Anonymous wrote:OP here. I’ve lost 4 pounds so far! I’ve been taking a look at my eating habits and realizing that I stopped eating like a thin person years ago, hence the gradual 30 lb gain. I’m back to eating the way I did when I was thin. No more candy bingeing or having chicken cheesesteak for lunch, etc. Hopefully I can continue in this vein. I also downloaded a weight tracker app (Happy Scale) that charts my weight loss and I’m weighing myself daily.

Your post really hit home for me. I'm in a very similar place (including a love of Easter candy). I started back on WW this week, and I'm already keenly aware that I stopped eating like a thin person many years ago as well. I can't binge a bag of jelly beans or a box of Cheez-its and run it off at the gym. I relied on my metabolism and youth for a long time. Anyway, I don't have anything to add or advice to give, just wanted to commiserate with a fellow former thin person who is on her way back to health!

OP here. I’ve lost 4 pounds so far! I’ve been taking a look at my eating habits and realizing that I stopped eating like a thin person years ago, hence the gradual 30 lb gain. I’m back to eating the way I did when I was thin. No more candy bingeing or having chicken cheesesteak for lunch, etc. Hopefully I can continue in this vein. I also downloaded a weight tracker app (Happy Scale) that charts my weight loss and I’m weighing myself daily.

Ugh, I think it's often dietitians who are pushing fad diets. When I tried a supervised diet, I lost 7 lbs the first month but I could not continue that detailed plan anymore. I think many dietitians make it unnecessarily complicated.

When I got fed up with being overweight I realized it's all in fact very simple. I started tracking my calories, created a calorie deficit, started IF and later went keto. Lost 30 lbs without exercising (only walking quite a lot on most days).

Exact same thing happened to me! I got very serious and lost almost 20 pounds in a year. The last 10 pounds are tough. The good news in all seriousness is that the blood pressure is probably related to the shock of the number in the scale!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I spent most of my life as the enviable thin woman. I’m 5’7” and was around 130 throughout my 30s and early 40s. Then life happened— major stressful personal issue, plus huge promotion/more responsibilities at work. Stopped any form of serious exercise and started eating badly. Now I’m 48. I knew I’d gained weight but was sort of avoiding the scale. Diets were always for “other people”— I was so naturally thin for my whole life that I just had this image of myself as thin. Despite my increasing pant size— went from size 4 a few years ago to 12 now.

Went to urgent care today for a sinus infection and they weighed me— 168! Plus my blood pressure is borderline.

I just can’t believe I’ve done this to myself. I know what I need to do to get healthy again. This is a vent more than anything but would also appreciate encouragement or tips from those who have BTDT. Thanks for listening.

Okay so tomorrow start with baby steps. nothing radical, but I would start with your diet. start intermittent fasting, it is super easy and a very efficient way of controlling how much you eat. during the times that you are eating, just start replacing some of the "bad foods" with a couple of better choices. after you have a handle on your eating, start moving your body more. Start with walking - which doesn't require any fancy equipment. All you have to do is commit to doing it.

FWIW- I'm 5'9 and once topped the scale at 172, so I know how you're feeling. I've been at my current (desirable) weight for many years because I made lifestyle changes, slowly.

Ugh. Registered dietitian here. Sorry, but there are so many negative buzz words in this post! OP, you do not need "intermittent fasting," nor do you need to start characterizing "bad foods." Fad diets Will. Not. Work. - at least for the long haul.

Start with exercise. It's spring! Take a walk every day. You know what you need to do on the eating; you've stated that in your posts. If feel that you need serious or medical guidance or accountability, please see an RDN.

eh, I just lost 40 pounds, look and feel great w/o exercise. I used intermittent fasting and Keto to do it. I eat lots of leafy greens, lean protein with some nuts olives, avocado and other healthy fat. I also drink lots of water.

Now that I'm lighter and I've started exercising, I have a lower chance of injury because there is way less stress on my joints. Honestly, I'm not seeing a downside to my new lifestyle.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I spent most of my life as the enviable thin woman. I’m 5’7” and was around 130 throughout my 30s and early 40s. Then life happened— major stressful personal issue, plus huge promotion/more responsibilities at work. Stopped any form of serious exercise and started eating badly. Now I’m 48. I knew I’d gained weight but was sort of avoiding the scale. Diets were always for “other people”— I was so naturally thin for my whole life that I just had this image of myself as thin. Despite my increasing pant size— went from size 4 a few years ago to 12 now.

Went to urgent care today for a sinus infection and they weighed me— 168! Plus my blood pressure is borderline.

I just can’t believe I’ve done this to myself. I know what I need to do to get healthy again. This is a vent more than anything but would also appreciate encouragement or tips from those who have BTDT. Thanks for listening.

Okay so tomorrow start with baby steps. nothing radical, but I would start with your diet. start intermittent fasting, it is super easy and a very efficient way of controlling how much you eat. during the times that you are eating, just start replacing some of the "bad foods" with a couple of better choices. after you have a handle on your eating, start moving your body more. Start with walking - which doesn't require any fancy equipment. All you have to do is commit to doing it.

FWIW- I'm 5'9 and once topped the scale at 172, so I know how you're feeling. I've been at my current (desirable) weight for many years because I made lifestyle changes, slowly.

Ugh. Registered dietitian here. Sorry, but there are so many negative buzz words in this post! OP, you do not need "intermittent fasting," nor do you need to start characterizing "bad foods." Fad diets Will. Not. Work. - at least for the long haul.

Start with exercise. It's spring! Take a walk every day. You know what you need to do on the eating; you've stated that in your posts. If feel that you need serious or medical guidance or accountability, please see an RDN.

I'm the PP you're "ugh'ing". 1) Intermittent Fasting is not a fad diet 2) didn't I suggest that she start with walking?

Good for you for being honest with yourself about why you have gained weight. A lot of people here are quick to blame hormones but you seem to be really owning up to your choices and the impact they have had on your weight.

I think it would really help you to weigh yourself everyday, or at least several times a week. Yes it seems a bit obsessive, but it has really helped me keep my weight under control since my early 20s, except for few years when I had children. I weigh the same now (140) as I did when I was in my early 20s, and I really think weighing myself daily has played a big role in this. You will see literally overnight what those Cadbury eggs and Chipolte dinners do when you step on the scale. Its much easier to "course correct" a single splurge day than it is to correct several days, weeks or even months of poor eating choices.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Perimenopause is a nightmare and it does creep up on you like that. Very stealthy weight gain. Your body chemistry has changed and it is time to learn how your new body works.

OP here. I’m sure hormones are partly to blame. Other factors may include Cadbury mini eggs, Chipotle dinners, etc. I feel so unhealthy!

Nonsense. It's entirely possible to be fit even in middle age: https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/celebs-over-40-prove-bikini-212058477.html

Not eating out is one of the biggest things for me as far as keeping things in check. it's partially that eating out is more calories and it's partially that eating out means more salt which leads to high blood pressure and bloating.

Stay away from pants made from Lycra. They hide the weight gain. Good luck OP. Even when you drop 10 pounds, you will feel much better in your clothes.

Count your calories - exactly. If your first goal is to get down to 140, eat 1400 calories (a good enough guesstimate)

Yes, I've absolutely been there. In fact, I am there! I put on almost 15 pounds in the past six months. That's a pretty big deal when you're my height (5').

I'm turning this fat boat around and am starting to head back the other way.

Try listening to weight loss podcasts. I particularly recommend "Half Size Me." Why? Because she focuses on learning to first maintain and then lose weight. Long term, I think that's the trick. How much are you eating now to maintain your current weight. Take one thing out (Cadbury's maybe?) and wait a week. Reassess. Then take another thing out. Etc. It's low and slow but that's the way to do it.

I’m in your same boat. It sucks. This year for Lent, I decided to add five sit-ups a day. The first few days were easy, but now it’s getting to be a challenge, as today was 80 before breakfast. I also went back to bagged salads for lunch and a smaller dinner. Things are already fitting me a little better and a little less “jiggly”. This isn’t going to get the big weight off, but I’m feeling a little better.

Fifty sure is fun.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Perimenopause is a nightmare and it does creep up on you like that. Very stealthy weight gain. Your body chemistry has changed and it is time to learn how your new body works.

OP here. I’m sure hormones are partly to blame. Other factors may include Cadbury mini eggs, Chipotle dinners, etc. I feel so unhealthy!

LOL. I'm laughing with you, not at you. Hormones for sure, but those mini eggs are so damn good!!! I had the same sort of shock recently. I'm tracking my food and seeing a difference already. Good luck.

Start tracking your food in myfitness pal app and track your daily steps with a fitbit or similar.