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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.

Original poster

I must do something about my weight

33 replies

SugarSpunSister75 · 16/03/2025 14:58

In a nutshell, I’m 5’4” and was 9 stone 7 in 2022 but I work long hours from home and weight is piling on. I estimate I’ve put two stone on. I was anorexic in my teens and 20s and now I feel huge.

I have no motivation to cook as I live alone. I don’t eat out or order takeaways. My main drinks are water or Diet Coke except for a couple of bottles of wine a week which I can cut out. I very rarely eat chocolate or biscuits.

I’m vegetarian and don’t eat fish or eggs. I hate mushrooms and halloumi. Does anyone have any ideas for simple vegetarian snacks that need almost no preparation?

I probably eat too much hummus and cheese.

Thanks in advance for any ideas and please be kind!

OP posts:
Original poster
SugarSpunSister75 · 17/03/2025 15:52

BIWI · 17/03/2025 14:57

@SugarSpunSister75 I think, from what you’ve written so far, you’re in danger of slipping back into disordered eating. You’re eating hardly anything, but filling up on fizzy drinks.

And this:

I wear size 16 tops and size 16 leggings but people tell me I wear clothes that are too big

… suggests that you have a bit of body dysmorphia going on here.

And although I get that you’re working long hours, I think that’s a bit of an excuse not to cook anything. I’d worry less about exercise, because it’s not exercise that’s going to shift any weight (assuming that you need to). Exercise is undoubtedly very good for overall health, but you have to do A LOT of it to result in weight loss. It’s more about your diet.

But also, your diet is important in terms of nourishment, and yours really doesn’t look like you’re getting decent nourishment. Not eating enough, and not eating enough of the right things.

I think you’re right - I’ve been addicted to sparkling water for years, it almost feels like eating. I had a baked potato with cheese and a side salad and a pot of tea for one at 2 pm - I’m on holiday.

OP posts:
RandomWordsThrownTogether · 17/03/2025 18:51

Diet fizzy drinks mess up your metabolism and ability to process sugar - lots of studies on it! Artificial sweeteners are even worse than sugar! Also eating too little will mess up your metabolism - if you eat less than a thousand calories a day your metabolism will not work. Download something like my fitness pal, look at upping your intake of things like protein and vitamins - you need to feed your body properly for it to work.

Ready meals are very processed and a lot of nutrients are destroyed because of the way they prepare them.

LilacTraybake · 17/03/2025 23:19

Hi , do what I did , and use exercise equipment, in ur home. That way , you can work it around your job.

thislifer · 18/03/2025 06:58

LindorDoubleChoc · 16/03/2025 20:09

How many calories are you taking in to gain 30 pounds in 3 years? You are obviously over eating by quite a lot. You could probably do with being honest to yourself about that in a calm, non-judgemental, fact-checking kind of way.

It’s an extra 100 cals a day (or 22 mins moderate walking)
So eat an ‘excess’ small apple and walk 10 mins less a day and you gain 1 stone a year, hardly gluttony!

thislifer · 18/03/2025 06:59

So maybe you need to look up what ‘non judgemental’ means in the dictionary Hmm

Original poster
SugarSpunSister75 · 18/03/2025 15:07

thislifer · 18/03/2025 06:58

It’s an extra 100 cals a day (or 22 mins moderate walking)
So eat an ‘excess’ small apple and walk 10 mins less a day and you gain 1 stone a year, hardly gluttony!

Show quote history

I’ve weighed myself today and am 11 stone 2 - not as bad as I thought but still overweight.

OP posts:
EmeraldsandRubies · 19/03/2025 11:59

SugarSpunSister75 · 17/03/2025 11:35

I will buy some scales when I get home. I need to know how much I weigh to motivate me. I’m over 50, years into menopause and can’t take HRT. It’s difficult to take time off work to exercise because I have to earn enough October-June to see me through the summer months.

Show quote history

I honestly think that while exercise will help, it's the diet that is the big factor.

I was 56. Way past menopause and not taking HRT and lost 10lbs in October 23 and have kept it off. Was 5.7 and 9.10 and my shape was changing. Now 9. I was in a new relationship, eating out too much, eating the wrong things. I had been on holiday and came back feeling bigger. So I bought some scales and weigh myself every Monday.

Basically I changed my diet to low carbs, high protein, high veg, medium fat, low sugar. Would have treats but really good ones. Cut back on the wine too.

Looking back at what you eat - it's very carby and sugary (even a smoothie) and lots of ready meals. If I ate your diet I would put my 10lbs back on again.

Can you make an omelette, bake a sweet potato, do a stir fry with fish and protein noodles. Eat an orange. As others have said cottage cheese and feta are good.

On exercise, even if you did a plank each day or wall sits or lifting water bottles above your head or something, it will all help to tone you and motivate you until you have more time. I do think exercising also needs to become a habit rather than a big activity that requires lots of time, money and kit. I got a dog 6 months ago but am lucky to work from home.

I definitely think you can do this :)

EmeraldsandRubies · 19/03/2025 12:03

@SugarSpunSister75 Sorry saw you were vegetarian. So ignore my eggs and fish suggestions. Vegetables are definitely your friend here then. Soups that can cook while you work. Lentils. Get a veg box delivered. Enjoy big juicy salads.

Look at the Deliciously Ella cookbooks - my daughter is veggie and we love her delicious food. V simple and cheap to make too.

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