What did you do to lose weight?

[Lostindating2023]

I am a size 18/20 and extremely unhealthy.

I just am so overwhelmed with where to start to try and even begin to lose weight. But I have to do something as I am so miserable 😭

I have cut out junk. Given up takeaway (except a v rare one)
Given up alcohol (again, except the odd occasion)
I eat only between 12 -8pm - 2 meals and a low calorie snack most days.
I exercise x3 per week.
In 11 months I have lost 25kg/3st 10.

I would have a proper look at your diet and see if there is anywhere that is an easy change eg no snacks, smaller portions, cut out alcohol etc. Once you start to lose weight and get some motivation going, it gets easier.

Do you exercise? Is your diet unhealthy or is it just too much food?

Hitting 10k steps and 1200 cals a day.

3 meals a day, snack on fruit and no chocolate/treats during the week.
I do allow myself a takeaway on a Saturday and some chocolate on the weekends but I try not to go too crazy.

Did anyone count calories ?

Drink plenty of water …start by going for a gentle walk and gradually increase the distance…plenty of fruit veg chicken fish good luck keep us updated

Ditched the ultra processed food and turned to real food. Chris Van Tulleken’s ‘Ultra Processed People’ was a game changer. Am listening to it again on Audible, it’s so thought provoking, so humane, it’s a real reset for how we think about food in this day and age. I couldn’t recommend it more!

Yes, I count calories loosely now- if I know what Ive eaten up to dinner, I can tell that dinner will be ok, and often don't calculate its calories.

Slimming world is the only thing that works for me but I know it gets vilified on here and social media. I tried calorie counting for the flexibility but I can’t be bothered weighing everything and it allowed me to eat too much of the stuff that makes my weight stick - bread etc.
I watch potion sizes - I’m not one who eats mounds of pasta or potatoes because it’s ‘allowed’ as it isn’t really if you listen and follow the plan properly.
And finally, you have to move. A walk every day, maybe walking the last bit faster to get your heart rate up. Challenge yourself to do more of the faster walk each day.
Good luck op, start slow and try to enjoy it - cooking healthy food etc - think of it as an exciting new challenge!

I'm similar OP
Can I join you?

This is my plan

Low carb and upping my exercise

Counted calories. Smaller portions. Ate nimble bread. Didn't eat after dinner in the evening, if had to have something I would have a rich tea light biscuit.

I count calories too

10k steps
two meals a day
water

Well done! Can I ask what your meals are like?

Team RH
Learn to count calories properly and consistently
10,000 steps per day minimum
Weights x 3 per week
Lost 4.5 stone
Now training for Hyrox and half marathon, still losing on 2100 calories
Life changing. Proper education about calorie deficit and macros is a game changer.

You have to have a basic understanding of how many calories are in what.
IF between x-y is really meaningless if it includes ice cream, biscuits and a heavy cheese/cream sauce or a large baked potato.
CC is tedious but likewise it doesn't take too long to have a good idea what your portion size should look like.

I'm between size 16 and 18 and need to lose a couple of stone. In the past low carb has worked for me, but my breath was awful, can't face that again! Fasting also works, but I find it really difficult.

I don't drink a lot of alcohol, but definitely need to cut out snacks. I eat when I'm bored and suspect I'm adhd, so often bored and seeking some thrill, usually eating and shopping, neither of which are good!

The only thing that’s ever worked for me is intermittent fasting. I have 4 young children, work shifts and generally have a super busy life. I just do not have the headspace for calorie counting etc.

I do not eat between 8pm and at least 1-2pm. I have two high protein, high veg meals a day and no snacks. Very little alcohol. Maybe a small glass of red wine once or twice a week. I’ve lost two stone and I have another one / one and a half to go. My skin also looks loads better and I have more energy.

I’ve always been active and had a healthy pescatarian diet. I just think I have a crappy metabolic rate! The only way I lose weight is by really seriously restricting calories. I have arthritis in two weight bearing joint thanks to injury and my job is physical. I am determined to keep the weight off!!

The first couple of weeks were tough but then it becomes habit. I’ve found my tastebuds have changed and I don’t even want squash anymore, preferring plain water. My appetite has diminished a lot and I’m no longer thinking of the next snack.

Best of luck! The first step is the hardest x

"Counting calories" is pointless unless you understand how many calories you need and what size deficit you need to lose weight. And also unless you learn to track absolutely forensically by the gram. It's effort and it's boring but it's science, and it works.

Give up all alcohol and soft drinks , even the low calorie ones and squash. No hot chocolate or iced coffee just tea coffee and water only , and no sugar or sweeteners in the hot drinks.
Some drinks have so many calories as a bar of chocolate and burger and chips
This should even out blood sugar spikes and then make it easier to put a limit on other things.

Thanks @upanddowns !
For lunch I eat fresh soup (usually veg) and bread thinly scraped with reduced fat butter spread or a filled wrap with low cal filling. With the wrap I eat my guilty pleasure of low cal crisps several times per week. E.g. wotsits/quavers or similar. Sometimes an apple as well.
If I haven't eaten the apple at lunch, I might eat it as a snack when I get home. Other snacks might be a slice of ham or a couple of small cubes of cheese. Or olives in brine occasionally.
I have a splash of semi skimmed milk in coffee- perhaps 3 cups per day.
Dinner is usually chicken stir fry/ chilli/ beef casserole/veg omelette. With a v small portion of the carbs the rest of the family are eating.