To not want to make my new years resolution a diet?

[shipgig]

One of my new years resolution for 2021 was to lose weight by my birthday (October) and I am pleased to say, I did lose 3 stone 7 pounds (49pounds). I am 5ft 7 and was 13st7 and got down to 10stone exactly.

Since my birthday, I have fallen off the wagon and have not been watching what I eat/exercising and I know that I have piled some back on. I am not sure how much (too afraid to get on the scales) especially with all of the christmas eating too!!.

I do know that clothes aren't fitting me. Lets just say jeans won't button and I've not dared to try anything else on.

Would you lose the gained weight as a 2022 resolution, to get back in shape? or would you not bother? (given how stressful life is at the moment)

Anyone starting on the 1st?

take a look at
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/weight_loss_chat

more appropriate than AIBU maybe?

You can be stuck in a cycle of dieting your entire life or choose a different path of acceptance, self-esteem, mindful/intuitive eating etc.

The choice is yours but I don’t think anyone on AIBU can make it for you.

Personally, having studied in this area, I know how useless ‘dieting’ is (if diets worked no diet company would make any money) and would never make it my New Year’s Resolution. But different strokes an’ all that.

I'm similar, I tend to set targets, lose this by then, but once it's done let it all slip and put some back on.

I think a better idea than weighing yourself and setting a goal or target is to focus on the good habits you must of had to lose the weight. Bring those back in as a new years resolution and the weight loss (which can't be much) will follow.

I’d also recommend reading the thread ‘daily habits that changed your life’ in classics for inspiration of more resolution type things - some of which may help on your goal as PP said. Some great stuff there!

Just eat well for a few weeks and then once you feel that your clothes are fitting you better, maybe brave the scales if you’re someone that likes numbers!

Otherwise bin the scales and go by how your clothes fit☺️

I'd make a positive fitness resolution rather than a diet - so to do 10k steps, Yoga or workout every day.

@Scrapper142

I'm similar, I tend to set targets, lose this by then, but once it's done let it all slip and put some back on.

I think a better idea than weighing yourself and setting a goal or target is to focus on the good habits you must of had to lose the weight. Bring those back in as a new years resolution and the weight loss (which can't be much) will follow.

I did calorie counting (including reducing sugar and carb consumption and lots of walking.

@JumperooSue Yes. The scales are a bit daunting. I should really just jump on! I much prefer how my clothes fit idea. Thanks :)

@randomsabreuse that is a good idea. I might look into doing something that will challenge me.

Mine is to drink 2 litres a day. I struggle to drink enough. My husband has been doing it for 3 months and hair skin looks great and he eats less junk.

I always found dieting boring and hate things like WW or SW. I know they work, but it's not for me.

I made my goal to become fit and strong whilst just making healthier food choices. Finding exercise you enjoy is going to help you much more than just 'eat less'. For me, being able to lift heavier weights and being fit is just as big an achievement as being a smaller dress size.

Then if I do over indulge occasionally it's not the end of the world as I still go to the gym.

It's about lifestyle changes you can maintain.

I really struggle with my weight - lockdown, hating my usual exercise with masks when not actively participating and just having to go out to clubs when wfh have meant I've put weight on.

I'm not planning on dieting as such. I'm planning to eat more veg, drink more water, reduce food waste and cut back on food spending. I'm also aiming to get back into the routine of going out to clubs/exercise in the evenings.

Ultimately, it's not the weight that matters but how I feel.

The ‘wagon’ you’ve fallen off does not exist! Bin the scales, ditch the calorie counting, accept and embrace yourself the way you are now and try adding things to your life instead of restricting. So e.g. add fitness goals, add more water, add more whole foods, add more intuitive eating, add self-care. Trust yourself. You don’t need to take away anything from yourself. You don’t need to start afresh on 1st Jan. If you start trying to diet again you’re going to be on an endless cycle of gaining and restricting.

Best thing I ever did was throw my scales out, stop counting calories, and stop thinking of fitness and nutrition as some kind of track you’re either fully on or off. I just think of it as part of my life now and forever and there will be peaks and troughs just like with anything. And that’s okay! Sometimes you’ll be feeling a bit more indulgent, sometimes you’ll want more nutritionally dense food. Sometimes you’ll have more energy for consistent exercise, sometimes you’ll need a bit of a rest. It’s all fine!

Would you lose the gained weight as a 2022 resolution, to get back in shape? or would you not bother? (given how stressful life is at the moment)

Life is more stressful when nothing fits and you feel bloated and uncomfortable. I'd get back on track. Tackle it now - it's probably only a stone or do. If you leave it, it'll turn back into 3 stone.

@Flippanty I always thought the "wagon" was a cliche.

I am pleased to hear you found a lifestyle that works for you :)

@AlbertBridge I certainly don't want to be 3 stone heavier again!

I would suggest buying this book (I am not sponsored or anything, I have followed her on social media and think she is great - she also has a good podcast) and work on having a healthy, balanced relationship with food. There is so much going on in the world at the moment, that is much more important than a target weight or a yo yo cycle www.amazon.co.uk/Science-Nutrition-Debunk-Health-Happiness/dp/0241506468/ref=sr_1_1?crid=175QN2LN6ZW4I&keywords=rhiannon+lambert+the+science+of+nutrition&sprefix=rhiannon+lamb%2Caps%2C211&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&qid=1640605797&sr=8-1

I yoyo dieted from age 14 to 40! Miserable existence of starving myself for weeks/months only to pile the weight back on when I relaxed. Since age 40 I've done 16/8. No calorie counting, no dieting. I just eat sensibly but allow myself treats if I want them. I manage my weight effortlessly. After all those years of dieting I feel so liberated. I can enjoy food, stay slim and not obsess about my weight and calories.

To keep the weight off longer-term you need a maintenance plan. I think you are better off tackling it now as it sounds like you've worked hard to lose the weight.

I'm in maintenance mode now. For me, this involves sticking to my weight loss way of eating most of the time, then when I'm out for a meal or in the pub or at a party etc I have what I fancy. This has worked for me, I lost just over 3 stone after having my children and have kept it off for 3 years now. There's fluctuations, but that's normal to me.

So when I get home from holiday or go back to work after Xmas I just go back to the plan and after a couple of weeks I'll be more or less back to where I was.

OP, could you stick to the plan you used to lose the weight Mon to Fri then indulge a bit at the weekends? You'll probably get back to where you were and it's more maintainable than feeling like you are always on a diet.

I don't like making loosing weight a resolution as it gets disheartening if I don't immediately succeed. I try to eat well all the time and I like to make my resolutions more positive things, this year I have gone for read 2 books a month and sort out the loft.

@SallyWD well done you!! I have heard positive things about fasting.

@OwlinaTree I am thinking I should be tackling it now. No more excuses!!

I calorie counted and walked a lot. You sound as though you have cracked maintenance. That is an incredible achievement.

Thank you.

@OwlinaTree can I ask what you did to lose and then maintain? I know you said you have weekends off.