31Years Old and 17Stone

Pecker31 · 09-09-2014 07:13PM #1

Hi I recently weighed myself and I am approaching 17 stone.... to say I am embarrassed is an understatement. Of course I know what got me into this situation but I really don't know how I am going to reverse it. I have no drive and I am so burnt out from work that I have no energy. Today I am working a 14 hour day, had bread for breakfast for 2minutes and my tea was carrots and bread as I didn't have time to sit down and eat. I am so weak now and hungry that all I want is chips as by the time I go home it will be 10pm.

It is a vicious circle that I can't get out of .

Haxelrm · 09-09-2014 07:22PM

you will have to make some stuff decisions

Pecker31 · 09-09-2014 07:24PM

Oh and I forgot to say myself and my partner want to try for a child soon, our first X

tenifan · 09-09-2014 07:24PM

Need more info, op!

Why do you work so much?

What weight would you like to be?

Pecker31 · 09-09-2014 07:27PM

tenifan wrote: »

Need more info, op!

Why do you work so much?

What weight would you like to be?

I work as a manager in a hotel so it comes with the job! I would even like to be 13/14 stone or just something comfortable. I feel very unhealthy and very unattractive

newmug · 09-09-2014 07:29PM

I'm 32, 6' 4" in height, and I used to be 23 stone. Lost me job, now I'm 17 stone. Dole diet for ya!

MugMugs · 09-09-2014 07:30PM

Pecker31 wrote: »

I work as a manager in a hotel so it comes with the job! I would even like to be 13/14 stone or just something comfortable. I feel very unhealthy and very unattractive

Join Slimming World.

Worlds your oyster OP

tenifan · 09-09-2014 07:31PM

Op.. I searched your previous posts. Sounds like you could do with some professional help, as you being overweight sounds like it's linked to your anxiety and (what sounds like) sleep apnea (not a diagnosis, see a doctor)

Congrats for posting here though. You acknowledge there's a problem.

Long hours can be awful, and I'm not going to say I worked long hours and kept a healthy weight. I piled on the pounds, now work a job with normal hours.

Still, eating chips and bread is just looking for trouble. Does the hotel have a leisure centre where you could go on your break?

Alf Veedersane · 09-09-2014 07:33PM

Pecker31 wrote: »

Hi I recently weighed myself and I am approaching 17 stone.... to say I am embarrassed is an understatement. Of course I know what got me into this situation but I really don't know how I am going to reverse it. I have no drive and I am so burnt out from work that I have no energy. Today I am working a 14 hour day, had bread for breakfast for 2minutes and my tea was carrots and bread as I didn't have time to sit down and eat. I am so weak now and hungry that all I want is chips as by the time I go home it will be 10pm.

It is a vicious circle that I can't get out of .

You can change things around - it's not a vicious circle. You've just been making bad decisions.

The good news is you can turn things around just by making good decisions.

The bad news is it won't be easy to start with but when you implement the positive changes.

With long days at work, being prepared is crucial. Make time to prepare lunches and dinners in advance. If you have a healthy dinner to come home to, you won't be inclined to go for chips.

It is hard work to get into that habit if it's alien to you but it's either make an effort now and reap the benefits or be miserable.

Utilise the knowledge of the good folk here.

Chancer3001 · 09-09-2014 08:07PM

Buy a lunchbox.fill it with salad and meat.

Try that, see how it works.

cmyk · 09-09-2014 09:54PM

Pecker31 wrote: »

Hi I recently weighed myself and I am approaching 17 stone.... to say I am embarrassed is an understatement. Of course I know what got me into this situation but I really don't know how I am going to reverse it. I have no drive and I am so burnt out from work that I have no energy. Today I am working a 14 hour day, had bread for breakfast for 2minutes and my tea was carrots and bread as I didn't have time to sit down and eat. I am so weak now and hungry that all I want is chips as by the time I go home it will be 10pm.
It is a vicious circle that I can't get out of.

As others have mentioned, you've posted here and acknowledged there's an issue and are looking for advice so that's a great first step.

Reversing it will take time, effort and consistency/persistence from you, there is zero way around this, but it's more than doable than you might think and doing it will be an achievement you can be proud of.

My advice...tackle the biggest issue you have with the smallest change you can make first and work from there.

How often do you work 14hr days? Is it shift work? Do you have time off at weekends?

Pecker31 · 10-09-2014 09:44AM

I get one day off a week and I'm usually bet! I know I'm making excuses for my weight but it's gone so bad my drive has gone and my lust to do anything!

Alf Veedersane · 10-09-2014 09:47AM

Pecker31 wrote: »

I get one day off a week and I'm usually bet! I know I'm making excuses for my weight but it's gone so bad my drive has gone and my lust to do anything!

The choice is yours: if you don't really want to do anything about it, you can keep telling yourself there's no way to tackle it or that you're not able to.

If you do want to, you find the will do do what needs to be done.

PauloMN · 10-09-2014 10:05AM

Pecker31 wrote: »

Hi I recently weighed myself and I am approaching 17 stone.... to say I am embarrassed is an understatement. Of course I know what got me into this situation but I really don't know how I am going to reverse it. I have no drive and I am so burnt out from work that I have no energy. Today I am working a 14 hour day, had bread for breakfast for 2minutes and my tea was carrots and bread as I didn't have time to sit down and eat. I am so weak now and hungry that all I want is chips as by the time I go home it will be 10pm.

It is a vicious circle that I can't get out of .

First thing I would address is the dinners. Given your long work days, the probability of you wanting to spend time preparing meals after work is zero I'd say. What I'd suggest is that you batch prepare dinners which you can freeze once cooked, and just defrost and reheat as you need them. We always have a few meals prepared in the freezer and they are so handy for those hectic days when you can't face cooking. Stuff like Thai chicken curry, meatballs in bolognese sauce, chicken in white sauce etc. - much healthier than chips and fried food and ready in minutes. Rice, pasta or noodles can be put on with these.

Once you start eating right you'll have the energy to do more, then you can look at an exercise programme - but getting the food right first is the important thing imo. The idea to bring your lunch to work is a good one also, have stuff with you rather than filling up on more bread and chips. Make sure to bring a couple of pieces of fruit and plenty of water.

thomas anderson. · 10-09-2014 10:07AM

Haxelrm wrote: »

you will have to make some stuff decisions

Sounds delicious

desertcircus · 10-09-2014 10:13AM

I'd echo what was said about preparing batches of dinners. I also make sandwiches each evening for the following day's lunch so I don't eat garbage.

If your hotel has a gym, you can make use of it. Do half an hour on the treadmill or exercise bike before or after work two or three times a week - it adds up quickly.

Lastly - nobody should be working fourteen-hour days as standard. Either you're taking too much on, or your employer is mistreating you. You need to look into this, because as long as you're doing those hours you'll struggle for motivation.

cmyk · 10-09-2014 10:38AM

Pecker31 wrote: »

I get one day off a week and I'm usually bet! I know I'm making excuses for my weight but it's gone so bad my drive has gone and my lust to do anything!

There's always a way to tackle things if you genuinely want to make it happen. I can tell you from very recent experience, when and if a baby arrives, any free time you have is eroded immediately, so make your changes right now.

You work in a hotel right? Do you know the kitchen staff? Can you have them make up a good lunch and maybe a dinner you can take home with you so you've got no excuse for stopping in a chipper and get some decent nutrition in at the same time.

Everyone knows what constitutes a healthy meal, a good protein source and vegetables is a solid start, you can even make healthy choices at a carvery if that's the type of food you might have access too.

What about your other half, does she make dinner at home, can she make extra for you?

Nerdlingr · 10-09-2014 10:45AM

Can you not eat something healthy from the Hotel Kitchen? You get breaks during the day right? Instead of eating bread and Carrots for breakfast get the chef to rustle you up something nice for your lunch and tea. I used to work in a hotel years ago, the chefs would take two minutes to throw a some chicken and veg into a wok and do up a mean stir fry.

Pecker31 · 10-09-2014 10:45AM

cmyk wrote: »

There's always a way to tackle things if you genuinely want to make it happen. I can tell you from very recent experience, when and if a baby arrives, any free time you have is eroded immediately, so make your changes right now.

You work in a hotel right? Do you know the kitchen staff? Can you have them make up a good lunch and maybe a dinner you can take home with you so you've got no excuse for stopping in a chipper and get some decent nutrition in at the same time.

Everyone knows what constitutes a healthy meal, a good protein source and vegetables is a solid start, you can even make healthy choices at a carvery if that's the type of food you might have access too.

What about your other half, does she make dinner at home, can she make extra for you?

I'm a female :-) my other half is male but we live separately. I live alone. I've signed up for Unislim and cleared out my presses and freezer and cut out all fizzy drinks as a start. I'm starting Unislim Tuesday and my boyfriend is so supportive - I'm looking forward to getting stuck in. Positive attitude eh! X

Alf Veedersane · 10-09-2014 10:52AM

Even something like homemade soups will give you something filling and nutritious without requiring a lot of kitchen time. Oncet he veg is chopped, your job is done and you can kick back and wait for the heat to do it's thing. Prep time is less than half an hour. Put on a bit of myoosmic and it's done before you realise you'd started.

Tupperware -> freezer -> win.

tenifan · 10-09-2014 11:14AM

Pecker31 wrote: »

I get one day off a week ...

Sorry, but 14 hour days and 6 day weeks?
Are you certain you actually work 84 hours a week?

Alf Veedersane · 10-09-2014 11:19AM

To be fair, the OP didn't say every day was a 14-hour day.

Pecker31 · 10-09-2014 11:23AM

Four days are fourteen hour days and the other three are 9-12 hours! I'm currently job hunting. X

ScouseMouse · 10-09-2014 11:26AM

Gonna send you a private message today (when I get a chance).

Think you will need to read it.

Blacktie. · 10-09-2014 11:30AM

I know what it's like working long hours. I've been doing similar hours myself the last year or so. Preperation is key. I usually cook a batch of about 6 lunch and dinners on my day off and then know a few things I can cook fairly quickly that are still a decent feed for the days I don't get. This plus some small snacks like yoghurt and eggs (not together!) keep me going fairly well.

intellectual dosser · 10-09-2014 11:36AM

I think most of the advice being given is solid, I dont have anything new to add but I felt like chipping in because I also used to be 17 stone, I'm down to 15 stone, have a good bit further to go but feel much better about it all.

Most have been mentioned - here are my picks:
- Identify all the changes you need to make but make them one at a time, don't start big and overwhelm yourself.
- Be prepared, both mentally and in your cupboards/fridge.
- Get some sort of exercise in, if your hotel has a gym get there for 30mins a day. Take stairs instead of lift etc.
- Get your OH on board with what you're doing - talk to them about it regularly.

You say you have no drive, but you still took the time to create this thread, there is obviously some desire. Once you get started and begin to improve the drive should increase, you should start to enjoy it.

bucketybuck · 10-09-2014 11:38AM

Pecker31 wrote: »

It is a vicious circle that I can't get out of .

Of course you can, if you actually want to. Excuses won't do it though.

I do find it hard to reconcile the idea of somebody on their feet for 14 hours a day not being able to lose weight, you must really be tucking into the junk food. And you say you have no drive or energy? You don't need energy to eat right, in fact you have no energy because you aren't eating right.

I'd imagine some very simple changes to diet would make a massive difference to you.

tenifan · 10-09-2014 11:44AM

Pecker31 wrote: »

Four days are fourteen hour days and the other three are 9-12 hours! I'm currently job hunting. X

Good! You need to have a work-life balance. Looks like work has taken over and your health is suffering.

Small steps in the meantime.
Visit the doctor for any anxiety/sleep issues
Sort the diet out.
Try to get in some exercise!

btkm8unsl0w5r4 · 11-09-2014 02:34PM

op, do try some exercise. I used to think that I was too tired to exercise, but you have more energy when your active, so you not so tired all the time. Its a catch 22 and those initial few month are the hardest when you have to force yourself to be active despite being tired.

It will get to a point where doing some exercise is essential "relaxation" time, and your mood will suffer without it.

Good luck.

lighterman · 13-09-2014 10:07AM

One thing I've noticed in the replies here is people saying make the dinner night before to have when OP gets home or have kitchen staff make something to again have when OP gets home.

The OP states she gets home at 10pm.Surely 10pm is too late and the OP should be advised to eat her dinner a lot earlier than this

Alf Veedersane · 13-09-2014 10:10AM

lighterman wrote: »

One thing I've noticed in the replies here is people saying make the dinner night before to have when OP gets home or have kitchen staff make something to again have when OP gets home.

The OP states she gets home at 10pm.Surely 10pm is too late and the OP should be advised to eat her dinner a lot earlier than this

The OP isn't being advised to have a big heavy meal before bed. Nothing wrong with having something healthy to eat when the OP gets home.

31Years Old and 17Stone

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