Losing 25lbs :( How?

[Jazz12]

Over the last 3/4 years, I slowly put on 25 lbs. :(
All due to Stress eating, sugar addiction and not doing any exercising. I’m 39, turning 40 in May. I realise weight gain and comfort eating is a slippery slope. I really need to gain control over this and get fit. its a nice thing to gift myself for my 40th - isn’t it?

My sister kindly lent me her Nordic track exercise bike. I have no idea how much of that I need to do every day and also where to start with weights? Earlier I used to just walK a lot, lived in central London and walked 2-3 miles twice every single day to work. We moved to Surrey now and I take the train to work if I’m not WFH. Zero exercise.

I wasted a lot of money on gyms and personal trainers in the past, not sticking to it and I don’t want to go that route until I’ve lost at least 10lbs first.

As others have said, forget trying to exercise the weight off. It will never happen.

For example, If you weigh 12st, jogging for 30 minutes will barely burn 250 calories. It would take you 2 full weeks of doing that every single day to burn 1 just pound of fat, believe it or not.

That's not to say exercise is a bad thing or that it doesn't have benefits but diet is what will achieve your goal.

I would say low carb, low calorie, is the way to go. I very easily lost 20lb in a few months doing that and could have done more or done it quicker if I'd been stricter.

I agree, but would just add that intermittent fasting is very effective.

Also cut out UPF and alcohol. A Mediterranean diet is very healthy. You've probably heard the saying...... eat food, not too much, mostly plants. Plus lean protein to fill you up.

Exercise can be a great motivator. Try HIIT (e.g. Growingannanas), ab workouts and planks, as well as weight/resistance based workouts using dumbbells and resistance bands. Check out Caroline Girvan.

Recommend intermittent fasting and low carb, high protein diet. Managed to lose 3 stone, easiest way I've found.

I went back to Slimming World as during lockdown I stopped going. There wasn't much to do except eat and even when things started again, I was going nowhere that wanted you to wear a mask.
I KNOW what to do food wise but I think you need a bit of accountability to actually do it.
Joining a different group that's not so clique-y and doesn't assume you already know everything also helped; so far I've lost 10 pounds in 4 weeks. I was eating a bar of chocolate every day, now I just don't want one. Good luck!

Your main issue is food but you talk only of excersice and weights to solve it.

Its 70% diet. That is your first port of call.