I'm Ruairi, and I'm a 32 year old guy from Dublin and I'm massively overweight. My weight has now hit over 26 and a half stone.
I work in banking and have been overweight since Junior Cycle at secondary school and now I have completely ballooned in weight. I'm really starting to notice problems that have come about as a result of being this size now - back and hip pain and I get out of breath really easily (sometimes think I'm 82, not 32!). I've dieted dozens of time and have lost the same two stones ten times over, but always end up being heavier than I was when I started once I fall off the wagon.
My diet is shocking. Takeaways, crisps, chocolate, fizzy pop - you name it I eat and drink it, every day. I barely exercise, the walk to/from the tram stop is about as much as I do. I drive everywhere else. I was run over last year (luckily I escaped with bumps and bruises) and it took 8 people to lift the stretcher I was on, and they struggled.
My fiancee and I have just found out we're expecting our first child in the autumn of this year, so really want to be a lot slimmer by then. I need to get out of this rut and turn things around.
Would really appreciate any advice and guidance that anyone can provide.
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DecreaseObese
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Hi DecreaseObese, welcome to Weight Loss Support, and congratulations! A new family member to take care of is a great reason to stick to your plans.
I'll put some links at the bottom of my reply so that you can have a look at what the latest groups on here have to offer.
Many of us are here for the same reasons as you, we've suddenly got to a point where we really do need to do something about our weight.
The groups here work on peer support. We have a Daily Diary, where members post their menu, and sometimes exercise, plans for the day. It's a forum where you can share ideas, and chat about different approaches to weight loss. The Weekly Weigh-In does what it says, it's where you record your progress, (or otherwise), and where you can earn weight loss badges. Even if you've put on weight it's good to stick to recording it as you are amongst friends who can offer support and tips.
We also have groups where recipes are shared, exercise achievements (all levels) are discussed, and there is usually a "challenge" going on - there's one coming up at the end of this month so watch out for that.
The main advice I can give, and this is only from me, I don't speak on behalf of everyone, is to make sure that whatever plan you choose, calorie control, intermittent fasting, low carb for example, is something you can live with long term. and that it's healthy choices, so weaning yourself off crisps, takeaways etc is a good step. I started by giving up crisps and now I don't even think about them, and I used to be a family bag a night girl! Exercise can be done from your front room to start with, or weekend walks somewhere nice now the weather is getting better - again, you need to do something that you can enjoy, better still if it's something you can do as a couple, and then as a family
The very best of luck, and I hope to see you around on here 🍀
Here are the groups that I mentioned - please join in (use the blue "reply" button)
Thanks a million for replying so quickly, and for the congratulations.
I'll take a look at all the pages you've suggested. I think regularly having to post my weight will be really helpful and keep me accountable to people other than myself. I'll keep an eye out for the challenges too.
It's good to know that everyone here is around for the same reasons - I know I have a huge amount (well over 10 stone) to get rid of so every little bit of support will be helpful.
Thanks for all the advice. I think it's going to be difficult but definitely something I need to do now.
One more tip from me, break your weight-loss journey up into milestones, or mini-goals, for example your 1st goal could be to lose half a stone, which is achievable within a fairly short space of time. Thinking about your end goal can be daunting, and you can end up thinking it's unachievable.
Achieving a short term, realistic goals, like half a stone in a month, or 5,000 steps a day by the end of the month, can give you a real boost and spur you on.
Every pound/kilo lost, or increase in exercise is a positive step towards being healthier. It's a journey, not a race
You’ve made the first step! Congratulations! Now you will find there are scores of people here who will cheer you on when it goes well, pick you up when it goes wrong, and encourage you just to keep going.
Just want to echo everything Grigid has said about a) finding something that is sustainable and b) taking it bit by bit. Don't be knocked off track if you slip back into old ways, just come to the forum, have a quick moan and turn the page.
One more thing: it may all seem like "giving up" things at this stage. Have a go at finding new foods and recipes, trying things out, enjoying your meals, freshly made from real ingredients. That's the way to make it sustainable, and it may turn out to be more enjoyable than you're anticipating
I do lots of egg-based meals - I call them frittatas but I don't think an Italian would recognise them as such! Omelette pan, a splash of olive oil, finely sliced onions and peepers, soften them, chopped chorizo, cherry tomatoes, halved, then add a couple of whisked eggs; once it's starting to set, top with a bit of cheddar and finish for a couple of minutes under the grill. You can use whatever "fillings" you like: bacon, mushroom and tomato (like a quiche without the pastry), courgette and goat's cheese, leek and mushroom ...
I make a big pan of bolognese-type sauce and freeze portions so I always have something to hand if I don't feel like cooking. You can do the same with a stew, casserole, whatever you like: quick and easy, defrost in the microwave and have it with plenty of veg - frozen veg is quick and just as nutritious. I try to keep my carbohydrates low so I have my bolognese with shredded cabbage rather than pasta.
Follow the blue link that Grigid gave at the end of her post and find Springers Specials - it's eggs this month. Good luck
If you want to lose your body weight, then you need follow strict food diet and doing regular exercise. Doing simple workouts also providing good results. Better to take fiber rich food items and avoid rich caloried foods.
Great advice by jeffersonam99: "eat fiber rich food items and avoid rich caloried foods." I highly recommend eating lots of non-starchy vegetables, including raw....and NO oil. All types of lettuce; tomatoes; all types of cabbages; broccoli; cauliflower; kale; collard greens; Swiss Chard; cucumber; mustard greens and other leafy greens. Brussels Sprouts; bell peppers; zucchini, etc. Also raw fruits. The lowest calorie foods are non-starchy vegetables. Best wishes!
I believe that a diet high in vegetables and other carbs , avoiding fats and containing minimal animal protein will leave you hungry. Although you can loose weight quickly it is not sustainable. The poster has stated he loses and gains back. The thing to do, in my opinion, is eat a diet that provides balanced macro nutrients in the right quantities at every meal. Obviously all snacking must stop. Many people do not eat enough protein and the natural fats they contain ( both being essential macro nutrients) in favour of overloading on carbohydrates that fill you up but do not provide required nutrients to shut off the hunger hormones for many hours.
What about protein? I notice you haven't given information about it. If you are advocating a vegan regime then things like beans, peas, lentils, tofu, etc, would need to be included in such an eating plan.
I started doing intermittent fasting and the weight flew off, but I couldn't stick to it long term so had to try something else. I'm finding low carb and calorie counting the best way for me, and its had a real impact on my blood sugar which is great. As a general rule I try and make my plate 25% carbs, 25% protein and 50% veg. I must admit I'm still a bit of a salad dodger so the 50% veg doesn't always happen but I'm trying! These are great and don't feel to much like diet food. I started off with YouTube workout (there's walking workouts to get your step count up) until I was more confident to do something outside. I've just signed up for CrossFit and start next week, I'm so nervous but glad I've done it.
Dear DO. The only place I have ever seen people lose weight long term and keep it off, if they have some serious eating issues is overeaters anonymous. I started with them a while back at 29 stone. I am now 25.5 and eating normally, not dieting. The rooms as they call them are full of people who have lost weight and kept it off for many years. There is a website you can easily google with a list of questions on it to see if it is for you. You can still come here for added support or calories count if thats how you want your food plan. Message me if you have any furthur questions.
See your doctor. Glp-1 agonist, like Ozempic. That's what it's FOR, and it really works.
That's not to say you won't have to control your eating, because you will, and I'm a huge advocate for keto and intermittent fasting. But the drugs like Ozempic allow you to take charge of your appetite.
Welcome DO. Just imagine how great you will feel when you've got rid of all those stones. This maybe a bit sexist but I'm wondering how much control you have over your food? Do you cook for yourself? If not I think it would help you a lot to start because then you will see just what goes into your meals. People on here have had success with lots of different diets and you will have to find out what suits yours and your partners life style best. But if you've never made a cake for example you would be horrified with the quantities of fat flour and sugar that goes into it. So my advice is start cooking from scratch with good ingredients and learn about food. This will be even more necessary once you have a child because I'm sure you will want he or she to have a healthy diet and by then you will already be on it. Good luck.
Hi DecreaseObese just letting you know about our new challenge that is now up and running for 13 weeks. You are welcome to come on over and have a look and maybe join us in losing 7lbs over this time Have a great weekend
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