When to feel it in my clothes?

[MrsWhirly]

I've lost 11 pounds - I still a stone to go! But when should I expect to feel it in my clothes? As in feel looser? Thanks x

[dementedma]

Well done you. I have only lost 5lbs but can definitely see and feel a difference.

[MrsWhirly]

Thank you.

Well done losing 5 pounds!

I honestly haven't seen or felt a difference yet?!! X

[AccrualIntentions]

It depends where you're starting from, how tall you are and how you carry your weight. I've always found it takes me 2-3 stone before I drop a dress size but that's because I'm tall and fat to start with.

[notarehearsal]

I had two stone to lose. I didn't have any change in clothes until I'd lost a stone and then suddenly I noticed I needed a whole smaller dress size

[MrsWhirly]

I'm tiny - 5ft nothing, big boobs and carrying it all around my middle. Typical Apple really.

I wish I had measured myself at the start. I've never had to lose weight before as always been 9stone, which is on the heavy side for my height. However piled on two stones last year.

[OwlinaTree]

Can take a while to notice the first dress size loss as we all tend to squeeze into our clothes for longer rather than buy new ones! I find I have to change my bra size about every half a stone (gets expensive!). I've gone from size 16 to about size 10 after losing 3st 4.5lb so about a stone a size?

[MrsWhirly]

Well done Owlina!

I have definitely been squeezing into my clothes for ages!

[Icanseewhy]

I've lost 2.5 stone and dropped from a 16 to a 12. It took me a good 1.5 stone to see / feel a difference in my clothes. It's tough but hang in there.

[MrsWhirly]

Well done Icanseewhy! I've struggled this week with craving chocolate and carbs. I could have killed for a plate of chips and a chocolate bar.

[Icanseewhy]

Oh I hear you

[Strongbeatsskinny]

Well done on your 11lbs loss so far that's brilliant. Now your craving carbs and chocolate right now is your period due by any chance? If so then buy some 85% or more dark chocolate and eat a couple of squares this will help promise. Also in your diet are you eating plenty of fats yes I said fats plus protein with lots of veggies? Are you doing anything exercise wise?

At your tiny height I'd be aiming for 8stone or less. You refer to the weight being on you stomach could it possibly be bloating mine can be bad depending on what I've been eating.

[MrsWhirly]

Hi strongbeats! I'm not starting my period, just addicted to chocolate. I always have been! I will defo try the dark stuff though.

I do eat fat actually. I love avocado, salmon/mackerel and hummus, so have something most weeks.

I haven't been 8 stone for 15years and pre-kids. I really don't think I could maintain that weight.

I am doing very little exercise due to working long hours, full time. But doing some HIIT sessions at the weekend.

The tummy issue is linked to my PCOS rather than bloating I think. But I do suffer from some bloating also.

What do you do to maintain/lose weight? X

[Strongbeatsskinny]

I do weight training and when I say weights I don't mean the little ones heavier the better to build nice strong curves

I lift weights five days a week a session takes 1hour. I do hiit twice a week and steady state cardio is walking my dogs and getting fifteen thousand steps in a day.

Calorie deficit and eating 5meals a day keeps me lean when I need to drop body fat. If I'm maintaining or clean bulking muscle building again I'm eating 5 meals a day somtime six. On this my body fat measurements would be no higher than 16%

I'm shorter than you too but have a lots of muscle definition all over.

You need plenty of protein veggies and fats daily and not too much as this won't cut your body fat down thinks inches instead of weight. Hard to explain but take your measurements arm/ thigh/ waist / hip. We all lose from different areas at different rates. Oh and water intake 2/3 litres a day.

[MrsWhirly]

Thanks! Lifting weights is what I did pre kids and full time work. That's what kept me at 8stone, curvy and strong. I miss it

[WhineCellar]

*MrsWhirly well done for losing 11lbs. I'm starting this week and my goal is to lose 25lbs which will bring me down to about 9st. I would like to get to 8.5stone but don't know if I will. I'm short as well (5'3") so I really need to drop the excess weight.

How have you done it?

[MrsWhirly]

Hi Whine, thanks!

I have been eating 1,200 calories a day but also cutting out carbs, because I have PCOS.

I've also been trying to do HIIT exercises at the weekend. X

[WhineCellar]

That's exactly what I'm doing too. I do circuit training twice a week plus cardio twice a week too and dog walking. My job means I'm on my feet most of the day too which helps.

[MrsWhirly]

That's great. I have an office job. I really struggle with finding time to exercise enough. It's a shame because I do enjoy it.

[42isthemeaning]

Finding this thread very interesting. A big well done to everyone on it! I wish I had your resolve and strength of character! I'm really struggling with my weight and this week have taken 6 bags of clothes to charity as a result. I was hoarding old clothes that used to fit me but I haven't worn them in years!! I'm 5'8" and currently 13st 4. I was at 12st 5 for ages (still overweight) and have never been below 11st 7 as an adult! (I'm 44). I would like to be 11st 7 again as that would be amazing for me. I was given anti anxiety meds 2 months back and I gained extra pounds (didn't lessen anxiety just increased it over my weight!) so i have stopped it. 4 years ago I tried SW and more recently running - I even ran the 5k race for life last year (I'm a terrible runner and serious hater of exerting myself) - it helped a bit but have piled it back on . I've now joined mfp again and have signed up to a couple of classes. My core is shot (really bad abdominal split ) and I have frequent sciatica (again!) I am disgusted with my flabby back, arse and thighs plus carry too much weight on my belly.
I'm sorry for derailing your thread, OP. What I really wanted to ask was how long it took people to lose the weight? Is tracking my cals and doing cardio enough or would weights help? I'm worried about my back...

[WhineCellar]

Hi 42 yes definitely do weights as well. Maybe get some advice on how to manage your abs tho.

I'm 44 too and have a similar amount I'm aiming to lose (22lbs by Xmas, so 1lb a week, slow and steady). Happy to join virtual forces with you for support.

[MrsWhirly]

Hi 42, I find that writing down EVERYTHING that passes my lips helps. My loss has been slow and steady at 1lb per week but it's a loss still. Good luck!

[WhineCellar]

Mrs Whirly, your approach is identical to mine. DH doesn't understand it at all (he's a very successful 5:2 dieter and loves that he doesn't have to log anything at all). I find logging stuff not only makes me more accountable for what I've eaten but also helps me feel more in control of the process.

I believe that a slow, 1lb per week weight loss is easier to sustain in the long run. It also means that you're more likely to adopt your plan as your lifestyle as you go forward because you're more familiar with the effect that different foods or reduced exercises have on you. If you just do a 10-day juice diet you've lost weight but not learned anything.

Going back to your OP about clothes. I'm an hourglass and so for me my weight comes off my face and my stomach first. It will take me ages to get into my size 10 jeans, despite me needing to use a belt pretty soon, because my thighs and hips carry the weight. It will happen for you though.

I've put away all my size 10 clothes, with the exception of a few choice pieces that I love for motivation. These range from ones I can just about still fit into to those that I've currently got not chance of getting into. Each item is like a goal, so when I've lost enough to fit into Dress A (fits now but is a tad uncomfortable), I shift my focus to fit into Dress B (can get into but it looks rubbish because it just doesn't fit my larger shape) and then once in that I'll aim to get into Dress C (which I absolutely can't even do up right now) etc etc. Not sure if that will work but it's just another strategy.

I've also put up a weight loss chart on my mirror so I can log how I'm doing. It's in plain view so that I have a daily reminder and it also lets my family know how I'm doing as well so they can help keep me motivated.

[42isthemeaning]

Whine I would love a virtual motivational buddy! My problem is that I feel down heartened really easily when I look in the mirror or can't do up my jeans. I'm actually going to see a physio next week to discuss my flabby abs and my back, so I'm hoping that he can advise me on some good exercises to help. Mrswhirl maybe I was too hasty throwing away all my clothes that are too small for me. Too late. I'd just like my trousers to fit. Do you use mfp to log your food?

[WhineCellar]

Oh I know that awful feeling. That moment when you glimpse your reflection or see a photo and you just feel awful.

For me there has recently been a shift change and it came about because some horrible crass and unpleasant man (a stranger) told me that I'm basically too fat and frumpy for the car I drive (sporty number). It took me a while to process the comment and I went from devastation to sheer bloody rage, so I'm using that emotion to motivate me. I need to do something positive with what he said or it will eat me up.

I use MFP to log all my food. I was looking into Noom but actually I don't want to move. My MFP app syncs with my fitbit and I think the food database is excellent so I'm staying with MFP.

[userofthiswebsite]

Oh wow WhineCellar - he sounds like an arse!

Trying to lose weight at the moment - it's not easy, that's for sure. I have swapped out chocolate and cake etc (mostly) for carrots and blueberries and been strict at the supermarket and not bought the stuff I normally do.

Am already a gym member but just splashed out on a a block of PT sessions and waiting to be given a nutrition plan and then go work those weights. Cardio I think it's easier to do by yourself, just get on and stick in earphones etc.