How did this happen and...

Good to hear that you are on the mend and able to address other things. I was advised to try Thai Chi. It can be done standing or sitting and incorporates breathing techniques to help you relax, along with gentle stretching movements. The class near me does Shibashi Thai Chi which is mostly Qi Gung so not as strenuous as pilates. Hope you can find something to suit you.

If you drink alcohol, stop. it's one of the easiest ways to lose pounds. The body doesn't know what to do with alcohol so it stores it as fat.

I have found it fairly easy to lose some weight and now keep it off by eating a little less and walking a little more, Slow and steady works best I think.

I suppose I'm wondering how big you actually are? Maybe you're OK? I doubt if many of us are the same size we always were. If the doctor has advised against strict dieting and exercise maybe you should take it easy, cut back on the obvious calories and make sure you add in as much walking as possible in daily life- eg always take the stairs, park at the far end of the car park etc etc. That can add up more than you think.

Low carb...pilates, swimming, walking...slow at first...it works wonders!

I agree low carbs worked for me after years of yoyo dieting

Try SOSA stands for solo salsa - it a dance based low impact exercise - you don’t Need a partner and is women only - doing this has lost me 1.5 stone and come off bp tablets plus being a bit more careful what I eat

Nothing drastic, just healthy eating, more (double?) veggies, more water and move around a little more. Build up your strength with several short walks rather than one longer one. The weight will slowly come off. Maybe try yoga when you feel stronger.

Just watch your portion sizes. Cut out the things you know are full of calories. Eat sensibly. Don't eat between meals. Keep as active as you are able.

There is no need to go "on a diet". As you begin to feel better/stronger then you will be able to gently increase your activity again.

I second low carb I’ve lost 2 stone and reversed my diabetes. No white carbs so not rice, pasta, mashed or jacket potatoes, no sugar. Don’t have diet drinks they are just as bad as sugar ones. Eat meat, fish , eggs, cheese, nuts, avocados for good fats. Pile on the salad and veg. Good granary or whole meal bread sometimes but again no white. Fresh fruit no puddings . Worked for me and I don’t miss all the white stuff. Also losing weight has improved the pain from my back problem no end.

A walk every day would be a gentle start along with use a smaller plates for meals.

Try swimming. It’s worked wonders for me.

Pilates isn’t strenuous and most people would benefit from Doing the gentle stretching and strength building exercises two or three times a week. Try to move to a more plant based diet or if that isn’t for you just don’t eat anything that has more than 3 ingredients on the packet - no processed food in other words.

Try low carbHotTamales Reduce or give up bread, rice, pasta, potato etc. Works very well and easy to do.