AIBU to think I can lose 2 stone in 2 months with SW?

[Patbutchersearrings1]

I finally weighed myself 2 weeks ago after putting it off for so long. Pre lockdown, I weighed on average approximately 9 stone, I was running, doing pilates and gym 4 times a week and my job was far more active. I was disgusted to find that I weighed 11 stone 11 (I am 5 ft 4) putting me in the higher end of the overweight category. This is due to boozing, eating crisps whilst WFH all week and meals out at least 3x per week. This knowledge has really got me down and I feel that I was living in denial- I realised I had put some weight on but guessed I was around 10st and just got rid of my clothes that no longer fitted. I have weighed myself this morning and I am now 11 stone 8 after following the plan for 2 weeks. I really want to get this off as quickly as possible, I have cut out all alcohol and sugar and have upped my gym use and made sure I do at least 10,000 steps per day. Has anybody had any luck with losing that amount in a similar time frame?

I lost just over two stone but it took me about 6 months. In doing this I have made gradual changes that are sustainable for me long-term and prioritised developing healthy habits and ways of thinking around food and my body. I know that if I do not keep this up then the weight will go back on and the good news is that I have everything I need to in order to do that.

If you are in "must get this off ASAP" mindset then you are probably not going to do this in a healthy way, as others have said. I would highly recommend doing it as I have done - no fad diets, no banning of foods. So many of these extreme approaches are treating the body with a lack of respect and it's my view that when someone does that the body will respond in kind.

Would you rather lose it in two months and put it back on, or lose it in 6-8 months and keep it off?

It's probs possible but just bear in mind that your skin takes a while to readjust/shrink and you're much more likely to get the deflated balloon look if you crash diet.

I had a lot if luck losing weight quickly with Keto a couple of years ago. I've also managed to keep it off. I know a lot of people put it back on after this diet but the key is slowly introducing carbs back in after. Good luck!

You probably already know what works for you or the method most likely to ‘stick’. Different people make different methods work for them. SW or WW is not for me, for example. I do low carb and intermittent fasting as that really works for me and I can stick to it. It’s all about diet for me, exercise makes much less of a difference (although I do some during the week just to help stay healthy).

Hello @Patbutchersearrings1

It’s a shock isn’t it? Getting on the scales after being in denial for a year or two. This happened to me several years ago. I’m not going to lie. It hasn’t been an easy journey but now several years later I’m over 3 stone down.

There are so many facets to achieving and maintaining a healthy weight loss; everyone’s will be different depending on age, hormones, sleep quality, health etc.

Well done on braving the scale, that’s an excellent first step. Next identify what you TDEE (total daily energy expenditure) is and create a deficit with a way of eating that includes plenty of healthy protein, fibre, fats, veg, pulses and fruit. Drink plenty of water and try not to drink calories (alcohol, fancy coffees etc). Try to eliminate all added sugars and eat a whole food diet made from scratch if time allows. Don’t ban anything, moderation is the key. You need a way of eating that is enjoyable as well as sustainable. That’s the only ‘diet’ you’ll stick to for the long term.

In the short term Dr Micheal Mosleys Fast 800 diet gets results; It’s based on the Mediterranean diet. I did this to start with and lost about 1.5stone before settling on the way of eating I do now which initially I lost the remainder to healthy bmi and now trying to lose the last 7lbs. Fast 800 also helps to balance blood sugars which in turn helps to curb cravings.

The LOSE IT! Threads are quite popular and the ladies who post are supportive and inspiring in equal measure. You’re more than welcome to join us.

Whatever you do, good luck 👍

I lost 2.5 stone in 12 weeks on SW. I did lots of S&P days, walked approx an hour each day to and from work, and also did cardio and some kettle bell workouts at the gym and home.
I also found having a high protein breakfast and then either a filling lunch or dinner (not both on the same day) helped me lose even more and then eventually maintain my weight (not on SW).
Exercise is good, but diet is the most important weight loss factor.

Thank you all for your kind responses, I know I'm probably not being realistic, was just looking at old pictures of myself looking slim and athletic and feeling so guilty and ashamed! I have given intermittent fasting a go before I just felt like I kept cheating on it and was starving for a lot of the day!

I was a bit similar to you, OP. I'm 5' 10" , usually weighed about 9 stone ish but with the same combination of factors ended up about 12 stone... but was actually sort of ok about it. I was still healthy - lots of varied foods, vegetables, fruit etc but just a big weight gain!

I went keto, not for weight loss, but because sugar/carbs and vegetable oils are evil. That's a whole other topic.

In June, I cut carbs and vegetable oils and "accidentally" lost all the weight by November. Didn't track a single calorie, though.

Keto is not living on bacon and cheese - that's not sensible either. I still eat lots of veg... loads of veg with:- fish, olive oils, avocados, olives, full fat yogurt, cheese, meat, eggs, full milk, cream, butter, berries, nuts, dark chocolate and red wine in moderation.

I don't go to the gym loads - maybe once a week. I'm too busy for more.

All the weight has come off and I'm back to my normal 9 stone self. I have not tracked a single calorie; I have no idea how many calories I eat a day. It feels like I eat more...especially with all the oils, butter and cream, but all I did was change the nature of the foods I eat.

Agree with a pp that looking at this as an opportunity to create new, healthier, long term habits is the way to go. Don’t focus on “getting the weight off”, that will happen if you focus on eating more healthily and moving more.

for me, finding excerise I actually enjoy has been the biggest game changer. (And prioritising time to do this!). Then in turn I do eat more healthily, but also have more energy and it makes me happier.

please don’t ban foods or try and starve yourself. Your body is fundamentally designed to not let you starve. So you’ll always cave eventually. I’ve seen it likened to your body’s need for oxygen. If you try to sit on the swimming pool floor for as long as you can, eventually the body will override your brain and push for the surface. Same with diets. If diets worked why would there be a need for more than one? It’s got to be a lifestyle change.

also I’ve seen a really good tip of flipping the thought “what can I cut out?” To “what foods can I add IN to my diet to be more healthy?” Eg as a filling snack add in some nuts or some strips of roast chicken.

I was in a very similar situation to you last year, because I was constantly in leggings I really didn’t notice!!! SW worked nowhere near as good for me as calorie counting tbh!! I got myself back in the 9’s easily following mfp but even that took until March/April.

Fast forward two all inclusive holidays last year I’m back up to around 10 still far happier than I was in the 11’s! I’m now 14 weeks pregnant and haven’t gained a pound no alcohol and I’m consuming on average 1700 very healthy calories a day admittedly I’m 5”2 and need around 1400 calories a day to lose any real weight.

Ive just maintained my weight at 1700 calories which I plan on consuming throughout my entire pregnancy as I’m never hungry with this amount of calories and I’m not looking to loose but I’m not looking to gain too much.

Medically my health can’t handle a lot of weight either my blood pressure was through the roof at my pill check when I was in the 11’s! Back to normal as soon as I hit 10 and a half! Good luck OP download mfp best bet! You’d be surprised at all you can eat if you read the packaging on foods!

I went from 127 lb at Halloween to 108 lb by Christmas a few years ago. Not intentional - due to illness.

It IS possible but I looked sick.

Rapid weightloss has it's own issues, it can lead to gallstones (please look this up!) slow and steady wins the race OP. Weightloss is great but more important is to lead a healthier balanced lifestyle taking care of yourself and your body.

It's right in the middle of a healthy BMI. 8 stone would be at the lower end of healthy.

*if you're 5'4'' that is

Thanks for this thread OP - lots of encouraging stories. I weigh 11 stone and ideally would like to lose 1.5 stones, but finding it really tough to even lose a pound. so well done on losing so well in your first week - water or not!!

I'm doing low carb and intermittant fasting...

Pre lockdown, I weighed on average approximately 9 stone, I was running, doing pilates and gym 4 times a week and my job was far more active. I was disgusted to find that I weighed 11 stone 11 (I am 5 ft 4) putting me in the higher end of the overweight category. This is due to boozing, eating crisps whilst WFH all week and meals out at least 3x per week

It doesnt sound like you have had a weight problem before, so no emotional/binge eating disorder or anything like that to get to grips with. So, the answers are all in your OP:

Get back to running, pilates and the gym 4 times a week. Increase your activity at work/during the day as much as possible.

Cut out the boozing, crisps and meals out.

Don't get caught in a starvation/binge cycle and cause yourself long-term problems. Just get back to your old lifestyle and habits.

Tackle one or two things at a time if thats easier i.e. cut the booze for two weeks and increase your activity during the day to 10000 steps (lunch break walk, dance to music videos on the TV for 10 mins, walk around the house while the kettle boils). After that two weeks, cut out the crisps and add in pilates or running.

Keep going until you are back into the lifestyle that will keep you at a healthy weight.