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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.

Obese? Wanting to join a friendly thread ?

658 replies

SeatbeltExtender · 08/09/2024 17:33

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.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
8
Petra42 · 15/07/2025 07:24

Thanks @CakeFace1234 @GrammarTeacher , I was away so seeing friends loads and we just ate every night out. Tbh now im sick of food so trying to eat better again.

I need to have a moan by the way and have some sense knocked into me.

I dress nicely so feel good about myself but I recently caught sight of myself on the Ring doorbell and realised I lumber along and I could see I was a big girl with a pretty face. It knocked my confidence if im honest. I've had a recent breakup and my ex always told me I was gorgeous so I think ive struggled to be as nice to myself.

Friends are still on the injections and they look dramatically different in the space of a few months. Side effects are the major hair loss and nausea for all 3 of them but they all look so much slimmer. I know I shouldn't compare but it's dawning on me that I may never be slim like that.

I follow a few instagram people who are mid size for fashion and its pretty obvious they are also on the injections yet look amazing and much slimmer. Same for Serena Williams.

I feel like a snail.

CakeFace1234 · 15/07/2025 09:33

Hi Petra, I know it's hard, I feel the same way, my reflection hasn't been the 'accurate' me for around 15 years. I feel frumpy and dumpy and am usually the heaviest in any group setting an inwardly cringe when the phones come out.

I see it as, taking a long time for me to get to this point and it's going to take a long time to get to a weight when I feel happier with my appearance. You may start to feel more encouraged when you feel a little difference along the way.

I looked at old photos, I look much slimmer at 13 st. I remember feeling so heavy in those pictures, but now, I look back with kinder eyes and that's still 3 stones from my healthy weight bracket so I have made 13 st my next goal and I can hopefully reach that by October.

Weight loss is a marathon not a sprint unfortunately, Rapid weight loss can have its pitfalls, too like skin and muscle tone and I would be concerned about unknown, longer-term side effects with WLI although a quick fix is so tempting.

So what hopefully, will work for me is forgetting the bigger picture and a possibly unattainable old slim me but focusing on the smaller increments and setting a more realistic goal of possibly, hopefully, dropping a dress size in around 3 months and having a bra that doesn't leave red marks when I take it off.

Please don't feel too discouraged, you're in a room here full of people who do understand.

FriendofDorothy · 16/07/2025 12:43

Orangesandlemons77 · 18/09/2024 16:01

Sorry for going on about the injections, I'll stop now.

Thankyou. I am absolutely fed up with listening to people bang on about them - half the people in my office are on them and it is all they talk about!!!

Jaq27 · 16/07/2025 17:24

Hi @Petra42 what you say is exactly how I feel.
I have lost over a stone since last year, and feeling much better about myself then catch sight of myself on a photo at a party, or in a mirror in M&S etc. and I see a frumpy old blob.
I will be 60 next birthday and I think I will never be one of those lovely thin tanned ladies I see effortlessly swishing about in nice clothes.
I was a size 6 in my 20s and then a size 12-14 in my 30s - back then I used to beat myself up for being over 9 stone!!!
Now getting under 11 stone would be a dream come true.
@CakeFace1234 yes the WLI (though not intentional) make me feel like I'm failing as I can't shift 2 stone while around me people I know are losing more then that without (seemingly) much effort.

I am not doing very well so sorry for my negativity.

Stuck back at 12st 5lbs and I want to cry when I weigh in and it's the same even though I don't eat chocolate biscuits, crisps, takeaways, fizzy drinks or UPFs. Given up wine midweek. Walk every day. Eat salads and stir fries.
My body just doesn't want to shift ANYTHING.
I do agree this is a marathon not a sprint... but if I could just lose something!
I'm getting to the point where I am starting to eat a biscuit with my tea, have a glass of wine and eat the same food as DH and DS cos nothing makes a difference any way. I'm laughing sadly as I type this.
Onwards ...

Petra42 · 16/07/2025 18:12

@Jaq27 its a bit shit really - you try so hard and it doesnt move. Yesterday i felt quite proud that i wasnt hungry in the evening. I felt like id see a dramatic shift on the scales but nada. Im sure people would say 'well at least its not going up' but im thinking do i just need to cut my head off!

Jaq27 · 16/07/2025 18:48

@Petra42 Exactly!!!
I’m thinking even a haircut might make me lose half an ounce 😂
I always go to the loo before my Friday weigh in but it doesn’t make any difference.
It’s maddening.

Mumwithbaggage · 16/07/2025 22:44

I know what you mean about when the phone comes out! Though I've lost a bit of weight, I was sitting with my lovely (adult) children in a lovely bar yesterday evening after dc4's graduation. I'd pulled my dress skirt up a bit as it was hot and my legs looked lumpy, pasty and big. Used to have mice legs. Back to the gym for me...

You're (we're) all doing so so well. There's a long list of side effects for the jabs.

GrammarTeacher · 17/07/2025 07:47

So it was final weigh in of my programme last night. In 12 weeks I have lost 12.4kg. Which is not too shabby at all. I started very heavy (it was 0.2kg off 10% off). I’m still really heavy. My next goal is to go under 100kg which I’d like to achieve by the end of the year (I have a feeling our two week Disney trip next month may delay it a little!). Regardless of the weight loss, I’m fitter and healthier than I was. 10cm off my waist measurement and my blood pressure is now in the healthy zone (the exercise has helped with that). I’m into one of my danger zones now though as school broke up yesterday. No onsite gym for me now.

Jaq27 · 18/07/2025 12:15

Excellent work @GrammarTeacher ! That's amazing. Well done.

And for me ... well, this is just silly.
Makes no sense at all.

So I ate what DH and DS ate last week for dinner (smaller portions). Had a proper sandwich for lunch (ie 2 slices of bread, not one). Had wine midweek. Ate cheese. Ate meat. Didn't eat half of all the fruits and salads I usually eat. No veggie stir fries.

.... and I LOST 2lbs. I'm back to 12st 3lbs.

????

Either my body was just catching up with my weight loss, or my dieting slows down my metabolism or something?

Also my painful IBS symptoms have lessened this week because I was not eating so 'healthily'!!!.

I am confused, but I'll take it!

Have a good weekend everyone x

CakeFace1234 · 19/07/2025 10:43

grammar that's incredible. You've done so well. 10 cm is loads off your waist and is a big indicator with pre-diabetes it can indicate insulin resistance or something. So that in itself must be very encouraging and reflects your lifestyle changes.
Jaq27 Well done on the 2lb! (A whole bag of sugar). Maybe it was catching up with you. When I was on maternity leave, I used to weigh in every 2 weeks. it worked for me to weigh less often as I always saw some movement and it allowed for any minor fluctuations in a week. I am not as patient now, however.

I do go to the gym but mainly focus on lower body, I can see the backs of my legs are toning up (not inner thighs yet) but my upper arms are truly shocking. Not sure if there is magic wand for that. Maybe it's the diminishing collagen?
Anyway...
I have lost another 1lb.

SW 14.8
CW 14.0
GW 10.0
Have a great weekend all.

Jaq27 · 20/07/2025 13:55

Hey @CakeFace1234 well done on your loss!
And it's funny you should mention the bag of sugar because when I was in the supermarket that day I lifted up a 2lb bag to see what it felt like, and I was very happy to imagine that weight was no longer on my small frame and affecting my heart and lungs etc.
I think your idea about a 2-weekly weigh-in makes sense. Maybe it'll stop me stressing about no loss week after week.

To help firm up skin I cannot recommend Q10 enough. I get the 'over 60s' one from Superdrug and it's really helped firm up my thighs and upper arms. Not expensive - may be worth a go.

Haruka · 23/07/2025 09:10

Good morning everyone. I'm still here. @Jaq27 I find there is always a bit of a lag between what I do to my body and how the weight reacts. Before the beginning of my leave I stress-ate loads for weeks and drank far too much alcohol. Didn't notice it on the scales for about 3 weeks before it finally showed. So hang in there.

My new way of losing weight is entirely based on being in a new relationship. I have found a man who fancies the pants off me, adores every inch of me, happily parades me around to his friends - and I am losing weight 😂

Not only for the obvious reasons, but also because in his company, I simply forget to eat, have little desire to drink too much alcohol and I am far more active. He is very slim, struggles to put on weight, but is also always on the go and so we both just do things together all the time and I have noticed that when I am home alone I follow the same pattern.

I am down 10kg on my starting weight now. Wore a dress the other day that I hadn't fit into for almost 2 years. Still well into the obese category, but also still losing slowly but steadily.

Jaq27 · 23/07/2025 09:20

Sounds like a lovely way to lose weight @Haruka !
Wish the NHS could prescribe it :)

it’s a wonderful feeling to get back into clothes you haven’t worn in years. well done x

WafferThinMint · 23/07/2025 12:31

SW: 19st 3 lbs (BMI 39.7)
CW:18st 8 lbs
Interim TW: 14st 6lbs (BMI 29.8) so I can have leg surgery
TW: 11st 7lbs
😳
Clean eating, chair exercises and braving the gym induction!!!

Jaq27 · 28/07/2025 11:31

Nice work! Best of luck at the gym @WafferThinMint 😃

CakeFace1234 · 28/07/2025 20:05

Jaq27 thanks for the tip about Q10. I'll look out for that.

Haruka - enjoy the calorie burning! I agree, massive incentive to be able to fit comfortably into clothes again
WafferThinMint hope the gym induction goes well. Honestly it will feel like such a slog at first but gets easier - it's a great feeling of achievement when you're done.

WafferThinMint · 31/07/2025 13:13

Well, the feeling of relief after surviving the gym induction (which was lovely, a personal trainer + 1 other lady) was mixed with frustration that I could have been doing this for the past year!!! But no point dwelling on that, I have also had to admit that my "condemned man's last meal" carb blowout the two days before and the heap of white bread sandwiches before going to the induction was completely unnecessary and quite unpleasant 😨I have committed to set days 3 x a week and back to clean eating- CW now 18st 1lb, so feeling motivated to get into the 17's!! 😝

CakeFace1234 · 04/08/2025 18:09

WafferThin well done! that's the first hurdle done. I find one of the hardest thing is motivation. Once there, if you're like me, you will be fine and actually enjoy it. It is worth the sense of achievement, as you leave, even if you only manage a 30 min visit.

I was away for a long weekend and have put on 3lb. Too many carbs also, for me and poor choices. I did do lots of walking though so hopefully, over the next week it will even out.
SW 14.8
CW 14.3
TW 10.0

OldGreyBoots · 04/08/2025 18:38

Hi all, newbie here!

Not too far into the obese category, BMI of 31, but still gutted and full of self loathing at the moment - I'd been bigger, lost enough to get out of the obese category, and now some of it is back on.

I was on WLI for a while but had to quit them due to horrific side effects and I genuinely feared for my life at points.

I'm debating WeightWatchers at the moment, I like the sound of their points system!

Everyone around me seems to be loving WLI and losing masses, agree with others here that it makes me feel like 💩

Intending a Monday weigh in post, if anyone has recent experience of WW I'd be interested Smile

SW: 94kg
TW: an optimistic 75kg

Petra42 · 05/08/2025 08:24

Jaq27 · 18/07/2025 12:15

Excellent work @GrammarTeacher ! That's amazing. Well done.

And for me ... well, this is just silly.
Makes no sense at all.

So I ate what DH and DS ate last week for dinner (smaller portions). Had a proper sandwich for lunch (ie 2 slices of bread, not one). Had wine midweek. Ate cheese. Ate meat. Didn't eat half of all the fruits and salads I usually eat. No veggie stir fries.

.... and I LOST 2lbs. I'm back to 12st 3lbs.

????

Either my body was just catching up with my weight loss, or my dieting slows down my metabolism or something?

Also my painful IBS symptoms have lessened this week because I was not eating so 'healthily'!!!.

I am confused, but I'll take it!

Have a good weekend everyone x

Well done everyone!! @Jaq27 , sometimes I wonder if mentally, if you feel relaxed/sleeping better, then the weight does come off a bit more. I find if im anxious, then I get sleeplessness and get constipated! Then I weigh myself and feel upset again.

SW : 99KG
CW : 97.6
GW : 85

@OldGreyBoots im hearing of lots of side effects on these, massive hair loss for women, liver issues for men. There's a definite price here for the weight loss. A friend has come off them because he didnt want to risk a stomach issue on holiday and he's absolutely ravenous. He's really upset about it as can't stop eating. Not sure what the answer is..

Jaq27 · 05/08/2025 11:50

Petra42 · 05/08/2025 08:24

Well done everyone!! @Jaq27 , sometimes I wonder if mentally, if you feel relaxed/sleeping better, then the weight does come off a bit more. I find if im anxious, then I get sleeplessness and get constipated! Then I weigh myself and feel upset again.

SW : 99KG
CW : 97.6
GW : 85

@OldGreyBoots im hearing of lots of side effects on these, massive hair loss for women, liver issues for men. There's a definite price here for the weight loss. A friend has come off them because he didnt want to risk a stomach issue on holiday and he's absolutely ravenous. He's really upset about it as can't stop eating. Not sure what the answer is..

Hi @Petra42

You've made a great point!!! When I was on my restricted 'diet' I had a lot of stomach ache and didn't sleep well. Felt very stressed and hungry all the time.
I was also horribly constipated. I'm sure I was carrying an extra 3lbs because of that (sorry if TMI)
So ... I read up on IBS symptoms and have changed to eating normally again but with smaller portions. No stomach ache!
I've cut out some of the irritating fruits, the bran flakes and peppers. I feel much better and I'm regular again.
I now have overnight oats for breakfast made with DF yogurt and berries, bit of sliced banana.
2 slices of bread in my sandwich (instead of 1) and a BabyBel cheese as a side dish (LOL).
Evening meal but smaller portion and more salad.
Less wine
Biscuit with decaf tea at 9pm
... and I'm still maintaining/losing!!!

It's amazing really.
So my BMI is stuck at 32.1 but I am feeling much better :)

GrammarTeacher · 05/08/2025 13:08

It is interesting. In a previous life I’ve done Rosemary Conley and Slimming World. Didn’t really like Slimming World for a range of reasons but husband was doing it. This time around I’m doing it more simply. Aim for 500 calorie deficit a week and focus on protein. Porridge (with protein powder) at breakfast to discourage snacking before lunch and tracking everything (and not eating my exercise calories). My calorie allowance is really quite high still and because it’s coming down gradually with my weight, I don’t feel like I’m missing out (unlike my stick to 1400 Rosemary Conley days).

Wishihadanalgorithm · 05/08/2025 15:34

Hello all. I’ve been reading through and I’m pretty inspired by people’s successes.

I would have had a go at the jabs but I can’t because of various health issues I have. So here I am trying to get my shit together and lose the weight I need to to help
lower my blood pressure and reduce my triglycerides.

If anyone has any top tips I’m all ears. I’m doing calorie counting with a focus on no sugar/sugar substitutes. I track with nutracheck.

Off to look at what my weight is in kilos!

NewMeAfter40 · 05/08/2025 17:28

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

Mumwithbaggage · 10/08/2025 12:41

Hello all! How's everyone getting on?

I definitely feel fitter and am less lumpy but not comfortably into smaller clothes yet but I suspect that was because I was squeezing into stuff before. The clothes I do have definitely hang better.

After a couple of weeks of indulging for the wedding/graduation I'm getting back into the swing of 10k steps a day (dance around while I cook if I'm not quite there) and at least 3 aerobic classes (aqua/over 50s zumba) a week. Next I'm adding in pilates.

I feel guilty the time it takes as I'm not currently earning money and dh is working really hard. Just feel I'm done with teaching and my mental and physical health is definitely better for it. Just need to win the lottery or premium bonds...

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