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.

Hi everyone - i seem to be back at the 98kg mark but bought some new scales which checks body fat %, water and BMI. I was so sad to see that im around 55% body fat and was hoping it was an error. I dont even look too bad which is why i think ive been deluded about it but its so upsetting.

@Petra42 don't think I'll be buying myself any of those scales for a while! Do be kind to yourself - I know that when I feel sorry for myself it's when I start the mindless munching.

Are there any little changes you can make easily to give your plan a boost? Sometimes swapping things about a bit can help. Personally, I've had a very static day and it's raining now and am definitely going for a walk so will stick on some Latino music and maybe even plug in my mni disco ball and dance while I cook. DH and the cat both look at me strangely but I don't mind.

@Petra42 I hate weighing myself it ruins the whole of my day and I think about it for weeks after. I've been measuring myself instead once a month and I.ll weigh myself every 6 months. Just because it makes my motivation bad. I hope your ok

Hi all,
Off track again last week. DD brought her boyfriend to stay for the weekend so we could meet him for the first time. I was very nervous.
After cleaning the house like mad I drank too much wine and ate too much food over 3 days. And I didn't have enough sleep.
Now I feel awful.
I keep ruining myself.
Need a way to find my motivation again!!!

Best wishes to everyone who is achieving. Positive vibes to you all x

Not been on here for a while. I'll post some pre-diabetic club info here at the bottom in case it helps anyone.

This last week, I have really tried as handing in the same weight and waist measurements got a bit embarrassing week on week. So, for one week, I have not had pasta, bread or potatoes and it has paid off. I have stuck to protein, veg, fruit and dairy. It isn't sustainable for me but I just wanted a kick-start for motivation. Not having pastries and breads has been the hardest, French stick with brie or cheddar and chutney mmm. Puffy gooey cinnamon buns. mmm

I think my SW was 15.05? CW is 14.04 but over the last week, I have lost 5lb.

Anyway, pre-D club info:

We discussed food groups, mainly switching from white rice, pasta and bread to brown/wholemeal options. Brown releases sugar slower, burns longer, keeps you fuller longer and don't have their vitamins stripped away. Incorporate all the colours of the rainbow in veg. Beware of hidden sugars (guidelines are 30 g a day - but this is v difficult to get down to) all ends up as glucose (including fructose, lactose, dextrose) which sticks to the red blood cells

They advise adding protein or dairy to carbs to limit glucose spikes (said be careful with shop bought fruit smoothies and fruit juices) which can also send you on a glucose rollercoaster with highs and lows of cortisol - which is linked to brain fog, lethargy, cravings anxiety and weight issues. Also the UPFs can hide addictive fat and sugar and hit a 'bliss point' so watch the type of carbs - biscuits, cereals (some cereals v high in sugar), chocolate cake, fizzy drinks etc. Check out the traffic lights symbols but also look at the labels.

Just adding to say.. I've just looked back and my SW was 14.08. BMI 37.1, not 15.05 which must have been my post-Christmas weight. .. So ..

SW 14.08 BMI 37.1
CW 14.04 BMI 35.2

@CakeFace1234 that rundown is really appreciated! I'm also pre diabetic myself and although I knew this, I checked my blood test results on the NHS app and id gone up since last year. I hadnt addressed it because my doctor didn't call me in so I thought nothing to worry about/head in sand! However seeing it on the app brought it home to me that it's going up. I don't want to do WLI, and want to change my health for the long term.

I've been trying very hard to avoid all sweets/snacks and stick to my meals only. When out this weekend, ive had steak and salad, no/minimal carbs, and no dessert. No juice at all, just water, whereas i used to have cordial. I went to a cafe this weekend and my go to would be a cake and a hot chocolate so I abstained here and just had water. Walked round and friends got lovely posh ice creams and again, i said no. The thought of anything sweet now just gets offset by the memories of the sight of my blood sugar numbers! I think even if my weight doesn't change, my sugar levels will surely go down. My stomach definitely looks less bloated. However I'll check my weight in a few hours and let's see! The whole 'everything in moderation' just doesn't work for me when I have 5 stone to lose so ive had to make big changes.

A friend recommended the Glucose Goddess book so I got this plus I used Chat GPT to work out a few meal planning ideas when wanting to lose weight. So breakfast could be eggs with a bit of sourdough if really hungry or else greek yoghurt and fruit, with a small meringue to make it palatable. I never ate much for breakfast but it did mean i would snack on whatever was lying around at home. I've switched from mango etc to blueberries/raspberries again due to the latter being better for glucose issues. Again, I never knew that some fruits were better than others but Chat GPT and mumsnet forums have been invaluable.

With rice, ive reduced the amount I make but bulked it up with cauliflower rice and veg (Tesco do frozen sachets of cauliflower rice) so it easily lasts 3 days now. It's actually great because my kids didn't notice and im slowly incorporating more veggies for us all. Once this lot of rice is finished, I'm going to change to brown rice.

Hi Petra, we are in the same boat plus I have a similar amount of weight to lose. It is a concern, when you feel that you can't get away with things any longer. I have now accepted that I keep doing the same thing and expecting different results so I am making a mindful effort. High blood sugar is a warning and good that we have the opportunity to reverse things. You sound like you are making so many positive changes.

I have started making my own pasta sauces and curry sauces which have gone undetected by the kids and contain so much more veg. Brown rice takes much longer to cook so there is time to make a sauce. Plus, I have some dark chocolate in the fridge, it's quite bitter so has to be nibbled but is enough to kill the chocolate craving which was a problem for me but actually, that's only happened a couple of times.

We were recommended to have cauliflower rice too, I forgot to look out for that actually so will try some.

Also kefir and kombucha was suggested to take with fresh fruit like a banana. There are some better flavours out now.

Hope all goes well.

The waist measurement is linked with pre-diabetes and one of my goals is to have my stomach stick out less than my boobs!

Your last point did tickle me somewhat. I have the curse of gigantic boobs (it’s also where I put weight on and last place I lose it from). I do catch myself thinking at least my boobs are bigger than my stomach! Strange what we tell ourselves!

Bit of a win today (I'll take any win I can get!) - went to the cinema and the seat was definitely looser on me than before. First time I haven't felt uncomfortable sitting next to friends for a film. Double win - it was a £4 ticket for oldies, free coffee and biscuits! Brought the biscuits back for dh of course :)

Being bigger to start with I don't think the loss is as obvious to others - the wobblier bits I choose to cover up get a bit smaller first. But I felt a difference today.

Hi all. I first posted months ago but then disappeared. Been dealing with a lot over the last 6 months (including a house move) and have been putting off addressing my weight. But today I finally took the first step. I filled out an appointment request form and they have booked me in with the nurse for blood tests (I had high cholesterol last time it was checked so want to check it again). I also found a way to self-refer for the weight loss service and they have referred me to slimming world, I get 12 weeks free apparently. I'm going to see how I get on with slimming world but also depending on blood test results I might ask for a referral for weight loss injections - apparently there's a 6 month wait for them in my area so I would like that as an option if I don't manage to lose weight the "normal" way in 6 months. (Hope it's ok to mention that on this thread!)

I originally wanted to be slim by August (family wedding followed by family holiday) but given that I'm only just starting I think being slightly less fat by August would be better than nothing
I think my BMI is around 38 which puts me in the "class 2" obese category.
i have just over 5 months until my 40th birthday so I'm not going to be a healthy BMI by then but I would love to be closer to a healthy BMI by that point.

Solidarity to you all! Keep on keeping on

PS I've read back a bit and it sounds as if you're all doing really well

Mumwithbaggage, that must have made you smile when you realised. I heard there is a feel it, see it, hear it thing with weight loss. You feel it first then see it for yourself then hear it from others. Take the win!

Healthyweight 12 weeks free at SW! - that's fab. Wishing you all the luck in the world to get on track. When you have a lot going on in life, it's easy to zone out of being disciplined with food.

I went for a long walk tonight, from 8.15pm to 9.30. I told DH my route and asked him to pick me up if it started to rain. I realised halfway round that I was hoping it stayed dry as I was invested.

Hope you all have a great Monday. x

The programme I’m doing at the local football club set us a step challenge this week from Friday to Wednesday. This has meant all manner of walks/runs/walking on the spot as a break from marking.
Seems to be going quite well. Having our half way point check in this week though so we’ll see how I’ve done over the last 6 weeks.

GrammarTeacher it's such a good idea doing things as a group; helps us to feel more accountable and not wanting to let the side down so more likely to succeed. Good luck with the check-in.

I am low-carbing again this week with my eldest as he has a few inflammation-related issues that are flaring so I'm joining him for support, no bread, pasta, processed foods.

Just read a paper towel analogy on another thread - I googled - and it makes so much sense about why seeing the results of weight loss seems so slow at the start - the first sheet having a larger surface area to cover yet the last sheet goes round the tube about 4 times. Suggests buying two rolls of paper towels and removing the sheets of one to compare to the 'control' one so over the weeks seeing the results.

Sounds like a great idea could you share with us what you’re doing? Might motivate me in the short term

Had a day at a local spa with friends today - wore a "nice" swimsuit rather than the horrid thing I wear for aqua. It was too big :) Last wore it on holiday in September. Tiny win.

I think accountability is a great motivator - and a great break from marking!

A lovely colleague died this week - a reminder to us all to be the best we can but enjoy the journey too. Sorry that sounds a bit twee.

Mumwithbaggage Hope you had a lovely day at the spa with your friends - it's great when you notice clothes finally fit/are too big and the hard work pays off.

So sorry that your colleague has died. You are absolutely right about your sentiments.

CakeFace thank you!

Grammar the step challenge sounds good. Have you had your check in yet? How's it going?

Mumwithbaggage very sorry for your loss I agree when someone dies too soon it definitely reminds us to do our best to enjoy the time we have.

I went to my first SW (slimming world) session yesterday evening, was a bit of a "gulp - I'm really doing this!" moment. I think I need it tbh to have the accountability and motivation. So today was day 1 but tough as I wasn't really prepared, hadn't done meal planning or food shopping for the SW rules. I have felt hungry most of the day but I know that you're supposed to fill up on "free" foods so you're not hungry. I was eating a LOT of sugar so I've been feeling the cravings today and got a headache which has happened to me before when I haven't had sugar - withdrawal symptoms! Hopefully it will get easier as I get my act together and get into the swing of it. All the rules seem quite sensible although it is very strict on fat, which is not my problem (sugar is). Still, I think my cholesterol might be high - getting a blood test soon for that - so I really need to be mindful of avoiding "bad" fats too.

Hi everyone, checking in again. No real change in my weight despite really reducing my sugar levels and eating much more mindfully. Still weighing in around the 98kg mark sadly.

That said, my belly looks less plus I don't have that bloated feeling so the sugar must have been doing something. The scales from hell are proving useful in that I could see that my muscle level is very high, low protein levels, but sadly still obese. I'm still doing close to 20k steps a day too.

Hoping things start moving

Well done for cutting down on sugar Petra, I think that's the hardest and most important bit! 20k steps is great, I'm sure that's helping you health-wise even if it doesn't translate to weight loss.

Very late to the party but hoping it's ok to join!

I'm 16st 9lb and started my 'sort yourself out' plan on Monday. Nothing drastic or unrealistic so just making better food choices / moving more. Going well so far taking it one day at a time :)

Check in was last night. It was a team challenge and unfortunately some people on my team aren’t quite as competitive as me so we came second. Oh well.
The 6 week check in went okish. 5.5kg off exactly in that time (I took control a couple of weeks before programme so I’ve hit more steady loss now) and 4 cm off my waist. In another 6 weeks they check again (and do blood pressure!).
I’m also on to Week 6 of Couch 2 5km.

Healthyweight well done! the first meeting has to be the biggest hurdle. Gosh, yes, the headache when you start to reduce sugar, make sure you are drinking lots of water as dehydration can also give a headache. Keep us informed of how it's going.
Petra so frustrating when those scales won't budge. 20k is loads though!

Apocalypse welcome! Will be happy to offer support if needed.
Grammar oh my gosh! 5.5 that's amazing; I'd be chuffed with that. The less competitive in your team might just up their game now. 4 cm is a lot off your waist, it's a good place to lose it as it's indicative of overall health (they take a waist measurement at pre-diabetes club). I tried the couch25K but it was too much for my knees and thought I'd start again when I lost weight. I walk on an incline at the gym, however, I did buy more trainers yesterday that are very bouncy so I am tempted to have another crack at it.

My scales are very slow and I have stuck at 14.4 st but I measured last night and I have lost 9 cm overall which I am chuffed with and my trousers did do up a little easier on Monday.