Mccmack: thank you for your consideration. I did used to go swimming a long long time ago. I found that the tiny cubicles for dressing, the exhaustion afterwards, and unusual for me, hunger, (which led to me eating in the cafe (hangs head in shame) ended up where I felt it wasn't worth it. Despite this though, around 2 weeks ago I had planned to go to the leisure centre to ask if they did any sessions for the disabled (how I hate that word); or at least the availability of larger cubicles which would make a heck of a difference. I was also very self-conscious due to struggling to find a swimming costume that was suitable. Nowadays though there are T-shirts and various coverings that are made out of swimming costume material that is good. I had a sample sent with advice on the correct size (because it was from an American website). So you have inspired me/given me a nudge :-) to get down there and enquire. You also said, "I would think your inability to move is the prime reason why things don't change for you". This is the thing though, since using MFP I HAVE been moving; with the even more careful eating I have been doing, plus additional exercise I hadn't done before, things should be changing for the better after 55 days. Allowing for the daily fluctuations, I went from 9st 10 to 9st 8 and back up again and past to 9st 10-5.

RodaRose: It varies. On a bad day I can't get out of bed. On a good day I can move about what might seem normally to other folk. I try to do a total of 1-1.5 hours a day of activity (in addition to normal activity). I have a good app called Dance Fit Studio that I use. This may sound funny after saying about my health problems, but the app includes Bollywood, Combat, Hip hop, Salsa, Aerobics, Step fit, Latin, Yoga, Pilates etc. Because they are aimed at beginners I can adapt these to however I am on any given day. Today has been a fairly bad day but I have thankfully still been able to get out; but not complete what I wanted to do as I couldn't walk properly. I am still determined to do the yoga, possibly Pilates, and my usual Qiqong though; at least as best I can .

After speaking to my daughter today, she is convinced from what I have said that it is underlying muscle, even if I can't feel it. She and her boyfriend have also started changing their habits again. Because of their work, in particular my daughter, they had got into bad habits for convenience. They have recently got motivated again to eat healthily and are using the Slimming World points and 'syns' system. They have not joined but are just using the wealth of info out there. I am getting weary to be honest of weighing and logging everything; it takes so much effort and time when I am already fatigued. I have thought about trying the SW system, but the only problem is that a lot of the scheme is centred around recipes which I can't always do. I know there is no ideal system, and it is finding what is right for the individual. Now I am waffling!

@MostlyWater
Love the remark about 'not being a machine' and not going through life on 'lettuce and oats'. I know what you mean. There are other things to do in life other than be obsessed with logging/weighing/measuring isn't there? This last 2 days I have tried to loosen up over everything. For the first time I went over by nearly 200 calories and interestingly this morning at long last my weight has dropped down again. I still think it's crazy only 2 lbs lost in nearly 2 months. If it wasn't for the fact my tum is steadily shrinking I would give up.

McCormack: I think you could be right. The only thing I have done differently (which has given a me a flatter tum: wish now I had done 'before and 'after photos) is the exercise. This I always knew was an issue of why I couldn't lose weight, and not so much the food. I had to look at what cico was and I see there are a lot of interesting articles of why it isn't an exact science; I will look forward to reading them. After looking at the SW regime, it seems to be based on the healthy eating regime I was doing anyway + allowances of syns for the treats. I have also read that SW works better for those who have tended to have been eating junk food. I think I will not get as obsessed about weighing and just eat only thing is, I wouldn't be able to log and check my protein intake.

RodaRose wrote: »

Cryptobrit: I was diagnosed with CFS a long time ago and spent a decade getting over it. Docs had fewer answers then they do now. Make things as easy as possible. If the SW makes sense to you, then do that.

That is so true RodaRose. I have just made by 'pushing' myself the 'salmon curry in a curry' recipe my daughter told me about. The only thing is was anything but quick! Took me an hour to do. While it was delicious (served with giant couscous), I wouldn't like to know how long the recipes take if not in a hurry!'

I am still out on the SW regime. I like the idea of the syns, but then it gets complicated when it comes to food you can't prepare yourself. Most of the regime seems to be centred around preparing and cooking recipes yourself. Fine when in good health. If I am low on protein I will have a PHD diet whey bar, or a shake using the diet protein powder. Apparently based on the 20 calories per syn, that is 5 syns per item. Woe betide if I use the non-diet versions such as the hemp which I sometimes have. You are allowed 10-15 syns a day. So add my xylitol at 1/2 a syn, a bit of a struggle. They do ready meals but only 2 I would eat. There is a local group very close and I thought of going to enquire and how this would fit in with my 'bad days' which is quite often. But it is probable they would try and say come along and give it a go.

There is probably no harm in giving the local group leader a call and seeing what she says after I tell her of my situation. I am now at the end of my tether after putting another pound on; it is so demoralising after 2.5 months. I have actually stopped logging, weighing and calorie counting now I have felt so worn out with it all. It doesn't matter how many people tell me it must be muscle, I still feel like bawling my eyes out. I was happier before I started this even though flabbier round the middle. The only reason I have persevered is 1: to be healthier 2: to get that 'tummy flab' down even more 3: to get the weight down when being weighed for/during any medical procedures/reasons. I know without a doubt that MFP has worked wonders for many people. But I am coming to the conclusion sadly that it just isn't for me. The relief of not spending so much effort and time weighing is immense. I know what is healthy eating and this is why I feel it is so futile. If I do go eventually I will miss you guys though. But no point in struggling on when I am getting nowhere and the weight is creeping up and up. I find it hard to believe a middle-aged woman with health conditions can miraculously have her belly fat turn to 'ab muscle'

Thanks all of you. It is nice you are being so positive. Sadly there have been some folk on MFP who just haven't read what I have put; either that or they are so full of their own importance and inflexibility to listen and believe it is really sad. I appreciate your 'niceness.' There is nothing that maddens me more when some say "You MUST be eating more than you say you are,' when I know for a fact I haven't.

In the few days since I have stopped logging and trying as hard there hasn't been any weight gain. I haven't measured anything, just kept up the shuffling/exercise, and sensible eating with the odd treat. Psychologically I feel far better. I am also giving Fatsecret a try as the interface looks very good visually for my eyes - not cluttered. I am sticking around for a while if only to update and chat with you guys, you have been great and very supportive.

I have an online friend who also has congenital back problems. When I told her of only losing 2lbs in as many months (before it going up) she told me she had been the same. She persevered and it took her a year to lose 12lbs. I think it is quite difficult though to determine when there has been a genuine weight loss due to the fluctuations through the day. I've also noticed the amount of wind has gone down since I have not worried to much about things. MFP says I should be consuming 1200 calories a day. I was actually consuming 1300 as like many others I felt it was too restrictive, and have been trying to make up on exercise. It is interesting that both Sparkpeople (which I tried briefly) and Fatsecret both say I should be consuming 1600 calories a day.

Will have a look. At the moment I am enjoying the interface of FatSecret. While it doesn't have such an extensive database, the items in it so far have all been correct; matching up if the odd duplicate. I was finding so many variations in MFP that we're miles apart in calories and nutrients. But I am open to all suggestions at the moment.