Obese? Wanting to join a friendly thread ?

[SeatbeltExtender]

Hi

As my user name says this summer the Ryan Air seatbelt did not fit.
Yesterday I had to sit on a wooden deck chair and I found myself trying to Google what the weight limit could be

So tomorrow I start a diet.
So many threads on Mumsnet are for people much smaller than me
I'm 18 stones and 5lbs.

Please feel free to join if you are seriously overweight, please don't join if you are just averagely fat.

@Minnie888 great stuff! I know what you mean about getting a real boost if someone says ‘have you lost some weight?’
😊
I’m off on a 2 week cruise in a week or so (my mum paid! Wants me to have fun and be happy …!) so I will really have to use self control over the delicious 3 course meals, 24 hour dining and snacking.
drinks too …! I love cocktails and crisps.
i will relax a bit but not go mad.
i don’t want to go backwards x

Wow enjoy the cruise @Jaq27, I want to know all about the food offered!

I have always avoided stirfy as so bad at making it, bought a bag from m and S and had it last night with some Quorn fillets and it was lush. Going to buy some more bags of it today 🙂

That’s a really good idea @Sunshineandrainbow !
I find the quicker I can make something to eat the less likely I am to nibble on stuff.
That’s why I like sir fries :)
might have veggie sausage with mine tonight …

Urgh.
Just had to have an ID photo taken for the online check-in/Boarding Pass.
I did my make-up and hair and thought I looked OK in the mirror, but I swear the camera adds 4 stone.
:(
Also - no loss this week at weigh-in.
sigh
Onwards ...

Hello, can I please join you all? I do panic any time I fly (must admit, my weight stops me wanting more trips) and last week the seat belt did up but it was tight. I'm also 5'10 and large boned and feel like an ugly ungainly giant. I hate photos and always look dreadful. Would just like to feel OK about myself. My stomach is gross and I just look awful in everything. I love clothes and am trying to wear nicer things but I often think why bother if I look so bad anyway.

My son's getting married in 3 months so I'm really in the zone. Plan on going dress shopping in late May and would like to wear something nice. I find exercise hard - very asthmatic but I'm sure weighing less will help. I've actually been to an aquafit class this morning which I loved (in my ugly swimsuit but no-one cared what I looked like) and I went to the gym yesterday but not for long. I've bought some dumbells for the kitchen I use while waiting for the kettle to boil etc for arm exercises. I've bought collagen and am actually taking it.

My big downfalls are food (who knew?) and red wine. I'm trying to keep the carbs right down - that's the only way I ever lose any weight - and I'm trying to keep my diet as unprocessed as possible. And drink water. I have a low boredom threshold which doesn't help as I expect immediate results!

Just think that joining a friendly non-judgemental space will keep me accountable.

Snap, I have been and bought some more stir fry and cooked Vege sausages to chop into it!

Hi @Mumwithbaggage ! Welcome.

3 months is a good target, your son’s wedding is a really nice date to aim for. How exciting.

And I agree - buying new clothes you feel great in is such a reward. I’ve just got rid of my big size jeans and scruffy clothes and bought some nice new things for my holiday.

As for food, variety is essential to keep me on track. I have to get inventive with ingredients. Wine is also my downfall!!

Ooh and well done on the exercise!

My weight loss continues to be slow but steady - with a few ups and downs along the way. I am 0.8lb off losing 2 stone and I genuinely feel a lot better. I am a few pounds off the 17st mark and in my head that feels like a great first goal.

I am getting so frustrated though with almost everyone I meet being on the jab. It just feels like such a quick fix.

Hi @FriendofDorothy well done on your weight loss.
i just finished reading an article about a journo who has lost 4 stone on mounjaro and i got kind of jealous .., she made it sound so easy.
got me wondering if my GP would prescribe it for me.
never thought of it seriously before.
I will keep doing it as i am though. I’ve been on various weight loss regimes since my 20s - diet pills, slimfast, fat-flush, slimming world, weight watchers etc etc but I always end up gaining again (and more)
this time I want to do it for myself. Make good conscience changes for life.
I’m 60 next birthday and I really want to be out of the ‘obese’ category with normal blood pressure.
I’ve lost just over a stone in a year. Slow work.
Got another 2 stone to go before I reach ‘overweight’ on the BMI chart.
I can see why people are tempted by the jabs tbh.

Hi Jaq - well done on the slow but steady weightloss.

I have to admit that I do feel envious of how easy it seems for those on the jab but I have huge concerns about what happens when the come off it. I suspect most people will put the weight back on, apart from a few who make massive changes to their lifestyle.

I also worry what it does to your body - when you have a healthy pancreas producing healthy enzymes etc what happens when you fiddle with that? I can kind of understand the jab more for people who have diabetes - the body is already out of whack, if you know what I mean?

Time will tell whether the jab is a massive mistake or not.

@FriendofDorothy i totally agree!

I agree with you @FriendofDorothy time will tell of the impact.
You are doing amazing and it will be fantastic when you see 16 something on the scales.

I agree, results seem rapid and instant with the jab and apparently it turns off the 'food noise' which is the main attraction but it can't be safer than diet and exercise so I'm going to stick with it for now.

I went to the pre-diabetic meeting earlier this week. V interesting understanding what has led me to this point, not just a poor diet and lack of exercise but poor sleep, sedentary job, chronic stress are also factors and I can tick every box there. I don't want what has been happening in my cells and body to continue so I did feel quite motivated. It is concerning how many body parts and functions are affected by diabetes and I am on the path headed that way and I do have some symptoms so am striving for some focus and discipline. Plus they require waist measurements and weight taken each week (or at home), hopefully will make me a bit more accountable. It's not a slimming club but I think it's a measure of progress.

I'll weigh in on Monday. Have a good weekend all.

Hi, I hope I'm eligible to join this thread. I'm working my way through it, thank you for starting it @SeatbeltExtender .

I'm about 7 weeks into a diet which I began at BMI 41 - I'm just over 5'2" and currently weigh 15st 8lbs, I'm losing a lb a week. I have mostly been overweight in my life but put on more in recent years with job and other stresses. I'm single and just retired early (good timing re voluntary exit scheme) - one reason I wanted to go was to sort my health and weight out.

I don't want to go down the WLI route although I have told myself that if I'm genuinely unable to lose weight this year I will go to the GP / privately and start it because I can't stay at this weight at my age. But I'm going to give weight loss by calorie-counting a very good try before I do: I expect it to take a year for me to get my BMI to 30 or just below, which is my long-term goal, interim goals are just to lose a stone at a time. I've started some exercise, mainly walking and aquafit / swimming at the moment. For various reasons, I'm also following an addiction model to tackle the urge to overeat. Apart from cutting calories to 1600 a day (not always staying at that limit!) the only other thing I'm doing is eating in a vaguely 'Mediterranean' sort of way and eating very little sweet stuff because that triggers cravings.

I'm OK for now, not hungry really, still getting a few urges to overeat but chugging along. I hope everyone is feeling OK about their journey - I think it's important to be on the road, at least.

I worry about this, did you have any symptoms? What made this come about in the first place?

I would like to do something like this, will have a search

Welcome. You can do this, slow and steady wins the race.

Addiction model sounds interesting so please tell us more if you feel able too.

We are on similar amount of calories. I find my trouble is I don't really know when I am hungry as I have over eaten for so long that feeling seems to have gone numb 🙁

Just popping in to say Hi @Fattitude and @CakeFace1234

Also, I read a really interesting piece on Substack by a female journalist (UK) who took the weight loss jabs and reported her anxiety levels came down. Something about carrying extra fat in bodies leads to inflammation and raises stress hormones ... I am trying to find it again in case anyone wants a read.

Anyway, I wasn't posting about the WIJ really but about the relation of weight to anxiety, because since I lost a stone I am sleeping better and definitely don't have as many heart pounding panic attacks as before.
It's really interesting to think weight loss could have a positive effect on mental health as well as physical health.

Am making a beef curry today but won't have too much! Tomorrow it's baked chicken breast & veg.

Have a good weekend everyone.

@Fattitude I've been doing some aqua too - I really don't like walking because it's very boring and prefer to do it on a treadmill at the gym because I can listen to podcasts and not have to listen out for cars on country roads, plus my asthma doesn't like it. Am hoping that improves as I lose weight.

A theatre sister friend has told me they are starting to see issues from people using injections - says she won't consider it till there's more long term information. I kind of agree but wish I could snap my fingers and be thin.

Thankyou and Hi! @Sunshineandrainbow @Jaq27 @Mumwithbaggage .

I've had disordered eating all my life Sunshine and I've rarely been in touch with 'natural' hunger. I do find, though, that having very little sweet foods helps - and 'buffering' carbohydrates with fat and protein (I read that on a diabetes advice site, I don't have diabetes as far as I know but could easily be pre-diabetic given my age) I assume that's because it keeps the blood sugar more stable, so less 'bounceback' hunger. A few months ago, in a very stressful period, I ate a lot of sugary stuff and went somewhere in the car, I ended up buying a chocolate bar from a petrol station and pulling into a layby to eat it whole, even though I was less than 10 mins from home - I do believe sugar has big effects on hunger.

I do relate this to addiction. Years ago, I had a drink problem and I was able to stop drinking by following advice on addiction. Having had a drink problem, I can say with certainty that my food use and cravings are the same thing (but the consequences are different, of course). Some basic ideas on addiction I find useful are remembering that addiction is about a tendency to lose 'executive function' and give into the impulse to eat when feelings need regulating (sad, angry, stressful, happy ...). I remember that no-one dies of cravings, and that when the urge hits, I sit with my feelings, just for 15 minutes at a time, because my feelings won't kill me either, they will be bearable. Also I make sure I'm in control of what food is in the house (being single is very helpful here) and if a situation will put me at risk, I avoid it - I know this sounds easier said than done etc. but addicts have to do this. I do go out with my friends and eat, but I plan carefully.

That's interesting Jaq I am not keen on WLI, I feel they will disrupt my body chemistry and gut, and I also think if I can't regulate my eating without the drugs, I don't know what I'd do at the end - I wouldn't be prepared to take them indefinitely. But I can well imagine that weight loss could lower anxiety, it certainly relieves stress on the body.

I love aquafit Mum, and swimming. I love walking in the countryside too. I've joined the local council leisure scheme, my local centre is pretty good - but I'm looking for low-impact classes right now and it may be I'd have to go on machines in the gym which I'm a bit put off because of previous experiences but will suss it out. I'm interested in pilates too.

Have a good week everyone, I'm going away to see friends and my goal is not to add any weight. It's unrealistic to expect to lose, but I really aim to try not to gain.

Tried on a swimsuit for the first time in years today.
I’m really shy about showing off flesh so got one with a little skirty bit. Looks like a short sundress. Not too bad.
Just need the courage to use the swimming pools on holiday.
I love swimming but I’m not a 20 lengths kind of person 😂 Aquafit sounds fun … maybe I’ll look for a class locally.
Did a 3 mile walk over the beach today. Veggie noodles for dinner.
Hope everyone is having a good Monday x

@Jaq27 I did an Aqua Zumba class today - sadly, I'm not Shakira but it was fun! I don't get out of breath in the pool (asthma/weight not a good combo).

My swimsuit I wear for this is far from lovely but it stays up and I've noticed that no-one pays a bit of notice to what you do. Have booked 2 more aqua classes this week. Give it a go!!

Well done with the beach walk. The weather here is just gorgeous. I find walking so very very boring (I think I worry I will have an asthma attack at a slope though this is highly unlikely) so prefer the treadmill with some music/podcast.

Hi @Mumwithbaggage
It's great to find an exercise you enjoy! Well done for going. Will give Aquafit a try if there is a class local to me. As a non-driver everything gets more logistically challenging.

I totally get what you mean about the boring walking! When I was living in my previous town the only thing that kept me going was my Spotify Playlists. Headphones on and I could march to the music. I like indie, punk, new wave and it still revs me up when I hear my old favourite tunes. The music got me through doing Couch 2 5k a few years ago, and I also used it for the treadmill at home.

Now I live by the sea I don't feel the need for the music so much. I like to walk out and hear the birds and the gulls and then the waves (20 min walk for me to the beach - then I walk across the beaches and loop back home.)
I try to do 2-3 miles most days. Have to say I am terrified I'll wreck my knees on the shingle so I go carefully -- I'm carrying about 3 stone too much for my height.

God knows how long a knee op wait is on the NHS these days?!
If I had to give up walking I'd not be able to exercise. Disaster for me.

Hi everyone. Sunshineandrainbow - sorry for the delay in replying - it was an incidental finding really. Symptom-wise I've noticed a deterioration in eyesight and sometimes blurry vision for a while (may or may not be related). I had a random call up for a blood pressure reading which was borderline high which prompted a full panel of bloods including an HbA1c blood test which flagged up the pre-diabetes.

Jaq27 they did touch on stress - it releases a hormone called cortisol (I think) and that is also can have an impact on health/the road to diabetes.

@CakeFace1234 Thanks - yes, that was it. Cortisol rises with weight and then raises stress levels and puts pressure on other organs.
My mum was overweight and pre-diabetic (then diabetic) but through diet she now no longer needs medication. My elder sister is now diabetic and my middle sister is pre-diabetic.
I was 1 point over the 'recommended' level for cholesterol and 1 over for blood sugar at my last check up, so I definitely want to take control of what's happening in my body.
My mum has high blood pressure too and takes pills for it ... I've heard it can run in families?
I'd really like to get mine down with diet and exercise rather than medication.
I already take Oestrogen in the mornings and a double dose of Progesterone in the evenings because I have a thickened womb lining (endometrium) and there's a family history of endometrial cancer. Also oestrogen cream twice a week.

I can't stand the idea of adding even more to my regime :(

Jaq27, yes they said there is a hereditary link that pre-diabetes is a reversible condition, unfortunately, doesn't happen very quickly. They didn't recommend repeating the bloods for at least 6 months. It does look like you have a familial history but reassuring that you are only 1 over. I was 5 over the recommended level. I totally understand why you are hoping to avoid more meds.

In addition to diet and exercise, they said weight-bearing exercises have a positive impact on blood sugars and even trying to improve the quality of sleep can help.

Hopefully I can drag my sorry ass over to the gym tonight and will make more of an effort with the weight machines.

Hope everyone is doing well.