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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.

Original poster

Those that finally lost weight after many failed attempts, what finally did it?

86 replies

Workworld · 28/07/2023 22:09

Hi all, I am currently on my umpteenth attempt to 'finally' lose weight and slim down. I'm 33 and have never been slim as an adult. Lost a stone and a half last year, which I have maintained (purely because I changed from a desk job to a job on my feet), but have not lost any more since then and have about 4 stone to lose to a healthy BMI.

So I'd like to hear from those that finally shed weight for good after many failed attempts. What made you finally crack it?

I know how to eat well, and exercise. I really do know what I need to do. But it's the mental side of things I struggle with - having discipline, patience, keeping motivation and not thinking about food 24/7 (I'm a massive emotional eater!)

Also, I remember a thread on here a few years ago where people shared the little positives about losing weight (e.g being able to wear certain clothes they wouldnt have previously felt comfortable wearing). It was really inspiring and motivating but I can't seem to find it. So I'd really like to hear those things too.

OP posts:
inky1991 · 28/07/2023 23:34

Following as I'm in the same boat

NightShiftDrama · 28/07/2023 23:56

A career I wanted but need to be fit enough for it!

And also...a uniform to wear
Lost 4 stone for it

Vegetus · 29/07/2023 05:36

I didn't want to be the fat person in the park waddling after my son anymore.

CatOnAHotShedRoof · 29/07/2023 06:04

Intermittent Fasting has been working for me. Nearly lost two stones since starting in April.

It stops me from snacking on biscuits and crisps. I start the fast as soon as dinner is over and then don't eat again until after I've got up, and done a short workout, usually around 10am. So fasting between 15 and 16 hours. And trying to make most of what I eat from ingredients, rather than ready made/ultra processed.

caffelattetogo · 29/07/2023 06:06

Low carb really helped me, after years of low fat or calorie counting.

TerfTalking · 29/07/2023 06:09

MyFitnessPal logged everything that passed my lips, used it in conjunction with 10500 minimum steps a day linked to my Fitbit.

boboshmobo · 29/07/2023 06:12

Calorie counting although if you have lots to lose slimming world is a great way to start ..

It. Won't work if you don't have much to lose

I have tried everything and anything . I'm still a bit overweight but I'm short and a size 8/10 so it's good enough .

My sister had a gastric sleeve and has lost 9 stone ! But she still needed to calorie count as it's not magic , just a tool to manage your hunger and portions

I love the nutra check app .

anniepanniepears123 · 29/07/2023 06:18

For me I joined curves and have done intermittent fasting
I have 3 meals a day with last one at 6 pm and I don't eat anything for breakfast till I have done a circuit at curves 3 days a week definitely recommend you can only try

YukoandHiro · 29/07/2023 06:23

Low carb high protein high good fats is really good. I'll admit I'm not coming at this from the point of someone who is overweight but I had to follow this diet for medical reasons and weight fell off. The other thing is six small meals a day (or three smaller meals plus three biggish snacks) . You're right about disciple being important - and the only reason I could stick to this was because I had no choice as the health of my unborn baby was at risk. But what helped me keep to the diet was meticulous planning and preparation. - shopping lists, meal planning, carefully following the doctor's guidance to the letter. It did mean I was thinking about food all the time, but it was a good use of that mental energy and it left nothing to chance.
I wasn't trying to lose weight at all but I finished pregnancy slimmer than I started it (aside from the weight of the baby itself of course) and had to buy a complete new wardrobe by the time I was 3 weeks PP.

Twilightstarbright · 29/07/2023 06:24

Ozempic. Alongside a change in diet- a big focus on lean protein and veg, IF and no alcohol.

delilabell · 29/07/2023 07:47

I've been doing slimming world for a year now and have lost nearly 6 stone.
I was morbidly obese.the thing that made me was photos of my 40th birthday. Photos on holiday with my son. And the fact I could barely walk up the stairs as my knee hurt so much.
I'd looked seriously at gastric bypasses but several threads on here put me off.
I got a free 12 week referral to s.worlld. I decided I'd give it the12 weeks and if it didn't work I'd go for the bypass.
The things that keep me in track are being weighed every week,having the support of a physical group and giving myself a reward for every half a stone.
Wins for me include being able to wrap myself in a towel, sitting in a cinema seat, shopping in mainstream shops.

DustyLee123 · 29/07/2023 07:51

Ive upped my protein and it really does make you feel full for longer.
I now have a protein shake for breakfast, and I have slices of an apple so I feel like I’ve eaten something, and a protein yogurt for pudding in the evening.

Watchkeys · 29/07/2023 07:51

I know how to eat well

Are you sure, or are you following the government guidelines? If you're having trouble with discipline, that suggests addiction, and if you're following what we're taught is 'eating well', you may have a carb/sugar addiction (bearing in mind that flour is turned into sugar as soon as we eat it)

Original poster
Workworld · 29/07/2023 11:00

delilabell · 29/07/2023 07:47

I've been doing slimming world for a year now and have lost nearly 6 stone.
I was morbidly obese.the thing that made me was photos of my 40th birthday. Photos on holiday with my son. And the fact I could barely walk up the stairs as my knee hurt so much.
I'd looked seriously at gastric bypasses but several threads on here put me off.
I got a free 12 week referral to s.worlld. I decided I'd give it the12 weeks and if it didn't work I'd go for the bypass.
The things that keep me in track are being weighed every week,having the support of a physical group and giving myself a reward for every half a stone.
Wins for me include being able to wrap myself in a towel, sitting in a cinema seat, shopping in mainstream shops.

The towel thing! Yes! This is a good one

OP posts:
Original poster
Workworld · 29/07/2023 11:01

NightShiftDrama · 28/07/2023 23:56

A career I wanted but need to be fit enough for it!

And also...a uniform to wear
Lost 4 stone for it

4 stone is amazing!

OP posts:
Rabbithole90 · 29/07/2023 11:13

My DH went to a lapdancing club for a private dance. I have always been a huge emotional eater, I think about food 24/7 and I bloody love food. I cannot get the image of the dancer -naked- out of my head. My perceived image. She would have been v slim. My dream to be that slim. I would only need to lose about 2 stone to get to the same place . Him going & the image of her has totally knocked my binging/emotional eating/food cravings right on the head. I've totally dumped the junk/crap. Only been a week so far though !

ScottishBeth · 29/07/2023 11:25

I say this a lot on these threads but I use Corinne Crabtree's method. She is a weight loss coach but I haven't paid anything - I just use the free resources.

The thing that is different is that her method includes reflecting on emotional eating, planning around your life realistically. I am nearly 40 and have lost about 11kg this year. I feel really confident that I'll be able to lose more and keep it off. I'm sort of in a plateau at the moment (struggling with weird symptoms which is prompting overeating) but I'm not gaining and still keeping up, and looking at this in a problem solving way.

https://www.nobsweightloss.com/

Home - No BS Weightloss

Home

https://www.nobsweightloss.com

bellac11 · 29/07/2023 11:29

I had a sleeve and still working through it all

Didnt want to be a fat grannie and bad example, fed up of not being able to get it off and keep it off, getting older, joints suffering, everything suffering. Didnt want another 'milestone' birthday to pass by having failed to be not 'fat and xxxx'

Its unbelievably hard work and will need to work at this for life but hopefully permanent. Its also incredibly slow, it doesnt drop off for everyone! I have a very low calorie intake but barely any loss, have to keep the faith though.

zaa · 29/07/2023 11:33

Despite 'only' having two stone to lose, to get into a healthy BMI, I did lose with Slimming World.
Consistently 1-2 lbs every week. The motivation was a family wedding this summer. The reward is that I now have a wardrobe of clothes that fit, after constantly losing and regaining the same half stone for years.
I have totally changed my mindset around food (permanently, I hope). I was using junk food as a reward, thinking I deserved it, but it only made me feel miserable afterwards. I had some minor joint aches and heartburn, which have disappeared.
I did it by reducing my portion sizes and ditching processed food. I cook everything from scratch, leaning towards a more Mediterranean diet.

appleroot · 29/07/2023 11:35

Rabbithole90 · 29/07/2023 11:13

My DH went to a lapdancing club for a private dance. I have always been a huge emotional eater, I think about food 24/7 and I bloody love food. I cannot get the image of the dancer -naked- out of my head. My perceived image. She would have been v slim. My dream to be that slim. I would only need to lose about 2 stone to get to the same place . Him going & the image of her has totally knocked my binging/emotional eating/food cravings right on the head. I've totally dumped the junk/crap. Only been a week so far though !

That must have hurt

Rabbithole90 · 29/07/2023 11:38

@appleroot I'm really hurting 😭

HappyJoyousFree · 29/07/2023 11:44

I eventually got to the point I was so unhappy and uncomfortable in my own skin that it just clicked. Before that I made attempts but was always because other people thought I should and I wasn't really invested in it for so I lost weight but then put it back on again.

I'm doing ww now and it's coming off slowly but moving in the right direction.

Buttonmoon45 · 29/07/2023 11:47

Think you’d be better dumping the husband instead.

MontyDonsBlueScarf · 29/07/2023 11:52

A complete change of mindset, from 'losing weight' to 'living a healthy lifestyle'. Seeing weight loss as the inevitable eventual consequence of a healthy lifestyle and not an end in itself. Focusing on the habits needed to create a healthy lifestyle - I recommend Atomic Habits for this. Marking my progress by the habits I developed (which were totally within my control). Support from other people approaching it the same way.

Summerhillsquare · 29/07/2023 11:54

Rabbithole90 · 29/07/2023 11:13

My DH went to a lapdancing club for a private dance. I have always been a huge emotional eater, I think about food 24/7 and I bloody love food. I cannot get the image of the dancer -naked- out of my head. My perceived image. She would have been v slim. My dream to be that slim. I would only need to lose about 2 stone to get to the same place . Him going & the image of her has totally knocked my binging/emotional eating/food cravings right on the head. I've totally dumped the junk/crap. Only been a week so far though !

Dump thebloke instead? 15 stone or whatever to lose right there.