Mortified in Boots

@glammanana. Your tip about the glass of water before a meal is borne out by my mum’s dietician. Mum is 90 and has dementia - it affects the part of her brain controlling appetite and her weight has fallen dramatically since diagnosis. Mum tends to drink quite a bit of liquid and one of the first things the dietician advised was not to drink water close to meal times as it fills the stomach and reduces appetite.

I put on weight really easily because of restricted mobility. I found a fasting diet online - not extreme, really easy and it works. You pick three days a week (not consecutive) where you stick to 500 calories or less on those days. The rest of the time you try to keep slightly under the recommended 2000/2500 calories a day depending on whether you’re male or female, although I had to reduce the calorie intake on ‘normal’ days a bit to account for not being able to move around as much. I found that the weight came off at a sensible rate, which means you’re more likely to keep it off. After I got to my target weight, I now eat normally, reserving one day a week to restrict to 500 calories. I find that this controls my weight and if I put on a few pounds I just increase the fasting days to two a week until the weight comes off. I realise this wouldn’t work for everyone, but it does for me.

MiL has put on weight in her 90s because she has become inactive.
It's the mix of eating healthier and moving about more which keeps us fit. So why am I sitting here having a cup of tea and several chocolate biscuits when I could be out on a nice walk.....?

Good luck to you us all User

AGAA4

I have noticed that friends in their late 80s and 90s are all slender. Mmm....must stop eating chocolate.

My mum, who died at 92, was always plump until her later years, when she was probably about 8 stone.

She had a small appetite by then, and like many of that age, just became frailer and more bird-like.

The ageing process I suppose.

I put on half a stone during lockdown but have luckily lost 6lbs of it up to now,previously I had lost 3st over a 2 year period using the NHS small plate option,I got rid of my standard plates and now use over sized side plates or the oblong sandwich plates for my meals always filling up with veg and salads which are in season,I got rid of white bread and crisps and have the occasional baked potato it works well for me.I find a glass of water before meals helps you feel full plus its good for your skin.

I'm another in favour of reducing portion sizes. It becomes a way of life and not a hardship. I seldom have a meal nowadays other than when I'm socialising. Mostly snacks at all times. Try to lose something like 1lb a week. Often stays off better that way than a quick (and tortuous) fix.

It’s all about just getting that happy medium I suppose, being happy within yourself whatever your figure.

My mum always said when you get older you have to choose between widen or wizen or face or figure. If you’re too skinny your face suffers. I’m following your advice, Mum!

Eat less and move more user7777. Although it's easier said than done.
I'm in the same position, but unfortunately lack the willpower. I try from time to time, but it isn't easy.
My Granny used to say that when a woman reaches a certain age, she needs a bit of weight about her.
She was a wise woman.

Very true AGA A generation whose mantra was everything in moderation. One my mother and her friends lived by, never over indulging and treats on occasion otherwise, according to them, it ruined the figure.

I have noticed that friends in their late 80s and 90s are all slender. Mmm....must stop eating chocolate.

Your relative is concerned for you and well done to them for using the opportunity whilst in Boots.

For some reason it is considered rude to tell someone that they have put on weight.

It’s even considered rude to tell a friend that their dog is overweight!

Since being overweight can shorten your life, none of this apparent rudeness makes any sense.

I will just budge up so you can sit in this boat with an awful lot of others, me included. I don't know how old you are or what your general health is like but I would be cautious starting any fad diets or extreme exercise regimes. The bottom line is eat less of the bad foods (and we know what they are), more of the good, keep hydrated and exercise more. A walk each day, an exercise bike or swimming a couple of times a week may be where to start. Good luck.

Smaller portions worked fine for me - and a walk before dinner.

You are not alone User7777,i got on a set of speaker scales and it said one at a time please.
No seriously,i and many of the people i know have put weight on during lockdown,i am hoping to walk it off.

I thought this was going to be about a new pantomime….

Just try reducing portion sizes I’d recommend. I have a friend who lost two stone that way and only put about four pounds back on during lockdown.

I lurk on the I'm a Pear thread NanKate I can't lose weight but it gives me the impetus to not nimble and thus not put any more on!

Don’t panic User you can do something about your weight but may I suggest you avoid a minimal diet as IMO it is better to take things gently. I used the NHS 12 week diet but bumped up the amount of calories as I thought I wouldn’t keep to their amount.

Why don’t you join us on the thread ‘I’m a Pear the sequel 2’. A small deducted group joined me 3 years ago and we are still going. You will find lots of support. Our latest motto is ‘Eat less for life’.

Best of luck.

You are not the only one user. Many of us have put on pounds during lockdown and i am finding it hard to lose weight. I have cut back a lot and am starting to lose weight but it will take a while.