To ask if you have managed to lose weight and keep it off how did you do it?

[OnlyByGrace]

Trigger warning: mentions of anorexia, calorie counting, weight loss

I want to lose weight. I gained a lot of weight at university and have gone from a size 10/12 to a 16/18. I kind of let myself go because I comfort eat when stressed and I prioritised my grades. However now university is over I have no more excuses. I am just completely unmindful about what I eat and my meal sizes have gotten bigger and bigger and I comfort eat in the evenings. I feel like now is the perfect time as I am at home with the lockdown and this coronavirus situation has made me view my health and own mortality in a different light.

If you have managed to lose weight and kept it off for a significant amount of time (> 2 years), how did you do it?

Right now my head is swimming with different ideas - calorie counting, intermittent fasting, slimming world, etc. I managed to lose weight as a teenager by calorie counting so I am tempted to do that again as it helped as I could bargain with myself like eating a smaller dinner so I could have dessert. However at times it did get unhealthy as I would sometimes eat as few calories as possible and I have since watched my best friend develop anorexia from this so I am now very wary and nervous of dieting.

Does anyone have any advice or suggestions? I want this weight loss to be sustainable and to treat my body with the respect it deserves.

Thank you

I was two stone heavier a few years ago, not a massive amount of weight I know (although I am only 5”1) but I too struggled with restricting myself way too much (would literally weigh broccoli out!) and what I have learned is that restrictive diets just do not work and they make you miserable and full of guilt when you inevitably give in. It really is all about moderation and what you can realistically maintain. Sounds like you already know this and just need to figure what will work for you. What can’t you live without? Alcohol? Chocolate? Takeaway? Have it then! But sensibly...

For me, I stopped drinking alcohol completely and took up running. I started with the couch to 5k app and built up from there. 6 months after I ran a half marathon. Distance running burns through so many calories. I try and eat healthily but still eat plenty of sweets! If you’re trying to lose weight then the fitness pal app is good for being aware of your calorie intake, but I would only use it short term, long term it’s no way to live, counting every calorie

I've lost weight on weight watchers (it was back with reinforcements in 6 months), and 2 years ago I lost 4 stones through sensible eating (yawn) and it's stayed off, so far.

The only way I can keep weight off is moderation. Fancy a cake? You can have it, but you'd better eat it and savour it, rather than jamming it into my bottomless pit of boredom.

Stop eating meals when you're full. Even if you've got the little voice of an aged relative in your mind telling you to clean your plate.

I'm the same OP put on a couple of stone the last few years and I want to lose it badly. My biggest downfall is snacking especially on a night. I've cut sugar and any snacks out best I can and I've started following low cardio workouts from videos on YouTube lol.