The stone starts shifting, today!

[Chubbybetty]

I am 45 and 5ft 2". I have been a size 6/8 for most of my adult life. I put on about a stone in lockdown. Managed to lose it (largely through stress) for my wedding a couple of years ago, and have since piled it back on, mainly through too much cheese and wine and a love of cooking/feeding other people. I eat mostly low carb and Mediterranean style but have become a bit more lax, I don't really snack and do a fair amount of exercise (including strength training) I'm now more a size 10 with a small spare tyre and a large chest. I detest my body like this. On a short, small frame, 1 stone is a lot and really shows. Yesterday I didn't even want to leave the house with my husband to go for a drink in the sun as I thought I looked hideous. Today it all changes. I have started working with an online wellness/fitness coach recently and she said something this morning that made me stop and think - how sad it is that people literally don't want to be in photo's with their families because of their weight. This is me. I hate that I am so hard on myself because of my size and speak to myself in a way I'd never speak to anyone else. I hate that for the last few years every nice thing we've done, has always had the niggling thought that I'd enjoy it more if I were a stone lighter. I know I have lots of 'mind work' to do aorund my relationship with my weight (hence the coach) but on the physical front today is re-set. Binning the alcohol, more strict with the carbs and cheese. I aim to lose 7lbs in the next 4/5 weeks. Posting here for accountability really. Anyone else having a 're-set' today? Good luck!

👋 I unexpectedly started this morning when my 12 year old woke me at 0600 and asked if I would go for a run with her!

I’ve been carrying so much extra weight since lockdown and been wanting to do something about it for ages but lack the motivation. But we are off on a mega holiday at the beginning of July and I just want to feel more comfortable in my clothes. That combined with a fear that my daughter won’t want to hang out with me forever, prompted me to get started!

i was diagnosed with epilepsy in February and so stopped drinking following that. I was a big fan of wine and I've been disappointed not to have shed loads of weight just by stopping drinking.

Im 45, 5’4. No idea how much I weigh but reckon I must be knocking on a size 16. I’d love to get back to a 12. Most of my weight is on my tummy. I wear holes in my T shirts where it’s so big (!) presumably from standing at the sink doing drudgery, or from sitting at my desk at work.

I’m going to embrace Intermittent Fasting 16:8 but need to make sure I don’t overdo the exercise when fasting.

Thanks @Hyperiaistheworst . Good luck!

Oh wow - are you me?! Can I join you @Chubbybetty?

I’m also 5ft2, aged 42 and about a stone heavier than I feel/look happy. I am quite active (20,000 steps a day) and do Caroline Girvan workouts at home 5 days per week (although not particularly heavy weights yet).

I felt so sad this morning. I am officially a ‘healthy’ weight and BMI but don’t look it. I am also small framed, have tiny wrists, etc but every extra pound is on my stomach (& large chest!).

I find it so hard to know how many calories to aim for to not under-eat, so that I’m fuelling workouts but hate the fact I am a stone heavier than I want to be.

Your post has actually made me a bit emotional (very unusual for me!) as I can relate to nearly everything you’ve said but it can be so hard for other people to understand why we might want/need to lose weight and how it can feel really hard.

Do you mind me asking how much you weigh? Do you count calories and/or macros?

@Autumnleaves82 thank you! I agree, if I had a pound for every time someone said 'but you're only a size 10, you're only small, you don't need to lose weight' I'd be a very rich woman! It's about how I feel though, nobody else, and sadly a lot of my self-esteem is tied up with my weight. I'm currently about 9 stone; when I got married two years ago I was bang on 8 stone and that felt about right (after being a bit underweight for a while). That's where I aim to get back to (before my third wedding anniversary in September!). We can do this 😀. Sorry I made you feel emotional BTW. It's a very emotive subject.

@Hyperiaistheworst Well done for going for a run! I’m looking forward to us all supporting each other.

@Chubbybetty I was 8st12 this morning. I actually got to 8st8 a couple of weeks ago, but managed to regain 4 pounds over Easter (that took me 4 months to lose!). I didn’t even eat that much over Easter. I said no to so many things, but the weight just seems to go on so quickly and then literally take months to lose. My happy weight is also around 8st.

I am so pleased I saw this post. I feel less alone!

@Autumnleaves82 and @Hyperiaistheworst I feel less alone too now, thanks! I expected to just be flamed for wanting to drop fat when technically not overweight. I was 8st 12 a couple of weeks ago too but Easter did me for the extra couple of pounds 😥.

@Autumnleaves82 I don't strictly count calories but am pretty much conversant with the calories in most foods known to man! For this first week I'm going quite low and will keep protein as high as possible, and carbs below 50g but less if possible and see how that goes. No alcohol either which I know is part of the reason I've not lost more until now.

I would like to join too please, 40 years old and have 2 stone to lose.

How’s everyone got on today?

I’ve been considering whether it would be beneficial to try to add in some cardio workouts? I walk around 20,000 steps a day and do Caroline Girvan weights workouts but something clearly isn’t quite working. I don’t want to cut my calories too low (daily recommended are already not that many due to my height/weight) so wondering if some cardio would be a good idea.

@TurquoiseDreamCatcher let's all keep in touch and stay accountable. Good luck!

@Autumnleaves82 Hi! How are you faring so far? I've been super low calorie for a couple of days and no alcohol. My sleep has improved and I have felt quite energetic. I hoped that being v low calorie for three days would give a bit of a 'jump-start'. Stepped on the scales of doom this morning and have gained 2lbs FFS! I nearly cried but then realised how ridiculous I was being in expecting a change in 2 days, and told myself it is only water retention, I simply can't have gained 2lbs of fat in 2 days on low calories. Went and did a HiiT workout instead of crying! My plan is v low cal again today and then revert to low carb, healthy dinners. Cardio-wise, the coach I work with says she prefers to talk about 'activity' rather than cardio (i.e she doesn't advocate slogging on the treadmill etc) but upping cardio activity in general. I have a subscription to 'Get Fit with Rick' so use his workouts to up my cardio activity in general as I find them quite fun and are not hardcore. I also walk a lot (although not as much as you). Rick has free workouts on Youtube. I do weights with my coach, but am going to go and have a look at Caroline Girvan, thanks!

Hi @Chubbybetty can I join? My height, situation and age are almost the same! I really want to shift 1/2 stone, it shows so much on a small frame - the good news is each pound off shows too in my experience! I’m not so bothered about a goal weight - I just want 2inches off my waist and hips, my life was so much better and ‘peaceful’ when I was a size smaller before 2020. I’m aiming to eat lots of whole foods, and keep full with low calories. I’m going on holiday in 23 days, and I’m trying to use that as motivation - even losing a bit before holiday would really boost me, and it’s a fairly active, non food/drink focused holiday so there’s a chance I could keep up the good work then. I’m sure the weight gain you experienced is just water retention (possibly from exercise) good luck!

@GrazeConcern Hi, welcome to our very small group of 'shorties' wanting to shed a few lbs 😊. I too feel that life was much happier for me pre the 'lockdown stone', but am now determined I can get back there (in fact I did for my wedding two years ago, and then ended up back here, so I know it can be done).

I’ve tried to cut back on what I snack on, snacking is definitely my downfall.
The issues I have is that my family have all
different Dietary requirements, husband can’t eat onion and garlic, the kids can’t eat dairy and I’m allergic to tomatos 😖 it’s so difficult to have meals!

I think I’ve done ok today although I should have logged the calories really. Think I’m at about 1600 plus 11k steps. I’m going to start logging calories properly tomorrow so I actually know what I’ve had.

No change on the scales this morning so still 9st 2 😥, but think my stomach is tiny bit flatter and energy good, did short weights workout this morning. Know that consistency is the key so need to just keep going. Me and husband going for picnic tomorrow but trying to keep it low carb, and as low cal as possible and will also walk a good few miles. Chicken salad for dinner tonight. I have a special event on 11th July, and aim to be 8st 4 by then (10 weeks to lose 12lbs?), and then 8st 0 by my wedding anniversary in mid-August (determinded ot try my wedding dress on on that day!).

I’ve gone for a lower calorie approach today as I often find myself more easily motivated if I have an obviously good day.

Thanks for the thoughts about cardio @Chubbybetty and the recommendations.

I weigh daily and I use the Happy Scale app as it shows trends etc. (Still 8st12.) I know daily weighing isn’t helpful for lots of people, but I actually prefer it as there can be all sorts of reasons for fluctuations and the app averages these out.

I’ve had chicken salad followed by some berries and yogurt for dinner.

@Autumnleaves82 I know a lot of advice is not to weigh daily but feels vital to me or I feel like I'm losing control. I have on and off records going back about 7 or 8 years. It helps me.

Can I join please!?

38, 5’1, 9st7lb. My comfortable weight is 8st7lbs so I am a good stone over! Caused by sheer gluttony, binge eating caused by years of calorie restriction if I’m totally honest!

I have tried everything and I’m unable to eat ‘normally.’ I just need to eat less and get this weight off, none of my clothes fit and I feel dreadful. It’s the biggest I’ve ever been.

I’m going to try fasting, have a 4 hour window of eating per day. But still have a morning cup of tea.

Wish me luck! Good luck to everyone else!

Welcome @WellErrr ! I too am the heaviest I've ever been , it feels miserable. Do you have a timeframe in mind for your goal?

Welcome @WellErrr, and well done yesterday on the ‘slightly flatter stomach’ feeling @Chubbybetty

I have had good results with fasting before @WellErrr even if I had a couple of teas with a bit of milk, it’s not a purist approach but I still felt quite good doing it. I find it impossible to do now I work from home more, I’m always wanting a snack!

I think I’m going to get outside and do an early walk to boost my steps - my target for May is 12000 a day and I didn’t quite get there yesterday (10,000 though).

@GrazeConcern I'm also aiming for 12000 steps! Have a lovely walk. I'm 1lb down this morning. Probably water but I'll take it!

I’m pretty much the same as you and would love to join you please? I know my weights been creeping up and am 9st 1.5 lb today. I like to get closer to 8stone if possible by the end of summer

@rereturner welcome! You're exactly same weight as me and same goal. Let's all keep each other on track 😊.