Short & Fat: Scared to start learning again cos if it!

[GarnetFox]

Going to have a bit of whinge here, even though I know it's only me who can do something about it!

Have always been rather squidgy, but I managed to get a chronic illness 2 years ago which made me very stationary and so with that and comfort eating, the weight piled on. I am 5foot 1 and now I weigh 15 stone or so. Luckily I carry the weight well, and have a not bad figure for a size 18 (the bones are just hidden under a few inches of squidge!). What upsets me is that I am now an elephant when it comes to riding schools.

I used to ride weekly for 5 years, then I got ill and my riding instructor sold up, so the nearest school is 10 miles away now (I dont drive). I had a couple of lessons last year and I was on a sweet 16.3 MW schoolmistress mare. I did enjoy it but the trouble is my very wee little legs didn't go far past the saddle flaps and my balance was terrible. I know that is because I've gone back to a complete beginner, but I don't think my lack of leg length helped.

I feel ashamed going for riding lessons as the schools that can accomodate me put me on 17 hh horses, and while I love any horse, I feel very self concious as I know I must look stupid. When I was lighter and on a riding holiday, I was in charge of fittening up a new riding school pony for a week. He was called Paddy, he was a 13.2hh heinz 57 and I fell in love. At last my legs fitted a pony!! :D He did have a very ping pong ball trot though, bless him, I've never posted so quickly in my life!

So, I know I need to lose a lot of weight, and for that I need to exercise to kick start my metabolism (at the moment I only have to look at a lettuce leaf to put on half a stone). Exercise for me needs to be fun, or I'll slope off and get lost in a book. My friends (what are left of them after I got sick) are very stationary too (but don't put weight on, sods) and so the ideal exercise is riding. BUT! Until I lose weight I will probably find that tricky due to being a tub of lard. Catch 22!

Anyway, I feel better after getting that off my chest. Feel free to ignore this thread though, I'm pretty much talking through my thoughts but it's cheaper than therapy. ;)

[4_white_socks]

Hi

One of the best things to do is exercise - you know this already, but I'll go through some good things to do:

Go to the Gym - even if it's only once a week, or once a month even, try to go often, and keep working at it. It's going to be hard, but you can do this. Eventually, you will be lighter, and this will improve your riding greatly.

Keep riding - It's great exercise, and by riding now, you're helping yourself lose weight. Also, you can learn how to keep your balance and keep control of the horse as you are. This will help your riding now and in the future.

Do some daily walking/jogging - Try jogging, but if you're not comfortable, just walk instead. Walk to the local shops instead of use the car, discover new routes, and make it a daily thing, even if it is to the end of the street and back. Doctors recommend walking 10,000 steps a day to keep healthy. I wouldn't start with that much ;) but you get the idea.

Try to eat healthily - Some people try to lose weight by not eating at all, this can help you lose weight, but it also makes you lose health and can make you very sick. The best way to eat is healthily. Food like salads, fruit, vegetables etc are great for you, but you need a good balance of all foods.

Just remember to be patient - it'll all work out, and you can lose weight if you try.

I'm going to try to lose half a stone, and hopefully, by trying the above things, I can.

Good luck, socks xx

[LynneAC]

Hi :D

I can relate to you, I put on 3 stone in 3 months after almost 4 years of largely unnecessary steroids due to a very lazy GP who couldn't be bothered to do anything but write out a prescription!

I don't know if you like the gym, I don't and didn't find that I lost anything going there anyway. The gym is good for toning up but can be disheartening if it's one of those with the thong-clad lovelies all around doing their stuff! If you don't like it then you won't go, as you probably already know you need to find something that interests you otherwise you'll just not put in the effort.

Walking is good exercise and won't be too bad on your joints. I WOULDN'T, however recommend jogging. No offence, hun, I've been there ....... but until you lose some weight then it could be too much pressure on your knee joints (I know!).

I know a couple of people who are going to aqua-aerobics. Because it's a womans only session they don't feel embarrassed to be out there in their swimsuits and have both reported that they enjoy it and that they have started losing the weight PLUS the water supports you so less chance of injury AND it also acts as resistance to make you work harder.

Apart from that why not speak to your doctor about seeing a nutritionist?

With regards to riding I would keep phoning around. Yes, most schools DO have a weight limit but if you explain the reasons then you may find a school who is sympathetic to you and will *find* a 15.2 weightbearer (we have a 15.2 who can carry your weight and more but you're too far away :( ). If you can go during the day on weekdays you may find it easier to get in as the horses don't tend to work quite as hard as they do at the weekends.

Good luck, have a serious think about an activity apart from riding that you would be happy to do 3-4 times a week, keep on trying the riding schools and ride a 17hh if you have to for the time being, try and get an appointment with a dietician/nutritionist and let us know how you get on :D


Lx

[LindaAd]

GarnetFox, don't feel bad about your size... if the riding school is unhelpful, maybe you could find another one? There are plenty of cobs around that can easily carry 15 stone +.

How do you manage to get to the school now? Do you use public transport? If you travel 10 miles, maybe you could travel a bit further? Or have you thought of getting a bike? Exercise and transport in one!

[canadianbeaver]

Do you have a spouse or a boyfriend/brother/sister/mother/aunt/uncle etc etc who could take you to the barn more often?

[GarnetFox]

Hi all, thanks for the replies. :)

I have a handy Dad who can take me riding but can't guarantee when he can because of work etc. I do have a boyfriend who has shown interest in horses, but as he's been a plonker all weekend, I don't know how long he'll be around for. :rolleyes:

Diet and nutritionalists. Now, here we get onto one of my soapbox subjects (apologies in advannce!)....

My illness is Interstitial Cystitis, a chronic inflammation and hemohraging of the bladder lining. It's auto immune they think, but not much research has been done so they don't know why it happens or how to cure it. One thing that suppresses it a little is diet, certain foods cause pain flares.

So! I cannot eat:

Anything with artificial sweetners in.
Any fruit other than pears.
Tomatoes.
Carbonated drinks, including carbonated water.
Fruit squashes or flavoured water.
Fruit juices.
Anything with caffeine in (no chocolate, argh!), even decaffinated tea/coffee has a little left in and can trigger a flare.
Most sauces or dressings with concentrated flavours and/or vinager.
Anything spicy (curry's a no-no).
Most herbs (oregano is ok).

So as you can see, my diet is rather limited. I saw a nutritionalist at the hospital, wanting a low fat diet I could follow with my limtations, and he basically told me to starve myself. Hadn't done any research into my condition at all. :rolleyes:

There is another school about 10 miles away that looks a little less scary than the last I went to, and I've emailed them and they say that they can accomodate me, so once I get my problems at work sorted out (manager wants to sack me for too much sick time, head office want to give me a promotion, I would like the promotion too!)) I will ask dad if he can take me.

Hugs

Katie

[Bay Mare]

Originally posted by GarnetFox
My illness is Interstitial Cystitis, a chronic inflammation and hemohraging of the bladder lining. It's auto immune they think, but not much research has been done so they don't know why it happens or how to cure it. One thing that suppresses it a little is diet, certain foods cause pain flares.

I saw a nutritionalist at the hospital, wanting a low fat diet I could follow with my limtations, and he basically told me to starve myself. Hadn't done any research into my condition at all. :rolleyes:

That's ridiculous! The reason that I suggested seeing your doctor to get a referral was so that you could see someone who could help you within the restrictions of your diet and your medical condition. What an idiot that nutritionist is :mad:

Good luck with sorting out the work thing.


x

Formerly LynneAC .... kept meaning to change it, finally got off my butt and ACTUALLY changed it!

[countrymouse033]

I am also short & curvaceous/ overweight. I love to ride! If the pony or horse is of a stocky build, there is no reason you can't ride and 14-15 h horse. My riding instructor varies the horses we ride, and none of us in my group are twigs. Her horses are mostly late teens & early 20's & doing very well. She just lost one last year who regularly into his 30's & he loved to work.
I spent many years wishing I could ride, didn't think I could because I was overweight.
I have lost much weight since learning to ride. Speak to your instructor. Persist in your request for a shorter horse! If he/she won't listen -go somewhere else!

[Jamiie]

Anyone know what a "Stone" is in relation to the Pound? I am confused over here in the USA!

[canadianbeaver]

One stone equals 14 pounds.

[CatherineJP]

On the subject of diets, I'm on an online diet from www.edietsuk.co.uk. You weigh in every week and then they give you the menu for the next week. Any way, the reason I mention it is because you can tell them what allergies/dietry requirements you have and they will change the menu to suit you. The don't catter for every nutritional problem but they might cover a few of yours. Once you've got your menu for the week you can then go through and change the meals to others from a selection (so if you can't eat curry you can change it to another meal).

They have a help line you call for support (mental support as well as electronic :-)). They also have nutritionalists that you can ask advice of and lots of newsgroups for support from other dieters.

I've lost 7lbs in three weeks :-). They charge about £3 per week. I don't know if they'll be any good for you but I thought it might be worth saying in case you fancy it.

Don't give up riding as well! When I'm at the stables I'm mostly far to worried about what I look at the be watching other people and I think lots of people are the same :-).

[DressageGirl]

I have the same Problem as you I'm 5'0 and My Horse is 16 hh and I have trouble sometime with Balance Plus I put on some weight during my Pregnancy with My Little girl and have not lost it either.. And I've just really got back into riding after taking sometime off for a Year. So I'm Hoping the riding will tone me up and get me back into shape..

[Demson]

14hh is too small to take 15st comfortably so I disagree with that, however there are plenty of good cobs around 15hh+ that will take your weight.

The advice you were given about starving yourself, well I would have reported that person as that advice can very easily lead to an eating disorder that the health servce spends millions on trying to stop.

Do you have a bike? Leave your money at home and cylce to mst places that you are capable of, don't over do it though build up the exercise slowly. If you have a dog take it out to the park more than you do now. Don't go jogging..not yet anyway that will ony cause strss on your body and brisk walking is very good exercise. Wear a walkman..good excuse to buy some new CD's or Mini Disc's.

Swimming...that is great as can be as gentle or as stranous as you wish, and it exercises every muscle.

Go back to your doctor and ask for a second referal to a better more understanding nutritionist.

Best of all don't feel bad about yourself, I'd rather have a friend like you that is a little overweight than someone who is bitchy or scruffy etc.
If people mock you then they are very immature and more than likely feel insecure about something themselves but hide behind name calling.
I too have a medical condition. (EAA) It stops me from breathing in and I aslo have asthma that stops me breathing out. (Ina right pickle when they strike together) LOL

Like you there is very little research on my condition and the specialists don't really know what to do. So at the moment its steroids etc. I have to eat like a rabbit and so far have managed to keep my weight stable. Not easy to do though..

So chin up. look ahead not down and show those idiots what your made of..
Go riding and enjoy yourself, do't think about what others may be saying..



Cheers

[ShortyPony]

GarnetFox-

I agree with 4_white_socks. Jut ride, go too the gym, and eat healthy. promise me that you won't go on one of those "No-eat-diets"

[lady ridealot]

Sorry just found this post and thought i would pitch in. (Better late than never.)

My friends (what are left of them after I got sick) are very stationary too (but don't put weight on, sods) and so the ideal exercise is riding.

How about as well as riding you offer to volunteer at your local yard, or the new yard you move to? Obviously not too strenuously at first but it would be good to be active and outside as well as giving you the chance to be with horses! You might even get to ride for free or at a discount in exchange for your help, it would even give you the chance to meet new people and maybe make some make new friends!

Hope you feel better xx

[Samsky]

Originally posted by GarnetFox
Going to have a bit of whinge here, even though I know it's only me who can do something about it!

Have always been rather squidgy, but I managed to get a chronic illness 2 years ago which made me very stationary and so with that and comfort eating, the weight piled on. I am 5foot 1 and now I weigh 15 stone or so. Luckily I carry the weight well, and have a not bad figure for a size 18 (the bones are just hidden under a few inches of squidge!). What upsets me is that I am now an elephant when it comes to riding schools.

I used to ride weekly for 5 years, then I got ill and my riding instructor sold up, so the nearest school is 10 miles away now (I dont drive). I had a couple of lessons last year and I was on a sweet 16.3 MW schoolmistress mare. I did enjoy it but the trouble is my very wee little legs didn't go far past the saddle flaps and my balance was terrible. I know that is because I've gone back to a complete beginner, but I don't think my lack of leg length helped.

I feel ashamed going for riding lessons as the schools that can accomodate me put me on 17 hh horses, and while I love any horse, I feel very self concious as I know I must look stupid. When I was lighter and on a riding holiday, I was in charge of fittening up a new riding school pony for a week. He was called Paddy, he was a 13.2hh heinz 57 and I fell in love. At last my legs fitted a pony!! :D He did have a very ping pong ball trot though, bless him, I've never posted so quickly in my life!

So, I know I need to lose a lot of weight, and for that I need to exercise to kick start my metabolism (at the moment I only have to look at a lettuce leaf to put on half a stone). Exercise for me needs to be fun, or I'll slope off and get lost in a book. My friends (what are left of them after I got sick) are very stationary too (but don't put weight on, sods) and so the ideal exercise is riding. BUT! Until I lose weight I will probably find that tricky due to being a tub of lard. Catch 22!

Anyway, I feel better after getting that off my chest. Feel free to ignore this thread though, I'm pretty much talking through my thoughts but it's cheaper than therapy. ;)

When was it you rode Paddy and what colour was he? We have a pony just like that at out riding school called Paddy.

[Nikita88]

keep in mind i live in america when i ask this question....what is a stone? the only stone i know is a rock.
When someone says 13 stone is that like 130 pounds? (In america, we use pounds) i have no clue.....im sure there are atleast a few other ppl wondering the same thing.

[Tinkerbell]

A stone is 14lb.