Hello everyone

[Filling-the-gap]

Well this lock down isn't doing me any good. I'd lost half a stone on slimming world just before this all started and now I've put it back on. Realistically I need to loose 6 stone which feels like a mountain to climb. I need to turn the tide as its getting me down so I would welcome any friendship, help and support you lovely people can give me x

[IndigoBlue61]

Hello and Welcome to the Weight Loss Forum Filling-the-gap

You are not alone, many of us are struggling to stick to plan, partly because of anxiety but also a lot to do with boredom. Keeping busy does help, but this forum is also very helpful

If you haven’t already then please read the Pinned Posts here healthunlocked.com/nhsweigh... Please read it carefully so you can find all the information you need to find your way around.

As a peer to peer support group we rely heavily upon mutual encouragement. Nothing beats joining in, reading posts and replying to others. Our Group Weigh-in and the Daily Diary are probably the best places to start

Best wishes in your weight loss journey

Indigo 😊

[Filling-the-gap in reply to IndigoBlue61]

Thank you for the lovely welcome xx

[IndigoBlue61 in reply to Filling-the-gap]

You’re very welcome 😊

[Runcazrun]

Hi, i’d just started a new gym programme before the gyms got closed. I’m still working, often from home and I’ve fallen into the pattern of working in PJ’s and trotting to the fridge.

When I log off I go for a bubble bath instead of a walk!

I’ve got about 3 stone to loose and share your frustration!

My hours are a bit long at the moment. When I finally get some spare time I plan to do some healthy batch cooking!

[Filling-the-gap in reply to Runcazrun]

I too am working from home x I work for hmrc so am busy too and work in my pj's til lunch time x when I log off I take my dogs for a walk at the moment, its my eating I can't get right x I know what I need to do but I'm struggling to get into the mindset despite wanting to x I've got about 6st to loose to get into a healthy weight range, I've let it pile on for too long. Really need motivation and encouragement or maybe just a hood kick in the pants lol x

[IndigoBlue61 in reply to Filling-the-gap]

I’m a big fan of planning, and use the Daily Diary every day to help me plan 😊

[Jints1]

Why not join in tomorrow's weight in 🙂x

[Filling-the-gap]

Tomorrow is as good day as any x how do I do that?

[BridgeGirl Administrator 2 stone in reply to Filling-the-gap]

Follow the link to Pinned Posts that Indigo gave you, above. Check out all the posts and you'll find the weigh in and all the other forum activities you can join

[thisfishcan 7lbs]

I've got 6 & half stone to lose. I'm just concentrating at losing half a stone at a time. I've bought myself 6 beautiful bangles, one for each stone. When I've lost a stone I'll be allowed to wear one. Lets stick with it. A year from now we'll have made it. Good luck on your weight loss journey.

[SofaJockey in reply to thisfishcan]

I remember what a mountain 6 stone felt like to work on, but now that it's gone (9 months later) I can really support your point of one small goal at a time. Small steps one after the other and keep going. It works.

[Alideer 1 stone in reply to thisfishcan]

You have a great positive attitude thisfishcan ....and already that first 7lbs has gone forever. I aim for mini goals of half a stone then reward myself....my treat is usually a new nail varnish or at the moment a new crafting kit! Good luck to you 🌼

[Lavender54 in reply to thisfishcan]

That's a lovely idea. Good for you making it into smaller goals, much more achievable. Go for it.

[BridgeGirl Administrator 2 stone in reply to thisfishcan]

That's a great incentive. You'll enjoy them so much.

[May38]

You have a great attitude I live alone no family I am finding it hard myself to stay on track I been trying a pound at a time I will say I got into a pair jeans not been for ages little things like help me in my head after this lockdown I coming out of it fit heather keep up the good work 👍🌈

[BridgeGirl Administrator 2 stone in reply to May38]

That's a great non-scales victory, well done you.

I'm by myself, too, and trying to keep to shopping just once a week, which is very helpful in terms of eating well. I've just stocked up (having a coffee before I sort stuff for the freezer) and there's nothing there that will throw me off-track.

Have you had a look at the Daily Diary yet? That's a good place for planning your meals, having a chat and pinching ideas

[Annekelly58]

It's so difficult, especially now, when boredom nudges your hand towards coffee and biscuits. All we can do is try to keep on track and of course, if it's not in the cupboard you can't eat it, so I'm making sure that biscuits and chocolate aren't on my shopping list. Good luck.

[Hidden]

Don’t be downhearted - it’s taken us all time to get used to this situation. I have 5 stone to lose and I’m beginning today. Today is a new day. Plan what you’re going to eat today and other things you can do to keep yourself occupied. Maybe find an easy exercise video to participate in to make you feel better about yourself. So much of it is in the mind - give yourself positive pep talks - you can do it!

[BridgeGirl Administrator 2 stone in reply to Hidden]

Hello, Crinklechip Welcome to the forum and I'm very sorry we missed you when you replied here some time ago. I hope you're still around

You'll find everything you need to use the forum in our Pinned Posts healthunlocked.com/nhsweigh... I recommend joining a weekly weigh in on the day of your choice, and using the Daily Diary, where members share your meal plans. You'll find plenty of other activities in Pinned Posts so do join in whatever interests you as active participation can be a great boost to your own efforts.

All the best

[Slimmersworld]

Hi I can sympathise as lost stone slimmers world and have put 4 1bs back on as eating carbs mainly ..... not been shopping to get fresh fruit vegetables ...it’s easy to snack whilst home

[Hidden]

I know how depressing it is to lose weight only to regain it all, but try to put a positive spin on it - you've managed to do it before, so can do it again. I have 5 stone to lose to get into the 'healthy' weight range (and that's the top end), so know exactly how you feel. Tomorrow is a new month, so pick yourself up and think about how you lost the half stone and what you ate. Try to keep active and busy (and not too food obsessed) - plan your meals (again not obsessively- there is life outside eating!) and accept that we're not perfect (or we wouldn't be posting here in the first place). Aim for smaller goals - getting that 1/2 stone off to start with and Good Luck.

[BridgeGirl Administrator 2 stone in reply to Hidden]

Lovely, positive ideas there 😊

I would say, though, that the idea "we've done it before and can do it again" is best turned on its head. We've done it before and then gained again so that's not a great pattern to repeat. Whatever way it was done before wasn't sustainable so I would say find a different plan, rather than repeating what you did last time.

All the best 🙂

[Hidden in reply to BridgeGirl]

I think that filling-the-gap found the advice at Slimming World (and presumably the support from other members) worked well for her (or him?) but that she'd found lockdown difficult and that's when the weight gain occurred. I was trying to say that she would still follow the diet plan of Slimming World at home as this did work for her. I agree that losing then re-gaining weight is a terrible pattern and plays havoc with your metabolism but I'm certain that the majority of people here will have done exactly that (over the years, I've probably lost my entire body weight several times). It has to be better to lose, gain, then lose again than to lose, gain and carry on gaining! Too many people look for some miracle tablet or weight-loss plan and I don't believe they exist - loosing weight is about consuming less calories than you use. I'm not a fan of Slimming clubs, but it works for many and doctors often refer obese people to them (at the expense of the NHS) because they know they can work for some people and 'paying' for weight loss costs the NHS less in the long term.

[BridgeGirl Administrator 2 stone in reply to Hidden]

What I mean is that for any of us who have lost and then regained, then we need to question the plan we followed to lose, as it didn't result in sustained loss. And that's what we're all after. So, for a plan to "work", it needs to lead to sustained loss.

Too many of us beat ourselves up about not sticking to a plan when the chances are it's the plan that's at fault, not us. Rather than beating ourselves up about having no willpower or commitment, maybe it's worth looking at what and how we're eating and the physiological effects some foods have.

In my time here, I found this one of the most useful posts I came across healthunlocked.com/nhsweigh...

[Hidden in reply to BridgeGirl]

Still don't agree with you! Re-gaining weight doesn't mean that the method by which you lost it in the first place is 'faulty' - it may simply be that you've over-indulged again. There is no plan that will result in sustained loss if you don't stick to it and don't over-eat afterwards. Insulin resistance to the degree you are talking off in the attached post is 'metabolic syndrome' which can and should be diagnosed by a doctor rather than be given as another excuse for being obese. Of course weight loss is hugely complex but it isn't over-simplistic to say that "consuming more calories than you use, equals weight gain" and "eating fewer calories than you lose will result in weight loss" and no qualified nutritionist will tell you otherwise.

Every time I post here to try to encourage someone to be more positive and stick to their attempts at weight, I am bombarded by those who have some miracle diet to promote (frankly I am astonished that you are an administrator) and who hi-jack the original post. I think it is time I delete myself from this site - trying to find support for myself and to support others here just doesn't work for me.

[Kickupbum 2st 7lbs]

Hi, I can empathise enormously as I have 4 stone to go and was chipping away at it slowly until all this happened.

I am taking a break from weigh in for a while as I had the plague and am slowly clawing back my health. My aim is to feel good and to do exercise to boost the endorphins as we have had so many deaths around here that there seems to be one in every road. So this week I started the Joe Wicks beginners workout which showed how long it is since I'd done exercise and also the Leslie Sansone walk a mile at home.

This is my 5th day and I can sit down without crying now as those exercises hurt my thighs more than I can describe and I'm now doing the 2 mile walk at home though that is a little out of my comfort zone.

The main thing is that when I went to the supermarket, I could push the trolley and not feel so weak that I dreaded loading up into the car and unloading at the other end.

Feel good and be safe and well.

Oops, I've gone on a bit here.

[Subtle_badger in reply to Kickupbum]

And Richard, how are you doing? Don't beat yourself up about the loss of fitness, that's the natural reaction of the body to covid-19. Good work pushing yourself, but make sure you give your body room to recover too.

Hope you are feeling much better this week!

[Kickupbum 2st 7lbs in reply to Subtle_badger]

Thank you so much Subtle_badger for your concern! Yes, it is an uphill struggle but as long as I rest enough, I can be more active inbetween. Weigh in is still a complete no-no, but I can anticipate a time that it might be: maybe in a month. At the moment, anxiety hits when there are carrots and sticks waved about in the name of lock down ending, so that is likely to make me want to hide longer. There is definitely more traffic on the streets when I go out at 7pm to help my son with 2 newspapers rounds (I drive and he jumps out!)

Hope everyone is well and thriving

[leanne2018]

Hows your first week going 😁?

[SuccessfulLoser]

It's difficult enough to lose weight without the additional challenges of the current times.

It's good to have an overall goal in mind - but set little targets for yourself, then it doesn't seem like such a stretch. And each time you reach a little milestone it will motivate you even further.

6st is a lot. But half a stone; make that your first goal. And each time set new little goals. Bit by bit. One day at a time.

When I started my journey I had 75lb to lose.. it seemed so far away. But I set small little goals, and I'm currently 50lb down with 25 more to go.

No fad diets, no fasting, just a balanced diet and exercise.

Be patient and as consistent as you can and if you have any questions just let me know. It's hard to find information online about losing weight in a healthy and sustainable way.

I know you can do this! x

[Hidden]

There all lovely on here and support each other. You’ll do it. We can all stick together.