Just can't shift 2kg

[hippospot]

Anyone else? My BMI is 22.5, used to be 21, I eat well and walk a lot and exercise a couple of times a week too. Nothing in my diet has changed particularly in the last couple of years. Maybe there was some lockdown comfort eating and being less active. Maybe it's hormones (I'm mid-40s).

I'm still a healthy weight but my clothes just don't fit well and I don't feel good about myself.

If you've been in a similar position, what worked?

Or failing that, did you just accept it?

It's frustrating, isn't it?
It's only 4-5 pounds, why don't you do the Fast 800 for 2 weeks, it'll shift, no guarantee it'll stay off, but it'll get you into your lively clothes for summer and give you a boost. Good luck.

Is that where you eat 800 calories two days a week only?

Are you in a calorie deficit? It might be worth tracking your food intake for two or three days to see exactly where the calories are coming from. It could be that you're eating more of a healthy food such as nuts and you just need to cut down a little. Or you could consider cutting out something to bring your calorie intake down that little bit to get you losing weight. I would say at your current weigh then it's reasonable to expect it to naturally take a fair amount of time to lose 2 kg so think over the next few months rather than the next few weeks.

Fast800 is 800 calories per day at first. You're thinking of 5:2 which is where you have two non-consecutive 500 (or 800) calorie days per week.

Actually you might find that some form of intermittent fasting helps you to lose those stubborn 2 kg. 16:8 means skipping breakfast to have at least 16 hours between dinner and your first meal of the next day. It's a good place to start with intermittent fasting and can be gradually extended into 24-hour fasts where you fast from dinner one day to dinner the next day two or three times a week.

@StuntNun I've tried 16:8 before and I got so irritable and weak. It's annoying because it works beautifully for my DH. Apparently it doesn't suit some middle-aged women (according to Hugh F-W). I couldn't concentrate in the mornings at all. I was fasting 8pm till noon.

My personal compromise was to fast for 14 hours or so. I never snack after dinner at 7pm. My diet is really healthy but I think a) my nuts etc add up to too many calories or b) my metabolism has changed with age.

I get really hungry whenever I try to eat less (maybe that's the case for everyone!)

Oh and I've never counted a calorie in my life, or tracked my food. I've somehow managed to self-regulate and stay slim - till now.

Cut carbs and sugar for a couple of weeks?

Short answer, reduced activity and losing muscles as you age will explain the weight gain.

Solution is either eat less via calorie deficit, or move more like hitting 10k steps or take up some form of exercise, ideally with some strength training element.

@thisplaceisweird I think you are probably right. I only eat "brown" carbs but I do eat the odd biscuit in addition.

I don't want to do anything too radical as I fear I'd become obsessive where till now my eating has been pretty ordered.

I’d also say it’s pre menopausal

Do some strength training. Muscle is more metabolically active than fat ie you will use more calories while resting. You can start with body weight exercises if you haven’t got weights.

Don’t mess around with counting calories - your body sounds like it knows what to do if you’ve been a steady weight all your life.

I've lost a bit of weight doing Joe Wicks HIIT sessions from YouTube. I'm more toned and my clothes fit better. I'm 43 and have always been a healthy weight, but I could feel myself getting sort of...soft.

@StuntNun I decided to give 16:8 another go and one month later I am at my ideal weight and feeling quite toned! Thanks for the suggestion. It has been less difficult than I anticipated.

That’s great news! Well done!