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?

But 11st at your height doesn't sound big

It’s right at the top of the healthy range.

Sorry, pressed post too soon. I don’t point that out to criticise the op. People seem to have lost sight of what the healthy range is.

@PurpleDaisies or should I sell them?

@PurpleDaisies or should I sell them?

It’s totally up to you.

I had a pair of jeans that I bought after having norovirus and they just made me miserable knowing they were in the cupboard too small for me to ever be able to fit again.

You’re not in that position-you’ve lost the weight before. It sounds like you just got off to a bit of a dodgy start trying to maintain and it’s realistic to think you could lose again so they’ll fit. Don’t forgot, you wouldn’t be losing the full four stone again. It’s just that last one and you’ve got a strategy that you know works for you.

There isn’t a right or wrong answer here.

@PurpleDaisies its only cause they were expensive i want to keep them.

Mine were too. . Top tip-don’t buy jeans after having two weeks of a winter vomiting bug.

You seem really focussed on these jeans. Maybe they could be a good motivator.

@PurpleDaisies I just remember the day we went shopping. After staying in etc with lockdown. DH did ask why I don't wear them anymore. (even though we can't go out) I should start getting dressed just to feel a bit normal.

Again, you’re really focussed on the jeans rather than what to do now you’re in this position m. Put them away and try forget about them until you think they’ll fit.

Gr8days - you lost four stone! An immense achievement.

You can easily do the re-tweak to get back into your jeans.

Obviously after weight loss we can't go back to the old original eating habits that put the weight on in the first place, but we can make adjustments and find an eating style and level that maintains weight loss.

A happy medium.

If I had those jeans, I would go back on the regime until I could get into them again, and then work out a daily healthy, enjoyable and manageable level of eating that fits your daily energy needs and lifestyle.

Personally I find exercise helps a lot because it gets my endorphins up and makes me feel better about my body.

Good luck!

But I agree - put them away until you are ready to check how well you are doing.

Congratulations on your weight loss!! Don't give up though, you've done so well and you know you will kick yourself if you let it creep up again!!

And you're not on a diet, you've made a change to be healthier, its your choice to stay slim!! hope that helps and good luck!

Also, being mega nosey.... but have you had loose skin etc? I'm currently on a health kick (lost nearly a stone so far) and I was wondering about this and have no one to ask. Thanks

I also agree with purple daisies, you seem more focussed on the jeans than you do on the weight, do you not want to tell your partner they no longer fit?

What I do is have a target piece of clothing. One that when they fit me perfectly I’m the right size for me. I don’t weigh myself. I use clothing as my gauge, so use the jeans as your target, to get back into them.

Ultimately you need to decide if you want to not make the effort to loose it, or want to get into the jeans. It’s whichever you want more. To fit the Jeans and put in the work, or forget the jeans ans accept the weight gain. That’s the only two options available to you.

There is no way I would sell the jeans. If you sold them and bought a bigger size, what's to stop you selling the bigger size for an even bigger size in a few months time?

@Candyfloss99

There is no way I would sell the jeans. If you sold them and bought a bigger size, what's to stop you selling the bigger size for an even bigger size in a few months time?

The reason I suggested this as a potential option is because from the op’s posts, having these jeans in her house but not fitting into them is making her utterly miserable rather than motivating her to lose weight again. She’s totally focussed on them. Psychologically that’s not a great place to be in.

@Candyfloss99

There is no way I would sell the jeans. If you sold them and bought a bigger size, what's to stop you selling the bigger size for an even bigger size in a few months time?

The thing is, you’ve got to really want it. Loosing weight is a mind set. I put some weight on over lockdown and a couple of weeks ago got back into low carb and daily gym sessions, gearing up to rejoin society basically 😂

And the truth is you’ve got to really want it or you won’t stick to it, or will feel miserable. Particularly in lock down where we are all sitting around in leggings no jogging bottoms.

The op sounds like she would like to wear the jeans again, likely doesn’t wish to admit they don’t fit, but also can’t be arsed loosing the weight and is looking for a reason not to bother. Because she’s not in that mindset yet.

Op. Maybe think that lockdown will ease over the next month to two months. You wil be going out again, and getting dressed properly to do so. What do you want to wear then?

@greeneyedlulu

Also, being mega nosey.... but have you had loose skin etc? I'm currently on a health kick (lost nearly a stone so far) and I was wondering about this and have no one to ask. Thanks

I lost 30% of my bodyweight, 70kg to 49kg, when I was 39 and 40. The only loose skin I have is on my tummy and that was caused by pregnancy. It actually looked much, much, much worse when I was overweight though. Subcutaneous fat gathered unevenly under the loose skin and caused a real puckered look. Now that there is very little fat and stronger abdominal muscles, that doesn't happen anywhere other than right over my section scar or around my belly button if I slump.

I would keep the jeans, but only if the weight you lost was sustainable and it's achievable without having to go to extreme to maintain. Otherwise set a realistic target and sell the jeans.

Have you tried using an app called myfitnesspal? you put in your current weight and height, what your target weight is and how many pounds a week you want to lose and it sets out how many calories you can eat per day. You can record everything you eat and any exercise you do. Ots ha dy coz you can scan the bar codes on packets and it tells you exactly how many calories is in something. I started using it about 4 weeks ago after having my second baby and ive lost 9lbs in just under 4 weeks

I would say go back to intermittent fasting. And also it’s good to feel hungry.... we are not meant to be full all the time. We are not meant to eat all the time. We are meant to go w out food for hours (or more!). Before you would have to hunt and gather food. Not it’s plentiful and everywhere. But doesn’t mean it’s a good thing to eat and eat and eat. Let yourself be hungry and distract yourself. Just make sure you are eating enough and healthy obviously.

@RainingBatsAndFrogs

Gr8days - you lost four stone! An immense achievement.

You can easily do the re-tweak to get back into your jeans.

Obviously after weight loss we can't go back to the old original eating habits that put the weight on in the first place, but we can make adjustments and find an eating style and level that maintains weight loss.

A happy medium.

If I had those jeans, I would go back on the regime until I could get into them again, and then work out a daily healthy, enjoyable and manageable level of eating that fits your daily energy needs and lifestyle.

Personally I find exercise helps a lot because it gets my endorphins up and makes me feel better about my body.

Good luck!

Thank you. I will try and get my eating under control. I will also try and do some exercise.

I need to come up with a plan of action to first lose and then a plan to maintain.

@Bluntness100

I also agree with purple daisies, you seem more focussed on the jeans than you do on the weight, do you not want to tell your partner they no longer fit?

What I do is have a target piece of clothing. One that when they fit me perfectly I’m the right size for me. I don’t weigh myself. I use clothing as my gauge, so use the jeans as your target, to get back into them.

Ultimately you need to decide if you want to not make the effort to loose it, or want to get into the jeans. It’s whichever you want more. To fit the Jeans and put in the work, or forget the jeans ans accept the weight gain. That’s the only two options available to you.

I was hoping that if they did get tight that it would help me control my weight without weighing. Obviously not being allowed out, socialising etc I've barely worn normal clothes.

I need to tell DH they don't fit, but they were so expensive and I was so happy that I had finally got some designer jeans.

Do you find that using them as a target does help or does it de motivate you?

@Candyfloss99

There is no way I would sell the jeans. If you sold them and bought a bigger size, what's to stop you selling the bigger size for an even bigger size in a few months time?

They are expensive ones - true religion, 7 for all mankind and Levi's.

Op I could have written your post (similar weight loss/timing and then gain from Xmas) and I tried on my jeans today and they are way too tight.

But I just don’t have any mojo. I loved how I looked and felt, but right now I am enjoying eating extra food and well, drinking. There’s nothing else to enjoy and there’s nothing to look forward to. So for me it’s a mental slump.

I honestly think the minute it starts to look a bit more spring-like and/or an end to lockdown is on the cards or at least something to look forward to I will get my inspiration back. I know it was hard work to lose the weight but I believe in myself I can do it again when the time is right. There’s just too much other stuff going on right now and too many plates spinning to give myself that focus. But I will!

I’ve spent my life overweight! But twice I’ve lost 4-5 stone. The first time I maintained by living in the gym. Then I got married and expanded. Then in 2019, I lost 4.5stone on Weightwatchers. This time I’ve maintained by keeping the WW app and tracking everything.

Sadly as soon as you take your eye off the ball, the weight goes back on. In my experience anyway.

If I were you I’d redo the IF and get back to your ideal “I feel amazing and can wear all my favourite clothes” weight. I’m 5’6” and am currently 9st 4. 10stone was fine on me but 11stone was too big.

Good luck!!