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To think I’ll be stuck at 16 stone forever

762 replies

justmeandthedogs · 23/04/2026 06:45

I’m in the process of losing weight and since the start of the year I’ve lost about 13lbs.

But I seem to be in a loop. I’ll hit 16 stone 0.3 on the scales and then go back up to 16 stone 4, then go back down, then back up. It’s like an annoying cycle.

I eat well:

breakfast - yoghurt with berries and sometimes a drizzle of honey. On low protein days I’ll add some skyr.

lunch - something from home. Usually soup, a salad or a bit of meat with some veg.

dinner - again something prepped. Can be another big salad, cottage pie, pasta bake.

I eat 1550 calories a day, which is a deficit for my height and weight. I go to the gym twice a week (under the direction of a PT, to lift weights), try to run 3 times a week but I’m waiting on some new running shoes, and the other two days a week I’ll walk 10k steps minimum. I try to drink 4 litres of water a day at least.

my clothes fit better but the scale just won’t change 😥 do I just accept I’m stuck here?

OP posts:
Thread gallery
10
RoseField1 · 25/04/2026 21:55

UniquePinkSwan · 25/04/2026 18:16

If you stop eating carbs the weight will melt off. It’s that simple

Nah that's not it

UniquePinkSwan · 25/04/2026 18:16

If you stop eating carbs the weight will melt off. It’s that simple

Grapewrath · 25/04/2026 18:14

Some of these replies are fucking wild- suggesting the OP is a liar, that a 16 stone active women should eat 1200 calories and should eliminate carbs etc. WTF.
All of these adult women eating ‘like birds’ should be worried about their bones tbh
Op so much of this advice is the biggest load of shit I’ve ever read. Get to the GP and have your thyroid etc checked. Read ‘why we eat too much’ by Dr Jenkins to help you understand why you aren’t losing on a calorie deficit (as many people don’t despite the hysteria about defying science)
Also check out Dr Stacey Simms
Keep going, you’re doing amazing

bythefire6 · 25/04/2026 12:08

Honestly download a daily weighing app, it made a huge difference to how I felt about weight loss because even if you keep getting the same weight on the scale for a while, it tracked it and I could see the downward trend
I think 8 weeks was the longest I stalled and then I lost 7lbs in a huge whoosh

justmeandthedogs · 25/04/2026 10:05

Frequency · 25/04/2026 09:59

Well done on breaking the plateau @justmeandthedogs . I bet you feel amazing this morning.

One small point on the freezer meals, they don't always have a complete protein as their main protein source. A lot of them are bulked out with quinoa or lentils, which are fine, they're good, healthy foods and full of fibre and other micronutrients. I eat them. But if you're eating them for muscle repair, they're not the best.

You can still use them for muscle repair, but make sure to pair them with another protein source to make them complete, e.g., a Greek yoghurt after quinoa or wholegrain rice with lentils.

And if you can get to either Aldi or Lidl (I always forget which one sells which), their high-protein bbq pulled pork and quinoa micromeal is amazing, just have a yoghurt after it to complement the quinoa.

I’ve got them mainly for when I really can’t be bothered to make a proper dinner, because I figure it’s better to eat them then a slice of toast and a cup of tea 😂

OP posts:
Frequency · 25/04/2026 09:59

Well done on breaking the plateau @justmeandthedogs . I bet you feel amazing this morning.

One small point on the freezer meals, they don't always have a complete protein as their main protein source. A lot of them are bulked out with quinoa or lentils, which are fine, they're good, healthy foods and full of fibre and other micronutrients. I eat them. But if you're eating them for muscle repair, they're not the best.

You can still use them for muscle repair, but make sure to pair them with another protein source to make them complete, e.g., a Greek yoghurt after quinoa or wholegrain rice with lentils.

And if you can get to either Aldi or Lidl (I always forget which one sells which), their high-protein bbq pulled pork and quinoa micromeal is amazing, just have a yoghurt after it to complement the quinoa.

MrsJeanLuc · 25/04/2026 09:34

justmeandthedogs · 25/04/2026 09:29

I think my body has just been hanging onto it as it’s started to come off again! So frustrating

I think it's a normal part of dieting tbh. Well done for sticking to it and I'm glad you've started losing again.

I'm in a similar position myself, have lost barely 2 lbs in the last 6 weeks, but my clothes feel looser and people are even telling me I look thinner. Go figure!

justmeandthedogs · 25/04/2026 09:32

borborygmus1 · 25/04/2026 08:52

Honey is just as bad for the body at triggering insulin surges as sugar. The antioxidants in honey (standard serving) are the same as in half a blueberry. Why would you have low protein? Protein and healthy fats increase satiety.

Fibre (not any type of cereals/breads/porridge /potatoes etc.). I mean beans, lentils, vegetables should form the bulk of a meal and should be eaten first to lower insulin/moderate glucose spikes, this stops the insulin rising too quickly which leads to hunger pangs within a few hours and which can put the body into fat storage mode. After eating the fibre, eat protein and fat, and then carbs

I'm eating 1500 calories per day because I'm not hungry. I eat a massive lunch following the principles of glucose revolution book and can probably only eat 50% of my dinner as I'm just not hungry. I'm losing weight and changing body shape just based on this.

The food plate showing the different proportions of food that should be eaten was created in Sweden after the war as a way of showing how people could obtain calories from grains as there wasn't enough protein /meat due to rationing. We have taken this old picture too seriously with huge implications for health. Fats and protein are not bad for us and we overeat starchy foods/sugars.

Low fat substitutes and artificial sweeteners are horrible for the body and all types of sugars (brown, golden, castor, agave syrup, honey) all cause the same effect on the body. Some just have better marketing. Also greek style yoghurt is less healthy than true greek yoghurt.

Edited

Yes but it tastes nice and 12g on my morning yoghurt won’t kill me.

I’ve stocked up on some high protein/low calorie meals for the freezer, so that I have something in for when I feel lazy

OP posts:
justmeandthedogs · 25/04/2026 09:29

Pinnacles · 25/04/2026 08:48

Interesting conundrum. If your clothes fit better you are burning fat, which is important. Have you got one of those body composition scales to give you an idea of your fat/muscle percentage? Also, can you afford a dietician to help get to the bottom of why 1500 calories a day is not allowing you to lose weight?

I think my body has just been hanging onto it as it’s started to come off again! So frustrating

OP posts:
HungryHerring · 25/04/2026 09:28

justmeandthedogs · 25/04/2026 08:39

Jesus Christ I don’t know how many times I can’t sit and say I’m not a secret eater - if I was I’d admit it on an anonymous post?! I’ve shown a screenshot of what I eat on sourdough - a quarter of an avocado, a little bit of butter and some poached eggs. Sometimes with bacon.

Anyway, it seems the plateau has officially broken after what felt like forever. 15st 12.4 lbs this morning!

Hooray!! Well done.

4timesthefun · 25/04/2026 09:01

justmeandthedogs · 24/04/2026 17:06

No but it indicates that I’m not having any issues in that department

It really doesn’t. That test was fine for me, despite insulin resistance being off the charts. I’m guessing if you aren’t accepting of a medical reason like insulin resistance, as the inability to lose weight sent me freaking crazy, then there might be a bit of truth to what other posters are saying. It honestly doesn’t sound like you are that fussed about fixing it, which is 100% fine. Sounds like you are fit and healthy, even if weight is a bit higher than you want!

LeBonBon · 25/04/2026 09:00

Sympathies OP, I've been where you are and it's tough.

I was stuck at 16.5 stone for ages but the calorie counting and restricting wasn't working for me, as I'd have too many lapses.

I've been doing Slimming World for 3 months and have lost 2 stone already.

The main thing is getting plenty of protein and fibre, and enjoying food/cooking fresh all the time. I barely snack, but if I do its on fruits, nuts, eggs etc. I probably eat more calories than you do, I also run 3x a week and gym, etc.

I will say although I love bread and don't believe it is a demon like some, I don't eat it at all anymore (you can on SW but I've decided to avoid it).

borborygmus1 · 25/04/2026 08:52

Honey is just as bad for the body at triggering insulin surges as sugar. The antioxidants in honey (standard serving) are the same as in half a blueberry. Why would you have low protein? Protein and healthy fats increase satiety.

Fibre (not any type of cereals/breads/porridge /potatoes etc.). I mean beans, lentils, vegetables should form the bulk of a meal and should be eaten first to lower insulin/moderate glucose spikes, this stops the insulin rising too quickly which leads to hunger pangs within a few hours and which can put the body into fat storage mode. After eating the fibre, eat protein and fat, and then carbs

I'm eating 1500 calories per day because I'm not hungry. I eat a massive lunch following the principles of glucose revolution book and can probably only eat 50% of my dinner as I'm just not hungry. I'm losing weight and changing body shape just based on this.

The food plate showing the different proportions of food that should be eaten was created in Sweden after the war as a way of showing how people could obtain calories from grains as there wasn't enough protein /meat due to rationing. We have taken this old picture too seriously with huge implications for health. Fats and protein are not bad for us and we overeat starchy foods/sugars.

Low fat substitutes and artificial sweeteners are horrible for the body and all types of sugars (brown, golden, castor, agave syrup, honey) all cause the same effect on the body. Some just have better marketing. Also greek style yoghurt is less healthy than true greek yoghurt.

Pinnacles · 25/04/2026 08:48

Interesting conundrum. If your clothes fit better you are burning fat, which is important. Have you got one of those body composition scales to give you an idea of your fat/muscle percentage? Also, can you afford a dietician to help get to the bottom of why 1500 calories a day is not allowing you to lose weight?

justmeandthedogs · 25/04/2026 08:42

Satsuma55 · 24/04/2026 22:33

Calorie counting is not working though. She needs to stop eating so much, I doubt she ever actually allows herself to feel hungry. She doesn't "need" those calories, she's 16 stone.

What a nasty, vindictive post.

Yes, I do actually need calories to survive. Everyone does. I’m sure in your ideal world everyone who’s overweight would sit at home and starve, until they were skin and bones. But I’m active, I walk a lot, I run and go to the gym (last night I went and did an hours weight session), I have done the whole fasting thing and don’t really fancy passing out and ending up in a&e again.

OP posts:
justmeandthedogs · 25/04/2026 08:39

StickyProblem · 24/04/2026 22:34

I’m not having a go at you OP but I’ve been watching Secret Eaters again 😀
IME it’s part of struggling with your weight to have with some level of denial about exactly what you eat.
The “lots of lovely wholemeal sourdough” isn’t mentioned in your OP about what you eat. What goes on the lots of bread?
Best of luck with it.

Jesus Christ I don’t know how many times I can’t sit and say I’m not a secret eater - if I was I’d admit it on an anonymous post?! I’ve shown a screenshot of what I eat on sourdough - a quarter of an avocado, a little bit of butter and some poached eggs. Sometimes with bacon.

Anyway, it seems the plateau has officially broken after what felt like forever. 15st 12.4 lbs this morning!

OP posts:
Sortingmyself · 25/04/2026 06:47

justmeandthedogs · 24/04/2026 21:26

I feel like it just consumes me. I’m constantly thinking about my weight

Same 😔

Frequency · 24/04/2026 22:34

You need to start thinking of it as a lifestyle, not a diet. It won't end (or if it does, you'll undo all your hard work). This is forever now. Obviously, at some point, you'll reach maintenance, but the training and thinking about what you eat, and tracking food to some extent, has to be forever.

You do get used to it, and it becomes second nature once you get into the groove. Meal planning gets 100% easier once you have a feel for what fits into your nutrient goals and find a few favourite meals.

Training becomes enjoyable, for the most part. I started running about 6 months ago, and I hated it with a passion. It was a struggle to even convince myself to put my running shoes on, much less jump on the treadmill or head outside, but I look forward to running days now, mostly. You'll still have days like I did today, every now and again, where just the thought of a training session feels like effort, but they become few and far between.

I've been into weightlifting/body-recomp/bodybuilding on and off since my late teens because it helps me manage my food issues, but even now, I have the odd day where I'd rather drop an 18KG kettlebell on my foot than do a 20-minute EMOM session with one.

If you don't love it within 6 months, swap something around, try swimming instead of running, a group strength class, or CrossFit instead of what you're doing with your PT etc.

If you're stuck for meal plans or fancy trying something new, plug your goals into ChatGPT and ask it to create a meal plan. Just make sure you sense-check the results. I find it to be way under on cals but pretty spot on with protein.

And when you feel down on your progress, or what feels like a lack of try, remember how far you've already come. It's not a race; there is no deadline, as long as you keep plodding on, you'll get there.

StickyProblem · 24/04/2026 22:34

justmeandthedogs · 23/04/2026 06:55

Because I’ve tried lower calories before and it spirals into a place where I end up with very unhealthy habits. Carbs are nothing to be afraid of and needed if you’re doing a lot of cardio and exercise. I mainly eat wholewheat pasta and lots of lovely wholemeal sourdough

I’m not having a go at you OP but I’ve been watching Secret Eaters again 😀
IME it’s part of struggling with your weight to have with some level of denial about exactly what you eat.
The “lots of lovely wholemeal sourdough” isn’t mentioned in your OP about what you eat. What goes on the lots of bread?
Best of luck with it.

Satsuma55 · 24/04/2026 22:33

bythefire6 · 24/04/2026 21:08

But are you also 16 stone and active? Otherwise it’s not a comparison
I’m 5ft 10, it’s like comparing the calories I need to someone who is 5ft

Calorie counting is not working though. She needs to stop eating so much, I doubt she ever actually allows herself to feel hungry. She doesn't "need" those calories, she's 16 stone.

justmeandthedogs · 24/04/2026 21:26

thismummydrinksgin · 24/04/2026 21:21

I’m in a similar position with my weight, feels never ending x

I feel like it just consumes me. I’m constantly thinking about my weight

OP posts:
thismummydrinksgin · 24/04/2026 21:21

I’m in a similar position with my weight, feels never ending x

bythefire6 · 24/04/2026 21:08

Satsuma55 · 24/04/2026 19:01

I dunno, @justmeandthedogs , you eat more than I do just to maintain my weight loss, if this isn't working for you , eat less...one meal a day.

But are you also 16 stone and active? Otherwise it’s not a comparison
I’m 5ft 10, it’s like comparing the calories I need to someone who is 5ft

justmeandthedogs · 24/04/2026 20:58

I’ve done my food shop for the week and I’m just going to focus on protein and low calorie

OP posts:
MeridaBrave · 24/04/2026 19:10

Satsuma55 · 24/04/2026 19:01

I dunno, @justmeandthedogs , you eat more than I do just to maintain my weight loss, if this isn't working for you , eat less...one meal a day.

The problem with that is that it’s likely to lead to muscle loss, as hard to hit protein targets on one meal a day.

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