6 stone to lose - my journey!

[StanleyOscar]

Hi everyone, long-time lurker here but decided to pop my head up and talk about my weight loss journey which I have just begun.

49 years old, yo-yo dieter for approx 20 years. Never have much problem loosing weight, just can't keep it off. So, I joined Slimming World on Wednesday and have around 6 stone to lose. So far I have lost 3lb, which is to be expected in week 1. Very much enjoyed the group meeting, and the meals/recipes are good too.

So far, so good. Anyone else on their journey too?

Oh that's interesting because I tend to disregard the impact of exercise but maybe I should give it more credit.

1lb off today so I think I'm at 17lb off overall, and 3lb off in August (which isn't great tbh but I've had a much busier August than I expected with a trip away, meals out etc). If I can get to the end of August with another 2-3lb off I'll be delighted.

I'm sure you'll feel better soon @stanleyoscar - a little slump is usual I think in any kind of cycle. And remember far you have come!

I'm having an off plan day, again. Hey ho. I will hit the 10k steps though, and have done most days this week.

I've had some trying stressful situations to manage, and that always makes being on plan harder. I know my triggers, I just haven't found an alternative strategy. Basically yoga or whale sounds don't settle stress like a big Chuck of chocolate!

I have written a sermon, planned a service and practiced using the tech. I got my eldest some to sort out my mum's drama. I've also cleared my email inbox and mended a skirt. I'm feeling a little more on top of life, so now I'm going to meal plan for the week and try and future proof my eating!

Also, I've got a massage booked next week that I'm looking forward to. And I cleaned my teeth in 'horse stance' a strengthening Thai chi pose.

All in all, today is looking more productive by the minute!!

Sorry for the brain dump- I just needed a mental reset!

Oh that sounds productive @picklemewalnuts - channeling difficulty into something useful. And you enjoy your massage. I made a little promise to myself recently I'd book in every couple of months but I haven't. Makes such a difference to how I'm feeling though (last year when I was incapacitated I did quite a lot of reading about how the mind and body collude and that physical release of stress is not something to dismiss imho).

Me, oh my! I had alcohol on Friday and Saturday night. Showed a slight gain this morning but I think it's dehydration. I have been a bit carby today because I always am after alcohol but I still think I've managed to keep low fat/low cal so I expect the slight gain will rectify itself in the next couple of days. I did enjoy myself though! And I managed to tell myself I wasn't hungry at midnight last night even though I felt hungry because I know now my body is a liar and alcohol is its lying friend!

Two NSVs to report:

1. the dress I wore last night was one I was going to wear on NYE and it fit so much better which was surprising as I thought most of my gain had been post-Christmas (but tbh I didn't really know - I hadn't weighed myself for so long with not being able to stand in scales)
2. I'm sitting in the garden and the chair is noticeably less snug around my hips.

I wasn't sure what my target was when I started but seeing where I am now I think I'm maybe 1/3 or 1/4 along the way of where I want to be.

Afternoon all. First week for me where I haven't lost anything, but I haven't gone up either, so not feeling too bad. Had guests for the weekend so I knew I was going over on calories, so no great surprise.

Met up with some family last week who noticed and congratulated me on the overall loss (23lb) which was nice.

Back on track now, hoping to break the 200lb barrier this week!

A maintain is a win in those circumstances @ThroughThinkandThing!

I'm happy to report my slight gain has come off so I'm back to 17lb off and feeling pretty happy tbh.

My thoughts exactly. Great news on your gain going down again - well done.

Hey everyone, sounds like you are all doing well, which is good to hear! Summer is a difficult time for dieting I think, what with summer parties, BBQ's, icecream etc, but we are all doing so well...and Xmas isn't too far off. Another challening time!

My journey is still moving along, albeit very slow. I thought my weight loss had stalled, but I can definitely say that the inches have dropped, I guess my body was re-adjusting. My wife suggested I should have a few more calories, but I though no way. So, we worked out how many I have been having a day for the past 2 weeks, and we came to the conclusion it was between 400-600kcal

So yesterday I switched my diet from salads etc to milkshake & carbs with protein and this morning I lost 1lbs!

SW = 18st 4lbs
CW = 15st 7lbs
TW = 12st 7lbs
Loss = 39lbs

I don't quite understand the science @StanleyOscar but my losses are definitely more consistent when I'm not having stupidly low amounts. It seems counter intuitive but I'll go with it!

Just goes to show, Stanley! You can have too little of a good thing! Food isn't the problem, it's the 'wrong' foods.

Today for lunch I had a cereal bowl full of fruit and salad, with half a tub of cottage cheese on top.
Dinner was a kind of deconstructed lasagne. Rich meaty sauce with pasta shapes cooked in it, then both my hexA servings of mature cheese diced and stirred in. Each ladleful has oozing globules of melting, stringy cheese in among the pasta and ragout. Served with green salad.
It was proper comfort food. Later I had a popcorn/fibre bar, a kiwi, an apple and a yogurt.

So that's about 1/2 a syn today.

@WheresMyTweezers - I know right!

I think the science is that eating a diet consisting of a sensible amount of calories stops the body triggering emergency measures to prevent starving etc and allows the weight to drop slowly and safely.

If the calorific intake drops too low, the body shuts down some functions to preserve the essential things, and thus holds onto every calorie and ounce of fat. It's all about survival I think.

My calorie intake dropped so low unintentionally, it wasn't planned, just don't have the urge to eat anywhere near as much as I used to. Tried hard today, so far I have eaten 2 boiled eggs, 1 soup, 1 milkshake and a yogurt.

@WheresMyTweezers I agree with what you said "the mind and body collude and that physical release of stress is not something to dismiss imho)."

I have fibromyalgia from ignoring stress. I had a high stress lifestyle for a few years- fostering some challenging children, then my dad's terminal illness. I endured, telling myself I just need to get through today/this week/this month. Eventually I burned out and was exhausted and achey and effectively disabled. That's when Fibro was diagnosed. I've had to learn to pace myself, to be moderate at all times. I avoid excitement as well as stress, now! I do better with a quiet life.

Always always give your body opportunities to detox the stress.

Hi OP just read all your posts and it was lovely to read about the pounds dropping off as the weeks went by and reading about your weight loss journey so far. I’ve got 2 stone to lose which feels a massive challenge to me but you’ve given me some motivation!

@1AngelicFruitCake - Hello there and thank you for your compliments, it means a lot to me. If I can help others with their weight loss journey by giving them motivation, then that's great!

I weigh myself daily, which most people don't do. It works for me, but I can understand why it doesn't work for others. In the past I have lacked discipline and it was easy to go off the rails during the week. So I need to check daily that I am on course, it works for the most part.

There have been ups and downs, but fortunately more ups than downs. Try not to look at the whole challenge, break it up into small goals it's much easier and the time flies by, before you know it the pounds have dropped off and your clothes fit so much better.

I say go for it, get those 2 stones gone! We are all here to support you, keep us updated!

@WheresMyTweezers - Sorry to hear about the Fibromyalgia, that must add to the challenge of dieting, you've done so well. Makes me think about myself and how I really have no reason not to get fit and lose weight.

Weighed in this morning, another 1lb off!

SW = 18st 4lbs
CW = 15st 6lbs
TW = 12st 7lbs
Loss = 40lbs

Well done on the better eating, Stanley- I missed your post last night while I was typing mine!

I think many of us get hungry because of carbs. When we don't eat any, that stimulus stops and we eat less without noticing. I expect you'll get used to and notice different triggers for hunger, now you are keeping an eye on it.

I've had a good couple of days (after some so so days!), so am expecting a loss tomorrow.
I'll try to be more organised and consistent this week, as I'm out of good habits!

It really helps me to organise my healthy extras ahead of time.
Free food is fine, most of my cooking is based on free foods. The odd syn here or there doesn't impact much when split four ways.
Then my syns are spent on impulse, really. I know we are supposed to plan it, but I find spending about ten on 'extras' when I feel the need keeps me on track generally. So some days I will have a Kit Kat and a bag of crisps, some days either/or, most days neither.

My clothes are a bit ad hoc. I've got two tidy outfits- cropped trousers and a shirt/peasant blouse; white trousers and a tunic. Then I've got various summer dresses and tunics that I belt and wear off the shoulder!

I'm going to need jeans soon.
I've got a winter skirt and top, and some smart jegging type trousers.
I probably need a couple of tops too.

I'd like to get down to a really minimal, organised wardrobe. This is my moment!

Two pound off today, and slimmer of the month. I've bought the magazine and a curry recipe book that was half price.

The timing of group sucks, for me. It clashes with my tai chi, so I think im going to look for different groups. I miss a bit of both, which isn't ideal.

Well done @picklemewalnuts that's great! Are you able to go to a later class? My group has three classes today I think.

I didn't go to slimming club today, second week I have missed it but my weight is still going down steadily and I am 5lbs down since my last SW weigh in two weeks ago.

Almost another 1lb today, but just not enough to call it a win, so tomorrow should be the day and if I get the 15st 5lbs then that will be the lightest weight I have been for approx 8 years!

That's a good place to be, Stanley!
My usual leader's groups don't work, time wise, but there are a couple of others. I'll try them out, see how they work, then settle on one that fits with work and exercise.

I've reverted back to a daily calorific intake of 600kcals, can't help it, just not hungry and have no urge to binge eat.

Need to get the carbs back up so I can get the motivation going again. Still, glad I haven't cracked and gone back to my old eating habits, no crisps etc

@picklemewalnuts @ThroughThinkandThing @WheresMyTweezers How's everyone else getting on?

Well done @picklemewalnuts that's amazing!

Me, I'm hovering around the same but I'm not too concerned as it's that week.

@StanleyOscarim all for doing what works but make sure you're getting enough nutrients.

I used to hate 'that week'. I'm almost at a year since the last one, so fingers crossed I'll get to the magic one year soon!

I've had another couple of good days, so confident I'll be ok next week. BiL is staying this weekend and May bring cake, but I'll just have a taste. We've picked some apples and blackberries today, so I'm fancying a baked apple tomorrow!

Stanley it's great you don't want to binge. How about starting your day with a breakfast? Tomatoes on toast, porridge? That may stimulate you to eat a protein lunch.

Eating habits are complicated!!

@picklemewalnuts - You can do it, resist the cake!

Another 1lb off this morning for me, a total of 41lbs in just over 3 months!

42lbs to go, just about halfway. Ideally want the rest off by Xmas which is 4 months away. [santa]

SW = 18st 4lbs
CW = 15st 5lbs
TW = 12st 7lbs
Loss = 41lbs

3 STONE GOAL REACHED!

Another 1lb off this morning!

4lb off this week

20th May 2021 - 28th August 2021 = 42lbs weight loss.

SW = 18st 4lbs
CW = 15st 4lbs
TW = 12st 7lbs
Loss = 42lbs