Left it a bit late

[AvonCallingBarksdale]

Right, I've got 10 weeks until a big event. I have at least 2 stone to lose. I know I'm not going to manage that, but with exercise and being strict and a lot more than I possibly have willpower, how much is possible realistically? I'm 5' 4" and early 40s. If anyone fancies joining me, I'd love to buddy up. I'm thinking lots of water, no eating between meals, cut out all the crap - biscuits crisps etc, lots of veggies and a lot of walking/swimming. Is 1-1.5 stone too much to hope for??
TIA

[Moanranger]

I think only possible on a VCLD. I am 5 weeks in on Exante & have lost 1.5st

[elevenfouromfg]

I have at least two stone to lose too. I actually started my diet yesterday so woke up today feeling hungry but very pleased with myself to get through the first day. I am just cutting out the crap, smaller healthier meals and loads of water. I hate being over weight it makes me feel really really shite about myself but somehow still shove in the cake. Today I'm feeling positive. I hate exercise but am pretty active. Maybe I will start walking everyday.

[Lolimax]

I'm 6 weeks into a diet and 11lbs down. I'm doing my own thing, cutting down on carbs, calories and am increasing the exercise. A wedding at the end of July spurred me on. Oh and I drink 2L of water a day as well. I intended to loose a stone at first but I'm hoping for more than that now. Downloading MFP helped.
Good luck!

[confusedandemployed]

I disagree, VLCD is not the only way to lose a good amount in 10 weeks. You could shift a stone I reckon, and that will show a remarkable difference in someone of your height.

I lost lots last year on 5:2 but half a stone has crept back on. I really want to lose that again before my holiday on 22 July, so I'm in. 5:2 isn't happening for me at the mo so I'm going with a similar plan:
3 healthy, protein rich, low GI meals a day
No snacking
Log all food in Myfitnesspal and a weekly calorie limit (easier to manage than a daily set limit IME). I'm going with 10,500 Cal's which is 1500 per day but I plan to have some lighter days, to allow for a bit of leeway on other days.
LOTS of exercise. I do this anyway so this will continue with gusto. What do you like to do? I find the way to stick at exercise is to constantly vary it. I do a mix of running, gym, HIIT, cycling and im going to add swimming this week too.

Good luck! I'll see you on here later

[AvonCallingBarksdale]

Yes, lots of people have mentioned MFP. I used to write down everything I ate and pin that up on the fridge every day - that worked quite well! Right, I am spurred on knowing others are doing this. Bizarrely for me, weighing myself is counter-productive at the start. I just think, oh god how can I weigh this much, then i reach for the cake/chocolate/biscuits. So I think I need to do a couple of weeks, hopefully feel some sort of difference and then step on the scales.
I can do this, must keep saying that
HAve a good day everyone!

[AvonCallingBarksdale]

Thanks for the replies, by the way. I'm assuming VLCD - is very low calorie diet? I remember seeing Wogan once (a zillion years ago) and some celeb was on having lost loads of weight by, apparently, eating only oranges for 3 weeks. Perhaps I could do that as a kick-start . Exercise, too. I've signed up for a half in October - not sure If I'll be able to do that, but as soon as my chest clears (have a nasty cold at the mo), I'll start running. Walking too and those 7 minute workouts you can do at home.

[elevenfouromfg]

Years ago a friend of mine only ate apples for a couple of weeks. Lost a ton of weight but you've got to love apples

[Lolimax]

God wouldn't they ferment and the wind be awful?

[purplefox]

Stick to protein and low carb veg meals as much as possible, and combine with intermittent fasting.

[RunnerOnTheRun]

I just want to add in, whatever you do that is drastic WILL go back on. It's a physiological response to starvation. Slow and steady is the only way to safely lose body fat and not re-gain AND more AND cause metabolic damage, making future fat loss very very tough.

If diets worked, people wouldn't need to keep going back.