If you were thin, then got bigger and lost it…

[Butterflysize]

Can you tell me your story, and what you did and how you got and kept it off?

I am naturally slim, and have a massive appetite. And a sweet tooth. Until second birth I have kept a size 10 athletic figure, some physical and mental issues after second child (who is now nearly 3!) meant my exercise was curtailed and I carried on eating what I wanted, and worse ate to cheer myself up/out of boredom.

I’m now a slightly large side of 12 and when I see myself I cringe. I seem to have lost all motivation to do proper exercise and have zero control around food.

it is making me miserable and diminishing my confidence. Would appreciate any wise words please as I feel very stuck. Pretty much every day I resolve I will be different and exercise and eat healthily, every day I end with excuses as to why I did not.

I could have written your post OP.

The only things that work for me (and they take so much effort that I’m not sure I can even say they “work”) are:

• eating low inflammation diet (no UPFs, low carb, gluten, sugar, booze)
• lots of zone 2 and 3 cardio
• hot yoga
• weights
• long daily walks
• Skipping dinner and replacing it with a light snack
• loads of sleep to give the energy for all this
• no fun
• no indulgence
• !!!

good luck…! Interested to read the rest of the thread…

It might help to find an exercise buddy. Find an exercise you love. For me it's body pump- I love it and it's not a chore. Good luck xx

How often do you do body pump @Chocaholicnightmare ? If I’m not exercising daily I find I stop altogether. I know you should have two rest days a week but a rest day turns into a rest month with me! I’m so sedentary these days what with commuting (have to drive), desk work etc

@Chocaholicnightmare I really liked the social side of the classes I used to go to, I usually can’t go anymore as I’m usually home alone with the small DC in the evening because of DH job. So I can do walking and online classes etc…but I tend to not do the latter because at home there is always something else to do or simply CBA after the kids are in bed at the end of a busy day of work

I go 3-4 times a week. I go to the council gym which costs about £26/ month, so I get my money's worth!

I put on lots of weight after DC2. I was 25 when she was born and didn’t really have to think about weight because I stayed slim despite a rubbish diet. Then I stayed slightly overweight for years until I started working from home and got properly overweight. I lost 2 stone a couple of years ago and I’m now size 10 with a BMI of 22 and am managing to stay like this.

I found the key was to be realistic, and be kind to yourself. The first thing I did was to stop drinking fizzy drinks and juice, and just have water - this had an impact because I used to have gallons of coke etc. Maybe try to identify one thing that would make a difference, and do that. Then once you’re used to that, add another thing until you have a diet/lifestyle that you’re happy with. Once you start to feel better it kind of snowballs and becomes easier.

If you’re on Instagram look at Em Clarkson (daughter of Jeremy!) as she talks about weight loss after having kids, etc. but in a really positive way.

I’ve been big, lost 3 stone, medium for ages, then massively obese, now smaller than I’ve ever been since I was 16 after a 5 stone loss. Kept off for 4 years now.

i keep it off by:

• being sugar free
• I don’t really eat pasta or potatoes, when I do they are the smallest part of my meal
• deciding which meal will be my “big” meal each day, lunch or dinner
• being mindful of my choices
• IMMEDIATELY getting back on it if I’ve had a big overindulgence
• making sure I always take the stairs even if I really feel stupidly lazy
• making my exercise not just about weight but things like enjoying being outside or having a little mini challenge with myself
• having a fake deadline I’ve set myself
• go to bed early so no snacking, even if you just read in bed, it’s good for you mentally too

After teenage years I used to find it very hard to keep thin. I now find it quite easy and I eat very similarly now as I did then ie v small lunch (or no lunch as we were so poor as a kid that I was OMAD through necessity 😂)

@ItsVeryHyacinthBucket I’ve not heard of low inflammation diet.

could you describe a typical week in terms of meals and exercise? TIA

Those who kicked the sugar, how? I’ve done it once but found it impossible to maintain and lead a normal life

I did weight watchers to lose the weight as I need to know I can have some kind of treat to maintain a “diet” otherwise I just won’t bother. After that I kept to a lot of what I’d been eating while doing weight watchers especially with portion sizes but relaxed a bit to maintain it.
I noticed a couple of years later that I put a few pounds on again over a summer where I ate a lot of bread and a lot of puddings so pulled myself back. Planning my meals and snacks certainly helps and getting out of the habit of picking at food.
Also a generally active lifestyle of walking has helped

The sugar, I was a total nightmare for 3 weeks. Horrible to everyone. I was also keto at the time as well though so eventually I found that I kind of got my kicks from cream or cheese instead.

I don’t miss cakes or anything really, the texture feels heavy now. But almond pastries and things like that get me, every now and again. When they do I don’t even think - I’ll try harder tomorrow. I think - I’ll try harder at the next meal. I might waver but I just get straight back on it. Once you give up for a while it’s very hard to get started again.

What's zone 2 and 3 cardio please? Thank you

@LaraCooper yes that question too!!