A very long road

[tuppyl2]

A large part of the problem with weight loss (for me, anyway) is exactly that, it's a very long road. Just two years ago, I was 9 1/2 st, a not unhealthy weight for someone of my shorter stature (5ft 6") and I LOVED my body. The problem is I didn't have to work to be that skinny, it was the result of my very first heartbreak where I spent 3 months eating literally nothing but sorbet and not very much of it at that!

So when my ex and I broke up, I thought "Sweet, I can lose the few pounds I put back on, because I'll be all sad" and thought it one of the upsides. But, of course, it didn't happen and I comfort ate until that gorgeous skinny me was long gone. And two years later, I'm still the size I was after the comfort eating. I've gone up two dress sizes and I truly hate my body, but because of how easy it was the first time, I'm having such a hard time getting up the will power to stop eating all those lovely cakes I bake and go out for a walk.

My current partner loves how I look and thinks me the most gorgeous girl ever, however, he's admitted he'd love to see me how I was, if not just for me to be happy again, and we both want to lose weight, but we just can't seem to get up and go do it!!!

I know it sounds whiney, but it's so hard and it takes soo long, there's not instant results and the combination of the two make me give in to the sweet treats every time. :/

[jane010669]

Hi if it helps I am a keen cake maker and bread maker and general feeder of the family. At christmas I was 11st 10lb and am only 5ft 4. I have stuck at it and made 8st 3 in April which is a bit light am about 8st 9 and holding steady at the minute. The way I looked at it was just half a stone at a time is equal to 14 packs of butter which is a lot of fat, I made a chart and bought a new item of clothing every time I lost half a stone. Also it is only a few months out of a life time. Yes maintaining is not easy if you love cooking and eating but I find if I weigh myself every day and if I go over say 9st then be good really good ie fast for two or three days it comes off. Good luck and really I know how hard it is when you have a long way to go and you love to cook.

[lyndie123 in reply to jane010669]

love the idea of treating youself every half stone you lose. I'm going to do that now. Nice to have a reward for all the hard work.

[jane010669]

I thinks that is true Concerned, but it isnt all about health for lots of people especially women. I could eat a lot more than I do but I choose to make sacrifices as I like to stay a the lower end of my BMI. I am sorry to say my weight loss is pure vanity not health. I have always been slim and only put on weight over the last couple of years even at my heaviest my bmi was 27. As you get older you do need a lot less food and you need to exercise more to stay slim. Unfortunately I love the good things in life I have always cooked from scratch and yes that includes bread, jam, cakes etc as you say it is about balance but an apple or scone with jam and clotted cream, i would rather the scone and make the sacrifice the following day. This works for me may not be for everyone.

[fitterinfo in reply to jane010669]

Even though you say " I am sorry to say my weight loss is pure vanity not health." a by product of being at a BMI of 27 or less has a by product of being much more healthy than at a greater than 30 or larger BMI.

So regardless of motive you have some great health benefits. Luckily a healthy body is able to deal safely with a wide variety of intake.

I don't think you should be the slightest concerned by enjoying home made bread, jam or cakes. If your BMI has not exceeded 27 you clearly have a good balance overall! There are a myriad or portion control and exercise variables you can tweak before having to look at the "bread, jam, cakes, scones and clotted cream".

[fitterinfo]

It might be different for each different person.

Some people "like" a very regimented relatively rapid route and then ease off others a long and slow route. Before the calorie police start on me I of course mean within the NICE guidelines snigger!

But 2.2 pounds in a week equates (assuming we use the 3,500 kCal rule) to a deficit of -1,100 kCals per day but you shift a kilogram in 7 days.

A 100 kCals per day deficit and that same kg takes 77 days to shift.

So short term big changes or long term changes both are legitimate and safe routes but might suit different people.

Likewise some people like the idea of a 2 week all inclusive free for all others do not.

[fitterinfo]

By my calculations you started at a BMI of 22.8 which is what you equate to "that gorgeous skinny me"

You also mention you have been at your current weight "I've gone up two dress sizes and I truly hate my body" for 2 years.

Two dress sizes can vary considerably person to person so all we know that you need to do something different to change from "set point two" the "skinny + 2 dress sizes you" back to the original BMI 22.8 version of you.

It can be a pleasurable gentle change journey or a hardcore blitz that is your choice.

I personally believe it makes sense to try different approaches and see what works for you. Listen to all the advice but learn from you own experiences.

Taking the 1 kg week as a max - that is minus 1 kg in a week or -1,100 kCals per day. At a modest 100 kCals a day that same 1 kg takes 77 days to shift.

The only thing I am sure about is that doing the same things and expecting a different result is a route to frustration!

[Mandy1953]

I'm just starting out (again) to lose weight. In the past I have been your typical yo yo dieter. I am, at the moment, my heaviest weight yet. I know the road seems long but with the help and encouragement you will receive from us I'm sure you and your partner will succeed. I have tried every slimming club out there but they have never been sustainable this time I know it is going to be different. With weight management educating me it's going to be tough to shed the Wright but such a good learning curve getting there.