Jumping into June

[Octopus37]

Happy June everyone. Here is the new thread. Not sure what my aims are this month, mainly to try and get on a more even keel. I'm up from the start of May 9st5.25 this morning. Hope everyone is still enjoying the good weather.

I'm anxious about maintenance anyway but that podcast has actually made me more anxious. I downloaded the free ebook too but didn't get very far as it goes back to the stats that 95% of people who diet regain the weight and then some and starts talking about just accepting ourselves, whatever we weigh. There's nothing wrong with self- acceptance of course but It's just so discouraging. Is it really so hopeless?

I also don't know what to believe. I heard somewhere else that the stats on regaining weight after dieting was based on an old study where they had people in a hospital type setting and controlled their diet, very low calorie, for a while then followed up after the experiment stopped and they obviously went back to eating their regular diet from before.

I think the bit I do believe is that the body doesn't judge weight or the brain doesn't I should say. It knows that it has weighed more than this before and it wants to get back to that highest weight.

Realistically the reason people regain is surely because they return to old habits? I went to the gym and burned 500 calories today. That's one way that you could eat an extra 500 calories a day without regaining the weight. Or you can still calorie count and cycle between periods of restriction and periods of eating what you want.

I know the body wants to put it back on and will do if you keep eating more than you burn obviously - the idea that you could lose a lot of weight and then go back to eating whatever you want and not doing extra exercise is silly of course and presumably that's what people do in most of those cases. In reality on here most people are maintaining by a combination of good and bad days, more and less effort etc.

I do think people who try to reach a goal weight they had trouble maintaining even 15 years ago are setting themselves up to fail - eg if you're my height and want to be 9st forget it in my mid 40's unless I want to be eating a really small amount and running ten miles a day.

I think there's some compromises.

The people I know who yoyo diet eat MUCH more restricted diets than me when I'm trying to lose weight. That's why I only ever aim to lose 1/2lb per week.

I feel better now. Mustn't let all the differing opinions on weight loss get to me, we're surrounded by them.

I'm listening to more now Nutella. Seems like the key is staying within your defended range and being honest with yourself about where your body is happy and will work with you and where it will be unhappy and start working against you.

I dare say our defended ranges are often higher than we'd care to admit. I'm hugely over what was my normal range for the majority of my life so I'm hoping I can lose a fair bit more but I think I'm ready to let go of the magic numbers that always used to be in my head about what my weight should be.

I think when I was in my 30's mine was between 10:7 and 11:7 and I really wish I could have stayed there and been happy and not always have been wanting less. It always seemed like if I hit 11st I was huge even though that was within the healthy weight range for my height.

I think now in middle age it's likely higher than that and having piled on weight after surgery has probably reset it a bit too. I'm now about 13:6. I would really like to be able to lose another 2stone and hope that's viable. 11:7 still sounds a lot to me but if it was sustainable and didn't put my at war with my own body then I could accept it.

@TheHoneyBadger yes its been pretty awful for DS, but think the antibiotics have started to kick in now. He's got school tomorrow and is meant to be playing in a football tournament, but think I will be keeping him off cause he's still eating next to nothing. Cannot quite believe that both my boys have had massive dental problems caused by accidents, was so careful with their teeth when they were little, no control over it though, just hope the appointment comes through quickly. 9st2.25 this morning, not eating quite as much at the moment. Hope everyone is having a good weekend.

@TheHoneyBadger so true about weight needing to be sustainable. I was always trying to be less, apart from a few years when the boys were very small and I was breastfeeding and very busy. I remember wanting to get down to 8st for my 40th and getting nowhere near, think thats the point where my body was really starting to change. Think my optimum weight is a lot higher now, but it takes time to let go of the used to. Also hard not to mourn ones youth when you see your DS's 14 year old girl friend with legs that go on forever and a wasp like waist. That said, I wasn't that thin at 14,, was probably about a stone less than now on a good day.

I'd be happy to be at the top of not-overweight which is a ways off.

A bmi of 24.9 (top of the healthy range) is 11st5.

I've just reset my goal on fitbit to that - I previously had set it as 10st.

I lost 20lbs between feb and now but mostly in Feb-May and very very little in May and June - a lot came off quickly at first because much of it was recently regained weight I think.

I'm going to try and be content with slow and steady progress.

I meant to say 'for my height' obviously - I'm 5ft7

Oh dear. Just lost 40 minutes looking at liposuction

I'm shorter but have just double checked with the NHS site and I only need to lose 8lb to be a healthy weight. I've always, always thought of myself as huge, unhealthy, though I only really was for a very few years.

Bit up today as Father’s Day meal out was made the most of. I did choose caeser salad over the fried options for my main though.

Still reflecting on those podcasts.

DH bought some custard slices at the weekend. Serious cruelty! I had to have one, but have tried to eat well the rest of the time.

I did go for a 10 mile bike ride with DD yesterday, and am going to try and get out on my bike again tonight.

@TheHoneyBadger hope you enjoyed your Fathers Day meal. 9st.2.75 here today, felt hungrier yesterday. Also have ended up eating a lemon muffin and some crisps for my lunch, not great nevermind. DS2 furious with me cause I wouldn't let him go to school and play in a football match today cause of his tooth. Its so wet and horrible and he still isnt right. I'm on the progesterone part of my HRT now so not sure if thats making me feel a bit yuk.

I did thank you Octopus. I'm not good with progesterone so that bit worries me. Apparently the mirena counts as enough progesterone but it's effects are gentler than tablets so I'm considering having that put in and an oestrogen patch.

Must make a doctors appointment but keep putting it off. I had a horrendous time on Friday and ended up dripping with sweat and near panic attack in front of a class and it made me think the time has come to get some help! I also got round to watching the Davina McCall programme on menopause.

I've been to work and am now home and just broke my fast with a few fish sticks in the hopes calories might warm me up as it's freezing now. Off to the gym in about an hour which should warm me up and then will cook steak for dinner.

Sorry to hear that @TheHoneyBadger, hope that you are able to get a GP appointment soon and that you are able to get what you need. Will have to see about the progesterone for me, doesn't help that I have been v stressed cause of my Son's tooth, he has now got an abscess. Stressed about work and letting people down etc. Hardly any steps today so scales probably up tomorrow, o well.

Strangely the scales are down this morning, 9st1.25. I'm wondering if the HRT has kick started my metabolism a bit. Hope everyone is ok and that this rain eases off soon.

Thanks octopus. I’m nervous about trying hrt but also keen because I’m sick of hot flushes and other symptoms. Think I’m worried about feeling disappointed if it doesn’t help me which is a silly reason not to try though. Hope life gets less stressful for you soon.

13st:7.2 today which is up. May still be paying for Father’s Day but my period is also due and I ate late last night. So? Whatever.

Gym again at 9.

Hey hey, just checking in. After several days of restaurant meals ending on Friday, I'm back on schedule and trying to pay more attention to my body, trying to eat when I'm hungry and not snacking just because I can or because I fancy it. It's easier when I'm busy.

Well done Nutella. I'm trying to do similar plus eat more slowly/consciously and get better at listening for being full rather than just eating because it makes my mouth or my mind happy.

I went to the gym last night and this morning and haven't eaten badly or excessively. Had fish and veg and a little bit of rice yesterday and and today I've had steak with green vegetables and a few oven fries - I'd have happily eaten more but they all stuck to the pan (I think the non stick days of my baking trays are well and truly gone and I need some new ones). I also started my period today so hopefully it all adds up and I should see some results or at least counteract Sunday's indulgences.

Well done Nutella. @TheHoneyBadger I'm sure you will see a big swing soon now you have your period. Know what you mean about HRT. it is nerve wracking but worth a go. I felt good on the oestrogen, but am really not feeling great on the progesterone, dont know if its cause of other factors though. Will have to see what to do, but know I need to give it a couple of months to really know. 9st1 this morning, pleased with that, feels very fluke like though

13:6.4 today.

Busy work day today and we’re having the day off of the gym. Back tomorrow.

Hi all, the discusssion on a weight that is achievable and maintainable is interesting to me. Mine has definitely risen over the years. After DS2 I did WW and got to 8st 12, I was much happier at 8st 7, but it was just not possible to maintain. Now I have gained so much weight I would be happy to get to the top of my BMI healthy range for now, which is 10st. Ideally I would like to get to 9st 7, where if I'm honest I will still have a little bit of a tummy, but I think that is 3 kids and not liking the gym related.

Weight in today and I'm 12st 7.25. 1.25lbs lost this week. I could do better, but I'm trying to let myself enjoy life too.

Morning all! Hope all doing ok.

I've been reflecting a bit on some of the recent posts, and can relate to some of the stuff about negative thoughts around diet / constant voice in my head.

I seem to be struggling a bit with maintenance, despite now being about a year since losing my extra stone. I'm still a 6 lbs heavier than my lightest but actually feel pretty good. My size 10s fit well & my bmi is good so I don't know why I beat myself up and keep trying (and then failing) go get back to my last summer low (9st 11) . Maybe this is where my body likes to be!

We have a lot of fun things coming up - weekends away, ds birthday weekend, a camping trip, a wedding weekend.... I want to enjoy these things without constantly having negative thoughts about enjoying them, but equally I do want to maintain this current weight.

I wonder what people who are 'naturally slim' do? Do they naturally self regulate or is it simply that it their metabolism means they don't need to worry? Wish it wasn't all so consuming & dull!

Anyway, just under 10st 3 this morning. Been eating good healthy meals but also chocolate treats and had lots of dessert on Sunday!