Disheartened

[ITUnurse]

Hello

I’ve been on the threads in various names 🤣

I’ve lost nearly 3 stone. From 13st4 > 10st8. I do feel slimmer and better for it but I also still feel super flabby tbh. I am short at 5’3. My colleagues and friends have all noticed it which is nice. Clothes that were size 14-16 last year that I squashed into are now too big. I’m probably a size 12 now. I have about another stone to lose I reckon but not rushing.

I’ve never been this successful in weight loss and it is aided by a new medication. I always told myself I would appreciate my losses etc. at times I still think of myself the same size as when 13st4.

My main concerns before were my stomachc face and legs. I am happier with my legs now, much happier with face but I still feel my stomach is big in comparison to my body. Like I’ve shrunk but whole body has shrunk so I look no better for it?

I won’t pretend to have exercised and am planning starting yoga / Pilates / swimming to help tone up.

any advice, I know this is common in weight loss but thought it wouldn’t be me. 😶

thanks

I feel your pain. I don't know what the answer is, bar surgery tbh. I've sort of decided to set my 'goal' a little higher than I would have, to avoid some of this. Can't avoid it all in my case.

I completely understand as I am in a similar boat myself (lost around 3st on Ozempic, 1 more to go (or possibly more!)). I have always been an apple shape, and now that I'm slimmer, I'm still the same, albeit smaller, shape!

What I have been doing (and will continue) is to prioritise protein in my diet, as that helps reduce the visceral fat (amongst many other important roles in the body). I have already lost a lot of fat from the belly, but I need to keep it up!

I also think that yoga and Pilates will help, but so does just regular walking (my only current exercise). Another important type of exercise is strength training, again for many reasons but specifically for burning visceral fat.

One more thing I have thought of - once I reach my goal (BMI of 24, I'm tall and I've not been there since my teenage years) I plan to stop weighing myself. I can feel that it can turn into an obsession that might negate my good work (eg I was "good" all week and didn't lose anything, so I'm a bad person, etc.). Instead, I will continue with a healthy diet and lifestyle, but use measurements to keep on track. Seeing how much smaller my waist actually is becoming can be quite encouraging!

Thanks both xx

I am still overweight by BMI so am going to continue for at least another stone. I am also going to start some exercise.

I do feel a big difference but idk I feel like for 2.5 stone it would’ve been more dramatic. My colleague lost 1.5 stone and looked like a different person.

@LighterHeart think I need to stop weighing eventually but after being overweight my whole adult life I fear that will lead to me piling all the weight back on.

Just by standing tall and straight and not looking down while walking can instantly knock pounds off you and help boost your confidence.
Look at how far you've come and pat yourself on the back.

@ITUnurse would a couple new wardrobe pieces help.
I know you plan on loosing more, but just a few nicely fitting items for now.
not the skinnier you in the old stuff having it hang poorly.

@ITUnurse I'm exactly the same height as you and we sound pretty similar with weight going to tummy, legs and face. I've always had exactly the same problem.

For me to have a "perfectly" flat tummy I need to be in the mid to high 7 stone range, so low end of healthy bmi. This is like... looks toned from boobs to pubes (LOL 🤣) but I usually don't have the effort to maintain this plus everything else starts looking skinny rather than slim and I don't suit it.

For a tummy that looks perfectly flat with anything high waisted, even just a pair of knickers or thin jumpsuit, then it's low to mid 8st.
Higher 8st and the tummy only looks flat with a structured high waist like jeans or sweaty betty leggings, but it can start to feel uncomfortable by the end of the day so I'll wear more loose tops / blouses.

That tends to be where I keep my weight because as soon as the scales start saying 9 instead of 8 I can't really hide it anymore, and it really is the only thing that bothers me about my figure.

Of course your body is likely completely different but in my experience it's not really possible to get it down via toning (I do regular pilates and shoot a 40lbs bow every night which works my core, swim most days over winter) because there is still fat there covering where the muscles would be. So I just deal with it by staying under 9st.

Sorry that is probably not what you want to hear... 😫

I do reckon I could definitely fix it "permanently" by dieting down to 7st6ish, then building it back up with high fat / med protein / low carb and some serious weightlifting so the gained weight was all muscle in my legs / bum / arms. I have seen it done and it stops everything else looking too skinny, I just don't have the time or motivation 😂 but maybe something to consider if it really bothers you and you're desperate to be rid of it / unhappy to rely on clothing.

Hope that helps somewhat, and congratulations on all that weight-loss!!

Thanks everyone very helpful. I’m going to keep going for another 1.5-2stone loss and bring in some exercise but try to just accept it.