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AIBU?

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Original poster

I’ve lost 40 pounds!

62 replies

Tankous · 13/05/2025 13:20

Yaaaay

I just want to scream it from the bloody rooftop!

After literally years of saying “I’ll start next Monday” I finally did it.

I feel so much better in myself- I was really starting to feel quite cumbersome in my body which I hated. Developing a spare tyre was the final straw for me. I have always had somewhat of a defined waist but for my spare tyre to be my widest point was just soul crushing.

I probably still have 20 pounds or so to go but the idea of losing 1.5 stone isn’t half as scary as the number I had to lose when I first started.

Starting really is the hard bit. Especially if you use food as both a comfort and reward.

It’s not often I say this but I’m proud of myself! Good luck to anyone else on their own weight loss journey

OP posts:
mathanxiety · 13/05/2025 15:26

Well done @Tankous

Your meals sound delicious and not at all restrictive.

Enjoy your day at the wedding!

MounjaroMounjaro · 13/05/2025 15:19

I'd love to see your Pinterest board!

Flux1 · 13/05/2025 15:17

I think i found your 40lbs!!!!

Very well done on your weight loss!

ObelixtheGaul · 13/05/2025 15:13

👏👏👏well done, OP! You shout from as many rooftops as you.like.

Sherry1978 · 13/05/2025 15:02

Do you mind me asking what you ate before you lost the weight?

Toolatetoasknow · 13/05/2025 14:50

Well done, and thank you, you have really cheered me up. Just been turned down for buying privately weight loss jabs because of cancer history. Maybe I can do it anyway.

Original poster
Tankous · 13/05/2025 14:40

Lijay1 · 13/05/2025 13:29

You went and checked how many posts had been replied to just so you could post a snotty reply. YABU that's enough Internet for you today I think 🤣

OP that's amazing! I would love to know what finally gave you the motivation to stick to it. I am forever starting a diet/ health kick and quitting after a week.

Show quote history

Having a big family wedding where I am in the bridal party definitely was a big motivator. The idea of seeing everyone all dressed up and lovely and me just feeling like a lump was something I just didn’t want to experience

But tbh I was at my heaviest and just had a completely new body shape. I couldn’t even hide my gut anymore which was a new one for me. I don’t want to dread warm days, or be so self conscious. It was massively reducing my quality of life!

I have been eating to lose this weight for close to three years. Once you get a bit of momentum it becomes SO much easier as you just don’t want to do all your hardwork.

I also created a Pinterest board of outfits I want to wear when I’m at my goal weight. It helped distract when I was having a tough moment.

OP posts:
Hdjdb42 · 13/05/2025 14:39

Tankous · 13/05/2025 13:45

Not a lot. I am very self conscious but will definitely look into weights/pilates in the very near future

Right now:

  • I walk for an hour nothing too intense (I have bought a stroller for my tiny, elderly dogs who can only walk for about 25 mins before). I usually walk to get an iced coffee as a treat. Certainly not aiming for 10k or the like
  • I go swimming once or twice a week

I would say the weight loss has mainly come from diet

Show quote history

That sounds good to me. I'm walking for an hour each day, but relying on diet mainly same as you! I've ordered some weights. To help tone up my arms!

honeylulu · 13/05/2025 14:22

Well done OP! 40 pounds is loads. You must feel absolutely great.

MomOfTwoGirls2 · 13/05/2025 14:20

I have perfected Greek chicken and tandoori chicken now

Please do share the recipes!!

Congratulations!! Lovely to read of your success. It is a great achievement and not easy.

I hope I can take some motivation from your story. Every time I try to manage my weight, I end up putting on weight rather than lose it 😭.

Original poster
Tankous · 13/05/2025 14:08

PestoPasto · 13/05/2025 14:01

How long before people noticed? I have lost two stone (bmi from 25.5 to about 23) and nobody has noticed!

I think people may not always comment because body image / weight has become quite a loaded issue. I’m sure two stone is VERY noticeable.

I got comments around the 20 pound mark

OP posts:
Original poster
Tankous · 13/05/2025 14:06

You’re welcome! If you don’t have TikTok or Pinterest I highly recommend you download them. I have found so many amazing recipes from them. Trying new healthy recipes I think was a great way to direct my food obsession I think.

Do be careful TikTok does have an area called “skinny tok” which can be quite extreme. I take it with a pinch of salt and do find it somewhat interesting but I wouldn’t be happy with a teen girl in my family watching it.

It’s taken about 5.5 months. I could have been stricter ie smaller portions, no cheese, minimal fat but I wanted the weight loss to be sustainable

OP posts:
PestoPasto · 13/05/2025 14:01

How long before people noticed? I have lost two stone (bmi from 25.5 to about 23) and nobody has noticed!

Dollshousedolly · 13/05/2025 13:59

Well done.

ALittleBitWooo · 13/05/2025 13:58

Tankous · 13/05/2025 13:39

Here’s more of an exhaustive list of meals:

breakfast

  • egg white omelette loads of veg, salsa and guacamole
  • chicken sausage and spiced beans
  • egg bites (ham, spinach, mushrooms)
  • overnight oats - so many different flavours - “tiramisu”, “apple crumble” etc

lunch

  • chicken fajitas - pepper, onion, tomato, leeks
  • protein plus stir fry veg
  • stuffed pepper with turkey chilli
  • tuna salad
  • fajita pizzas

dinner

  • vegetable curry (recipe for dishing butter chicken but with less cream and butter)
  • chickpea curry
  • herb crusted salmon, veg, potatoes
  • sweet potato jackets
  • turkey chill
  • spag bol (smaller portion of pasta) with side salad
  • Nando’s fakeaway
  • La Scala chopped salad is something I am living off right now

Finding new recipes via social media has helped A LOT

Show quote history

Thanks for that, I need lose 50lb to get back to my best but keep putting it off. How long has it taken you to lose 40lb?

Original poster
Tankous · 13/05/2025 13:56

i must have been saying “I will start on Monday” for three years 🤣

OP posts:
flumposie · 13/05/2025 13:52

Congratulations!

Dweetfidilove · 13/05/2025 13:50

Well done! That's an amazing achievement 👏🏾

Ellie1015 · 13/05/2025 13:50

Fantastic achievement, well done!

purrrge · 13/05/2025 13:50

what is in "spicy homemade “collagen broth”" please?! what collagen do you use?

CosmicCuppa · 13/05/2025 13:47

Congratulations OP that’s a huge achievement

YellowDuster12 · 13/05/2025 13:46

Well done OP! You have made an investment in your health now and in the future. IDK if you have kids, but if you do, you're a brilliant role model to them too.

Weight loss is one of those things that's incredibly simple yet can be difficult at the same time. But only the individual can do it. You smashed it!

Original poster
Tankous · 13/05/2025 13:45

Hdjdb42 · 13/05/2025 13:33

Well done op 👏 💪. I'm on my own weight loss journey too. I've lost a couple of stone but still have a couple to go. What excerise have you been doing?

Not a lot. I am very self conscious but will definitely look into weights/pilates in the very near future

Right now:

  • I walk for an hour nothing too intense (I have bought a stroller for my tiny, elderly dogs who can only walk for about 25 mins before). I usually walk to get an iced coffee as a treat. Certainly not aiming for 10k or the like
  • I go swimming once or twice a week

I would say the weight loss has mainly come from diet

OP posts:
Original poster
Tankous · 13/05/2025 13:39

ALittleBitWooo · 13/05/2025 13:25

Well done!
I’d love to know how you’ve done it.
What did your average week of meals and exercise look like?

Here’s more of an exhaustive list of meals:

breakfast

  • egg white omelette loads of veg, salsa and guacamole
  • chicken sausage and spiced beans
  • egg bites (ham, spinach, mushrooms)
  • overnight oats - so many different flavours - “tiramisu”, “apple crumble” etc

lunch

  • chicken fajitas - pepper, onion, tomato, leeks
  • protein plus stir fry veg
  • stuffed pepper with turkey chilli
  • tuna salad
  • fajita pizzas

dinner

  • vegetable curry (recipe for dishing butter chicken but with less cream and butter)
  • chickpea curry
  • herb crusted salmon, veg, potatoes
  • sweet potato jackets
  • turkey chill
  • spag bol (smaller portion of pasta) with side salad
  • Nando’s fakeaway
  • La Scala chopped salad is something I am living off right now

Finding new recipes via social media has helped A LOT

OP posts:
FuckoffeeBeforeCoffee · 13/05/2025 13:38

I’ve lost 4.5 and feeling good, never mind 40!

Bloody hell, OP. Well done!