To think there’s no point being hungry if the weight isn’t coming off?

[Flaribeau]

The doctor has told me to lose weight because I’m at risk of diabetes. I’m absolutely starving but virtually no weight is coming off! I haven’t had a single biscuit or packet of crisps, no takeaways or alcohol at all, I’ve cut right down on carbs, I’ve started walking for an hour a day, and I’ve still only lost 2lb in an entire month.

AIBU to think being hungry is absolutely pointless if I’m not losing weight? Everyone says you lose loads in the first few weeks but I haven’t. I was expecting to have lost half a stone by now. I’m suffering for no reason because the weight isn’t coming off 😭

I think keto is the answer especially if you suffer from insulin resistance OP. I can’t cope with hunger either

This was me at the start of this year. Nothing was shifting the weight and I was so miserable about it. Started Slimming World in February and have lost 2 stone. I know SW gets a lot of hate on here, and I was highly dubious, but I'm so glad I did it. You can eat loads, but the weight does still come off if you follow the plan properly.

OP - it’s really hard but you need a bit more info for yourself I think. Try Googling TDEE calculator which will gives you the rough calories you need for your height and weight and then take off 500. Then make sure you carefully measure and track everything you eat and drink.
if you do this, the weight should come off as long as you’re honestly tracking. As PPs have said, dehydration is another issue so make sure you’re drinking at least 2-3 litres a day and include any squashes, milk etc that you add to drinks.
I don’t know how old you are but hormones also play a massive part in weight loss, as does stress. If any of that might be out of balance, it would be worth looking at.
Best of luck - you can do this!!

Eating 2-4 slices of bread is your issue, you need protein and good fats. Having toast for breakfast is not good as will spike your insulin, better having the eggs at breakfast.

I just checked and there’s 7.2g of fat in a single mini portion of Philadelphia, so if you have that with butter then that could be 10-15g of fat you might not have factored in.

I haven't put the weight back on as my diet changed completely as a result of becoming diabetic. I have three light meals a day, never eat after 7pm at home and if I'm out eat lightly.
Drastic weight loss can be regained if the person doesn't revise their eatting, snacking is a no no and you know you are doing it right when you do not have sugar spikes. which make you snack.

Low carb means pretty much no bread or cereal/grains. You need to lose belly fat.
I followed (roughly) the Michael Mosley diet and lost weight, not sure how much now as it was a couple of years ago. I cut down bread, potatoes and rice to just a taste per meal, or none at all. Handful of nuts between meals as a snack if needed. No added sugar in anything at all, and pretty much no fruit to begin with.
Pulses are OK in small amounts.
It was difficult as I don't eat meat but I noticed my clothes felt loose, jeans falling down and had much more energy.
Look at the labels and carb content of everything you are thinking of eating, lowest carb bread I found was 17 per slice and I restricted it to half a slice per day. Eggs are good. Sometimes wheat causes problems, you can get keto bread which is nothing like bread as we know it and if you cook there are recipes for low carb breads.
I was making quick almond bread (also recipes online), it is strange but filling.

I'm 56 and have just gone on my first ever diet after a self initiated conversations with the doctor. I'm around 3 weeks in so don't know how well it is working yet.

He recommended the ketogenic diet. Very low/zero carb but high protein and fats which fill you up.

I am amazed I am not hungry.

No cake chocolate biscuits of course. No potatoes rice pasta bread. No sweet veg like red peppers or carrots. no things with sweeteners either. But eggs bacon cheese green veg chicken fish etc.

How much are you moving?

How many steps a day? How much cardiovascular exercise a week where you get your heart rate up?

The amount you're eating is plenty. You are not actually starving. You're just used to eating far more and excessively so feel hungry.

Do you have a fitbit watch?

You've lost 2lbs which is good! But perhaps you're not moving enough so not burning much energy.

Try a daily brisk walk.

Sorry, but I agree that you're not really reducing carbs if you're eating them with every meal. I always understood it as a bit of an all or nothing way of eating (why I struggle with it); the effects of one potato or one spoonful of rice are going to sabotage the effects of low carb eating.

If you're going to do low carb, you need to bring in tasty fats that make the meals pleasurable. Replace the carbs with green veg and add in more fats. Read the low carb bootcamp threads.

Could the doctor that advised you to lose weight refer you to a dietitian?

It sounds miserable because it is and it’s not working.

What did your daily food intake look like before this?

Have you had your thyroid checked?

Your meals seem small but calorie dense

I just wanted to break this down meal by meal. For reference, I'm much more in the tall and broad camp than the teeny tiny one.

For breakfast I eat two slices of toast with Philadelphia, or maybe one toast with a couple of eggs.

This is completely normal and is about what I'd eat for breakfast. My breakfasts are usually a bowl of porridge or cereal, or two slices of toast (just butter), or toast and eggs.

Lunch is a tin of soup, or salmon salad, or a sandwich.

Again, this seems fairly normal. The only thing I'd change is I'd have bread or toast with the soup.

Dinner last night was curry with chicken and veg, one tablespoon of rice and two tablespoons of yogurt. Other evenings I’ve had roast chicken with veg and only one new potato, or chilli with one tablespoon of rice and a tablespoon of sour cream, etc.

Assuming you have a good portion of vegetables and a decent amount of chicken, I don't see a problem with this. It's not a deprived diet. If you're only having a tiny piece of chicken and one broccoli floret, I could understand.

Maybe an apple or a tablespoon of peanut butter for a snack, or a cheese string.

Apart from the spoon of peanut butter (a tablespoon of it must be quite calorific surely), this seems normal.

This is ridiculously unhealthy. Please go to a nutritionist or work from a real diet/health plan. You are under eating protein and over eating carbs. In place of miniscule amounts of stuffy white foods like rice or toast eat eggs, white meat chicken, and cauliflower rice and other vegetables for a feeling of fullness. Learn the difference between satistion (when your brain knows you are full) and fullness( when your stomach feels full).

I suggest using an app like my fitness pal to log what you are eating. If you can afford it working with a reputable nutritionist would help.

Since January I've lost 6kgs - the older I get the slower it is. Some weeks I'll lose nothing or 100g.

I calorie and macro count. At the moment I weigh my food but hopefully experience will mean I can eyeball it. I'm not dieting, I'm making a lifestyle change.

You might not had success with losing the pounds, but this month you have been so much healthier. Food wise, exercise wise. Focus on that, sounds like you are doing extremely well.

Two pounds per month is fine! We have all been fed the lie that weight loss will be ‘one to two pounds per week’. It won’t be. Some weeks it’s half a pound, some weeks it’s nothing and some weeks you may randomly drop over a pound. It absolutely won’t be linear. I lost 20 kilos a three years ago at 42. I was working out 4 times a week and eating only 1400 calories a day. It took 7 months. I have hypothyroidism so when I need to lose weight my calories are very low. Just keep going and I promise you the weight will come off. Good luck!

Husband lost four stone last year. He said it took over 6 weeks for ANY weight to come off, then it started flying down then evened out again. He had a breakfast smoothie in the morning (so has porridge oats and flax seeds in it), would have a snack of fruit and veg before lunch, boiled egg and avocado on brown toast, then a normal enough dinner.

He believes his weight all came off because prior to this he lived on white bread, fizzy drinks and had a takeaway twice a week. He was eating a share bag of crisps sometimes four times a week. He cycles either on an exercise bike now before work for an hour, doesn't eat after 8 (except one night a week) and comes off his phone early so gets sleep now. He said he got used to being a little hungry a lot but is never starving. He uses the how not to die recipe book and Jaimie Oliver's Healthy eating book for recipe.

You shouldn't be starving. I'd try shortening your eating window as it will make you feel fuller. I'd weigh everything. Track your food in an app like My Fitness Pal (ignore exercise calories).
For me it's portions - my meals are just too big for my sedentary lifestyle. Even so, I lose about 1kg (2.2lbs) a week eating 15-1600cals/day. I eat caramel rice cakes as a sweet treat every day.
I wouldn't eat four slices of bread - that's processed carbs. Protein will also make you feel fuller longer. Fruit is ok but also full of sugar. Load up on vegetables.
The two eggs with one slice toast is good - maybe replace one egg with 50gr smoked salmon for variety. Two slices with Philly is processed carb and fat. Half an avocado would be better as good fats.
Sandwich - again more processed carbs. Tin of soup is likely to have a lot of salt and minimal protein - try making your own? Salmon (or other protein) and salad is a good choice.
Chicken curry - oof. Depends if you made it? Could be good and flavourful.
The peanut butter and apple are a good snack.
You can have your treats, just make sure they are within your calorie allowance.
Finally, you are looking to change your habits for good, not just to lose X amount of weight. You need it to be sustainable. At the moment you feel hungry and deprived - you won't last long. I'd weigh everything, make sure you are getting low processed wholesome food with good amount of protein, add in your treats, and use an app to help keep track.

Well, you have lost some weight, so that’s positive.

I’d reduce the bread and fruit and eat more protein and veg.

When you walk, I’d try and go a tiny bit quicker each time.

When you have curry OP , do you make it yourself or use a jar? There a huge difference in calories between a jar and home made.

Salmon salad- what does that involve,mayo/ dressing?

My thyroid was out of whack, I still managed to lose weight by cutting out carbs. Eating bread is never going to help weight loss or health. Wheat gluten can be problematic for other conditions.

I didn't give up carrots completely, although any veg that grows under the soil is meant to be avoided. I also still ate peppers.

Lots of advice on here:

https://www.diabetes.co.uk/

Ps he heard the day off is so important in the same way it is for excercise but I can’t remember the theory of it! Best of luck op, I’m in awe of people who do this xxxxx