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.

Welcome Skunkrat!

Happy reading, Firefries! I was actually just thinking in the gym* earlier how writing the first thread and realising that despite my resolution to lose weight last year and a good start, I kept failing when it got past losing the first stone in the first few weeks. It sort of forced me into trying something completely difference (the CBT) which just gave me added support irl to get a handle on the problem.

Of course, you are very welcome, Peonies! I have PCOS myself (actually just treated myself to a new facial epilator to combat the chin-bristles) but no intentions of getting pregnant so I can only imagine it's a nervous time for you. Ooh, what with you and CoffeeandCupcakes we are going to have BABIES on this thread!!! How exciting!! Is it bad that I now want to get a say in naming these babies?! (I'm thinking positive for you, Peonies!)

*first time I've been in the gym since early November! I did some elliptical trainer and some cycling. Had to take it down a notch in terms of what difficulty-setting I was on but it wasn't awful. Can feel it in my thighs and arse already! And had some home-made turkey chilli (from a previous batch-cook) and wholegrain rice when I got home. Plus my statutory 2 squares of dark chocolate!

I definitely feel I'm in Phase 2 of losing weight and feeling positive about stuff!

Woop woop! You're doing so well. Who cares if you had to drop the intensity on the bike? You got out there and did it, which is more than most people will have done today!

Hi Peonies! I hope you don't find TTC too stressful. It was the most stressful thing I have been through TTC DC1 . Took us three years of TTC and we were told we probably wouldn't conceive without IVF. I gained about 10lbs in this time from the stress/heartache of it all (I'm someone who eats when I'm unhappy, but successfully diets when I'm happy!). Thankfully we got there in the end and unbelievably conceived for the second time after only three months!

P.S. Your Turkey Chilli sounds very wholesome and nutritious!!! I'll have to google a recipe .

Interesting to hear that the CBT helped.
As the mental side of spending and weight gain (deferred gratification or lack thereof) have exactly the same basis.

Exactly, Ta1kinPeace...the whole "I just need to buy/eat this one last thing then that will be me on the straight and narrow"...

Turkey chill is just:
Fry onion & garlic
Add turkey mince
when browned, add tinned tomatoes, tomato puree, kidney beans, maybe mushrooms and chilli powder.

I use ready chopped, frozen onion, tinned mushrooms and microwaveable rice! Keep it easy!!

That's so inspiring just hearing about your day Chicken. Way to go!
It is helping me just reading this thread. My minder is still in December mode. I'm trying to get back on plan but I think only halfway there. Hey also I haven't found your previous thread yet .. is under "weight loss chat" also? I'll go have another look. I searched your name and didn't get very far because of course if includes every thread we comment on. I forgot that wouldn't be much help . Anyways well done and yes I'm excited too that there will be some babies born. Well done to you mums who have jumped on board!!

My *mindset not minder

Ps I like the sound of your chilli dinner - I was just looking at turkey chilli recipes.

Sounds nice Chicken...and easy! Which is good because I'm really very lazy...

Firefries - If you look at the first post in this thread it has the link to the original thread . I found it inspiring, partly because Chicken had ups and downs and didn't just resolve to lose weight then it magically fell off .

Just found your link. Duh on the first page. I obviisky read your thread and totally missed the link. Apologies. I have been reading and I must say I'm impressed by your determination OP - keeping on keeping on. That's awesome to read Chicken. I hope you have another amazing year.

Thanks Coffee for the point in the right direction.

Thanks chicken and coffee I’m 1 pound down today which is great, I had put on 4 over Christmas.
I’m worried it will be a long road TTC, coffee as I have had very irregular periods since I was a teenager and we haven’t had any luck so far (6 months, Early MC in August).
chicken I currently get my lip and chin threaded every 7 days or so in Superdrug, but would be interested to know how you get on with your new gadget (ever since my line manager who is a super up tight 60 year old man saw me having my lip done in Superdrug I can never quite relax aha!)

I'm so sorry to hear about the MC Peonies . How awful for you both. I hope 2018 brings you more luck! 6 months is nothing at all, but I understand how worrying it can be, especially if you have irregular cycles. Just remember that they LIED at school when they said you'd get pregnant just by holding hands with a boy. The vast majority of people I know took 1 year+ (and many took much longer and needed a little help ). I will keep my fingers crossed for you though.

Is anyone up to anything fun tonight? I'm planning to go totally wild and be in bed by 10pm...

coffee yes I know, am raging about all the years I spent paranoid thinking I’d be pregnant after sex (even when I used protection!!) because they made it out like one error and you’d be up the duff with triplets the reality is rather different it would seem!!

Hi Fire, glad you have located the original thread and I'm pleased to be providing a little inspiration

Coffee has clearly been reading carefully! Yes, definitely not a straightforward battle, was my weight in 2017! Hoping for a smooth downward line on the old fitbit weight graph in 2018.

Great start, Peonies with the first lb off. I am so sorry for your loss in August and I hope you have happy news to share with us at some point this year.

Re the facial epilator - I'll post the link below. It arrived yesterday. I'm using rechargeable batteries in it.

I get a few thick black hairs on my chin which I pluck out when I feel the devils growing in and I have some peach fuzz also on my chin and upper lip. I usually get a "whole face" thread so it takes off my fuzzy sideburns as well but that hurts like a motherfucker - real tears roll down my face. Can't beat the threading for total smoothness - just love stroking my face afterwards and putting make up on beautifully.

The epilator does seem good for taking off the chin and upper lip peach fuzz. It doesn't seem to do much for the sideburn area. The advantage to the epilator is that I can do a touch up of my chin and lip any time. Perhaps I will just use hair removal on the sideburns. Threading is a bit of a pita for me as I have to make a special trip to a local shopping centre and there's usually a wait. Not to mention the said horrendous pain and the £££.

Obviously longterm, threading/plucking/epilating is better than shaving or hair removal cream as there is a chance that the hair will lessen over time. I also have a Boots SmoothSkin but that doesn't work on peach fuzz.

Here is the link to the facial epilator: it's £29
www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00LZPLRCE/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?psc=1&tag=mumsnetforum-21&ie=UTF8

Today, I've been cleaning the house and doing laundry in prep for the New Year. Pulled a muscle in my shoulder scrubbing the bath though! It will just be a quiet one tonight, me and the cat. I have booked myself into a Step class at 9am tomorrow...may as well start as we mean to go on!

I read an interview with Julianne Hough, dancer/actress, the other day and she said she treats health & fitness just like brushing her teeth - not something you fit in "if you have time" but just a non-negotiable part of your routine.You do it without thinking about whether you want to or not. I found that a helpful way to look at things. Reminded me of someone else who said you should schedule time to take care of your body just like you take care of your home/car/finances.

Well Happy New Year to us when it comes! I am excited for all the good things coming our way!

Happy new year. Yes think self care needs to be high on the agenda for 2018. I have started paying for the chiropractor after years of falling off horses amongst other things. The stupid thing is I have paid for a chiropractor for said horses for years. X

Hi Wrong and welcome! (Have you checked out the chiropractor's credentials? I understand some are charlatans at best and downright dangerous at worst). My (Dr) father winces at the mention of them.

Happy New year all

Hello chicken, im back as promised. (Waves to everyone else) Weighed in at 14st 12 so finished the year half a stone lighter than last year. Never done that before!

In work at 6 today on less than four hours sleep so no opportunity for cheating till I'm home again at 12.

Let's make this a good, healthy lighter year.

Woohoo, welcome Rowgtcfc72!

Good place to be starting from!

I've taken some body measurements and they are as follows (in inches): (measurements at start of last year in brackets)
Waist: 33 (38)
Tum (at belly button!!): 37 (44)
Hips 38 (44)
Thigh 24 (29)

Hoping for something approaching 34-24-34 next year after watching a programme about Marilyn Monroe on youtube and having a dream about her!

Hope you all have a great first day of 2018!

chicken thanks for link, I find threading excruciating and always find my eyes stream with tears, I have a few black lip hairs and one big black chin hair as well as a lot of long white bang fluff . I worry I would not have the balls to epilate myself if it hurts.
I love that idea of making exercise non-negotiable as a part of routine, I have tried to incorporate it for past 7-8 weeks despite travel, work stress etc just making sure I go to gym no matter what. Ended up joining a really nice (expensive) gym with a wide range of classes but it’s worth it to me as it’s a lovely place to be, so I actively want to go there.

Hope your step class goes well! That is definitely setting you up for a good 2018! I can't believe the gym/studio is actually open.

I read a similar thing a year or so ago which really stuck with me. I can't remember who it was, but she basically said that you need to see healthy eating and fitness as an investment in your future. You need to prioritise it now over many other things, because if you don't you'll (likely) set yourself for a future of ill health (e.g. diabetes, heart problems, bad back, joint problems etc). It sounds silly, but until then my dieting and exercise had predominantly been about being as skinny as I could be RIGHT NOW. It wasn't about my long term health.

Hi Wrong and welcome. I echo what Chicken says! Please be really careful as my doctor relatives and friends are very scathing of chiropractors. One often has to deal with the aftermath of stuff they f*ck up, so please be super careful and if anything doesn't feel right get them to stop immediately. I really don't want to come over as preachy though and I seriously hope you are able to fix whatever riding-related injuries you have though .

Hi Row! That's an amazing achievement. Well done! Great start to 2018 .

Peonies - I'm really sorry about the facial hair. Is there anything they can do? Like medication? I'm asking out of ignorance as obviously you will have explored all avenues! I'm really sorry if it affects your self esteem. As for threading, I sometimes get my eyebrows threaded and ALWAYS end up crying I must have particularly bushy eyebrows.

Hope everyone has a good first day of the year!

Morning all! I survived the Step Class! It was only 45 mins and was actually fine. I was out of breath and it was a little sore but the right amount so you know it's working!

Yeah, it's PureGym which is open 24/7/365 but I did feel a bit sorry for the instructor who was quite young and should have been recovering from a party or something!

I'm watching this thread with interest.
I'm overweight (no idea how much I weigh)
I'm paying off credit cards
My drinking is way out of control
I am a single parent to two small children and I need to get my act together.
Gym isn't really an option as I have no childcare but plan to just get up and out and move more.
Doing dry January and will make healthier food choices.
Wish me luck

Welcome Kite!

I think addressing the drinking is the first priority. Other things will fall into place after that. Are you going to do Dry January?

Hi Chicken.
Definitely doing dry January.
I would like to get to a stage where I can enjoy a social drink or a glass of wine occasionally to wind down after a busy day. Unfortunately I just don't think that will ever be an option for me. Once the bottle is open I have to finish it (and then start another)
I really need to get a handle on it, once and for all.