Help me unpick my block with food

[Llamasally]

I still have 1.5 st of baby weight to lose. Baby is 9 months old, my weight has been at the same level since about 3-4 months in. It feels like this is it now. I seem to have got stuck and I’m not sure where to go. I’m hoping the knowledgeable people here can give me some advice. Will try to keep this short. For background…

• have always been naturally slim with a good figure, flat stomach and eaten whatever I wanted before first child, also was very sporty and never sat still
• lost all but 5/6 lbs pretty quickly and easily after DC1 and looked much the same
• DC2 I suffered with severe SPD during pregnancy and had restricted mobility, that plus lockdown and boredom /comfort eating and PND after the birth meant I gained a lot more weight and didn’t do anything about it for a while
• I have read Why we eat too much, Feel Great Lose Weight and think I know all the latest info about how to get back to what I’d like to be (eg protein, good fats, whole foods etc etc)
• Day to day however I do nothing about it. Pre DC though, I stayed slim on occasional meal skipping or having cereal for tea (usually because I’m too late to bother cooking) but I also had chocolate/crisps/biscuits pretty much every day plus big meals whenever they could be fitted in. I didn’t think about food too much other than how much I was enjoying it, and looking forward to the next instalment!

I don’t know if trying to get back to this would do the trick, rather than following the scientific advice. Or was that just luck and a good metabolism and now I need to overhaul all my previous habits to avoid being too big for my clothes?? I’m 38 and now a size 12.

I feel like I’m using so much headspace on this yet if I’m really honest I haven’t changed anything. I’m so knackered at the end of each day I can barely keep my eyes open. Lots of headaches, feeling nauseous. Not really lost any weight for months and getting very despondent and thinking will I ever get ‘me’ back or should I just give up and accept this is my body now :(

Unfortunately as you get older it does get more difficult to shift excess weight, especially if you are not enormously overweight to start with. It will come off, it's just slower than when you were younger.

It's good to hear you've read some books - did the suggested ways of eating appeal to you at all?

It is difficult to take the first step when you're in a pattern of unhealthy eating. Could you try to change just one thing to begin with? If you eat chocolate, biscuits and crisps, replace just one of those with a healthy alternative such as fruit. Try to get your 'five a day'. Once you start eating more healthily, you'll find it easier to make more changes.

Another good idea is to measure, rather than weigh yourself at first. It can be demoralising if the lbs don't drop as quickly as you like, but your measurements usually shrink in a linear way.

You mention tiredness, headaches and nausea - have you spoken to your GP? I'm not an expert but this sounds like a possible deficiency of some kind - iron/vitamin lack in your body. If you can get that sorted out you might feel more like taking some exercise, which will help weight go more quickly and tone you up so you feel fitter.

Don't give up. I'm ten years older than you and was 4 stone overweight this time last year - I am now in a healthy BMI and just half a stone from my target weight. I followed the principles in 'Why we eat (too much)' and lost the weight by cutting out processed foods and snacks. You can do it!

Thanks for a really thoughtful response @ClariceQuiff and you’ve done a brilliant job on your weight loss

Measurements might be a good idea, that’s what I’m bothered about I suppose when it comes down to it - my clothes being too tight for me!

I’ve been to the GP numerous times, bloods done, their only conclusion with nothing coming back wrong with those is that it’s my AD medication

Hopeful bump

I agree, maybe start with one or two changes. I wouldn’t aim to go back to pre-child eating habits if that means eating crisps, biscuits and chocolate every day.
But also, with a 9 month old, don’t necessarily rush anything either, I’m sure you’re probably still getting up during the night and that can be exhausting. Meal planning for the week might help, having it written down helps to see where you might need more fruit or veg for example.
I used to fall into the habit of getting to 5pm and then not really having time or energy to think what to cook, so would shove fish fingers and chips or a pizza in the oven because it’s quick and easy. Now by meal planning, I make much healthier meals and at least add greens if I’m going for a beige option.

You could also try logging everything you eat and drink in a day on an app like My Fitness Pal, which is what I use. Sometimes you don’t realise how many extras you’re having, like sugary coffees, or evening snacks.

my clothes being too tight for me!

A really motivating thing to do is pick an item of clothing that's too small for you, and try it on once a week when you begin your weightloss journey. Seeing it getting closer and closer to fitting properly is inspiring.