I feel fat and frumpy in summer and want to hide away
QI hate summer. I’m too fat and frumpy to enjoy it like everyone else does in their skimpy dresses and bikinis. Now it’s June and here we go again. I hate my body and want to lock myself away. I’m in my 30s, with lots of friends. But at this time of year, I don’t fit in. I’m the ugly, sweaty, breathless girl. Anne says: probably think your weight is the biggest obstacle to being able to enjoy summer but it’s not. It’s your mindset.
You feel you don’t deserve to love wearing summer clothes because your body is too big. But look around you – hundreds of others, many I’m sure much larger than you, are disporting acres of bare flesh.
What’s the difference between them and you? It’s what’s going on in your mind. The best way to change that is to get CBT – cognitive behavioural therapy – which trains you to think differently from the entrenched I had been having some abdominal pain for a year. It felt like heartburn so I took prescribed stomach acid tablets for a time.
It didn’t improve so I went for an ultrasound and discovered I had gallstones. Within a week, I was on the waiting list to have my gall bladder removed. A few months later, I went in for my op at Lister Hospital in Stevenage. It was done by keyhole surgery and, besides having to stay in for a night because I had a drain in, it all went well.
The only pain was the trapped wind from the op. As soon as it was over, it was like magic – the pain went. Well worth it. attitudes and perceptions that are dragging you down. You know you’re not really the “ugly sweaty girl” – but you cannot help thinking like that.
Your GP should be able to refer you to a CBT counsellor but access is a bit of a postcode lottery.
Other than that, look at your local slimming clubs or self-help groups for anxiety and depression. They, too, may be able to offer CBT. It’s also available privately and can cost £40 a session but it doesn’t go on for ever – it’s designed to last 10 to 12 weeks.
As for the physical challenge of This mineral is a vital nutrient for your body, mostly found in red blood cells. Supplements are available in pill or liquid form, over the counter and on prescription. PROS: Helps prevent and treat conditions such as anaemia, allows pregnant women to get the extra recommended daily amount needed and can boost energy levels in women with heavy periods. Some studies suggest extra iron can benefit children with ADHD. CONS: Consuming dairy products, grains, tea and coffee at the same time can inhibit absorption. Can cause constipation or diarrhoea, stomach upsets and pain and nausea. Taking too much can be dangerous. losing weight and getting fitter, please try to find a club with like-minded people – and don’t look for a quick fix. We now know that quickie diets don’t work – they often make things worse.
It takes time to make big changes, which is why it is important to get your head in shape first, so you can enjoy life as you go.
A great friend of mine who has run successful slimming clubs says losing weight is a long journey. Don’t just think of the end destination, enjoy the ride. Or you’re wishing time away and, like summer, it’ll be gone too soon.