AIBU to know diets don’t work but also need to lose 3-4 stone

[MoirasWigStand]

I’m the fattest I’ve ever been. 5’6” and weigh 14st 11. There is a reason, I had health issues last year which meant no exercise (even walking) for almost a year, as well as a period of time on steroids (which made me pile on weight).

I really, really, need to lose it now. I can exercise (although my efforts are pretty pathetic so far!). I started calorie counting and lost 6lbs in January, but it’s gone back on after a few stress do l weeks.

And I found it so hard. 1500 calories is so little food 😂. I clearly have issues with stress eating and bingeing. Also when ‘bored’ at home when wfh.

I need a massive kick up the arse. I know diets don’t work, I’ve read those books. But I really need to lose some weight, I’m disgusted in myself.

@MoirasWigStand

You need to avoid bread, wraps etc. Refined cards are pointless. Stick to high protein foods.

@Suprima

1500 calories is fine. The average woman has expenditure of about 1800 so cutting 300 cals is a sensible deficit.

For 1500 calories I could have…

A boiled egg and a piece of seedy toast and butter
A babybel and some fruit as a mid morning snack
A lovely salad with protein, dressing and nuts
A sensible portion of a ‘normal’ meal (pasta, fajitas, curry, roast)
A low cal treat like a Kit Kat, or a chocolatey protein yogurt, or a couple of biscuits

Anyone who thinks that is not enough food has food issues.

‘Diets don’t work’ is just semantics. If you don’t stick at something, no it doesn’t work. If you go back to your WOE which got you 2 stone overweight, no it doesn’t work.

You will be a hungry at first. It’s fine to be hungry and wait for your next meal. Hanger is just sugar and snacking addiction.

I think I do have food issues. I have realised recently that I stress eat and binge. It’s disgusting. One of medications is known to increase hunger too which doesn’t help (not steroids anymore, but something else).

I do know I just need to do it.

Changing your diet definitely works. But it isn't a quick fix. A small reduction in calories over a long term and the weight will drift off (just like it can drift on with a small increase in calories!).

Sorry, when I say diets don’t work I meant the scientific research on them shows they don’t, long term. Because no one sticks to them long term.

But yes, I need to sort myself out. It’s so hard when life is so stressful, I get miserable and just start stuffing my face. Or this week go away for work and end up eating crap that I can buy on the train. I’m a one parent household half the week, work full time in stressful job. Fussy eating dc, means o hate menu plannng and shopping. And actually eating and cooking now. I’ve lost all joy in trying to decide what the fuck to eat/cook for everyone.

I'm a similar weight (a few pounds more) and the same as you I sort of feel like the effects of diets usually don't last long term but being obese, I know that I really need to lose the weight.

I've had some success with running and 1500 cals/day in the past (lost 3 stone, only to put 5 stone on a year later!) but have a huge binge eating problem so I can't seem to stick to it.

Good luck with your weight loss journey.

[quote Shmithecat2]@MoirasWigStand

You need to avoid bread, wraps etc. Refined cards are pointless. Stick to high protein foods.[/quote]
What do I eat for lunch then apart from salad? I don’t mind salad, but it’s a faff to prepare and boring after a while.

You have to look at it as a lifestyle change. No good dieting then going back to how you ate before as of course you will gain weight again.

Diets work for me. After my son I weighed 14st 8 and had a BMI of 30 I think it was. I had horrendous chronic pain which made exercise hard and I was on a cocktail of drugs but I was unhappy being that size.... I'm now 11st 2. I'm tall so this is a good weight for me. I reduced portion size, cut out crap and alcohol, if I wanted a snack I had a satsuma and a cup of tea. I did 3 30min mat based exercise classes a week. And got out with the pram on days I could, even a small walk.

It is tough. But you can see positive results.

Diets work if you stick to them

Diets don't work if you stop doing them and go back to whatever you were doing before.

You have to change your lifestyle and be in the right frame of mind to do it.

I found Slimming World a good one if you're someone who finds looking at calorie numbers difficult, you don't have to stick to 1500 per day. I lost 4 stone and am still keeping it off 18 months later - but I still (mostly) follow the plan, which is different for target members.

I’m doing intermittent fasting, I drink coffee with milk outside my 11 - 6 eating window and it hasn’t affected my weight loss adversely.
I need to lose a lot more weight than you for medical reasons so I’m very motivated. 3 stone loss so far and I can’t exercise beyond a gentle walk.

Eggs, pulses/legumes are good fillers.

What do I eat for lunch then apart from salad? I don’t mind salad, but it’s a faff to prepare and boring after a while
Bread-less lunches:
Omelet, boiler eggs, crustless quiche
Jacket potato
Soup
Crudités and houmous

I started the same height and weight as you and lost consistently calorie counting on 2200 calories and no exercise except walking. Need to get the protein and fibre in but also don’t restrict yourself or you’ll binge. Ditch booze.

Right, I’ll start again tomorrow. Not sure whether to calorie count or IF though.

I know booze is bad, but not sure I want to give up wine forever. There has to be some joy in life?

Diets do work but you can’t just then go back to your old way of eating or you will obviously pile the weight back on. You have to make healthy lifestyle changes you can stick to.
I am 44 and it is harder than when I was younger but I still lost over 3 stone steadily. I have maintained for about 8 months but do want to lose 1/2 - 1 stone more to get into the middle of my healthy bmi.
I did weight watchers then switched to calorie counting. When calorie counting what you eat really matters: 1500 cals is loads of you make good choices, but not great if you eat a lot of processed junk food/ takeaways. I found eating 1200-1300 was enough for 3 good size meals, with decent portion of carbs and protein, as well as a mid afternoon snack. Rarely felt hungry.

@Quincythequince

Of course diets work. You just need to fine one that works for you. But it requires lifelong management as it’s a chronic relapsing condition, so you must make permanent lifestyle changes.

Easier said than done I know, but they do work.

You are patently incorrect. Diets do not work long term for the vast majority of people.

How does your day look? Are you busy, or sat in front of a screen?

I'm busy and on my feet all day, I have stopped eating lunch.

I have porridge and a banana for breakfast, a few sugar free mints if I get hungry. A huge dinner, then nothing else (apart from tea and sugar free drinks).

Lost 1.5st since Xmas.

But being busy really helps!!!

I have about 1000cals for dinner.

I used to have a problem with binge eating and if this is an issue for you then IF is not recommended as it can leave you feeling deprived. What is actually recommended is eating three meals and maybe a snack or two throughout the day.

@fucketyfuckwit

How does your day look? Are you busy, or sat in front of a screen?

I'm busy and on my feet all day, I have stopped eating lunch.

I have porridge and a banana for breakfast, a few sugar free mints if I get hungry. A huge dinner, then nothing else (apart from tea and sugar free drinks).

Lost 1.5st since Xmas.

But being busy really helps!!!

Sat in front of a screen sadly. And so busy recently with high stress stuff that not being able to find time for a proper lunch break or time to go for a walk/do exercise. I know people say you have to make time, but it’s hard working full time, dc (I’m divorced so no live in partner to share chores with).

I think I’ll do calorie counting. The binge eating is quite new in the last few years, since I did IF. I used to have a very active job and found 5:2 quite easy. A desk job near my own kitchen makes that much harde rm😂

Sorry OP I think where you’re going wrong is looking to mumsnet for advice.
YANBU diets don’t work and it’s proven.
I would say focus on health promoting behaviours rather than weight loss ones. I.e aim for 5 portions of fruit and veg per day, exercise regularly doing something you will enjoy, don’t smoke, drink in moderation etc.

You need a change that is forever, not just a temporary diet. If you don’t think you could do your diet for the rest of your life and be happy, it’s probably the wrong one for you or you’re not ready. You are right that exercise is not the way to lose weight, but I found that getting into exercise made me want to be more healthy. If 1500 calories feels too little, then you do need a change of mindset. For many women this is a normal amount to eat when not on a diet, especially as we get older.

But I have to lose weight. None of my clothes fit and I’m just hideous. I hate getting dressed Eve try day and trying to squeeze myself into the few things that fit.

I don’t want to go out anywhere and have photos taken as I hate how I look. And I don’t have anything suitable to wear.

@MoirasWigStand

My favourite breadless lunch is basically adult lunchables. Mini cheeses or portions of cheese with Parma ham and other deli meats. Fats, but no sugar and easy to keep low calorie. You can have quite a platter for 500 cals.

[quote Suprima]@MoirasWigStand

My favourite breadless lunch is basically adult lunchables. Mini cheeses or portions of cheese with Parma ham and other deli meats. Fats, but no sugar and easy to keep low calorie. You can have quite a platter for 500 cals.[/quote]
Ooh I love cheese and ham!