Dieting for 6 weeks and guess how much I’ve lost?

[CollagenQueen]

I’ve been dieting for 6 weeks. I’ve been eating like a bird during the day, with a normal evening meal.

I’ve cut out crisps and chocolate (which I used to eat daily).

I’ve dropped my wine consumption massively, now having several tee total days a week (I used to drink every day!)

I’ve also upped my exercise enormously, I now usually walk about 15-20k steps a day, rather than my usual 7k.

After six weeks of this, I’ve just weighed myself and guess what I’ve lost?

Absolutely nothing.

What the hell? Can anyone explain this? I really don’t want to give up, but this just seems insane!

@CollagenQueen hop over to the latest bootcamp threads........I've tried all sorts but started in mid-June this year, lost 9lb in the first 8 weeks which has stayed off but also lost inches from waist, hips and bust. Nearly 47, peri and this feels much better. It might help, it might not but the food is full of veg and vitamins and I find it really easy to do - plus there's always someone on the chat to offer encouragement and help with queries.

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/low_carb_bootcamp/4893499-week-1-back-to-school-bootcamp?page=8&reply=129155484

Actually, yes, this is correct. Get checked out and take a break from alcohol, let your liver and body recover. This will help you lose weight.

I believe slimming world encourages lots of pasta and potato eating as it’s low calorie and extremely filling but it’s what you put with those carbs and your portion sizes, that ends up going over your calorie limit

No it doesn't, it encourages pasta and potatoes as part of your meal and should only be a third of your plate along with a third of protein and a third of veg/ salad. Makes it more sustainable as you feel satisfied and less likely to fall of the wagon.

I empathise Op. 4 weeks 1200 cals a day, only treats Ive had are a McDonald's, Ben and jerrys and giant galaxy bar (the day of the McDonald's and Ice cream we did 30000 steps around london and I'm doing couch 2 5k 3 times a week. Haven't lost a single lb. In fact put 1 on last time I weighed.

If your weight was creeping up before then it’s possible that you are now just eating enough to keep your weight stable but not to lose any weight. I suspect that the wine is the problem. It’s amazing that you’ve managed to cut back on it so much but if you’re still drinking a lot 2-3 times per week then that is where your calories are coming from.

if you want to try a different approach, come and join us on the low carb bootcamp thread. The 8 week process has just started.

Also doing IF from 6/7pm to 12/1 the next lunchtime.

OP, you have done really well.

You are hugely improving your healthy eating and cutting down from that amount of wine is fantastic. Your walking is brilliant for your overall fitness, and of course uses calories more than sitting in front of the TV drinking wine.

And it is excellent that you have noticed a difference round your middle.

Do not be discouraged!

Keep walking, or maybe change to some weights and strength training on some days? introduce more salad without mayo) and veg into your diet and take another night off from wine. Only drink 2 glasses when you do drink.

You have made a great start, you are taking much better care of your body. You can do this!

(also, did you weigh not long before your period? Hormone driven Water retention causes noticeable weight fluctuations)

Oh, OP that is not eating like a bird.

Branflakes - high in fibre, great. But also high in sugar (via the carbs) so not great.
Ham - processed meat, not great
Quarter of a small chicken breast - why? Cut the ham, add more chicken.
Coleslaw - also not great...50g of coleslaw (M&S) is about 100 calories and I feel like your tablespoon probably isn't 15g (which is what a tablespoon is). Also full of unhealthy fats.
Hard boiled egg - fine, but not exactly tasty and satisfying, isn it?
Fish and chips - I feel like this might be battered/breaded fish based off the fact you're dieting and eating chips? Possibly unfair, but even a 'small portion' of chips is chocked full of enough crap to undo even the best day. The M&S really nice gastropub chips for example? I have them sometimes - 6 is 100g which is 157 calories and and a HUGE amount of fat. I really doubt you're having an equivalent amount of chips, your version of small is probably a bit skewed - and I REALLY don't mean that nastily.
Water - Not enough. 2 litres a day
Coffee - Black? Fine. Latte etc? Not great.

But ultimately, even if you're just drinking a glass of wine a night I don't think you'll lose weight on this in the long run.

Yes but most diets or advice now will say cut it out completely, so a 1/3 of your plate is quite a lot but people still lose weight on it.

I was just explaining that she doesn’t need to cut out food groups because as you say carbs are filling and helps keep you on track, plus you’re more likely to gain weight afterwards if you cut out carbs completely.

My Cousin (who is very slim) and her DH(health issues ) say they have a bowl of porridge made with water,soup Ryvita /Cottage cheese for lunch and eat normally in the evenings.I followed this and lost around a stone .Thing is when you are in your 50s its harder to burn off calories.Things like chips (even small portions) and coleslaw have a fair few calories .Snacks like Apples /pears or Cucumber /carrots .I would have some chocolate for my treat .(Dont really drink Alcohol at all) lots of water (Drink from my water bottle at home and out ,and just top up)

I have been on 800-1000 calories a day for 3 weeks, I’ve done over an hour of exercise (couch to 5k and pilates one day, swimming and walking another) and I have lost absolutely nothing…

Not even 1/2 kg.

It’s so bloody demoralising 😞

OP i have an auto immune thyroid condition which means I put on weight really easily and find it difficult to lose. My weight went up to 95kg (I am 5ft 7). I have managed to lose 15kg since January without weight loss drugs (which I was offered on the NHS due to fucked thyroid) or cutting out food groups. My weight loss has not been linear despite my calorie intake being linear. Some weeks I'll drop a kg and some weeks nothing or even go up a kg. It is very frustrating but stick at it and recognise this isn't a diet but a change of lifestyle. I have had to massively drop portion sizes and i have upped how much soluble fibre is in my diet. No biscuits or crisps at all. I still drink but only on the weekend in moderation. I only drink water, tea or coffee with no sugar. Any eating between meals is either apples or a small handful of nuts (25g max). I walk 10k steps a day but that is more for my mental health and not for weight loss. I hope to lose another 10 in the next 6 months. My consultant said that only hardcore aerobic exercise would help with weight loss but the steps are good for heart health and general fitness.

After six weeks you will be at a different point in your menstrual cycle so could it be hormonal? Give it 2 weeks and try again.

NFTFT

@CollagenQueen I was were you are weight wise but I’m not as tall … really. I barely skim 5 ft. You can do it! You need to eat real food, nutritious and satiating fresh foods and healthy fats.

Firstly have you had your thyroid checked? An under-active thyroid can make weight loss impossible.

Secondly you need to work out your plan (I don’t use the word diet as they don’t work). I will share what worked for me although I’m not saying this is what you should do as we are all unique and individual.

1. Calculate Your Daily Calorie Needs
2. Decide on a calorie deficit - 500 a day could result in a 1lb a week loss.
3. Decide on an eating style. I base meals on the Mediterranean Diet and eat between 12:00 - 19:00. You need to create a tasty, sustainable, nutritious way of eating that is enjoyable.
4. Plan and log your meals. MyFitnessPal could be useful.
5. Eat real food prepared from scratch (if time permits)
6. Include protein at each meal as this helps keep you satiated and less likely to snack.
7. Each a wide variety of vegetables, legumes, seeds, nuts, herbs, spices, berries and fruit.
8. Keep well hydrated. Drink water not calories.
9. Reduce and eliminate sugars again this helps keeping blood sugars balanced and less likely to cave into cravings.
10. Get quality sleep. Reduce stress.
11. Move more. Exercise generally doesn’t lose you weight but does help in toning you up and improving fitness. Also provides an healthy endorphins hit rather than turning to food and eating your feelings.

That might look overwhelming so you could change one or 2 things at a time. Ultimately it’s about finding what works for you. Good Luck ❤️

It’s very frustrating isn’t it. I have been on keto for four months, no carbs or sugar at all. It’s been tough some days but I have lost twelve kilos without exercising. It’s still too slow as my target should have been reached next week (judging by a weight loss site) and I’ve still got five kilos to go. It’s very slow some weeks and some weeks I can still gain but I’m sticking with it till I reach my target.

OP, do you still drink two bottles of wine on the 2 or 3 nights you do drink?

I will be brutal, because I was there also lying to myself at some point.
You are not on 800-1000cal a day unless you have EXTREMELY and I mean REALLY rare metabolic diseases which makes you burn les than a patient in ICU.

No wine, more water. Calorie count everything including milk and sugar in coffee, weight of cereal etc.

And see your GP, for a thyroid blood test.

Because if you're already in a place where you need to lose weight, then you've likely got a complicated relationship with food already. Some people can be hungry all the time and not have it affect their work, mental state or urge to eat more but I don't think there are many of them.

Feeling constantly deprived (as opposed to hungry at mealtimes or having to use a bit of willpower here and there) isn't a sustainable state for most people and nor should it be necessary.

I would use myfitness pal to calorie count and focus on upping the vegetable content of your meals. I would probably add in a morning and afternoon snack - I go small amount of cheese in plus an apple. This helps keep me from choosing junk snacks when I get really hungry. As boring as it is when losing weight I had the same breakfast, lunch and snacks daily because I knew the calories. I’d have a normal dinner but half the portion size of the more calorific foods and add lots of vegetables.
I also got hold of some low calorie ice cream to satisfy cravings and this helped me hugely to stay on plan. I lose 1.5 stone in 10 weeks

Good news OP, it's very simple. If you've not lost anything it's because you haven't been eating at a calorie deficit.

You need to download something like MyFitnessPal and set a calorie goal. At a shorter height it's likely you could lose weight on 1250-1350 calories. Track every single thing you eat or drink. Weight loss isn't easy but it's simple. You've been eating exactly the right amount to maintain your weight with the exercise you've been doing.

That's not much fruit and veg. Your body might be holding onto the weight because there's not much nutrients in what you're eating.

This is literally not possible, unless scientists have harnessed you in some groundbreaking study to understand how a person can magically create energy from nowhere lol. Man the logic.

A few things here you could change.

1. The bran flakes are high in carbs and sugars and will set you up for feeling hungry a couple of hours after youve eaten them. Swap this out for something no carb and high protien. A couple of eggs in whichever form you like them best with some soinach or avocado works well, or some full fat greek yogurt with berries and banana.

Your lunch looks good.

Dinner could be where you have an issue too, could you give some examples of what a ‘normal’ dinner looks like?

How much water do you drink a day? You should be aiming for 2 litres a day

You say you only drink wine 2-3 days a week…is it just the one glass or are you drinking more on the days you allow yourself some to make up for the days you dont? Also, wine is high in calories and sugar. Could you swap it out for some gin/vodka and slimline mixer?

the walking is good, but what you need to do is build muscle. Gaining muscle will help you burn fat effectively. You don't need weights. Check out Caroline Girvan on you tube, her beginner series is good.

How much sleep are you getting? Lack of sleep will encourage your body to hold on to fat stores.

lastly what age are you? It gets harder to lose the older we get and hormone inbalance comes into play too.

@MonoLisa

I am on a liquid diet prescribed by my GP so yes I am on 800-1000 calories a day. I’m also being weighed weekly at the surgery.

I have blood tests every 2 weeks and I’m due my next set next week.

Even the nurse who weighs me was a bit shocked I hadn’t dropped anything. I showed her my health on my iPhone which shows my activity levels.