I am so fat there are a number of things I can't do

[Newyearnew2017me]

Walk without getting breathless. Even small distances.

Wipe my bottom.

Wash myself properly. I do, but it's very difficult indeed.

Wear nice clothes that fit.

Sit next to someone in the car without touching the driver embarrassingly

Plane seats ditto

I am not writing this for people to lay into me and tell me I'm a horrible example to my children, or that I'm a waste on the NHS. I wasn't fat when I had my children, in fact I was marginally underweight with no1 (very marginally mind!) Please do not be critical of me because I have already done so.

I had planned to start today and binged. This made me realise I cannot do this alone.

I am starting my journey tomorrow, Monday 2nd January. If I don't I will be dead before I am 60. I am not saying this to sound dramatic it's just how it is.

Please support me, please tell me I can do this, please promise me there is a life out there for me if I am brave enough to stick to this.

[Fartleks]

Walking even short distances is very effective. Get a pedometer app to count your steps daily. It quickly becomes addictive!!

Snack on veg sticks. Eat protein at each meal.

[Felicitylemon1958]

I really like the phrase 'you can't outrun your fork' - I lost 30lbs in 10 weeks before Xmas by eating 1200 cals per day or fewer. I didn't do any exercise beyond my usual walking the dog. I'm introducing exercise now and I think I'd have only lasted 5 mins if I tried to diet and exercise at same time when I first started in October. I find r/loseit on Reddit a really helpful community - very informative and welcoming. You can do this - 3 stone by Easter is so achievable :) good luck.

[wannabestressfree]

Hi
I am three stone heavier than you, take steroids, have cushings and am the proud owner of a five stone bowel tumour. I need to lose weight in order to survive surgery and yet struggle to exercise, have to avoid fruit and veg and am only allowed a litre of fluid a day. I can do this myself or they will admit me pre surgery and tube feed me (not my preferred choice) i don't have an arse to wipe.... I have a bag which sits on top of my tumour.
I am going to try slimming world tomorrow. For the support and I have phoned a yoga place to help with my restricted breathing and fear.
I wouldn't discount things. A kinder approach will last longer.

[Newyearnew2017me]

wannabe

Scared of yoga as it's usually slim flexible sorts!

[ScarletSienna]

As I mentioned both putting weight on after a VLCD and said SW works for me, I can assume your comment about lack of support was in part directed at me. Support doesn't just mean telling people, yes do what you think regardless; it's also highlighting pitfalls etc. You said you can't cook and a VLCD won't address this if you're just necking shakes. At some point you have to face food which is why I mentioned SW. Not attacking your choices as of course losing weight is a positive and different things suit different people but don't dismiss other people's comments just because they've shared an experience you clearly don't want to hear.

[Newyearnew2017me]

No, directed at a lot of people. I love hearing success stories but not when presented as, this is the only way to do this

[Backt0Black]

I agree scarlet. VLCD and shake replacements do nothing to improve the psychology or relationship around food.
As it is I struggled with my weight (size 16 at 11) it was only when I studied nutrition and exercise and took the time to fully understand the impact of both that the yoyo'ing stopped.

It's really nice everyone chipping in with what's worked for them and there have been some really, really great suggestions on here but none seem to be quite hitting the mark?

Support is more than people jumping on a thread and saying 'you can do it' which is why ideas are being offered. encouragement has its place and I've posted on other threads vilifying people mocking people at the start of their weight loss journey, but it cant wholly replace constructive suggestion, ideas and shared experience of success.

[wannabestressfree]

Actually the yoga is more for my all round well being. This is my 20 odd operation and I really panicked last time and it took them an hour to calm me. I went under 'crash' the time before and it really frightened me.
I know how you feel. I cried the last time I went swimming as I have this enormous 'thing' and everyone looked.... I just really don't want to die and I am trying to help anyway I can. With limited things at my disposal. They teach calmness and deep breathing.
Am here if you ever want a chat. I never go out except to work really so this is my stomping ground :)

[Newyearnew2017me]

Well I am humbled wannabe I had no idea

[wannabestressfree]

It's ok we all have our things...
you will do it :)

[QuimReaper]

wannabe Good grief, you poor poor thing. and endless respect for you from me

[QuimReaper]

So OP was this day one? How'd you get on?

[Dowser]

Oh wannabe how come they've let things go to that extent....

Hope all will go well for you.

[calzone]

How was Day1, OP?

[FleshEmoji]

I have a slightly different tack to add in - it might work for you. It started working for me after doing Precision Nutrition last year - google them too, they're interesting. (I also did a VLCD and that helped to reset my idea of potion size / needing midweek drinking - just for full disclosure)

Anyway, I've found that PN's focus on nutrition really helped me, and I've gone beyond what they taught to buying books on nutrition etc. Once you start to know what vitamins and minerals you need, and what they do for your body, and how hard it is to fit all of them in to a lower calorie diet (which ill need for life, being short and old) - then it becomes much harder to eat crisps and biscuits. You just feel bad about eating such junk, and you feel you want to mostly put lovely, fresh healthy food in your body from now on.

Hope this is of some help, and best of luck.

[confusedandemployed]

Just here to wish you luck. VLCDs do have their place IMO, but as a PP said, follow the food reintroduction steps properly.

I'll go against the grain and say that SW was no good for me. It didn't teach me about portion size and that was a key issue in my own personal battle.

I won't bore you with what worked for me. Maybe in 12 weeks it'll be relevant but for now, you have your plan. Good luck!

[wannabestressfree]

So not to overtake the thread....
It got that bad as they have operated several times and it keeps growing back and with extra complications. My local surgeon has gone awol and it took months to be seen at st marks. I have had two rounds of scans cancelled due to the machine being broken. I don't have much luck healthwise lol.

[Mamimawr]

Hi OP! How's it going? I've tried a vlcd before and found the taste OK - I did slim and save. If I lived on my own I would have stuck to it but because I needed to cook for the rest of the family it didn't work for me. I was conscious not to let my nine year old daughter know I was dieting. Anyway, good luck! I'm trying to loose two stones by a holiday Easter time by changing food intake rather than excercise too. I'm also 5'2, weighed in at 12 stone 10 pounds on Monday which puts my be missed in the obese category. First target is to get it down to the overweight category!!

[Mamimawr]

be missed =bmi

[Tartle]

I'm maybe a bit late to this but I lost 8stone last year on a vlcd (exante) and I found it really helpful. I followed it really strictly for the first few months but have since adapted it to fit in with what I am doing. It is really hard in the first few days but once you can get through and into ketosis it is great.

I also can't think of anything worse than going to slimming world and being clapped for losing a whole pound so am totally with you there. I do think it's helpful to add some exercise though. I did dvds at home until I was about halfway through. Then joined the gym when I felt more comfortable

Hope you are doing ok. Pm me if you want any more info.