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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Weight loss hacks

19 replies

AmiU · 02/03/2018 21:56

There was a thread on here about 'household hacks' which taught me loads!

I keep trying to lose the same bloody 20 lbs again and again. Obviously, I know calories out>calories in for weight loss, but are there any little tips or tricks which helped you lose weight sustainably?

E.g. I lost about 5lb just making sure lunch was either a salad or soup everyday, it was an easy change and it worked.

OP posts:
SparkyTheCat · 02/03/2018 22:04

I've found that its changes to everyday habits - eg watching portion sizes, adding salad and veg to meals, walking more - that help most. Rather than some dramatic fad diet that can't be sustained long term. Good luck!

FindoGask · 02/03/2018 22:05

Portion sizes, not snacking, and (mostly) cutting out booze. Boring but effective!

Whatshallidonowpeople · 02/03/2018 22:07

Do you mean tips?

madein1995 · 02/03/2018 22:15

Make simple swaps eg, wholemeal bread rather than white, wholewheat pasta, brown rice etc
I try and only have one 'bad' carb a day. So if I have a sandwich for lunch, I won't have chips with dinner, that kind of thing
Exercise
Put the veg on the plate before dishing the other things up
Meal plan, and especially plan for days when you'll get home late/tired. Plan to have something defrosted that takes 2 minutes to do to avoid takeaways

Idontdowindows · 02/03/2018 22:17

I eat what I want, but all treats have to be "earned".

So if I want cake today, I can have cake, but before I have cake, I'll have to use the calories that cake is going to give me.

For me, that's very effective :) I can eat anything (just had a lovely bit of cake), but I have to balance it with output.

Aquamarine1029 · 02/03/2018 22:19

A protein-based breakfast EVERY morning. Proteins keep you energized and satisfied much longer than carbs.

Littlecaf · 02/03/2018 22:24

Slimming World.

(No im not promoting it)

Easiest thing ever. Just makes you think about what you are eating and how much.

Also chew gum after eating, makes you less want to eat something sweet.

bricksareheavy · 02/03/2018 22:28

Not a food tip, but signing up for some sort of fitness challenge can really help with motivation to exercise.

I decided to sign up for a half marathon four months after having my DS, having never entered a running event before. I followed a basic plan for total beginners which took four months until race day and it was fantastic. I also lifted weights on alternate days to keep up muscle mass as much as possible.

If I hadn’t signed up for it, I have no doubt that I would have skipped the gym numerous times because of being tired from having such a young baby... but having that half marathon written in my diary and looking ahead of me meant I never skipped any of the training sessions as I was so scared I’d fail!

I dropped a lot of weight very quickly, going from BMI 25 to 21 in a matter of a few months.

bricksareheavy · 02/03/2018 22:29

*looming ahead, not looking ahead

Laiste · 02/03/2018 22:30

If you can cut out as much bread, pasta and potatoes as poss you will loose weight even of you do nothing else. Well i do :)

littlepeas · 02/03/2018 22:36

I do think you have to make permenant changes to your lifestyle - there's no point doing a very restrictive diet and then going back to how you were eating before, you will just end up in yo yo mode. Make changes designed to improve your health, rather than focus on the scales - weight loss should naturally follow if you eat healthily and exercise.

Original poster
AmiU · 02/03/2018 22:58

bricks you sound amazing, no way I could do a half marathon!

OP posts:
Original poster
AmiU · 02/03/2018 23:00

laiste and madein I agree - I cut out all carbs when I had suspected gestational diabetes (false alarm) but it's soooo hard. I love carbs and find it so inconvenient/ expensive to eat low carb.

OP posts:
Original poster
AmiU · 02/03/2018 23:01

littlepeas I definitely agree with you. And the little changes become second nature with time, like I don't even have to force myself into a healthy lunch now

OP posts:
PilatesSuck · 02/03/2018 23:04

Hot water and lemon first thing. Nettle fenel tea. Going no carbs 3 days and vegaan 2 days a week helped me a bit.

PilatesSuck · 02/03/2018 23:05

Substritute grated carrot, aubergine or instead of mash do swede of butternut squash

bluepears · 02/03/2018 23:08

there are no hacks just burn more calories than you take in

BloodyWorried · 02/03/2018 23:10

Move the snacks further away. I’m too lazy to walk further and will instead stop at the fruit bowl because my head knows that’s better for me. Previously I wouldn’t have hesitated about eating a biscuit / crisps without thinking about it, now I have to think about it and walk past healthy options making the choice properly.

gwenneh · 02/03/2018 23:12
  • Eat at least 15g of protein in every meal. 10g in a snack.
  • Eat only when you're actually, physically hungry. When you notice the physical, not mental, signs of hunger, sit with that signal for 10 minutes before you eat.
  • Take at least 20 minutes to eat a meal and 10 minutes to eat a snack. Set a timer if you need to. It's difficult!
  • Eat a vegetable or fruit with every meal & snack.
  • Eat at a table, with a proper plate. No desk meals, no standing meals -- eat where you can experience it and take the time to enjoy it.
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