Mutual support thread for those currently losing or working towards losing a lot of weight

[UntilYourNextHairBrainedScheme]

This is a mutual support thread for anyone who wants (and needs) to lose a lot of weight, is mid way through losing a lot of weight, or is nearing the end of a big weight loss and wants to continue to support and be supported as maintenance approaches.

The previous thread has been massively helpful to regular posters, as we share both our losses and our plateau or gains, congratulate or console, and talk about what works for us while understanding that different things work for different people, and we are all different ages, all have different families/ households/ people to plan around, different commitments, different working lives and different health conditions which partly determine our approaches.

We are all on this journey together - this thread is for us to encourage one another, post updates, chat about what we're doing, how we're doing, share stories and thoughts and sometimes wander slightly off topic if we want, but everyone posting should be somewhere along the journey towards escaping high BMI obesity.

The previous thread was started by someone who no longer posts and initially asked how to lose 9 stone - it developed into a support thread for people with varying amounts left to lose but all of whom started out with at least 5 or 6 stone + / 30 or 35 kg + to lose, very roughly...

No links to selling sites or unsolicited "helpful" lectures please - mutual support from existing and new posters all actually living this big weight loss now, or just starting out, welcome!

Previous thread here:
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/weight_loss_chat/3894410-i-need-to-lose-9st-help

MamaNewtNewt cutting out sugar is massive! Well done! You probably need to give yourself time to get used to that anyway, like coming off any drug or addictive substance. You're doing really well with that and couch to 5k, and if you can cut down a bit on the take aways you'll be flying.

I often feel I should run... but... I just don't want to! I'm also a bit concerned about messing up my knees and ankles - my ankles are prone to "going over" / twisting and have been since my mid teens... I really enjoy my long walks, and have started cycling with my boys to increase their movement and outdoor time as they don't like long walks. I'd really, really like to add swimming but there just isn't a pool open, only lakes as a swimming option and its still too cold. I've bought some board shorts and rash vests to use over a bikini for lake swimming though - as soon as it's a bit warmer! Then I can train for the world's slowest triathlon

Zebracat hope your water retention resolves this week - weighing scales are really a psychological double edged sword aren't they?

alphaechokiwi well done on losing the gain! I still need to lose 7 or 8kg to be a healthy weight and its so incredibly slow now, like watching a glacier creep along... Good practice for maintaining and no need to worry about my lovely clothes getting baggy, but sometimes it is so frustrating! I know what you mean about a slump!

GoodbyeToCare wow that's a big loss, well done, and on the exercise.

Stellaris22 that's a great strategy for avoiding evening snacking.

FatCatThinCatwell done on reversing the pattern!

I had a weird week last week, constantly wanting to snack, I managed not to do anything too bad but I didn't lose anything at all.
This week I've started properly calorie counting for the first time ever. I'm trying to stick to 1500 a day and it's going well so far.
I've been making sure I have 3 meals and 1 snack.
I'm walking 3 miles every morning, drinking loads of water and hoping to see a loss next Monday.

I haven't posted in a good few days, so sorry I'm sure I've missed things!

@MedusasBadHairDay well done on the weight loss! I hope your ankle is starting to feel better. It's good that you're disappointed to be missing the aerobics though Just don't go back to it too soon! Though I always struggle with that balance. And what do you have planned for your birthday?

@Rebuildingconfidence I hope you're feeling better today. I struggle with anxiety as well, it's really difficult. But please don't worry about the chocolate!

@NetflixAddict I have wondered how you were getting on! Glad you popped back in. And it sounds like your weight loss is going well.

@UntilYourNextHairBrainedScheme if we competed to see how could do the slowest triathlon, I bet I would win!

@triceratopsmama it sounds like you're doing really well. I've just been thinking that if weightloss is going to be sustainable then it's highly likely we'll have weeks where we don't lose, or gain something, so please don't worry about last week! It sounds like this week is going well anyway

I didn't weigh myself last week for various reasons, and tomorrow is my weigh in day. I'm sure how it's going to go. Two weeks ago I'd had quite a big loss, which I think was partly due to some digestive distress I'd been experiencing! So I think that was artificially low. And in the last week I've had takeaway twice! Once was planned as a special treat, the other was a stressful day situation. However, the second takeaway was Chinese food. Usually I order loads of food, have a massive meal and a huge lunch the next day! This time my wife and I shared and were quite restrained (but it was good). I have also snacked slightly more than previously the last few days, but not particularly excessively.

This is all to say that the scales could say anything tomorrow morning! But regardless I know, and will remind myself, that I'm being much more considered in my eating, and that's what's important.

In other news I am being referred to a long COVID clinic, which I am so pleased about! My life is pretty limited at the moment.

@ScottishBeth thank you. It sounds like you have a really good attitude towards it.
It is very difficult to eat well all the time, and I think an odd takeaway with more restraint is ok. I always order too much and eat all of it.. I'll have to avoid them for a while.

It's not easy to change a lifetime of bad habits. We will though. I have a friend who's in the same boat. We walk together every day, share ideas for meals, and are cheering each other on.
I'm finding her a great support.

I hope you get all the help you need from the long covid clinic.

Evening everyone. I’m away tonight and I am pleased to report that I am under my calories for the day and I’ve also walked my feet to stumps. I tried to swim in the sea but it was heart stoppingly cold, so I just went in up to my chest. But it all feels like a win because normally going away is yet another excuse to eat and drink far to much, and I haven’t. I even took a pack up on the train! Although I included a kitkat.

Wow I have missed so much! Well done everyone on the losses

I am on my period which has sent me into a whirlwind of junk food, naps and binge watching tv I feel so crap!

I haven't exercised in so long, my eating has been terrible and I have had way too many energy drinks. However, ibuprofen are starting to take the edge off my cramps and my achy body and tiredness are calming down so I hope in the next couple of days I can start easing myself back into healthy eating and exercise.

I am going to start my keto/OMAD diet from next week. I need to make a shopping list and do some keto friendly food prep ready for my weekly shop. Is it me or do plates of food look weird without carbs? It's going to be a learning curve for sure.

To get back into things I did the first workout of Chloe tings 2020 2 week shed (first one I saw). I am dripping in sweat and honestly feel like my body is going to drop to pieces. But I do feel good that I managed to throw myself into a workout!

@Zebracat – wow you are doing brilliantly! When we book our holidays I’m on TripAdvisor checking out pics of the food rather than the beach and hotel so not sure I could be as strong as you.

@Ammorey – periods are rubbish and have such an impact, hope you are feeling a bit better. I’m dreading getting mine as I also want junk food and get migraines and bad pain.

I did run 7 of the C25K today and although I am still on the first week (just redoing it) I feel happy with that for another week or so. I’m starting to (kinda) enjoy my running and on my alternate days where I don't run I have been walking rather than seeing it as a day to just enjoy not moving. I have also signed up for some free virtual yoga classes through work so am excited about that. Also signed up for a free trial of fitbit premium which has loads of workouts etc that I might attempt.

It was weigh-in day today and I have lost 1.4 lbs so 3.8lbs in total which I am happy with.

I started tracking my food today and it has already made me a bit more careful about what I’m eating (no cheese or buttery toast with my omelette today!). Hopefully this will help with the takeaways as I'm still having way too many. Sugar free day 11 today – considering how much I used to put away I am well chuffed with that.

triceratopsmama well done on the walking and getting back in control. I agree with ScottishBeth that to have any chance of long term success we have to be very pragmatic about accepting that of course there will be weeks when we don't lose any weight - the human body is a complex organism not a machine. Sometimes its pleasing anyway if a gain feels likely

ScottishBeth did you weigh yourself? How was it? I hope nothing to knock your great attitude?

Zebracat lucky you getting away! I'm very jealous - we're about to go into another hard lockdown here! Sounds as though you're doing brilliantly at staying in control too.

Ammorey welcome back, glad you're feeling good about the workouts.

MamaNewtNewt well done on the loss and even more so the couch to 5k - keeping going with that is impressive to me!

Argh I thought I had half an hour to myself between sending dc1 to her bus and waking dcs 2 and 3 but dc3 has come downstairs fully dressed wanting my full attention while he talks at me about playing Zelda on the switch...

76.9 kg for me this morning which is a good loss for me at this stage. I think it might be because I had fallen into the habit of having a big bowl of porridge with apple sauce and banana to break my fast at lunchtime almost every day (I really love porridge and it also appeals to my lazy side, plus calcium from milk, oats have to be good...) but it occurred to me yesterday that it was perhaps what was causing me - ahem - digestive distress and yesterday I didn't have it - lo and behold no bloating and gas and 1 kg down ... I guess large quantities of milk don't agree with me, but I'll have to find another source of calcium...

May I oin? I am late to the party and haven't read the thread yet. I am 5'4 and weigh 95kgs. I am struggling and need to be accountable/ supported.

Must admit I'm struggling now.

I've increased my protein (using my fitness pals app) and after exercise my net calories are averaging 1600/day.

Most days I walk between 1-2 hours and I'm doing gym sessions twice a week with a PT.

I'm stuck at 18 stone and getting fed up. I'm doing other measurements (waist, hips etc) but on the advice of PT only measuring once a month. Not hopeful as clothes feel the same.

Welcome @CowCat Of course! I hope you find us a supportive bunch! Have you thought about what changes you will make?

@triceratopsmama thank you And your friend sounds amazing! It's good to have that support!

@Zebracat I echo what everyone else said! Well done for keeping going when you're away!

@Ammorey that workout sounds completely crazy! But glad you feel good about it!

@MamaNewtNewt your attitude to C25k is so good! I find it really difficult not to push myself too much when doing that, which causes me to get discouraged and/or injured.

@UntilYourNextHairBrainedScheme I gutted for you that all that milk doesn't agree with you! But glad you had a good weight loss.

I did weigh myself (two days ago now, just didn't get round to updating here). I had gained 0.5kg from my previous weigh in, which isn't too bad considering. The important thing is that I've realised this would be a time I'd have given up previously. But this time because I'm here, and each week doing a review, I'm still feeling good about it all, and will press on!

Did an early weigh in this morning and I am down to 102kg.

This is probably down to me having fever / chills / vomiting after covid vaccine on tuesday but I am going to try to stay down here!

Just finishing my period and tue / wed / thur didn't eat much so it's probably not a true "loss" but I notice I've actually been eating less while not having coffee. And sleeping better too (apart from last night as I had a diet coke with my dinner and was awake til 2am!)

Honestly seeing the scales like that had given me a much needed boost!

Thank you @ScottishBeth! I think that's my issue. I don't really have a plan - or rather it's a bit vague. Basically cutting sugar, reducing carbs, upping protein and fat.

I tend to be fine during the day. It all falls apart in the evenings.

I need to meal plan and snack plan so that I don't grab everything in sight.

Welcome @Cowcat.looking forward to getting to know you.I think evening snacking has been a bit of a theme on here, so hopefully,if you get a chance to read the thread, you will get some ideas. I just don’t snack any more from mMonday to Friday and that’s been really important for me. Even if I’m not losing much weight, I feel that eventually it willcome right for me.
I’m back from my travels, but had another holiday type day with a pub lunch.I actually got sunburnt, which was a surprise. I had a pudding too, it was absolutely delicious. No regrets.

Stellaris22 I wouldn't bother with net and gross calories - exercise is a brilliant bonus with countless benefits but I would not use it to increase calorie allowance - stick to 1600 total and walk for the mental health and fitness and muscle building, not to give yourself more calories. I never eat more when I've done a long hilly hike, nor less when I haven't.

Also could you look at what you're eating aside from increasing protein (which does sound like a good idea). Processed csrbs and really anything processed seems to hamper weight loss for me - at a minimum processed food causes bloating and water retention. I'm generally avoiding bread and mostly avoiding pasta - not entirely but when the food choices are under my control... I certainly notice bloating if I eat much bread (but still I eat processed wheat socially as part of family meals, I think it's important not to refuse to eat what the family want to eat together).

How long have you been stuck? Its also just a part of losing a lot of weight that sometimes the scales don't move for two or three weeks but other things are balancing out behind the scenes, and after two or three weeks they shift quickly.

Keep on keeping on.

I've somehow managed to lose 0.2 kg this week. A teeny, tiny loss but given the amount of crap I've eaten I'm impressed. In my defense, I'm full of cold and eating to compensate for not being able to breathe.

@ScottishBeth she is! We're swapping recipes and food photos daily, as well as walking 3 miles together every morning.
I'm excited for Monday to see if I've lost anything... I haven't gone over 1600 calories a day. I've had a couple of 1200 calorie days too so 🤞

@FatCatThinCat well done!!!

Morning everyone, and well done on some great losses and lifestyle changes.

Just checking in to say I am still here, but still stuck weight wise. I’ve been getting a bit discouraged and so I haven’t had a super disciplined week, but neither have I given up, which I am realising I need to give myself credit for- I am still weighing myself and being mindful of what I put in my mouth, I haven’t gone in to denial mode and just hidden from the scales.

I am thinking of calling GP to look at a thyroid test. Underactice thyroids runs in the family, and I just think that when pretty much sticking to 1600 calories (considering that is significantly below my Tdee for my weight), I should be seeing more consistent losses. Even my less great choices should be giving me a calorie deficit over the week. I really don’t think I am underestimating calories by that much...

But hey ho. Still finding reading the thread really useful, and really hope I will soon have some better losses to report.

I would recommend that anyone struggling with their weight look very carefully at their sleep. The two are very closely linked. If you're not getting enough sleep or it's poor quality then your ability to control what you eat will be reduced. I'm living proof of this. When my sleep apnea is controlled well I lose weight, when it isn't I eat rubbish andgain weight.

I'm on my phone this morning so apologies I can't name check all the fabulously inspiring and supportive posters....I'll post again later when I can do that properly.
I've had a 0.8kg loss today taking me to 86.4 kg. I'm delighted to have moved down from the 87's where I'd been for a month!
It's fair to say I hit a bit of a slump, and this would be the point I'd be throwing in the towel in the past.... A few things have kept me going. Firstly the support and accountability of this thread, secondly asking myself how I want to feel in 6 months time. I picture myself looking back to my actions now and ask myself what my future self would encourage me to do. I hope I'm making sense. I've lots of experience of regret, and thinking 'if only I'd stuck with it...' , so I'm trying to harness that. Anyhow, it's worked I think and I'm feeling back in my rhythm of fasting, counting my calories and swimming. The scales are moving and I'm focused on the next 3kg, which will take me to a 30kg loss.
Happy Sunday everyone x

Sunday is my weigh in day and I have stayed at 102kg so I am delighted.

Under 100 is in sight.

I am doing IF 16/8 and find it's working well for me! I am a mindless snacker so it seems to suit.

The no coffee is helping too, haven't been anywhere near as anxious as usual.

Good luck everyone for the week ahead!

@alphaechokiwi. I am so pleased for you that the scales are moving again. You have come so far, but it’s important for all of us to see that impressive weight loss is also accompanied by doubt and periods of stagnation. Your post today is incredibly helpful.
I can report a very small loss today, of 200 grams, taking me to 97.8. Pitiful really, but I was away and I have had 3 puddings this week, and 2 kitkats , and a very superior burger! So it’s not like I made a thin bowl of gruel last me 3 days.
I do need to steer the ship though. I have a dress for my daughters wedding in July, and although it is in my size, the zip doesn’t actually fasten.
Hello to everyone , new and old. It does feel like we are supporting each other, and learning to love ourselves.