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.

potty you have done brilliantly! Well done.

Not heard of an online coach will look into that. It is obviously working for you. My gym used to have regular meet ups with the staff , we completed a big card each time which was assessed and gym routines were made more challenging every few weeks. I was surprised when I re-joined 20 years later that it isn't the case now, you're just left to your own devices unless you pay for a PT. There isn't any real structure to what I do so do need some advice.

Petra, hope you are okay, sometimes you just need to shelve things that cause stress, to take the pressure off, for a while. Are you still clocking up the steps? Spring is a nice time to be outside

@CakeFace1234 my partner and I split a year ago and I haven't really felt myself since. No motivation to even look in the mirror, and dressing my size (18) in loose, comfy outfits rather than trying to lose weight. Plus no real appetite however the weight has just stuck on. Baby steps!!!

@CakeFace1234yeah I found similar with the gym too! There are quite a lot of online coaches around so if that’s the route you’re going down then have some intro calls with a few to see who feels right. The one I’m with specialises in PCOS and women’s hormones and I’m not on stupidly low calories either, and in terms of movement all I’ve done this year is steps (if I was a gym goer pre starting with them though they would’ve done a gym plan for me/if I want to join the gym they’ll add me a gym plan in too). My friend is using a different coach and she’s also done well this year but hers is very gym focused (4x a week plus cardio sessions) and the way we check in/get feedback is different too.

I’ve hit 9kg off since 5th Jan today 🥳

@pottytrainingdd that's fantastic!

@Petra42 it's tough! I really liked this thread for a bit of moral support from people who understand.

I've been in Barcelona for a few days - seat belt and seat were slightly looser than last time I flew so that's good. Even had a little tail on my belt :) Ate and drank a bit more than I'd like so back on sensible eating today.

I loathe seeing myself in the mirror at dance classes - which I absolutely love apart from the mirror bit. The instructor this morning was about 5'0 and tiny and I'm 5'10 so would probably feel lumpen even if I was a size 12, which I am very definitely not!! Everyone is lovely though and I do enjoy it.

The gym makes me eat more healthily - salad for lunch and we're having steamed salmon tonight. 11 days till dd's wedding ... I'm sick of hiding behind things when the camera comes out.

petra, so sorry to hear about the last year for you. You are right - it really is baby steps. I remember the lovely Deborah James saying that at any time in your life where life seems too hard, try to achieve one small thing that day. Even if it is just making the bed every day - so, when you get into it later, you will thank yourself. Look at something as simple as that as an achievement. One day at a time.

potty Will look into that. Thanks for the info.

mumwith I love Barcelona and sounds like you had a great time. I know what you mean about mirrors and photos though although dance classes sound great fun and a more interesting way to getting fit.

Hi all, just checking if anyone is still around else ill join a new thread. I finally bit the bullet and weighed myself and ive gone up to 102.2kg. I've never been this high and the reality of how I look is really hitting home as I can see how wide im looking. Im doing around 15k steps a day though the weight has just crept up with me finishing the kids cereal or dinners, so im stopping all that.

Very disheartening but onwards I go! How is everyone?

Hi there, I am still around - but maybe join an additional thread if it is more active and you need the motivation as it has gone a little quiet here.. Well done on the steps though, that is a lot per day.

I feel your pain with the increased kgs. I am in the same boat and, as a result, am feeling very bloated and heavy. My waist measurement is growing as that is related to pre-diabetes. So am making efforts to be more mindful with sugar and carbs.

I did read that a poster had lost 11 lbs in a month with low carbing. I think that is June's challenge for me.

I am still here, no idea on weight as avoiding the scales.

Everyday is a constant battle and probably will be for the rest of my life. I just want to eat junk and lots of it but I won't give in. I put everything on my app and mostly it's coming out ok.

sunshine I think you have hit the nail on the head there, weight loss and maintenance is an ongoing battle for many overweight/previously overweight people. There will always need to be mindful eating to get there and stay there. I find it's so easy to zone out while snacking, I have slipped back recently and constant treats have again become the norm.

However.. Today I started a two week low carb/hopefully anti-inflammatory diet to kick start some weight loss. I feel so bloated. Fingers crossed.

Hope everyone is well.

Good luck @CakeFace1234 . Low carb is definitely the best way for me to lose weight. I just need to stick to it...I have just come back from a weekend meet up with friends I haven't seen for ages so lots of food and wine. And gin.

I'm glad I've lost the original bit of weight though as I'm definitely more active and less self conscious. Just back from a Zumba for oldies class and had smoked salmon and avocado on rye sourdough for lunch. Stir fry tonight. Think I'll knock the alcohol on the head for a month and see if that helps. I'm sure it will!

That sounds interesting @CakeFace1234 I don't think I have ever done low carb although recently have tried to up my protein as I make my way through menopausal years!

@Mumwithbaggage hope you enjoyed the weekend. Stirfry sound good. I have never achieved a good one at home, I think I overcook it. Maybe I should try again.

Oh you are doing really well.

I am still going to the gym and Pilates but my weight isn't shifting much. My love for cake and wine scuppers that I suspect!

Mum with I think calories spent on food and drink with friends are calories well spent. Your lunch and dinner choice sounds lovely. I would kill for some bread right now. I'm on day 3 and craving bread. My go-to snack has become feta cheese. I do feel less bloated will let you know the loss in 2 weeks.

Sunshine, I don't think they advise strict low carb for long term due to the lack of fibre, however, taking out obvious 'white' high carbs like white bread, white pasta, white rice and pastries and replacing with brown is always a good idea unless there is an intolerance. I do feel less bloated 3 days in and have taken waist measurements. Fingers crossed
Friend well done on the exercise, I think the warm weekend is going to have most of us sitting outside for dinner with a glass of wine.

A little win today. I have a zero hours contract with the school I used to teach at but very rarely work there. The teacher's chair was a lot less snug today 😎

Plus I walked 19000 steps yesterday - as a wheezy asthmatic, I'm very pleased with myself.

Ahh thank you! 102.2 today after being stuck in the 104s for a couple of weeks with awful bloating.

Cake and wine are worthy adversaries though lbr! X

Hello all thought I would check in. I haven’t done it fast but am pleased to say I am now 4st down! I am looking to loose another half a stone then go into maintenance. I’m ok with it not being fast, as painful as it is sometimes not to reach for those treats it has allowed me to be flexible. If there is a birthday, family meal, celebration, holiday etc I’ve had a break and been glad of it. I’ve moved more which has helped aiming for 10k steps a day but not always making it. I hope it gives others a boost if needed - it’s definitely a journey. My main happiness is just feeling like I have more energy again, especially important with a SEN child.

Hello ‘old’ friends!
just catching up with your stories @Petra42 @CakeFace1234 @Mumwithbaggage & all you lovely lot x
Not sure what happened but Mumsnet stopped sending me updates on the board, so I stopped checking in. Thought you’d all abandoned me 😂
It’s so good to see you all still here being as supportive and ‘human’ as ever xx
Quick summary from me … lots of family ill health (mum) then bereavements (MIL and SILs mum, Uncle)
I turned 60 in January. Still not earning £££. Weight was up again to 12st 9. Then horror …! I slipped a disc in April (weeks of AGONY) and am only just recovering with sciatica. Still can’t walk well but getting there.
Upshot is I am determined to get some weight off as the pain and disability has frightened me.
Weighed in today at 12st 1 - lowest I’ve been in years. Hooray!
Cut-out wine midweek. 1 slice of bread a day. More protein. Plenty of fruit and salad. Portion control.
Hoping to start my daily walks again soon which will help.
i can recommend a no sugar CBD drink to replace wine in the evening as they are nice, plus they relax your mind. Not been tempted as DH scoffs crisps and chocolate and beer next to me.
I’ll be more active now I know you’re all still here!!!
love to all. Have a good weekend x

@Jaq27 hi again! Lovely to see you back. Sorry to hear about the slipped disc, nothing like an accident to scare one into getting healthier! And well done on the weight loss.

I've also dropped off the thread a bit because my weight just wasn't changing. I kept at 102kg. However recently got into the whole apple cider vinegar craze and its made a big difference to my stomach. I dilute it in water and have it through a straw about 30min before my main meal. Also now just cutting back on things like having half an avocado instead of one, then one slice of bread. The ACV does suppress my appetite so im less inclined to binge my main as id have done before.

Still doing 15-20k steps a day.

Just been promoted too and id really like to look more professional. It might also be my style not working correctly but it would be great to look more streamlined with my new role.

Hi @Petra42
Congratulations on the promotion - well done!
And good to hear you’ve found something that works for you with appetite.
i was stuck last year on losing then gaining the same 6lbs … it felt negative to check in when I wasn’t achieving anything.
Would love to hear your plans on ‘styling up’! I feel so scruffy. Just landed a new project so hopefully I’ll have money to buy a few new things this year.

Hi All

Glad to catch up with you all.
Jaq27 sorry that you have been through so much recently. Agree, that a health scare means a hefty dollop of guilt is added to the treats. Sciatica is awful, I feel your pain. Well done on the 12.1!! Amazing boost.

Petra, so funny you are talking about ACV, I keep hearing about how good it is for the liver, a bit of a cleanse to have 1tblsp in water and will join you to see how I get on.

Minnie888 4 stone that is brilliant. I think the slower it comes off, the more chances of keeping it off.

I'm trying to low carb as I feel so bloated. I have lost a couple of lbs, not much but in the right direction - I am going away in 7 weeks and would love a 2lb a week until then, just to lose some stomach would be great.

@CakeFace1234 @Jaq27 I do think there's something about this ACV. I've only tried taking 1tbsp diluted completely in a cup about 30min before a meal, but it does feel like it settles my stomach weirdly before a meal. Maybe its a psychology thing. I forgot to do it for a few days and felt bloated again. So im going to try again this week.

@Jaq27 well done on the new project! What does this mean workwise?
I do need a style up. I just feel like my weight makes me look older than I need to. I wear a lot of wide legged trousers and fitted tops just generally which is cool but mumsy at times. I need to do lots of team calls now so I just think I need my top half to look decent. I should be happy really but this weight thing feels like a battle I cant beat

Hi @Petra42 I know exactly how you feel about the battle we can't beat.

I am trying a new psychological tactic. Instead of saying 'I have to lose 2.5 stones!' and looking at that as a HUGE mountain I can never climb, I now say 'You just have to lose 2lbs. That's all. You can lose 2lbs!'
It's worked so far.
Obvs the aim is to go on to lose another 2lbs, then another 2 etc.etc and eventually get myself to a whole stone.
I'm also not dwelling on 'failures' any more. Like last week I stayed with relatives and couldn't control my food (and wine!) intake so I didn't lose anything ... but that's OK. That's life, and I love to enjoy relaxed family times.
I start the week again saying 'Just 2lbs! You can do it!'

BMI now 32.1 so going the right way.

As for the project ...! Looks wavery right now. :( Wish I hadn't set my heart (and bank balance!) on it. Hoping to hear it's a definite green light some time this week. Meeting has been put back twice now so ... who knows?? It's a huge corporate company so maybe internal politics have come into the picture.

So I've put the clothes shopping on hold. And yep -- top half dressing is where it's at! I have 2 nice blouses I keep ready to sling on top of my scrufty shorts when I've got a ZOOM call :D

Hi All

Petra - I started the ACV, Sat/Sun/Mon. Firstly tried a tablespoon in a huge glass but that was too tough so I'm now on one teaspoon in a small glass, in the morning. I'll progress to a desert spoon in a week I think then go up to a tablespoon. I'll give it a week then re-measure. I just re-read your message and see that you drink through a straw, - duh - I think that may help!

Jaq - Sounds like a good tactic. It's so discouraging when you think in terms of stones to lose so prob a good idea to break it down. After having my first DC, I used to weight every 2 weeks. It allowed for the little ups and downs that occur. I'm too impatient now.

Have a good week.

@CakeFace1234 yes I actually down it via a straw and its really not too bad when diluted. Id never sit and sip it for ages! I just quickly down it whilst cooking then 30min later we eat. It definitely helps that bloated feeling.

@Jaq27 hopefully the job comes through. I know the feeling though, im waiting for a contract but there's lots of redundancies happening in a few weeks too so im worried that they may then decide to put mine on hold to help the displaced people.

I got some results back yesterday saying I was pre diabetic so Im going to have to cut all treat stuff/juice etc. I dont really have much but I never say no if someone offers an ice cream or cake. I NEED TO SAY NO! I havent been doing my steps much in the heat either. My plan is to just go low carb, so nice interesting proper mayo free salads and meat. As opposed to giant delicious potato salads which only I eat.

A friend has been seeing a nutritionist who analysed all her blood tests and provides a detailed programme. One of the key things was gluten and dairy. Once she dropped this, her weight really dropped. She looks so different now, like half her weight. She said she felt gluten was the key so im going to be mindful of that too!

Hi all,
Well watching too much football in this house has not helped my eating plan ... ! but I forgot to weigh myself this morning so will take it on the chin (and the tummy, and the thighs etc etc).
I still can't walk properly after my back injury which is ruining my step count. Have been given an urgent referral to the spinal imaging unit so hope they can see what's going wrong inside. (It's mostly my foot - it is numb and won't work properly. Doc called it 'drop foot??)
@Petra42 I've always wanted to see a proper nutritionist to find out if an adpated eating plan would suit me. I wonder if us obese women are missing a piece of the jigsaw that could change our lives???
@CakeFace1234 The job has been put 'on hold' pending global research so don't think it'll happen anytime soon :( The lovely thought of actually having money to spend has gone out the window. How's work for you? It's horrible when redundancies happen around you.
Have a good week everyone. x