I’ve lost 40 pounds!

[Tankous]

Yaaaay

I just want to scream it from the bloody rooftop!

After literally years of saying “I’ll start next Monday” I finally did it.

I feel so much better in myself- I was really starting to feel quite cumbersome in my body which I hated. Developing a spare tyre was the final straw for me. I have always had somewhat of a defined waist but for my spare tyre to be my widest point was just soul crushing.

I probably still have 20 pounds or so to go but the idea of losing 1.5 stone isn’t half as scary as the number I had to lose when I first started.

Starting really is the hard bit. Especially if you use food as both a comfort and reward.

It’s not often I say this but I’m proud of myself! Good luck to anyone else on their own weight loss journey

You’re welcome! If you don’t have TikTok or Pinterest I highly recommend you download them. I have found so many amazing recipes from them. Trying new healthy recipes I think was a great way to direct my food obsession I think.

Do be careful TikTok does have an area called “skinny tok” which can be quite extreme. I take it with a pinch of salt and do find it somewhat interesting but I wouldn’t be happy with a teen girl in my family watching it.

It’s taken about 5.5 months. I could have been stricter ie smaller portions, no cheese, minimal fat but I wanted the weight loss to be sustainable

I think people may not always comment because body image / weight has become quite a loaded issue. I’m sure two stone is VERY noticeable.

I got comments around the 20 pound mark

I have perfected Greek chicken and tandoori chicken now

Please do share the recipes!!

Congratulations!! Lovely to read of your success. It is a great achievement and not easy.

I hope I can take some motivation from your story. Every time I try to manage my weight, I end up putting on weight rather than lose it 😭.

Well done OP! 40 pounds is loads. You must feel absolutely great.

That sounds good to me. I'm walking for an hour each day, but relying on diet mainly same as you! I've ordered some weights. To help tone up my arms!

Having a big family wedding where I am in the bridal party definitely was a big motivator. The idea of seeing everyone all dressed up and lovely and me just feeling like a lump was something I just didn’t want to experience

But tbh I was at my heaviest and just had a completely new body shape. I couldn’t even hide my gut anymore which was a new one for me. I don’t want to dread warm days, or be so self conscious. It was massively reducing my quality of life!

I have been eating to lose this weight for close to three years. Once you get a bit of momentum it becomes SO much easier as you just don’t want to do all your hardwork.

I also created a Pinterest board of outfits I want to wear when I’m at my goal weight. It helped distract when I was having a tough moment.

Well done, and thank you, you have really cheered me up. Just been turned down for buying privately weight loss jabs because of cancer history. Maybe I can do it anyway.

Do you mind me asking what you ate before you lost the weight?

👏👏👏well done, OP! You shout from as many rooftops as you.like.

I think i found your 40lbs!!!!

Very well done on your weight loss!

I'd love to see your Pinterest board!

Well done @Tankous

Your meals sound delicious and not at all restrictive.

Enjoy your day at the wedding!

Who pissed on your chips?

Brilliant! I did that (well, 35 lbs) in 2023 with intermittent fasting and exercise. It’s tough to start but worth it when you hit that first milestone.

Well done OP. I always enjoy a positive weight loss thread.

@Tankous well done!!! my son has lost 4 stone! just by cutting out high energy drinks and rubbish and eating a sensible size portion. no injections needed!! you can now go and choose yourself a lovely dress for the wedding¬

Jealous much? 😂

Well done op, that’s fantastic!

Well done OP! That is fantastic!

You really can! Once you are in the swing of things it’s not nearly as bad as you imagine it to be.

I love hearing about people’s weight loss success - well done!

I lost weight recently following a bereavement, and I need some inspiration to make diet changes for sustainable weight loss.

@Sherry1978

Oh god you don’t even want to know.

So I have gained 4 stone since 2019. My weight had been fairly stable up until that point. But with Covid and WFH I would say I developed a full on food addiction. I obsessed over food.

Maybe it was always in me but when I was in the office I was able to keep my weight at bay because I wouldn’t eat breakfast and lunch would be light as I didn’t like sitting at my desk in uncomfortable work clothes feeling stuffed. And it would be too embarrassing to crack open a share bag of sensations in front of everyone.

But all hell broke loose when I started wfh. Typical day:

Breakfast - latte, banana a biscuit
Brunch - a big portion of leftover lasagna with side salad and A LOT of dressing (maybe I’d even go get more lasagna as a snack later on)
Snacks - grab bag of crisps, pineapple, diet coke
Dinner - chicken curry (fine in and of itself) but with rice AND naan. Often had seconds
Drinks - glass of red or two

But I would do insane things like deep fry a box of frozen mozzarella sticks and have them all to myself. Or eat an entire share bag of kettle chips with a bottle of wine at the weekend. Not everyday activities but regular enough.

And I would order Deliveroo fairly regularly. My favourite burrito is close to 800 calories.

I was honestly taking the piss!

The only reason I didn’t end up over 400 pounds is cause I would have days where I was literally too stuffed to even eat breakfast or lunch without causing myself pain

Well done that is amazing
How long did it take you?
I feel as though I have been dieting for ever and have only lost 7 pounds and seem to have. Alit of weeks when I don't lose anything I do already feel a lot better though

Well done! Weight myself the other week, I have 10-15kg to loose and have been putting it off for a while now. Hate that feeling where you cant face starting a diet but don't want to continue as you are either.

You've inspired me, thank you!

5.5 months. Still some more to go but I know it will happen.

Cant wait to be sat on a Greek beach in my swimming costume. That day will come. I think about that moment anytime I feel weak. It’s a when. And for so long it’s been an if.

It’s a powerful motivator as my weight and subsequent self consciousness has made my world so small.

Spicy collagen broth recipe for the person who asked:

Ingredients:

• 1 chicken carcass
• 1 medium onion, quartered
• 2 celery stalks, roughly chopped
• 2 carrots, roughly chopped
• 4 garlic cloves, smashed
• 1 fresh or dried chili (e.g. cayenne, arbol, or chipotle for smokiness)
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/2 tsp ground cumin
• 1/2 tsp dried oregano
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1 bay leaf
• Salt to taste (start with 1/2 tsp)
• 8 cups water
• Optional: a squeeze of lemon or lime at the end for brightness

Instructions:

1. Place the chicken carcass in a large stock pot and pour in the water.
2. Add the onion, celery, carrots, garlic, chili, herbs, and spices.
3. Bring to a gentle boil, then immediately reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 2.5 to 3 hours. Skim off foam or fat occasionally for a clearer broth.
4. Remove from heat and strain through a fine-mesh sieve, discarding solids.
5. Taste and adjust salt. Optionally, stir in a squeeze of lemon or lime juice for brightness.

I drink this anytime I’m peckish.