What was your light bulb moment? I've been a real idiot and I've had my wake up call

[T1gerEye]

I've put on a lot of weight this year. An impressive 3 stone and I was a little overweight before I did that so today sees me looking at 14 stone something

The death of both my parents this year meant that for some reason I felt I could literally stuff my face with cake, Doritos and pizza. Oh and chocolate. Was eating as if sometime had told me it was calorie free

Anyway, I've had my wake up call. I got a good deal on a private blood test subscription service and thought I'd try it as just a one off as I was idly wondering what my vitamin D levels were. The fact other tests were offered too was a bonus - I didn't think too much about those. Until I got the results ..

Vitamin D low. Iron low. I have tipped myself (just) into high cholesterol. Again with the CRP test - too high. Globulin is over what it should be. On top of this, I frequently have acid reflux - which I've never had before - some back pain and I'm a bit out of breath if I walk too fast. My stomach is terrible. Just an apron of fat. I can only wear loose clothes but I kid myself they're stylish as I buy them from Hush. Nothing looks nice on me.

Amazing! what a fool I've been. I spoke to my doctor who isn't too concerned from a clinical point of view as my results are just a bit off kilter but I know this has been caused by me basically eating for England these past months. Maybe not the vitamin D - I dunno!

Anyway that's my wake up call. I have children - one still young at 12 - and I'm in my 40s. I'm hoping I've had enough of a shock to actually stick to something now

I've started the 800 calorie blood sugar thingy. I need some fairly speedy results to feel better but don't want to do any diet not nutritionally sound so this ticks the boxes for me. I'll do the 8 weeks (please god I stay the course!) and is like to see 2 stone off for Christmas which I know is achievable with dedication.

Anyone fancy chipping in? Joining me? With any diet. Or I'll just ramble to myself and see how it goes

Oh and what was your lightbulb moment?

[Steala]

I'm weighing daily and the scales fluctuate by 3-4 lb a day. So I'm not sure how much I've actually lost but the low numbers and the high numbers are both getting lower so I've lost something!

[DownUdderer]

@Steala do you weigh at the same time of day? Do you move your scales? I try and weigh first thing in the morning and I don’t move my scales because the packaging said that they can become less accurate if they’re moved around too much.

[stupidboyman]

@SilverChime no I'm around 5ft 8. I'm really skinny round my middle and back considering my weight but have a fat arse and massive boobs. I carry loads of weight in my calves. 11 stone In the past has been a small size 10 in eg karen Millen. I'm in size 10's in M&S / next now at 12 stone.

I have a pair of size 14 jeans that I have to shrink in the tumble drier and are literally falling down on me an hour later.

I'm still overweight though- my face looks fat in particular and my arms are too big. I don't look really slim until size 8.

[DownUdderer]

Is anyone still going? I’m down a couple of pounds and relieved to have beaten my plateau!

[ISmellBabies]

Well done downudderer, I'm still going. I'm doing alternate days of 500/1000 now instead of a steady 800 every day. 10st5 now, bmi 28.4 down from 34. I'm going to bring it down to about 24ish/8st7 so I'm here til about xmas time.

[Inishh]

Ismell that’s an interesting way of doing it - and that’s great progress.

[ISmellBabies]

Thanks!

[DownUdderer]

I’m hoping I’m a pound down tomorrow morning. I’ve managed a good long walk today so I just hope to have progress on the scales!

[RubySlippers77]

@DownUdderer DP was annoyingly off work today and walked the DC to school (after much moaning that it was raining and he wanted to drive). I actually missed my exercise, it's about 45 minutes' walking by the time I've done two trips!

Haven't been able to weigh in either as he's been in the house ALL DAY. Aaarrggghhh. He's off tomorrow too but then hopefully back at work Wednesday.....

[Clipperclopper]

How do you burn 1,000 cals with exercise? That is a lot of avtivity... ( about 1hr 20min+ jog..) who has the time for that? Not to mentiin the wear on your joints.

[DownUdderer]

Any progress? Anyone still here? I’m eating well but not loosing much at the moment. I guess it’s slow and steady from here.

[RubySlippers77]

I'm still here @DownUdderer! Wiped out this week though, very tired. I've been on the low carb bootcamp, don't know if I'm doing it wrong or it's me (AF due shortly!) but I'm shattered by 9pm every night. Dreading half term and the resulting squabbles from the DC

I think I need to concentrate on meal planning and organising my cooking times. Difficult though when Pizza Hut will 'helpfully' send me special offers quite often!

[ISmellBabies]

Still here, I'm 10st now. Just 1st overweight.

[Steala]

I have been rubbish. I must try harder.

[DownUdderer]

Keep on keeping on everyone! I was down a pound this morning. I’ve lost a stone! I’m so relieved and happy!

[RubySlippers77]

Well done @DownUdderer and @ISmellBabies! Nothing new here except DTS1 has developed a sudden love for fruit toast and wants to eat it ALL THE TIME. This means we always have fruit toast and butter close to hand. I need a will of iron to resist!!

[DownUdderer]

Ah! Thankfully I hate raisins so I have never tried fruit or raisin toast.

[RubySlippers77]

I love them @DownUdderer

DTS2 is very snotty and clingy which means I'm stuck picking at food whenever I can. Sadly this food is usually not very good for me but hopefully he'll be better soon!