To try to lose half a stone and take it from there

[islandsandshores]

I'm very overweight and I feel overwhelmed by how much I have to lose.

WIBU to take it half a stone at a time or is this stupid

Haha sorry for strong reaction. Just hate the way people always tell you to download it as if it's some sort of holy water. Doesn't work for me. Pleased it does for you though.

Oh an OP measure yourself. I've lost about 3 pounds in a month but have lost 9cm from my waist and 6 off my hips and 6 from my chest and that's back fat I've lost.
Every half stone you lose is of benefit
It's hard. I'm a (supposedly intelligent) Health care professional and I really struggle to lose weight so I appreciate all the effort that goes into it

Really I'm

Just going by the scales.

I'm not going to complicate things. Just half a stone!

Course not if you think that's the best way for you. Some people do better with small and easily achievable goals, others by plunging right in. You know you and you know what works.

I've lost 5lbs in the past couple of months basically by just being a bit more careful. Doesn't sound like a lot but I am pleased with it, not least because it's involved next to no effort. I have another stone and a half to go, hopefully. Slow and steady is working well for me. Equally, some people like a really radical change and get things moving quickly. Depends what will motivate you.

A couple of years ago, I read a pretty good book called 'just 10lb' by Brad Lamm. It was a bit American but the basic idea was that if you can lose 10lb, you can lose whatever you need to. So he'd def agree with you.

Book mostly focussed on the mindset you need to lose weight. Would recommend it.

I really do t like MFP. I found it really hard not to get obsessed but calories.

For me, eating mostly veg and lean protein, measured carbs and a bit of fatty stuff works. No counting needed.

I do meal replacements so MFP is redundant anyway

What sort of meal replacements?

Like Cambridge, lighter life, if you've heard of those?

Are they not just pretty empty calories and crap? Even on 5-2 fast days I should think you'd be better with some lean protein, good carbs, veggies or combination.

Well, it works for me but we're all different. I don't like 5'2.

Me neither, too much like hard work but just because one of them advertised themselves as being suitable for whole day intake on 5-2. Have you lost weight on them already then?

I have before yes.

Wank is 100% correct.

Surely if meal replacements were effective you wouldn't have gained the weight again after doing them? Its obviously not a way to get to get a long lasting result as once you eat actual food again you've sort of blown it. Aqua's advice wasn't all that bad.

You could say the same for any diet.

I have actually heard that said about basically all diet products and programmes! This is my first time though.

Sw has plenty of repeat offenders!

I am not and would not recommend any "diet." Diets are bullshit. What I am talking about is a change in mindset, and a conscious, educated approach in changing your lifestyle. Clearly, the choice is up to the individual, but using meal replacements don't teach you how to eat and shop for proper nutrition, and this approach usually fails because it just isn't sustainable. It's crazy to think of eating meal replacements for the rest of your life when you could just take the time initially to learn how to eat nutritionally.

Well, you have found something you're happy with and so have I so that's good.

Aquamarine I wouldn't bother. You tried.

No need to be rude.

Yes, definitely do the whole weight loss thing slowly, using whatever lifestyle choice suits you. Best advice I got was to use a belt that just fits around your waist, then as you lose weight you can tell more by which hole you are using. I remember feeling thrilled when I was two holes from the end after a couple of months. I'm now on the smallest setting. Gradually increase the amount of exercise you do to.

Take care of yourself and give yourself little rewards as you lose the weight and I don't mean food rewards either. Good luck. If I can do it anybody can, I've lost 4 stone over 18 months.

The science of weight loss (or gain) is really patchy. It's not as simple as calories in < calories out although that does play a part. The genetics, the microbiome (all the bugs that live in you, particularly gut bacteria), the psychological issues of food addiction (carbs and sugars) - all interplay to different extents in different people.

VLCD plans do work very well for some people where food addictions are an issue. They take "food" out of the equation altogether. You know what you're eating and when, after a few days of willpower they become surprisingly easy to stick to, and when you know all you can eat aside from a bar or shake is a serving of veg you suddenly stop being hungry through boredom and comfort eating. It's like a hard reset.

They also have quick initial results which is excellent motivation.

There was a study a while back which showed that all weight loss diets and plans and programmes worked. As long as you stick to them. No one plan is better or worse than any other. At least with the extreme restriction of a vlcd you are getting all required vitamins & minerals.

OP - you walk a mile one step at a time. You eat an elephant one bite at a time. You lose weight half a stone at a time. Just go for the first half stone, don't think about the rest. Time for the next one when the first one is gone.

As a health coach it's extremely important to set small, tangible short term goals. Only by reaching those specific milestones will you be able to stay on track. You can be as small and specific as you'd like, but make sure they are short term and attainable and you will gain motivational momentum toward your long term goals!