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Weight loss chat

A space to talk openly about weight loss journeys and challenges. Mumsnet hasn't checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. You may wish to speak to a medical professional before starting any diet.

Jumping January

288 replies

Octopus37 · 31/12/2021 09:55

Thought I would start the new thread a day early, cannot believe this thread has been going for two years. I joined on 2nd Jan 2020. I'm going to put today's weight in 9st1.25, so a gain of three pounds in December. Aiming to get back to where I was by the end of January and in the longer term a few more pounds.

OP posts:
Octopus37 · 14/01/2022 11:27

@Judystilldreamsofhorses dont feel like a fraud honestly, in case you haven't noticed I'm exactly the same. When I first joined this thread two years ago I lost quite a bit, then stayed the same for about 9 months. Then I gained at Christmas and lost that gain and a bit more last Summer. I then maintained and now I'm on the up again which I'm trying to curb. I keep posting though to stop myself going on a complete food bender.

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NutellaEllaElla · 14/01/2022 15:38

I feel like I'm constantly trying to lose what I've just re gained 😬😄

HeyGirlHeyBoy · 14/01/2022 15:55

Exact same Nutella. I think lots of us feeling similar and my aim is similar to Octopus'!

Allaboutthebooks · 14/01/2022 17:15

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Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Allaboutthebooks · 14/01/2022 17:16

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swallowedAfly · 14/01/2022 18:53

Seriously don't feel like that Judy - it's one of the good things about this thread. Several of us have had months in a row where we basically just bounce around the same weight getting nowhere but trying to celebrate the fact that at least we're not gaining, a few of us have fallen off the wagon for a couple of months and reappeared to get back on track and we're a broad range of weights and goals. Honestly your attitude is great in my opinion - if you know this is a shitty time of year for you then maintaining is a win and you know after that come more spring like conditions you can build on it.

Octopus was stuck for what - a good six months last year Octopus before you suddenly got under 9st? I spent August to November bouncing around the spot and then finally had a really big loss in November and have been doing relatively well since then and Hangover has just returned to us after a period of, I'm guessing, no not willing to obsess over weight right not-ness.

I say that I've lost about 3 and a half stone in the 20ish months I've been on here but in reality that's been more like lose a load, stagnate for ages, lose some more, stagnate, regain a load, lose that again and make more progress etc. I looked at my fitbit graphs and realised I'm actually 40lbs lighter than this time last year because I had considerable regain over nov/dec last winter due to a hissy fit over lockdowns, gyms closing and still having to work as normal.

We used to share quite a few Jordan what's-his-name videos some of which could be summed up as if you're still going you're winning and weight loss isn't a linear process and you just stick with it and don't obsess about stalling etc.

It's a cliche that gets trotted out a lot but it's really a lifelong/lifestyle thing rather than a short term 'diet' when it comes to weight management. As a mid 40's perimenopausal woman who had major surgery at the same time as middle age hormone issues kicking in and just manifested weight from thin air and discovered my body didn't respond in the same way as it used to to dieting this has really hit home for me.

If you're still checking in, still mindful, and still confident you'll pull it back round even when you're going through a patch of not being able to focus/care then you're winning imo now. I also think the idea of maintenance as just now I eat perfectly and maintain with ease is a bit of a myth. I think it will always be ups and downs with the trick being to regularly pull yourself back into line and self regulate again. Managing weight isn't easy for most people and for women past their 30s that seems to be even more true apart from those unicorn types who have been the same weight forever and never even think about it.

swallowedAfly · 14/01/2022 19:09

Here's a maybe obvious but useful one:

Always good to remember that an overnight upswing on the scales doesn't mean you've gained fat necessarily and likewise, sadly, when your weight drops majorly overnight you shouldn't get too attached to that because it's unlikely you've actually lost pounds of fat instantaneously. It's also very clear on the 'not linear' reality of weight loss.

swallowedAfly · 14/01/2022 19:18

Here’s my year:

Jumping January
swallowedAfly · 14/01/2022 19:25

If you zoom in the light blue line is actual weigh in and the dark blue the trend. I’m 166lbs today and was about 40lbs more a year ago. The trend looks good from the long term but there were periods where it seemed like I just stood still for months. If you just keep going you can’t fail.

Sorry for long multiple posts.

Judystilldreamsofhorses · 14/01/2022 21:35

Thanks for having me, and for the supportive posts! I think I should be grateful to have gained less than half a stone in this bloody pandemic, and I know I am not up a dress size or anything, still healthy BMI, blah blah. In a way that seems worse though - I have four stupid pounds to lose, and can’t!

I definitely agree that it is harder to lose weight in one’s 40s.

NutellaEllaElla · 14/01/2022 21:44

Here's my graph since starting this journey in March 2020. Jaggedy as fuck Grin

Jumping January
Octopus37 · 14/01/2022 22:25

@Allaboutthebooks I'm 5ft5. I know that when I say what my height and weight are, people probably expect me to be slimmer than I am. I'm a typical pear shape with a bit of a tummy at the moment cause of the extra Christmas weight. I have to buy size 12s in skirts and trousers cause I've got wide hips, top of my thighs are quite big etc. I'm also small boned apart from that, small hands and fingers, narrow feet and a narrow back, which means that I dont carry weight well so dont have a lot of leeway. Normally I do a lot of walking, but I haven't managed as much just recently for various reasons, more working from home etc.

OP posts:
Judystilldreamsofhorses · 14/01/2022 23:14

Blimey, @Octopus37 you must be teeny! I’m 5ft 6 and I think the lowest I have ever weighed as an adult was 9/10, after serious illness. At 10/7 I am still comfortably a size 10/28 waist in jeans, and I have broad shoulders/hips. It’s weird how everyone carries weight differently, but surely you don’t need to lose any more? (Or am j just a deluded heifer actually?)

swallowedAfly · 15/01/2022 06:44

Nobody’s a heifer and all bodies are different. At 10st7 I wouldn’t be a size 10-think I need to be 9st before I’m a true size 10.

11:11.6 today despite late night packet of niknaks and a chocolate digestive bar.

Hangoverstruggles · 15/01/2022 08:45

Morning everyone! Catching up with the thread in bed with a coffee.

I am frustrated with myself!! I have a pub meal out tonight and again next Saturday and my plan was to be good all week to allow for it (it'll be greedy with lots of wine 😁)....but I haven't managed it.

Just not in the head space. Think I put a lot of pressure on the January kick start and the reality is I'm tired (took no time off at Christmas, working in supply chain for a supermarket it has been frantic, with two little boys and hosting a lot I'm done in!)

I've order some good quality multi vits and probiotics (does anyone take supplements? There's so much out there!) and hoping to try to boost myself up a bit, eat sensibly and try to stop reaching for the sugar!!

Love seeing your long weight loss curve @swallowedAfly and @NutellaEllaElla you've both done so well.

Will also keep checking in even if I'm not finding my grove yet! Happy weekend Smile

Octopus37 · 15/01/2022 10:19

@Hangoverstruggles January's such a difficult month. As you say there's a lot of new start pressure. Think its good to keep checking in.

@swallowedAfly you're so right, all bodies are different. @Judystilldreamsofhorses I would put money on not being able to fit into size 10 jeans comfortably at the moment. Should also say that when I did lose weight last year, it wasn't cause of something clicking with food, it was cause of stress. My Dad was very poorly and I had some stress with my oldest DS, then I got Covid, obviously that weight went straight back on as soon as I started eating again. Think a day at a time is the best plan at the moment. Hope everyone has a good Saturday.

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Judystilldreamsofhorses · 15/01/2022 10:28

10/7 today again (I need to cut and paste these posts) but we had the M&S fake Chinese takeaway last night so I will probably pay for that later!

@swallowedAfly bodies are all different, agreed. I post daily on Instagram and here is Monday’s working from home outfit (the rest of the week is probably a bit more distinctive than jeans and a grey sweater). The jeans are Levi’s 501s in a 28 waist. Excuse the birks and socks. I think I just look “unremarkable” size wise, but maybe I am too used to seeing myself.

@Hangoverstruggles I started taking a probiotic a couple of weeks ago, but really to help with digestive issues - it’s a Wellguard one that seemed to come out well in a couple of articles I read about them. I need to go to the independent health shop here and ask the staff really - they are so helpful. The articles flagged up a couple of key bacteria we should be looking out for but of course I can’t now remember what they were!

Jumping January
NutellaEllaElla · 15/01/2022 11:05

You look slim even in a slightly slouchy jumper @Judystilldreamsofhorses, lovely x

swallowedAfly · 15/01/2022 12:15

You look slim to me Judy. Interesting that at only 18lbs more than you I'd be 3 trouser sizes bigger. At 10'7 I'm guessing I'd be a 12-14.

Hangover don't stress, keep checking in. Sometimes it takes ages to really get back in the swing. I gained over most of November, December and January last year because my head was just not in it and the rest of life was hard going but I got back on track in February. Enjoy your meal out - I'm a bit jealous Grin

I think I have long limbs but am relatively short wasted and my limbs don't tend to appear as if they've accumulated 'much' fat. It's boobs and middle for me and so if I'm wearing tops or dresses that fall from the boobs and hide the middle yet more fitting stuff on limbs people don't get the 'huge' impression even when I am substantially overweight. To be honest I think it's my face being slim that I miss the most - my face looks so much better at a low weight.

Allaboutthebooks · 15/01/2022 15:05

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Hangoverstruggles · 15/01/2022 16:50

I'm 5'8 and currently 10st8. Still fitting ok in my 28 waists / size 10s but everything just fit me better when i was lighter last year.

At my lightest (9st 11) I felt like I could wear anything and was size 8/10. Now I'm more 10/12 with a lot more bulgy bits and folds!10st would be good for me. I'm an hour glass with E cup boobs (currently - these will shrink a cup size if I lose the 8lb!) curvy hips and a big bum 😂

Those are the same Probiotics I've ordered! Same brand anyway. We must have read the same article 😁 I'm interested to see if a healthier gut helps with energy levels... I feel like if everything is working well I'll perhaps reach for energy boosts as often? Who knows....

Octopus37 · 15/01/2022 19:47

@Allaboutthebooks I was a lot lighter in my 30s, but I think that was following on from having my kids. Before getting pregnant (I was 31) I was 8st11, after having my first DS and apart from during my pregnancy with DS2, I fluctuated between 7st10 (lightest breastfeeding weight both times) and 8st7 at my heaviest. That put me at somewhere between and 8/10 and a straight 10. After I turned 40 it changed and I've had a couple of spells on AD's which haven't helped. I also started my perimenopause when I was 44/45. I'm now 47 and on HRT. I definitely think that one way or another it does get harder in your 40s.

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Octopus37 · 15/01/2022 19:51

@Judystilldreamsofhorses I agree with the others, you look lovely and slim.

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LBB2020 · 15/01/2022 19:53

Hello all! I’ve not had the best week but TMI I’ve just had my first postpartum period which I wasn’t expecting as still breastfeeding (even though he’s 16 months he’s not slowed on the milk front!) so maybe that explains it! @Judystilldreamsofhorses I think you look fab! It always amazes me how differently we see ourselves from how others see us!

Judystilldreamsofhorses · 15/01/2022 22:06

Thank you all for being so nice - maybe my scales are weighing heavy or something, but I think I just carry it reasonably well. I crept up to 11/8 in my late 20s when I was in a job with loads of travel, and I was in a 12 top and 14 bottom then. I went to WW and lost it really easily - much harder when you are older! I do feel like I look quite jowly which is obviously hidden in that photo, and that knocking off three or four pounds would definitely solve that problem.

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