What am I doing wrong?

[Florabella]

I am 5ft 6 and 12st 4oz. I want to lose between 1.5-2 stone.

Three weeks ago I started an eating regime that has worked in the past. 3 basic rules:

1. cut out 80% of snacks (I'm a BIG snacker)
2. cut out the least nutritious carbs (bread, potatoes, rice, pasta)
3. Only drink alcohol on a night out (so only once in the last three weeks)

So my food is:

Breakfast: smoothie - carrot, spinach, 0.5 of small banana, red berries and almond mild
Lunch: scrambled egg and smoked salmon or ham,avocado and tomato
Dinner: lamb stew with no potatoes or chicken fajita filling without the wrap
Snacks: 1 pc cheese, 2-4 small squares green and black dark choc, 1 can Diet Coke

My only exercise is walking, but I average 13,000 steps a day.

And in three weeks not even a pound wraith loss!! I am eating at least 6-700 calories a day less than normal - probably more.

Feeling very fed up, but don't want to give up.

Any suggestions?

[praisedbebitch]

Hi! Well done for sticking to your new regime for 3 weeks! Definitely don’t give up as you’ve done the hard bit and started

When I started to try and lose weight I did similar to you - cut out lots of junk stuff and consumed considerably less than I used to. Lost nothing but felt miserable that I’d been depriving myself.

I only started to lose weight when I ‘properly’ cut down my calorie intake (1200 per day). Not sure if you’re still consuming too many calories? Are you using MFP or similar?

It was tough and I was hungry but it worked and I started to lose pretty consistently (average 1-2 pounds a week).

I’m eating a bit more now but also exercising quite intensely so keeping it off. Mostly sticking to better habits though - smaller overall portions with more protein, fruit and veg, fewer carbs - which is what I’ll need to keep up for the long haul.

[Gymntonic]

I agree that it might be useful calorie counting. I too lose nothing on more than 1200 calories a day even though I run and hit 20,000 steps a day. Also drink lots of water.

[Florabella]

Thanks, I'll keep an eye on my portions, but I'm not sure that I'll ever be able to do accurate calorie counting. I could definitely up my water intake which might help too. I'm not ready to give up as I feel I am in the right track, obviously just need to tweak it

[Rudgie47]

I'd say up your salad/ vegetable count.

[MudCity]

Reading this with interest as, in the last year, I have been unable to lose any weight despite eating substantially less. It is like my metabolism has stopped and I feel I would have to eat nothing at all to lose any weight these days.

Will be interested to hear how people respond, or don’t respond, to feeling hungry.

OP, you have my total sympathy.

[FelixCited]

I’m 5ft5 and in Dec last year was 10st 6lbs,
I’m now 8st 9.
My tips are Slimming world - eat lots of vegetables & salad to fill you up 1/3rd of your plate.
Eat whole fruits not smoothies.
Oats with yoghurt & berries for breakfast are a favourite.
I have never felt hungry
(Ps I haven’t touched a muller light, hi fi bar)
Good luck

[Hellsbellscockleshells]

Should everyone only be on 1200 calories to loose weight? I am extremely 6ft tall and 19 stone odd? I have cut out snacks started going to gym trying to get 10,000 steps in eat healthier and upped my water intake.

[LivingHeart]

good advice so far OP!

I would agree more salads, fruit, etc. Your meals also do seem on the 'heavy' side for warm days in May.

Its easy to cook what you've always cooked, but perhaps you need inspiration?

I can't be doing with slimming clubs (ugh to my last WW experience) but I bought the "Slimming World's free foods 120 Guilt Free Recipes" for some new ideas. Have cooked a couple of really tasty meals. Plus ordered "Love Your Lunches" off Amazon as well.

Its a great time of year to be experimenting with lighter cooking and eating.

And well done for getting this far. Perhaps no "weight loss" showing yet, but I bet your body is thanking you for all the other positive changes.

Personally, I think its best to focus on healthy food, rather than weight. The body has its wisdom and the weight will come off all in good time.