To ask how I can lose 2 stone in the quickest way possible?

[Ticktock40]

I know why I’m overweight, and I know a quick fix isn’t usually the answer but I’ve just found out I’m eligible for IVF on the NHS. The only downside is I have to lose 2 stone to bring my BMI below 30.

I’m in shock as I’d got my head around the fact we’d have to use savings/ get a loan and when you pay privately, your BMI is less of an issue.

Apparently there’s no waiting list either so the sooner I lose the weight, the sooner we can crack on. Time isn’t on our side, I’m nearing 40 and have been recommended starting ASAP.

I’ve done meal replacement diets in the past and the weight loss was quick but I couldn’t exercise. To be honest, I’ve done every diet ever.
Any advice would be gratefully received.

[Coulddowithanap]

@fluffythedragonslayer

I know youve had loads of different suggestions - I think calorie counting and 16:8 is your best combo for sustainability and long term health - I know you are looking for quick loss but you also need to think health for your IVF and pregnancy. Use my fitness pal to work out your calorie intake for a deficit and then eat those calories in an 8 hour window. I reckon if you stick to it religiously you can lose 2 stone in 2-3 months.

If you want a super fast loss then my friend did Cambridge and lost 11lb in her first week and then 7-8lb a week for the next 3. But as soon as she did so much as have a latte or a glass of wine she'd not lose anything that week and soon put it all back on. I think you want something sustainable personally.

Good luck. I'm 3 stone overweight with an underactive thyroid and emotional issues so I know how hard weight loss can be. Rooting for.you!!

Absolutely agree with this. 16:8 is sustainable and has additional health benefits.

Log every calorie on my fitness pal and stick to something that isn't too low. No point in only allowing yourself 1200 calories as you will end up hungry and that could leave to overeating or making unhealthy choices.

As you are bigger you will currently burn more calories just living and breathing than someone with a healthy BMI so aiming for something around 1800 per day isn't ridiculous. Obviously we don't know your stats so that's just a guess.

Good advice about walking everyday. Aiming for 10000 to 15000 would certainly help you on your way to losing the weight and being healthier.

[HaveringWavering]

I cannot offer advice on a specific diet but one question- do you have a partner and, if so, could they also do with losing some weight? I think that the key to success here is clearing all unhealthy snacks and food from the house and having an ally who will eat the healthy foods alongside you, offer solidarity when you feel you are slipping and work with you to reboot your eating habits. On the other hand the partner who continues drinking and eating unhealthily will make you fed up and too aware of what you are missing.

Given that a baby is a joint enterprise anyway, hopefully your partner will be up for this even if not overweight?

[L0bstersLass]

I've lost 2 stone in 3 months eating 900 calories a day. No exercise.

[Treaclepie19]

Slimming world alone makes the weight fall off me but add in exercise and I'd be at target in no time (shame I have no willpower...)

[HaveringWavering]

@HaveringWavering

I cannot offer advice on a specific diet but one question- do you have a partner and, if so, could they also do with losing some weight? I think that the key to success here is clearing all unhealthy snacks and food from the house and having an ally who will eat the healthy foods alongside you, offer solidarity when you feel you are slipping and work with you to reboot your eating habits. On the other hand the partner who continues drinking and eating unhealthily will make you fed up and too aware of what you are missing.

Given that a baby is a joint enterprise anyway, hopefully your partner will be up for this even if not overweight?

Oh and good luck. I had IVF at 42 (own eggs) and it worked second cycle.

[Beans13]

Count your calories. There's no magic diet, it all comes down to the calories eaten Vs calories you've burnt off on a daily basis.

[shenanigans5]

Make it a long term life style change and you’ll do so much better. Dropping a couple of stone in an unsustainable way really quickly will not put in you in a good position physically to be successful with ivf and you’ll regain the weight by the time the time you get through the process.

I’d use MFP and aim for 1500 cals a day and a bit of walking, running (couch to 5k) and HIIT (Joe wicks type stuff). You’ll lose weight pretty quickly but you’ll be fitter, healthier and happier.

Don’t do anything unhealthy and drastic.

[IamnotwhouthinkIam]

I had to lose weight to be eligible for IVF too. The thing that worked quickest for me is the high protein (lean meat, fish, eggs and nuts/seeds), low carb (so little grains, get your carbs from veg/fruit but no white potatoes!), low sugar (apart from natural sugars in whole fruit) diet. Fats from things like natural unsweetened bio yogurt, nuts/seeds, avocados and olive oil are good though. Drink only water and/or low caffeine/fruit teas - no alcohol, soft drinks, coffee, juice etc.

The benefit of this Mediterranean/High Protein diet hybrid is no calorie counting/portion restrictions and there have also been a few scientific papers that also suggest it helps your fertility too! If you want to supercharge it, you can try combining it with fasting overnight (so eat nothing for at least 10 hours, preferably 12). How quickly you lose weight depends on your metabolism, how bad your current diet is and your current weight - but up to 5-6 pounds the first week, and 2-3 pounds most weeks thereafter would be reasonable. Hope this helps.

[Hadtonamechangeforthis21]

The only way you’ll lose weight is to be in a calorie deficit. Combined with light exercise you should loose 1/2lbs per week.

If you are looking for a head start you could try the James Duncan diet. It’s very low calorie and you can lose up to 1 stone in a week. I’ve managed to complete the full week once and I did loose roughly 10 pounds and I’m not overweight and usually lose 2 at most.

Good luck

[StormBaby]

Keto, I’ve just lost 16lbs in 3 weeks

[EasterIsComing]

Agree with @Coulddowithanaps post above.
I am losing weight by combining 16:8 ( often more like 20:4) with tracking calories on mfp , wearing a Fitbit and averaging 10k steps per day.
Once you get used to eating your calories in a short window ( which you can transition to over a few days) you don’t get hungry until you would normally eat. I eat a late lunch, dinner and small evening snack all just a couple of hours apart. Whilst it’s great to eat healthily for many reasons if you have a naughty day you can still stick to those rules. As an example when we were able to eat out I would miss lunch and just eat the main meal at the pub. If I want alcohol that is instead of my evening snack although it will still stall weight loss.
You should be able to keep this diet up until you get pregnant when you may need to spread your meals out more.

[colouringindoors]

very low carb.

Join the bootcamp thread - new low carb bootcamp starts tomorrow. Good support and it works. I've lost a stone in 4 weeks when I've done it previously (with 16:8 too)

[IamnotwhouthinkIam]

Oh and regular, low impact exercise is important too - brisk walking, swimming, yoga, pilates etc. For fertility reasons ideally you don't want to do anything too extreme - so no super low calorie, liquid diets/extreme fasting etc and no high impact exercise that could over stress the body (so don't start running, unless you've been a runner before!).

[3AndStopping]

OMAD (one meal a day diet) not as bad as it sounds & actually fasting is really good for you. We should all do it more!

I lost 2 stone in 4 months.

[3AndStopping]

Sorry 3 stone in 4 months*

[RB68]

low carb - I follow the Harcombe one but there are a number out there. If you have PCOS or just PCO it seems to work well with the hormone imbalance stuff that goes with it

[ittakes2]

Please consider taking vitamins and doing acunpucture before your IVf to balance your horomones. Good luck

[SelkieBeag]

Agree that health is key if you're going for IVF but fasting is healthy!

I think eating really healthily every second day is good. I'm about to go back to it now, you may have motivated me. I can eat what I like, roasted leeks, red peppers, baby potatoes in olive oil, but not worry about calories. Just be aware when you're not hungry any more.

I wouldn't take a drug, if that's what ''saxenda'' is.

I'm a big fan of fasting and have read all of jason fungs books about it as well as a few other books about fasting. I wouldn't understand why anybody would dry fast. Water has no calories after all. Dry fasting sounds like a bad idea. I'm ''educated'' about fasting but I think water is not going to impede any progress made on a water fast.

[Parkerwhereareyou]

Get up at 6/6.30 (it is light now).

Get an apple and some water and go for a walk for 30-40 mins.

Only eat breakfast when you feel hungry (possibly, after a few days, this will be later - like 10 or so). Have smoked salmon or speck ham with a big pile of rocket with olive oil, balsamic glaze, sea salt, black pepper, lemon juice.

Have the same for lunch but the opposite protein.

For supper have a small pot of garlic/chilli prawns heated up with a bit of basmati rice and a big salad and/or more of that (addictive) rocket.

Snack on fruit. Plums are good.

Have max 2 coffees, last by 2pm, not all milky.

Drink loads of water.

Have a similar walk at about 5/5.30.

You can have a glass of wine with your supper but it works even quicker if you don't.

A bit of dark chocolate - 85% Green and blacks, for example - if you really need it.

I like a red fruit tea and chamomile at bedtime.

Go to bed early.

Have min. 2 orgasms a day.

And it WILL work. : )

[lightattheendofthetunnel2021]

The Six Pack Revolution. I know at least 5 people who lost 2 stones (and more) in the 75 days the programme lasts.

[bonfireheart]

Have min. 2 orgasms a day.

Haha, do that's where I'm going wrong

[lunepremiere79]

@CaraherEIL

The Blood Sugar diet. Cut all refined weight carbs and all sugar.

This! Give up all sugar, alcohol too. Get a Nutribullet, drink vegetable smoothies instead of some meals. The weight will fall right off, especially if in combination with exercise (though exercise may make you hungrier)

[Oly4]

1,000 calories a day of anything low carb. No booze. Easy

[Tallybo]

I did use meal replacement shakes when I first started losing weight, in fairness I found they kept me full and the weight fell off- but I only did them for a month and then went to the more sustainable and long-term calorie counting to lose the rest. Intermittent fasting is supposedly very good for you. I recommend going for a walk first thing if able, and then trying to be active when you can.

[Laufeythejust]

I’d hire a PT- get one that’s good and will advise you on everything. They’ll get your food and exercise under control and the weight will fall off. In 6 months I lost about 3 stone and he’s now helping me maintain for my wedding. I’ve never felt as fit in my life.