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Weight loss chat

A space to talk openly about weight loss journeys and challenges. Mumsnet hasn't checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. You may wish to speak to a medical professional before starting any diet.

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Original poster

I need to lose weight - but I just don't want to?! Where do you find your motivation?

58 replies

KINGF1SHER · 18/10/2020 13:34

I am a good three stone overweight. I need to lose weight from a health perspective, from a confidence perspective, from all perspectives really.

And, when I think about it, sure it would be lovely to be slimmer, to wear my old clothes, to be less self-conscious about my belly and my double chin.

But the problem is that when it comes down to it: I like food, and I especially like sweet food! I like having a pudding after dinner. I like having a piece of cake with my coffee. It's as though I like food more than I want to be slimmer.

How do you find the motivation? I even book on for gym classes (ones I enjoy) but then cancel because when it comes to it, I'd rather remain comfy on the sofa and watch TV or continue reading my book. I just seem to have no impetus at all?!

OP posts:

Pipapple · 18/10/2020 13:45

I struggled too and have found it easier to stay motivated since I lost a bit of weight when ill. For me, the biggest thing was getting out and moving, going for long walks in the hills etc and meeting people to do active things rather then for a coffee. Once I started moving more I felt less lethargic and less inclined to just eat?

Original poster

KINGF1SHER · 18/10/2020 15:33

It’s definitely a vicious cycle, I’m sure of it. The less I move, the less I want to!

OP posts:

SRK16 · 18/10/2020 15:40

I’m in the same boat. Historically I have to get into a particular mindset and once I’m in it I’m good to go.. but at the moment I’m in a real slump!

Beroltheperil · 18/10/2020 16:46

For me it took a family bereavement to realise I could choose to be healthier and feel better, knowing life is short and wanting to be all I can be.

Original poster

KINGF1SHER · 18/10/2020 18:11

There's a thread going about PE at school and how it affected your love of sport going forward and it has really made me think! My school PE days were horrific; the things I was good at, at primary school (high jump and gymnastics), weren't offered at my secondary school. Instead, asthmatic me had to wheeze through hockey and cross country, get shouted at by the PE teacher, and came to hate sport with every drop of my being. It's a shame really.

Sorry to hear that @Beroltheperil but I am glad you have managed to find some rainbow beyond the cloud!

OP posts:

PeppaPigMakesMeGrrrrr · 18/10/2020 18:13

I'm similar to you OP....need to loose about 3 stone. Am not happy with my clothes not fitting,my tummy or my reflection but no motivation! Have just been reading up on 5:2 as I did it before and lost about 7 lbs quite easily which would give me a boost to start with.

Chewbecca · 18/10/2020 18:24

I hear you OP!

3 stone is my dream. 1 or 2 would be great.

But what do I do about it? Nothing.

I love food and cooking.

Occasionally I have a slim fast bar for lunch (if there isn’t anything tasty in the house!) and I try to have much smaller portions than DH and DS (17).

LyndaLaHughes · 18/10/2020 19:55

I happened to watch the "Lose a stone in three weeks" programme on C4. It left me very inspired and so I signed up to it online. I'm
on Week 8 now and have list one and a half stone. The weight loss has spurred me on and I can honestly say this is a game changer for me.

Runningdownthathill · 18/10/2020 20:07

How did you sign up @LyndaLaHughes? Well done!!

Original poster

KINGF1SHER · 18/10/2020 20:33

That’s brilliant Linda, well done! I’ll take a look at it.

OP posts:

HereIgoagainagain · 18/10/2020 20:35

I hear ya!

I have nearer to 4 stone to lose and I know I would feel happier if I did but I feel bloody miserable trying to do it.
The crisps and wine always tempt me back into bad habits.

IHateCoronavirus · 18/10/2020 20:41

I am exactly the same. Eating makes me insanely happy, which is a shame because the weight gain is terrible. I never seem to get full which doesn’t help.
I am determined to do something about it though I can’t go on the way I am going!

RedskyAtnight · 18/10/2020 20:45

I actually quite like exercise (and go stir crazy if I can't get out for at least a walk every day). However, like OP, I like food too much to reduce my food intake sufficiently to lose any real weight. I also find hormones affect my motivation. I can be very motivated for a couple of weeks, and then not for the rest of the month.

LyndaLaHughes · 18/10/2020 20:50

It's the Fast 800 programme on line. I've lost my lockdown weight and some more. I'd like to lose another stone max as I'm back in the normal range. I can't believe how good the food has been and how much I've lost eating well. It's a game-changer honestly.

HereIgoagainagain · 18/10/2020 20:51

I love exercise when I get off my arse and do it, and during lockdown I had to get out for two hour long walks a day but my snack intake is grim.

Tomorrow is Monday so...........

LyndaLaHughes · 18/10/2020 20:51

There are Facebook groups you can join too and everyone is having amazing results and keeping it off.

Nosuchthingastoomuchcheese · 18/10/2020 20:55

Same here but this weekend I started calorie counting. I am pre diabetic so had done low carb for a couple of years but never stuck to it and just gained weight. I am really determined this time (1.5 stone to lose) but have been this determined before and given up after a few days. Currently eating an apple which I would normally have with chunks of cheese!

hunchicklove · 18/10/2020 20:55

I'm the same, would like to lose weight, 3 stone to get to a healthy BMI. No motivation. I love cooking and eating.
Is the lose a stone in 3 weeks on channel 4 the same as the Fast Diet then?

Nosuchthingastoomuchcheese · 18/10/2020 20:55

Do you only eat 800 calories? I dont think I could do that!

WillowySnicket · 18/10/2020 20:57

I read something @TwentySixPointTwo said a while back on a similar thread: motivation wavers, commitment lasts. "Sometimes I want to walk the dog and am motivated (warm, sunny days). Sometimes I don't want to do it and am not motivated (rainy, windy ones) - but motivation does not determine whether or not I walk the dog. I got the dog, I committed to his care - therefore, if he is due a walk, he gets a walk. I just do it, because I committed to it."

I thought that was a brilliant way of looking at it because I'm motivated by results, so when they don't go my way I think "urgh what's the point I might as well just go back to how I was before." Whereas commitment says "regardless of what happens, this is how I do things now."

Runningdownthathill · 18/10/2020 20:59

@LyndaLaHughes

Where did you get the recipes @Lynda?

ThePlantsitter · 18/10/2020 21:01

I need to lose loads more weight than you and I have recently started intermittent fasting 16/8 (think I am 3 or 4 weeks in). It was awful at first but I have stick with it and have found it has actually changed the way I feel about food. So weird. Still love it but I've stopped craving sugar and I actually WANT to eat healthy stuff. I'm not counting calories just eating what I want and smaller portions of it and I'm losing weight - more importantly though my mood is about 100% better. I was on the edge of going for antidepressants when I started but didn't want to (I'm not against antidepressants but they sometimes make me feel a bit nothingy). I actually feel in a good mood despite all the shit that's been going on for the 7th day running

Snowpaw · 18/10/2020 21:05

I reached a point this summer where I was just fed up of feeling like I had nothing to wear that I liked / was comfortable / looked good on me. I just decided one day, I either do something about it or it will get worse. I had to take responsibility for myself. So I just started. I have found the low carb / high fat way of eating works for me - I don’t feel deprived or hungry but I’m losing weight.

I changed my idea that “relaxing” had to mean sitting on the sofa eating junk. I found I can relax by going for a walk and listening to podcasts / audio books and it made me feel so good and improved my mood and sleep as well as helping me lose weight.

Original poster

KINGF1SHER · 18/10/2020 21:09

@LyndaLaHughes

Just having a look now, do you feel tired on 800 cals? Is there anyone else in your household, how does it work around their normal dinners etc?

OP posts:

AndSoToBed12 · 18/10/2020 21:13

Oooooh I feel your pain, last year I lost four stone, looked and felt amazing. This year off the back of Christmas and then lockdown I’ve piled it all back on. I can really relate to wanting to be slim but love food too much to give it up! Hang on in there. You are not alone, weight loss is super hard especially for some.

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