Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
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

GP calculated my BMI today - I am now on Orlistat....any success stories?

23 replies

LowFatMilkshake · 14/03/2007 20:38

Went to GP to ask for help with loosing weight. I need a boost to help me shift intial bulk then I can exercise and carry on by myself.

GP calculated my BMI and told me I was considered very over weight and prescribed Orlistat. Has told me to go back for monthly weigh-in. If I loose a kilo or more he will prescribe another month.

Dont know whether to be pleased or scared??

Neither myself or the GP thought I weighed as much as I do

OP posts:
Elasticwoman · 14/03/2007 20:56

Must have taken some courage to go and see the doc, LFMS. Don't know about the drug he's prescribed, but at my Pilates class there are lots of larger ladies and a range of ages. Most of the (stretching type) exercises are done lying on the floor (on mats). Maybe you could find a class at your local leisure centre or elsewhere? Many have a creche if you need that. Good luck.

maisym · 14/03/2007 20:58

must have taken courage to see your gp. sounds like you'll be seeing the scales going backwards soon - wishing you all the best xxx

colditz · 14/03/2007 21:00

what was your BMI LowFatMilkshake? i have been thinking about going to the doctor myself.

angmarie · 14/03/2007 21:03

I tried orilast and I didnt like it without sounding crude when you have a slightest bit of fat you get really bad diarrohrea and really bad urges to need the loo and I was sick of going out and needing to do a quick dash to the loo and sometimes you pass like an orange fatty fluid I just found it really embarrsing and unpredicatble , my mother in law tried it the same and she came off it for the same reason. I hope I havnt put you off but I just want to warn you as I had no one to warn me about it
Good luck on it

sophiewd · 14/03/2007 21:10

I am following ion your foostsetps with an equally nice GP

Original poster
LowFatMilkshake · 14/03/2007 21:10

Thanks for the support - I am so ashamed of my BMI (it's 40) - not that I fully understand what it means - but I am just over double my DHs! - Although DH is considered underweight.

I tried jogging last year, but am quite big chested as well and I got about 50 metres and nearly collapsed. I dont want to go swimming until I am more confident in my swimsuit. But I want to look good for my Dh and be a healthy role model for my children. DH is fantastic and is the most suportive man in the world to me.

I dont drive and have 2 DC's under 5 so am limited as to where I can go to exercise. I get out nearly everyday for a 3 minute walk - but it's not enough!

We eat all the right foods, I do home cooked meals etc - perhaps that's the problem, I make lots with potatoes and pasta, but I also have the fruit and veg. I just enjoy the odd indulgent snack too - although no more after today!

I never considered myself obese - but I have alway been big.

OP posts:
Original poster
LowFatMilkshake · 14/03/2007 21:12

That's 30 minute walk!

OP posts:
sophiewd · 14/03/2007 21:12

My Bmi bigger than that. Will kepp you posted

Original poster
LowFatMilkshake · 14/03/2007 21:18

GP was very clear about the side efects of the drug although did'nt mention I would be desperate to go when I felt the urge. Just that I would have more wind and it would be greasy stools - which he advised are harder to flush away

OP posts:
angmarie · 14/03/2007 21:33

Just be very careful what you eat , I was nearly caught short a few times when out and about more so the first few days . Get a good loo cleaner as well !!!!!

Original poster
LowFatMilkshake · 14/03/2007 21:36

I had noodles and grill steaks tonight with mushrooms cooked in olive oil - am begining to worry...........

We live in a hard water area so I have a whole cupboard fo toilet cleaner!

OP posts:
angmarie · 14/03/2007 21:42

dont leave the house tomorrow !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Elasticwoman · 15/03/2007 13:21

I spoke to my pilates teacher today on your behalf and she agreed with me that it would be good, but also suggested swimming. No one sees you when you're in the water and you could have a towel handy to drape round as soon as you get out. Also, there are ladies only sessions at many pools and lots of people can't see much because they don't wear their glasses/contacts. I'm not surprised you didn't like jogging - that is not a big-girl-friendly thing and doesn't mean you can't do other forms of exercise.

Do you have a friend who would go to Pilates (or other class) with you, who might drive?

Re BMI: it is the relationship between your height and your weight, ie the heavier you are for your height, the greater your BMI. It doesn't take into account where the weight is distributed or how much of it is muscle. A more favoured measure of obesity is waist measurement these days.

Personally I wish I could take a bit off my waist and belly and put it on my bum!

Finally, LowFat, don't be ashamed and don't let your body image stop you doing anything you feel physically comfortable doing. Look at Dawn French - I bet her BMI is bigger than yours but she has confidence and gets on with her life. If other people don't like the look of you at the swimming pool (and I've seen plenty of larger people there), that's their problem. If any one is rude to you, come back with a witty riposte.
Big is beautiful.

Original poster
LowFatMilkshake · 15/03/2007 15:57

Thanks EW!

When I have lost a bit of weight I will be more confident to exercise, but I actually am repulsed by my reflection at the moment. Although I just had a baby in December. DH is great and has never sad a bad word, and is very supportive but sometimes I wonder how he finds me attractive!

I dont want to get in to a downwards spiral so this is the first positive step - next is a haircut on Saturday - I have a phobia about hairdressers - so DD is going to be my moral support and get her hair trimmed too.

But today in terms of my eating I have been very good. The house has been stocked with lowfat snack, fruit and veg.

And following on from AM's last comments, nothing unusual to report from that department - yet!

OP posts:
beckybrastraps · 15/03/2007 16:00

Walk. Fast. It is great exercise, you don't need to wear lycra or a swimsuit, there's no boob-bouncing issues and you won't be worrying about what other people think about you exercising, because they won't know you're exercising.

Has to be fast walking though!

Original poster
LowFatMilkshake · 15/03/2007 16:03

Did that this moring when I thought we would be late for GP for DS....poor DD just about kept pace and had to be treated to a fruit shoot to recover!

OP posts:
Elasticwoman · 16/03/2007 18:24

Our local swimming pool has a special session once a week, exclusively for those with a BMI of over 30. Worth investigating in your area, Lowfat??

Original poster
LowFatMilkshake · 16/03/2007 20:06

Wow that is impressive about the pool, will definatley look in to as we have a pool within walking distance - thanks for the tip EW!

Have seen the orange fluid....hmm nice - not!
However I have not had the runs, and still enjoy cooking with a bit of olive oil, not to mention dairy spread on toast and sandwiches.

I already feel more positive. Talked to a friends also on Orlistat who advised me to get lowfat snacks such as slimfast bars for a treat. Went to tesco and nearly cleared the low fat snacks aisle, have a kitchen full of Ryvita and crispbread and snackajacks now!

Sophie - have you been to your GP yet?

OP posts:
sophiewd · 16/03/2007 20:19

No not yet will try to go this week, sick baby and B&B's staying doesn't leave a lot of tim at the moment. We are quiet next week so will try to make an appointment with her.

angmarie · 22/03/2007 12:06

hows it going LowFatMilkshake

SongbirdIsEasteryEnough · 22/03/2007 12:18

I totally sympathise lowfat, I hate exercise as I?m so big (no idea of BMI before you ask). Anything like jogging makes all my bits wobble, which I hate hate hate, and even swimming I feel like a lava lamp, a kind of slow wibbley wobble if you know what I mean. I can?t stand the thought of getting in a cossie for just a swim, but I?m OK with aquarobics as there are some reeeeally big ladies there, and at least the wobbling?s under water!

The thing is, I know all these issues are my issues, but that doesn?t really help me get over them! What worries me is putting my insecurities onto dd (nearly 2) ? she picks up so much and I?m worried that even throwaway remarks I make about my weight will be stored in her girl-databank, and they?ll come out when she?s older. I?m on weightwatchers but I can?t afford to go every week, which means I?m not as disciplined as I should be ? gah!

Anyway, just realised I?m all me me me and this is about you! Look into aquarobics, and if you can go with a friend all the better, because it is good fun (especially when they get the foam sausage things out!!).

Good luck!!

Original poster
LowFatMilkshake · 11/04/2007 11:09

Hey All,

Just to update you had my first 4 week weigh in today and have lost 7lb GP very impressed as he said so many "weighty people" just rely on the tablets and I seem to have made good progress.

WooHoo had a cream cake (figured it was the best time to have it) to celebrate and now straight back on the healthy low fat eating!

OP posts:
angmarie · 18/04/2007 15:30

well done lowfatmilkshake keep it up

New posts on this thread. Refresh page