Don’t know where/how to start!

[Senso21]

So I’d always been one of those annoying people that my weight was always 9st 3lbs, I’ve always eaten a lot of crap, I love snacking and have such a sweet tooth.
First baby 7 years ago and was back down to 9st 3 by their first birthday without doing a thing, although my body shape/tone had changed.
second baby, 5 years ago, the weight did t really come off as fast or as much and I just kind of accepted that and carried on bad eating habits/no exercise.

Now in my late 30s, feel uncomfortable in all my clothes, incredibly self conscious about how bulky and flabby I look, weighed myself the other week and was so shocked that I’m now 10st 12lb!!

im short and my BMI is now v overweight and I am feeling really down about how I’ve let myself get this big.

I know I want to sort this out before I carry on piling lbs on, but as someone who does not like your standard diet staples (salad, many fruits etc) and who has done seldom excercise through my adult life, I find myself not having a clue where to start or how to approach this! I know it’s simple really, eat less move more, but has anyone got any tips on how to get myself eased in and started on starting some good routines and habits.

I feel like crap most of the time, I need a complete lifestyle and well-being overhaul! And it just all feels a bit overwhelming with where to begin

TIA

It all depends what type of diet might work for you - could you calorie count? Then you can eat any type of food as long as it fits within your calories. The key with this is to up your portions of vegetables and have smaller portions of the other parts of the meal.

Make sure you drink lots of water and try to hit 10 000 steps too

You can definitely do it, OP. Frame it as a long-term project and aim for it to be a lifestyle change rather than a weigh loss goal.

Reducing carbs is very effective.

Intermittent fasting helpfully changes your perception of when you 'need' to eat, and effective trains your body (and brain) not to feel panicked about feeling a bit peckish. Try a relatively big window to start with; brunch at 11, and aim to have finished your last meal by 7pm, and then adjust at whichever end works best for you.

Try to get past the need to feel 'full' or satiated; it really isn't a helpful measure of whether you have had enough to eat, and often just the body's response to having consumed lots of carbs. If you have some awareness of basic nutrition, you can make sure your meals contain the right amount of nutrients even in smaller, less carb-loaded quantities. This awareness is really freeing; you're going to be fine.

Get creative about what a 'meal' looks like. Since reducing carbs (not eliminating, though), I eat in a much more varied and interesting way, and sort of compose meals I'd never previously have considered 'a meal': bolognese and shredded cabbage, sardines on grated carrots with roasted nuts, hard boiled eggs with steamed broccoli - it makes perfect sense to me now, but possibly looks a bit odd to someone else!

When eating with DC, I have what they have, or moderate it in some minor way. I began trying to lose weight after a health scare (pre-diabetic, just over 2 stone overweight), so if they ask why I'm having cauliflower instead of rice, I just refer to it being better for my blood sugar, but don't reference weight loss, as it's not necessary.

Are you me OP? Same age and same weights pre and post kids! I feel really flabby and unfit and live in leggings and baggy tops. I'll be your weight loss buddy if you need one!

How funny @BettyBoopy - have you got a plan of action on how you’re going to shed some lbs?

started 16:8 intermittent fasting today as I find that relatively simple to do and it cuts a lot of evening snacking rubbish out of my diet. Trying to log what I’m eating on fitness pal, not to try and limit calories too much but to help me make more sensible choices.

I don’t think I’ll ever be 1200 calories or under per day but I’ll try to stay near it if I can

Thanks all for some really helpful advice everyone - I’m feeling slightly motivated, which is impressive for me 😂

Basically this! I also downloaded MFP today and am aiming for around 1400 cals. Also intermittent fasting 16:8 (with a snaky cup of tea first thing as I can't function without it) also try to avoid chocolate and alcohol through the week. I have 3 you d children and a husband that works looonnngggg hours so exercise opportunities are limited until
youngest Starts pre school in September

I’ve always been slim until lockdown when I reached 75kg! I’d been 58-60kg before! I’ve stated a calorie deficit diet using the nutricheck app. I’ve done three weeks and lost 5kg

Hi OP - I am similar although have gotten more out of control! I weigh nearly 12 stone and used to be 9stone 3 (going up to 9 stone 7 but not any higher).

I will look into intermittent fasting although we do like to have our meals (read wine and snacks!) after the children are asleep during the week, which is often quite late!