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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.

Original poster

Five stone in six months before.

79 replies

violetsun · 08/07/2023 18:09

Four years ago 15 and half stone.
Started lighter life from 14.13 and got to 10 stone 2.
Couldn't do again!
Now almost 14 stone.
In my late fifties and feel/look bad/old.
Can't get that motivation and willpower to lose weight again. Lose a few pounds and put back on.
Clothes feel uncomfortable.
I feel breathless/old/ugly/out of control.
Dieting feels slow and overwhelming and like I am never going get there.
Just need help please. Feel depressed as skin white and I have bad leg veins so just feel gross especially in summer as want to wear shorts as even overweight people have legs with no marks but my leg's horrible. I hate my appearance and need to help myself but out of control and work clothes really uncomfortable.
Just can't get that willpower or switch to do it like I used to.

OP posts:
HowardKirksConscience · 08/07/2023 18:14

What do you eat from day to day? What has caused the weight to return? Alcohol? Sugar? Large portions?

WallaceinAnderland · 08/07/2023 18:17

What does 5 stone in six months mean OP?

NoIfsOrButsOrCoconuts · 08/07/2023 18:19

Dieting feels slow and overwhelming and like I am never going get there

The thing is, if you start now, this time next year you will be there.
If you don’t bother starting at all, this time next year you will be where you are now.
Slow and steady wins the race.

Take control and use a calorie counting app for a few days to monitor where you are over eating & go from there. You can do it!

Oneearringlost · 08/07/2023 18:26

Ohhh, more than anything, I feel your pain.

I feel you need to talk to good friends/ counsellor more than someone coming up with a magic bullet.
I'm where you are and so, so know how that feels.
No solution, I'm afraid, I'm 58 and have struggled all my life...
Sending strength OP. x

WallaceinAnderland · 08/07/2023 18:33

The thing is, if you start now, this time next year you willbe there.
If you don’t bother starting at all, this time next year you will be where you are now.

Or probably will have gained more. Losing weight as you get older is very different to how it was when you were young. But the good news is you only have to do it a little bit at a time.

If you lose 1lb a week, that will be 52lb this time next year.

Tell us a bit about your diet, what are your temptations?

WallaceinAnderland · 08/07/2023 18:37

WallaceinAnderland · 08/07/2023 18:17

What does 5 stone in six months mean OP?

Oh I realise what this means now. 4 years ago you lost over 5 stone in six months.

Yes, that's very drastic and you are probably expecting too much from yourself now.

Also, it didn't really work as you didn't give yourself time to change habits so those old habits had you putting the weight back on.

Think of a 'diet' as just the way you eat now. Healthy, smaller portions. Very occasional treats.

That way you will lose weight slowly and this time it will stay off.

L1R876 · 08/07/2023 18:51

@violetsun you did a meal replacement diet which offers quick results. You are normally supposed to go back to a new way of eating after finishing the diet.

Original poster
violetsun · 08/07/2023 18:56

HowardKirksConscience · 08/07/2023 18:14

What do you eat from day to day? What has caused the weight to return? Alcohol? Sugar? Large portions?

Not alcohol but everything else.
If I open a packet of biscuits can't stop at a couple. Any sweet stuff, cakes, chocolate. Also crisps, bread.
Portions same as hubby who taller.
Need to walk more too.

OP posts:
Original poster
violetsun · 08/07/2023 18:58

NoIfsOrButsOrCoconuts · 08/07/2023 18:19

Dieting feels slow and overwhelming and like I am never going get there

The thing is, if you start now, this time next year you will be there.
If you don’t bother starting at all, this time next year you will be where you are now.
Slow and steady wins the race.

Take control and use a calorie counting app for a few days to monitor where you are over eating & go from there. You can do it!

Yeah that's what I need to do just can't get that motivational switch and a year seems so long away.
You are right though as going be even bigger next year. I have lost that drive.
Think I feel low and worn out and invisible now in late fifties and just sometimes think what's the point but know I would feel so much better if I lost weight.

OP posts:
Original poster
violetsun · 08/07/2023 18:59

Oneearringlost · 08/07/2023 18:26

Ohhh, more than anything, I feel your pain.

I feel you need to talk to good friends/ counsellor more than someone coming up with a magic bullet.
I'm where you are and so, so know how that feels.
No solution, I'm afraid, I'm 58 and have struggled all my life...
Sending strength OP. x

Thankyou

OP posts:
Original poster
violetsun · 08/07/2023 18:59

WallaceinAnderland · 08/07/2023 18:33

The thing is, if you start now, this time next year you willbe there.
If you don’t bother starting at all, this time next year you will be where you are now.

Or probably will have gained more. Losing weight as you get older is very different to how it was when you were young. But the good news is you only have to do it a little bit at a time.

If you lose 1lb a week, that will be 52lb this time next year.

Tell us a bit about your diet, what are your temptations?

Cake biscuits galaxy crisps bread

OP posts:
Paperbagsaremine · 08/07/2023 19:00

I'm your age OP and recently I was looking dismayed at my body and thinking I looked like my Mum (who was very overweight and had Type II). I have managed to start to turn things around now (had to do similar end of last century, so in theory I know how but I'm post meno now).
Definitely - take it in steps. This is doable but obviously a long term project.

IME the first step is to get enough sleep. I always eat like famine is coming if I don't. It's like, I know it's not what I should do... but I don't care so I do it anyway. If I get proper sleep I look after myself much better.

Then get an exercise routine sorted - a feasible but regular one, e.g. as a start, go for a twenty minutes plus walk every day. Just to establish the routine, then you can swap out a particular day's workout for something else, e.g. weight lifting (which I strongly recommend) or cycling or swimming.
Exercise lifts mood, gets you outside, improves health, gives you time to think and plan, no downside !

Then, thirdly, work on eating sensibly - unprocessed food, protein and veg, three square meals plus healthy snacks.

At this point you'll be feeling a bit better and then is the time to join WW or SW or RC. Set a target of 7-10 lb and then keep it off for three months before trying to lose more weight.

And I know it's an awful cliche, but tarting up stuff that's not waistline related - hair, nails, jewellery, skin blah blah - can cheer you up a little bit and help maintain that long-term motivation.

You feeling crap now is, (in a way) a good thing, as it's providing your psyche with that invaluable things are going to change, starting right now feeling.
Yes, obviously, it would have been more helpful if your psyche had said "eat less and exercise more" several stones ago, but humans don't often work like that. The snackers survived the famines and it's their genes we carry! Eating too little kills you fast, eating too much kills you pretty slowly in comparison, so Nature is biased towards that extra slice being eaten up.

Bit of a wall of text but HTH.

Original poster
violetsun · 08/07/2023 19:01

L1R876 · 08/07/2023 18:51

@violetsun you did a meal replacement diet which offers quick results. You are normally supposed to go back to a new way of eating after finishing the diet.

I managed for approximately a year to change eating habits then weight started to creep back on as I lost motivation and interest.

OP posts:
Original poster
violetsun · 08/07/2023 19:03

Paperbagsaremine · 08/07/2023 19:00

I'm your age OP and recently I was looking dismayed at my body and thinking I looked like my Mum (who was very overweight and had Type II). I have managed to start to turn things around now (had to do similar end of last century, so in theory I know how but I'm post meno now).
Definitely - take it in steps. This is doable but obviously a long term project.

IME the first step is to get enough sleep. I always eat like famine is coming if I don't. It's like, I know it's not what I should do... but I don't care so I do it anyway. If I get proper sleep I look after myself much better.

Then get an exercise routine sorted - a feasible but regular one, e.g. as a start, go for a twenty minutes plus walk every day. Just to establish the routine, then you can swap out a particular day's workout for something else, e.g. weight lifting (which I strongly recommend) or cycling or swimming.
Exercise lifts mood, gets you outside, improves health, gives you time to think and plan, no downside !

Then, thirdly, work on eating sensibly - unprocessed food, protein and veg, three square meals plus healthy snacks.

At this point you'll be feeling a bit better and then is the time to join WW or SW or RC. Set a target of 7-10 lb and then keep it off for three months before trying to lose more weight.

And I know it's an awful cliche, but tarting up stuff that's not waistline related - hair, nails, jewellery, skin blah blah - can cheer you up a little bit and help maintain that long-term motivation.

You feeling crap now is, (in a way) a good thing, as it's providing your psyche with that invaluable things are going to change, starting right now feeling.
Yes, obviously, it would have been more helpful if your psyche had said "eat less and exercise more" several stones ago, but humans don't often work like that. The snackers survived the famines and it's their genes we carry! Eating too little kills you fast, eating too much kills you pretty slowly in comparison, so Nature is biased towards that extra slice being eaten up.

Bit of a wall of text but HTH.

Lots of good tips and motivation.
I have trouble sleeping these days which isn't good. Never used to.

OP posts:
Original poster
violetsun · 08/07/2023 19:04

L1R876 · 08/07/2023 18:51

@violetsun you did a meal replacement diet which offers quick results. You are normally supposed to go back to a new way of eating after finishing the diet.

Yes you are right.
Eating habits were better for approximately a year but then bad habits crept back.

OP posts:
Original poster
violetsun · 08/07/2023 19:07

NoIfsOrButsOrCoconuts · 08/07/2023 18:19

Dieting feels slow and overwhelming and like I am never going get there

The thing is, if you start now, this time next year you will be there.
If you don’t bother starting at all, this time next year you will be where you are now.
Slow and steady wins the race.

Take control and use a calorie counting app for a few days to monitor where you are over eating & go from there. You can do it!

Yes when you put it like this it is very motivating but when I am having a bad day I dont remember this. Will try to as it's a good thought and would be great if happened. I have just got bigger work clothes as my stuff so tight I cant breathe!

OP posts:
L1R876 · 08/07/2023 19:10

I'd be tempted to do the meal replacements again. You know it works! And you would get the results. Then focus on eating healthier. Work on retraining your brain and tastebuds to like healthier foods.

BIWI · 08/07/2023 19:14

Well, the first thing - even if it sounds hard - is to stop buying the things that are tempting you, that you know aren't helping you!

Ridiculously low calorie diets over a long period of time are not really the answer as - as you know - at the end of it you'll just end up going back to bad habits.

However. That said, the Fast800 plan is a good way of ensuring swift weight loss, over a 12 week period. I think results that quickly (with a well-controlled, nutritious diet plan) will be much more motivating for you.

Don't worry too much about exercise. Although it's very good for your overall health, it plays a much smaller part in weight loss - unless you're doing a huge amount of it, daily.

Paperbagsaremine · 08/07/2023 19:14

Also, reach out to friends or colleagues with good habits. If you can go for a walk with Chris from Accounts on Tuesday lunchtimes, go swimming with Yvonne Friday evening, volunteer marshal at parkrun Sat morning, go out with the Ramblers Sunday, yoga class Monday etc etc then it will need a tenth of the motivation once your calendar is set up. Company and habit are your best pals there.

And the regular exercise will promote better sleep - virtuous circle.

MsJuniper · 08/07/2023 19:15

I have a similar story to you OP. I am trying desperately to find the motivation. I feel like it's starting to be there. I am trying to make small good decisions every day as the bigger picture is too much to deal with. I cannot deal with food in a logical way so meal replacement is the only successful way I have lost weight. I am going back on it. Then strict low carb.

Paperbagsaremine · 08/07/2023 19:21

IME exercise is vital for creating the environment where the weight stays off.
People are correct that losing weight via exercise alone is unrealistic - walk 35 miles a week and not end up eating more is a tall order. BUT it puts your head and body in the right place to embark on a calorie controlled diet and - once at target weight - to serve yourself the nutritious diet that will keep you at that weight.

Fast dieting can monkey with your metabolism and thinking so that the weight just crashes back on. Put it this way - if you were planning an intervention for an overweight gorilla or orangutan - it would be exercise, diet, a happy and stimulating environment, right? We're not that different - treat yourself kindly.

homeitisthen · 08/07/2023 19:24

I've been using a app called
MyNetDiary
It's free its calorie counting I used to be 15.5 and I felt the same as you
I now weigh 14.2
My legs are horrible I would love to wear shorts but I opt for long dresses
The app is very good worth a look
It asks for your height weight and age and works out what you need to eat
You enter meals and if you did a little work
You can do this start say Monday and by next summer you be a new super you xx

Original poster
violetsun · 08/07/2023 19:32

L1R876 · 08/07/2023 19:10

I'd be tempted to do the meal replacements again. You know it works! And you would get the results. Then focus on eating healthier. Work on retraining your brain and tastebuds to like healthier foods.

I did try again but hated the taste. First time round ok but when I tried to do again the thought of the bars shakes etc made me feel sick. Just couldn't face doing that again. Also horrendous breath with this type of diet!!

OP posts:
Original poster
violetsun · 08/07/2023 19:33

homeitisthen · 08/07/2023 19:24

I've been using a app called
MyNetDiary
It's free its calorie counting I used to be 15.5 and I felt the same as you
I now weigh 14.2
My legs are horrible I would love to wear shorts but I opt for long dresses
The app is very good worth a look
It asks for your height weight and age and works out what you need to eat
You enter meals and if you did a little work
You can do this start say Monday and by next summer you be a new super you xx

I've seen that app and nutra check one. Both seem very good.

OP posts:
Original poster
violetsun · 08/07/2023 19:34

Paperbagsaremine · 08/07/2023 19:21

IME exercise is vital for creating the environment where the weight stays off.
People are correct that losing weight via exercise alone is unrealistic - walk 35 miles a week and not end up eating more is a tall order. BUT it puts your head and body in the right place to embark on a calorie controlled diet and - once at target weight - to serve yourself the nutritious diet that will keep you at that weight.

Fast dieting can monkey with your metabolism and thinking so that the weight just crashes back on. Put it this way - if you were planning an intervention for an overweight gorilla or orangutan - it would be exercise, diet, a happy and stimulating environment, right? We're not that different - treat yourself kindly.

Yeah good way to think of it.

OP posts: