I'm embarrassed to say that I have gained over 3 stone since lockdown. Partly this is because I have Graves Disease, which was diagnosed just before the first lockdown, and I have only had telephone conversations with my endocrinologist since then. I have also had breathing difficulties, which I think have been caused by the thyroid, as despite numerous tests there appears to be nothing wrong with my lungs or heart. Of course this, this has meant that I haven't wanted to go out during Covid, so have been getting very little exercise, and the weight has piled on.
I saw a photo of me taken recently, and was horrified. I have been living in baggy jumpers and leggings around the house, but had dressed up for an occasion which involved seeing people I had only met on Zoom for 18 months or so, before which I was a size 12. I felt awkward on the day, as I could see what people were thinking on their faces, but the photograph was the final straw.
I know that losing weight will be difficult with a thyroid complaint, but if I don't do something now, it will only get worse. I am supposedly having radiotherapy on my thyroid soon, but who knows what 'soon' means now that Covid is back, or whether the treatment will make things better or worse.
Anyway. I plan to have Christmas as planned, and start dieting on January 1st along with all the others with New Year resolutions. To be honest, I don't know where to start. I flirted with intermittent fasting a while ago, but it didn't really work. I know I eat too much sugar, and I need to cut back on that, particularly in drinks. I don't drink alcohol, but I don't like plain water, and have yet to find a drink I like that has neither sugar nor aspartame in it. Otherwise, I'm not sure what diet to follow. My husband is vegetarian, so a meat-heavy one like Atkins wouldn't really work. I also need to find ways to exercise that don't make me breathless .
My son gets married in May, which will give me five months to sort myself out so that I don't spoil his wedding photos. So this is me signing up to a promise to lose that 3 stone (or more) by then. All advice and encouragement is welcome, please?