Just wanted to share - lost 9 pounds in 4 weeks - this is really working for me!

[kettlechip]

So last month I realised that I have a wardrobe full of lovely size 10 and 12 summer clothes, many with labels still on, barely any of which fit after dc2. I was 22 pounds over my pre pregnancy weight and was at the stage where I was wearing baggy tops and control knickers over my regular ones (nice) to stop the bulge over my jeans showing.

Was just about to join Weightwatchers online when I saw on here that someone had recommended this free website - www.foodfocus.co.uk which basically tracks your calorie intake and exercise, and gives you a daily target to work towards a long term weight loss plan.

I love it, and once you get going, it's not faffy at all, it takes a few minutes per day. It's really opened my eyes as to how many calories are in the things I was eating - I was eating 650 calories just for lunch with cream of veg soup and a large chunk of bread, for example - no wonder I was putting on weight!

I've started doing 20 units of exercise a week - 1 unit generally equals 10 mins, so an aerobics dvd is usually 5 units, for example. 10000 steps a day is another 3 units. I've found a circuit near home to jog round, and joined a step class. After the first week, my fitness started slowly improving and I felt much less tired.

So far I can feel the spare tyre around my hips has all but gone, my legs have toned up, and I feel as if I have far more energy. I haven't been hungry at all either, I've been eating lots of stir fries with plain rice and jacket potatoes with salad. I've also had chocolate most days when there's been calories spare!

Just wanted to share what's worked for me, as I was getting really down about feeling heavy and it took me ages to get the motivation to start this. Am so glad I did though. I'm going to keep going and get another 10 pounds off and then just work to maintain it.

[colie]

Congratulations. Well done on the exercise.

[kettlechip]

Thankyou! Read this back and was concerned that I might have sounded a bit smug when I meant to sound enthusiastic. I still have more than halfway to go and am far more flabby than I'd like.

It's taken years for me to actually click that faddy diets don't work for me, boring as it is, I just have to put the graft in and count calories.

[StripeyKnickersSpottySocks]

That website looks good, thanks for the link.

I've signed up and am feeling motivated to try and lose a stone. I used to use something similar when I did Weightwatchers online but got bored with it though, so not holding my breath that I will keep it up!

[kettlechip]

good luck stripeyknickers, I also have a low attention span for this kind of thing, wasted so much money on the Tesco diets website which I never used.

I like the food focus one as it's really simple and quick. Have been doing it daily for 4 weeks now, so that's a record for me already. Let me know how you get on!!

[StripeyKnickersSpottySocks]

Wil do. Well done for your weight loss - thats very impressive.

[whyme2]

I used foodfocus to lose 1 and a half stone. It is realy good. Only have another 3 stone to go. (Am on a dieting break for EAster )

[wannaBe]

well done.

I'm a huge advocate of calory counting and think that it changes your whole perspective on food. I remember once when I was calory counting fancying a bar of chocolate and when i looked at the calories thinking but that's a meal - what a waste.

I use wlr (if only I'd known there was a free one before I paid ) which is similar. Have only truely started in past couple of days but fully intend to lose a decent amount of weight.

[missylea]

hi thanks for the link, ive just signed up my only concerned is that i dont no what meals to make which are low fat. Wish they would of give me some low fat dinner and lunch recipes.
If any of you ladies out there wanna post what is low fat food, lunch and dinner recipes i would appreciate it

[Pollyanna]

I've signed up too. Have put in todays food which I thought was just a few snacks so far (didn't manage to sit down yet), and was shocked at the calories! Also, pushing a pushchair wasn't as good exercise as i thought it was. oh well.

I will reach my target by June if I stick to the suggested calorie intake. not holding my breath, but my experience is that I only lose weight if I write down what I eat (as I conveniently forget alot of what I put into my mouth otherwise )

[missylea]

Hi i know i thought i was really healthy today by having a salad with avocado and i nearly died when it told me the fat and calories in it! Wont be having that again. Think i will just be sticking to fish fish and more fish.

[Pollyanna]

well I was just tempted to go and raid the dcs easter egg stash, but a quick look at the calorie content of 100g of milk chocolate soon stopped that!

Had a muller light instead

Now I'm at my calorie target for the day, but can't stop thinking about food.

[missylea]

ha! I just done 15 minutes outside with a skipping rope cant wait to add that to my exercise log! That will probably just get rid of the chocolate biscuit i have today lol!
Im i the only one but do you not find yourself when they're wakening with the baby at night raiding the kitchen for anything sugary or remsembling chocolate???
i wish my dc would just eat all their easter eggs as they are just teasing me and it isnt fair, they all really there to be eaten, arent they??
by the way well done kettlechip for losing the weight keep it going girl

[kettlechip]

hi everyone, glad the link is useful, I know there must be loads of other threads about it or similar sites but it was the first time I'd seen it. Pollyanna, I'm the same about snacking, I'm finding that having to input everything is saving me polishing off the dc's leftovers!!

Missylea, I think if you eat simple meat or fish with lots of veg or salad, easy on the dressing, or rice, baked potatoes or pasta without creamy sauces you won't go too far wrong. I don't eat Indian food (much as I love it!) or ready meals as the calorie content is totally shocking.. 700 cals in a plain naan bread!!

Tonight I had a really big jacket potato baked in the oven until it went really crispy, with low fat cottage cheese and pineapple, and a big salad on the side. It was about 400 cals in total but was surprisingly tasty and 4 hours on, I'm still really full from it.

Stir fry and plain rice is another good one, had it with Thai veg curry sauce last night, and it was really tasty. I don't eat meat or fish but would definitely be having fish with salad or veg if I did.

I'm also not taking any calories from drink other than skimmed milk in tea and coffee. I've cut out my large glass of white wine until I reach target (other than special occasions ) and am sticking to water and diet coke.

According to FF my target date is 19th June..

[Pollyanna]

my target date is the 24th June! What weight loss per week are you aiming for?

Yes, I am the same kettlechip for picking at the dcs tea, and then eating more later on. I have lost quite alot of pregnancy weight on slimming world over the last few months, but have come to a standstill now, so am happy to try this. WEll done on your weight loss!

Good on you for skipping missylea - it did cross my mind that if I went for a run I would be able to eat some chocolate. But I can't be arsed! not even for chocolate.

[missylea]

hi kc my target date is 28th may if i dont kill myself with my skipping rope first lol
thanks for the recipe ideas

[kettlechip]

I'm aiming for 1.5 pounds a week. I usually have 100-200 calories spare each day so I actually think I'm losing more like 2lbs although that might slow down. I'm doing loads of exercise though, not sure I can keep up this pace, about an hour a day at the moment!

Am 10st 13lbs at the moment and am trying to get to 10st (or ideally 9st 13 as it sounds better!), with my height and frame I look quite slim at that weight and can get into size 10.

[missylea]

Im 99 calories spare today but that was only cause i did the skipping! I know you will probably think this is mad but im 9st and want to be 8st 6. Im a size 8 in most thing but just feel after my 3rd child my belly is flabby and notice tops of my legs flabby too! Having 3 cs though dont think the belly will ever be the same again.
People think im crazy when i say im cutting down but you know yourself what way you used to be and what you would feel happy at.

[micku5]

I have also joined and thank you for recommending it. I lost a bit of weight last year but over the winter I've out on about a stone and am back up a dress size.

I have started my walking again in the mornings and yesterday did some gardening and an hour in the gym. So this is the kick up the backside i need to stop snacking at night when watching a bit of t.v.

[techpep]

I've also signed up.....it looks great. Maybe just maybe by the summer i wont still be hiding under baggy jumpers, i cant bear it for another year.

[missylea]

why is it sooooo much hard work girls?????
I wish i was back in my 20s and able to eat what i wanted and not have a care in the world...little did i know how hard it is to stop yourself eating what you want and getting into exercising!!!

[missylea]

you should be gettin commission kc from the amount of girlies joining today!!

[kettlechip]

I wish, missylea! It was another MNetter who recommended it anyway, so just passing it on.

I don't think you're mad at all, even though I'm of you being 9st. My sister is 8st 11 and really wants to get down to 8st 7, it's all about how you feel in your own body. I once went down to 9st 7 and didn't like it, it just didn't suit me as I'm meant to be curvy..!

Have walked to work and back today, and just about to walk ds to the park. I think that will be it on the exercise front today, unless I can muster the energy to do a Davina workout later. Can really recommend the Charlie Brooks dvd for quick results if anyone wants to try an exercise dvd..

[missylea]

Seriously is the charlie brooks one good? Is it hard work? How long if you done it would you see results? At the minute i cant really get to the gym as its getting the baby minded but something i could do at home would be great, just didnt think any of those home exercise dvds were much use

[missylea]

Seriously is the charlie brooks one good? Is it hard work? How long if you done it would you see results? At the minute i cant really get to the gym as its getting the baby minded but something i could do at home would be great, just didnt think any of those home exercise dvds were much use

[changednam]

Thanks for the link - I started it yesterday by logging what I'd actually eaten - frightening - then doing it today but cutting back.

Missylea -I'm a bit like you - I'm 9st 6lb at the moment, but want to get down to 8st 12lb with a flattish tummy.

It's not much, but actually quite difficult because my bmi is within the healthy range (although at the top end of it)...and people think I'm mad for wanting to lose weight - but I know I'd be more comfortable in my clothes.