How would you recommend losing 9 pounds?

[MyNameIsFiveSpice]

I’m not looking for quick fixes, more like realistic goals, meal plans and simple exercise routines so once I can reach my target weight, I can slowly work on losing another stone or two.

I’m currently 153.6lbs so my target weight is 147lbs.

TIA

Hi OP

It depends on your current eating and exercise habits, plus if you have any allergies or other health issues leading to weight gain.

Have you checked your bmi to see if you’re overweight for your height?

Meal plans and exercise tend to be specific to your own body goals, such as bigger muscle, faster runner slimming etc. Get some expert advice if you have a specific target.

Just know that body size isn’t always indicative of being healthy, so please focus on that instead. Muscle weighs more than fat, and eating breakfast is good to kick start your metabolism, so try not to cut meals.

If you don’t do much exercise, introduce an extra walk a week for 30 mins, and do an online yoga / Pilates class if you want to feel good.

Personally, I think your weight sounds fine. Please don’t diet! It can be dangerous to your well being. Being healthy is way more important and will lead to a stable metabolism and a healthy weight. Swap out some treats for a a smoothie or fruit, add some extra veg to each dinner, do something outdoors you enjoy.

@ANP88 Thank you for your detailed response, it was very helpful I’m trying not to just diet as I still have elements of disordered eating from my past experience of anorexia.

I am much more healthier now and I do enjoy food. I just am trying to maintain a healthy lifestyle so it’s been a slow process. It’s very tempting to just skip meals but I try my best not to do that and I do eat regularly. But I just want to incorporate some realistic routines in my life as I tend to be sedentary pretty much every single day

My BMI is 26.1 and a healthy weight range for my height according to NHS site is 7st 10lb - 10st 6lb. So I’m aiming for the upper limit of 147lbs.

Very slowly.

I am on a sensible eating plan (based on Slimming World) and I exercise 5 times a week for 30 minutes' cardio. I'm also going 'dry' which is helping to reduce the calorie intake.

Over six weeks I have lost about 1 pound a week but I'm never hungry and feel good for it. Yes sometimes (especially in the first 2 weeks) I would have liked to have seen weight loss more quickly, but now I think this is definitely the right way to go.

Glad to help

I’m well aware of the dangers of dieting, and it must be very difficult for you to balance a change in diet and mindset. so opt for some low impact exercise. If you go full throttle with running/weights etc, you will get super hungry and gain weight short term which might not help how you feel about yourself.

I don’t agree with diets as it can easily become obsessive and they aren’t sustainable. Chuck out the weighing scales. Go by how you feel inside, and if you’re clothes are tight, avoid bread and alcohol for a couple of weeks. You’ll be amazed at the difference.

Stay healthy. You’ve already taken a long road to get there x

Have you checked your bmi to see if you’re overweight for your height?

The problem with using charts for BMI or healthy weight range is that they cover a large range, and just because the 'healthy' weight range for my height is roughly 7st 10lbs - 10st 5lb, it doesn't mean as long as I am within the range it is the right weight for me. When I was 20 I was at the lower end, but now in my fifties that would be too low, but at the top end I would have rolls of fat and would definitely consider myself overweight.

I think most of us know what is a good weight for us as individuals, and that often changes as we age. The OP may well be within the range for her height, but if being 9 lbs lighter feels more comfortable for her it is perfectly reasonable to want to lose it by adjusting her diet and exercising more.