Looking for a low-carb weight-loss buddy

[PlayNice]

Hey there,

I'm just starting a low-carb diet, with 2 stone to lose (11.5 stone, at 5'6") and I'd love someone to chat to/commiserate over carb-flu with. I normally get to week three, stick All About That Bass on, and decide to embrace the curves. I'm hoping some healthy competition, ahem I mean comparison, may help me keep away from the pasta.

Anyone else out there starting their January diets a bit late?

I am. I am going on holiday in 28 days, and need to lose a stone at least, just to fit into my holiday clothes.

My plan is to walk 5 miles a day, drink nothing but water and black coffee, and no bread, potatoes, pasta or rice

Do you think that will do it?

Can I buddy up even though we're at different stages? I'm 5.5 started at 11.5 9 weeks in I'm now 10.2 but would love to get to 9stone.

A month sounds difficult but doable for a stone, if you really push it. You'll have to be strict though, 'cause it takes about a month to see any changes at all, so it'd have to be all in from day one. I mean, you can lose half a stone in a weekend by fasting but you don't really see any difference iyswim.

Your diet sounds really good though. So long as you keep an eye on the other things you're eating, and don't eat too many vegetables that are high in carbs, or fruit (most tropical fruits are LOADED with sugar), that does sound good.

When it comes to exercise, walking is amazing and that much of a change from your usual physical routine will hopefully make a world of difference. If you really wanted to push it, I've had great results from High Intensity Interval Training (which basically means working out really hard for a short period of time). It really boosts your metabolism, and I find the theory on it quite compelling. I did Sean T's Insanity Workout (well, I did the 70% of it I could manage without passing out and army crawling to the chocolate biscuits in despair) and had great results. That being said, it was brutal, and I wouldn't be doing it again unless I had a hell of a deadline :P.

Hey, WonkyParsnip! Yes, absolutely. So nice to see someone who's stuck with it. Congratulations on your weightloss! Are you starting to get the 'gosh, you're so thin!' comments yet? I'd really like to be hovering in the low 9 stone range too. 10st is usually my diet sticking point. I've not been below it since I was 15 or so. Are you on MFP? I'm TheLightPrincess (living in hope). Anyone's welcome to add me.

Oops, sorry for the essay

I'm 5'7, and weigh 12.11.

This sounds massive, but I genuinely do weigh heavy.

At 11.6 I am a size 12 (and can shop anywhere, not a next/M&S 12, which is what I am now. )

The last time I weighed under 10.7 stone I was a size 8-10 depending where I shopped.

I really want to be 11.6 by the 1st April.

No sugar
No bread
No pasta
No rice
No potatoes

3l water minimum.

I have 30 day shred somewhere too. Might give that a go as well

I'm in. I'll weigh in in a bit then I'll come back with a plan

Oh me too! I wear a size 10, occasionally size 12 if it's a particularly vicious pair of skinny jeans (Topshop, I'm lookin' at you).

I like to refer to myself as dense, which draws the odd curious look.

Welcome, Nell :). I'm doing the Mumsnet No-Carb Bootcamp. Exercise may be added at a later date*.

*if strictly necessary.

oh dear. 10 stone 7.

5.3 (and a bit) 43.

My plan is paleo with dairy. Soooo paleory?!

It is basically low carb really

Haha at paleory. I always see paleo snacks in Wholefoods, but whenever I find a 'healthy' treat, I just binge on it until it's no longer healthy. Self control of a Labrador, here.

Good luck! 10 stone 7 is a good starting point. What's the goal?

Well I guess 10 stone to begin with?

I used to be about 9 but then my main energy source seemed to come from fags and booze

Since stopping both about 5 years ago I have steadily put on weight. I did weigh 11 stone this time last year, so I've lost a bit.

I'm off to buy a million eggs and a book entitled "eggs - a million ways to get bored of them"

Everyone says how hard it is to lose weight after 40 though. Sooooooo depressing.

It's like you fail before you start, right?