Restarting after a quite awful 2022.....

Madsocks
Madsocks Posts: 54 Member
in Getting Started
Hi there,

Scotland-based MFP user here! Done this a couple of times before, but I've lost my way with MFP for a while, mainly because I've just had a new baby back in the summer, our family has gone from 4 to 5 and because of this, I'm finding it more and more difficult to go the gym.

I got down to 16st 9lb and that was 3 years ago, then during lockdown 2020 I got to 17st. Summer 2021 I reached just under 18st, and last year I was at 20st 9lbs. I then started using Saxenda and managed to get my weight down to 18st 1lbs and felt so good.

However things took a turn for the worst in the last couple of months; I've ended up being a single dad to 3 kids as my fiancee ended up having to have a triple bypass (she's only 36!) so I've had absolutely no time to go to the gym, and over christmas I've put the weight on and i'm now 19st 3lbs.

I'm going to try and start walking during my lunch in work again as that helped previously, but it's just finding the right time to go to the gym. The only times I could feasibly go is either before work in the morning, which would mean getting up at 4am or going after work, but by the time I get home at 6pm, have tea, then put the kids to bed, I just don't have the motivation to get back out.

I just need a starting point and to be able to get myself back off the sugar drinks. The saxenda worked fantastically, but I don't think it's working as well now.

Any help, advice, support or just general motivation would be greatly appreciated. :-)

Thank you.

Lee

Replies

  • noodlesno
    noodlesno Posts: 113 Member
    Hey, Firstly don't beat yourself up. You have been going through a super hard time. It happens and your weight is the definition of your life success. You are doing all you can and you should be proud as you sound like you are being a wonderful father and partner. With the gym would at-home workouts be easier at the moment? Get hold of some weight which a lot of people are selling second hand after covid? Virgin active does an at-home program which I don't think is hugely expensive. However, after covid there is a ton of good programs out there.

    In terms of motivation. I am not the biggest believer in it. Motivation can come and go and I find with that alone I would just give up on the days it wasn't there. So instead I use different strategies. Firstly and most importantly it is appreciating myself enough to give my body the fuel and exercise it needs to be happy and healthy. Then it is also about building a regular routine/habit that seems uncomfortable if I break it. So if that is always a 20min workout straight away after you have put the kids to bed. Whether that is a fast walk on the days you don't feel like it or a good hitt session on the days you do feel good. Whatever it is moving your body for the 20mins. Once that is set in your day and you can build it up from there.
  • 1BlueAurora
    1BlueAurora Posts: 439 Member
    I don't know how old your children are, but is it feasible for you to put the youngest in a stroller to push and have the other 2 walk or jog alongside? Challenge them: "I bet you can't run to the next mailbox before me!" and you might all have a good time together. I know it doesn't replace the gym workouts that you wish you could do, but it might fit in well to do this after dinner and wear out your kids before their bedtime while you get some respite from being stuck inside, frustrated and sad and worn out. It's also a nice way to model good activity behavior to your kids. You already know that you can lose weight without a gym workout (just reduce those calories), but a 20 minute walk/jog outside might lift your spirits and clear your head enough to realize you're doing a fabulous job within the constraints life has given you. I hope your fiancee will gain strength soon and be more able to take care of herself and your kids. If you have friends around with kids, ask them to come over to babysit for 1.5 hours so you can drive to the gym worry-free once in a while. You've got this!

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