) partly because there are family events next weekend which I'm expecting to be a bit indulgent too.

I miss my teenage metabolism

I've just been for a run - it was hideous. Then I remembered that I'm carrying at least 3 extra stone!!

Ps. Stella - we'll have to be diet buddies!!

I'll tell you what I find Stella, Diana and peat go a little off the beaten track and it's amazing how the body hangs onto fluid.
My legs were a little bit swollen and my tum while in Tenerife. I've come home. Straight into a healthy eating plan with the intermittent fasting overnight and the water just flooded out. I have bony feet again and not little pigs trotters.

If you have a big do, wedding , celebration to go to for forty eight hours before the event I would cut out wheat/ gluten/ dairy / sugar. Eat healthily between the hours of 10 am and 6pm. If you're home in the evening. Get your legs up. I lie down a lot when watching tv as my back aches and even drinking plenty of water I really notice the difference the next day.
If you can do three days or a week then even better.
Your outfit will feel nicer on you and after your celebration just do the same for a day or two to get rid of the excess.

It might jump start you to a healthier eating lifestyle.
Peat I have eaten a bit of wheat without major problems and occasionally have spelt bread but till I've got my weight back to where I'm comfortable I'm keeping off them.

I base my diet on protein, fat, veg , very little carb usually whole grain rice, sweet potato, quinoa, buckwheat( a protein not a wheat) and chick peas/ gram flour.
I have very little fruit. Maybe a little cheese occasionally.
Plenty of water, herbal teas , a gin and tonic most days.

Elimination is very important. You don't want to be constipated. I That will make you feel bloated and uncomfortable. I take triphala from Himalayan herbs. It's very gentle. Occasionally a couple of dried figs.

It's a nightmare when away from home trying to eat decent food. I take hard boiled eggs for breakfast if staying in a hotel, unless it's a posh one where I can go to the buffet and get some proper eggs , some fruit, that kind of thing and move quickly past the breads, pastries, jams, Nutella, cheeses etc..

On another thread someone posted that Brazilians tend not to eat after about 4pm. I have a lot of respect for that.
My Russian therapist doesn't eat after 6pm and breakfast is at 10am. He's nearly 70 and works every day as an osteopath in Tenerife. He could pass for 55 easily. Hasn't got one wrinkle despite 15 years in the sun.
He's vegetarian with a fish meal every other day. He eats quite sparingly, walnuts and apple for lunch for eg yet he's a big Strong as ox kind of guy.
Dh looks quite weedy beside him lol.

Yes Dowser I do the 'only eating outside of 7.30pm and 8 or 9 am or later' which really works to get rid of unwanted weight gain. as well as the Paul Mck. of course. I combine it with a brisk walk, or a dance\stretches before breakfast that helps too! I always have filtered water and herbal tea by me though so I'm not dehydrated after sleep.

Diana

This is the thread that got me through my serious weight loss

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/weight_loss_chat/2570541-anyone-out-there-need-to-lose-a-stone

Though I'm only linking it now in case you fancied reading it. It's one that started early this year and fizzled out over the summer holidays (though I'd love to see end-of-year updates from the posters who were on it)

And I'll happily keep you company - but (to go even further off the beaten track) I think you need a more optimistic thread title!