How can I speed weight loss up a bit?

[CharlotteS0metimes]

Have lost 42lbs over the past 5 months with another 21lbs to go. It's coming off at a glacial pace it feels - what can I do that'll speed it up without having to go low carb (I don't want to low carb as it's tricky for me as a vegan) or keto?

I calorie count and my calories are carefully calculated using the TDEE calculator etc. I walk 12000 steps a day at least.

Is there something relatively painless I can consider doing?

Caffeine tablet?

No...

A healthy weight to lose is 1-3 lbs a week, any more and you will get lose skin that will be painful and the NHS dont remove it for free....

Just keep doing what you are doing
Go steady. Much more likely to keep it off too....

Use the app

MyFitnessPal

If you haven't already. Its very good (dont upgrade to the paid version)

Well done! I do 16:8 fasting alongside eating a mainly high protein diet. I've lost 5st since Jan and I eat a large Dominoes each week (apparently eating your maintenance calories once a week helps your metabolism) and it's really helped keep me focused too. I have maintained for a bit but trying to get the last stone off, so feel your pain! I also do lots of walking too.

I'm OK on the loose skin front thankfully. I'm no swimsuit model that's for sure but I'm not going to be left with problematic loose skin. My stomach has always been an issue though - like an apron of fat whatever my weight so I'm considering a tummy tuck (paid for of course! I know the NHS don't do them nor would I expect them to)

I use nutricheck which is similar to MFP.

Ugh - I'm just going to have to keep plodding along aren't I?

Can't take caffeine really. I feel all hardcore having a daily decaf!

@zeromango I also do similar in that I'll have the odd day where I eat 2000 calories a day. I always keep track though so don't lose control!

Well done on your loss so far

Maybe up your water intake? Always helps me lose a bit more (but well done, you have done amazing so far!)

Water intake is a good one actually. I only drink a litre a day so I'll try and up that. When I drink more it means I struggle to do my long walk a day without having to nip behind a bush which is something I try and avoid!

@zeromango that is brilliant! Could you possibly post a typical days food ? I've been doing the same as you but have only lost 2 stone since Jan and I wonder where I'm going wrong.

I was going to suggest intermittent fasting too, especially helps with excess around the midriff
Well done on the weight loss
Just keep going, even if it's slow, it's still progress

Zig zag diet - dividing weekly calorie allowance to different amounts each day (I lost 14lb doing this)
Juices can work short term by keeping calories down but not long term.
Raspberry ketones and green tea tablets, they can help speed up your metabolism.
Obviously these aren’t all recommended for everyone so research first, but I’ve tried a bit of each and lost weight each time.
Well done losing so much weight!

The last time I lost a lot if weight I did similar to you but also did a short burst if very sweaty exercise five times a week. I did the 30 day shred but I don't think it would matter what sort as long as the heart rate was really elevated

Is all your exercise walking? I'd suggest something to build muscle. Body weight work is a good start, loads of videos on YouTube. I've used Mr&Mrs Muscle and Jillian Michaels but there are plenty to choose from.

Water will make a huge difference. If I drink 2-3 litres daily, I can loose 3-4lb a week. When I start slacking on that I drop back down to 1-2lb a week. Good luck!!

Certain fruit an veg speed up your metabolism so while its all good some work better for weight loss apple orange strawberry pear would be better than grapes banana pineapple. Same with veg id choose carrots broccoli cauliflower over peas sweetcorn etc search Google to see what fruit an veg speed up metabolism an try eating more of them an less of the others.

42lbs in 5 months is phenomenal! You dont need to go any faster than that OP.
The less you gave to lose the more it tends to slow down. You could lose another 20lbs in 10 - 20 weeks, I'd be pretty happy with that.

@CharlotteS0metimes that's a fantastic loss!
Its always bound to slow down a bit I think as you get closer to your goal and there's less to loose.

I lost 21lbs since end of April/beginning of May by sticking to 1200cals a day and initially running 3 x 25mins a week (I had a loop around where I live so just did that) - and trust me I am NOT a runner and move at a snails pace but I carried on, the first week or two I had to have a 20min sit down and not move when I got back home
And then I went off running and aimed to workout at home 4-5 times a week mon-fri. 2 of those times were longer 40-45min workouts and 2-3 were 20 min ones, usually HITT on the shorter.

Walking is great too but I think exercise that gets your heart rate up/cardio (especially running from what I've read) gives you something called and after burn where calories are being burnt at a higher rate for a certain amount of time afterwards - you'd have to look it up yourself but it's something along those lines.

I have another 9lbs to go but it's taking its sweet time, I've realised if I wanted to loose weight at the rate I was (1kg a week) I would have to go down to around 700cals at my new weight which is just dangerous and I want this to be a longterm change and diet not a yo-yo effect.

I'm considering trying out some more weight focused workouts as I've got some flab I'd like to tone up and I know muscle increases your metabolic rate and makes you burn more calories day-to-day as well so hoping that might help.

@BlessYourCottonSocks Thank you! One book that massively helped was called "Eat what you like and lose weight for life" basically it's all about calories! A calorie deficit will help you lose weight. You burn 20-30% of all protein you eat which also leads to your calorie deficit. I also walk lots in the day.

Typical day ...

I eat between 12-8pm. So no brekkie! Just green tea. At 12pm I have a tuna and egg salad with lots of veg like peppers, beetroot etc. Then usually followed by fruit (strawberries usually as really low cal) and high protein yoghurt.

Tea is normally something like turkey mince chilli and wraps, or lentil bolognaise, or a jacket and salad followed by a pudding of some sort (can be anything as long as it's within calories!) Not very exciting I know but the pizza once a week is a real treat and I don't crave it anymore because I'm still allowed it. I also allow myself treats as long as it's within calories. Birthdays etc don't count of course as long as I eat sensibly the rest of the week I thankfully don't gain anything.

Weight work outs are good. With some dumbells or kettlebells. Muscle burns more calories to just exist so build some muscle up and you'll be burning through more calories when youre sedantary if that makes sense

@zeromango Thanks so much! I'll check that out. I've been bumbling along in my own way, cutting carbs and not calorie counting.

I then realised that I could naturally do 16:8 as I haven't eaten breakfast since I was about 14 - that all I had to do was not eat after tea, which was my downfall. (Snacks at bedtime!)

I'll check out the book thank you.