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!

Hello. I'm 5 foot 3 and 10 stone. Last time I was under 10 stone was 18 months ago. I want to be 9stone ! It's hard when I have a tall dh who can eat everything in sight.

Hi @GreenYodaFace welcome, I agree tall people are annoying, not least for their enhanced metabolism but also being able to still look really slim at larger sizes. I have a friend who’s really tall and a size 14, she looks like a 10!

I think yesterday went well for me, didn’t over eat, didn’t do as many steps as I wanted but I still did 10k, and I resisted alcohol and an evening pudding.

NSV include - stomach definitely looking flatter, and last night I was sat on the sofa with my legs up and I noticed my legs looking a bit more like they used to. I’m not weighing so I am on the look out for any sign whilst I wait for clothes to fit better again.

Welcome newcomers! I've been meaning to say - for anyone who is going low carb as part of the plan, the 'Fast 800 Keto' recipe book is fabulous. I'm going OMAD this week, mainly with recipes from here. The cheesey fajita beef casserole is particularly delicious (I love cooking and am obsessed with recipe books). Perhas we could start to share our favourite books/recipes too?

Placemarking so I can join you all properly later, when I’ve got more time to post.

Welcome @tigerbear!

Thanks @Chubbybetty

Hello all, hoping to join to stay motivated.
I’m 47, def in peri, and want to lose a stone, ideally.
5ft 2 and currently just under 9 stone, and feel at my best at 8 stone.

like many others on here, all the weight goes on my middle and tummy, and at my height, any increase is noticeable, and none of my summer clothes from last year look good (last year, I did make an effort to lose weight, and went from 9.5 to 8.5 stone, however this took from April to August, so not quick).

Generally eat quite healthily for main meals, but my downfall is too much alcohol, crisps, and bread.
Low carb works well for me, so aiming to get back on that.
Exercise wise, I really got into weights last year, so want to resume doing that.
For the poster who does Caroline Girvans, may I ask which programme is best to begin with?

@tigerbear my goodness, are you me?! So many similarities! I'd also be interested to.know where to start with Caroline Girvan.

@Chubbybetty Yes, sharing recipes or even just meal ideas is a great idea. I’m afraid my meals today are quite simple - chicken salad and prawn stir fry.

Welcome @tigerbear Everything you’ve said is also true for me!

I do Caroline Girvan workouts. I started with the ‘Iron’ series. I think (?) it was on a Mumsnet thread that someone suggested to me to start with that. I don’t use weights that are anywhere near as heavy as what she uses (not sure how heavy other people lift?!) , but have enjoyed having a structure to follow.

@Autumnleaves82 thanks for the tip re CG workouts. Dinner for us tonight is a kind of fajita style turkey mince made-up dish (loosely based on cheesey beef casserole I mentioned above).

Hi!

I weighed 8st 11.25 lbs today, but I don’t believe I’ve actually lost 4lbs in 4 days. So am expecting a jump in the scales at some point but trying to keep under 9st for the rest of the week which I’d be really happy with.

I’m mainly eating eggs, protein and veg but still too much alcohol alongside. I think the alcohol is a bit of an issue as it definitely helps my anxiety in the short term, but I’d really like to be able to cut that down a lot, both for the calories and because I know long term it’s not good for mental (or physical) health either.

@tigerbear I’m also v similar to you. My tummy and upper thighs are where I put weight on, and I can’t ignore it now. I was about 7.5st in my twenties, then 8-8.5 in my thirties and was just over 9 when I joined this thread. I’d like to reverse or at least pause this upward trend now.

Lazy tonight I’m having m and s slow cooked beef with preprepped roast Mediterranean veg. Dh and dc will have mash with it which I’ll skip. Then try and get some steps in after dinner before an early night so I don’t boredom eat/drink

God it's so hard. We went to a wedding last week and I saw a pic of myself. I do look a bit bigger but also I think the weight is ageing me

How do people stay away from crap food? We have easter eggs left and I'm dying to eat one .

Hello can I join? I’m a week into my loosing a stone journey. So I’m 50 this year so in the throes of menopause and have put on a stone. I’m just under 5ft 4 and was about 10 stone 2lbs the heaviest I’ve ever been. Until about 6-12 months ago I was around 9 stone and before that 8 1/2 which I know I’ll never get back to but 9 stone would be ok. I am very small framed, have tiny wrists etc all the weight is on my stomach, hips and bum. I can’t do much exercise as I have a chronic sin condition.

Last week I cut out all processed sugar and lost 2lbs which could just be water. This week will be the real tell.

@GreenYodaFace I have a few strategies for that one, all varying in ´idealness’

1. Have a sugar free fizzy drink as a distraction, and see if that stems the craving.
2. Sometimes I allow myself a really nice cordial type drink which is still calories, but nowhere near as many as chocolate etc
3. Hardcore but best - brush your teeth and see if that puts you off/deters.

I've been sticking to my calorie allowance for three days now. It's a high allowance- 1600 per day - and I'm still finding myself hungry at the end of the day and certainly eating much less than before, so i think that explains why I've been putting weight on!

MFP still annoying but I've been logging my calories the night before so that I don't forget/give up. And I know I've got a big bowl of lentil chili to look forward to tonight which helps!

I am an anxious person as well and was also relying a bit on alcohol- my nerves were frayed by dinnertime and a glass of wine would calm down those spiraling thoughts - but honestly not drinking is so much better! The first few days are hard as you have the anxiety at full strength but then I find by day 3 or 4 things are already so much better!

@sweetkitty, @GreenYodaFace welcome! @GreenYodaFace, I guess we all struggle with different things. For me, sweet things are not a temptation but cheese and wine are my nemesis. It sounds really simple, but one strategy is to simply get rid of the crap food and not buy it again. E.g. I had to stop having peanut butter in the house as I love it too much. I know that isn't easy if you live with other people who don't need to stay away from certain things though. I second the advice from @GrazeConcern of going and brushing your teeth.

No change on the scales for me this morning so still only a 1lb loss in a week. I have been great food-wise but we have been enjoying a few wines over the bank holiday weekend so not surprising, but disappointng nonethless. On the plus side, my stomach is way flatter so something must be happening. Am doubling down this week, definitely no alcohol for a few days and keeping my activity/workouts regular and consistent, and at least 12k steps daily. Keep going everyone!

Hi, this is exactly the thread I needed to see this morning. I also would like to lose a stone but would be happy with ten pounds. I am 42, 5'3 and 9stone 6. For many years, I was around 8'9 and was happy at that weight. I was a size 8 then. Since lockdown (common theme) and also being in a fairly new relationship- the weight has crept on.

I must admit, I have considered weight loss injections too.

I know EXACTLY what you all mean when you talk to people about your weight and they say 'but you're a size 10! You don't need to lose any weight'. I feel awful in my body, flabby. A lot of my clothes don't fit properly now so I wear a lot of baggy stuff. Weight goes to my stomach and arms. Eurgh, it's tough being an apple shape!

Diet wise, I am pretty good but definitely eat more carbs. I am very much a savoury person and love crisps and dips.

I have a holiday coming up so would love to lose a few pounds before that.

@rereturner That’s great that you saw a loss on the scales yesterday. Well done! Do you know how many calories you’re eating per day?

Welcome @sweetkitty and @chainsinnalice

@Chubbybetty That’s great that you’re noticing your stomach is flatter. Hope today has been positive for you.

I weighed 8st11 this morning, so I’ve also lost a pound over the last week. But frustratingly, still heavier than before Easter. I’m currently weighing and logging everything on Nutracheck - partly to track calories but also to track protein and fibre.

How’s everyone else doing?

Hi everyone, such a busy day! However kept to planned meals on the whole and finished the day either a 90 min walk. I also felt better in my jeans today than I have done recently. Welcome @chainsinnalice you’re right that Covid is a common weight gain theme!

Onwards and downwards!

I’ve had a good day food wise - even resisted the snack trolley at work today which was loaded with treats. I’ve stopped taking sugar in my tea and am trying to cut out most of my processed sugar intake.

Thank you all for this thread. It's just what I needed to hear. I'm 4.11 and so I understand how every extra pound shows. I'm happier at 120lb I'm currently 133lb so have a lot of work to do. Too much cheese and wine so need to knock that on the head!

Similar ish boat here - am 41, 5”3 and my weight hovers around 62-63kg which is just under 10 stone. It’s too heavy and it’s all on my boobs and tummy. I also have endometriosis related bloating so my tummy feels and looks huge to me!

I’ve been following 16:8 fasting for about a year; it did help me lose weight at first but I’ve relaxed quite a bit (Christmas then DH 40th then Easter then house move) and the weight has crept up.

I like wine and I don’t exercise!! I know I need to address the latter particularly, but I have a 2yo and 5yo and have very little time for myself!