to think that i can lose 6 kilos in the next 6 weeks?

captainmarvella · 2024-11-09T02:04:28+00:00

i am going on a once in a lifetime holiday to a fabulous beachy and instagrammable worthy location and feeling horrible about my size 20 body with protruding a$$ and treble chins. i want to try this one meal a day thing for some instant results but bestie says it won't work for some one like me - mid 40s, hypothyroidism, binge issues in the past, and can actually make me sick. I don't want to be sick right before my bucket list vacation! Should I listen to her? i don't plan to do low carb or anything, just eat one filling and balanced plate of my fav stuff, once a day. right now i'm at 85 kilos. I want my weight to be at least in the seventies when I leave for my xmas vacay. i have seen so many inspiring progress pics online about the OMAD lifestyle it's really giving me hope. But most of these are from men, so I don't know if it really works for perimenopausal women! Aibu to even consider this with my current health profile?

SpidersAreShitheads · 09/12/2024 08:34

I think the problem is OP that GPs have very little training in nutrition. Some of what they have told you is absolute rubbish or at the very least outdated and not backed up by modern knowledge,

Could you pay to see a qualified nutritionist? Given the multiple caveats that apply to your circumstances, I think you could do with a personalised approach from someone who’s actually an expert in health and nutrition, which your GP is not,

Original poster

captainmarvella · 08/12/2024 02:40

Week 4 update: Not a good one

Weight went back to 86 kilos. Sigh.

I managed to see the doc with my test results and she has put me on metformin 500, and has told me that I cannot fast as I have hypoglycemia. Apparently I also cannot do low carb because my BP and LDL are both high, she has given me a low far diet chart. She also confirmed that I am in perimenopause. She could not prescribe semaglutide as they are not that common in this country.

It's been a lot to take in at the same time, and I didn't stick to my fasting, I have gone back to normal eating times (9am to 9pm). Silver lining, I did not over eat or didn't even seem to have much appetite, probably too depressed. I did not exercise any day, except for the short walk to and back from work.

I have to start packing soon, laundry awaits, and I am in a funk. I will give myself time until tonight for a pity party and from tomorrow get back to routine.

OP posts:

Original poster

captainmarvella · 03/12/2024 17:08

mrlistersgelfbride · 03/12/2024 14:48

Late to reply but.. yes, you can do it!
I echo low carb. It really works. It's the only thing that makes you loose weight fast.
I must stress it doesn't have to be crazy. I can't do under 50g of carbs daily...it makes me light headed.
However, if you regularly eat over 300g of carbs daily, 100-150g will be low carb.
I follow this kind of meal plan. I do about 15-20k steps daily too, any other exercise a bonus.

Meal plan:

Eggs any way (or omelette with veg/salad)
Nuts

Cheese or chicken salad, or soup.

Sauages and cauliflower rice, chicken and veg, fish and veg.

Snacks- Dark chocolate! Go for Lindt, high cocoa content- is low carb enough.
Berries are fine- add a little cream if you like.

Drink lots of water, diet fizzy drinks are ok if you like them.
No bread, pasta, cakes or biscuits.
The only alcohol allowed would be spirit and diet mixer.

I do it before my holidays and can loose 3k in 2 weeks.
Honestly it's worth a try.

thanks your post is very encouraging, i was losing hope
i can't do low carb due to a history of binging. like u said im hoping eating less carbs would be better than my usual style of eating 300g of carbs a day!

OP posts:

mrlistersgelfbride · 03/12/2024 14:48

Late to reply but.. yes, you can do it!
I echo low carb. It really works. It's the only thing that makes you loose weight fast.
I must stress it doesn't have to be crazy. I can't do under 50g of carbs daily...it makes me light headed.
However, if you regularly eat over 300g of carbs daily, 100-150g will be low carb.
I follow this kind of meal plan. I do about 15-20k steps daily too, any other exercise a bonus.

Meal plan:

Eggs any way (or omelette with veg/salad)
Nuts

Cheese or chicken salad, or soup.

Sauages and cauliflower rice, chicken and veg, fish and veg.

Snacks- Dark chocolate! Go for Lindt, high cocoa content- is low carb enough.
Berries are fine- add a little cream if you like.

Drink lots of water, diet fizzy drinks are ok if you like them.
No bread, pasta, cakes or biscuits.
The only alcohol allowed would be spirit and diet mixer.

I do it before my holidays and can loose 3k in 2 weeks.
Honestly it's worth a try.

Original poster

captainmarvella · 03/12/2024 14:38

Week 3 update:

Scale hasn't moved, sadly. Still the same 85 kilos on empty stomach in the morning.

I am flying in three weeks. Will be nice if I can lose at least one kilo more. At least from my face! I want to get some nice pictures. I look good only in carefully angled selfies. I dread every time someone tags me in a group pic online because I simply look hideous in candid pics.

I am trying to stay optimistic. I had no time to go the pool the last week but I doubled my walking time thanks to extra chores at work. I have mostly stuck to 18:6, except for the weekend.

One thing I have noticed with 18:6 is my body really like it. It feels light. I thought I would be really hungry but I wasn't! However if I don't drink at least 6 cups of water by noon then I get very hungry around 9pm. Being well hydrated, I suspect, is the real key to intermittent fasting.

I found a doctor who came highly recommended by a friend. I am consulting her on Monday. Am going to push for the semaglutide tablets. It is my only hope now.

OP posts:

Blondeshavemorefun · 25/11/2024 11:01

@captainmarvella true weight is am after you have a wee

I always weigh 3lbs more in eve

Catza · 24/11/2024 07:43

captainmarvella · 24/11/2024 02:21

Week 2 Update

So the scale is at 85 kilo now, as calculated when I woke up yesterday morning. It's weird though, coz it shows me as 86 when I weigh in the afternoon! 1 kilo of water retention?? For the sake of sanity I'm considering only the early morning weighing stats, so much kinder 😫
I stuck to 16:8 past week, save for one day. I maintained 250ml cups of water x 12 a day, and avoided all dairy and deep fried foods, but gave in and ate some delicious garlic naan bread. I could not walk or stretch every day (my original goal), but I did go to the pool thrice a week.
I felt a bit more upbeat and energetic than ever, but was also had a bout of depression where I binged on carbs (this is the day I failed in IIF). I got my blood tests this day, they have revealed PCOS, high BP, along with pre-diabetics and an extremely low (single digit) ferritin count. I eat meat every day how am I low in iron?!
The test results changed the criteria I am looking for in a doctor, because where I live it may be easy to get appointments but you have to go to the right doctor or you will end up getting a dud. I am still looking around for a good doctor who can patiently listen to my issues and is also IF-friendly.
I know I am not going to lose 6 kilos by xmas!!! I think this is an established fact now. But am quite glad of the 1 kilo weight loss, which has taken a fortnight. Baby steps, small miracles, as my old yoga teacher used to say. Planning to proceed to 18:6 from today onwards and brisk walk at least 30 min every day. Fingers crossed!

You should only weigh in the morning. Everything you eat and drink during the day will be adding mass because... physics.
You are doing great. Slow and steady wins the race.

Original poster

captainmarvella · 24/11/2024 02:26

CelestialStar · 17/11/2024 04:33

Hi OP, I find it really sad to read how you are feeling about your body. I hope that, regardless of your size when you get there, you are able to fully enjoy your holiday and not spend the whole time obsessing over parts of your appearance that you don't like.

It sounds as if you have complex medical issues and a history of a disordered relationship with food - so I would worry about the long term impact of a crash diet.

I have found the podcast Maintenance Phase really helpful in changing the way I think about health and my body. I would recommend the episodes 'The Trouble with Calories' and 'Glorifying Obesity and Other Myths'.

You've brought up a valid point. I will remember not to be miserable all the time! I do suffer from mild BDD so it's a bit hard to rein in all these negative thoughts. I am in therapy and it helps a lot.

I don't think I am doing any crash diet. I eat all my daily calories within my eating window, and I also eat I feel full, Also, Asian non vegetarian food is usually high in calories, all that rice and gravies :) I will check out the podcast, thanks.

OP posts:

Original poster

captainmarvella · 24/11/2024 02:21

Week 2 Update

So the scale is at 85 kilo now, as calculated when I woke up yesterday morning. It's weird though, coz it shows me as 86 when I weigh in the afternoon! 1 kilo of water retention?? For the sake of sanity I'm considering only the early morning weighing stats, so much kinder 😫
I stuck to 16:8 past week, save for one day. I maintained 250ml cups of water x 12 a day, and avoided all dairy and deep fried foods, but gave in and ate some delicious garlic naan bread. I could not walk or stretch every day (my original goal), but I did go to the pool thrice a week.
I felt a bit more upbeat and energetic than ever, but was also had a bout of depression where I binged on carbs (this is the day I failed in IIF). I got my blood tests this day, they have revealed PCOS, high BP, along with pre-diabetics and an extremely low (single digit) ferritin count. I eat meat every day how am I low in iron?!
The test results changed the criteria I am looking for in a doctor, because where I live it may be easy to get appointments but you have to go to the right doctor or you will end up getting a dud. I am still looking around for a good doctor who can patiently listen to my issues and is also IF-friendly.
I know I am not going to lose 6 kilos by xmas!!! I think this is an established fact now. But am quite glad of the 1 kilo weight loss, which has taken a fortnight. Baby steps, small miracles, as my old yoga teacher used to say. Planning to proceed to 18:6 from today onwards and brisk walk at least 30 min every day. Fingers crossed!

OP posts:

CelestialStar · 17/11/2024 04:33

Hi OP, I find it really sad to read how you are feeling about your body. I hope that, regardless of your size when you get there, you are able to fully enjoy your holiday and not spend the whole time obsessing over parts of your appearance that you don't like.

It sounds as if you have complex medical issues and a history of a disordered relationship with food - so I would worry about the long term impact of a crash diet.

I have found the podcast Maintenance Phase really helpful in changing the way I think about health and my body. I would recommend the episodes 'The Trouble with Calories' and 'Glorifying Obesity and Other Myths'.

Original poster

captainmarvella · 17/11/2024 04:07

caringcarer · 11/11/2024 02:05

Just remembered when DH wanted to lose weight he walked around and around the very large car park at work every lunch time unless it was pouring with rain. He tried to go around 4-5 times after he had eaten his lunch. He said it made a difference because he was sat behind a desk all day.

I think this made a big difference when I did so badly in my diet and exercise goals. Due to a sudden chore I was running around a lot. Usually I am sedentary outside the pool. I guess I should get my arse out of the chair and move more!

OP posts:

Original poster

captainmarvella · 17/11/2024 03:23

J1Dub · 16/11/2024 18:36

500 grams loss is great! Some weeks you might do more.

That's my hope too. Once I get my periods this hormonal eating urge will disappear (or I don't know what I am going to do!) and I should be able to have better self control, fingers crossed.

OP posts:

Original poster

captainmarvella · 17/11/2024 03:21

reesiespieces · 16/11/2024 18:24

This. OMAD was my particular flavour of EDNOS. OP please be careful - MN is full of disordered eating.

Show quote history

Sorry to hear abt your ednos. I think it's mine too? I am trying to build up to 20:4 since I've been told been told that for a age/health profile (like mine) fasting will not give weight loss benefits unless it is above 20:4

OP posts:

J1Dub · 16/11/2024 18:36

500 grams loss is great! Some weeks you might do more.

reesiespieces · 16/11/2024 18:24

Intotheoud · 09/11/2024 02:41

Talk to your healthcare provider. You have previously had an eating disorder and OMAD may not be appropriate for you. Be aware that some people posting may have disordered eating themselves.

This. OMAD was my particular flavour of EDNOS. OP please be careful - MN is full of disordered eating.

Original poster

captainmarvella · 16/11/2024 18:18

Week 1 update

I was NOT able to do OMAD or even 20:4. It's the week before shark week and my appetite was ravenous. Quite annoyed at myself.
Good news is I stuck to 16:8 and 3 litres of water a day, it seemed to have somewhat helped, as I am 500 gm down. 85.5 from 86 kilo, when I weighed myself a week ago.
I had too many chores so could not find the time to swim or walk (no parks around where I live and it's not safe for women to walk in the dark). Complete fail in exercise goals.
Diet wise it wasn't anything special. Just two plates of balanced food (millets instead of rice, seafood instead of any other protein etc), 7 hours apart, with a mid meal snack of a 50gm dark chocolate bar. I stayed away from dairy, gluten and deep fried foods.
I did check out the gym but I didn't feel like their personal trainers would be a good fit for me, they didn't seem to be equipped to design a spine friendly workout program for me, they were more eager to sell a package. For now I have signed up for a one month trial membership at the gym itself, mostly to use the treadmill.
My doctor has point blank refused to prescribe semaglutide tablets, as "I am not diabetic yet". So I have made an appointment with another one (recommended by a friend). Meanwhile, I have done the full health panel testing and am awaiting the results, I should get them by monday.
I am not happy with my self control this week, I didn't want to eat chocolate yet ended up eating a bar every day but trying to be grateful for the 500 grams loss!

OP posts:

firef1y · 11/11/2024 05:08

captainmarvella · 10/11/2024 18:47

@firef1y

I would also recommend incorporating some sort of resistance training, this can be bodyweight or with actual weights. There are lots of great videos and workouts available on the Internet. Recommended minimum is 30min twice a week. Resistance training will not only help you look better as the weight comes off, but will also help reduce the risk of osteoporosis.
No matter what with the exercise, find something you enjoy, it's then more likely you'll stick with it.////

this is v encouraging, thanks. i will enquire abt this at the gym tomorrow. i have a bad back so i'm more comfortable lifting with a personal trainer than on my own. personal training is expensive but monthly enrollment is possible in the gym so i am willing to spend on hiring a PT for a month if it's going to educate me on correct posture, and I can do it on my own later, after I come back from the holiday.

Show quote history

Just so you know you don't need to work out in a gym if that isn't for you. There are.personal trainers (I'm one of them) that will come.to your home or meet.you in places.like parks to train.

But yes paying for a.PT to help you learn good form is a really good idea.

caringcarer · 11/11/2024 02:05

Just remembered when DH wanted to lose weight he walked around and around the very large car park at work every lunch time unless it was pouring with rain. He tried to go around 4-5 times after he had eaten his lunch. He said it made a difference because he was sat behind a desk all day.

caringcarer · 11/11/2024 02:02

You need to eat 3 sensible low calorie and low carb meals every day and do 30 mins of exercise every other day. Exercise can be a walk.

Original poster

captainmarvella · 11/11/2024 00:35

MissHalloween · 10/11/2024 18:19

OP I was you last year and I ended up
loosing a whole 20kg suitcase between July and mid October.
You absolutely can lose 6kg in six weeks, you’ll be approximately a size smaller which feels great as it’s the stage where you can still where all your old clothes but they’ll be loser and you don’t need to buy everything new.
I really limited my carbs and ate lots of satisfying food such as smoked salmon and eggs for brunch and prawn salads , roast chicken meals without the potatoes or fish with tonnes of Corgettes, peppers, aubergine etc for dinner. I stocked up on some low calorie hot chocolate for when I was really craving sugar.
Good luck.

now this is the sort of menu that makes me happy just looking at it and i feel confident too, that i can do it! and yeah i am not shopping for this holiday, that location itself is a shopper's paradise so it feels foolish to shop to go there, I am planning to take my current old-ish holiday wardrobe which all are a bit tight now as I seem to have put on 6 kilos since last June! I want to lose at least a dress size before I leave - not so much weight, but yeah an inch or more all over would be fantastic - and I think I will make a meal prep list with some of the dishes you mentioned, it's a pain to meal prep on work days, there's no pantry at my workplace but I can order in, as delivery of fresh food is quite affordable here.

OP posts:

Original poster

captainmarvella · 11/11/2024 00:28

Mangolover123 · 10/11/2024 18:18

Fast800 is the only way.
The Michael Mosley regime. I lost 1 stone in 6 weeks before a big holiday.
I have carried on and I am now 1 1/2 stone down
800 calories of a keto [non carb, med diet]. The recipes are fantastic. 6 weeks of 800 calories per day.
I fast from 8pm to 12pm daily. I am 5ft 4 94kg and a size 18. But no longer a tight 18!
I think another 1 stone and i will be a comfortable size 16.
This has worked for me. You can fo up to 12 weeks on the Fast800. Then you go to a 5:2. 5 days Mediterranean diet 2 fast800.
It is doable.

I don't think this 800 calories a day diet is for me, it makes me anxious just looking at that number!

OP posts:

Original poster

captainmarvella · 11/11/2024 00:26

StandingSideBySide · 10/11/2024 17:55

Based on your weight and height ( ethnicity does change the calc but I just ticked prefer not to say )
Your bmi is 31.6

nb as you said your details I’m hoping you dont mind me doing the calc for
you

68kg would put you in the ‘healthy’ range.

Its just a basic online calc though

no i don't mind at all, i have known this myself. with my age it's quite alarming to hav such a high BMI as heart disease runs in the family and i'm anxious to turn my life around

OP posts:

Original poster

captainmarvella · 11/11/2024 00:23

Cerealkiller4U · 10/11/2024 17:37

Pretty much diet and losing weight are down to two things

calorie deficit and exercise.

you need to burn more calories than you’re eating. That’s literally it

its impossible to eat less calories and not start to lose weight.

the big big thing though is psychological. Most people who struggle to lose weight have some problems with food. Disordered eating. Hormones and bad food control.

that will be what you’ll struggle to change in the time frame as it will take years to change it.

I think 6kgs would take probably a good while and can’t be wuick

because as you youreself stated you’re the size you are because of one or some of these issues

i do not think those issues will go away in time for your holiday

but start now and see where you end up. Eating one meal throughout the entire day,…also not healthy eating

fasting is a good way though so I’d incorporate that somehow

Show quote history

yes that's right, i am where I am coz of my unhealthy relationship with food. recent years in therapy has helped a lot, but still I fall off the wagon often which is frustrating. I won't eat one meal throughout the day, but within 3-4 hours and fast the remaining 20+, I will start with this as this seems to be an approved way to do fasting, at least as a beginner.

OP posts:

Searchingforthelight · 10/11/2024 19:20

*gone

Discopantsforme · 10/11/2024 19:20

I'm 12kg down since September, but with a higher starting weight than you, @captainmarvella

I have PCOS and insulin resistance, but take Inositol and Berberine supplements because they're meant to help.

Breakfast is 2 scrambled eggs, sometimes with a few chopped sundried toms, or green peppers, or a cheese triangle and marmite. Lunch is salad with some kind of meat and cheese- chicken or parma ham, 30g cheddar or babybel usually. Dinner is more varied, but again usually meat and salad. I go for higher protein and lower carb, but occasionally have pasta, gnocchi or a few chips, homemade oven 'KFC' chicken thigh. Then I have a sweet treat after dinner. I like satsumas, an apple or a mini chocolate bar (I like the new mini Ritter pouches in Sains). I've had a takeaway every Friday throughout these few months.

I use MyFitnessPal to track calories and stay under 2000 per day. Sometimes it's more like 1700 if few carbs or fruit not chocolate. I've been doing couch 2 5k a few times a week, but mostly just making sure I'm over 7k steps a day.

It's working and doesn't feel too restrictive. But you do have to get used to weighing and measuring.