Severely obese - Accountability thread - trying to avoid WLS

[lotstolose1]

Hi all,

After my recent post about bariatric surgery, and lots of helpful and encouraging comments, I have decided to make an accountability thread for me to try and lose the weight naturally. I will remain on the NHS waitlist in the meantime and then if I don't have the need for surgery in the end then great. I am morbidly obese and hoping to hear from other people who are too.

I'm not near a scale at the mo, but I am at the docs tomorrow so I will get weighed and measured there so I have the most accurate weight & BMI to post.

If anybody would like to join in that would be great.

Well done 👏👏👏

I had mushroom risotto and peas. All a bit carb heavy, but I didn't put cheese on it and I also didn't drink the remains of last weekend's wine after a long and tricky day.

Tomorrow is busy with work, dinner will be egg based, I think.

I've got that book about over eating that I haven't read. Might try and crack into that over the weekend. And I need to investigate swimming.

@vivariumvivariumsvivaria

Sounds great, I'm still awake as the 'stomach bug' I have has come back at full force

Sorry to hear you're feeling so poorly @lotstolose1! Hope your stomach settles soon.

I'm not sure if you're looking for advice or not but just in case, really do have a look at intermittent fasting. It sounds unbelievably difficult but once you adjust it's honestly incredibly easy. I generally only eat in a 3-5 hour window each evening; other than that I just drink black coffee (no sugar), water and sparkling water (unflavoured). This means my insulin levels don't spike, so I don't get hungry (honestly!) and I have lots of energy and am more able to focus on work than I would be if I ate breakfast/lunch. Insulin is so key to weight loss: high levels literally block fat burning and if you restrict your food intake but spread it across the day your body can't access the fat but thinks you're starving and will lower your basal metabolic rate (BMR). So you need fewer calories to maintain your current weight, and you end up in a vicious cycle.

Eating low carb helps too, especially if you've been overweight for a long time and are very insulin resistant. I haven't personally done that as I am not happy to restrict my food in any way: I literally eat whatever I want, and as much of it as want. The only 'restriction' is not eating until the evening, and honestly it doesn't feel restrictive. It saves me time - I don't have to think about food other than dinner - and it saves money!

A good way to find out more about living an intermittent fasting lifestyle is to read one of Gin Stephens' books such as Fast Feast Repeat. It's a serious mindset change but it's worth it and it's totally sustainable - because any change you make has to be something you can and want to do for the rest of your life. Otherwise you'll end up on the diet rollercoaster of losing weight and then putting it back (plus a few extra pounds) and the result is obesity and quite possibly Type 2 diabetes due to severe insulin resistance.

There are a bunch of other health benefits, too, including something called autophagy which means that your body will generally take care of things like loose skin (which many people who've lost a lot of weight really struggle with and have to resort to surgery to fix). It can also improve gut issues, allergies, anything relating to inflammation - miraculous really. And it doesn't cost a penny. Humans are not designed to eat all day long, so is it really surprising that we struggle with weight and other issues when we eat from the moment we wake until right before bed with hardly any breaks in between?

How's the belly today, lots?

Does anyone know WHY they overeat? I've been diagnosed (at 50) with ADHD, apparently binge eating disorder is part of that - you look for a dopamine kick. Would explain it, I have binged since childhood.

I also have a good dollop of self loathing and squash that down with food. Lots of "well, I'm fat anyway" thinking.

I met a guy through work (I'm an HCP) years ago who was having bariatric surgery, he was about 35 stones and about 35 years old. He said "once you are about 20 stones another 10 stones makes no difference to your quality of life. I struggled at 20, but being 35 stones means I don' have to go out so I struggle less"

I've never forgotten him, he was a really lovely bloke and I can totally see how he got into his situation. Because I could do it too, and quickly.

I had counselling to figure out my eating habits and the conclusion was there was no reason for it. There have been hardships, but, no more than anyone else, there isn't a sad or tragic story in my background. It was my counsellor who (gently) suggested about ADHD, so I chucked some money at a private service and am, apparently, "entirely typical of inattentive ADHD".

I am going to trial medication to see if that will help me stick to an exercise plan. Or, you know, any plan...

Anyway, hope today is a good day for you all - full of fresh air and fruit.

Hello. Well done for taking this step OP.
I was 335lbs until I started keto in August last year. I’ve lost 5 stone since then. I was resistant to it but it turned out to be the best for me and really worked.

I’ve had a bit of a stall in the lots for the last 4 weeks but I’m committed to it and back on the keto wagon. I feel so much better than I did before. I’m still morbidly obese but can do so much more than before. I walk every day as well which I’ve learned to love.

@3Britnee how tall are you?

[quote iminthegarden]@3Britnee how tall are you? [/quote]
@iminthegarden 5' and a very important half an inch 😂

At my heaviest I was 15st 4lb.

Good morning all!
@vivariumvivariumsvivaria the stomach is so much worse this morning but I've just been to GP (about the weight) and mentioned it again there and now have to do a sample  not eaten yet because every time I do I get the worst cramp ever and immediately have to go to the toilet, sorry if TMI  taking buscopan now which seems to help with the cramp a bit.

@EightToSixer thanks, definitely will look into keto again. I just think a strict plan sounds a bit daunting for me at the minute as that's how I've failed so many times previously. I will form some new habits and see if I lose!

@BlibBlabBlob sorry missed your message! Thanks I will see how I get on and if I'm not doing well I may look into it, along with the keto diet too.

Hope you are feeling better tonight, lots

I don't know about weigh ins. I've not got scales in the house because of previous eating disorders and the worry I will get obsessed.

I've bought the ring fit adventure for the Nintendo Switch and have done daily short workouts for the past few days. I probably only do around 10-15 minutes of exercise but it will make a difference. I'm embarrassed about how unfit I have become.

I'm making up my ASDA groceries order right now and trying to get proper meals in there so I don't end up starving and end up getting a takeaway.

I'm really rooting for you OP. Don't think about how much weight you need to lose, just take it one meal at a time. Make sure whatever you have for a meal will keep you satisfied till the next meal - that means more protein and a lot less sugar/carbs.

If you can just get into the habit of three good meals a day and no snacks you're 90% of the way there. You can always tweak your meals as you lose more and more weight.

Treat every good meal choice as a victory! And don't beat yourself up if you get it wrong sometimes. It's all about learning what works for you.

How are you getting on @lotstolose1 ?

As PPS siad, breaking it down to small goals is the beat. And make a reward system NOT FOOD.
I get myself a reward every 10kg. It can be anything. Candle, hair clip, plant, cup. As long as you can't eat it😁

OP I just wanted to say it is not your fault that you have become so overweight. It’s the obesogenic food environment we live in and you probably have an addiction to carbs or sugar. Anyone who says otherwise is not only lacking in empathy but also understanding of what the science tells us.

It’s the food industry’s fault and the only way is to reject all ultra processed foods and go back to basics. Don’t use anything readymade even sauces, as they have lots of hidden sugar which converts to fat. Can you cook? That will make such a difference.

I’d really recommend Why We Eat (Too Much) and That Sugar Show (feature documentary). It’s a real eye opener. I had an aha moment and although I only have about 5-6 stone to lose, so not quite as much as you I’m finally committed to changing after 20 years of dieting on/off.

I hope you have lots of rl support too.

Well all be cheering you on from the sidelines!!

Ps you can find That Sugar Show on YouTube for free

Your slim DP may have lots of visceral fat, so just because he’s not overweight doesn’t mean that a poor diet is not having a negative impact on his health. People do develop Type 2 diabetes at healthy weights.

Evening all! Sorry I wasn't expecting many posts on here!

Still feeling so crap with the stomach bug or whatever it is I've got and I'm waiting on results from the doctor, probably Monday before I hear.

I've barely been able to eat but what I have eaten has mostly been good. I will have definitely lost weight in a weeks time, but I can't take any credit as I've been so ill 😂 looking forward to feeling better and using my regular spices and chillies

Hey - I'm 334lbs and just joined WW as I got 9 months free due to being at risk of diabetes. I did a quiz on the Boots site to get the access.

I'm with you girls!

@Ifyoubelieveyouwill

Ps you can find That Sugar Show on YouTube for free

Your slim DP may have lots of visceral fat, so just because he’s not overweight doesn’t mean that a poor diet is not having a negative impact on his health. People do develop Type 2 diabetes at healthy weights.

Watch this one too. Some very fit people got quite ill.

I read and posted once on your first thread OP and just wanted to send you lots of healthy vibes for your journey. You can do this! And you deserve a long, healthy and energetic life! You're investing in your future self, good on you.

@motherofawhirlwind

Hey - I'm 334lbs and just joined WW as I got 9 months free due to being at risk of diabetes. I did a quiz on the Boots site to get the access.

I'm with you girls!

@motherofawhirlwind

What score did you get to get that? I've just had a look and I got a score of moderate and 17 but no info about WW? X

22, I think? Have type 2 diabetes in a parent so think that boosted it up

@motherofawhirlwind

22, I think? Have type 2 diabetes in a parent so think that boosted it up

Ah ok! My score might be too low then x