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

Thank you @UntilYourNextHairBrainedScheme it does appear that way. I started eating healthier about 9 weeks ago, and now down 2 stone. Not sure if that's good or not. Might have lost more if I gave up gin on a Friday and Saturday night, but it's my only guilty pleasure and need to have some enjoyment haha. I don't eat sweets, chocolate, drink fizzy juice or anything like that

Wow sounds like you did a lot yesterday! Definitely well deserved break today. I did crazy golf with my son earlier, not sure if that counts as exercise lol but it's better than having my bum glued to the sofa I suppose!

@BippityBoppity87 well done on the 3lb! Our bodies are very confusing!

@UntilYourNextHairBrainedScheme that is a very impressive amount of activity! Fingers crossed for your weigh in tomorrow!

Thank you all for your good wishes! I enjoyed being back at work, but got quite stressed about building up my hours. Anyhow I spoke to my manager today and she reassured me, so that's good. And now I'm on annual leave! Haha!

Thank you @ScottishBeth

I finally reached my 20,000 steps goal today. Walked to the beach and back, but I am absolutely knackered now. Don't think I will be doing that again for a while! Think it was probably a bit too much, was struggling to walk near the end. I just wanted to see if I could do it. But no, definitely going to give myself a break tomorrow after that!

Also managed to resist the temptation of fish and chips, which I was eyeing up at one point, but thought no, will power Bippity! And just had a white coffee instead. So also proud of myself for that. My son also got a McDonald's on the way back, I didn't have anything in there either and making myself a chicken curry with some veg for dinner instead

@UntilYourNextHairBrainedScheme - I hope all that hard work reflects on the scales for you.
@BippityBoppity87 - well done on all those steps and for resisting the chips!

73.8kg today! So a full kg down! First time that's happened in a long time!

Period arrived on Wednesday too, which always brings my weight down due to getting rid of the premenstrual water retention, as long as I don't eat anything extra due to feeling irritable and cramping of course!

It has been quite hard to resist eating the calories burned from extra exercise, but that's the way to maintain not lose in my experience and I really would like to get rid of these last few pesky kg finally - once I've scraped into the healthy BMI category I'll enjoy maintaining. I wasn't hungrier than usual on the day I did my long walk but was weirdly pretty hungry on Wednesday instead (after my long walk on Tuesday, but that was also the day my period arrived) but didn't eat extra except a couple of apples, so I'm pleased. Just have to keep it up! I started this weight loss project after my final exam last July (7th I think) - it'd be satisfying to get to a healthy BMI within one year but that might be pushing it as I have 3.5kg to go to scrape in.... I'd really have to push the exercise and will power on sticking to two moderate healthy meals a day no snacks except fruit... I had been a bit more relaxed for a while and it's easy to see the difference between what maintenance and loss look like for me.

BippityBoppity87 well done on all that restraint! I wouldn't resist fish and chips, but chance would be a fine thing around here! Well done on the steps too - thats 20km!

ScottishBeth glad your manager reassured you! Definitely shouldn't be worrying about building up your hours in your first few days back! Those of us doing our final qualifying exams had to be out of our workplaces for six weeks last June and July due to covid rules (we weren't allowed to mix attending the college and work due to the risk of catching and spreading covid) and although it was "free" time off, so we got our wage and lost no holiday, we've had to earn back the hours. Luckily I was way over my hours (about 50+) before the exam period, but I'm still about 20 down now, almost a year later! It takes a while to build 180 hours back up, but we were given two years grace to do it... hmm. Anyway you definitely can't do it fast while still recovering from long covid! You'd just end up off sick again! Still straight onto annual leave is nice! Have you got anything planned?

Kids have all set off for school (we run early here, they're also all home by lunchtime) so I'm going swimming in twenty minutes, better get ready!

Hope everyone weighing gets the results they're hoping for!

That's great news @UntilYourNextHairBrainedScheme - I'm very pleased that you saw a good result after all of that effort.
@ScottishBeth - I'm glad it went well for you. Enjoy your annual leave. Hopefully your employer will allow you to build your hours back up at a pace that works for you.
I've been fairly much on plan this week. I'm hoping I'll see that reflected on the scales on Sunday. I feel like I've been a long time in the '80s (mostly down to me and my love of bread and chocolate ). I'm slowly chipping away at it though and the next few weeks should get me into the '70-somethings'. When I get below 80kg, it will also bring my BMI out of 'obese' and into 'overweight', so a few milestones will come together.

Thank you @alphaechokiwi @UntilYourNextHairBrainedScheme

I have a good motivation though. So in roughly 3 weeks I get my bloods taken (it's done roughly every 3 months) and I'm hoping I'll be able to lose 10lbs by then, which will put me spot on 17 stone, as I usually get weighed as well and logged

Do you think 10lbs in 3 week is realistic? Or doable? I'm going to try!

Hope everyone has a nice weekend

BippityBoppity87 honestly? 10lb is 4.5kg - no, I don't really, honestly think thats a sensible goal in only 3 weeks - 5 weeks yes... But on the other hand sometimes it does happen like that. I think the key is not to be dramatically disappointed and flounce into the biscuit cupboard for a week you find you've lost 6lb instead of the very ambitious 10 That's the problem with overly ambitious time limited goals - for some people they lead to yoyo diet mentally, while others find them motivating but can be pragmatic and positive if actually they achieve something more modest in the time frame they set themselves. Only you know which type of person you are!

alphaechokiwi I hope the scales reflect your self control on Sunday! You're so close to being out of the obese category, which really is the most important milestone of the lot IMO.

@BippityBoppity87 - I think I would echo what @UntilYourNextHairBrainedScheme has said. 10lb is a perfectly reasonable mini milestone to aim for. I think 3 weeks is ambitious for it though and you might be disappointed. Being the nerd that I am, I calculate that would require an almost 2000 calorie deficit daily to achieve in 3 weeks. From my experience I think that might be difficult. If you were to look at losing 10lb in 5 weeks, that's a much more do-able 1000 calorie deficit daily. That's not taking any hormonal or other issues that impact weight loss into account.

It's the time limited element rather than the goal itself that might prove counter productive. I personally find it very helpful to set milestones, but not to give them a timeframe. Instead I promise myself little treats for when I achieve them. Some of my treats are new clothes, an indulgent cosmetic, a pair of shoes. But we are all different, there's no magic bullet that works for all, and you know best what works for you.

Ah, maybe a bit too ambitious then. Well I'd be happy if I was down at least 5lbs by then tbf, as long as I don't gain!

I'm 80.9kg this morning. I'm very happy with that..... inching closer to getting out of the '80s!!!

alphaechokiwi well done! Two weeks away maximum

Back down to 103kg. I feel kind of stuck around this weight!

95 for me today. Been here for ever

Rebuildingconfidence and Zebracat can you mix things up a bit? Change what you eat or times, or type of exercise? Not necessarily to eat less or do more mit wiggle your routine around. Sometimes that seems to help.

Actually , I just checked back and that is 0.8 kilo, which is really quite a lot, specially given that the snacks have crept back and I can’t seem to make them go
. I’m feeling fed up because I’ve been ordering dresses for this wedding, and the 2 I really liked could not cope with my bazooms, and I feel massive today.. I’ve been looking at plus sized clothes instead, but they make me feel depressed. Don’t really know what to do. I do have a dress, but it is quite thin linen. I think it will look awful after 5 minutes.
I really can’t face shopping in person, but I can’t face any more online either.I feel so furious with myself that I have suffered this indignity for years and not just got myself to a normal weight., where the most you have to be is outraged when some stuff only goes to a 14. Sorry to moan.

Zebracat I have some pretty nice plus size dresses in my wardrobe still, unworn or barely worn. DD was going to sell them on vinted but is a bit too thin skinned - in Germany at least there are some agressive and pretty nasty buyers on there who sent her nasty messages when she didn't reserve things for them (while she wasat school)in accordance with their haggling messages and other buyers hit buy it now... So she's deleted all her items and I quite honestly cba to sell, though I like it to buy... I'm at work now but I could post photos and send you anything you like the look of.

@UntilYourNextHairBrainedSchemeThat is so kind of you. Thank you. Where on earth did you find nice plus sized dresses? The ones I saw seemed to be too short and wide or with nylon lace inserted in weird places, or in E number colours, or black, so much black. Fire hazards.
The problem is that I love boho type dresses, but suit quite severe clothes, no flounces, but they tend to be cut for women with small busts. The latest failure was a Cos dress, Aline with leather spaghetti straps in a heavy linen. I loved it.
Ii think we have similar body types. Tall, busty apple. Although now of course, you are more modelesque! I am nominally a size 18, but I have 38e bust which means some 18s don’t fit.. I think my bust is a 22, my waist is a 20 and my hips are a 14. If you had anything that you think might work, I’d love to see a photo.
I do sympathise with your daughter. I have friends who make money selling stuff on, but I don’t think I could cope with entitled behaviour either.1 friends son is getting through University with no loans and no parental support through an eBay shop he stocks from charity shops.
There is a dress in the Toast sale that might work. I’m wearing my treasured size 14 Toast dress today to try and boost my flagging self esteem. Trying to decide if I can cope with the ordering the trying on and the returning. The wedding is in 2 weeks!

Zebracat 0.8 kg is a proper loss, not stuck at all!

You're right we're similar body types - I used to be a 40 G - now 34 FF. Hips always smallest size, waist disappointingly big in proportion to hips but actually still smaller than chest...

My favourite plus size dresses are from a boutique in Hamburg - infuriatingly I can't remember brand names but never found the brands online after returning from Hamburg.

I've got night shift tonight and due to insane should ft planning will be alone here until tomorrow lunchtime (22 hour shift, 16 of which are solo - thanks colleague ) but I'll pist pictures tomorrow afternoon when I finally get home!

@Zebracat well done on the 0.8kg, that's good progress. I know how frustrating it feels to be stuck. You have actually come a long way though. And you're here for the long haul, so you will get past this current slump.
Toast have a great sale on at the moment I may have bought some stuff Some really nice dresses there which would fit you well and make you feel amazing at the wedding. Although that offer from @UntilYourNextHairBrainedScheme is Mumsnet at its best. So kind and thoughtful.

www.toa.st/collections/sale/products/cotton-linen-v-neck-jumpsuit-olive
@Zebracat - I think something like this would suit your shape and height and look amazing for a wedding. It could be glammed up or low key depending on accessories....
any excuse for a browse on the Toast website

Thanks everyone - I'm having a lovely weekend off. My parents are up and obviously we've taken it easy, but it's still been nice. My mum and J went to a spa this morning!

@Zebracat well done on the 0.8kg. I really hope you find a dress, it is so difficult, I know. I'm sure you will find something, but it can get really overwhelming.

@Rebuildingconfidence I agree with what @UntilYourNextHairBrainedScheme has said. Can you have a look at what you've eaten over the last few days or weeks, and really assess what's going on?

@alphaechokiwi well done! It'll be very exciting to get below 80kg!

@BippityBoppity87 you've done really well the last few days, and 20,000 steps is amazing! If it were me I would consider postponing my blood test! Might be a bit ridiculous (read: definitely is completely ridiculous)!

@UntilYourNextHairBrainedScheme amazing weight loss! Well done! And I hope your epic night shift goes ok.

I weighed myself yesterday morning. I'd only lost 200g in a week, however on Friday we had a large meal, so I think there might be some water weight. However with my parents being up I have eaten quite a bit the last couple of days. I am going to try and really consider it the rest of the week and hope for a STS in the coming week. Fingers crossed.

Hi, diving in here!

I'm on another thread but I'm so inspired by some of the stories here. I've gone into more detail on the other thread but quick precis of me:
Currently size 20/22, usually size 20, last year went down to 18/20 after overhauling my diet (more of that below) but since things have opened back up and I love socialising/eating out I've ballooned!
Like poor @MamaNewtNewt I had a terrible injury last year and was immobile for a good while. As part of my recovery I overhauled what I was eating - concentrated on nutrition but relaxed on that as my recovery progressed and lockdown ended. (@MamaNewtNewt I found my experience last year sent me on an emotional rollercoaster and I'd never have imagined it would be so tough - please DM if you think it would help).

Anyway, I'm not following a plan other than no snacks (except fruit), no white bread and well balanced meals. As a serial dieter (losing weight I can do, maintaining? Who's she?) I have a good idea of what works for me. I'm limited for exercise as i've not fully recovered yet from my injury (could take several more months) so I'm relying on walking and try for about 5km per day.

Don't have a target weight in mind and don't really care about BMI, but would like to be "smaller" and while I'm quire happy (usually) with how I look, I think I look best at around size 16 (I'm very booby/hippy and can start looking ridiculous). Injury aside, I'm usually strong and feel fit and confident, but I think my injury was harder to manage as I was larger/heavier, for example using crutches was hard and I was nervous about baths as I didn't want my husband to injure himself lifting me.

Have been "on plan" since Monday and currently weighing every day but will reduce that when I've an idea of fluctuations.

That wasn't a precis at all was it? Sorry!
Anyway, looking forward to sharing progress, offering support and picking up tips where I can!