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.

MrP - Great news about the dress. What is it like? Nice clothes are always motivating!

Mrs Boasty sounds so annoying. She obviously has low self-esteem and is looking for people to give her validation and tell her how great she is. It's such a shame. I don't get why grown adults act like that. Try not to let her attitude get to you though .

Have you got any exciting plans this weekend?

Row - Are you a football fan then? I'm now guessing your username is football-related? I hope you can get a shirt that fits you. I hadn't thought about the boob issues .

Let us know how the weigh in goes. Have you got any other plans this weekend? Good luck to your hubby!

As an update from me, I have had a very bad two weeks. All the stress of the job interview, kids having tantrums/not sleeping, hubby being away etc meant that I've done no exercise apart from lifting pizza and cake to my mouth. I have gained 2lbs which I am gutted about, but it's fully my own fault.

In good news though, I got the job. It's only a temporary contract and we will be spending every penny I earn on childcare (literally. I will make a £3 profit at the end of the day, which will all go on petrol/parking). I'm hoping that it will be a good move in the long term though (i.e. keep my skills up to date, keep me in the job market or possibly even be taken on for a permanent job there etc. If I don't go back to work in the next year or so, I'd almost certainly struggle to get back into this career). I do feel quite wobbly about leaving my (then) 7 month old while I go back to work full time .

It does mean I need to lose the chub to get back into my work clothes!

Row, re your hubby and the chocolate - it seems that men lose weight far more easily than women as their bodies aren't designed to hang on to fat for feeding babies. They have much more muscle than us too which in turn helps to burn off calories so it really is a man's world and I guess that's why generally you see more overweight women than men. It's very annoying. How did the weigh in with your WW colleague go? I have always like the sound of her for some reason - I imagine her being a bit of a laugh.

coffee that is brilliant news about the job - well done! I worked for very little reward when my children were little and it all went on childcare and travel etc but at least I got my pension contributions for those eight years so it's worth doing and it keeps your skills up to date as you say.

Holiday is three weeks away now and my SIL who we're going with is dieting madly. When she messaged me saying she had over a stone to lose it didn't feel right telling her I'd lost weight in the last few months (haven't seen her since xmas) as I didn't want to come across as smug or gloaty so I just said I was watching my weight too (which I am).

My new dress is a brown linen halter neck and it's really flattering as it's fitted at the top and then goes out at the waist so hides the wobblier bits.
All quiet on the Mrs Boasty front since her epic boasting about her ex contacting her etc. I may be seeing her in the next couple of weeks though so will brace myself for more unashamed bragging. Coffee I agree that she probably does it for validation but it's very annoying all the same. Whatever you've done, got, achieved - she has done it bigger and better. Grrrrr.

I probably won't do any exercise this week - it's way too hot to move. I am lying down with the fan on and a very cold drink.

Still no sign of the others - I really hope I haven't bored them off with my sugar free preaching. Kitty and Chicken, if you come back I promise not to mention the S word ever again.

hello all

Chicken sends her regards, she messaged me to let me know shed been banned and wasn't sure if she was returning. I told her she was much missed.

Dh got back on the scales. He's found the missing stone he swears he was much lighter but it appears not. Nice to know I'm supposed to store fat though. I will tell everyone it's natural!

I weighed in at 14 st 9. Wwlady (who is indeed a good laugh) hasn't declared yet. I will keep you updated.

Coffee well done on the job. Great news! I went to uni but have only worked in factories since having dd. It's important to me that dd knows money has to be earnt but I've got to admit working with a small child was bloody hard work. She's 11 now and off to senior school in Sept so things are finally starting to calm down.

MrP dress sounds lovely and it's nice when you find one that hangs just right. Your sil is in for a surprise when she sees you!

Have a good week everyone.

Thanks both for your kind words about the job. I feel so guilty leaving the kids and would MUCH rather be at home with them, but I'm hoping it will teach them the importance of hard work and earning your own way in life. Also, hopefully it will improve my job options in a few years' time (when we won't have extortionate childcare costs) and so I can provide a better life for them then. As you say MrP, I'll also be paying into a pension and paying off my student loan, so in some ways I am "earning".

Yay for your holiday MrP. That's an awkward one with your SIL. You don't want to make her feel bad at any point, and you also don't want to come across as gloaty (I'm sure you won't!). Just don't say anything about "being fat" in front of her if you're now slimmer . Have a lovely time though! We're also away in just over 2 weeks .

As for Mrs Boasty, I totally know how annoying those type of people are. I've met a few in my time!

I'm totally with you on the zero exercise this week. DH is away so I have no childcare, but in any event this weather has killed off my exercise mojo . I'm also expecting AF any time soon (since having DC2 I've been getting horrendous periods every 20-22 days).

Good to hear from you Row and commiserations to your DH . How are you getting on this week? Any update from WW lady? I'm glad she's good fun too!

Oh no! What happened to Chicken? I can't believe she's been banned again. I'm pleased she's ok though and I really hope she comes back at some point. Has anyone heard from Kitty? I'm worried in case something has happened...

I didn't know Chicken had been banned twice - that's too bad. Hope she's able to come back still - not sure what the rules are on that sort of thing.
And yes I'm worried about Kitty too - I searched her name on here to see if she'd been posting on other threads but she doesn't seem to have been.
Row maybe the drop on the scales was just wishful thinking on your husband's part? Anyway hope you're beating your WW colleague this week when she finally does her reveal.
Still no proper exercise for me although I swung a kettlebell around for 10 mins this morning before I got hot and bothered and gave up. I am back on strict low carbing pre holiday and I've even given up my nightly glass or two of vino. I had chilli today with no rice and lots of sour cream and salad - it's a meal I'm very happy with and don't miss the rice. I did have some cauliflower rice in the freezer but couldn't be bothered with it.
In other news I have the afternoon off tomorrow so for the first time this week I will be able to spend a bit of time in the sun - I've been so pissed off at work whilst the weather's been so good.
Coffee your children will be fine at nursery and it's great for them to have all that social experience and others their own age around them. Mine both went full time from an early age and are confident and happy.

Just a quick message to say I hope you’re both having a good weekend. I’ve been really busy so haven’t had chance to post, but will do a proper message when I get chance x

hello
Likewise busy busy.

Wwlady is officially 2.5 kilos heavier than me. Game on!

Been to the local airshow today,accidently bought a dress in the local retro shop. Now I don't generally do dresses,they never hang right. Picked up4xl, lady told me to get the 3xl,I actually fit in the 2xl. Bonus! Bought 3xl as it was longer so will have to take the top in but ladies, I bought a dress

Hope your both well, sending a hello to kitty and chicken if you're following.

All good here though bad on the eating front - we did a bit too much socialising at the weekend and it involved loads of food and drink. Not weighing until I've had a few good days under my belt.

Row glad to hear you're beating Mrs WW - she had really closed the gap at one point I recall but it looks like you're streaking ahead now. I love dresses - they're the ideal lazy persons clothing choice I find as you only wear one thing and don't have to match anything to it. I wear dresses most of the time in summer and every day for work irrespective of weather (just add black opaques in winter). i don't have any trousers at all for work.

Coffee hope all ok with you and look forward to hearing from you when you're less busy.

I haven't exercised at all recently due to heat and that's not going to change until it's about ten degrees cooler. Enjoying the break and hopefully my muscles are too.

Right ladies, 5 minutes for a proper catch up. Got myself a and everything!

Thanks for the comments about childcare MrP. I really hope they will both be ok. It's funny how reading a few nasty comments from Mumsnetters on childcare threads can make you feel like sh*t though (I can just never understand why people say things which are deliberately intended to make others feel awful about themselves).

How are you both doing? Enjoying this lovely weather? I can't believe how lucky we have been this summer (and summer has only just started!). The downside is, I have NOTHING to wear that I look good in/feel comfortable in. I've also done no exercise for weeks. I've also been pretty poor diet-wise so, as expected, I'm hovering around the same weight.

Chilli sounds lovely MrP. It's one of my favourite meals. I also rarely have it with rice, because I feel the rice doesn't add an awful lot. Have you ever tried turkey chilli? I keep meaning to try and make some so that the family's eating less red meat. Not a huge fan of turkey though...

Great news about the dress Row. What's it like? Just must feel really good about yourself! Pre mum-tum I used to live in dresses for work, as they required less ironing . Also I have short chubby legs so trousers just don't work for me...

Coffee, I bike 50 plus miles a week- I have legs like chris hoy!

The dress is blue and floral 50s style, much cleavage on show. Which is an issue as I now need a new blue or white bra with a cross over back. In a 38j. Which I can't exactly get off the peg and need a second mortgage to buy. But it is a beautiful dress

Had to book four days off work this July as ninja is in her last year of primary and we have leaving assemblies and concerts and sportsday to contend with. I don't normally get to do all these as I work mornings and dh afternoons so I get parents evenings and he gets the good stuff. But not this time.
Won't lie coffee, being a working mum is a lot of juggling and there are moments where you feel like the worst mum in the world. I needed to be something other than mum as well,that's what keeps me sane and makes me personally a better mum.

MrP no exercise here either other than biking to work. Too darn hot.

Aww that dress sounds lovely Row. I hope you feel fab in it! Good luck finding a bra. Pre-kids I was a 34B so never struggled to find a bra. I always felt a little self-conscious about being a bit flat chested but now, post 2 x pregnancies and 2 x breastfed babies, I look back on my perky boobs fondly!

I can't believe you bike 50 miles a week. That's fab. Didn't you come a cropper and have bike issues last time we had a sunny spell? That's great exercise though.

That's lovely about Ninja's sports days and assemblies. It's such a big thing for them at that age. It's great that you're getting to go and do some of the fun stuff for once!

How are you getting on MrP? Have we lost you to your thread on AIBU? . I clicked on it as I wanted to read something fun/cheery for once*, then saw you'd started it!

(* obviously I'm not referring to this thread, I have just seen so many unpleasant goady posts lately I was losing faith in Mumsnet!)

Ha ha coffee I have been wading my way through it and have been pleasantly surprised at all the responses. The snapped and farted thing didn't amuse me at all however I still keep laughing about the woman in the doctor's surgery who when her appointment was called meant to say to her son (who'd been moaning) "Come on you whiney tinker" but it came out as "come on you tiny wanker" in front of a packed surgery.

There's been a sighting of Kitty on another thread - come back and join us soon if you're reading Kitty x

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/_chat/3297613-i-ve-just-over-a-week-to-find-20-gifts-for-the-hubby-ideas-needed-asap

Oops false alarm - wrong Kittycat!

Morning

Down to 14st 5lb here this weekend!

Too bloody hot to cook or eat.

Chicken sends her best wishes to all.

Morning Row, that's amazing!!! Well done . How much have you lost now?

Say hi back to Chicken.

MrP - I need to catch up on your other thread. It went berserk! I think I got to about page 9 or 10, left it for 10 seconds and came back to find there was about 19 pages. Madness! I was going to say I loved the Tiny Wanker story . It's just the sort of sleep-deprived-tongue-tied thing I would do.

Things haven't been good here and I've well and truly fallen off the wagon. With this heat I've done no exercise and have been eating badly. I had a really low point on Sunday when I went to visit a friend for a coffee. She decided she wanted to go to a certain cafe which meant a bit of a hike up and down steep hills. Firstly, I just wasn't dressed for it given the heat (jeans and ballet pumps, because I can't fit in anything else) so I was BOILING in the heat and sweating away. Secondly, I was out of breath straight away while she didn't struggle at all. I just felt so miserable and humiliated. I go on holiday on Thursday and just look awful in everything. I still look about 6 months pregnant and I'm almost 5 months PP. I'm really hoping this holiday will give me chance to 'reset' myself and get back on the wagon!

When is it you go on holiday MrP? Are you going away at all Row? TBH we don't need it given how the weather's been lately!!!

Morning!

Coffee hope you have a good holiday. Take some time to relax. Like you said reset. Healthy living I've found is much easier when it's not a chore!

I've now lost half a stone since the middle of June. Again. This is the third time I've lost this half stone .

Wwlady weighed in at 99.5 kg. I'm 95.5. Yay go me! Currently about to ring in sick with cold and sinus infection. Realistically I've found i can't be in three places at once and sort everything out and my body's just crashed. Not good with phones so have been going to ring for the last half hour.

MrP hope all is well!

Oh no Row. Did you make the call? I’m so sorry you’re ill. It sounds as though you’re just doing too much. Is there anything you can take a break from / get help with?

Amazing news about the weight loss! I know it’s the same half stone...and it doesn’t feel like a lot...but it’s still a steady loss so is not to be sniffed at.

We’re out on holiday after a VERY stressful 48 hours (I can’t say on here as it’s a little outing). I have no idea what my current weight is, but I think I have probably gained a little. Hopefully I can do some damage control this week...

So is Chicken not returning then? That’s such a shame. Pass on our well wishes! I also wish we could contact Kitty

Afternoon

Back at work tomorrow. Still have a cough and am knackered but all I've done since last Thursday is eat and sleep. I've put 5lb on! Going back to work as theres less access to food.
Hope holidays are going well .

Chicken says hi!

Yr 6 leavers assembly today. Friend took a photo of us all. I look old,knackered and fat. Doesn't help that I'm stood next to her and shes a skinny 7 stone.

Awww Row, I'm so sorry. It's such a horrible feeling. I'm sure you are being hard on yourself and don't look as bad as you think, but it's still not nice when you [feel that you] look a lot worse than those around you. Just remember that you are working towards a healthier you. Yes, you're not where you want to be now, but you're making huge steps forward and as long as you keep going things will feel better eventually. Even if you just lose 1lb a month, it will all add up over time. How are you feeling about it all today? I hope you're a little bit happier.

MrP - I hope you're having a wonderful holiday!!!

Well I'm back from holiday and the scale says 12.7 this morning...so I'm pretty much exactly the same as when I left. I feel much fatter though, as I ate a lot whilst out there (a lot of veg and healthy stuff, but an awful lot of pasta and puddings!). I also got a bit upset when I saw some photos, as I am just SO MUCH bigger than I have always been. I'm also very pasty and tired looking, so I feel pretty down right now. BUT DH is off work today so I have no excuse to not go to the gym today, tomorrow and Sunday...or at least get off my sizeable backside!

Well the good news is that I've managed to go to the gym twice already (once yesterday, once today). The bad news is that I am SOOOOOOOO unfit. Somehow I'm even more unfit than when I first went back to the gym a few weeks ago (probably because I've been fuelled by rubbish over the past week or so!). Gahhhhh! Really wish I could have another weight loss "whoosh" and lose a few more pounds, as that's what keeps me motivated. I've been loitering at the same weight for months weeks now.

That's what gets me. When you get stuck at a weight for a few weeks but know you're doing everything right.
Well done on the gym-twice! We're putting up a very long 6ft fence today so must be burning calories. Also my virus has turned into tonsillitis which curbs my appetite. Bonus!
Enjoy the sun everyone

Hello, sorry to be absent for a while but as you know we've been in Spain for a week so just catching up now.

Row sorry to hear you're ill - tonsilitis is lousy. Are you sure putting up a fence is a good idea - you don't want to make yourself worse by overdoing it.
Coffee - well done for not gaining any weight on holiday and I'm sure if you stick with the gym you will get another whoosh soon.
I somehow managed to stay the same on holiday despite indulging in a good few cocktails and eating out every night.
I haven't exercised in a month so maybe I've just lost some muscle but I just can't do it in this heat - I hate being too hot so I am moving around as slowly as possible. Our dogs are lying on the utility room floor as it's the coolest place in the house as it's dark with a tiled floor and I am thinking of joining them.
I am following a thread by a woman who's at a one week weight loss and exercise camp. I had a friend who went to one of these and did really well but they're so expensive.
Tell chicken hi from me and hope she can rejoin us soon. Are you and her facebook friends Row? If so maybe you could ask if me and coffee can friend request her? No worries if she'd rather not though!

Good to hear from you MrP. Did you have a nice holiday? I hope it was relaxing. That's great that you stayed the same weight despite a few cocktails. I think it's good now and again to let your hair down and have a rest, whether from work or dieting or whatever. I believe it gives you a little time to recharge but maybe that's just me making excuses to be lazy!

I've seen those weight loss bootcamps and some of them look fab! I wanted to go on one up in Northumberland, but it was always too expensive...now it's too expensive AND I'd have no childcare . I think they look great though for giving you a kick start. If there's one you like, maybe follow it on FB and see whether they have any deals come up?

OMG the heat. No way can you exercise at home/outdoors at the moment. It's pretty unbearable.

How are you getting on Row? How is the tonsillitis? I hope you're feeling better now. Please take it easy. I hope you haven't been worrying too much about your weight.

Well I've been to the gym 3 times in 4 days & am hoping to go tonight too. I managed a 5k run yesterday. It was so hard going and I walked 1/3 of it, but it got done. I can't wait to get fitter and get back to finding 5k fairly easy going. I'm thinking of signing up for the Edinburgh Half in May as motivation, but my knees are so bad and it looks like my foot injury is going to be permanent .