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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Cannot shift a stone

61 replies

NeverChange · 19/02/2022 14:06

No sure where else to post this.

I'm a stone overweight largely due to Covid19. Don't feel awful but would really prefer to get back to previous weight. I'm short so there is a very noticeable difference due to the weight gain.

Since January 1st, I have done all of the following with a grand weight loss of zero and am getting extremely pissed off that it's not working.

  • calories of 1200 per day, strictly, none hidden, all tracked on fitness pal etc.
  • minimum 2L water a day
  • no takeaways, no chocolate, no crisps or an unhealthy snacks
  • no alcohol, no white bread, no chips etc.

Felt hungry the first two weeks but that's gone now. Genuinely not cheating or fooling myself but no change to the scales at all. I don't even miss the junk and am finding it easy but no results!

Any suggestions?

OP posts:
EarringsandLipstick · 19/02/2022 17:20

@Proudboomer

Don’t calorie count and carb count instead. Pasta and potatoes are high in carb so bin them and have extra green veg. Grapes have a lot of sugar so stick to the berries. If you are eating any bread even brown bread exclude that as well.
Terrible advice. Nothing wrong with either potatoes or carbs.
EarringsandLipstick · 19/02/2022 17:25

Thanks everyone, bread (2 slices of McCamridges a week only -literally dividing it up and defrosting 2 slices a week), pasta below (1 portion a week) and potatoes (2 medium boiled and 1 large jacket) now eliminated. Grapes are the only sweet thing I eat,will miss them but there are off the list now too!

Please don't do this. It's just a miserable way up exist.

I don't mind if people choose to do low-carb or whatever if it suits their eating pattern & works for them.

But you don't have to. I eat carbs, and couldn't function without them. I also eat chocolate. Every day. I don't really drink alcohol - but that's cause it doesn't agree with me, I similarly don't eat crisps, get takeaways.

I know for me that exercise is vital, both physically and mentally. I'm in better shape in my 40s than in my 20s, I'm very toned & muscular. That's what matters to me.

I don't eliminate any food group and while I know it does no harm, saying that you will miss grapes as they are the only sweet thing you eat, is a miserable way to live.

I also guarantee you won't lose any weight this way. You already eating extremely healthily. I imagine you may need more calories and that how you eat, combined with a change in exercise, is what you might need.

EarringsandLipstick · 19/02/2022 17:30

@Fayekrista

Unless there's a medical condition effecting things then you are deluding yourself. I'm not intending to be rude.... but blunt.... you're consuming more than 1200 cals!
I doubt OP is mistaken.

I usually eat around this amount but often not in a way that is beneficial - rushing meals, skipping meals etc. it's problematic for me & I keep trying to do better.

I exercise a lot & intensively. That's why I'm slim.

It's not as simple as just calories in / out, especially when OP is not really overweight, just wants to weigh a little less.

I was at my thinnest 7 months after my first DC was born. However I looked awful. I'd an under active thyroid & was breastfeeding, leading to being size 6 at the time. But I didn't look thin, I looked flat! No shape at all.

I'm overall happy with my shape now. I'm size 8 - 10. I weigh 3 kg more than my ideal weight but I'm very toned, muscular & physically fit. I struggle with my eating, especially when stressed.

Particularly for women, it's complicated.

Bigpaintinglittlepainting · 19/02/2022 17:41

There could be other issues perhaps making your body keep the shape it is, hormonal or I heard a terrible program on radio 4 where the researchers discussed that once weight is put on the body fights to sustain it so it makes it very difficult to lose.

I have always found it easy to lose weight but now I am 43, despite having an outdoor job and active life I am a dress size up than before my 40's. Still look good I think for my age but I would love my old body back Grin

I have tried dieting and exercise and I would have to have it as a full time existence to be an 8 again, I think lots of women do this and that's why they are slim, eat nowt gym everyday but I just can't do it !

wincarwoo · 19/02/2022 17:45

Don't want to be evangelical but Joe Wicks app might be good for you. If you can commit to the exercise. The menu is completely measured depending on whether you have exercised or not. Am on month two and have lost inches. Great support group on Facebook too.

DrManhattan · 19/02/2022 17:46

Don't eat after 6 p.m. this works for me if I have a few pounds to lose. Exercise has negligible effect on weight loss.

Cakeandcardio · 19/02/2022 18:02

Could it be you have gained some muscle from going back to spinning? When I first started losing weight, I lost nothing on the scales but went down in my clothes due to gaining muscle. Good luck

MatildaTheCat · 19/02/2022 18:03

Look into changing the hours you eat. There was a good episode of One Small Thing on R4 recently discussing intermittent fasting. The most effective way was to start eating later in the day and consume most calories at lunchtime and stop all consumption several hours before bed.

Worth a listen.

WonderfulYou · 19/02/2022 18:44

Have you taken measurements?

Chances are you’re loosing fat but gaining muscle and retaining water.

I would carry on as you are but include some resistance training/weights.

Take photos and then take more photos 8 weeks later and I bet you’ll see a difference. I think the scale number should be taken with a pinch of salt as your weight fluctuates.

Seashor · 19/02/2022 18:59

I think your problem is carbs. Ditch potatoes, pasta, rice, bread, cereals, couscous and you should see a difference.

Original poster
NeverChange · 19/02/2022 19:49

Thanks everyone just tried on a dress that was really tight at Christmas and it is a little, albeit only a little more comfortable. Have taken measurements now so can use that as well as the scales.

@Fayekrista. You just don't give up do you. Why would I lie or delude myself? There's zero to be gained by it and I'm far too logical to try delude myself. I'm genuinely looking for an answer ir explanation. I wouldn't waste people's time by asking if I was having a few sneaky Mars bars!

OP posts:
SmellyWellyWoo · 19/02/2022 19:52

Do you enter the calories from your exercise onto MFP? If so, are you eating all of the back? You might have to eat half or none of them back. Sometimes the estimates of calories burnt are too high.

Have you over estimated your activity level when calculating calories? How tall are you? If you are very short sadly you may need fewer calories to lose weight.

I have no idea why someone suggested eating a higher number of calories- that would simply result in OP gaining weight.

Darbs76 · 19/02/2022 19:53

Have you checked your TDEE? Are you counting absolutely everything? I restarted my diet on 3rd Jan. Lost 2.5lbs week 1 but then hardly anything despite 20k steps. But I was picking at things and not counting. Now I’m half a stone down. Check your calories is right, eat 500 less than what you burn and track everything. Worth upping your step count. I have a sit down job but managing to do 20kg even if it means walking around upstairs in the evenings (doing that right now)

Isis1981uk · 19/02/2022 20:02
  • calories of 1200 per day, strictly, none hidden, all tracked on fitness pal etc.
  • minimum 2L water a day
  • no takeaways, no chocolate, no crisps or an unhealthy snacks
  • no alcohol, no white bread, no chips etc.

I've lost 13lb since 1st January eating 1400 cals a day, including takeaways, chocolate, crisps, white bread, & chips....

Rather than obsessing over making it punishingly healthy, just try to eat the same things as normal, that you enjoy, but less in volume? I couldn't stick to, let alone enjoy, a diet that didn't include chips & chocolate!!

Chocbuttonsandredwine · 19/02/2022 20:04

I’m short and find the same as you.

What’s working for me currently…
No Alcohol
No carbs.
Spin x 3 pump x 2 and walking as much as possible.
Lots of water.
Reducing eating window 11-6
Not calorie counting but just meat salad eggs cheese veg.
Have done military diet for a week before to kick start things. Can lose 7lb in a week.

I avoid all carbs now. They make my hungry, bloated and irritable. Feel far better with just protein Salad and veg. Means no cal counting and far easier for eating out.

Fayekrista · 19/02/2022 20:43

@NeverChange

Thanks everyone just tried on a dress that was really tight at Christmas and it is a little, albeit only a little more comfortable. Have taken measurements now so can use that as well as the scales.

@Fayekrista. You just don't give up do you. Why would I lie or delude myself? There's zero to be gained by it and I'm far too logical to try delude myself. I'm genuinely looking for an answer ir explanation. I wouldn't waste people's time by asking if I was having a few sneaky Mars bars!

Give up? I responded to you quoting me? I didn't suggest for a moment you were sneakily eating Mars bars. I'm not sure what you want MN to do?? You're putting more calories in than you're burning off... it really is that basic. & it actually doesn't matter where those cals come from in terms of weight... 1200 cals of chocolate or 1200 cals carrots (don't recommend either of those BTW!) Yes, 1200 of choc won't be good for your blood sugar etc etc FYI I'm a nutritionist.... & no not printed myself off a certificate... for the NHS.
AmberLynn1536 · 19/02/2022 20:49

What a miserable existence if you can’t even have a grape.

GreenFingeredNell15 · 19/02/2022 20:52

I find cutting back on carbs or cutting them out and upping my excerise usually works

CandyLeBonBon · 19/02/2022 21:56

Lol at NHS nutritionists consider they are the pinnacle of the best health advice!! Confused

Alittlenonsensenowandthen · 20/02/2022 07:52

Hate to be the bearer of bad news but I was an 8-10 for years. Hit mid 30s, put on a stone with nothing changed to my diet or exercise. Had loads of tests...doc said it was my age. Depressing! So been a 12 for last 5 years. In last year I tried fast 800 and cut the carbs and I'm finally shifting the weight again. I think my body has just changed what fuel goes in.

Sometimeswinning · 20/02/2022 08:43

The best thing I did was to change my eating habits. I eat every 2/4 hours. Breakfast, snack, lunch, snack, dinner. I walk 15000 steps min a day. Loose on average 2/3 pound a week!

Gensola · 20/02/2022 08:48

OP I see you say the weight goes on your thighs and calves - have you ever heard of Lipoedema (spelled Lipedema in US)? I have this condition and it means that I carry a lot of weight on my legs that can’t be lost through diet/exercise. Might be worth a Google. I recently had liposuction to remove 3L of fat from outer legs and hope to get inners done later this year. It’s made a huge difference to my shape and weight, and I’ve kept the weight off effortlessly since which people who have liposuction who don’t have lipoedema often struggle to do.

Fayekrista · 20/02/2022 09:56

@CandyLeBonBon

Lol at NHS nutritionists consider they are the pinnacle of the best health advice!! Confused
🤣
LimeSegment · 21/02/2022 11:49

Sorry OP but all you can do is cut down your calories even more. Because you aren't big, you'll really have to cut right down to see a change. I'm much bigger than you (2-3 stones overweight) and even I lose very slowly on 1200.

Gigia · 21/02/2022 11:58

In the long run strength training will hep you build muscle meaning you can maintain our weight on higher calories. In the short term improving your sleep, adding in weights, drinking more water around 3L is optimal and increasing your activity more should help. Eating more protein will keep you fuller for longer.