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Original poster

Any experienced dieters?

35 replies

blobtobetter · 21/02/2012 21:00

I am on a diet and have lost 7 pounds in 3 weeks. On one hand I am pleased although I wish it was more (I haven't been able to do much exercise after hurting my back) but I can't see any difference in myself at all!!

How much weight do you have to lose to be able to see the change in the mirror?

I want (need!) to lose about 4 to 5 stones - is it better to do cardio to get the fat off first and then weights to build muscle or to do both at once?

If you have lost a lot of weight when did you buy new clothes? I can't really afford to by lots of clothes for the interim period!!

What about saggy skin being left behind? I have been watching that Obese a year to save your life program and was wondering if it was only something you got if you lost 8 + stones. Is there a way of preventing it?

OP posts:
fishyfairy · 21/02/2012 21:26

First of all well done on losing half a stone!

I lost 3 stone a couple of years ago and, even though I know that I look completely different I can't see a difference in the mirror. I think it does take a long while for your head to catch up with your body. That said, my sister is a big girl (about 24 stone) and she's lost a stone and I can see that she looks smaller. Maybe you could take some measurements and keep tabs on inch loss as a way to recognise your weightloss.

When it comes to exercise it's important to do a mix of cardio and resistance work. When you diet you will metabolise protein for energy and protein is stored in the body as muscle. In order to prevent muscle atrophy you need to do some weight training along with the cardio, and by weight training you need to lift heavy weights. There's no point in waving around some 1kg dumbbells or similar - you should lift weights that are heavy enough for you to not get too much further than your allotted number of reps. Doing 3 sets of 10-12 reps on each toning exercise will probably be suitable, and don't worry about bulking up - its's very difficult for women to do this without hormones.

I bought new clothes when I was about halfway to target, but only cheapy primark/newlook ones. Until then I looked a bit of a state, but couldn't justify the expense of new clothes when I was still aiming to lose more weight. I did splash out on a new wardrobe when I hit target though, and that has helped me keep the weight off.

I didn't have any problems with saggy skin, though my boobs are a little droopier than they were. I think that doing all the work in the gym, particularly the weight training, helped avoid that, along with losing the weight slowly.

Sorry for the essay!

JoanRobinson2012 · 21/02/2012 22:08

7lbs in three weeks is really good - well done! Loosing the weight at or around that rate is the best thing you can do for minimizing loose skin. Also drinking water and moisturizing to keep the skin hydrated helps a lot as well as exercising just as fishfairy wrote.

Are you taking measurements as well as weighing? These can be as motivating as the scales - and mirrors are not as reliable!

How about buying a couple of key items of clothing for every stone you lose? Primark or Matalan type pricing?

mrsmartin · 21/02/2012 22:23

Blob - you need to know that muscle weighs more than fat. Therefore - don't rely on the scales to tell you how you are doing. Weigh yourself no more than once a week (I'm trying to lose the 3stone I put on last year and get back into my size 8 stuff so I know how frustrating it is) and weigh yourself at the same time of day. My favourite method of measuring weight loss is to find a pair of jeans/dress etc that is just a smidge too snug (we all have something) and then wait to see when I can get into it (the reward being that you can wear it again).

As fishy said - it is important to mix up your exercise in order to get toned as well as slimmer (which is why I point out the muscle/fat weight issue). Buy some cheap weights and a yoga ball from tkmaxx or argos and try to do at least 30mins a day (download some exercise videos - I downloaded the shred today and did all 3 levels as found it quite easy but maybe no level 1 for the first week and see how you feel?).

You are on the right track to long-term weight loss though so don't be disheartened - typically the slower it goes the longer it stays off.

notyummy · 21/02/2012 22:28

Lordy Mrsmartin- all three levels! Please tell me you weren't using 5kg or something like that all the way through!

Would second the exercise advice on here OP, and well done on the loss so far.

Sanuk · 22/02/2012 12:42

Marking my place as I have lost 6lbs in 2 weeks and am also on a mission to lose at least 4stone, so I'm very interested in the same questions as you!

mrsmartin · 22/02/2012 15:30

can this be the 4stone club (I need to lose 3 but still...)?

Bluesue26 · 22/02/2012 16:24

Completely agree with mrsmartin with regards to long term weight loss, small amounts don't seem great initially but you're less likely to put the weight back on if you do it sensibly. Last year I lost 32lbs, (unfortunately have put 14lb back on - not stopped eating since Christmas :)), and I limited myself to losing 2lbs a week. I've lost more on different diet plans but I needed to be able to maintain my eating and I did do that. Personally I think a mixture of cardio and weights is the best way to go with exercise for weight loss. Get a heart rate monitor, that helps too.

Original poster
blobtobetter · 22/02/2012 18:51

I have a bit of whiplash at the moment so am a bit limited to exercise. I have a kettle bell and DVD but am just sticking to walking until my back sorts out.

A 4 (ish!!) stone club would be a fab idea. I find that I go along perfectly well on my own for a while but then one little slip up turns into a bad day then a bad week and then I quit!

OP posts:
mrsmartin · 22/02/2012 18:56

DH is my downfall...he thinks he can order dominos pizza because he works hard in the gym (which he can because he has the body of a guy 15 years his junior Wink) but it is very hard for me to say no to dominos...their cookies especially. I've been so good the past few days though - so tempted to hop on the scale but not going to...

curried veg and half a garlic flatbread for dinner - yumyum!

Kaloobear · 22/02/2012 18:57

Measurements is definitely the way to go. I have weeks where I lose a pound or half a pound in a row and feel really despondent but getting out the tape measure and realising my waist has lost another couple of inches is great motivation! And remember, slow and steady wins the race. Tiny amounts of weight lost regularly is by far the best way to do it. I've lost almost 3 stone that way so far, with another to go and it's taking aaaages but is well worth it! Well done so far, and keep going!

ooer · 22/02/2012 19:24

I lost three-quarters of a stone and saw the difference most in my nekkid flesh -particularly in the spare tyre area! In clothes, my thighs looked thinner in leggings. I get loads of exercise in my daily life - principally cycling and gardening and generally heaving stuff around.

Well done OP and good luck for the next bit.

Sanuk · 22/02/2012 19:30

I'm definitely up for a 4 stone club, although shall we make it 3stone so mrsmartin can join, and then those of us that need to can continue on?

Original poster
blobtobetter · 22/02/2012 19:32

Or a 3 plus stone club?

OP posts:
Sanuk · 22/02/2012 19:32

Yes, that's what I was fumbling around for Grin

mrsmartin · 22/02/2012 19:32

I could try to lose 4 stone but mr martin might try to have me commited if I did - 3stone take me back to a curvy size 8 - would hate to lose my curves...

Still call it 4stone...I'll just tag along for the ride....Grin

Original poster
blobtobetter · 22/02/2012 19:34

I think it would be really helpful to have a group on here all losing weight together! There must be a lot of knowledge of diet / exercise and random beauty tips just waiting to be shared!

OP posts:
Sanuk · 22/02/2012 19:34

I saw your intimidating impressive grooming routine on btb's other thread, mrsm, so I think you should come and and be our grooming guru. We can work on all areas of looking svelte & bootiful Wink

mrsmartin · 22/02/2012 19:37

Haha - ok let's do this...

Erm - how do we do it??? Confused

Sanuk · 22/02/2012 19:39

I can set it up if you don't mind blobtobetter? A combined weight loss & grooming thread?

Sanuk · 22/02/2012 19:41

But where shall we be? In Big/Slim Clubs? S&B? Or Off the Beaten Track so that we can hide away a bit?

Original poster
blobtobetter · 22/02/2012 19:43

Go ahead!

Just need a name ........ Gradually Getting Gorgeous? Committed Weight Droppers? Biggest Losers??

OP posts:
Sanuk · 22/02/2012 19:44

How about 'Striving to be Slim & Stylish'?

mrsmartin · 22/02/2012 19:45

like it sanuk Grin

mrsmartin · 22/02/2012 19:46

though I am pretty stylish...Wink

Sanuk · 22/02/2012 19:49

mrsm - I did think we should have something that reflected that we already have our moments of style and georgeousness, but slimmer & stylish-er doesn't have a sophisticated ring to it Wink

Maybe just a nice basic 'Slimmer & Stylish - 4Stone+ Club'

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