Struggling

[Dynamodopey]

Hi everyone just wondering if anyone can help me.

I’m currently trying to lose weight. I’m 5ft 2.5!! (The half inch makes a difference!!) and currently weigh 73.2kg I’m wanting to lose at least 14kg. I was the heaviest I have been recently (apart from when pregnant) anyway I’m really really struggling to see any change on the scales. I have noticed slight changes in my body shape and clothes fitting better but on the scale I’ve only lost about 2kg since September.

I log all my food into my fitness pal (1350 calories per day) I am usually on or slightly under my calories. I watch my carbs intake etc. I have joined the gym since end of September and go 5days a week(doing between 45 to 80 minutes cardio) as well as swimming.

I do have endometriosis and fibroids which mean my periods are quite messed up. I’m a terrible sleeper (if that matters)

I don’t understand why I’m finding it so hard to shift the weight. Any advice much appreciated

[Carnt]

Join us on the James Duncan diet.. only 7 days. I’m 5”4 - I understand your pain, we shorties show the weight more easily xx

[Carnt]

Have you had your thyroid function checked btw!

[antimatter]

What % of fat, carbs and proteins are in your daily diet on an average?

[Dynamodopey]

Thanks for the replies.

Carnt tell me about it the joys of being so short! As for your question regarding my thyroid I think that has been checked I will call my doctors and check this. I just find it so frustrating my husband who is also trying to lose weight has already lost 3.5kg.
And the James Duncan diet is that the one with grapefruit??? I may have to give it a go.

Antimatter my daily diet is roughly 45% carbs 30% fat 25% protein

[antimatter]

Try to lower carbs and up fat. Leave protein as they are for now.

[DaisyRaine90]

Reduce the carbs, do healthy swaps and up exercise a little (especially NEAT exercises like taking the stairs instead of the lift)

Eg. Sweet potato instead of normal potato
Chicken salad instead of chicken salad sandwich
Turkey mince instead of beef mince (or lean steak mince instead of fattier mince)
Home cooked curry instead of from the takeaway
Brown rice instead of white
Whole meal pasta and bread instead of white
Reduced sugar and salt ketchup baked beans etc
Sugar free Robinson’s instead of sugar version

I don’t believe in reducing fats particularly but obviously don’t go mad
Eg. I eat full fat dairy but less of it instead of low fat dairy and more of it because one is nutritional better
I eat a little bit of peanut butter, and use butter, olive oil etc. Because it’s filling

I do snack mostly on chicken or eggs or leftovers during the day whereas before it was sweet stfuff, but I do have treats sometimes too

I used to skip breakfast but I find a protein shake or SlimFast new vitality shakes are a good sub 😊

It’s about balance and not being too rigid with everything
Also take a vitamin supplement as vitamin deficiencies can make it harder to lose weight x

[DaisyRaine90]

I’m losing 1-2 lbs a week and also do a bit of abdominal work most days 😊 and pelvic floor of course 😂

[Dynamodopey]

Thank you for your responses.

I will take the advice on board and reduce my carbs further and see how things go.
I think as a last resort I may try the lchf diet and go very low carb to try and shift the weight. I was trying to avoid the lchf as it’s very restrictive when eating/cooking with family

[antimatter]

Butter enhances flavour. Remove any bread and instead of.potatoes or any pasta eat veg.
What time of the day are you exercising?

[Dynamodopey]

Monday to Wednesday I exercise after work around 12.30. Thursday Friday usually first thing in the morning after dropping kids off to school then have breakfast afterwards.

[Dynamodopey]

Daisy you mentioned NEAT exercises what are they?

[SoonToBeDad20s]

Hey, just a couple questions one is age ? (Sorry if that's rude but age can really make a difference in cutting weight) and two how much water do you drink daily ? I used to be an amateur boxer and would regularly lose 10 kg after Christmas or holidays. The key things are nutrition and if your looking to solely lose weight there's no better way than drinking as much water as possible (I would regularly put away 3-5 litres a day at my peak), also getting out in the road and running (at least 3 days a weak) and lastly don't eat after 8pm and be in bed by ten latest in week days and you should lose the weight pretty easily.

[SoonToBeDad20s]

Sorry just read that you are a terrible sleeper, I don't your personal circumstances but try green tea through out the day (helps me sleep and is also a natural fat burner metaboliser) also saw a thread where you said you had breakfast after exercise, I would always eat before exercise normally and try to make meal times as consistent as possible.

[oldlaundbooth]

As pp's say, do low carb high fat, high protein. It'll melt off you.

[antimatter]

3-5 liters of water gave me regular migraines. I had to add rehydration salts.

[Dynamodopey]

Soontobe it’s ok not rude! I’m 40 🙄. As for water I drink between 2.5-3.5 litres (and constantly weeing 😂) and if I was to go to bed at 10 I’d be awake at 2am counting sheep or whatever else!!

I will give low carb a go and see what happens fingers crossed I see results.

[SoonToBeDad20s]

Ok thanks dynamodopey, to be honest if your not trying to drastically cut weight I'd be careful with low carbs, what I'd suggest is have more thought around the carbs your eating. I was around 5-6% body fat and still cutting weight (not helpful in long run as I'm now about 15% lol) whilst eating a big bowl of porridge with some honey every morning and then I would gradually reduce carbs through the day. I'd have some at lunch usually quinoa or kidney beans and then pretty much forgo them at dinner. That's a good amount of water to drink to be honest, what times of day do you weight yourself ? Also remember your not training for a weight specific competition so just focus on the mirror instead of the scales. P.s. I really do recommend green tea instead of normal tea or coffee.

[SoonToBeDad20s]

Also @Dynamodopey at 40 your metabolism has started to slow down but it's not completely stopped so there's still some scope. The key is consistency, try to eat at the same times every day.

[Ohyesiam]

Look at the Blood Sugar Diet? It's hard core, but you do it short term. I lost 21 lbs n 8 weeks ( it's by Dr Mosley, and he explains why it's ok to lose fast, contrary to popular belief), that kick started me, and more I do the BSD principal but with 1000 to 1500 calories daily.

[SoonToBeDad20s]

I'd be careful with "diets" it takes a lifestyle change to keep it off

[Dynamodopey]

I weigh myself first thing in the morning.
I keep telling myself that I should stop focusing on the scales and look at how clothes are fitting. I have a dress that I’m using as a guide but I think I’m quite addicted to the scale and can’t seem to keep away from it.
Thank you all for the sound advice it all makes sense and I will take all the points on board.

[Miniwerewolfhugs]

Actually I've just read Dr Mosleys Clever Guts diet where he explained how the micro organisms in your gut can have a big effect on your ability to lose weight. Might be worth a read? For weight loss he recommends a mix of his famous 5:2 plan with a lowish carb "Mediterranean" style diet (although my sources tell me that Mediterranean people actually eat a lot of carbs) but by this he really means include plenty of olive oil and fish and veg -and my favourite Greek yogurt. These foods are already good for your gut health but he recommended adding some things like fermented foods and turmeric that are all very good for your gut good bacteria. Well worth a read even if you don't follow all his advice.

[SoonToBeDad20s]

No problem let us know how you get on !

[Mivery]

Question OP, how long have you been working out and dieting like this?

[Dynamodopey]

Mivery I’ve been actively trying to lose weight since mid September
.
I haven’t been to the gym today I just feel awful so tired. I’ve been awake since 5am, not that I had to be up at that time. Bloody insomnia 😡
The other thing is I possibly have fibromyalgia (doctor has thrown this around, so not confirmed) I have endometriosis and regularly take codeine, I feel this leaves me swollen and constipated. I try to fight through the pain and only take the drugs when absolutely necessary this can mean taking them once a week or for weeks on end.