I have been in denial about my weight gain. I was alway quite petite, we emigrated to UK from South Africa 4 years ago, and I took a national job on the road. Meaning living in hotels Monday-Friday, I have put on 20 kg in these 4 years! I feel not myself, and don’t even know where to begin. The worst is pictures and mirrors, no clothes fit. I am going back to visit family and I am dreading what my family will think of me in this fat body. I have tried diets and lifestyle changes but living on the road I’m so tired and finding it so hard to loose weight and eat healthy in hotels/ restaurants. My job is such a blessing but also a bit of a curse. I know I need to make a change but feel I have put on so much weight I don’t even know where to start.
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Your family will be happy to see you when you go to see them.😀👍 They love you and will be happy to help with your weight loss goals.😀👍 You can always let them know you are trying to loose weight and you want their help. When are you going to see them?
Have you talked with your doctor about doing a low carb high protein diet? It helps me personally with weight loss and blood sugar control (I’m a type 1 Diabetic who also uses insulin and a Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM)).
Thank you so much for replying 🤗 I’m going on Friday for 2 weeks. I’m a bridesmaid at my best friends wedding so feeling double ashamed to be looking like this in her wedding photos 🤪 thank you for your kind words, I’m feeling better. I will make an appointment with GP to ask about your low carb suggestion. I think that would work great. Do I have to discuss first with GP or do you think I could just try it?
To be sure you can do the diet safely, you’re going to see your doctor, first so you don’t have any issues. I talked with my Endocrinologist about the diet and he thought it was a great idea for me since my blood sugars were higher when I didn’t eat low carb high protein.😀👍
Hello and welcome back to the Weight Loss Forum 26033242
The best advice I can give is have enough to eat. If you are following the NHS 12 Week plan then the 1400/1900 calorie target suggested is a just generic amount, please check your own personal calorie target using the BMI checker, it’s often higher than you think. We always advise starting towards the top of the range, being hungry is the biggest cause of weight loss failure.
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I HATE photos of myself. I don't look anything like the me that I have in my head.
I have started Low Carb High Fat along with Intermittent Fasting. I have also had a bet with my husband to see who can lose the most in 4 weeks. To be honest that has been the best motivation as I am very competitive. Every time I have been tempted to eat something 'naughty' I just ask myself if I want to win or not!!
This last week (2 wks in) I have started to feel so much better and can really see a difference which I know will keep me going after the 4 weeks are up.
I rarely enjoy breakfast so it is easy for me to not eat in the morning. I am trying (not always convenient) to not eat after 7pm. Last night we were working outside until 8.30pm so although I cooked chicken and veg for hubby I just had a thin soup. Red onion and handful of mushrooms lightly fried in butter and then added a beef stock cube with water. It was actually very tasty and filling but didn't lie heavy and I had a great night sleep.
I will have a good LCHF lunch at around 1pm and then something at around 5.30pm as I have to go out this evening and won't get home until around 9pm. If I am hungry when I get home I will have a decaf or herbal tea which is enough.
If I am hungry in the morning I have a coffee with a splash of double cream and that keeps me going until lunchtime. I have also kept myself busy so I don't think about food too much.
As others have said your family and friends will just be pleased to see you when you go back to SA and it is really important that you enjoy your holiday. I would just try to cut out refined carbs, bread, pasta etc and drink more water to start.
Remember that it has taken 4 years for you to put 20kg don't beat yourself up if it takes a little while to throw it all away again.
Good luck with your weight loss journey and have a fabulous holiday.
Hi 👋 willbetrim, thank you so so much for your kind words, and your excellent advice! I think a healthy competition with the husband is great! Will definitely do this ! Like the idea of LCHF, read loads about it and seems to suit my eating habits best. Thanks again for your lovely post , feeling better I’m not alone 😎
Definitely worth taking a look. We are having a barbecue with family this evening and there is so much food that I can eat. Home made sausages, steak and salad. I will avoid the new potatoes, bread and sauces. Then for dessert my daughter has made meringues which I will avoid (pure sugar!) but I can have the strawberries and cream. I have realised that my body doesn't like wine (menopause I think) so I will just drink sparkling water with ice and lemon, lovely on a warm evening.
I know exactly what you mean! I was a size 6-8UK dress size runner and then I had to go for spinal surgery. I also used to run to manage stress. And I too have put on 15kg and freaking out.
I would recommend two things is you have a healthy skeleton/ joints: but yourself some quality ASICS trainers and put on your favourite music and do a walk run as soon as you wake up (drink water and barocca upon rising) .
Then cut out bad carbs (white trash: pasta/rice/bread) and eat meat and salad or meat and veg every meal until you leave for SA. Check out NHS Couch yo 5k app or Sweat with Kayla apps.
You will be fine and don’t worry about the skinner. They too will have their issues and if they love you they won’t really care. (But depending on how much time you have until you head back- you should shave off a few kilo with the above). Best of luck!
Well you've started by coming on here so well done for that. Admin will send you some links read them and see what you think will fit you best and good luck. I remember looking at my 50th bday pics and thinking is that really me!!!! And in next year I lost 5 stone but here I am 12 years later 3 stone heavier but this time I'm going to keep it off
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Mirrors :( what changes have you all made?
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Will I ever lose weight again?! :(
New and needing direction 
