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Weight loss chat

A space to talk openly about weight loss journeys and challenges. Mumsnet hasn't checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. You may wish to speak to a medical professional before starting any diet.

Original poster

9lbs in 3 weeks, who's with me?

151 replies

BrandNewSlippers · 15/02/2016 12:48

I've been hovering around 12 stone for 2 years now. I'd really like to get back to my pre baby weight of 10 stone 7, I've lost and gained a few pounds over the last few months and find it so boring.

I've got a big event in 3 weeks time where all my friends will be looking gorgeous and skinny. I've lost 3lb in the last couple of weeks and am currently 11.9, so far I've been avoiding carbs as much as possible and eating tons of veg. It goes well until the weekend when I eat and drink too much. Think I need to ditch the booze for the next little while.

I'd love to get as close to 11 as possible, I know it's a lot off weight in not long but if I'm really disciplined I think it could happen (maybe, possibly)

Does anyone want to join me?

OP posts:
ppeatfruit · 22/02/2016 08:36

Have you looked at the Paul Mackenna way of eating Camden ? It's the best IMO and E. No CC or diet foods.

Just eating in the correct way Grin

peasareevilcreatures · 22/02/2016 10:11

Calorie counting works though, if you expend more than you take in you'll lose weight.

Just watch the standard 1200 calories that MFP gives you.
I have a fitbit that tracks my calorie burn throughout the day. On average on a sedentary day I only burn 1900 calories so to lose 1lb a week I need to have my calories at 500 less than that a day.
MFP gives you 1200 for a 2lb a week loss, whereas mine would need to be nearer 900 a day to lose that 2lb.

You can put your stats in a TDEE calculator like this one to give you a better idea scoobysworkshop.com/calorie-calculator/

I try to exercise most days to give me more calorie burn so I can eat more, but it's still only around 2400 on an exercise day.

This last week I have eaten over most days which is why my weight loss stalled.

ppeatfruit · 22/02/2016 10:34

I CBA to count calories and lost the nearly 3 stone I needed to with Paul Mackenna, it just changes how we approach food so can be done for life which is what I'm doing. Grin However healthily I ate, it still needed that Grin

Original poster
BrandNewSlippers · 22/02/2016 10:36

Morning all, welcome newcomers!

I agree peas, there's no getting away from the fact you have to burn more calories than you use and you have to do whatever works for you to achieve that. What has worked for me is accepting feeling hungry is ok, drinking water before I eat to give me a bit of a fuller feeling, and avoiding carbs. I'm not eating carbs because they have lots of calories and don't fill me up whereas eating masses of veg is very low cal but you feel satisfied afterwards, it's not because I think there's anything inherently bad about carbs for me, I know it's different if you have ibs, celiac etc.

Personally I don't like proper mfp etc calorie counting as I get really obsessed and don't want to think about dieting all the time, I also can't be bothered to weigh everything.

I'm not really sure about the caffeine thing, Ive been drinking a lot of herbal tea since trying to loose weight but it's more because I find it gets me into a kind of virtuous mind set, whereas if I drink normal tea I'm likely to also want a biscuit or toast. I just can't see how not having caffeine would have a drastic effect on weight loss

Ive managed to stay at 11 St 7lb over the weekend, i mostly stuck to the plan but did eat a pizza last night, hoping it doesn't come back to haunt the scales later in the week.

Have a good Monday everyone

OP posts:
ppeatfruit · 22/02/2016 10:54

Of course Brandnew Everyone is different and has different ways of approaching weight loss.

I just go on experience (being old Grin ) and even dh loses weight when he cuts down on caffeine. As you say though he puts honey and cream in his coffees which is not helpful Grin

peasareevilcreatures · 22/02/2016 11:07

I think we're building lean muscle with all the exercising BrandNew and that's why we haven't lost this week......well that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it Wink

peasareevilcreatures · 22/02/2016 11:08

Actually I take that back because you have lost....I'll stick to that excuse on my own instead lol!

Original poster
BrandNewSlippers · 22/02/2016 11:16

Actually I've been really lax with my shredding the last few days so there might be something in it!

OP posts:
peasareevilcreatures · 22/02/2016 11:22

I've been lax with my low carbing! - need to get it back to bootcamp levels I think.
Still today is another day and we still have 2 weeks Smile

ppeatfruit · 22/02/2016 11:57

Oh I just remembered another of P.M's rules, "Try not to weigh yourself obsessively" I hardly ever weigh now, I go by the mirror and my clothes

DeliveredByKiki · 22/02/2016 14:33

agree it's easy to get obsessive over it - I did MFP a while ago and it became too obsessive and weirdly secretive, madness lay that way for me, but I generally in life don't like order and control so I think it's not great for my personality, whereas I has friends who love it

5:2 worked wonders for me a few years ago to shift the baby weight, and I took up cycling at the same time. I can't seem to get the motivation up again to calorie count even on those two days, so, since joining this thread, has gone back to doing 16:8 (eat everything in 8 hours then fast for 16) as it's easy to keep an eye on. Although I think it helps I'm doing a month of no sugar or alcohol

To be honest just joining a thread has helped the motivation!!

ppeatfruit · 22/02/2016 14:40

Within the 'fast' times do you drink water and or anything else Delivered ? I do that but approx 12 : 12 I suppose.

CamdenTownie · 22/02/2016 16:32

Hi!

I've had a good day so far :)

I looked at the TDEE calculator linked below which is telling me that my BMR is 1384, TDEE 1903 and my daily calorie intake should be 1522 to lose 0.8 lb each week. Somewhat different to the 1200 cal MFP suggest. Which means it would take just under 12 weeks to lose 9lbs. Apparently losing more than this each week would be dangerous Confused.

I think I'll stick with the 1200 calories for now and see how it goes.

peasareevilcreatures · 22/02/2016 18:02

Your stats are pretty much exactly the same as mine. Your TDEE gets less as you lose more too so I think sticking to 1200 is a sensible plan.

peasareevilcreatures · 22/02/2016 18:08

I'm actually thinking of doing 5:2 again for a few weeks as that worked well for me in the past. I've done 16:8 too (I like to mix it up as I get bored on a diet for too long but I don't want to do anything that costs money)
When you're doing 16:8 you're keeping your body in the overnight fat burning state longer ppeatfruit so water is ok but nothing that takes it out of that state.
It's harder to consume lots of calories in that 8 hour window so it works well.

ppeatfruit · 22/02/2016 21:25

Thanks peasare it sounds interesting. But a bit tricky if you're rushing about expending a lot of energy all day. e.g doing a dance class in the evening after f.t. work.

DeliveredByKiki · 24/02/2016 00:08

To be honest I find I have more energy when fasting - but you can ease yourself into it too.

I'm managing to stick to it really easily at the moment so think I'll start chucking in a proper fast day or two a week as well

peasareevilcreatures · 24/02/2016 09:19

I find it quite easy to fast as well DeliveredByKiki especially 16:8 that you're doing because you know it's only the morning you'll be hungry and then you can eat pretty normally after that.

I've lost the extra bit I put on at the weekend (booze weight!) and another 1lb now so I'm currently 11.2

Going to 5:2 for a couple of weeks now to hopefully get below 11 at last (can't wait to be 10 something again), got 6 weeks until my holiday so hopefully I lose at least another 6lb by then.

10 and a half for my holiday is my new goal.

Original poster
BrandNewSlippers · 24/02/2016 09:38

Good work peas! Sounds like a great goal, where are you going on holiday?

I've tried 5:2 and so wanted it to work, I love the principles but I ended up so hungry and obsessed with what I was eating, I also took the eating normally on the other days a bit far!
I've accidentally fallen into 16:8 the last few days and find that quite easy as it not really a breakfast person, if I do eat breakfast I can't stop eating all day!

How's everyone else getting on?

OP posts:
ppeatfruit · 24/02/2016 09:52

Well you'll all be disappearing soon Grin

Oddly I just did a 15 hour night fast without really thinking about it, the weird thing is that I don't feel hungry first thing in the morning when I haven't eaten after 6 to 7 in the evening. Grin

peasareevilcreatures · 24/02/2016 10:32

I'm going to Thailand where everyone is size 6 or smaller!!
I went last year and felt like one of their elephants next to them!

Still loved the holiday though, the food is amazing. I expect to put on half a stone while I'm there as it's so good (especially love the sticky rice that comes with everything so the low carb will be completely out of the window!). Lots of the food is really healthy though.

I'll enjoy myself while I'm there then get back on the dieting when I'm back.

ppeatfruit · 24/02/2016 11:08

Oh yes I know what you mean about Thailand. DH lost loads of weight in Indonesia though, he got ill! He still had to wear ex large out there!

Have a great time Grin

lorelei9 · 25/02/2016 00:28

I was out tonight and ate all the food! Blush

Going to fast tomorrow. I also find its easier to diet if I don't have breakfast so I may be doing 16:8 by accident.

Also out Friday and Sunday, annoying that social occasions involve food but have to e careful as tonight was a bit full on - steak, frites, ice cream and two glasses of prosecco. I had lost a pound this morning.....!

DeliveredByKiki · 25/02/2016 07:19

Ugh I went out with DH, managed to stay within my 8hours but then had first alcoholic drink in 4 weeks and came home and BINGED

Never mind, it was a nice night. Back on the wagon tomorrow and am going to do a fast day

peasareevilcreatures · 25/02/2016 09:21

That's it, you fall off the wagon, you get back on. I think indulging every now and again stops you getting frustrated with being on a diet all the time. And having a lovely meal and still losing 1lb is great news lorelei9

I try and keep nice and low with what I eat in the week so I can have a meal out and a drink at the weekend if I want.

The scales show it monday morning but by wednesday it's evened itself out.
My indulgent weekend made my weight go up but its back off now along with another 2lb now so I'm currently 11.1 so completely on track for 2lb a week which is ideal.

I'm going to try not to weigh myself after the weekend this week!