26lbs in 12 weeks for IVF age 41- Help!

[cherrypiepie]

If I don't lose the weight i won't get the IVF. I've just turned 41. Cut off for IVF is 42.

Can I ask for help and encouragement and some practical ideas. And a handhold or two would be nice - have no DC two previous losses- this is the denouement of a of a long journey and complex journey.

I have tried lots of diets in the past. They all work if I eat less. My choice this time is Nutracheck Calorie counting 1200 a day for 5 days and 1600 for two days. I am also adding in 16:8 of sort - more like 14:10 so i eat only between 10am and 8pm (but need morning coffee)

Aiming for lots of fruit and veg a la slimming world free food and managed carbs. I take amitriptyline 20mg for my back which i think might not help. I could ask for this to be reviewed but my GP is a nightmare. I could also ask for some Orlistat.

I ma trying to do 100k a week on the exercise bike slowly.

Considering other options such as Lipotrim or Keto/low carb (are they the same) but have to balance it with living with another human being that doesn't have a weight problem who likes food and sport in equal measures.

Any advice grateful accepted (i am very emotional though) Any book recommendations.

Today is:
B- 2 x Coffee with sk milk (20)
L - Homemade Chinese Chicken sweetcorn soup (250)
Snack: Satsuma/Apple (100)
D: Tortilla/Salad/Rhubarb Crumble and custard (small portion from yeterday -wont have this all the time) (750)
Snack :Unsweeteed Cocoa with Skimmed milk and 1 ginger thins (100)

Its quite a lot of sugar, that won't help with energy levels/crashes, can you make the snacks protein based? Skyr yoghurt or a boiled egg for example

Good luck, it's going to be a tough 12 weeks but hopefully worth it

Potentially a bit unhealthy but for last 48 hours before they weigh you try and get as few calories as possible and drop some last minute water weight, might be enough to tip you under the line if you're close

A friend of mine, years ago, lost a lot of weight on the 600 calorie a day cure the diabetes diet. She ate salad a lot. If you google it there maybe some diet plans available on the internet to give you some ideas for low calorie meals and snacks. I'm not suggesting you eat 600 calories a day.
Good luck

A week of the James Duncan diet to shrink your stomach and lose up to 10lbs or so. It's fad and water weight mostly but works and motivates you.

Then keto diet with intermittent fasting. Say only eating between the hours of 11am-5pm. Eat real food not pre packed anything and focus on nutrition.

I have lost 2 stone in 8 weeks doing this.

@nellly thank you for you encouragement. Agree too much sugar and Will put some eggs on to boil - great snack idea as feels very substantial and same cals as the fruit. I will have quit sugar slowly. Will have satsuma with cocoa and drop the biscuit.

@candles Good idea to keep a few fast days in there. Maybe have one 500 calorie day a week and mix it up a bit. Will have a look at the diabetes diet- maybe similar to the Michael Mosley one.

@tomripley that astonishing loss and well done. I really agree with the concept of IF and giving the body time to recover/reset but not sure I can do 11-5.

Will have a look at James Duncan. I agree a substantial loss to start is motivating.

Thank you all so much great advice

Good luck!

I lost a lot of weight 4 years ago using a low carb diet. I managed it despite living with dh (6'1" and never more than 11 stone) and 2 teenage ds who never put on weight.

I basically ate low carbon breakfast, salad or soup for lunch and then whatever they had for dinner minus the carbs. I lost more than 26lbs in the first 12 weeks.

The key is finding a diet you can stick to for 3 months.

Also you're likely to drop a fair bit in the first couple of weeks and then it will level off, that's normal! Don't be disheartened, my dsis is currently trying to lose a big chunk of weight to assist with healthy pregnancy after a loss. She isn't looking at ivf yet but knows that she needs to drop the weight ahead of that if that's where it ends up.

She would make a wonderful mum, as I'm sure you would and it's a real shame that anyone would be denied the opportunity because of their weight

@cherrypiepie: this is a big motivation, I'm not surprised you are feeling emotional. I have a family member in the same boat so here's hoping you both get there!

On to diet: this is what I would recco, a nutritarian diet (ie healthy vegan)

I like Fuhrma's eat to live/nutritarian
hellonutritarian.com/nutritarian-diet-week-1/
shop.drfuhrman.com/10-in-20-dr-fuhrmans-lose-10-pounds-in-20-days-detox-program-digital/

but you could try McDougall diet or any similar diet - the 10 pounds in 20 days tells you EXACTLY what to eat

Also suggest get active - a daily workout & walk

I wouldn't normally say this, but with your timeline, get the orlistat, it will help you

Re books: try 'Beck diet solution' for some tips to help you get through this :)

Good luck !

BTW - agree with the suggestion re last few days, but its around 2Ib a week, its not THAT bad, what does your final BMI need to be - would it be 30?

Also, please don't put pressure on yourself - we have many fertility issues in the family, and also some happy outcomes -eg my cousin had a 'no IVF' pregnancy at 42 after 10 years of trying... it does happen!

Michael Moseley’s Fast 800? I wouldn’t normally recommend it (slow and steady is best!) but is said to a quick, healthy way to lose weight and given you have such a important deadline... Good luck!

You have all been so very kind to me. I can't thank you enough.

@10kaDay such lovely words and practical advice. I will consider the Fuhrmans in the future because I have a cunning plan! Thank you so much, you have been very kind. My BMI needs to be below 30 and losing 26lbs would be 29.4. Agree 2lb a week is doable in theory but i have never done it before consistently always been really slow with weight loss. So need a kick start.

The James Duncan diet looks really good for one week in three as per the plan. Allegedly is for shedding weight before surgery. So weeks 2,5,8 and 11 will be the James Duncan (also known as the grapefriut and egg diet for obvious reasons. I will always do IF 10-8 everyday on the other week I will do CC with balanced carbs and 1200 for 3 days and 1600 2 days

Also exercise bike 100k per week and a few dog walks with DH (because I can't handle the dog yet!)

I will update on Monday weigh day.

@nellly so lovely and supportive. thank you so much.

Keep posting here @cherrypiepie mumsnet is wonderful for support! And we can help keep you accountable ! I look forward to hearing the updates as you lose the weight

Having a soup maker has really helped me lose weight and maintain. I just throw in a mixture of onion, root veg and/or squash add a veg stock, easy garlic &chilli for flavour and a few dried herbs. Pop it on smooth. Very yummy and satisfying, low in calories and healthy. I find a mug wards of hunger pangs. Keeps well in the fridge for a couple of days (rarely lasts that longs as kids also like it).

If you want to make it easier most supermarkets sell prepared soup mixed veg packs in the fridge.

Good luck

I recommend Renpho body composition scales to motivate you. Around £30 on Amazon. You see muscle gained, fat lost etc. It helps with the weeks when the scales don't shift overall, but you have lost fat.

@DianaT1969 I have some renpho scales they are amazing.

@Movinghouse2015 good idea for a low calorie soup to keep in the fridge. I actually like a Nigella recipe that has chicken and noodles but without those would almost be 0 calories and is heaven. And a low cal tomatoey one would be good and more filling I imagine - especially working from home during lockdown and so closer to the fridge!

I'm getting great ideas!

Buy Saxenda, from Burwash pharmacy. Works a treat.

To add, I lost 28lbs in 9 weeks on it.

I'd highly recommend intermittent fasting. What is your starting weight? You should drop quite a lot fairly quickly, after which the weight loss will be slower but steady. It's got lots of health benefits, and it's very sustainable as you can still eat a really wide range of food and you don't have to calorie count / avoid any particular food group. Look up "delay don't deny" on Facebook.

Hi OP-I lost about 4.5 stones a few years ago using MFP to record all my food. I measured it religiously and walked a LOT!

I would definitely recommend eggs for breakfast, in whatever form you like- I have it with toast, no butter and a strong coffee. Big salad with protein and loads of raw veg for lunch, sometimes crisps. Dinner often stir fry or Middle Eastern type food, but generally remove most of the carbs- so, I'll have a whole bag of stir fry veggies with chicken, but no noodles/rice.

I also had a lot of early nights as I got up early to walk to work and frankly, once I was in bed, I couldn't carry on eating! 🤣

Good luck, and have faith in your ability! Think of it as maths, in/out calories and I'm sure you will be successful.

Oh- and tinned tomatoes are your friend!