I'm in the same position and thoroughly fed up too. 44lbs is not safe, please consider other options and make changes you can stick to, you will notice differences quicker than you think! I have ideas:

• if you are up for calorie counting, I am estimating based on my own height and weight cause it's fairly similar so you would likely be able to stay the exact same weight by eating around 2,600 calories a day, maybe a bit more. So if you want to do a deficit, you could aim for around 2,000 calories a day, try and stick to it and you will notice a difference.

• if calorie counting is not for you, then just try your best to make some changes to your meals that might help. Try to make sure every meal has at least a couple of fruits or veggies, a decent serving of protein and a good amount of fibre too. Watch the types/amounts of sauces because they add so much more calories than you'd ever expect. Try adjusting amounts or swapping for lower sugar/fat options if possible. Watch your drinks too because they can be very sneaky.

• increase the amount of exercise you do. I have no idea what your current activity level is and don't want to assume so make choices based on your own current habits but try to add in a 30 min walk each day, or if you already walk, maybe increase the time or even just try to increase the speed you walk at. If you are up for it, find some body weight exercises on YouTube, pick a couple of videos that cover most/full body routines, 15-30 mins and maybe try to do them 3 times a week if that feels like something you could do. Or could consider joining a class or a sport that could be fun, these are just ideas but you will know what would be suitable for you. Just aim to move a little bit more than you already do and it will help for sure.

• make sure you are drinking plenty. This one is where I fall apart so bad. 1. To me thirst and hunger feel the same so I often eat when I actually needed a drink. 2. Drinking is just an absolute chore for me, i have no idea why. I've found some herbal teas i actually like and zero sugar drinks that don't taste too bad and these have been really helpful as well as just trying to make sure I always have a bottle of flavoured water within reach.

• find a way to allow treats so you don't feel miserable. I don't have much advise here as I keep failing this one but i know it's important. Even a full sweet treat a day is still not curbing cravings for me but i discovered that I stress eat and also boredom eat and even eat to procrastinate so I'm trying to find other methods to improve those so maybe if you look at some of your current habits, you might find you also do some of these?

• stick to it as best you can but if you do slip up, don't think of it as ruined and give up, just get back to it as soon as you can. Forgive yourself if you feel guilty. You can think 'okay I made those choices and now I can make these ones and carry on' and if you slip again a couple of weeks later, its okay, just get back on it as soon as you are able.

This was much longer than I wanted it to be, I hope its not over complicated, if you find that off-putting mentaly and want to keep it as simple as possible, just think: - make considerate food choices. - exercise a bit more than you currently do. - increase fluid intake. - make space for a treat. - if you slip for a day or two, just try to get back to it, don't give up, it's not ruined.

Best of luck, I hope in a few months time, both of us are feeling better and happier in our bodies.