Defeated by fatness no more

[BreathingDeep]

Happy Monday!

Following my thread last week about how I, and so many of us, are feeling like we're defeated by our weight, here's a support thread for those of us who don't want stop ourselves from living the lives we want any more.

There were some amazing stories shared and so much honesty about how this is a struggle for so many of us. Here's the thread for anyone wanting to read:
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/4225173-Defeated-by-my-fatness-am-I-alone

I know that I am sick of feeling ashamed of myself. Sick of hiding away. Sick of feeling that I'm judged for my weight. Sick of feeling that I'm letting myself and my family down. Sick of feeling that my inside doesn't match the outside. Sick of living in the same few outfits because everything else is too tight or looks terrible. Sick of seeking solace in food that doesn't nourish me. Sick of treating myself badly.

If you feel the same, come and join us! Everyone will have their own journey, their own approach and that's fine - please, no criticism or judgement of anyone's plan. The main aim is that we all take steps, every single day, to make ourselves feel better about ourselves.

For me, that means today will include drinking water, taking a long lunch and having a dog walk with a friend (this NEVER happens because work always comes first) and sticking with my Cambridge plan.

How about you?

[altlife]

@73kittycat73

Hi altlife I'm doing week 1, run 1 today too. How did it go? I'm a bit nervous about it tbh.
I'm not very good at posting consistently either, but do read it all. I have lost 1st 5lbs so far and want to lose 1stone 10lbs more to get into the healthy range of my BMI.

Hey @73kittycat73 I think I replied to your post on another thread

Firstly, well done for the weight you have already lost! Keep going x

I've done C25k before but have repeated weeks and never got to Week 3

I hesitate to say 'easy', but I found this morning's run not difficult at all and felt proud that I got to the end.

The first time I did it it was hard but achievable. Just take it at your own pace. It's designed to get you moving but that doesn't mean you have to sprint. I jog the running parts and that is enough for me for now.

Give it a go and think about how you'll feel when your 30 minutes is up x

[73kittycat73]

Thank so much for your advice altlife. I will also go check out the other thread. I will certainly give it a go! I'm going this afternoon, so will post back later on how it goes.

[altlife]

@Roussette that sounds like a plan. I have my next run planned for Wednesday.

When I've done it before, I've found week 2 easier than week 1. The runs are 30 seconds longer but there are less runs so the time seems to go faster

[Roussette]

Oh thanks altlife that sounds good. Because 8 seperate runs does seem to go on and on!

[AnnieJ1985]

Thanks for the thread @BreathingDeep

Today I need to do a food shop and set up my meals for the week. I normally meal plan on a Sunday, but I had work to do yesterday and the day ran away on me.

I keep my meals (I am following a100% plant-based, cook from scratch, no oil, plan) very similar/easy during the week, and make bigger, more elaborate treat meals at the weekend - e.g during the week I'll have stirfries and curries that are quick one-pot dishes, but at the weekend I'll make pizza from scratch etc.

I've just realised I've had no water yet today, so I am a bit headachy.
Going to fill up my bottle now!

I'll sign off with a little motivation - I started seriously watching my eating in mid Jan. I've lost 40lbs so far, with at least 20 more to go and today my size 16 jeans are roomy. I was wedged into my 20s at the start of the year. I hope to be in my 14s (which I've had as my "slim into jeans" for more years than I care to remember, they have never fitted me!) by end of May. I hope this helps motivate others, that if you can find a plan that works for you, 10-15 weeks can make a huge difference.

[NameChange74567]

I was feeling the same recently and decided to do something about it last week. I started 16:8 fasting last monday, I counted calories in my eating window and reduced to 1200 per day. Weighed myself this morning and have lost 6lbs. BMI is 35 so I have a long way to go but feeling very motivated.

[Nodancingshoes]

Your thread inspired me to do something about how I've been feeling too. I've started the 16:8 today with the aim to get 7lbs off to start with. Theres alot more to lose than that but going to take it 7lbs at a time. I've drunk a couple of glasses of water this morning which I never do. I need to do this!!!

[Secretsoutherncomfortdrinker]

I'm in too! Have at least 5st to loose, but I'm starting off slow have already lost 4lbs in the last week as I have been walking to and from school everyday and am already up to 7000 steps today.

I'm going to try the fast 800 so am just having a shake now then a light dinner, good luck everyone.

[73kittycat73]

Hi Roussette are you doing C25K too? Would love to see your progress too.

[73kittycat73]

@AnnieJ1985

Thanks for the thread *@BreathingDeep*

Today I need to do a food shop and set up my meals for the week. I normally meal plan on a Sunday, but I had work to do yesterday and the day ran away on me.

I keep my meals (I am following a100% plant-based, cook from scratch, no oil, plan) very similar/easy during the week, and make bigger, more elaborate treat meals at the weekend - e.g during the week I'll have stirfries and curries that are quick one-pot dishes, but at the weekend I'll make pizza from scratch etc.

I've just realised I've had no water yet today, so I am a bit headachy.
Going to fill up my bottle now!

I'll sign off with a little motivation - I started seriously watching my eating in mid Jan. I've lost 40lbs so far, with at least 20 more to go and today my size 16 jeans are roomy. I was wedged into my 20s at the start of the year. I hope to be in my 14s (which I've had as my "slim into jeans" for more years than I care to remember, they have never fitted me!) by end of May. I hope this helps motivate others, that if you can find a plan that works for you, 10-15 weeks can make a huge difference.

Wow, that's amazing AnnieJ1985 Congrats on all that weight lost!

[Roussette]

@73kittycat73

Hi Roussette are you doing C25K too?

Yes! 3rd run tomorrow on week 1. I'm going to go as far as I can with this, but I am no runner, and I am old! I just don't want to do my knee in or anything, I had an injury a few years ago so the jog is very leisurely, but it is more than a walk!

[Roussette]

@AnnieJ1985

Sooooo impressed with your progress, well done! So many inspiring stories on here.
Can I ask about your homemade pizza? I discovered bread making during lockdown (used to make bread but stopped a few years back) and my pizza dough is delicious. I want to still be able to do this so I'm very glad to see you are eating this and losing all that weight!

[SheldonesqueTheBstard]

I too am here. My fat and shame cloak has been dragged along for the ride.

Onwards and upwards 🎈

[AnnieJ1985]

[quote Roussette]@AnnieJ1985

Sooooo impressed with your progress, well done! So many inspiring stories on here.
Can I ask about your homemade pizza? I discovered bread making during lockdown (used to make bread but stopped a few years back) and my pizza dough is delicious. I want to still be able to do this so I'm very glad to see you are eating this and losing all that weight![/quote]
@Roussette I am sure my pizza base is nowhere near as nice as yours, because it is made from wholemeal flour and dairy-free yoghurt mainly. I add in seasoning like garlic granules. It is nice, but it isn't a "real" pizza base. It suits me fine though, it is enough of a change from my weekday dinners to feel like a treat. I'll find the exact recipe I use, it's on my phone somewhere - I am on laptop at the moment.

I eat loads of carbs but mainly porridge, potatoes and rice. Pasta the odd day. I buy brown/wholemeal/wholegrain now, never the white alternative. My pizza is the only time I use flour now. I have no sugar/energy spikes any more- I very rarely eat between my meals and if I do, it's a piece of fruit. I often skip breakfast because I am not hungry, so I am accidentally doing 16:8 some days.

During lockdown it has been pretty easy to stick to this, once I got into a routine. It will be tougher when I start to go out for food with friends again!

[Roussette]

Thank you thank you. That is all sounding good. I too have no desire for breakfast so rarely have it.
(And when I lost 5stone 15 years ago that is what set me on the right path)

I just think my pizza dough is really not good for me, but I'd rather forego other stuff to have it, if it's at all possible. Just once a fortnight will do for me....

[sylv165]

[quote Roussette]@altlife
So this morning I've just done Run 1, Week 1 of C25K

I have Run 3, week 1 tomorrow! I'll keep a look out for you and we can spur each other on [/quote]
I'm just back from run 3 week 1! I'm surprising myself by really enjoying it!

[sylv165]

Oh and on the subject of pizza, I made a low carb pizza base at the weekend using ground almonds and a little wholemeal flour and it was actually really good. The texture was much 'shorter' than a normal pizza base and it was slightly sweet, but it was a convincing enough substitute

[Roussette]

I will google low carb versions and see what I come up with!

And well done on the run!

[YellowMonday]

@Roussette, thank you. Really for the last 2 years I've known I need to lose the weight, but this time feels very different. I had a super vivid dream the night before I kicked off my life transformation, and everything since has just aligned.

I think it's important to be reasonable which is where I love 16/8. Plus having PCOS and finally cutting down on bread, pasta, rice, potato etc I've found my "carb hunger" has gone away.

Aiming for a max of 1-1.5 kilos (which I think is about 2.2 pounds) a week, which my GP is happy with. So far not plateaus or gains, but expect it to happen at some point.

[HarebrightCedarmoon]

Fitbit says I've lost 2st 9lbs as of this morning. One stone to go. This is in four and a bit years, though the last 9lbs has come off in 3 weeks due to Fast800. I'd recommend anyone to give it a go.

I wouldn't even bother with strenuous exercise too much for weight loss, I flogged my guts out with exercise over the years with the scales not doing anything and mostly now just do walking and yoga. That's not to say I'm inactive, I'm certainly fit and active (and bendy!) but don't feel you have to run, lift weights, go to the gym or do classes unless you enjoy that sort of thing.

Most of all the first thing to learn is being kind to yourself. Look after yourself by eating well, moving your body, looking after your mental wellbeing, sleeping, and forgive yourself when you lapse into bad habits.

[MrsSlocombesPussy]

I'm in. I usually join one of these threads and then never post again.
I'm not trying to diet, just make healthier choices.
I've signed up to Hello Fresh, my first few weeks are discounted as part of an introductory offer. We're doing 2 meals a week. They have several meals which have less than 600 calories. If I have a low cal lunch I can even choose a slightly higher calorie option.
My only criticism of Hello Fresh is that they're a little light on vegetables, so we've been adding extra, or a side salad.
My activity for today is going to be a walk in the park.

[Roussette]

Aiming for a max of 1-1.5 kilos (which I think is about 2.2 pounds) a week, which my GP is happy with. So far not plateaus or gains, but expect it to happen at some point

Yes, and I'm cross I was disappointed with myself for just a 1 1/4lb loss last week but anything is good, and my DD who is really knowledgeable on exercise, nutrition and all of that... told me that some weeks I might lose nothing, but that doesn't mean to say that is set for the following week -and not to be so silly-

[AnnieJ1985]

Weightloss is not linear, there will be fluctuations. I tell myself as long as there is an overall decrease over time, that's fine. It has taken me YEARS to accept this!

I can gain 3lbs on my period, it is like I swell up like a balloon. It helps that I know this, but usually on my period I am in fierce bad humour, so sometimes it is very disappointing and a trigger to jack it all in.

Because I am tracking all this on my phone/fitbit, I can see the cycles, and as long as the "gain" has disappeared a day or so after my period, I try not to get too disheartened.

[Harpydragon]

Im glad to see you here! The other thread came just at the right time for me and I joined slimming world last thursday! I did the blood sugar diet 4 years ago lost 2 stone and kept it off for a year but it just was not a lifestyle change I was prepared to make permanently! SW is easier for me because nothing is banned and the whole family can eat the same.
I'm doing OK at the moment, I took some photos and my measurements and intend to do the same for every stone I lose. I'm hoping being able to see the diogenes will keep me motivated. My 1st goal is to get my bmi below 40 and be merely obese! I'd really like to get my wedding ring back on too.

Feeling more in charge now I've admitted I can't go on any more the way I was. Taking control of my diet feels like taking control of my life, so much so that I actually did some cleaning for the first time in a while this weekend!

One step at a time

[sylv165]

@Roussette

Aiming for a max of 1-1.5 kilos (which I think is about 2.2 pounds) a week, which my GP is happy with. So far not plateaus or gains, but expect it to happen at some point

Yes, and I'm cross I was disappointed with myself for just a 1 1/4lb loss last week but anything is good, and my DD who is really knowledgeable on exercise, nutrition and all of that... told me that some weeks I might lose nothing, but that doesn't mean to say that is set for the following week -and not to be so silly-

@Roussette this is actually one of the subjects covered in the Second Nature programme, I found it really interesting. It is around the "set point theory" which basically suggests that we have a set weight and it is hard to lose weight beyond that point. We have to train our body to have a new, lower set point and the best way to do that is by gradual weight loss. It supposedly explains why we can lose weight for a while but then seem to plateau/gain even when we're sticking to a diet. No idea how much science is behind it but it kind of makes sense to me as I tend to get to a certain point, stop losing weight, then decide it isn't working and ditch the diet!