To think I can't maintain my weight loss

[Gr8days]

So since lockdown started last March, I said to myself that I would lose weight, get fit etc. I went from 14stone down to 10stone by October I'm 5ft7. All through Intermittent fasting. I relaxed my diet over November to end of January with Christmas etc getting in the way. I got on the scales yesterday and I'm up to 11st 4.

DH said not to worry, as you did look a bit too thin at 10st. However, I'm scared that I'm starting to undo all my hard work.

My jeans (DH bought me when I'd reach my target) are getting tighter and I feel more hungry, than I did when doing IF.

Should I try and lose the weight (get back to 10st) or should I just keep an eye on the scales and maintain around 11st by not allowing it to escalate any further?

OP that is inspiring and cheering, I have the same amount to lose.

I wouldn't suggest being hungry and miserable but I am trying to lose weight by making represent permanent changes.

I know a guy who lost 2 stone on IF but he still does IF. Maybe you could too?

It sounds like you just need to find a middle ground between how you ate when you were dieting and Christmas overeating. You shouldn’t need to seriously deprive yourself, just limit a few bits here and there

Well done on your weight loss! I've never been successful with weight loss in my adult life. I never reach a goal or maintain a loss. For the past few weeks I've been low fat, low carb and low sugar for health reasons, and I've still only lost the odd pound. It's frustrating.

I’m 5ft 8. I lost 5 stone in 8 months. I set my target at 10 8.5 and maintained within 3lb for 15 months. I’m half a stone over now after Xmas. Trying to get back. My target is a bit low I think / probably realistically 10 10/11 better for me. I’m mid 40s. For me weighing weekly helps me keep on it.

You have done so well, and you are still ahead. Tweak a bit now so that you get the long term benefit of your hard work.

Maybe v gradually (1lb a week, say) take half a stone off and see how you feel.

And weigh once a week, you will soon get a feel for having a couple of lean days to maintain.

@RainingBatsAndFrogs lean days?

@Dixiechickonhols Wow what an amazing result. And to have kept it off too. I might have to weigh weekly to keep an eye on it

You're not undoing the work.
Try fit 16/8 naturally into your life, my Dsis lost 5 stone she will eat normal portions now and have her last meal before 7pm.
It is dark and cold too once the spring comes you'll naturally feel more active with that weight loss.

Gr8days It goes on so easily unfortunately and is hard work to get off. I eat healthily most of time just have a few extras if I fancy. I do feel so much better eating this way so it keeps me focused.

@Gr8days please can I ask what IF you did, I've tried every diet except IF.

Can I ask a little about how you do IF please

I'm 5ft 6 and lost a lot of weight a few years ago. I've kept it off for 5 years with running, lots of other exercise and and eating healthily - no faddy stuff, just normal food, including cake and chocolate occasionally if I want it.

My "limit" is 9st 7. If I go above that, I consciously rein it in; but I usually hover around the 9st mark.

I lost loads last summer. It was so easy to eat healthily in the warmer weather. I've put back on since November but am now getting back into the mindset of healthier summer eating. I'm not going to beat myself up about it and perhaps just accept that when it's freezing cold it's hard work!

Lockdown definitely not helping. Leggings are way too forgiving!

Another IF here.
Lost 4 stone and have maintained weight for approx 7 years.
I never stopped IF as I know my default setting is, eat like a horse.
Instead, I kept alternate day fast but on non-fast days, adding in things I'd cut down/out eg.cheese.
I still try to not eat sweet stuff as I can't eat that sort of stuff in moderation and, largely, cakes, biscuits, sweets, crisps and snacks have little/no nutritional value.
It's become a way of life now and, once in the swing, very easy.

For those who asked: intermittent fasting involves fasting for 16 hours a day, eating during an 8 hour window (also known as 16:8). Normally this would involve skipping a meal, as an 8 hour window wouldn’t cover breakfast, lunch and dinner!

I’ve been doing IF for two years, along with calorie counting. I’ve been maintaining for about three months now, having lost four stone. I’m 5’6 and aiming to stay under 9 stone. I still intermittent fast and still calorie count, still weigh myself every day, just have treats at the weekend (all calorie counter). Maybe I’ll relax a bit in future, especially once socialising is back on the menu... But for now, keeping on top of things like this feels preferable to undoing my hard work. I did relax a bit over Christmas, but got straight back on the horse on January 1st and was back to goal weight within a week. Good luck!

Keep IF going, it's a healthy lifestyle not a weight loss diet.
Just find the level that's maintainable.
For me it's 16-8 Mon to Fri - mostly.
That's just how it is now.

It's why diets don't work. You go back to eating as you did before and the weight piles back on.

Exercising and eating healthily for ever with the odd treat is the way forward to maintain weight loss.

I need a bit of a kick up the you know what!! I've been far too lazy and ate what I've wanted

Well done OP
I was around 14 stone at 5'8" and lost 4 stone in 10 months. This was two years ago. So I'm just under 10 stone. I'm a nice size 10. The thing is, losing the weight is the easy part, (I did calorie control, cutting out all snacks and sugar). The hard part is maintaining the loss. You simply can't go back to eating how you did before you lost the weight - it was eating that way that made you (and me) overweight in the first place.

It's not easy, but I still watch portion control, avoid sugar and snacks. I eat three well balanced meals a day, and that is it. No cake, puddings, etc. I realise that I will always eat a bit less than I want, and refuse some foods I fancy (or only have a tiny bit, now and then). This might sound soul destroying, but it isn't for me - I would rather be my current size and weight, than eat what I want.

You can't see it as going on a diet, job done, back to old habits, no weight gain - it doesn't work that way. You have to change your old habits, eat healthy amounts of good food. No need to go hungry - but the days of scoffing a bar of chocolate and hoping it won't show on the scales are gone for me.

@Gr8days

I need a bit of a kick up the you know what!! I've been far too lazy and ate what I've wanted

It’s really easily done. The great thing is you’ve recognised it when you only need to maintain where you are (or lose if you would prefer to). You also know IF works for you for weight loss. It’s the everyday maintaining bit you haven’t quite figured out yet but that will come. Try not to beat yourself up. You’ve already achieved so much and it’s normal to have some ups and downs. Plus, it’s the toughest time of the year in pretty exceptionally tough circumstances. You can get back on track.

@SophieB100 it sounds like you've mastered how to stay slim. Go you

@PurpleDaisies My 7 For all mankind and True religion jeans DH bought me back in September won't button :( they were so expensive

@fellrunner85 I've been thinking of starting running.

@Twinkie01

It's why diets don't work. You go back to eating as you did before and the weight piles back on.

Exercising and eating healthily for ever with the odd treat is the way forward to maintain weight loss.

Yes it seems like that for me. I'll have to permanently change my eating habits

You need to exercise OP. Why don't you look at the joe Wicks type things? You don't lose much weight as such but inches and get fit,