To try and lose a stone in 12 weeks?

[isitreallyherandhim]

Well, 11 weeks and 4 days

I’m off on holiday for the first time after a huge weight loss. I’m still about three stone from my goal weight and after a huge loss in 18 months, it has really slowed down. I’ve only lost a stone so far this year.

I’ve felt really demotivated and basically been eating at maintenance for the last three months, if not longer.

I really want to get to a place where I’m exercising regularly because I know it makes me feel good, and eating well adds to that too. But every time I try to get back on the wagon I fail.

I’ve come back to the gym for the first time in a month tonight, AIBU to set myself this goal or am I just setting myself up to fail? I’m currently 15 stone 10, and would love to be 14 stone 10 by the time I go away.

Easily done. It’s just over a pound a week which is a very realistic goal. Good luck.

Easily done. It’s just over a pound a week which is a very realistic goal. Good luck.

I think it’s v doable. Great to go to the gym but weight loss is all about what you eat. Good luck but enjoy your holiday either way

A stone in 12 weeks is doable. Well done on your loss so far. That's impressive.
Just take a day or two to reset. Look at what worked and start again. Maintaining is great. At least you haven't put it back on. I'd be proud of that! Your the same weight as I am. I need to get on it!!

Yeah I fully expected a huge gain so I’ve been quite lucky to maintain.

I just can’t get out of this mindset of just having a little treat here and there.

I did say no to an afternoon treat at work though! And I turned it down because I did t have the calories!

Definitely doable! I really struggle so I have to use an app to track what I'm eating. High protein, no processed food (even stuff like slimfast) works best for me. But if you're tracking the calories, having a little treat isn't a problem - you just account for that in the food diary. Extra walking has been very helpful for me as well.

Just don't get discouraged if you're eating well and exercising but not losing weight. Progress pictures every few weeks can be really helpful. If you're building muscle then the weight won't drop as fast, but you'll be able to notice it on the pictures. We're about to start the pilates by Izzy 25 day challenge but there's another account - Grow With Jo - and she's absolutely fab to get started on an exercise routine again.

Currently on the way to the gym 🥱 I can’t believe I’ve actually dragged myself out of bed for it 🤣 my only issue is I’ve not been to the toilet since Monday so I’m feeling a little uncomfortable, but ChatGPT tells me that can be normal

Exercise, plenty of water and always drink a glass of water when you think you are hungry before reaching for food, it’s an easier time of year for lighter meals too - I make home made salad dressings and find putting more lemon juice less olive oil an easy option for lower calories

I just lost a stone in a week! Following a strict keto one meal a day diet. Make sure it is a well balanced meal (enough fiber, protein and healthy fat, under 20g net carbs). Around 800-1000 calories. I ate today at 6:30 a.m. and am genuinely still full at 2:30 p.m. this afternoon. I am now on week two and still losing. A great way to lose more is a 48/72 hour fast (depending on what you can manage) to start the diet. I didnt do that this time, but have many times before. Research carefully and make sure you take electrolytes, magnesium etc.

A stone in a week? That’s just not possible. Or you will just have lost water, and you will put it back on.

I feel your worry. I have lost 3,5 stone and the last stone and a half has taken a year.
to get it moving again I watch salt and carb intake and keep food unprocessed, my weight loss is very slow and it’s unlikely I’d loose a stone in twelve weeks. More like half a stone tbh. Goodluck!

That’s loads of time and a stone is more than achievable. If I want to shed pounds pre-holiday, I follow the Fast 800 Keto diet. I can easily lose 4lb a week on that.

My go to is fasting!
Cutting calories to 1250 a day with lots and lots of protein and having my last meal at 4.30-5pm and then not eating anything until 11am.
drinking 2.5litres of water a day also to keep hydrated and sense of being full also.
i have lost 3 stone in n 6months.
i also walk 5k a day (have 2 dogs) and go to 2 barre classes a week and do weights at home also.
i still have cake and pastry treats too and try not to feel guilty.
i am a menopausal 50yr old and this is the only way for me after trying every diet going and not wanting to have the jabs.
Best of luck and congratulations 🙌 j your weight loss so far.

If you’ve been at maintenance a while then shaking things up may see results - good luck, it’s a fair chunk of time

Have you ever tried keto? It really is possible. Of course the first week you lose a lot of water! You only put the weight back on if you fall back into bad habjts, but that is true of all diets. Plus keto with fasting is healthy - reduces inflammation in the body, gives you a lot of energy, perfectly able to get the right about of protein and fiber, and as long as you dont buy Keto convenience foods or cakes, the foods you can eat are very healthy and filling. Today, for example, i ate a four egg omelette with vegetables, 100g salmon, and a whole avocado. Plenty of fiber, protein and healthy fats and i am satisfied hours later. I am doing one meal a day at the moment as a starting point (went travelling and ate and drank as i pleased!) but continue to lose weight doing regular meals as long as they are keto.

You can do this! 1lb a week is achievable if you are strict. I have 5lbs to lose to reach target and it's a stubborn little lump! After a big plateaux I'm now losing 0.5lbs a week again, slow but steady wins the race

I’ve recently lost a stone in around 10 weeks.

Reduced (not cut out) carbs. Sacked off white bread and pasta altogether to reduce bloating.

Cut out sugar mostly. The odd bit of chocolate around my period (!), but no biscuits, desserts, added sugar sauces etc.

Strict about drinking loads of water.

Exercise daily - but switched it up so didn’t feel like a chore - long walk, online yoga session, HIIT, weights at home. Never more than 30 mins a day for the exercise videos .This has already started to change my shape. My waist is a bit more defined.

I don’t drink alcohol but if I did, I’d cut out or severely limit.

It hasn’t felt too hard, really.

I do similar but less strict on times. 1200 calories a day (I'm 5ft) and only eating between 12 midday and 10pm. Mostly protein and veg, and as little processed food as I can.

Absolutely! But as PP said, it’s what you out (or don’t put) in your mouth that shifts the numbers on the scale! And walking is a a great exercise.

You just need strict macros, enough protein, more water than you think
and not going too low on calories or you'll pile it back quicker than you lost it.

If you like your "treats" include them in your meal plans.

You won't lose weight by going to the gym, you need to exercise but it's what you eat and drink that will make the difference. You will look better when you are toned so keep going

Michael Mosley 800Fast - I lost a stone in 10 weeks and i don't lose weight easily. I then went on to lose another stone using the same. Finally I took WLI and lost another 2 1/2 stone. It can be done

Eating at maintenance for three months is great and sensible though before trying to have a push on to lose more.

Firstly congrats on your weight loss and maintaining. Sounds like whatever you were doing is working.

Like others say switching things up might just give your body the jolt it needs to lose more. The fast800 recipes are awesome and check out the threads on here on low carb Bootcamp (not as strict as keto). My taste buds and eating pattern really changed doing this - I naturally felt less hungry so ended up eating only twice a day, I no longer craved sweet things. I felt great, energetic and my body changed shape as I lost weight. I was also really active which helped tone etc.

But I couldn’t sustain the strict carb restriction long term (although did for 2 years). Should have acted sooner when those first few pounds crept back on. I guess that’s the trick of maintenance. When I tried again I was menopausal and it just didn’t suit me. I am now following fast800 keto which feels more manageable (not sticking to 800 but nearer 1400) so slower loss. The recipes are tasty & easy to make & my body feels good (not bloated etc).

Getting to the gym is great but walking even for 15 minutes after meals can help.

I also clean my teeth early evening to prevent trips to the kitchen for snacks I don’t need.

Good luck! You can do this 💪

Obviously I’m aware food is the most important thing, I’m in a calorie deficit and I know in theory that’d be enough but for me the moving part is really important

Low carb usually works well. Have a look at some of the low carb boot camp threads on here.