[HillmanMinx]

Hi guys. Bit of background. My 'normal' weight before kids was 47-53 kilos. After kid number 1 I bounced back to that. By pregnancy number 2 (7 years later) I had pushed up to the mid 50s and after kid number 3 I was fluctuating but around about 57 kilos (and I felt fat for me).
In 2007 I got a mirena device fitted and I put on quite a few kilos.
By 2008 I was more around 63 kilos.
Then I started taking anti depressants. I have just continued to pile on the weight since that moment.
I was horrified earlier this year to find myself at 83ish kilos (wasn't that heavy in any pregnancy)!
But I just weighed myself and I can NOT believe it but I was almost 92kgs!!

Im about 164cms I think. Apparently that makes my BMI 34.2!

I am supposed to go to my nieces wedding in 5 weeks. I bought a size 14 dress which in itself p*ssed me off because I am still a 10 'on the inside'! I actually would have bought a 16 but they didn't have that size in stock and it is a stretchy dress (very figure hugging )

Im not even sure if I will be able to GO to the wedding as I am caring for my mum and she probably wont be well enough to go. But if I do go, I can't be this weight and wear my dress... for one thing it probably wont fit now, and for another I will look exactly like a whale because its grey and fitted and I am carrying alot of the weight around my waist!

I *used to* only ever put weight on my thighs/hips, and retain a flat tummy/small waist, but since the mirena and anti depressants - I've turned into an apple shape and I hate it!

I have been retaining fluid off and on lately, so hopefully a few kilos of this weight is fluid, although my ankles aren't especially swollen today.

Having written this out, its clear there is no chance of me wearing the dress in 5 weeks I will have to figure something else out. Dressing an obese apple figure that I don't relate to, is very difficult.

I was going to ask for your BEST tips for losing weight fast, for an event. But eh, consider this a vent!

[CocobeanLillylov...]

You could lose 5 kilos in 5 weeks. That is achievable for sure. If you exercise and eat well including portion control it could be more. Set a small goal for the wedding and then perhaps it could be a head start to a longer term goal. It's amazing what 5 kilos lighter will do.

[BlueUnicorn]

I would Get the mirena out, give up sugar, excersise one hour every single day and go shopping for a more flattering outfit at the end of 5 weeks. Good luck!

[duedec]

Michelle Bridges losing the last 5kgs is a good read. If you set your mind to it you could do it, but you would need to be very careful with food, and exercise like a demon.

I would also go a more flattering dress, but given the wedding is 5 weeks away, you've probably got time to see how your weight goes and then go shoping closer to the wedding date.

Good luck.

[beaglebaby]

As others have said, you could diet and exercise like a mad thing and lose a reasonable amount in that time, but I'm not actually sure where you'll manage to fit that in with everything else you have going on. Make a conscious effort to eat well though as 80% of the equation is diet. I remember you saying you were forgetting to eat with all the craziness of looking after your Mum, that is the worst thing you can do, it slows your metabolism and you end up eating badly - I know, I'm prone to it! 3 healthy meals and 2 healthy snacks, plan it just like you're planning your Mums food and drink every day. Perhaps even consider something like Optifast for that time.

Perhaps something like a nice long line black jacket over the dress will camoflage the issue. Let me know (PM) if you don't have one, I have gone from a plus size down to a 12 so probably still have something in the wardrobe.

[HillmanMinx]

Well I can not get the mirena out as I have endometriosis and without the mirena I get chronic sciatica from the inflammation endo causes near my sciatic nerve.

I will see how I go by cutting out chocolate and trying to not skip meals... seems silly that eating meals might help me lose weight but beaglebaby I do agree, since the meds I am on make my metabolism so sluggish, I can not afford to contribute to that sluggishness.

I am ALWAYS running round at the moment, but probably not getting my heart into that peak exercise zone too often. The gym round the corner has a 10 dollar per week special... maybe thats the way to go.

I will try to find a flattering dress - no mean feat... beaglebaby if you have anything you are thinking of selling that might be appropriate, let me know. The wedding is very formal and its in a tropical climate so I can't wear anything too wintery as its the dry season up north of WA - hot!

[Turtles Mum]

With 100% clean eating, and daily exercise I have just lost 16kgs in the last 7 weeks (no shakes, pills or crash dieting) I have lost 67.5cms off my body in that time.

5kgs in 5 weeks can definitely be done you just need the right mindset, determination and commitment.

try to stick to 1200 calories a day with exercise, even a walk around the block, a fitness dvd at home, dancing with the kids etc My fitness Pal app is what I have used to track calories and weightloss.

And the most important thing is be honest with yourself, no cheating. Pick a day of the week and use that as your day to weigh yourself.

Good luck! you can do it!!!

This post has been edited by Turtles Mum : 08/05/2012, 06:34 AM