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

Aha light bulb moment. TMI, maybe but I find it difficult to open my bowels when away. Today I’ve been pooping like there is no tomorrow, so that could help me.

I'd imagine it would @Zebracat Not tmi at all! Don't worry, you can say anything to me and I'll listen and try to help

I know this is a weightless chat, but I was wondering if anyone else is experiencing hair loss? I have literal clumps coming out my hair every time I shower. Switched to a decent shampoo and conditioner (Aveda) and used olaplex before that, but hasn't helped

I haven’t experienced hair loss, wonder if you are missing some vitamin or mineral?

Have you been to the doctor @BippityBoppity87? It might be a good idea to go and take a week's food diary with you for them to see.
I know people who have weight loss surgery have hair loss, from losing too fast and the physical stress that puts on the body. I've seen people talk about it on other threads and seen it happen on TV (my 600lb life etc.).

Obviously not saying you've had weight loss surgery, as I didn't make that clear. Just wondering if maybe your diet and weight loss might be a bit intense for your body and that's causing the hair loss?

Zebracat 😝😁 may the scales show that difference!

BippityBoppity87 Not eating enough protein can cause hair loss, as can significantly under eating, but significant weight loss can also mess with your hormones temporarily, which also can be a cause of hairloss - it definitely could be weight loss related (I'm sure vitamins and minerals play a role as others say).

I'd look at your protein intake first and make sure your eating healthy protein with every meal - not just vegetables and carbohydrates. Obviously fish is good, but any unprocessed meat, or yogurt, or tofu, beans, lentils, nuts and seeds...

*you're

Thanks everyone. I've been taking photographic evidence of all my meals for when (if) I see a dietician at some point. I take daily hair, skin and nails gummy vitamin things and try and have protein with every meal

Could be that I'm not eating enough or the big drop of weight. I just don't know what's normal hair loss and what isn't. It's mainly in the shower, probably at least the size of a small ball (about the size of my palm) that I lose regularly. Again, not sure if that's normal, so not just a couple of strands

Or is it a PCOS thing? Not sure if anyone else has PCOS on this thread, but I get told one minute I have it, then another medical professional isn't sure. So stuck in limbo. If it was a PCOS thing, that would make some sense

I have PCOS. It's a PCOS thing for some people but not everyone, as PCOS is one of those things that does different things to different people.
I don't think you can just assume it's a PCOS problem, but you also can't rule it out either!

@WeightlossKin Yeah the hair seem to be migrating 😂 less on my head, but loads on my face/neck and the rest of my body 🙄 I have a Philips Lumea, which seems to be helping somewhat

Oh gosh PCOS hair migration! 😳 I genuinely find eating less dairy and less carbs makes that better, but then my body responds well to skiing world which is about as carb heavy as a diet gets!!

@WeightlossKin That's exactly what I've been doing, low carb. Which has been great for my stomach problems and heartburn. Heartburn especially has been pretty much none existent now

I don't know if I'm being overdramatic, but I've attached a photo. This was just running my hands through my hair with conditioner for about 2 minutes. Could be more when I was shampooing, but probably went down the plug hole. I was still having hair coming out after that when I was sitting on the sofa

BippityBoppity87 I think everyone loses hair if they have long hair. I wouldn't run my hands through my hair with conditioner for two minutes or I'd lose that much too - just put conditioner on, leave it til you rinse... Tbh I thought you meant more - there's always been about that much in the plug to clean out after I shower and wash my hair (bra strap length hair).
Is your hair actually looking thinner? I think that is the question in order to know whether you're losing excessive hair.

Have your overies been scanned using ultrasound? That would give an answer on pcos. Where I live that's part of a smear test but I know it isn't on the NHS. Should be something fairly simple for a doctor to refer you for though.

I've been weirdly tired for the last week, and the residents at work and children at home are all expecting summer holiday day trips - my night shift today is extended to 24 hours to enable a trip to the sealife center to happen, and tomorrow I've promised to take my kids into Munich on the train as soon as I get home. I want to get all of them out of the house and away from screens as much as possible, but I'm weirdly tired even when I've just got up from ten hours sleep. Think I need to get my iron levels checked... Annoying how finding out why you're so tired is yet another chore to add to the list!

Hi everyone,

I haven't posted in a couple of weeks, as honestly I've had a terrible time of it! I had a relapse and had to have another week off work. So obviously I've been a lot less active, to try to recover, but also been really upset about it. I am much better now though, and been back at work a week. So at least it was short lived.

So 2 weeks ago, which was at the very start of my relapse, I weighed 85.1kg. that was the lowest I had been (which I was really pleased with). Last week I was back up to 85.9kg and today 86.2kg. I was a bit nervous when I stepped on the scales this morning, but under the circumstances I don't think that's too bad (plus someone at work bought chocolates yesterday, and I had a few). I feel like I can get back on track now.

@UntilYourNextHairBrainedScheme congratulations on getting to a healthy weight! That is amazing. I hope you're ok, and the tiredness resolves quickly.

@BippityBoppity87 I think some hair loss in the shower is to be expected if you have long hair. I would agree with Hare - do you feel like your hair is actually thinning? I would use that to assess rather than some in the shower (and don't spend 2 minutes massaging it with conditioner, I've always just left it).

@Zebracat that made me laugh! Hopefully you'll have pooped out some of that extra weight! And some of it must be water weight. I hope you had a nice weekend, anyway

@MamaNewtNewt glad to see you back. Hope your ankle is doing ok.

@SnowyMouse fantastic loss!

Aaahh, I thought you were supposed to massage it into your hair cuticle. Been doing it wrong this whole time! Maybe then, that could be it. It does feel thinner, but I thought it was maybe just my imagination. I have a lot of hair, but it's very fine

I had a scan of my ovaries and it was clear, but had blood tests and that came back saying PCOS and some hormone was really high, can't remember which one it was. And the excess body hair. I had to shave daily my neck, lip and face as it was really course dark thick hair. But the Lumea seems to be helping a little bit. And the excess weight gain. One person said it was definitely PCOS, then another one said they couldn't say for definite yes or no, so all a bit confused about it now and haven't brought it up since. They did offer this med, can't remember what it's called now. Begins with an M I think? Used off label for PCOS, but is usually used for diabetics? Can't remember, but never bothered chasing it up

Plus I'm on enough meds as it is, I don't need anymore if it's not necessary!

Hi everyone, sorry, I've not caught up with the thread after my holiday - I hope everyone is doing well. But I did spot the marvellous news from @UntilYourNextHairBrainedScheme - I'm so pleased for you. You're a total inspiration. @ScottishBeth - I'm sorry to hear you had a setback and I hope you feel a bit better soon.
@Zebracat - I've read that the body initially stores excess energy in the liver and it's bound up with a lot of water. So lots of that 2 kg will hopefully go quickly on return to normal routine...
I had a great holiday - swimming in the sea, running on the beach, sandcastles, water parks etc...all the stuff I couldn't do last year because I was too heavy and it hurt and I just couldn't muster the energy. Food wise I had a great first week but a few deserts, chips and ice creams snuck in on my second week. I've probably put on a kg or two but not weighed myself yet. Not too bothered, I'll get back into my routine and focus on getting my BMI under 25, hopefully by Christmas...
I've done some very interesting reading and listening over the break. I'm on a mission to try and eliminate as much ultra processed food as possible from our whole family's diet. I definitely recommend 'Why we eat too much' if anyone wants an interesting read.

@BippityBoppity87 if you're honestly worried I really would check in with your GP. Are you still calorie counting?
Interesting that you were offered Metformin (I'm assuming that's what it was!).

@alphaechokiwi hope you had a lovely holiday, certainly sounds like it! Hopefully you've not gained much but whatever you have was worth the experience!

I'm feeling very sorry for myself with a 2lb gain this week. My period started today so I'm hoping it's because of that 🙁.

@WeightlossKin That's it! Sorry, my brain is absolute mush at the moment. Yes, the Dr at the hospital told me to ask my gp for it, but I haven't asked yet. I feel like I'm always bothering the gp, so don't want to be annoying. Still calorie counting. I was in hospital overnight last night for the sleep apnoea testing thing. Did not sleep well at all, so feel like absolute death warmed up today. I was weighed yesterday. 17st 3lbs, so no idea what's going on there. But was commented on that I have had a significant drop in weight thus far (as my weight was logged the last time I was there a few months ago) so maybe just a little set back

@WeightlossKin It probably is your period, I've heard of people putting on up to half a stone and then dropping off again, so could be highly probable

Weighed in early this week as I'm away for the weekend. 79.2kg. I'm very pleased with that. It means I've stayed the same over my holidays. I've got another week away coming up at the end of August, so not looking for weight loss until September.
I read Tom Watson's Downsizing this week. He lost 8 stone and reversed type 2 diabetes. It's an interesting read if anyone is looking for inspiration. Hope you are all well today x

Well done @alphaechokiwi

Have a good weekend away.

alphaechokiwi you're a right jet setter! Just back from holidays and away for the weekend straight away! The high life you're leading! Have fun! Well done on the sts.

70.8 this morning which is a few grammes up but probably just normal variation IMO.

I'm trying to do outings (day trips) and special summer stuff with both my residents at work (I'm responsible for the free time activities) and with my own kids (teens and pre teen) as there's no group holiday for the residents for the second year in a row and our family are only having 3 nights away at the end of August, so I want to make the summer special anyway for everyone. This isn't very good for my bank balance (family) or food choices (in both cases) as a successful daytrip for both teens and residents has to have a food element! Many picnics, visits to beer gardens, ice-cream kiosks, cafés, even a lemonade at the cinema etc seem to be required and even though I'm often only having a mineral water when everyone else food I'm having an alcohol free beer or a lemonade often enough to make an impact, as well as the odd ice-cream and of course a meal if it is actually lunch or dinner... Ah well, this has to be practical lifelong and all that