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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.

My TDEE must be so low I can’t lose a thing

31 replies

Brainfry · 03/02/2021 08:13

WFH and only walking a few steps a day from desk to loo / kitchen has seen me put on 10lbs since March.

The last 3 weeks I’ve eaten an average of 1300 cals a day, mainly low carb. I’ve been out for a few 30 minute walks.

I’ve lost nothing at all, I’m 14st! How can I have lost nothing. So demoralising.

How many cals should I be reducing to? Or will it be the sedentary lifestyle that’s stopping it? I’m almost ready to give up!

OP posts:
bakereld · 03/02/2021 16:00

Yes worth pointing out TDEE does decrease with menopause and age.

Sucks being short and having such low calories to play around with haha Sad

10kaDay · 03/02/2021 17:19

@Lexilooo

My work colleague has accelerated their weight loss by increasing movement. Same problem, working from home in a sedentary job means very little movement and it is worse with dark nights and bad weather.

They have solved this by marching on the spot at home. They started doing this while the kettle boils for their cup of tea and then started doing half an hour in front of the TV in the morning, then went to an hour.

Yesterday they managed to exceed 10,000 steps by 5pm having not left the house.

@Brainfry: you have my sympathies, as its horrible to gain weight and feels hard to eat consistently in a deficit. Age & height are not helping you, but I still think you can be successful making various changes

I have found a few much lower calorie version of things (eg Gluten free wraps/pittas, chia to replace some of my porridge etc), bulking up meals with veg, eating lots of beans, no carbs at dinner etc

But the main reason I wanted to reply is to say DON'T see WFH as a reason to be sedentary, you have opportunity to be active during the day and no one can stop you. I piled on weight with reduced movement too, its now off, and I do 10-14K steps per day often without leaving my house

  • I exercise in the morning for around 45 min with youtube videos and shower after (time I would have spent commuting)
  • any call that can be done standing up (ie if someone else is presenting) gets done that way
---> if i can switch my video off, I walk in circles around the living room, or step on a v low (10 cm) fitness step: I can still pay attention in my meeting doing that
  • any time I have 2-3 minutes between tasks I will dash around tidying up/ just walk around
  • take a couple of 10-20 min breaks a day and go for a walk outside OR phone family and walk circles round the living room

(none of this walking gets me sweaty/I haven't been busted at work)

You don't need a fitbit or similar to do all this, but seeing the steps add up is what motivates me

I feel MUCH more energetic/less drained after a month of doing this, and am more than 1 stone down. My work days are not any longer than they were, but I feel less wiped out by them.

TBH - I am super annoyed with myself for not thinking to do this 10 months ago BUT being at home you have the opportunity now. Good luck!

Brainfry · 03/02/2021 18:51

Thanks all, my job means I take incoming calls and reply to emails all day so I can’t walk around or stand up, I’m literally working flat out typing or talking.

I’ve just been out for a brisk walk, did 2.6k in 30 minutes but that still only equated to 3800 steps. I’ll need to walk for hours after work to hit my target.

I’ll try and get out for 30 minutes or so before work and again afterwards, see if that makes a difference.

OP posts:
10kaDay · 03/02/2021 20:03

@Brainfry: could you fashion a standing desk? I use a (just under boob height) chest of drawers and have keyboard, mouse & laptop (on a stand which cost £12) on that

I step when I’m listening and stand when im typing. It may sound a total faff but we spend so many hours working that being active even on some of this event makes a huge difference

fallfallfall · 03/02/2021 20:08

You need to increase your muscle mass and add in cardio.
I’m a huge fan of Leslie Sansone, particularly a new video 3 miles walk run lift. 45 minutes.

10kaDay · 03/02/2021 20:09

This is the set up (excuse the trailing wires). I’ve stuck my stepper in front so you can see, but I actually prefer using a low fitness step. It’s next to a normal desk so I can sit down when I need to, and as the 2 desks are side by side it takes seconds to move between

My TDEE must be so low I can’t lose a thing
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