Fat Fat Fat.....

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Biglets Mummy

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Ive decided to accept the truth and say publicly and to myself that the reason I am finding any excuse not to ride - and have done all summer - is that I am FAT !! FAT!!!FAT!!!
I am approaching my 50th year and have put on almost 3 stone since my white breeches looking nice days. I had treatment 10 years ago that fired me into a very early menopause and the weight went on virtually over night . I went from being a size 10 to a size 14 in weeks and am now comfortably in a 16. Its devastating.
Im not on a huge budget - who is having horses? - so I dont have treats in the house and I seriously dont like chocolate or cakes but I eat a very carb heavy diet mainly because white bread ,rice and pasta are cheap. Thanks to ALDI I do manage to eat better at times but its mainly living alone and cantbebotheredtocookitus...
I do consider myself pretty fit - I walk my dog every day and achieve my 10K steps most days but I am also out of breath at times walking which frightens me.
My wonderful kind Tb is a big lad but the last time I went out I just felt ridiculous,my seat position felt all wrong,I struggled to get on and when I caught sight of my reflection in the yard mirrors I looked what I am - a great big fat person slumped on her horse...As for trotting or schooling....I wouldn't inflict that on him.
So..
Step 1:Acceptance - I do not want to go into my 50th year like this for health reasons alone.And I am not ready to give up riding yet.
Step 2: Do something about it. Ive struggled with eating disorders in the past so I have to be very careful how I go about this so I have spoken to my surgery's nurse and she is going to help. We have decided to try the blood sugar diet as we have diabetes in the family and although I am OK at the moment my risk level is elevated and losing this weight will lower that.
Step 3 : Be realistic. I am going to give up my wine as well so I think I will start Jan 1st as I will set myself up for failure by starting in December with parties and dinners and stuff. I want to try to lose a stone in the first 2 months.
Step 4 : Keep in mind that gorgeous boy stood in the field - I know hes getting older and we dont have many more years left so I want to enjoy him whilst I can and not expect him to carry me around like a sack of potatoes.
So... there you have it. I have spent the past few years in denial and now its out there and I have to do something - I want to be fabulous at fifty not flabby......
Would love to hear from others who have met this challenge or feel this way.
No cake and biccies Im afraid for reading this far xxx
 
Its not just about the food, I know its cliche but its a combination of healthy food choices and exercise. Walking your dog and doing 10k steps a day is NOT cutting it ... if it was you wouldnt be a size 16. My weapon of choice is weight lifting (dont think big and bulky, think strong and lean) You will burn more calories weight lifting than doing cardio and you will keep burning them long after your work out. Weight lifting works for me, it keeps me toned and strong and I'm leaner because of it.
You can do a full body work out at home with a pair of dumbells and keep it within twenty minutes and see great results very quickly. Good luck :)
 
I recently went from 8st to 10st after a bad fall, I had to give up the gym (fitness freak) as I couldn't run and I roughed my horse off and must have spent my time eating instead! I am fine now and back on track for my show jackets to fit me next spring but it's all about routine, I noticed after eating what I wanted (crap and carbs) with no thought it was a bit tricky to get into a healthy routine but once you are in a routine it's so much easier!

I LOVE pilates now, I start my week off with pilates on a monday evening and it really seems to put me in the right frame of mind for exercise the rest of the week - back at the gym now too, gradually building up fitness and i've started including weights in my routine which is quite fun (I used to just do cardio) and if I have a lazy night I just go for a swim instead :)

All I can say is don't rush yourself or feel that you aren't getting results as quickly as you like, it's important to build up and enjoy doing it - especially when coming back to it after a time. Though I would say don't put it off until new year, new years resolutions have the worst success rate. Start today but give yourself a few cheat days over the xmas hols! I'm sure you will get there, and hopefully so will I! And don't forget to enjoy your horse, maybe start a little long-reining and in hand work for your horse so that you can be "ready" at the same time! Good luck!! :)
 
Antw23uk said:
Its not just about the food, I know its cliche but its a combination of healthy food choices and exercise. Walking your dog and doing 10k steps a day is NOT cutting it ... if it was you wouldnt be a size 16. My weapon of choice is weight lifting (dont think big and bulky, think strong and lean) You will burn more calories weight lifting than doing cardio and you will keep burning them long after your work out. Weight lifting works for me, it keeps me toned and strong and I'm leaner because of it.
You can do a full body work out at home with a pair of dumbells and keep it within twenty minutes and see great results very quickly. Good luck :)
Click to expand...

Ive never thought of weights at all.....thanks Antw23uk - will investigate :)
 
Slimming world, I lost 41/2 stone on this.
Having the meetings to go to helps keep you on track and they help you understand what you can eat and what goes together, you get nice meals so you are not hungry.

This with aerobatic exercise will help. Walking the dog is good but unless you are pushing yourself and getting out of breath you are not fat burning. As you get older it gets really hard not to put on weight. your body needs less. As a fat person at 50, I really have got to the stage where I just try and keep it off. However, I say it really doesn't stop me riding!? My riding at 50 is better then ever, I am riding more and loving it. So maybe there are other reasons for not wanting to ride.

I got fatter, I got a Clydesdale!!
 
I can highly recommend shifting wheelbarrows full of poo for weight lifting. Particularly when trying to pull them through deep mud. I have stomach muscles that I haven't seen since my 20s and vanishing bingo wings.....
 
I find weight watchers great. The group meetings are very helpful. I find it keeps me motivated. When I tried losing weight without help I got bored and gave up
 
SEL said:
I can highly recommend shifting wheelbarrows full of poo for weight lifting. Particularly when trying to pull them through deep mud. I have stomach muscles that I haven't seen since my 20s and vanishing bingo wings.....
Click to expand...

And this is why I havent fixed the flat tyre on my inherited wheelbarrow :)
 
Merlod said:
I recently went from 8st to 10st after a bad fall, I had to give up the gym (fitness freak) as I couldn't run and I roughed my horse off and must have spent my time eating instead! I am fine now and back on track for my show jackets to fit me next spring but it's all about routine, I noticed after eating what I wanted (crap and carbs) with no thought it was a bit tricky to get into a healthy routine but once you are in a routine it's so much easier!

I LOVE pilates now, I start my week off with pilates on a monday evening and it really seems to put me in the right frame of mind for exercise the rest of the week - back at the gym now too, gradually building up fitness and i've started including weights in my routine which is quite fun (I used to just do cardio) and if I have a lazy night I just go for a swim instead :)

All I can say is don't rush yourself or feel that you aren't getting results as quickly as you like, it's important to build up and enjoy doing it - especially when coming back to it after a time. Though I would say don't put it off until new year, new years resolutions have the worst success rate. Start today but give yourself a few cheat days over the xmas hols! I'm sure you will get there, and hopefully so will I! And don't forget to enjoy your horse, maybe start a little long-reining and in hand work for your horse so that you can be "ready" at the same time! Good luck!! :)
Click to expand...

Thanks Merlod and again I haven't thought of doing Pilates or anything like that - going to investigate further - thank you :)
 
Thanks so much everyone - some great ideas here and really feeling motivated to get started right now. Im desperate to ride but just feel so ridiculous on board. Thanks again :)
 
Biglets Mummy said:
Thanks so much everyone - some great ideas here and really feeling motivated to get started right now. Im desperate to ride but just feel so ridiculous on board. Thanks again :)
Click to expand...

If you don't feel comfortable right now why not take your horse out 4 walks/trots in hand. keep it brisk and it will get you fit while spending time with your horse, you can get fit together!
 
How about trying something like the couch to 5K challenge? Running is free and having a structured fitness plan like this might help you get more active. I do think people underestimate how much exercise you need to do to get/ stay in shape.

I'd take a good look at what you're eating too. No treats is one thing but highly refined carbs like white bread and pasta are no better TBH. Even little changes like swapping to wholemeal pasta and bread will help. You can eat very cheaply if you eat veggie. Do you have a slow cooker? You can make lots of healthy and filling soups and stews with veg and pulses, all of which Aldi sell cheaply. If you're going to eat pasta, don't make it the main part of the meal. Cook a pile of roasted veg, add some butterbeans or chickpeas (I add them to the veg while it's roasting for the last 5 mins) then add those to a tin of tomatoes, heat through and serve with a small amount of wholemeal pasta. You can make warm veggie salads that are really filling too. Swap potatoes for sweet potatoes which are better for you - they are v versatile as can be baked, roasted, microwaved, made into wedges.

You could also try downloading an app like My Fitness Pal. I used that before my wedding to keep an eye on what I was eating and my exercise. It really helps you to realise what is actually in the foods you eat, and how much effort it takes to burn off a slice of bread! Don't eat any diet foods - diet yoghurts and the like are packed full of sugar to make up for the lack of fat.
 
Well done you .
I would would just cut out all the white stuff and replace it with brown , brown rice whole meal pasta etc etc.
Homemade Lentil and vegetable soup is a great thing protein low release carbs fibre and trace elements all in one bowl I always have it in the fridge .
IME you need to seriously reduce the carbs to loose weight as you age .
Good luck .
 
Do you drink? Glasses of wine really add up. I'm losing weight on slimming world at the moment, feeling so much better for it. It's the wee sneaky glass after a hard day at work I need to watch out for, when I cut the drink, I lose weight much faster :)
 
I lifted weights and loved it, but sadly my joints weren't up to it. If I could, I'd be back in the weight room like a shot. It's the most efficient way to exercise I've ever known and if you do it right it's great for your posture and has all sorts of knock-on benefits.

This site is great for guidance and inspiration: https://www.stumptuous.com/
 
I have lost 2 1/2 stone since June. I am not dieting per se, I am trying to change my eating habits for a lifetime. This is not a sprint, this is a marathon. I use Fitness pal (free app) which adds my calories for me and also keeps a diary of all my measurements and weight loss. I bought Ainsley Harriots book "low fat meals in minutes" and I do try to plan my menu for the week (never done this before). Now I have a stock cupboard and freezer which has basics in it so can be a little more relaxed. I have no just started the 5 and 2 to kick me off my plateau as well. Exercise is dog walking, mucking out and riding and I do a set number of exercises (literally only 10 minutes ) such as arm presses and lunges as they work. Just started incorporating HITS (high intensity). Again, it's free, it's quick.

But above all, I never say I am on a diet, I set an expectation of around a lb a week and this is about an entire lifestyle change. I have just turned 52. Good luck.
 
Well done, the hardest step is admitting it and finding the motivation to start.

I would say that you are doing adequate exercise at the moment, you don't want to start to heavy by cutting down food and doing double exercise as it will all seem too much and you will give up. (Speaking from experience here).

I find that doing the same exercise and just trying to do one meal without carbs in it. Or cutting your carb portions per meal by half and ensuring they are the brown/wholegrain version, whilst not eating junk food and not drinking wine will be enough of a change to see results. And then when/if you start to plateau then you can increase this by being more strict with your food, or upping your exercise.

Also from experience (dropped from 15st to 8st a couple of years ago), do not put anything off till the future. When you get to Jan 1st you will wish you had started now. It doesn't matter if you go out for a meal and have a few glasses of wine, as long as you know that it is a cheat meal and NOT a cheat day or week. I had a tendency to go out for dinner and then think 'sod it, I may as well have pudding AND a few glasses of wine AND a late night snack when I get home'.

Wish you all the best of luck!!
 
Biglets Mummy said:
I am FAT !! FAT!!!FAT!!!

I eat a very carb heavy diet mainly because white bread ,rice and pasta are cheap.

I do consider myself pretty fit - I walk my dog every day and achieve my 10K steps most days

...I am also out of breath at times walking which frightens me.

Step 2: Do something about it.
Click to expand...

Hello, and welcome to my world.

Did you know that menopause can very well be responsible for all those things?

Carbohydrate-laden meals? You may think it's to do with budgets - and it might be - but actually, it's a thing. You know, you're happily thinking 'I'm doing quite well, three days of being good..' and bam! Out of nowehere you need to have something really, really, really sweet. Or something really salty. But usually carbs will have to feature heavily for the day.

Extremely active and still fat? Yup. A thing. I was walking at least 3 miles per day. Cycling 15 miles 4 - 5 days per week and trying really hard to be good over the summer. Total lbs lost in 2 months? 4. And no, it's not muscle.

And being petrified because you are out of breath walking sometimes. Yup. Very much a thing.

Let me tell you a little anecdote that might amuse you. You are not alone. Although I didn't have the unfortunate situation that pushed me in to menopause, for which I am sorry and hope that you are ok now otherwise, I can utterly and totally empathise.

This summer (yup, cycling 60+miles per week up and down N Yorkshire's finest, walking miles every day in pursuit of children on ponies on hacks or just walking ponies) I had to run 150 yards to rescue an equine related situation and found that after 50 my heart was in my mouth, my breaths coming in great gasps and my head was pounding. I reached the horses in distress and their slightly more distressed - on seeing me - owner and almost blacked out. Horses were abandoned as I was helped to somewhere sensible to regain my breath...some 25 minutes later.

Oh.

Then, a few days later, walking up the hill, that little heart pounding thing, slightly breathy thing.

Then walking up the stairs.

Sometimes, just talking.

And on some days, feeling as though you just can't take a satisfying breath.

Don't Google. Especially if you are also an ex-smoker.

I went to the Dr in an absolute panic and she pulled a load of blood to check iron levels, and sent me for a spiro test. Everything normal but she did suggest that my iron levels could be a bit low (even though in the normal range for the results) which would account for the breathlessness, and possibly the carb cravings.

Then I started to get a pain under my shoulder blade. Really, don't Google - it messes with your head and the pain starts to migrate all around your ribcage. Back to the Dr to demand a chest x-ray which I then couldn't actually go and have straight away because I was going to see my Mother in Cornwall so spent a week frozen with fear and of course totally unable to breathe because of the fear. A few days ago I found out that low desks are frequently a culprit of under-shoulder blade pain (along with sleeping with a large labrador stuck between you and your partner), so I hoisted up my computer onto a shoebox on top of my desk and the relief has been unbelievable. :o I am not dying, it seems, although I am right now trying to summon the courage to call up for my chest x-ray results. Anyway, back to you.

In desperation, as you do, I found a great forum - menopausematters.co.uk - where I found a whole load of people with the same symptoms as me. All because of oestrogen spikes or complete loss of oestrogen. The change causes us to put on weight where we probably wouldn't have done previously - around our middles rather than our hips and backsides - which of course will make our hearts work harder, and oestrogen spikes, or the other extreme, lack of it, can affect our lung function and oxygen uptake. So, some days we will feel out of breath, other times we will be able to run (aerobically as opposed to sprinting) without a hitch.

So, the only thing to do is to do address it, I think. I used to do triathlons and things before my children came along. Doing weights as well as the cardio stuff was the quickest way to extreme fitness, but without that sort of goal it is kind of off the motivation radar.

I have discovered HIIT. And www.thebodycoach.co.uk. Your blood sugar diet should tap into that quite well. But if you could afford the £7.99 for the Lean in 15 book, I think it's well worth it. 6-10 minutes of strength building exercises per day, and a focus on proteins and low GI foods seems to be THE answer. If I had £147, I'd join in his 90 day plan. Have a look at the website for some truly motivating result.

I hope this essay has given you a little hope and some fears have been quashed. If you want a motivation partner, I'd be very happy to be on the other end of the line. I need one too. I have 2 stone to lose. And some breath to catch.
 
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Find a fat friend, preferably one who rides, and go to Slimming World together. The friend I share a field with and I have lost a total of 11 stone over the last two years. While neither of our horses were struggling as we both have good weight carriers, we both wanted to ride better and be more agile.

We are both a hell of a lot slimmer (I'm a size 10 to 12 as opposed to 16-18), run 10k races together and, yes, ride a lot better! Neither of us was inactive before - horses, dogs etc - but we ate the wrong calories!
 
Biglets Mummy said:
Ive decided to accept the truth and say publicly and to myself that the reason I am finding any excuse not to ride - and have done all summer - is that I am FAT !! FAT!!!FAT!!!
I am approaching my 50th year and have put on almost 3 stone since my white breeches looking nice days. I had treatment 10 years ago that fired me into a very early menopause and the weight went on virtually over night . I went from being a size 10 to a size 14 in weeks and am now comfortably in a 16. Its devastating.
Im not on a huge budget - who is having horses? - so I dont have treats in the house and I seriously dont like chocolate or cakes but I eat a very carb heavy diet mainly because white bread ,rice and pasta are cheap. Thanks to ALDI I do manage to eat better at times but its mainly living alone and cantbebotheredtocookitus...
I do consider myself pretty fit - I walk my dog every day and achieve my 10K steps most days but I am also out of breath at times walking which frightens me.
My wonderful kind Tb is a big lad but the last time I went out I just felt ridiculous,my seat position felt all wrong,I struggled to get on and when I caught sight of my reflection in the yard mirrors I looked what I am - a great big fat person slumped on her horse...As for trotting or schooling....I wouldn't inflict that on him.
So..
Step 1:Acceptance - I do not want to go into my 50th year like this for health reasons alone.And I am not ready to give up riding yet.
Step 2: Do something about it. Ive struggled with eating disorders in the past so I have to be very careful how I go about this so I have spoken to my surgery's nurse and she is going to help. We have decided to try the blood sugar diet as we have diabetes in the family and although I am OK at the moment my risk level is elevated and losing this weight will lower that.
Step 3 : Be realistic. I am going to give up my wine as well so I think I will start Jan 1st as I will set myself up for failure by starting in December with parties and dinners and stuff. I want to try to lose a stone in the first 2 months.
Step 4 : Keep in mind that gorgeous boy stood in the field - I know hes getting older and we dont have many more years left so I want to enjoy him whilst I can and not expect him to carry me around like a sack of potatoes.
So... there you have it. I have spent the past few years in denial and now its out there and I have to do something - I want to be fabulous at fifty not flabby......
Would love to hear from others who have met this challenge or feel this way.
No cake and biccies Im afraid for reading this far xxx
Click to expand...


I went to slimming world and lost 5.7 stone. If I can do it you can to!
 
I'd make yourself ride more. I find if i don't ride for even a small about of time when i get on i feel like i don't know what i'm doing and i'm bouncing about. Thats exercise in itself. Also if you can try pilates/yoga will do wonders for your core so hopefully you will feel stronger and more balanced in the saddle. Mucking out is great exercise, so an excuse to spend more time at the yard?
 
Just wanted to wish you luck with the weight loss. Not much advice to add on top of what everyone else has said, apart from red lentils are cheap, easy to cook and nutritious, and it's a good idea to do some weight-bearing exercise to keep your bones strong post-menopause (I'm a bit paranoid about osteoporosis having seen relatives with it).
 
I found the 5-2 FAST diet works well for me. I make lots of soup which is pretty cheap and easy to do and the good thing is that with the right ingredients you can eat an awful lot of soup on a 500 calorie day. I find the discipline of being on a fast day does stop me snacking.

Well done though for admitting that you need to do something. Don't set unrealistic goals and as others have said, take it one day at a time. If you have a bad day, don't beat yourself up about it but just start again the following day.

Good luck.
 
I lost 8 stone 10lbs with Slimming World. Really enjoyed the meetings, definitely go with a friend, helps keep you on track :-)
 
try couch to 5k.
i have never been able to run but started this.
i struggled the first few weeks and had to repeat some of the weeks but the weight just fell off.
i combine it with my dog walking (they love it) it also gave me new-found energy.
(i am 58)
 
Don't start in January. Start now. So what if you have some naughty days through December; it's Christmas!

When I'm trying to drop weight I eat the following

Breakfast: two boiled eggs, or poached. Green tea. No sauce, no bread.

Lunch: chicken or salmon with tonnes of vegetables and a small amount of rice (half packed of uncle Benz express is what I have) or instead of rice sometimes I'll have egg noodles and some low fat soy sauce.

Dinner: same as lunch. I cook up a chicken breast and cut it in half. So have half for dinner and half for the next days lunch. Half the express rice. I do have sauce with dinner though.

I will have 1-2 pieces of fruit a day. Only drink water or green tea.

It's dull but it works especially combined with exercise.
 
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