I'm just so fat, how and where do I start? Overwhelmed.

[Fantasisa]

I'm 18stones, it has crept on over the last five years. I was previously a fit an active person.

I just do not know where to start, my size is starting to limit my activities. I can't wear any of my nice clothes, my wedding ring doesn't fit anymore etc. But I am utterly overwhelmed and don't know where to start.

I want something sustainable - I don't like things like SW/WW as the meetings make me cringe and I don't find them motivational. But I need to change and I need to change now.

I have a very, very busy life working FT and caring for small DC (when the weight piled on) and an elderly relative. I could exercise before work but I'm just so damn tired all the time. I don't even know where to buy jogging bottoms that fit, my tummy is now an overhang which is uncomfortable.

Help please! Advice or motivational stories most welcome.

Look at Team RH on Facebook if you want some non-SW-like support.

They’re fab. And won’t tell you to cut out snacks. 💐

Haha if you find one let me know and I’ll join you!

I’m a sugar addict and had the weight creeping up naturally when my metabolism slowed in my mid twenties. I’ve managed to control it with MFP, it really does help you realise how much you’re eating without really knowing it and teaches you to think more about what you’re consuming.

Like you, the quick fix sugar snack is what I always used to reach for and still do at times!

Tips that may help - have lots of fruit around that you can grab. Satsumas, kiwis, chop up pots of fruit to just snack on as an emergency. The less chocolate and biscuits you have around the less you can grab!

Also, always always have a filling breakfast. Most days I have PB and J on wholemeal bread and it gives me enough energy to avoid snacking before lunch.

And drink drink drink water!

You absolutely can do this. Just baby steps. Don’t overwhelm yourself cutting our whole food groups etc. Just start by logging what you already eat and see what you can change. Good luck :)

Totally agree that cutting things out cold turkey seemed extreme, unless you don’t enjoy the food group!

Even if I disliked bread, i would find it cut it our because I go to a lot of working lunches - and there is always sandwiches!!

The fasting type dies trigger miagraines for me. Sensible approach - move more, eat less. Little bit of anything naughty, lots of fruit and veg. Patience.

@wearywithteens I really want whatever I do to be sustainable. My slimmest friends don't restrict anything, they just eat way less of it. Treats are treats rather than once/twice a day occurrences!

I need to move more, I could start going for a walk on my lunch break like someone said upthread and take it from there. At the moment I don't 'earn' any of the things I have like lattes by doing exercise.

I have a question about my fitness pal. I tried it once but I don't see how you can track what you eat unless ou only eat everything out of a packet? Am I missing something? I had no idea how to add my porridge with berries and seeds or my veg curry or pretty much anything except branded crisps, biscuits and ready meals.

cat
You weigh the porridge, the berries, the seeds, you measure the milk, you put them in as their weights.

I started the keto diet just over 2 weeks ago and it's best thing I've ever done. Have weighed in today and I'm just under 15lbs down. All I've done is cut out carbs sugar. Have tried sw and ww and lost hardly anything

catisbeingsick put your bowl on a kitchen scale and add one thing at a time, tare the scale between each and record the weight.

OP how about the Fast 800 diet. Its by the author of the 5:2 diet and it's quite similar. A lot of us are having success with that at the moment, come and check out our thread (it's called I've just started Fast 800).

My husband has just lost 2.5 stone in about 10 weeks after following Michael Mosley's Fast 800 diet book.. I've adopted a few of things from there too, they're really life changing as they change how you look at healthy eating/exercise. If you were previously fit and active, I think you might one of the options would work for you.

Firstly congratulations on recognising that you want to start doing something about your weight. Be wary of the word diet as it means depriving yourself of the things you enjoy. Start to think more about the kind of foods you can have. Think along the lines of high protein foods which fill you up. Lots of nice vegetables with your meals. If you can eat well 80% of the time you can afford yourself a treat or snack! With any changes start with one thing at a time, don't overload with trying to change everything at once. I follow a great online group which has seen tremendous success and offers great support from people in the same boat. If you'd like to know more, please message me. I'm not on commission! Only wanting to help out. Good luck with whatever you decide to do

You can do this! I was heavier than you are, and totally hear you about the child with additional needs / long term broken sleep / stress of caring for others in complex situations. And the added stress of knowing the health impact of being heavy, so worrying about being around to look after DC as they grow up and still need support.

One day I realised the "I'll eat this because I need the extra energy" rationalising was actually making me worse - the extra sugar/fat etc was of course making me heavier, so I was MORE tired than if I hadn't had it, because gradually I was lugging around at least 6 extra stone... I've lost five of them, fairly slowly, mainly through moderating portion sizes and upping the fruit and veg. I admit I am struggling with the last one, but I'm persevering! I lost most of the weight through changing food, but after about 3.5 stones I added in exercise. It is really really hard to fit it in around working / single parenting, so I have to be flexible with what's achievable. Sometimes a YouTube workout at home, sometimes a walk, if I have the time then a run (it took me forever to complete couch to 5k but it was worth it).

You can do this, for you - I have so much more energy and feel much more able to cope now my body doesn't have to work so hard. Good luck!

I'm totally with you Op and know exactly what you are feeling. I've also tried every diet going but currently I am doing pretty darn well with the Fast 800. Spend a fiver on Michael Mosely's book, either the Blood Sugar diet or the newer one, the Fast 800. Don't be put off by the thought of eating less, just read it and see what you think.

Then, if you think it's for you, come over to the threads. He's turned dieting on its head and it's working for a lot of us that feel overwhelmed by the thought of living with obesity.

Our stories are similar OP. As a previous fellow sugar junkie I empathise - all I can say is you can do it! I did. 😀 I started in Jan with MFP & I've lost 25 lb (still 60 to go). My top tips;

1. you can do it you've just got to want to enough. You have control just need to believe it.
2. switch from sugar pop to zero to wean yourself (you can't really tell the difference)
3. accept it's going to take at least a year till you're where you want to be
4. track everything !
5. drink lots of water....lots
6. you don't need to exercise to begin with, it'll come later on naturally. If you do too much to start you'll overwhelm yourself & give up.
7. bad day ? Write it off & just keep going. Don't give up.
8. make a list of positives reasons for you for losing weight.
9. watch the Americans on YouTube - my 600 lb life etc as motivation (sorry yanks). You'll definitely use it to kick start your journey.

I would go for a quick walk or run every morning, if you can around the block to kick start your metabolism. Physically get rid of all your sugary snacks. My children's snacks are locked in the garage so they are not easily accessable. I've heard many brilliant things about slimming world. An old friend who struggled to lose weight for years, dropped 3 stone with ease and my brother-in-law and his girlfriend who were normal sized lost a couple of stone too! Give it a go. You can even join an online version which gives you access all the recipes and forum. Good luck.

Instead of thinking about cutting down, think about eating more in terms of fruit of veg. Try getting 6 portions of fruit and veg a day.
Don’t tell yourself you can’t eat anything, tell yourself that you’ll eat that biscuit but only if you still want it after you’ve had a glass of water and an apple. You’ll probably find that you don’t.
Fruit won’t be as appealing as the crap the food you’re eating but it will probably satisfy your sugar cravings.
Plan a few easy meals that contain lots of veg, some protein and a small amount of carbs.

@Fantasisa

I'm in a similar situation with the sugar addition, lack of exercise etc.

If you want a diet buddy i'd be down for that

16:8 intermittent fasting, it's so easy and stops the mindless snacking after dinner. I only eat from 12 noon until 8pm, I found it very easy because I never liked breakfast.

I’m going to throw this out there... you said you need to exercise and move more. Which I know can be extremely limiting with a FT job, family, commitments and life. Additionally if you are anything like me I’m too embarrassed to go out to the gym with all the skinny yummy mummies. In December last year I bought a Peloton Bike. It’s basically a spin bike which you can set up at home and has a screen attached which allows you to do live spin classes or on demand classes. You can literally join an instructor led spin class any time of the day or night to suit you. There are about 20 or so instructors, massive variety of types of classes to suit all tastes, levels of fitness and music genres. I now spin about 4-5 times a week. The social aspect is probably higher than the gym, we have FB groups and ride together at set times of the week (I belong to a fab ladies only group). I realise healthy eating is 80% of the effort required for weight loss but exercise is important too. Just a thought!

Seriously. Are you me??!

I'm also 18st something, 2 DCs, totally overwhelmed and feels an impossible mountain to scale.

I've been half heartedly using my fitness pal but stopping tracking calories if things fall into my mouth that shouldn't. I'm an emotional eater and am not feeling very good about myself at the moment, which only fuels my eating.

Started jogging using couch to 5k after the DCs had gone to bed but since the clocks changed I've been too embarrassed to get out with it still being light. I felt more comfortable under the cloak of darkness

If you need a buddy, I'm your girl.

@cosmos45

How much do you spend on Peloton? I used to love spinning before I had the children but classes aren't do-able at the moment.

@Ceebs85 the peloton subscription is £39 a month. This gives you access to all the classes, live ones and On Demand ones. There are 1000’s to choose from, various lengths and genres. The actual bike itself is about £2000. However, you buy it interest free and pay £84 a month for 2 years. Yes, it may sound expensive but this is the only thing I have done exercise wise and consistently kept doing (it’s 3 months now). Previously I was spending £40 a month at the local health club, I think I went 10 times in 2 years? I also had a PT come to the house twice a week for about 3 mths @ £35 a session. As well as spinning the subscription gives you access to Yoga classes, HIIT, boot camp, running, weights, meditation etc. You can share to a tv and do these classes. The bike is silent and I pair with wireless headphones so you can ride anytime of the day or night (perfect if kids are asleep). It’s a game changer.

Ps, I don’t work for Peloton by the way!

That does sound good. Not affordable for me though, currently on mat leave, about to go back to work and both me and DH are cutting our working hours because of childcare. I can totally see why it would work. Ive seen the TV ad and scoped out the website but didn't realise it had such an online community.