I am 9 ish stone down today.

[bahhamburgers]

I am so proud of myself.

I don’t really have anyone to tell in RL and I’ve had a LOT of stick for my weight loss recently.

December 2018, I was pushing 23 stone (I gave up weighing myself at 22.7 as it was too depressing, but I got bigger after that, so I’m guessing 23 stone) I’m 5 foot 4 and was a size 22/24. I had gained 12 stone in 4 years because my life went to shit, basically, and I ate crap and drank lager to escape.

Initially, I lost 6 stone and I fell pregnant December 2019 at just over 16 stone. I suffer from HG in pregnancy, so I don’t gain an ounce in my pregnancies due to sickness for 9 long months. I stayed 16 stone until May this year when I decided to change my life.

I cut out all processed food and cook everything from scratch and do intermittent fasting - which isn’t as dramatic as it sounds as I was diagnosed with coeliac disease two years ago, and I don’t want/like (and can’t afford!) the gluten free alternatives, so it’s been easy because I just have to. The option of gorging on McDonalds, pizza and cake after a crap day has been medically removed from me 😆

Today, I weighed 13st 13lb and I am so happy. I know 2 stone since may isn't exactly setting the world alight, but like I said, I’ve changed my life and attitude to food, I don’t see myself as being on a diet. I enjoy food, and enjoy cooking as does my husband (who has lost 30lb since may and is now at his “goal” weight).

I can move so much more freely now. Even at 16 stone, the walk up the hill to school used to leave me sweating, unable to talk and panting. Now, I hardly notice I’ve got to the top and it’s so liberating.

But, I can’t seem to tell anyone in RL. Everyone seems to be so negative. I’ve had friends come out and accuse me of using weight loss jabs or accuse me of having WLS and lying to them about it. It’s so hurtful. I even got told I was too skinny and that I looked ill the other day. I’m a size 14/16. I am in no way skinny!

I just wanted to say to anyone struggling that it is possible. Something just clicked one day. I am 43 and I feel better than ever. I want to get back to a healthy weight of 10 stone, but I know I will now. I’m no longer fighting against myself.

You are amazing!!!! I started at 23.8 stone. I'm now 5 and a half down but you are my inspiration

Congratulations to you and your amazing husband! You have both overcome so much!

Your naysayers can get in the sea. Don't listen to them, they are a negative influence. You are healthy, and as long as you have that you are doing well in life.

I have a lot of weight to lose and I am inspired! You are an influencer!

Here’s a couple of photos. I meant to add some when I first started this thread, for anyone who is reading with a huge amount to lose. I know it can feel like an impossible thing to do by yourself.

I’ve cut my head off for privacy reasons!

First photo, I was 22 stone. I gained another stone after that, but there are no photos. I was in a changing room trying to find something to wear, anything that wasn’t leggings and a cardigan. I was a size 24. Nothing looked good or felt comfortable. I wore those awful, cheap, thin jeggings everyday.

Second one was taken xmas day. I’ve wanted a superdry coat for years. I used to have one when I was slim and lived it , wore it until it wore out.

Dh surprised me with one for Christmas. it’s a M, which is a 12 and I am over the moon it fits!

It’s fucking hard to change your mindset. and I know I have mentioned it a lot but my celiac diagnosis made it all easier as it took away all the crap I ate, but so did really educating myself on food after a massive health scare. But you can do it.

They have uploaded the wrong was round, but you get what I mean 🤣

That's really interesting about the gene being triggered. I am 50 and diagnosed a few months ago. I was thinking 'But wouldn't this have come up before?!' I am firmly of the opinion that having covid triggered it. I know someone who is 43 and he had suddenly post-covid developed a complete wheat allergy- as in he collapsed with anaphylaxes after drinking a beer. My Ds1 also developed further unexpected allergies after covid (he has an anaphylactic peanut allergy).

Fantastic- definitely deserve a ME type post with that achievement, you are an inspiration

this is fantastic! I have lost 5 stone and am coping with my best friend being very jealous... its hard going!
Also very difficult to talk about IRL without sounding childish!

Brilliant photos.

TBH it doesn't sound like your friends/family are really your friends!

Often this is inspired by jealousy, I think. And because they can't do it, they try to sabotage - or at least undermine - your achievements.

Smile and nod will be the best strategy I feel! Knowing always that you are 'the winner' and have the upper hand.

You should be very proud of what you have achieved. Amazing commitment and determination. Best not to discuss it with your friends if they can't be supportive or happy for you.

Yes, that’s the worst thing for me. His family occasions were always centred around wine. They are from a country where a lot of them still live and own vineyards. So drink is a big thing.

They refused to see dh has a problem. He would put the children to bed and then drink into the night. But because he got up for work every morning, the children never saw him drinking and life carried on as normal, no one, including him, saw it as a problem.

It used to drive me insane how they would enable him by bringing round bottles of wine when they visited. PIL refused to come round for meals when I said dh has stopped drinking so they could no longer bring wine with them. imagine being a recovering alcoholic and seeing other people sat at your dining table, chugging down wine. It’s unfair and unhelpful but they couldn’t understand it.

Your post should be ME ME ME, because what you have achieved is INCREDIBLE. Well done .
I have 5 stone to lose, and needed to read your post today because I am struggling. 43 as well!
Right, you’ve inspired me to go for a long lunch break walk

Wow! That's an amazing achievement and you look fantastic!
I've no explanation re why your family and friends are being so negative, I experienced it myself when I lost 3 stone in 2013- think I was about 9st 4 and 5ft 3 after the weight loss so in no way was I skeletal!
That's the weight I'm most comfortable at but I'm nearer 10st at the moment. It's funny nobody says 'oh you could do with shedding 10lbs" but they're all happy to tell you you're too thin when you're not!

Hi OP, I just came across your original post today. Huge congratulations to you and to your DH. You have both done amazing work. To lose all that weight, to change your whole diet and mindset and him to cut out alcohol is absolutely huge. You are setting a fabulous example to your children and they will be very proud of you when they are old enough to understand.

I see also that you are coping with an ill parent - I hope that you manage to get support for that, both here and IRL.

In terms of ‘friends’ and family, and I use the term friends loosely, if I were you, I would cut out all the negative people. I suffered from a health issue in my mid 40’s and after that I cut out all the negative people - it took years as I’m a people pleaser- but it has really improved my mental health and my life. It has also opened up space for new people to enter my life who bring joy. So I urge you to try this yourself - find the people who bring joy to your life and that of your DH and let go of the others.

And continue posting - you are an inspiration and your coat looks fab!!! Well done.

Wow, amazing - well done! Really inspirational to read!

Yes my consultant and nutritionalist both said it’s common.

Or, I may have had one of the 300+ symptoms of celiac and not connected the dots, or not shown any at all. Until one day, boom, my body just finally had enough of ingesting gluten and the symptoms really ramped up.

I was ‘fine’ eating gluten for 41 years, then all of a sudden, I felt like I was dying after I ate. Joint pain, brain fog, sudden sickness. it was really frightening for a while. I remember going out for pizza one night abs when we got home, crying to my husband that I was feeling so awful. I’ve been glutened a couple of times since and they are the symptoms I get.

You've done amazing OP. It's awful that people are being so negative when you've done so well.

I’ve just seen this @WinterLobelia

Have a look at the ingredients on the back of the gluten free alternatives and read up on them. It’s what stopped me wanting to eat them.

It’s made being low carb and no sugar easy. we cook from scratch and eat amazing Indian and Mexican food. It doesn’t have to be boring.

You've done amazing well done you .

Wow, the transformation is incredible. I am so happy for you. You so deserve to be proud of yourself.

Round of applause for that woman. 👏

You have done amazingly well and it's so true what you say that it's lifestyle change that does it not a "diet". I haven't lost nearly as much as you but also had a health scare when the GP told me my cholesterol was far too high and wanted to put me on statins. Since then have been cutting out red meat, cheese, full fat dairy, booze and seriously limiting cakes and chocolate. Currently 20 lbs down.

In my experience people who know that they are probably overweight too and want to lose weight feel that you are "showing them up" by doing so well. They feel guilty because they know they should be taking the same proactive steps but aren't, so deflect that into criticism of you.

Know what you mean about clothes though, I put on a coat today which was too big, my jeans are too baggy as well.

It’s funny how different people try different approaches.

All I eat is red meat, full fat dairy, butter and some cheese. My cholesterol is far lower than it was.

I honestly think it’s more about sugar and processed food.

And obviously, how much weight you are carrying.

Amazing! Well done - it’s lovely to hear your journey 🥰

Don't be afraid to be proud of yourself! You deserve a me me me post OP! Well done that is a massive achievement xx

Well done! ☺️