Serious struggles

[HannahLeah95]

I am a 23 year old medical student. I played football for over 10 years but stopped when I moved away from my home town. Since then I have gained almost 3 stone. I have lost maybe half a stone but am still nowhere near where I want to be. I’m struggling, big time, to have confidence in anything, especially going out. I run non stop, I exercise, I do weights. I struggle with foods. I find I have to blend or hide vegetables to be able to get them into my diet, but I do get them one way or another. I religiously drink 2-3 litres of water a day and still see no difference, in fact, I look, feel and weigh worse. It’s very demoralising and getting to the point where I won’t go out, and if I have to go out then I’ll cover myself up. I feel like I am pushing my partner away and I just really really need help.

I went to the GP to test my thyroids, apparently they’re working fine. I’m at the end of my tether with it now and I don’t know what else to do. I have a wedding coming up in August and the thought of it sends my anxiety into overdrive.

Hannah x

[BridgeGirl Administrator 2 stone]

Hello, HannahLeah95, and welcome to the forum

Exercise has many benefits so keep up with whatever you enjoy, but it will not make much difference to your weight: that is very largely down to what you eat. Good on you for getting vegetables into your diet as they are central: maybe trying out different ways of preparing them will help you find some that you enjoy. You'll find lots of ideas on our Daily Diary.

About the water: I know this idea of us needing to drink 2 litres a day or more is widespread but it is just a myth with no scientific basis mcgill.ca/oss/article/healt...

I'll give you a few things that offer a different approach from 'calories in calories out' advice we've been given for decades, while we all piled on the pounds

phcuk.org/wp-content/upload...

dietdoctor.com/all-calories...

youtu.be/h0zD1gj0pXk(Not working as expected?)

And so to the forum. This explains how it works and how to find your way around. I recommend joining a weekly weigh-in on the day of your choice, and using the Daily Diary for meal planning healthunlocked.com/nhsweigh...

I would advise you to lack any posts, especially as you're sharing a photo and a fair amount of identifying information. Further information here healthunlocked.com/nhsweigh...

Finally, please DO NOT use the app as it doesn't give access to key areas of the forum: always use the full website whatever device you have.

Wishing you success in making the changes and reaching your goals

[babss 2 stone]

So sorry to hear you’re having such a struggle, there is a lot of knowledge and support on here which I am sure will help.

Just a thought, I wonder whether you need some psychological support in addition to that the forum can offer you? As well as your concerns about your weight, and the associated frustrations and anxiety, you are also studying medicine which is extremely tough! Is there anyone at uni that could give you some emotional support? Or see if your GP can signpost you to local services?

Wishing you the very best of luck

[BridgeGirl Administrator 2 stone in reply to babss]

Good suggestion, babss

[Tiggerr]

Welcome Hannah and well done for losing that 1/2 stone.

If you let this forum help you and by that, I mean use it regularly and let it become part of your daily life then you will achieve the progress that you're looking for. If using this forum daily sounds intense and a lot of trouble, imagine how much time we all spend buying, preparing and eating food... better to do it all the right way.

The forum members are some of the most fantastic people you'll ever meet, they are caring, helpful and knowledgeable and you can ask a question, whatever it is, at any time of the day or week.

To give you an insight into one part of what happens here, see if you can take time to read through today's Daily Diary...

healthunlocked.com/nhsweigh...

Good luck and hope to see you around

[Diane2]

Come and join us on the Sunday weigh-in page Hannah even if just to say "hi" at first, every step is a step forward. It'll be "open" for posting from 9pm tonight. I imagine in playing football you'll have been used to tactics/planning how to maximise success? Learning to put together meals that help you achieve healthy weight will also involve some planning. Things are achievable bit by bit. Hope you feel able to tell your partner what is going on for you?