Why can't I lose 5lb?

[Cherrydown]

It's driving my mad. I'm slim but have put 5lb on so trying to lose it before even more creeps on and it won't budge (I'm 41). What am I doing wrong?

Typical days intake:
Breakfast - cereal bar
Lunch - 2 x wholewheat crackers, banana and 3 slices of cucumber
Afternoon snack - apple
Dinner - veggie pasta dish and a small cake

Approx 30 mins of exercise a day/light weights.

I don't feel like I'm eating much but still not losing anything. I hardly ever drink, snack etc 🤷‍♀️

You're not eating enough and that's a really poor breakfast. A cereal bar is mainly sugar. You need protein to fill you up. Have a look at some of the weight loss threads for inspiration, support and motivation.

What’s your current weight and height op?

You're sending your insulin all over the place with 4 very very high carb meals a day.

Try to eat less often, introduce a longer period of fasting between dinner and brunch (if you can) and lower carbs in favour of fat and protein.

Thank you

I know cereal bars are rubbish, I just really struggle to eat first thing and can just about stomach that.

Any suggestions for a better lunch that can be eaten quickly in the car..?

My height is 5ft 10 and weight 9st 9lb which I know isn't bad but I don't like how I look with the extra 5lb. I've always been 9st 2-4lb.

You're tiny for your height! That's why yu cant lose it

5lbs is nothing for someone so tall.

I think it’s your body’s way of telling you that you’re thin enough already. You aren’t eating enough so your body is in starvation mode and holding on to every calorie it gets

Thank you, I can see that, I just prefer how I used to look, i think it might be quite difficult to accept the change. Food for thought, excuse the pun 🙄.

I thought having lots of fruit would be good and help keep the weight off but it's not working so I don't really know where to go next.

Yes I suspect it might be because you’re already at a low body weight. It’s difficult because your body doesn’t wish to go there.

Maybe you need toning, include more protein. More cardio, core work.

Just having a quick look at protein food and yep I think I'm lacking in that. I don't eat meat but also don't really eat eggs or nuts etc or enough beans and pulses either.

Perhaps a boiled egg would be better than the crackers and a yoghurt instead of the cereal bar. More beans and pulses for dinner.

Yes definitely need to tone up more, struggling to make the time for exercising any more than what I am, but I will try and be more targeted.

I agree that is a lot of carbs and I would not be eating cake on a diet personally, nor pasta unless it is a very small portion. Have you tried skipping breakfast, I find that works quite well for me on work days at least.

Hard-boiled eggs are brilliant for lunch, and they'll keep you fuller for longer. Don't get rid of fruit, they're very healthy - as everyone knows..

If you don't like eating breakfast, I'd skip it altogether and introduce intermittent fasting. That will help you lose those few extra pounds.

You definitely want to include extra protein and fat in your diet though, otherwise you WILL crash.. I can totally understand you wanting to shed 5 lbs. I'm very similar to you, it seems - couple of inches shorter and few pounds lighter, and also carrying just a little bit too much for my liking and for what I'm used to and for the body I feel most confident in.

You can totally do it, just a few small but impactful changes and you'll get there. (And regarding exercise I recommend weights and Pilates, rather than cardio. Cardio doesn't tone you up.!)

All the best xx

Make sure you’re drinking plenty of water! Still the best weight loss tip I’ve tried

Thank you!

I'll skip breakfast tomorrow and hard boiled egg for lunch. Plus more toning and better dinners.

Thank you for understanding, I can't ask advice irl as no one really gets it when I'm slim anyway, it's about feeling your best though and I'm worried about it being a slippery slope!

Thanks @FlorenceNightshade I don't drink any 🤦‍♀️ I know, I know!