10lbs to lose, 6 weeks to do it

[PumpkinPies38]

My weight has crept up by 10lbs in just three months- it's completely my own fault as my diet has not been great. A combination of sedentary job and long working hours in a place where food is provided and I can't just go out and get my own has been a root cause. It's one of those things where the odd pound is OK but it's getting on for a stone now and I feel pudgy and blobby and my clothes are tight. I want to tackle it before it gets any worse.

I have a wedding to attend at the end of July and I'd like to be at my goal weight (10lbs lower than I am now) by then. Posting here as a way of keeping myself accountable and on track. If anyone wants to join me please do it would be great to have some support!

I'm not planning on following a specific diet as such, just cutting out crap in particular processed food and refined sugar (chocolate is my downfall) and keeping calories to around 1600 a day. I'm also going to do three gym classes a week.

It's six weeks- surely I can stick to something that will be positive for me for six weeks?!

[Softpebbles]

You sound similar to me. I am starting on Monday due to weekend commitments.

I have been eating because I am down and then I'm down because my clothe are tight. My aim is to increase my exercise, currently just doing 10,000 steps a day but id like to start back at an exercise class I haven't been to for a while and also my shred DVD.

I am going to record everything I eat either MFP or on paper as I think this will stop me from eating and snacking. My meals are ok is the extras

In the last few months I have also started to eat bread again and will save this just for a weekend treat of toast. Currently around 11st 7lb, will weigh in on Monday. I would like to loose 7lb to begin but really I have 1st 7lb to loose. Id like to lose a stone before August 1st. I am 5'6.

My weight gain has been down to over eating and stress, lots of negative events in the last year.

[PumpkinPies38]

Thanks for the reply

I'm in exactly the same cycle as you. Eat because I'm down and then I'm down because all my clothes are too tight. I also enjoy healthy ish meals but am a big snacker so trying to reduce crap by not snacking all the time!

I am hoping to lose 2lb in my first week so fingers crossed. Also I'm going to try and consciously increase my water intake.

We can do this- let's really try! I'm sure once we start to see results we will be motivated it's the getting started that's the hardest bit.

[jumpjumpformylove]

I think you'll be able to do it, no problem.

I'm going onto my 6th week and on track for 10 pounds lost. Just remember there will be days where your weight stays the same or goes up a pound (or three!) but just keep going and you'll get there.

I track every day on MFP and it helps so much. Before MFP, I'd eat a bar of chocolate and think "screw it, my diet's a failure", whereas I now realise I can eat anything as long as I'm under my calorie goal and still lose weight.

[ppeatfruit]

It's very doable if you lose a couple of habits ! I managed it!

1, Give up ALL caffeinated drinks , drink loads of water and herbal teas , take them with you to work.

Eat fruit ON AN EMPTY STOMACH never straight after meals.

Also for quicker weight loss don't mix proteins and carbs at the same meal. So salad sandwiches, or fish with veg\salad not chips!!

Careful with cutting out the caffeine esp. if you OD on it, do it at the weekend or when you can rest because you might get a headache

[ppeatfruit]

Oh sorry, include alcohol in the giving up bit!!

[miaowmix]

why caffeinated drinks, may I ask? Genuinely baffled as to the weight loss link there (caffeine addict)

[ppeatfruit]

I think too much every day hangs on to water in your body, not sure of the science, I DO know it works, to give it up, for weight loss.

DH is an addict, he loses well when he can manage decaff!!

[PumpkinPies38]

Maki79 absolutely i need the support! Congrats on your weight loss so far.

Thanks to everyone else for their advice too- I'm going to give up caffeine (I like herbal teas anyway) and join MFP. It's my friend's birthday tomorrow and a group of us are going for a meal and a big night out so I know that's not going to be a diet friendly day... Apart from that I don't have anything coming up that could re rail me though. I just really want to see a bit of a loss in week one to get me going so hope I can manage to be reasonable tomorrow and not fall off the wagon completely!

[ppeatfruit]

miaow I gave up my daily freshly ground coffee and lost weight as well as the eating fruit on an empty stomach. The odd thing is when I have do have a coffee once in a 2 weeks or whatever it speeds up my metabolic rate (even a decaff). Strange but true.

[miaowmix]

ppeat that is truly mind-boggling, wow, thanks for that. I am honestly amazed, but good to know.

[ppeatfruit]

You're welcome miaowmix Thanks for the flowers .

[ppeatfruit]

I drink cranberry when I'm in a place where it's difficult to just have water! Though I do have enough will power to give up alcohol because I HATE hangovers !

[miaowmix]

Caffeine, alcohol, and well food, they're all sticking points for me . But I like to know this stuff regardless. Cheers.

[ppeatfruit]

miaow Look at Paul Mckenna I Can Make You Thin (silly name I wanted to be slim not THIN) because it's not about food so much (apart from it being nutritionally sound, not low fat or 'diet'). You only eat when you're hungry BUT slowly and really enjoying it ,not in front of screen or standing up. Then learning how to STOP when you feel full, which happens easily when you're eating\chewing consciously.

What happens is you can enjoy a dessert but not at the end of a meal AS a meal so you never feel deprived.

I lost nearly 3 stone on it and am maintaining, it's for life. No cal counting or obsessive weighing (of food or myself!!!) or fasting etc.

[ppeatfruit]

The other great thing about P.M. is you can just go straight back to eating when you feel hungry, after an indulgent meal out or whatever.

[miaowmix]

ppeat thank you - are you a life coach or a weight loss guru? V helpful advice and I absolutely will do.

[ppeatfruit]

No, thank you very much, I'm neither of those I just take my health and weight seriously and read a lot. I've gone by personal experience. I also enjoy helping people. You're welcome to pm me if you need any more support (i know it sounds like I'm a salesperson but I ain't )

[miaowmix]

you're very kind - thanks for sharing ppeat , will do!

[ppeatfruit]

Congrats Maki79

miaow

[Softpebbles]

So its Monday - said I would start and have, no snacks so far, more tea than usual as the office was cold this morning and after a weekend away with the girls I needed the extra cup of coffee!

Special K for breakfast, Jacket pot, salad, egg, spoon of coleslaw for lunch. Dinner may be chicken or gammon loin or a ready meal as there is only me for tea tonight.

Took the dog out this morning and will take again later and then hoping to do 30 day shred

[PumpkinPies38]

So I've been doing 1200kcal a day on MFP and really sticking to it. It hasn't been easy. Today I made the mistake of jumping on the scales and I haven't lost anything not even a smidge! Is that normal? I thought I may be a tiny bit lighter at least.

[jumpjumpformylove]

Have you been weighing food etc. to get the exact calories instead of estimating? I think when you have such a small amount of weight (in relative terms) you have to be really strict with the amounts as as little as 100-200 calories underestimated a day will result in zero weight loss by the end of the week.

Lots of people on MFP refer to the "woosh" effect too. Where it seems like the weight isn't shifting, but then several pounds will come off at once.

It might be factors such as TOM, water retention, too much salty food etc. can show that you've not lost weight, when it will drop off in the next couple of days.

Don't give up! You're doing the right thing! I'm 9 pounds down from sticking to 1200 cals a day, and it's made a big difference to how clothes fit etc. already, so it's encouraging.

[ppeatfruit]

I wonder how I lost the nearly 3 stone I lost without ANY CC or weighing or any diet related foods? If you want to maintain weight loss there's no way you need to have such a low calorie intake.