To think “healthy eating” isn’t the best way for lose weight?!

[dontchasewaterfalls]

I did Slimming World for a number of years and I managed to lose 3 stone and keep it off.

Since having my baby at the start of the year, I’ve gained 2 stone.
Since Slimming World classes were shut, and I wanted to try something different, I decided to just try and eat healthily rather than actually following the Slimming World plan.

I’ve been doing this a few months now and I’ve only lost 5lb, which I could easily lose in a week following Slimming World!!

So what exactly am I doing wrong??

Here’s what I’ve eaten today -

Breakfast
Two weetabix, topped with a handful of raspberries and a small banana. (Semi skimmed milk)
Cup of tea.

Lunch
Tuna (1tin made with light mayo) 80g Wholemeal pasta(dried weight) lettuce, tomato, pickled beetroot. Light Mayo.

Dinner
Fajitas.
Chicken breast, peppers, onions, mushrooms (dry fried) 2 x small wholemeal wraps.
Handful grated cheese.

Snacks
Pomegranate seeds
Large orange
Chocolate fudge Alpen light cereal bar

That’s a typical day for me. I do occasionally have some chocolate or a pack of crisps.

Once a week, usually on a Saturday night, we will have a takeaway. Hubby and I will share a pizza and chips, or I will get chicken tikka pieces in a pitta with salad.

I don’t drink any alcohol. I have at most 3 cups of tea a day and the rest of the time I drink water.

I don’t do any organised exercise, but I do go for a walk every day which is usually 45-60 minutes.

I’m not counting any calories, just trying to eat sensibly. But it’s not working well.

What do you think I’m doing wrong?
Should I just go back to Slimming World?

I keep my weight in check calorie counting and generally find its hard to keep within a daily limit where I don't gain weight without limiting cards to once a day.
They are high calorie so I would have the pasta or the wraps but not both in one day.

I suspect that one of the issues with slimming world is that you are following a programme built for you rather than developing an understanding of food and nutrition itself. That’s not a criticism - I have been there myself.

I think you need to calorie count initially if your intention is to actually lose weight. I sounds like you are eating a maintenance diet rather than weight loss

Carbs obviously

@dontchasewaterfalls

I did Slimming World for a number of years and I managed to lose 3 stone and keep it off.

Since having my baby at the start of the year, I’ve gained 2 stone.
Since Slimming World classes were shut, and I wanted to try something different, I decided to just try and eat healthily rather than actually following the Slimming World plan.

I’ve been doing this a few months now and I’ve only lost 5lb, which I could easily lose in a week following Slimming World!!

So what exactly am I doing wrong??

Here’s what I’ve eaten today -

Breakfast
Two weetabix, topped with a handful of raspberries and a small banana. (Semi skimmed milk)
Cup of tea.

Lunch
Tuna (1tin made with light mayo) 80g Wholemeal pasta(dried weight) lettuce, tomato, pickled beetroot. Light Mayo.

Dinner
Fajitas.
Chicken breast, peppers, onions, mushrooms (dry fried) 2 x small wholemeal wraps.
Handful grated cheese.

Snacks
Pomegranate seeds
Large orange
Chocolate fudge Alpen light cereal bar

That’s a typical day for me. I do occasionally have some chocolate or a pack of crisps.

Once a week, usually on a Saturday night, we will have a takeaway. Hubby and I will share a pizza and chips, or I will get chicken tikka pieces in a pitta with salad.

I don’t drink any alcohol. I have at most 3 cups of tea a day and the rest of the time I drink water.

I don’t do any organised exercise, but I do go for a walk every day which is usually 45-60 minutes.

I’m not counting any calories, just trying to eat sensibly. But it’s not working well.

What do you think I’m doing wrong?
Should I just go back to Slimming World?

Too many carbs

The only way to lose weight is to be in a calorie deficit.

The ONLY way.

How you dress that up (slimming world / KETO / fasting / cabbage soup diet) it all boils down to eating less calories than you burn.

Eating nutrient dense food (veggies, grains, proteins etc) is good for your overall health and they do tend to be lower in calories for higher density BUT if you eat too much you still will not lose weight.

2000 cals is 2000 cals whether that is made up of salads and veg or McDonald’s and chocolate.

Choose the diet approach which you enjoy the most and can stick to - ie don’t cut any foods. Just track your calories.

I promise you that consistently eating in a small calorie deficit you will lose weight.

Healthy eating has nothing to do with weight loss. It’s purely calories, if your in a calorie deficit, you will lose weight

@Daydreamsinglorioustechnicolor

I keep my weight in check calorie counting and generally find its hard to keep within a daily limit where I don't gain weight without limiting cards to once a day. They are high calorie so I would have the pasta or the wraps but not both in one day.

Don't forget the weetabix is high in carbs also

Obviously you aren't creating a calorie deficit. You can eat healthy but eat as many calories as your body burns or even more leading to weight gain. You need an actual calorie deficit to lose weight. I'm a believer in continuing to eat normal food but calorie counting and tweaking to create a deficit. Slimming world is a fad and isn't sustainable unless you're going to eat like that long term.

@2020iscancelled jinx 😂

I calorie count. I can’t lose (or maintain) weight any other way.

I’d estimate your calories for the food you posted above to be at least 2000. I personally have to eat

Also you can eat carbs until the cows come home. Carbs are NOT a problem.

Calories are the ONLY thing which count when it comes to losing weight.

For full disclosure - Protein is recommended for easier weight loss bc it has better satiety and also burns differently to carbs but if you prefer carby stuff then that is absolutely fine.

Just stay in your calorie deficit. Eat what makes you happy WITHIN YOUR CALORIES

Take away the mayo..even though its light. less carbs and more protein

Eat less calories. The end.

@JANETSP12

Healthy eating has nothing to do with weight loss. It’s purely calories, if your in a calorie deficit, you will lose weight

Yup. Too much of anything can make you fat🤷🏻 You are obviously doing something right because you are losing, even though slowly. Do you feel better eating healthy food? If yes, that's the main thing. If you want to lose without counting calories, simply make your portions bit smaller. 2 mouthfuls less each meal can make a difference, especially since you are already basically there.

Ooh thanks: some great answers.

Okay, so what can I change? What should I eat instead?

The weetabix and fruit really does keep me full until lunch. I eat breakfast at 7 and don’t have lunch until around 1.

Sometimes I have porridge or branflakes.

The same with the pasta, if I missed that off of my lunch I’d be starving.

There are a lot of calories in carbs though, so cutting carbs does cut calories.
Its just one simple way of decreasing calorie intake.
Calorie counting is the most effective way though.

That's two large meals. Your lunch is what most people would eat for their evening meal - I'm not saying it's unhealthy but as pp's have noted you have to be in a calorie deficit. Wraps are also surprisingly high calorie for what they actually are

It's nothing to do with carbs (slimming world allows many carbs!) You're eating too more calories now than you were on slimming world.

I'd have the pasta at lunch and meat or fish with loads of veg for tea.

What exercise are you doing?

Too much sugar.

@Theonewiththecandles

That's two large meals. Your lunch is what most people would eat for their evening meal - I'm not saying it's unhealthy but as pp's have noted you have to be in a calorie deficit. Wraps are also surprisingly high calorie for what they actually are

@Theonewiththecandles

Oh gosh, really?

I’ve never considered my lunches to be too big.

Okay so what do most people have for lunch then?

I would add more protein and have less carbs with lunch and dinner. Bananas are higher in sugar,have berries.
Cut out the grated cheese.

You are losing weight so that's already great. Just cut back on the extra calories in mayo,cheese and take away. Good luck

@doctorhamster

It's nothing to do with carbs (slimming world allows many carbs!) You're eating too more calories now than you were on slimming world.

@dontchasewaterfalls

Hmm. How?

My food intake hasn’t altered that much.

On Slimming world I wouldn’t of had the wraps or cereal bar (but I could’ve had them as my syns)
But I would’ve still had the same meals.

@LemonLemonLemon

What exercise are you doing?

@LemonLemonLemon

Just a daily walk. Usually 40-60 minutes.