Anyone looking to lose 100lbs plus... Part 6!

[honeysucklejasmine]

Hello, welcome to the sixth instalment (wow!) of the ‘Anyone looking to lose 100lbs plus …’ thread smile

If you want to read them (but by no means feel obliged!), the previous threads are here:

Part 1 www.mumsnet.com/Talk/weight_loss_chat/2812619-anyone-looking-to-lose-100lbs-plus-in-2017

Part 2 www.mumsnet.com/Talk/weight_loss_chat/2920520-Anyone-looking-to-lose-100lbs-in-2017-Part-2

Part 3 www.mumsnet.com/Talk/weight_loss_chat/3045244-Anyone-looking-to-lose-100lbs-plus-in-2017-18-Part-3

Part 4 www.mumsnet.com/Talk/weight_loss_chat/3193507-Anyone-looking-to-lose-100lbs-plus-Part-4

Part 5 www.mumsnet.com/Talk/weight_loss_chat/3271618-Anyone-looking-to-lose-100lbs-plus-Part-5

We’re a very friendly, supportive group, and all at different stages, but we’re all seeing some real changes in ourselves and our attitudes to food. It’s a long old road, but it helps to chat along the way

Collectively, we’ve lost an incredible…......... 🌟 1205.75lbs 🌟 since the start of the first thread in Dec 16, which is amazing!

We tend to weigh in on Fridays or Saturdays, but feel free to join in at any time, with whatever weight loss method you think works best for you. Some of us have lost more than others, but we're all in this together, so if you're losing, gaining or staying the same, it's nice to have some inspiration to keep going.

We’re always welcoming to newcomers, but as with the previous thread(s), I’ll add one caveat - we’re all here because we are trying to lose a LOT of weight. If you’re looking to lose the last half stone, or even two or three stone, this might not be the thread for you. Good luck with your goals, but you may find more support with in threads with people who have similar goals to you.

Hi Hiphop! are your lyrics bottomless? Welcome, welcome. Great job on the 21lbs. I remember when I had got to about 30lbs lost with 70 odd to go, I thought I'd be we get there. But now I'm 82lbs in, with 30lbs to go! Madness. As we say, time will pass anyway so may as well use it!

My step count is sooooo low today. It's cold and miserable here so spent day in the house breaking up fights between small children. Joy. Might do an aerobics dvd tonight if I can summon the energy.

honeysuckle that is amazing to see the reverse loss (having to lose less than you have lost already), I feel like that would (WILL!) be such a big mental accomplishment to reach that point.

Hi hiphop, that’s a great start and I’m glad you stopped lurking and joined in!

I have been doing ok, really trying to be conscious of what and when I’m choosing to eat. I have been keeping a food diary with no calories just to increase my awareness of what I’m eating and I’ve really noticed how much sugar I eat in a typical day so that’s definitely going to be my next focus. I haven’t been snacking or eating after dinner and I’ve realised that although I do get hungry between meals, it passes with some water or a coffee and I can wait until the next meal without too much difficulty. This is a huge change for me and one I think I can probably keep up. I’m a bit worried that I won’t see a huge loss this week and I’ll be completely demotivated as has happened in the past. I’m not cutting calories or anything like that so I know I shouldn’t expect a big loss but it does feel like I’ve been doing well and want to see that reflected on the scale! Does anyone have any advice for weeks with no/small loses, particularly in the beginning before you have the NSVs to boost you up?

Take your measurements! It's rare that I've had a week with neither a loss nor a reduction in inches. So if one misbehaves I console myself with the other.

I'm finding dieting in winter hard. It's cold. I want food. We're often home because of how cold it is, so the snack cupboard is calling me. Damn.

Fezzes - I know what you mean about photos - I have lost over 6.5 stone and I still see in photos and my reflection a fatty - which technically I still am as still "obese" but I don't feel like I look much different although I must do because I fit in much smaller clothes and people keep commenting on how great I look.... but I don't see it myself!

I haven't posted an update for a while as my life has been busy so I just read a bit and forget my update but here goes.

10 months in....
Loss -1lb
Total Loss - 94.5lb
Still to Lose for target 40.5lb

Non scale victories have been.... buying clothes in shops I would never normally shop in, knowing that something should fit me in any clothes shop I go in and not needing a plus size range, buying boots and wellies from the normal range not wide fit and fitting into my "healthy" BMI husbands tracksuit bottoms and t-shirts!

I did want to have another 7.5lb off by now which would put me into overweight and not obese but I have had a little lull where I maintained so I think thats ok as my relationship with food is better. I've just been too busy with work to exercise as I am exhausted all of the time. Hoping I can do 100lb loss by Christmas still though!

I don't know if I said this before but what has helped me has been throwing out clothes that are too big as I go so I know I have to KOKO or I will end up naked!!!

Good tip about the measurements - I might start doing that. Feeling a bit despondent today - I’m really struggling to get under the 16 stone barrier. I’m so desperate to see another number but I’m stuck on 16!

Did my subtraction wrong with my very late weigh in and had actually lost 2.2lbs not 1.2lbs last week which is pretty good going for me. Been having a whoosh this week as well: definitely fluid retention finally resolving peeing for Scotland and revealing losses from earlier weeks when I thought I'd STS. It's cheered me right up Shouldn't let the scales dictate my mood though, good or bad. But it's reassuring that all that slowly plodding on, otherwise known as KOKO, was actually working under the surface. I had hoped to get to my target weight by the new year but then that looked unrealistic. Now it's looking possible again which is lovely and quite motivating.

Well done slithy on your loss and your milestone. You'll get that next one too.

Welcome hiphop and well done on your loss so far. That was about my starting weight and I'm aiming for 105lbs off too. Keep posting, there's great support on this thread

Coffeeandrainbows, I second the advice about taking measurements. I do bust, waist and hip and some folk also do neck, upper arm and thigh. Another thing you could consider is taking photos in the same clothes from the front and the side. I think if you are going for a gentle weight loss by avoiding counting calories or following a formal plan then you will have to accept weeks with no losses and weeks with only small losses. That happens to calorie counters, etc, anyway but think it will happen to you more often as you will probably have a smaller calorie deficit. That is not a bad thing. We're all in this for the long haul so it has to be sustainable in a way that isn't applicable to folk with only a couple of stones to lose. Looking for motivation from the scales might not be your wisest choice.

Well done, Getfit, on your loss. You have done so well and it sounds like you have a lot to juggle too. Great NSVs.

Another good week here, 3lbs off
Am surprised by my levels of will power, there’s biscuits and chocolate galore at work and normally come 11am and 3pm id be munching my way through them because they’re there and I haven’t touched a single one
I find it’s easier for me to abstain totally than to have just one- I have had cake and profiteroles recently but I just don’t feel as though they’re worth the calories
Logging everything in MFP continues to open my eyes and makes me think twice about what I’m eating

Total loss: 16.4lbs
To go: 93.4lbs

Hope everything else is having a good week

*everyone

Odd one this week. I have gained 0.25lbs. However, last week immediately after weighing in I went on a long walk and by Sunday morning I'd gained 2lbs. So I'm rather seeing it as a loss of 1.75lbs 😂 But yeah, officially my second ever gain.

Lost to date: 82.25lbs
To go: 30.50lbs

I've only put on 1lb this week which a bit steadier so not too bad.

Well done Quandary on your fab losses and willpower to stay away from cakes. I had yesterday where someone brought in cakes and I just dived in

honey you are doing so well, only two weeks where there has been a gain is amazing!

Found out my grandmother died this morning. Am now resisting the overwhelming urge to go and buy a load of chocolate and junk to eat away the emotions.
It’s bloody hard

Oh Quandary I'm sorry for your loss. Stay strong, don't binge. My grandfather was of the generation of very slim, and I think it always disappointed him that I was fat. I like to think he'd be proud, were he still around to see me. Would your grandmother be proud of you, do you think? Don't let her death derail your life. How else can you channel your grief? Can you plan the wake? Spend time with family sharing memories?

Unfortunately I don’t live near my family, she was the epitome of health until she developed dementia and I think she would be proud if I stick to my guns and don’t give in. I’m the only overweight person in my family and carry a lot of shame with that, like I’m letting everyone down for the way I look.
I won’t binge. I’m going to make some soup and keep myself busy

Thank you honeysuckle

Very sorry Quandary .

I have lost another 2lb this week, so we are getting there slowly. Had 9 ins pizza last night but gave half to DH so its debatable whether that is good or bad! 6lb lost so far. Would like to lose a stone by Christmas. Not going to beat myself up if I don't though.

Loss this week: 2.2lbs
Total loss: 99.4lbs
To go: 5.6lbs

A good week for me which amazingly is two good weeks in a row. Closing in on 100lbs lost. Now not to get cocky or self-sabotage again. I've been a bit rigid with my eating and exercising again and not allowing any deviations from my plan so having a softer day today which will involve lots of time on the sofa.

So sorry for your loss, Quandary No wonder you are struggling, that is awful. How are you doing today?

Welcome to the club of random week's gains, honey. Make sure you pay your sub and I'll have your membership card and newsletter sent out. It's mainly just people saying "fucking fucker scales". Next week will be better.

That is a very respectable, modest gain considering how far along you are, moonlight. Are you still managing some exercise?

Well done on your loss, froglet. I'd count giving away half your pizza as a win! I was amazed when I started calorie counting how many calories are in even a modest pizza. I now eat half of what I used to and have a side salad.

I’m ok today otter, thanks for asking.
I didn’t binge and I’m keeping myself busy. I did let myself join the kids in having pizza for dinner but we shared one and I only had 3 slices instead of eating the whole thing like I would’ve done previously
Not reaching for food to help with my emotions is incredibly difficult though

Well done on your loss too otter, so close to 100lbs lost what an incredible achievement!

Sorry to hear your news Quandary - you’re doing amazing to keep going through it!

I’m very excited this morning - I’ve broken into the next stone barrier - 15.13!! Only a pound gone in a week but just seeing 15 instead of 16 is a big psychological boost.

Congratulations hiphop, I know exactly what you mean!

I had a big food weekend. The scales aren't going to be happy with me this week. Oh well, we have to live, don't we? I'm still aiming to hit 13,4 by Christmas so fingers crossed I can get there. (About 5lbs away as of this morning)

Sorry for your loss Quandary and well done for resisting binging. Reaching for food to help deal with emotions is a hard habit to break, take care of yourself

That is fabulous news Hiphop, a great boost to be in a new stone bracket!

Well done froglet and Another on your losses too. And thank you for the advice Another and honey I’m going to take photos and measurements and try to find a way to stay motivated that does not rely on the scales. I really want to try a gentle approach that will hopefully be more maintainable long term but that does mean that those big, motivation boosting numbers won’t be there and especially at first, so for now I will just KOKO and try to focus on the long term goals.

This week I am cutting down on sugar during the week in addition to the more water, food diary and no eating after my evening meal so we’ll see how I feel. I’m a bit worried as sugar and carbs are such a big part of my diet at the moment so I hope it’s not too difficult and I don’t get a sugar withdrawal headache or anything, although that might be motivating to see how it’s actually affecting my body.

Lost: 1lbs
To Lose: 95lbs

Well done for not binging, Quandary. It is incredibly difficult not using food to deal with strong emotions when that is what you are used to. I still really struggle with that at times. I think it's important to still do something to deal with those emotions to comfort yourself or otherwise deal with them. But there's lots of options other than food. Things I do are write in a diary (somehow this creates a bit of distance), make the effort to reach out and properly talk with people, exercise, clean the house or switch the heating on and lie on the sofa under heavy blankets with hot tea. The common suggestion of a bath does not work for me at all. There's also some great ideas in this old thread. Hope you are doing okay

Well done on your milestone, hiphop! I get a boost from things like new stone brackets too.

I completely agree that we have to live and take part in things while on a long-term diet, honey. People with only a couple of stone to lose can just put everything on hold for 2-3 months which isn't an option for us. Also, it's important to make new habits that will keep us going when maintaining a new weight I think.

You sound very pragmatic, coffeeandrainbows, which I think will stand you in good stead over the long haul. Best of luck with your plans for the new week.

How is everyone getting on? The thread has been quieter than usual so hoping everyone is just keeping their heads down and KOKO. If you're struggling, it's okay to post and say "this is fucking shit" as you'll have at least half a dozen people agreeing with you! I lurk on several mumsnet threads and they all seem to be quiet so think the run up to Christmas is affecting everyone. Just hope you're all okay

Another it is quiet but not much to say here except 31 weeks pregnant now and wish I could have lost weight before doing this whole thing. I really don't want a hospital birth but no-one will let me go for anything else so feeling crap about that.

How are you doing Quandary?

Sounds like you are really taking a good look at things coffee - sugar really is the hardest thing to crack I feel.

Hope you are all doing well this week

I'm not sure if I should even be posting on here anymore, given I've past my 100lb loss. But while we are quiet, I will ponder out load some thoughts I've had on calorie counts and calorie deficit through my weight loss journey.

It seems that I could carry a much bigger calorie deficit (and so lose more weight each week) when I was bigger. I has assumed that the bigger you were the more calories you need. In my case the opposite is true.

I don't calorie count all the time, but have had 3 periods of weighing and calorie counting - May, July, November.

In that time my Calories Out has been largely similar - 2000 calories on a lazy day, 3000 calories on a good day, average usually 2500 calories. That in itself isn't what I expected; I do far more running now compared to May. I expected the results to show that I use up more calories now compared to 6 months ago. But I suppose the less running done in May is offset by being bigger so using more calories per min for the same exercise (? just guessing)

10th May - 22nd May
Weight - around 13 stone
Calorie out daily average 2500
Calorie in average 800-1000

15th July - 4th Aug
Weight - around 11 stone
Calorie out daily average 2500
Calorie in daily 1000-1200

22nd November - on going
Weight - Just under 10 stone
Calorie out average 2500
Calorie in daily average 1800-2000

I've always tried to limit my calories but have never been ok with being hungry. So if I'm hungry, I eat.

I've been pondering how come I need to eat more now I am less fat. I thought I'd need to eat less as I got smaller, but I just can't carry the calorie deficit I used to be able to without getting really hungry.

It explains why my weight loss has slowed down. I wonder how much is physical and how much psychological. I used to be able to manage a significant calorie deficit quite easily. I would regularly have 800cal days, more than 1500 calorie deficit, and not feel hungry - why can't I do that now? Is it psychological?

I don't really know what I'm looking for in this post, maybe just a flow of thoughts that needs no response. And I'm aware it's a "Me me me" post. Sorry just thinking out loud.