After years of yoyo-dieting, I'm trying something new

[Finding_Fitness]

The photo is me in May 2020 having lost a whole bunch of weight - going from a UK size 20 to a UK 14, and only 20lbs away from my target weight. I'm using it as my inspiration and motivation because, unfortunately, I ended up putting the weight back on, plus more - a lot more! Classic yoyo-dieting right?!

I first began serious dieting in 2009, the year I turned 40. I'd always been a healthy weight but I'd had a bereavement in 2006 and ended up gaining more than 6st. I didn't know it then, but I had just began a journey of starve and binge, all or nothing. A journey of becoming obsessed with food: what I could eat. What I should avoid. Counting calories, or syns, or points, or carbs. Being ruled by the scales. A journey that was horrid really. Emotionally and mentally draining.

I did have "successes". In 2015 I worked really hard at diet and fitness and dropped over 7st, going from a UK 24/26 to a UK size 8/10. I initially felt fantastic. I'd literally got my 17yr-old- self's body back. I took my kids on holiday the following year and wore short shorts with little tops... but inside I was anxious and afraid. Still obsessed with what I should or shouldn't eat. I also had a lot of folk telling me I'd become too skinny. And that's another thing: no matter what size you are, some folk will always judge you..

Anyway, back to today. I have been struggling for a long time now. Trying and failing. And I gradually realised that I was sick and tired, mentally and physically, of the whole business of dieting. So I've signed up to a free trial of Slimpod. There's no eating plan to follow. You just have to listen to this 9 minute pod every night. And keep a gratitude diary/record positive things. Also, it helps to create a goalmap/mood board (the photo I shared is part of mine because, although I have been a lot slimmer in the past, I really like how I felt on that day. It was a scary time, in the middle of Covid. But on that day, my kids and I had gone to the park and I felt light enough to climb on the equipment!

I have only had the programme since the early hours of yesterday morning, so I've no idea if it will work. But my dream is that I learn to trust my body again. That I instictively know what is healthy and what is not, and that I don't need to obsess about food anymore. Or go through mental gymnastics, to see if it's ok to have pizza (or whatever), if I go for a run. Or starve myself tomorrow.

In short I want my life back and to eat like a "normal" healthy person. I'm not sure if I'm allowed to stay in this group. But I'm hoping so because I've made some lovely friends on here.. you know who you are..

Anyway thanks for reading. If indeed you still are 😁

EDIT forgot to say I got weighed yesterday and was 16st 4

[BridgeGirl Administrator 2 stone]

Wishing you all the best

[Finding_Fitness in reply to BridgeGirl]

Thanks! I'm guessing that means I can stay 😁

[BridgeGirl Administrator 2 stone in reply to Finding_Fitness]

😸

[purple_ums_2 Restart Sept 2024 Restart July 2024]

I totally relate to the energy of your post. I’m sorry to hear you’re struggling . Sending and wishing you all the best as you take the path ahead. I hope it works out for you and you find some peace within yourself.

I’d love to hear how it goes so you should stay haha x

[Finding_Fitness in reply to purple_ums_2]

Thank-you so much! 😊 I am definitely staying, but probably won't weigh in very much.

[gman1961 Restart April 2024]

Don't worry about not weighing in too much Finding _Fitness.It's being here that matters .Wishing you all the best ,

Gary

[Finding_Fitness in reply to gman1961]

Thanks Gary! 😊 I'm hoping to share my progress in other ways, like going down clothes sizes, or non scale victories

[gman1961 Restart April 2024 in reply to Finding_Fitness]

Definitely,nothing better than getting in smaller sized clothes or noticing a change in body shape .That picture should definitely inspire you .

Good luck FF,

Gary

[Lynne64 Restart Jan 2024]

Oh I can so relate to your post. I had always been a healthy weight, back in the days when food was simply stuff you ate when you were hungry. Then in 2010, my daughter took her own life. At some point the following year I found out that food offered comfort. And so began years of misery...yo yo dieting as I struggled to find myself again. My food issues are now just an ingrained habit that I'm learning to break and I'm doing well. All the very best to you

[Finding_Fitness in reply to Lynne64]

I'm so sorry for your loss, but super pleased to hear you are doing well and finding yourself again. Take care 🩵

[Cockneyblue 2lbs Restart Jan 2024]

This is a lovely post. Thanks for sharing. So many of us let food consumption take us over. Good luck with the Slimpod I really hope it works for you.

[Finding_Fitness in reply to Cockneyblue]

Aaw thank-you so much! It did feel odd, not automatically jumping on the scales first thing this morning (after a healthy day yesterday), and also not recording what I'm eating.. but it also feels like a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders ☺️

[Arthrath 7lbs]

I can relate to your post. Wishing you success 🌹

Please let us know how you get on. What you liked. The pitfalls. The positives.

Rooting for you.🌻

[Finding_Fitness in reply to Arthrath]

Aaw thank-you so much! I'm only on Day 3, but I'm really excited as it's something totally new 😊

[Climb007]

Good luck with the new weight loss programme. I am rooting for you. I know you can do it because you did it before. As some one famous once said ..its not about how many times we fall that counts...its how many times we get back up that matter 💜

[TheTabbyCat Administrator 16kg in reply to Climb007]

Welcome back Climb007 and thanks for your support.

I'm sure that you can remember your way around our forum, but incase you need a reminder of where things,are here's the link to our pinned posts .

healthunlocked.com/weight-l...

I hope to see you around, again

[Finding_Fitness in reply to Climb007]

Thank-you so much! And lovely to see you back 😘

[WildRedHair]

I wish for your success. Sometimes it takes a while to figure out what plan works for us. You can do this.

[Finding_Fitness in reply to WildRedHair]

Thank-you! 🙂

[Wine 7st 7lbs]

Love your plan and it's all about what is right for youGratitude is brilliant

Really enjoy slim pod and eat well... Hope you will still be active so hope 2c you on fit is fun

Have a gorgeous fabulous wonderful Easter 🐰🐥🐥🐥🐣🐇🐇🐣🐣😊

[Finding_Fitness in reply to Wine]

Thanks Wine! I'm really enjoying doing the Gratitude diary. I'd forgotten how good it is to consciously look for the positives every day! And I'm amazed that I've already started caring a little bit more about myself. Just little things: like today I found myself randomly deciding to give my feet some TLC, and then going shopping in a dress with sandals, rather than leggings, big tee and trainers 😀Enjoy your Easter too 🐣🐥🐰🪻

[Wine 7st 7lbs in reply to Finding_Fitness]

I am so happy for you... Its definitely small steps and isn't it a wonderful feeling... So brilliant.... Really really feeling your positivity and loving it 😁

[Finding_Fitness in reply to Wine]

🥰🥰

[PhotographerGirl 1st 7lbs]

My friend at work is doing slimpod. She said its really helping and she's slowly loosing. You've got this 💪💪

[Finding_Fitness in reply to PhotographerGirl]

Thanks! 😊 I know it doesn't work for everyone (from the reviews), but I'm hoping I'll be one of the 95% 🤞