Going up

[LizzieG101]

Beyond discouraged. Have stayed within calorie guidelines and introduced more activity but have gone up to 13st 2lb. Am wondering if I have a thyroid problem. I'm on levothyroxine (25mg) and my bloods don't alarm the GP. But I feel very low now!

[Daisy1925]

Dear LizzieG101

Don't panic, don't beat yourself up, don't. give up or try anything extreme. Fluctuations are normal.

I have been on thyroxin 100 mcg for many years. Despite this I have been able to lose weight this year. If the GP is monitoring your thyroxin blood levels you will be on the right dosage

Have you already lost some weight? If so be pleased what you have achieved and remind yourself that you can do it. Remember what motivated you to want to lose weight in the first place. Hold on to that. Going 'on a diet' notoriously does not work in the long term. We need to change our eating and activity habits in a way we can sustain for life.

Be kind to yourself. Daisy1925

[LizzieG101 in reply to Daisy1925]

Thank you for your kind encouragement - I joined this forum because I was three stone overweight and now I am three stone + 6lb. Is this more than a glitch? Or just a glitch? I'm confused. But grateful for your advice.

[Daisy1925 in reply to LizzieG101]

Dear LizzieG101

All I can do is share my weight loss journey with you but we are all different so take from it what is useful and ignore the rest.

I am nearly 65, 5' 5" tall and apart from an underactive thyroid I have some joint issues - but nothing I cannot live with and only need the occasional paracetamol if they are keeping me awake at night. All my adult life I have experienced depression but the antidepressants I was taking were not really working and were stimulating my appetite. Additionally as I have got older I really struggle to control my alcohol intake - a big part of my weight gain problems in recent years. With the support of my GP I came off my antidepressants very slowly without any ill effect and managed to extend a dry January into mid April when I had a blip. I am off the 'juice' at present and approaching it one day at a time as the AA jargon goes.

At the beginning of January I was my biggest (non-pregnant) self ever at 12 stones 8 lbs and was at the top end of the BMI overweight zone. My waist was 38" and none of my size 14s fitted so had to by new clothes. I was seriously unfit - running for a bus nearly killed me. I really did not want to go out at all. My sister and best friend had serious health problems around Christmas too which was a wake up call. I needed to do something about my health generally and weight in particular.My Mum was overweight, smoked like a trooper and drank like a fish. She had ill health from my age and died at 69 only 4 years older than me now!.

The first and most important thing I did was read a book by a clinical psychologist and dietician called Overcoming Weight Problems which helped me understand my issues with food, and weight gain. It uses a CBT approach and problem solving to address issues and wobbles on the journey. The book said, basically diets rarely work in the long term especially 'faddy' ones which offer huge weight loss which is quickly followed by weight gain with interest as soon as you stop. I really absorbed and followed the advice of the book. I recorded all my reasons for wanting to lose weight; health and longevity being the main factors but vanity was in there too! The authors say motivation is the key and forget about will power. I then came up with a weight loss plan which was to Eat Less and Move More. I have not been 'on a diet' but have had a change of lifestyle - which is for the long term.

Eat Less - 1400 calories is the advised amount for my weight, height, age, and activity levels so I record everything I eat and drink. I aim for a healthy balanced diet with lots of whole food and natural ingredients but nothing is actually forbidden. I have naturally cut out sugar and processed food etc.. I never buy 'diet' or 'low fat' foods. I cook nearly everything from scratch but that is no different from usual for me.

Move More - the book suggested that the single most useful device you might consider is a pedometer. I bought and have used daily a Fitbit which counts steps, works out miles, minutes of activity and a lot more beside. I link it to my computer and have found it incredibly motivating. I also record my calorific intake on the computer. There is some controversy over how accurate fitness devices are at calculating energy used up but that does not bother me as I am only comparing my own performance over time. It is good to see that calories in are in balance with calories out. I am averaging over 20000 steps and 7 miles a day but I have a personal fitness canine called Rusty who is always up for a power walk over the South Downs. I have even started adding some gentle jogging to increase my cardiovascular exercise.

The Result. I have lost 38 lbs, my BMI score is in the healthy range and my waist is now 30 inches. My size 16s have been packed away and I am wearing clothes I never thought I would get into again. I want to lose another 7 lbs and then settle into a range between 9 stone and 9 stone 4lbs. I am beginning to think about strategies to maintain my weight loss and will definitely joining the Maintainers club on this web site.

This is all a bit long and I hope it helps. I wish you success but not luck as luck has nothing to do with it.

Best wishes Daisy1925

[LizzieG101 in reply to Daisy1925]

I've read all this with great attention. Thank you so much for sharing. Am now resting after a bad night - preteaching adrenaline! So will start again - in hope tomorrow.

[Beatingthis in reply to Daisy1925]

Hello Daisy I enjoyed your comment very interesting and motivational. I live in Spain and eating and drinking is part of most people's lives however, I enjoy to prepare my own meals and eat healthy but the glass of wine does creep in. Also find it difficult at times as I own a bar when I am busy I do not have a drink in the bar but when we are about to close and 2or so people are in the bar and say just one more and you really want to go home I find myself saying can't beat them join them. The next day sometimes exercise goes through the window because I am sooo tired even though I feel much better for it then I tend to comfort eat find it difficult to lose these lbs ideally would like to lose 1 stone I know it can be done wish everyone good luck

[YellowRose55]

Morning LizzieG101

I can understand you feeling frustated with your weight going in the wrong diresction when your working so hard to lose it. Have you checked your BMI lately to make sure your eating the right amount of calories? I know your not really new to the forum but as it been a while I thought I would introduce to you what we have on the forum now.

Take a look at the Welcome Newbie post in the Pinned post section at the right hand side or at the bottom if your on a mobile. Have a look at the nhs 12 week plan, many members have had success following this plan. Use the BMI checker to work out your daily calorie allowance.

Have a look at the Daily Diary which you can find on the Home page in Events. It is where all the members are sharing their daily plans on what they are eating and any exercise they are doing. This thread will give you some ideas on how to start.

Below the Pinned posts are the Topics where members share a range of weight related subjects.

Take your measurements at the start together with a photo so you can see the changes on the days the scales don't move.

We have daily weigh ins so why not come along and join us today. You can find the weigh ins on the Home page in the Events section on the right. Just click on the post in Events and record your start weight and any loss/gain or maintain for the week.

To get the most of the forum be active, share tips, recipes and experiences. Read some of the posts they are very motivating.

Rose

[elliebath Maintainer]

Is this a big gain or just a few pounds? Was it gradual or sudden? If so, click on my profile and see my post this morning... its about how a sudden gain can occur from the type of food we eat, even though we're within calorie allowance ..

[LizzieG101 in reply to elliebath]

I joined the forum at 3stone overweight, now I'm 3st 6lb overweight. I do have difficult home circs but am not over-indulging in anyway. It's so discouraging with everything else that's going on. But thank you. I will look at your posts. They seem erudite.