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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

Totally lost my way with food

11 replies

YoungerHeart · 04/12/2023 02:09

Just as the title suggests!

I have piled on weight in the past 2-3 years and cannot get the motivation to get it off and keep it off.

I feel myself getting unhealthy and I'm definitely unfit. I detest the gym or classes but don't mind getting out walking etc.

I lost 3 stone just over 3 years ago to have fertility treatment but as soon as my child was born it crept back on and now I'm massive.

I keep saying I will go back to slimming world but honestly I know I won't stick to it and I don't want to waste my money if I'm going to mess about.

I think I'm addicted to food and junk and I'm in a rut.

Can anyone give me any inspiration??

OP posts:
Berlioze · 04/12/2023 02:16

Similar boat here, due to miscarriages, then having a baby, now a toddler and a very, very busy working life I have hardly any time to myself and zero motivation. I feel like I'm constantly chasing my tail and junk food is the only respite, albeit temporary. My brain thinks I won't function without sugar and junk. Whenever I get to go out with friends it's always food, but somehow they are slim and I'm not. Obviously better discipline than me.

I feel so down. I'm the fattest I've ever been, I wasn't even this fat at 9 months pregnant. I don't look good and I don't feel good. My clothes don't fit. Things are uncomfortable.

I had good reasons to be where I am with lots of stressful events in the family causing me extreme anxiety, but for crying out loud, this isn't me anymore and I need to prioritise myself now.

I can walk regularly too and can squeeze in two exercise classes a week.

Thinking about doing a 10min workout a day too. I could if I weren't lazy.

But I have to cut down on sugar, treats and carbs in general, the stodge and the salt.

Please does anyone have ideas how to motivate yourself and stick to it?! 🙌

BrendaBicycle · 04/12/2023 07:26

You know what to do

You just have to really want it

Luckydog7 · 04/12/2023 07:34

Exercise, while great for your physical and mental health is not great for weight loss. You need to find a way of eating that above all is SUSTAINABLE. I find calorie counting really soul distroying long term and boring as it means cutting out fat. It has never worked for me.

I use techniques that I have learned work for my own psychology. Delay don't deny. Out of sight out of mind. Fasting or intermittent fasting. I keto, which has an emphasis on cooking from scratch which means I have cut out so much sugar and processed food.

I emphasise. Find something that works for you and your body above all else

waistchallenge · 04/12/2023 07:39

I totally disagree @Luckydog7; I find exercise to be excellent for, and essential to, weight loss. I know "you can't outrun your fork" is a line that is parroted online and it's the mantra of the moment, but it's not been my experience at all. And I think it's a philosophy that appeals to our lazy, overweight selves in all honesty.

Nuca · 04/12/2023 10:35

I also agree with @waistchallenge. Obviously a lot of people do manage to lose weight without exercise, but for me I find it really helps me to want to stick to healthy eating because I don't want to undo all the hard work I've just done exercising

Luckydog7 · 04/12/2023 10:41

@waistchallenge

That's really interesting, perhaps your methods were different to mine, in my experience its not the norm. I only mentioned it because both OP and first response have mentioned exercise primarily before diet. I firmly believe that exercise is really important, i have started running just as a way to stop being so creaky and to strengthen my core. Running has never helped me lose weight though.

In my mid 20s I did an intensive physical trainer lead 60 days in the gym, i thought i was eating better too but i gained a pound in that time and it wasn't fat transferring to muscle either my fat ratio barely changed and that was me going for 2 hours, 2 out of every 3 days so 4 or 5 times a week, mostly cardio. I suspect i was eating more and didn't realize. It was nice to be fitter though!

In contrast, i broke my foot in 2010 and started keto in that period. Despite doing no exercise apart from hobbling downstairs, I lost 2.5stone in under 3 months. Went from 13.3st to 10.10st.

This is all great for me and it looks like you have found an alternative that works for you but everyone is different which is why i was careful not to recommend Keto (because its hard!) but to press that the important thing is to find something that work for your own mind and body.

Most diets work, Adherence is the thing that separates the successful losers from the unsuccessful.

Menora · 04/12/2023 12:03

It’s true you have to really want to do it. What I have done is set myself little goals. They are more manageable than the horror of doing it all in one go and it’s like a mountain to overcome

I spent years doing cardio to no avail to find that weights have the biggest impact on reducing my weight over time but I did not start this until I had given myself a chance to lose weight through diet and feel more confident to try things

teenysaladandsniffofarose · 04/12/2023 15:22

Luckydog7 · 04/12/2023 07:34

Exercise, while great for your physical and mental health is not great for weight loss. You need to find a way of eating that above all is SUSTAINABLE. I find calorie counting really soul distroying long term and boring as it means cutting out fat. It has never worked for me.

I use techniques that I have learned work for my own psychology. Delay don't deny. Out of sight out of mind. Fasting or intermittent fasting. I keto, which has an emphasis on cooking from scratch which means I have cut out so much sugar and processed food.

I emphasise. Find something that works for you and your body above all else

I completely disagree with this. Strength training which builds muscles burns ALOT of calories in the long run and speeds metabolism. I train 3 times a week with a bit of cardio and have never felt better.

You can lose weight with diet alone but you won't look or feel as great because there will be no tone or definition.

PaminaMozart · 04/12/2023 15:40

Nuca · 04/12/2023 10:35

I also agree with @waistchallenge. Obviously a lot of people do manage to lose weight without exercise, but for me I find it really helps me to want to stick to healthy eating because I don't want to undo all the hard work I've just done exercising

Absolutely!

The key is to find a type of exercise that suits. My suggestion would be to look at a range of online trainers on YouTube and try out a few. My own personal favourites:

  • Lucy Wyndham Read for beginners
  • Rebecca Louise for short, fun workouts that are a little more challenging
  • Growingannanas for HIIT with and without weights
  • Sydney Cummings, Heather Robertson, Jake Depree for all round workouts
  • Caroline Girvan for weights; she is the best and her workouts are tough but super effective.

But ultimately weight loss is at least 80% diet:

  • intermittent fasting, e.g. 2 meals plus 1-2 healthy snacks
  • eat mostly plants and lean protein plus small amounts of healthy fats, dairy/yogurt and complex carbs
  • drastically reduce UPF, sugar and refined carbs
  • don't drink calories (alcohol, juice, sodas).

Good reads and YouTube tutorials on healthy eating:

  • Mark Hyman, Becky Gillaspy, the Glucose Goddess, Michael Moseley, Phil Spector,

Once you stop eating rubbish - especially UPF and sugar - and start moving, you'll feel so much better and in time it will become a way of life rather than 'being on a diet'.

cheeseisthebest · 04/12/2023 15:55

Placemarking and following!

AmberAlert86 · 26/09/2024 22:14

@YoungerHeart @Berlioze how are you keeping? Have you managed to find a method of weight loss that works for you?
Your posts describe my feelings right now. I'm in a sinkhole of gradual weight gain and constant want of comfort food, I don't recognise mysel

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