Reasons why I need to lose weight

[Lovetodaydream]

I need to lose weight. Ideally 5 stone but I will be happy with 4. I am in my 40's now and I'm seriously feeling the effects of being overweight.

So, i need to keep reminding myself why I need to lose it;

• I want to be healthy for my kids, I can't imagine being told one day I am unwell due to something I could have acted on.
• My back hurts all the time, even after waking up.
• My legs are feeling the strain. Not my joints, my actual legs. I think a side effect of my back strain.
• I have a prolapse that is managed at the moment and I want to avoid it worsening if I can.
• I have PCOS so feel like I am constantly battling those symptoms, that would more than likely improve if I lose weight.
• I have no confidence in my appearance. Dress in drab clothes all the time.
• I feel like my face has aged and my cheeks have started merging in with my neck if that makes sense. I hate that.
• I'm ashamed of myself for getting like this. I don't want to live life ashamed of myself.
• I rarely have pictures taken with my kids.
• I carry my weight around my tummy, often asked if I'm pregnant. Awful overhang.
• Have health anxiety that is made worse because I am constantly thinking that if I was seriously unwell, I wouldn't know as I always put my ailments down to my weight.
• I have no energy, mentally or physically.
• I am really unfit. I walked 20 min today, i used to do this regularly before lockdown and wfh, I struggled with that distance today.
• I struggle getting out of an armchair.

So, I have dusted off my fitbit and charged it. Will walk everyday as of tomorrow and try to stick to a higher protein, lower carb diet where possible ( this is good for PCOS).

Any stories of encouragement would be good, especially those that lost weight and found their ailments improved.

Anyone want to join?

Fatgirlshrinking, that's amazing, you look great. Our stories are almost identical, I also have pcos. It has definitely motivated me.
Corona, I had plantar fascitis for about 18 months. The pain is really unbearable. I had physio etc, did everything I was meant to but nothing worked long term. I found a new physio who told me it was more than likely my calf muscle, I had a very deep and fairly painful calf massage each week, plus stretching exercise and I have now been pain free for about a year.

@Lovetodaydream honestly the first couple of weeks were HARD, the withdrawal from carbs was intense, I was very hungry all the time, like mouth watering, belly rumbling hungry, and had intense sugar cravings, even though I knew I had eaten enough, at the time I was sticking to 1700 calories.

I pushed myself through it by drinking water every time I started to feel hungry and making sure I allowed enough calories for snacks like beef jerky, Greek yoghurt, some veg and hummus or apple slices with peanut butter. I was very strict on not having any sweet foods like low fat yoghurts or skinny chocolate bars just for that 2 weeks as I'd read if you can push through that you'll be fine.

And I was!

The hunger faded, as did the cravings and from that point on it's been easy to stick to the plan. I do allow myself treats as long as I can fit them in to my 1500 calories a day and I make sure I enjoy them. So no eating a chocolate bar as I walk between the kitchen and living room. Instead I sit down, I eat it slowly and I really savour it. It makes it easier to avoid mindless eating.

@ppeatfruit

Congrats to all you losers!!!! `just keep at it , it really does get easier eventually. I cut nearly all sugar and sweeteners, THAT really is effective for your skin,eyes, incredible for weight loss too . It's odd because I did it to save my teeth being bad , with lockdown and not being able to go to dentists!!

Try not to buy rubbish and you won't eat it!

Completely agree with cutting out the sugar. Have battled with my weight and poor relationship with food my whole life. Can I suggest you read The Sweet Poison Quit Plan. It has changed the way I eat and I no longer binge or have cravings, for the first time ever. I'm 46 and I wish I had done this years ago. The first few weeks were tough but I would never go back now.

wishywashywoowoo70 I will look into those I've just got shoes with a soft insole at the moment, mine was originally the result of wearing flip flops but I've had it for over 18 months now it's so painful in a morning!! Lovetodaydream I will also look into physio it's not going away so I need to do something obviously loosing weight will help but won't happen overnight!

It sounds like youve given it lots of thought but I wonder if you’ve considered the effects of peri-menopause which usually starts at around your age and lasts for 10 years.

All the symptoms will make it SO much harder for you to lose weight and get fit AND you’ll also have to deal with:

brain fog
exhaustion
depression
the rage
day time hot flushes
night sweats - waking you up dozens of times meaning you cant sleep

Plus, it’s so much more difficult to lose weight then due to lowering of your metabolic rate and loss of muscle mass.

Do it now.

Good luck.

You can do.

I’m 6 stone lighter today than I was 18 months ago. I feel phenomenal. It’s absolutely worth your time and effort.

@Coronacockup

wishywashywoowoo70 I will look into those I've just got shoes with a soft insole at the moment, mine was originally the result of wearing flip flops but I've had it for over 18 months now it's so painful in a morning!! Lovetodaydream I will also look into physio it's not going away so I need to do something obviously loosing weight will help but won't happen overnight!

Definitely recommend them. They lift the arch up to correct the position of your foot I bought Scholl othaheel from tesco or boots I think. Wear them inside all your shoes. Swap flat shoes for something with a little heel I wore low heeled boots with the insert and it really helped. I can wear flip flops again now but I always wear something else in between to make sure I don't have that issue it's so painful Isn't it.

Ref. yoghurts I used to buy Tofu vanilla, and plain, but reading the labels, couldn't believe the mount of sugar in them, even the PLAIN Alprx!! There are some non sweetened ones, in health food shops.