Hello Op, I'm sorry to hear about your struggle, I know how hard it is to lose weight. I gained quite a bit of weight after my father died and DH followed suit. We tried different diets. Giving up sugar, giving up carbs, Dr Ganns Diet of Hope, this weird apple diet involving almonds. This went on for years it was ridiculous!
Finally, we decided to cut our portions. This started out quite organically, actually. Opposed to our regular American sized plate we ate half of that and saved the rest for leftovers the next day. We looked for low cal recicipes online like vegetarian casserole with corn tortillas. It was delicious and only about 300 plus calories! We never deprived one another of any kind of craving we had. If I felt like a Ben and Jerry's ice cream, then I would eat it, just not the whole pint! Same for him, if he felt like pizza or french fries he would have them, but only the fries. Pizza? Only one slice. After our craving had been satiated we went back to smaller portions and low cal eating the rest of the week. We did not punish ourselves for tripping! We just got back up, dusted ourselves off, and kept going.
Another thing I personally added, was I began walking with my neighbor and good friend. We started at 7:30 am every morning. First, I could only do two or three laps around the neighbourhood. Then as the weeks progressed I walked a little more. After 3 1/2 months I was walking 14 laps around my neighborhood 5 times a week with weekends off. That equates to 7 miles. I also drank copious amounts of water and kept my S'well bottle with me where ever I went to remind myself to drink. I practically gave up all soft drinks. This was particularly hard for DH as he is addicted to both Coca Cola & Dr Pepper. Our compromise was to share one soda between us a dinner time.
On my husbands end, besides cutting out soft drinks and drastically cutting his portion size, he took stairs instead of elevators, or took a long way to get to a specific post opposed to the shortest way to get there. His weight loss was easier than mine, as he is a man and he is almost 9 years younger. It has been documented that women have it tougher, so don't be discouraged!
We have so far, collectively, lost 97 lbs,/6.92 stone as a couple in 3 1/2 months! I have lost 44 lbs/3.14 stone and he has lost 53lbs/3.78 stone.
We're not done yet though! DSH has now joined a gym with his best friend and goes 3 days a week. I plan to up my laps to 15 this month, then, 16 next month. I am only taking as break because I am sick with a nasty ear infection and the cold wind here kills my ear.
I also give myself realistic goals. I strive be X amount by my birthday. X amount on my DH's birthday, X amount by Thanksgiving, Christmas so on. I give myself stretch goals too, so that gives me even more motivation to succeed. One week though, both DH hit a plateau, and it was very disheartening. However, we shook it off and upped our routine.
My next goal I plan to meet is to be X amount by Valentines Day, So I may look gorgeous in a "vintage" dress from the 1970's that is slinky and form fitting with a beautiful cape. I think about that dress every time I go for my walk as it gives me great motivation. My husband is taking me out to a very luxurious restaurant that day, and I want to look and feel my best.
Get a work out or eating buddy if you can, as it will motivate you.
Don't let "trips" get you down. You will trip and that's okay. Just know you will get up, dust yourself off and be on track again!
Don't deprive yourself of certain foods. Eat a little bit to satiate that
hunger and move on with your low cal meals.
Cut out all soft drinks! If you must have one, just have a small can or bottle at one meal for the day. No more!
Don't be over zealous! The people who lose the weight fastest are also the ones who gain it back the fastest and more!
Be realistic with your goals. Set a goal and a stretch goal. If your reach your goal then "YAY!" if you reach your stretch goal, then "Double Yay" if you cannot reach any of your goals that day, just say "today was not my day" " But, tomorrow will be!"
Don't lose confidence! Be patient. Don't expect changes over night. They will happen, trust me. You will start to notice how loose your clothes will fit. Inches are more important than pounds. Weigh yourself once a week, to see how your progressing. If
Lastly, if you're walking outside as much as I do, remember to use copious amounts of SPF with UVA and UVB on your face, neck and arms. I know it's very cloudy and overcast there, but you can still get sun damage which ages you rapidly and can cause skin cancer.
Sorry for the novel! I really hope this helps!
Good luck! I know you can do this! 