should I give up trying to lose weight?

[mindexplode]

I am approx 5foot5 and 10 and half stone
I have a bit of a tummy on me, and love handles
I have been trying to lose weight since the New year, the eat less and exercise more diet - little walks at lunch time, cycling at home in the evening and no cake or chocolate over Easter - its been hard

In 30 days I have lost 1 pound - should I give up now?

Give up? As in go back to eating like you were and not moving as much?

You'll put more on.... Up to you

I'm just tired of trying so hard and not getting anywhere

would it matter if I didn't lose anymore weight? I guess I am just very dispirited :-(

Tell us what your diet is like and exactly the exercise you co-founded like bot need to be changed significAntly.

Can't turn off damnpredictive text, sorry! Meant to say, tell us what you do diet and exercise wise in more detail as I bet there could be big improvements.

diet: ceareal or porridge in the morning
lunch: soup or salad from canteen at work
dinner: something vegetarian, average size portions
drinks during day: mostly water, sometime squash or can of drink
alcohol only at weekend

snacks are fruit/ dried fruit or nuts

exercise: I have a set of pedals I can cycle at home

limitation: health issues mean I need to be on the pill/ eat a high salt diet and I can't stand up for long. A heart issue means I can't do high cardio exercise

You don't sound that overweight. Give up sugar?
Are you vegetarian?

I'm a pesciparian (sp?) but eat mostly veggie food
I've cut sugar out as much as I can

Do you eat eggs?

I do but not often as I am the only one at home who likes them and its a bit of a waste to get them just for me unless I am baking

You are the same height/weight as me. I am frequently trying to shift half a stone but it takes a bit of effort. I need a weekly weigh in at weightwatchers to really motivate me. Diet makes more difference than exercise but the exercise seems to make me choose healthier options, eg I don't fancy booze after a run. I think I look ok at this weight and although I would like to be a little slimmer it's not a massive issue and I am fairly healthy which is the main thing. How much does it bother you?

fruitpastille - its just that half a stone isn't it!!!

my clothes are all a bit too tight and I'm more a 12 then a 10 so it is bothering me, but health wise I haven't collasped since Christmas so some parts of my diet are still working.

Also been with DH for 12 years and I don't want to start getting all lumpy bumpy - I lost a couple of stone five years ago and I don't want to put it all back again - I guess its the fat tummy thats bothering me the most, the DC have asked if there is a baby in there and its just fat

Oh well I'm more 14 than 12 so I'd say don't worry about it! What about pilates - should improve your posture and help you suck tummy in, giving illusion of weightloss. I have been about this weight for over ten years. I would probably be more bothered if I had been much slimmer before. And dh quite a bit more overweight than me and thinks I look good so that's ok!

I have been told about pilaties, just wish i had a friend to go with, I'm far too shy to go by myself!

Have you tried tracking your calories using something like MFP? The snacks can add up to more than you think. I have to track to lose but can maintain by just eating healthily.

I feel your pain on the last half stone, it's always difficult.

You are the only one who can decide if it matters if you loose the weight, whatever makes you happy and comfortable.

It's hard when the numbers don't go down though isn't it.

I've maintained for 6 weeks now, and I'm shorter and fatter than you!!

Your weight sounds fine. Up to you if you want to perservere with diet but there are big advantages to not bothering.

I track my calories, I'm about 1200 a day

DH says that if it hasn't gone up then thats good, but its the overhang that gets me

Is the overhang loose skin from the babies? If so that may not go anyway.

no not a baby overhang, just pure fat

In my opinion don't count calories, it's not a nice way to live life. As soon as you stop you'll gain the weight back. Happened to me many times.

Anyone can lose weight if you starve yourself but for long term results its a disaster.

Your diet sounds fine but are you having anything with your porridge? Bin the cereal!

Soup and salad are great in theory but the soup could contain sugar, the salad could have a high calorie dressing.

Cut out soda too.

Just try and eat as natural as possible.

Also do little things like up your water intake, get more sleep, if you are stressed that also has an impact.

I know how discouraging it is but feel like its all been for nothing, but honestly stick with it and you will see results.

You started this because you wanted to see a change, that change will never happen if you give up now.

I'd cut back on the dried fruit/nuts-although healthy they have a lot of calls! What is your serving size of porridge? Can you keep it quite small, add protein, a few blueberries and a few almonds, mix with water, pre prepare lunch as just quote or similar with green veg and some brown rice and take to work in container, either of the same for dinner bet, lots of water, no soda, add multivitamin in the morning and calcium and magnesium in the evening (significant association with fat metabolism)? Then if you could combine that with as much cycling as possible to u'll see more goals. Can you get a couple of light dumbbells and add some weights to your routine also? Much easier to burn fat if you have more muscle.

Sorry, predictive text!! Calls=kcals, quote=quorn

thanks for all the suggestions - taking in a prepapared lunch is a faff as no fridge/ microwave, I'm not having a dressing on the salad but agree the souop is probably a bit rich :-)

I drink the pop when feeling woozy - doctors orders are high salt/crisps/chips and full fat coke for the sugar and caffine when I'm feeling unwell. So its a tightrope between being healthy and not needing the fatty stuff.

I do have some weights somewhere so dusting them off is a good idea.

Thanks for all the comments

Make your own soup, you know exactly what's going in it then and there are so many different variations

I'm the same height as you. The problem is, you are not that over weight, so you'll lose more slowly.

Best thing I can recommend is lower carb, reduce pasta especially, it really does stick to your ribs! Switch bread for Ryvita, have high protein snacks. Make a hugh batch of lentil and veg soup and eat a bowl before every meal. Dont drink your cals, up the water.