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?

Just a quick warning about weighing- I can fluctuate 6 lbs just from hormones or dehydration. I don't anymore, because I'm menopausal and make sure I'm always hydrated, but don't let it put you off if you seem to suddenly put weight on!
I only weight twice a week, so I don't notice small fluctuations as much.

Also, remember to get the tape measure out! If you get on the scales one week and the weight hasn't come off, I measure again to cheer myself up. There will always have been a cm off since last time. I do waist, upper arm, calf, thigh, waist, ribs and hips.

That might seem excessive, but it's shown me I can fit in wellies again, that I can need a different bra size etc.

@WheresMyTweezers

Hi, Happy to see your thread as a lot of the ones I've looked at have maybe 1-2 stone to lose and their starting weight would be my target! Well done on your first stone.

I don't fancy starting my own thread so hoped I could piggy back on to yours? I was on here a few years ago and lost about 3st because the accountability really helps.

I'm actually the heaviest I've been but being honest, the numbers on the scale don't bother me as I've always been heavy even when I've been slim, and I'm not really fussed about BMI because even as a slim, active teenager it said I was obese. I am bothered about my dress size though and I know that if I lose weight, my dress size will go down so I'll be weighing in, but as a means to an end rather than because I have a target weight in sight if that makes sense?

During lockdown I went from a 20 which to 18-20 but then I had an accident which immobilised me for a while, and I still don't have full mobility back so exercise-wise I'm pretty much restricted to walking and stretches (I could manage swimming but booking in during social distancing is nigh on impossible). While I was laid up I focussed on nutrition so had lots of "good fats" (avocado, nuts etc) and gave up alcohol, sugar etc. I suspect if I'd been mobile I'd probably have lost weight. Since being back on my feet - and coinciding with being able to socialise again - I've ballooned up to a 20-22.

My target size would be around 16. I know to a lot of people that's massive, but for me it works as I've very booby/hippy and anything smaller I start looking a bit cartoon-ish. Tbqh although my size last year (an 18-20) would be hideous for a lot of people I'm generally a happy person, have no health issues, feel fit and strong (usually) and I carry my weight well etc and I think that being content has been a bit of a disincentive to losing weight. But, I don't want to get bigger and my accident last year, although not weight related, did cause me a few issues as if I'd been smaller I think I could have managed some things a bit better.

I find it fairly easy to cut stuff out and I don't have cravings as such, but I'm usually hungry! I'm not following a particular plan as I'm a bit lazy and want to eat the same evening meal as the family so it's basically: giving up white bread (which I love but I think sends me spiralling), no snacks other than fruit, light lunch (omelette, toast etc) and just a normal, fairly well balanced evening meal. I find being quite strict easier than building in snacks etc and I'd prefer to do it that way so I can eat out once a week without worrying.

Anyway, kicked off on Monday, have lost 5lb since (4 days) which sounds a lot but I've a lot to lose and I think first week losses are always biggest aren't they? So far I've weighed in daily as I needed to see that movement but in a few weeks I'll probably move to twice a week once I've got an idea of fluctuations.

Anyway, enough about me, I only meant to piggyback, not take over! But I'm strangely excited and looking forward to the next few months. LET'S DO THIS!

Hi Tweezers!

You are more than welcome to piggy back my thread, the more the merrier!

Very interesting reading about your journey, I am very much in the same boat as it were. Don't worry about what other people may or may not think about your weight, it doesn't affect them. You set the goal you are happy with and go for it, doesn't matter if it is dress size 10, 16, 20 etc, you don't have to justify anything to anyone else, just be truthful to yourself, try as hard as you can and see where it takes you.

Everyones journey is different, but we can all do it together! As you say, LET'S DO THIS!

@picklemewalnuts

Sounds good tweezers! And more weight off, Stanley! Re the barbecue, if you take your own Lidl low fat sausage they are only half a point each, and the slimming world burgers from Iceland are free! That makes such a difference! Have a whole meal roll for your burger, your sausage and lots of salad. You'll feel you've had loads but it will be all on plan.

I've had a mixed day so far- we went out to a country park/estate type place. We had breakfast there, and I chose really well- spiced baked eggs served with a wholemeal, sun dried tomato roll. There was a pat of butter I enjoyed, too, but the rest was within plan (beans, eggs and tomatoes, basically) and really delicious. DH had chocolate cake and didn't eat it all so I finished it off which I'm irritated with myself about. Still, it was only an inch, so I'll count the syns and take it on the chin!

Tonight I'm making dirty jackfruit fries from this recipe, so that will all be free and tasty. No harm done across the whole day.

Hi Pickle, sorry I didn't realise that the tread had moved onto two pages and so I missed your post, but have caught up now.

Good advice regarding measuring, I am sure I have now lost an inch or two around my waist. I can already fit into clothes which I haven't been able to wear for some years.

How's your weight after yesterdays chocolate cake, hope it didn't impact?

I only weigh Wednesday and Saturday, so it won't show yet! Had a cooked brekkie today, ready for a day out- less temptation!

@picklemewalnuts

I only weigh Wednesday and Saturday, so it won't show yet! Had a cooked brekkie today, ready for a day out- less temptation!

I'm sure you will be okay Pickle.

I've taken up running on my treadmill again, really helps to blast the weight and has worked every time in the past. I walk/jog approx 3km every other day, and have slowly built up over the past 2 weeks, hence the larger weight loss. To start with when I was 18st 4lbs, there was no way I could run, so I started by just walking briskly for 10mins. Each session gets easier, and I try to beat the time/distance acheived the previous day. Over time I have built up by mixing walking/jogging/running and now achieve a good 45mins of exercise. I ensure I give my body rest days so that it can recover, and at the same time it will repair the muscles and consume protein and calories. I've definitely noticed the benefits.

I am also a river cox and get to row at least twice a week, and so all this exercise is having a positive impact and assisting the dieting.

Dieting is key, but exercise really helps to speed up the process.

Can i join in please?
Have been fat forever and intermittently lose weight and gain weight and lose weight . I must have lost the same stone a dozen times. So gave up and have been reasonably content for a long while.
But my DH has just had a scary illness and his dr says he needs to lose weight and increase his fitness and we need to do it as a team.
I get a bit batshit if i weigh too regularly so will go by clothes etc

Need to lose about 6 stone.

@Antiqueanniesmagiclanternshow

Can i join in please? Have been fat forever and intermittently lose weight and gain weight and lose weight . I must have lost the same stone a dozen times. So gave up and have been reasonably content for a long while. But my DH has just had a scary illness and his dr says he needs to lose weight and increase his fitness and we need to do it as a team. I get a bit batshit if i weigh too regularly so will go by clothes etc

Need to lose about 6 stone.

Hi Annie, yes of course you can join, that would be briliant!

Sorry to hear about your DH, but I am sure with your help, and as a team, you can do it!

As you know, I started out 4 weeks ago with 6st to lose, and so far I have managed 16lbs loss, and I can already feel the benefits.

LET'S DO IT!

I’m 25lb down in 9weeks, same starting weight as you.

Wow! How have you done that?

I’m quite amazed at myself. I seem to have found some willpower!
Just calorie counting I guess and more activity, longer dog walks, aim for 10k but don’t always get there.
And logging everything in my fitness pal. Very honestly. My Fitbit talks to MFP.
I have a good 1000cal deficit every day.
I plateaued after a month, but just kept going and the scales moved soon enough.
Diet is probably low fat and low carb, but not really intentionally, I’ll have toast with butter, just log it. Otherwise eating lots of prepared salads with crab, prawns, salmon, eggs.

Ooh, I might try MFP again- just because I have a Fitbit now.
I've hit my 10k steps again today, though it's been hit and miss this week. We walked around castles and parks, as well as the usual dog walk. While we were out I resisted the icecream that called to me, but did have the skinny crunch bar and the frazzles- only 7 syns in total though, so very manageable. I put dinner in the instant pot before I left, so that only needs a bit of attention and there will be a lovely dinner shortly. Lean belly pork, sweet potato, red cabbage. Yum.

Exercise is really important- I do an hour of Tai Chi most days, which counts as strength, and aim for 10k steps. I go on the trampette when the weather isn't nice enough for walking.

My brother used to row- I tried once, quite fancied it, but the Cox had no rhythm so I found it too frustrating!

We'll all get there, a lb at a time!

@Veuvelily

I’m quite amazed at myself. I seem to have found some willpower! Just calorie counting I guess and more activity, longer dog walks, aim for 10k but don’t always get there. And logging everything in my fitness pal. Very honestly. My Fitbit talks to MFP. I have a good 1000cal deficit every day. I plateaued after a month, but just kept going and the scales moved soon enough. Diet is probably low fat and low carb, but not really intentionally, I’ll have toast with butter, just log it. Otherwise eating lots of prepared salads with crab, prawns, salmon, eggs.

Blimey, 25lbs in 9 weeks is amazing, well done!

@picklemewalnuts

Ooh, I might try MFP again- just because I have a Fitbit now. I've hit my 10k steps again today, though it's been hit and miss this week. We walked around castles and parks, as well as the usual dog walk. While we were out I resisted the icecream that called to me, but did have the skinny crunch bar and the frazzles- only 7 syns in total though, so very manageable. I put dinner in the instant pot before I left, so that only needs a bit of attention and there will be a lovely dinner shortly. Lean belly pork, sweet potato, red cabbage. Yum.

Exercise is really important- I do an hour of Tai Chi most days, which counts as strength, and aim for 10k steps. I go on the trampette when the weather isn't nice enough for walking.

My brother used to row- I tried once, quite fancied it, but the Cox had no rhythm so I found it too frustrating!

We'll all get there, a lb at a time!

Well done resisting the icecream! And well done on the 10k too! It all adds up, and in time the weight does drop off.

Wow well done - and that all seems very sensible/achievable.

Weighed in this morning (Saturday) and had lost 7lb since Monday I'm under no illusions that is sustainable - not least because I had a huge 3 course meal out today but will be interesting to see how I fluctuate over the next few weeks.
I'm trying to eat as I normally would except for snacks and white bread and then see where I need to tweak, but tbh, I haven't actually got that much wriggle room as I don't have much alcohol to cut out and my meals are already fairly well balanced so even though my loss will obviously slow (probably from next week ) I hope it continues as I'm not sure where I'd go if not - I don't think some of the plans like keto/low carb would work well for me (as in they might physically work, but wouldn't fit my life). We'll see!

Oh and @picklemewalnuts - rowing sounds like a fantastic, enjoyable exercise!

@WheresMyTweezers

Weighed in this morning (Saturday) and had lost 7lb since Monday I'm under no illusions that is sustainable - not least because I had a huge 3 course meal out today but will be interesting to see how I fluctuate over the next few weeks. I'm trying to eat as I normally would except for snacks and white bread and then see where I need to tweak, but tbh, I haven't actually got that much wriggle room as I don't have much alcohol to cut out and my meals are already fairly well balanced so even though my loss will obviously slow (probably from next week ) I hope it continues as I'm not sure where I'd go if not - I don't think some of the plans like keto/low carb would work well for me (as in they might physically work, but wouldn't fit my life). We'll see!

Oh and @picklemewalnuts - rowing sounds like a fantastic, enjoyable exercise!

7lb loss, that's great!!

It may not be sustainable, but it is a fantastic amount to lose and I am sure your weight will steadily drop off, which is what you want. As I said above, I have now lost 16lbs in 3.5 weeks and the time has flown past. Certainly took me more than 3.5 weeks to put that amount of weight on, in fact looking at my fitbit diary it took me 14 months to put that weight on.

Keep it up, you are doing great!

Don't read this bit if you're easily misled!

It's my birthday today so I've celebrated by eating things I haven't had for ages. I've had a proper day off- a slice of white bread with jam and clotted cream, a slice of pork pie, some crisps, and a whole large bar of chocolate. There's cake later too. It won't have been that bad- the chocolate bar was excessive, but everything else will have been within tolerable limits.
My birthday present to myself. I'll be back on track tomorrow!

I’m a little bit further on in my journey than most of you. Total of 7 stone to lose. Currently lost 4 stone 6 since January and I feel confident this time I can stick with it.

Just wanted to say, don’t worry on the weeks where you don’t lose much. I’ve been doing a little chart and my weight loss seems hugely connected to my hormones. I can now tell which weeks I’ll lose and which I won’t. For 2 weeks in a row, I’ll lose 1-2lbs and the following week, 6 will come off even though diet and exercise are the same.

Don’t let the scales affect your motivation. It’s a marathon, not a sprint. Good luck to you all. You’ve got this 👊

I need to lose 3-4 stone.

I used to be slim and I just don't look like me when I look at pictures/in the mirror.

I have just started reading the book "why we eat (too much) " and would definitely recommend it. It is really interesting talking about why some people find it harder than others to stay slim, and about why many people lose weight and put it all back on (and more).
I am hoping to get to the bit where he gets to the strategies that will work long term but I don't get much peace to read so it is a slow process!

That's same as me, DancingCoyote!

@picklemewalnuts oooh but that sounds lovely - if you're going to go off plan, do it with really lovely things IMO!

@DancingCoyote you're absolutely right. From past experience I count staying the same as win if it's in the week leading up to my period! I'm only (not quite) a week in and I'll be weighing in daily for the next few weeks so I can get an idea of when and why I fluctuate but after that I'll probably drop down to weekly/twice a week.

@KeyboardWorriers I'll look at that book - I've heard a few people mention.

This weekend has been hard man! Meal out yesterday, father's day today...I'm not really calorie counting (but I tend to have a good idea of how many are in whatever so I'm making "sensible choices") but today I had a slice of cake with my husband and the kids and thought I best check what was in it as I want to have a decent loss in my first week and it was nearly 400 calories! Was only a piddling little supermarket thing too. Honestly, if I was going to blow a load of calories I'd have sooner have gone full on scone, jam and clotted cream! Anyway, at least I checked so can pull back tonight and hopefully haven't sabotaged my first week with something a bit underwhelming. If it comes to it I'll weigh in naked in the morning - although our scales are kept in the kitchen...

As expected, the weekend of indulgence had an effect so my first Big Monday Full Weekly Weigh In ended up with a 5lb loss rather than the 7lb I saw two days ago.

Still pleased with it of course and I suppose that's the peril of weighing daily so I'm reminding myself in the long term, seeing these fluctuations and then looking at the notes I've made will inform me of how my body reacts to things. -But I wanted the 7lb and I'm going to stamp my feet.-

We do have a family birthday this week so it will be interesting to see if a similar pattern is followers (losses then gain when loosen up) and I'll also be interested to see whether the 2lb gain since Saturday drops off fairly quickly now I'm being more strict again, or whether it's a raging battle!

Hope you all see the losses you deserve this week!

How do you stay motivated when you have such a lot to lose. I have 5 stone to lose (at least!) I started last Monday seriously calorie counting. I lost 2lb.

Then I tracked my weight on MFP and saw my previous log ins from 2014/2016/2017 when I was trying to lose weight. My starting weight was 2-3st lower!! And here I am heavier than ever. I'm going back to work from maternity leave in August so that was my motivation to finally get started. Just feels like a long road ahead.

@SpacePug Oh I'm exactly the same! If I lose the same amount of weight I lost c3 years ago it'll take me down to what my starting weight was then! So I know I probably need to lose double that

I'm only a week in so maybe a bit soon to talk about staying motivated but history tells me:

1. I'm good at losing weight. Maintaining when I have lost weight is what i need to get better but I'll cross that bridge when I come to it.
2. New, more positive habits can become "the norm" fairly quickly. I have drastically reduced my alcohol intake over the last year and it doesn't bother me at all.
3. I love socialising. I love food. I hate feeling deprived. For something to work for me, it has to let me live the life I want to, but I need to be sensible within that - I knew I would have an indulgent weekend so I made sure I was strict Monday to Friday. Some people would have sooner had a small treat Monday to Friday and then made better choices on Saturday and Sunday and that might work too, but what wouldn't have worked (for me!) would hve been having treats Monday-Friday AND blowing out on Saturday and Sunday. Does that make sense? Think about your lifestyle, what you want, what you need.