Looking for my lost determination!

[Rozee]

I'm quite surprised to find myself here, as I've always had a fairly stable weight (outside of pregnancies and child birth), but after I stopped breastfeeding my twins, my weight has crept up and I'm finding it hard to shift. I've never "dieted" before. If I needed to lose weight, I'd just up my regular exercise and go for a couple of runs a week and the weight would drop off. No more!

I've been hovering around the 8st 12lb mark for the last six months, lose a pound or two and instantly put it back on again. I've clearly lost control of portion size as, since I've been counting calories this week, I'm eating a lot less than I would have done.

Anyway, after half a week of being reasonably strict (trying to stay around the 1200 calories mark using Myfitnesspal), I've lost a pound and am 8st 11lb. I'm of to the gym for a run now to keep up my motivation and determination!

My goal is back to my "normal" weight of 7st 12lb.

[Hidden]

That's about my goal weight Rozee  but have a lot more to shift than you (3.5 stone!) You've got off to a great start and you'll find plenty of support on here. There's a Newbie post you should look at, I'd post a link but it doesn't seem to work. Perhaps one of the admins, moreless  will? Anyway welcome and good luck! X

[Rozee in reply to Hidden]

Thanks, Jem. What are your strategies for losing weight? I've never had to watch calories before, but, that said, we had a horrible Winter here in Wales and I ate a lot more chocolate in the evenings (and drank a lot more gin!) I', really surprised how the weight has crept up - or how hard it is to shift it. I blame my age, I'm in my late 40s now!

[Hidden in reply to Rozee]

I'm in my early 40's but the weight piled on with medication. I've changed meds and am doing the NHS 12 week weight loss plan...week 4 starts today. So basically calorie counting, not much sugar but the odd G&T like you and a treat here and there! I still eat out but count it and make allowances on other days. You've still got to live! What part of beautiful Wales are you in? I lived for a few years in the north and love it there. Weight does get harder to shift I believe with age but it's not impossible! Exercise is important too if you can. I manage a gentle gym workout. Best of luck to you Rozee  x

[Rozee in reply to Hidden]

The older you get the more complications there seem to be getting in the way of staying a healthy weight! Stress, pregnancy, long hours, illness and meds, other pressures on your time, comfort eating - and drinking!

I'm trying really hard to prioritise my exercise because, when I do, I feel so much better about myself. I try to go running in the beautiful woodlands that surround our home in Pembrokeshire. (I can't run on the road, it kills my joints!) Weather is so changeable though, that I also try to get to the gym. I really lost my exercise mojo over the Winter (everyone gets depressed here. It rained in biblical proportions!). I've a better routine now and am running about twice a week of late. I go with the dog or my son, who's nine. He doesn't run as much as me, but happy to be out with the hound and listening to his music.

Yesterday, I had (oven) fish and chips for tea, but managed to stay around my target calories because I'd been for a run in the gym and burned 350 calories there

How was yesterday for you?

[Hidden in reply to Rozee]

Yesterday was good thanks Rozee , it was just today that's gone to pot! My best friend visited and we really indulged in food but I'm not going to dwell on it. If I keep going tomorrow I think I can still get a loss this week :-).  How have you done today?  I will gym the rest of the week. I used to run but fibro and knee problems are getting in the way but I hope losing some weight will make it easier. How far and how long do you run for? It's great your boy goes with you. Hope you have a good day tomorrow x

[Rozee in reply to Hidden]

Saving grace was running for twenty minutes whilst my twins (aged 6) biked it in wobbly fashion to the local wildlife reserve.

I'm not the greatest runner, but can manage 4 or 5k twice a week.

[muffintop67 in reply to Rozee]

Yep I second that I am in late 40's too and its taking longer to lose this time than ever before. Just trying to stick to about 1200 - 1300 calories a day and up the exercise.  Seem to be losing about 1lb a week so although its slow at least I am losing it bit by bit. You will get there

[Rozee]

My mum's had a stroke and I'm stressed. I've hit the G&Ts! These things are sent to try us x