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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think I’m going to have to starve myself to lose the last half a pound?

26 replies

Dorobie · 27/06/2020 08:40

I changed my diet to plant based about 3 months ago, cut out crap and eat really well. As a result I have lost 1 and a half stone. I would like to lose another half to be at my ideal weight but I don’t know how to dontjis without starving myself!!.... Plus if I did do this then surely it would just add back on when I go back to eating?

Do I need to just accept that this is the lowest my body can healthily go?

OP posts:
modgepodge · 27/06/2020 08:41

Why is that last half pound so important to you?

vanillandhoney · 27/06/2020 08:42

What are you eating/what are your fitness levels like?

Why do the last few pounds matter so much?

Scarby9 · 27/06/2020 08:45

Do you really mean half a pound (in which case, really don't bother - could be a quirk of the scales anyway) or half a stone?

Beni1993 · 27/06/2020 08:47

Too many people change what they are eating or portion sizes etc, but it wont make that much of a difference if you are not regularly exercising too.

If you're trying to lose weight you need to do high energy fat burning exercises daily. Being "on a diet" seems like a personality trait for lots of people because they don't do anything else Hmm

Bluntness100 · 27/06/2020 08:49

I’m hoping you mean half a stone, otherwise sure, knock yourself out, starve yourself for ten mins and loose half a pound,,🤣

letmethinkaboutitfornow · 27/06/2020 08:51

Congratulations OP! 👍

(No advice, as I live on cakes atm... but admire everyone who can lose weight in lockdown without going to the gym!!!) ☺️

Oxyiz · 27/06/2020 08:52

I'd just keep going and exercise, and assume that it'll be slower and take a longer time to keep losing little bits of weight.

Definitely don't starve yourself, its not worth it and won't stay off.

Out of interest, what's your weight and how's your BMI doing?

Baconking · 27/06/2020 08:54

You could starve yourself, lose half a lb but be prepared to have gained it again in a couple of days.
Is half a lb weight loss going to make any difference to your life?

ShebaShimmyShake · 27/06/2020 08:56

Assume you mean half stone?

I wouldn't bother. It's notoriously difficult and even harder to keep off, and you'll probably dip into it around period time anyway. It won't make any visible difference to anyone but you; depending on your body, it MIGHT just about get you down one more size but probably won't, and if you're that close to the edge then you'll find yourself needing the larger size or not being comfy in the smaller size in half of brands anyway. Nor will it make a huge difference to your fitness unless you're an Olympian or three feet tall or something. You can improve fitness without losing a few pounds anyway.

I lost a lot of weight and was proud of it, but when I realised how much energy, headspace and permanent stress it would be to lose and keep off the very last few pounds to reach my PERFECT weight, and how completely invisible any benefits would be, I just decided not to. I've maintained my loss and fitness and it's all good.

InfiniteSheldon · 27/06/2020 08:56

Are you underweight? If so it'll be very hard to get lower. Your BMI is a reasonable guide. Try and think healthy weight not comparing yourself to others or even your younger self.

Original poster
Dorobie · 27/06/2020 09:00

I don’t know @modgepodge I think because it’s slightly lower than I’ve ever been!! Just want to know how it feels.

Half a stone @Scarby9 sorry 🙈

Haha @Beni1993 that makes total sense, I know many people who ‘are on a diet’ but don’t do anything else. I don’t think I am on a diet, but I have changed my diet significantly. I was veggie for the past year and now plant based for 3 months although I’m edging dangerously closer to vegan, which I don’t want as it is causing me to eat crap (vegan cheese, tortillas, bread etc)

I do exercise regularly, cycle and run. But due to going back to work fulltime and the heat, I have been lazy recently.

OP posts:
Pinkblueberry · 27/06/2020 09:00

Half a pound? What difference does it make? My weight can easily fluctuate by that and more from morning to evening - I doubt I look visibly heavier when I go to bed.

PurpleDaisies · 27/06/2020 09:03

Eating bread isn’t eating crap.

I’d make peace with what you’ve already done. Half a pound is nothing. Getting obsessed with the number on the scales isn’t healthy.

relievedlady · 27/06/2020 09:10

Well done op on your loss so far.

Sounds like a healthy lifestyle rather than a diet which is far better

Just relax about it. Think of how much 1.5 stone actually weighs,it's a lot.

I lose inches doing if even when the scales don't change so I only get on them every now and then.

Do you feel good?
Do you feel more energetic?
Do you feel healthy?

These are what matter for a healthy mindset about food

Well done op

modgepodge · 27/06/2020 09:28

Oh, half a stone! That’s a bit different. I’d say if you have to starve yourself to get there, it won’t stay off so will be a couple of weeks if misery for a temporary ‘yay!’ And then inevitable disappointment when it doesn’t stay off. Maybe focus on maintaining where you are and not regaining, and then reconsider the extra half stone in a few months.

CodenameVillanelle · 27/06/2020 09:32

What's your age and BMI?
If you're over 35 and in the lower end of healthy BMI then you probably need to accept your weight as it is.

Beni1993 · 27/06/2020 09:36

@Dorobie

I don’t know *@modgepodge* I think because it’s slightly lower than I’ve ever been!! Just want to know how it feels.

Half a stone @Scarby9 sorry 🙈

Haha @Beni1993 that makes total sense, I know many people who ‘are on a diet’ but don’t do anything else. I don’t think I am on a diet, but I have changed my diet significantly. I was veggie for the past year and now plant based for 3 months although I’m edging dangerously closer to vegan, which I don’t want as it is causing me to eat crap (vegan cheese, tortillas, bread etc)

I do exercise regularly, cycle and run. But due to going back to work fulltime and the heat, I have been lazy recently.

@Dorobie Well you have already done a really good job to lose 1 stone and a half in 3 months! And you have more will power than most people to be able to give up cheese Grin

And completely agree hard to motivate in his heat

Ponoka7 · 27/06/2020 09:38

If you want to change your body shape, then do weights. You can eat 3000 calories a day, if you lift enough.

We get hung up on weight, but it's the composition of your body that matters. You need more lean muscle and less fat. Have you taken your body fat %?

If you look at women into martial arts, boxing, weight training, their bodies are lean, but they often weigh more than 'fatter' women their height.

ComeBy · 27/06/2020 09:38

Just keep eating healthily and excercising, have a few higher calorie days and some v lean days, and stay off weighing yourself for a while.

It may be that you are losing fat but gaining muscle so staying tuned and even losing Cms off your waist.

Muscle burns more calories than fat so in the longer term you will continue to lose weight if you keep up the exercise and don’t eat more.

Nottherealslimshady · 27/06/2020 09:41

Just increase the amount of exercise you do. Go for a short morning run, you only need to burn a few more calories a day.

Original poster
Dorobie · 27/06/2020 11:25

This makes perfect sense @ShebaShimmyShake I guess it’s clothing really. I have a pair of jeans that fit but are snug so I don’t like wearing them. I’d like to fit comfortable in them

OP posts:
Original poster
Dorobie · 27/06/2020 11:27

How do you measure your muscle/fat %?

OP posts:
VeganCow · 28/06/2020 08:58

You could boost your metabolism by upping the calories you are currently eating by just a few hundred for a few days/a week. Or diet in the week and eat what you like at weekend.Also do more exercise on those days as you are eating for it. Then back off again to what you were eating.
Also are you tracking? A 1.5 stone lighter you will require slightly less calories than the heavier you as your BMR, unless you exercise for the difference. Its good to know how much energy you expend just by living.
As for maintaining, when you think you're where you want to be then just increase slowly over a few weeks until you reach the spot where you aren't losing any more but aren't putting on.
I know they say to only weigh yourself once a week but I think daily at this difficult last half stone point and at the beginning of maintenance while you find your sweet spot, will help keep track better. That only works if you don't have bloating or cycle fluctuations every month like some women, it never affected me that way so I stay exactly the same unless I've lost or gained an actual pound.

UltimateWednesday · 28/06/2020 09:01

Go for a run and weight yourself again before having a drink. The half pound will be gone. It will soon come back but you'll have "done" it.

ComeBy · 28/06/2020 10:42

I weighed myself before and after having a wee the other day: 250g difference. Half a pound... or a pack of butter!