2018 - Thread 2 of Help Me Mumsnet I have 4 stone to lose and 10k debt to pay off

[ChickenVindaloo2]

Hi everyone,

It's the day after the day after Boxing Day, Thursday 28 December 2017!

Just over a year ago, on Boxing Day 2016, I was 14 stone exactly (My highest weight ever was 14st 5, I'm 5 foot 2 ish). So I needed to lose 4 stone just to get to a healthy weight. After a false start, I lost 3 stone, getting down to a low of 11 stone exactly through stopping binge-eating. I also went to (private) CBT therapy and started going to the gym. I had popped back up to 11st3-4 in the run up to Christmas, mainly as a result of complacency and dropping the gym visits due to the dark evenings.Having eaten more than usual and some salty foods over Christmas itself, as of this morning, I'm 11st 5. I need to lose at least 2 stone really to be a healthy weight and perhaps 2.5-3 to achieve peak gorgeousness!

(I also had £10k worth of debt, mainly on credit cards. I re-mortgaged and I now have £5k on a 0% credit card for 2 years. I've worked out I need to pay it off at £200/month)

In terms of weight loss, the general rules are to err on the side of low carb, unprocessed food. I need to get in more salad/veg and restart the gym sessions. I also need to watch portion sizes and ditch the snacks, treats and extras.

Rowgtcfc has been an amazing help throughout and I hope she will join me on this shiny new thread! Would also be delighted to see new comrades of any size, shape or "diet" plans!

I've attached a pic of me at my heaviest plus one at the end of last year.

Thread 1: www.mumsnet.com/Talk/weight_loss_chat/2811974-Help-me-MN-I-have-4-stone-to-lose-and-10k-debt-to-pay-off?pg=1

Some of my best tips which I hope help!

• every day is every thing. it's what you do every day over the course of a year which makes a difference. In a year, what will you wish you did today?
• it's ok to just not eat crisps/chocolate/sweets/cakes/biscuits, easier, even, than trying to moderate
• eggs for breakfast
• salad and veg are your friends
• low sugar but good fats is anti-ageing too!
• You need less food than you think. You won't die from hunger.
• The secret is: there is no secret. Most slim folk have to prioritise it and work at it.
• Practice being slim. Act like you're slim.
• Do what suits you, find your own path. Eg don't assume breakfast is vital for you.

Hi Coffee. my starting weight was 15 stone 6 lbs, I'm now 13 stone 3 lbs. It might be because I wear very loose fitting tunics and elasticated waist jersey trousers. I do have a jacket though that's got very loose on me.

Oh it'll definitely be the clothing then! Over two stone lost at that starting weight is definitely noticeable. Perhaps when you feel a little more confident/lose a little more, you could treat yourself to some new clothes? I don't mean suddenly put on a bodycon mini dress, but even wearing loose clothes in your new smaller size should make it noticeable! Remember also that sometimes people won't comment on weight loss as they won't want to offend you by making it sound like you were too big to start with!

I've been quite good today. Just resisted some chocolate. Tonight may be tough as DP's parents are over and they want to have a takeaway . They have very poor eating habits (poor quality processed food and they drink booze pretty much every day) so they are obese. It can be a little frustrating when I'm on a health kick as they always tell me "life is too short" and stuff like that (I'd argue that whilst life's short, there's no point spending it unhealthy and unhappy).

Thanks Coffee. I feel like I have lost a bit from round my stomach today. My mum recons I have too. I have some funds put aside for some clothes for when I am slimmer. Well done on resisting that chocolate! I hope it wasn't too hard with your partners parents. My mum lost about 5-6 stone last year and said about three different people have said to her that at her age (67) they have given up diets and they should have what they want/fancy. However, my mum says this is not what she wants. She wants to be alive for as long as possible to be able to see her grandchildren grow up so will do all she can to make it so. Maybe bring that argument up when DPs' parents are on about life is too short? (You don't want to make it shorter!)
Well, I have enquired about a yoga class that is on at my local community centre and am going for my first session next Monday! I'm going for fitness and stress busting. Looking forward to it.
I hope all you ladies are doing well? Chicken, those extra numbers on the scale were probably due to AF. I remember years ago I joined SW and my weight would go in a pattern: lose, stay the same, gain, lose. I swear it was connected to my cycle!

Thanks Kitty. I managed to avoid the takeaway and just have a stir fry, but I did drink too much wine .

I totally agree with your mum! I mean, don't be obsessive about it and enjoy treats, but why wouldn't you try and live longer and be healthier?

That's great that your mum thinks you look like you have lost weight. Keep going! I'm sure other people will notice soon . Hopefully the yoga class will be good for you, both physically and mentally.

Well done on the loss Kitty and I hope you treat yourself to some new clothes soon as it gives you such a boost. Coffee glad to read that you're back in the 12s again. Chicken hopefully that gain is just a blip and next time you step on the scales it's gone. It's amazing how a weight gain or weight loss of just a couple of pounds can govern our mood so much isn't it? The highs of losing a couple and the misery of gaining a couple. When I suspect I may have gained I steer well clear of the scales as I can't bear to have it confirmed as it literally ruins my day. The worst of all is when I think I should have lost weight and find I've gained. And then the complete euphoria of having lost a couple of pounds!

My friend told me last night she'd given up sugar (she's always listening to me droning on and on about it) and she's lost half a stone so that made me pleased as she's so happy about it and looks great. I am still trying to do some exercise daily to keep the metabolism up and to build a bit more muscle which I understand helps to burn fat. I know this sounds very shallow but I also have the added incentive of trying to out-slim someone who I don't particularly like. The element of competition is making me much more focused than normal. This woman is so full of herself it beggars belief and is so flirtatious around all the men but stand offish towards women. She is also an awful boaster and whatever you've done she's done it bigger and better. Anyway I have her to thanks for all of my recent motivation so it's not all bad!

Well done on avoiding the takeaway Coffee! That must have been hard. Don't beat yourself up on the wine. One thing at a time (So in that case you are winning! ).
Hi MrPeevly. Your motivation sounds awesome. I will be cheering you on! (Btw, it doesn't sound shallow at all.) Well done on the exercise, it all helps, and well done to your friend too.

Thanks Kitty - trying to do bits of intense exercise a couple of times a day makes it easier for me than doing loads at once which can be daunting. Also the no sugar/v low carb thing means I have a much smaller appetite now which is handy as when I used to eat sugar and white carbs I was constantly starving and that is not good when you're as greedy as I am as I would just eat constantly. I am two pounds away from target now (9 stone) and feel better than I've done in years.

Hi everyone, well done on continuing to fight the good fight! Yeah, I reckon I'm a bit bloated - my tits are swollen and sore and I've been eating too many protein bars which have fake sweetners in them which make my tummy round and make me v farty!! They're gone now so I won't buy any more. (Grenade bars if you're wondering - tasty but not good in the long run)

Thanks for the encouragement.

I am two pounds away from target now (9 stone)

Wow, congratulations! How long has it taken you? I understand about the physical activity, breaking it up sounds like a good idea. Well done again!

Hi Chicken. I'm so glad I don't have any of that to contend with anymore. Just the occasional hot flush, but that's getting better anyway. I saw those Grenade bars in Amazon Pantry and they did catch my eye. The flavours sound nice, cookie dough was one of them iirc?

Hi team, how is everyone doing? TGIF is all I can say . It's been a bad few days for me food-wise. I won't go into it all, but I'm now 13 stone again. Only myself to blame though.

MrPeevly - That's amazing that you're so close to your goal. Well done. What was your starting weight? What's the plan now? The woman at work sounds like she has a lot of issues. Try not to get wrapped up in her dramas and dragged down. I have met a fair few women like that in my time. It's a shame and I just don't understand why people are like that.

Kitty - How are you doing? All set for Yoga on Monday? How are you feeling about it? Nervous? Excited? Hopefully it is good for you for lots of reasons .

Chicken - I hope you are feeling a little better and less bloated .

Well DH and I went to look at the local gym the other day. I've always been a bit of a gym snob (only ever been to Virgin Active / Fitness First / Pure Gym, (so the big chains)) and, until its recent refurb, this gym was a total dive. It's looking quite good now though so we're going to join! I'm really excited! We're also putting the house on the market soon, so have got a weekend of intense housework planned .

Hi All, I was about 10 stone 7 pounds I think so I've only lost a stone and a half but it's made a really big difference to how I look and feel. I am not quite sure how long it's taken - probably around four months with a few blips along the way. There are certain friends that when I spend time with I always put on weight as they lead me astray with food and drink.
Coffee good luck with selling the house and with the new gym - a nice surroundings really makes a difference. Are you moving within the same area or off further afield?

Kitty re your earlier question about when does your weight loss start showing - I find it impossible to notice on myself as it's so gradual but when I'm in my running stuff a lot of people have commented recently which is nice.
Chicken I suffer terribly with the monthly bloats and nothing seems to help :(

Hi Coffee, getting ready for Monday - Tackled the deforestation, or should I say epilated my legs! Cut my toenails too (They weren't too bad, I'm not a total slob, honest! ). I am looking forward to it yes. Sounds like you have some exciting plans coming up then. Maybe all the housework will help shift some lbs for you? Will you be up/downsizing, or staying the same? It's exciting looking at properties isn't it? I often look on Zoopla planning for when I win The Lotto. (I've looked for various budgets/win amount.) The gym sounds exciting, when are you thinking of joining? Is it very close to you? Good luck with everything, I hope it's fun for you!
Hi MrPeevly, you've done really well. It's nice that other people have noticed all your hard work. How are you planning on keeping it off now? Do you have a maintenance diet? Or do lots of exercise?
Hope everyone is doing well, or if not hopefully will be back on track soon.

Wow MrPeevly, losing a stone and a half in just 4 months is really impressive! Well done - you should be really proud.

Ha ha Kitty, well done on the leg epilation. Hopefully you've lost a few pounds as a result of the trim (jokes). How is your weekend going?

Kitty - I love looking at properties and dreaming. Spotted a lovely barn conversion which looks amazing. Sadly we don't have half a million pounds to spend on a house . We are hopefully moving to another country for a few years. I don't want to say too much on here, just in case one of my friends happens to be reading this and recognises me! When we come back, we can't really move back to the area we're living in as there are so few jobs, so we thought now might be the time to sell. Unfortunately, because there are so few jobs anywhere nearby, the housing market around here really isn't good and so we're very anxious about the house not selling. We've spent the entire weekend decluttering and cleaning and it still looks a mess (and we still haven't made it to the gym)!!! Hopefully we're making small steps .

Hello everyone

Hope you all had a good weekend. Haven't tackled my legs yet-it's not quite warm enough for shorts yet so know need! However it is easier to attempt to do them now.

Period fairy paid a visit over the weekend so only a pound off. So I'm back to 14 st 7.
Bought lots of chocolate this weekend to follow my pizza after having a few rare pints with dh. They are in the fridge as I didn't fancy them. Most unlike me!

Have a good week !

Hi All, had a weekend of eating mostly junk food (no sugar though - but stuff like curry, naan bread, samosas, popadoms and many bags of crisps) and drinking wine and gin. It feels like I've put back on all the weight I've lost so I am avoiding the scales for a few days until I've exercised myself back to feeling good again. It's amazing how just two days of eating badly can make you feel very bloated and lacklustre. This weekend I will aim to have the junk food in moderation. Hope everyone else is doing better?

Hi everyone. It's not just me then....Sunday was a very bad day food wise. I went a bit nuts, lol. I reckon I easily put on 2lbs. I ate till I was bloated and felt sick. It's been hard getting back on track, but I think I'm doing it (Night time snacking again..) Sorry you're going through it too MrPeevly.
Well done on avoiding the chocolate Row. I'm addicted to mint flavour Clubs atm. I have some in the kitchen cupboard and hear them calling me...
Hi Coffee. I hope your house sells for loads, or that you have a big Lotto win. Any particular country you are looking at moving too? I hear you about still looking a mess. My flat is tiny, there's just no room! One of the reasons I was going out to a yoga class was because my lounge is too small to practise in. I went btw. It made me laugh, there were all women, not one man! lol It went OK. Couldn't hear the instructor a lot (Neither could my mum, the acoustics were bad.) so I was just copying the lady next to me. (MY mum said she was just copying me! lol.) Near the end you could feel it working. I will go again next week.
I hope everyone is back on track now, or getting there. Good luck ladies, we can do this!

Sounds like we have all had a few bad days over the past week or so. Hopefully the next few days and weekend will be better for us.

Kitty - great that Yoga was fun. I’m not surprised it was all women. I think a lot of men get put off doing it, which is a shame. Keep at it and I’m sure you’ll start to know what you’re doing soon !!!

Well it was ‘weigh in wednesday’ for me today. 12 stone 11 here. Not great, but tbh I’m just relieved to have lost 1lb rather than gaining.

1lb off is 1lb off! Well done !

Thanks Row, that’s exactly my attitude . I actually weighed 12 stone 10.75 this morning. I think it’s probably dehydration though .

Hope everyone is enjoying the sun!!!

Hi Coffee, hi Row. Yup, well done on your hard earned pound Coffee! I measured myself today, one inch gained on hips and waist. I'm just taking that as gravity though, I usually measure myself in the morning! I was measuring to buy some summer clothes. Gawd knows what I've got coming as size guides ranges from size 18 to 24! (In different stores) I suppose I'll just have to try it all on once it's here and hop something fits!
How are you both doing? I was happily munching away on a Celebrations chocolate earlier thinking of how many calories I had left today when, yup, you guessed it, I'd forgotten to add my dinner in again. Doh! :p I'm only 16 calories over though so I won't beat myself up about it. Hope you are both doing OK? How's the house coming along Coffee? How's the other lady doing Row? (The one you are secretly in competition with.) Hope all you other ladies are doing OK too?

That's hope something fits rather than 'hops.' lol

Kitty, ww lady has put a pound on. I shall see where I stand in the morning!

If I go by my measurements I should be a size 26 top and a 30 bottom. I actually wear 18 bottoms but can get in 16 at a push on a good day. I wear 18/20 top but only because I've got 38 h boobs.
(Yes that's where I suspect I'm carrying the extra 2 stone or so)

Have a great weekend and enjoy the sunshine while it lasts!

Hi Row, good luck for tomorrow morning then!
I know, this sizing malarkey can get confusing can't it? I have so many different sizes coming to me, I hope they fit! Hope you enjoy the weather too. Do you have anything planned?

Shovelling mud,digging holes for fence posts and putting down a shed base in preparation for moving the shed in may!
Productive calorie burning!
Hope your plans are more exciting!