Need help getting to normal weight range

[MyNameIsFiveSpice]

Help me lose a pound a week to get to target weight.

I’m slowly inching towards being in the “normal” weight category. Currently I’m slightly overweight.

Height: 5 ft 4 inches
Weight: 151.4 lbs (weighed this morning)

According to Google, I need to 5.8 lbs to reach a BMI of 25 kg/m2. Not going to lie, I would prefer to be in the middle of the normal range than the cusp as my weight can and will fluctuate, but right now my aim to lose 5lbs and get to a normal BMI first.

Any advice to realistically lose a pound a week? I want to be realistic and keep the weight off and not yoyo. I was hoping to reach my target by April.

I usually keep within a 1226 calorie limit, sometimes do go over and sometimes I’m under the limit.

TIA

Also for context, I am not weight lifter or anything of that sort because I am aware BMI is not accurate in counting muscle mass etc.

How long have you been eating 1200 calories a day for? I’m surprised you’re not already losing a lb a week eating that.

What’s a typical week’s food? How active are you?

Since you’re looking at long term changes, I’d have a good look at your diet and see what healthy swaps you can make (like cutting down on snacks, less carb more protein/veg etc) but it you’re only eating 1200 calories a day now, I’m guessing you’ve already done that.

Hi op, I'm exactly the same height as you and I've been trying to get down from 147 to 135. I'm currently 140.

Things I've done (quite boring and regimental but I've been sticking to it religiously):

Stopped toast for breakfast. Having protein instead. 2 eggs and 2 bacon medallions.

Bought a treadmill. 1hr power walking a day.

Tub of Yorkshire provender soup and a green smoothie for lunch every day. Boring but it's a big volume of low fat food. That's 4/5 a day veg.

Dinner under 600 calories, but I'm allowing carbs as I can't cope without them.

Lost 7lb in a month, 5 to go.

It's very boring and repetitive apart from dinner. But I'm sticking to it and it's working.

I have Saturdays off. Bacon sandwich for breakfast, still do my treadmill, then we have an Indian take away and I have a few beers or wines, but still try and stay under 2000 for the days.

So, protein and veg but in reasonable volumes is what I'm going for, and it's working.

@PurpleDaisies It was a recent change, I’d say just over a month now. The weight has gradually gone down. I used to “treat” myself to a lot of junk food, on cheat days, and on normal days I’d have a lot snacks in between meals but I decided to stop all that. I’m also tracking what I eat so I’m always careful about overeating as my lifestyle is fairly sedentary. I do have a lot pasta salads etc on cheat days instead.

The meals themselves weren’t so bad as the snacking in between and going overboard on cheat days.

I am loath to write what I eat down as it doesn’t always look like much on paper but it actually is more than enough for me as I do have a plateful

This morning I had a Frappuccino and I made a chicken and mushroom sandwich, but just had half. Lunch I’m planning to do couscous salad with a lot of veg and lemon chicken chucked in. Maybe some stuffed aubergine as well. Dinner will probably be something light and ice cream for dessert.

@WombatWomb I need to increase the treadmill workout to 1hr, I do 20 minutes once in a blue moon.

I do have healthy recipes that I’ve always made but now I’m looking for healthier alternatives so instead of scrambled eggs, I’d just use egg whites. Or for egg salad minus the yolks, maybe just the one, with some chives and half a teaspoon of Mayo.

I’d say just over a month now. The weight has gradually gone down

Maybe I need more coffee-my brain isn’t quite awake. Are you saying you’re currently losing 1lb a week or has your weight been static for that whole month?

I would struggle to fit 1hr of walking into my daily routine. You could keep your 20 minutes but swap the exercise for HIIT instead. It looks (and feels) horrible to start but once you get going it’s a great way to get fit quickly.

@PurpleDaisies

I’d say just over a month now. The weight has gradually gone down

Maybe I need more coffee-my brain isn’t quite awake. Are you saying you’re currently losing 1lb a week or has your weight been static for that whole month?

@PurpleDaisies I was responding to this question: How long have you been eating 1200 calories a day for? So I started that calorie limit of 1226 just over a month ago. The weight has gradually gone down but I’d like to lose about a pound a week so I can reach my target weight so I was looking for suggestions.

@PurpleDaisies

I would struggle to fit 1hr of walking into my daily routine. You could keep your 20 minutes but swap the exercise for HIIT instead. It looks (and feels) horrible to start but once you get going it’s a great way to get fit quickly.

Are there any workout videos that you can recommend?

Start off with a Jo Wicks if you want to transfer to HIIT, there are lads of free workouts on his you tube, or look at 30 day shred.

My HIIIT classes are online but I am fitter, stronger, leaner than ever and it is just 20 minutes a day.

I'd also get off the scales and judge by your clothes.

Totally agree, Joe wickes is good and free. I like Les mills online but that’s one you have to pay for.

I guess I’m not still sure what you’re asking. Do you want to ditch the 1200 calories a day because it’s not working for you?

@idontlikealdi I’m not sure if clothes will give an idea really. I know I’m overweight and just 5 pounds away from the target weight. Ok pear shaped so I can fit into 6-8 top but 10-12 at the bottom. It’s a nightmare to find shirts that can button all the way to the end so I tend to avoid shirts if I can.

@PurpleDaisies I just need some help ideas to lose a pound a week and it keep it off so my weight doesn’t fluctuate. The calorie limit was to give an idea of what I’m doing so far. I did say the weight was gradually going down not that it wasn’t working. I just needed some more ideas.

Anyway, thanks for the suggestion, I’ll look into Jo Wicks’ tutorials. One of my friends mentioned Claire Tings so I’ll research into that as well.