How did you manage it, what has helped you?

[yoyo1234]

I do not know how overweight I am (would assume obese-have not dared weigh myself in well over a year I would not be surprised if I have put on 3-4 stone). I catch sight of myself in shop windows etc and it takes time to recognise myself. What have you done to at least start on feeling better about yourself and getting healthier?

[CantEnjoySummer]

Just to add.

I've been in your shoes. I hid my scales under my wardrobe.

Until I faced up to it nothing changed.

And the "too many chips and ice cream" is testament to the fact you need to face up to it too.

[CantEnjoySummer]

You really need to just get on the scales.

If you don't measure it you can't manage it.

[yoyo1234]

Managed days 13 and 14. Really cannot cope with weighing though.

[yoyo1234]

Day 12 managed. Again unlikely a weight loss day. My coat seems looser compared to the start though.

[CantEnjoySummer]

Intermittent fasting + low carb.

[Northernsoullover]

I've two stone to lose. I've lost around 6 pounds. The scales tell me I have plateaued but my jeans (that I couldn't do up) say otherwise. I've not dieted as such but have cut out most of the crap I eat.
I'm surprised no one has mentioned weights yet (I did see the ankle weights). I'm doing body pump classes and trying to swim a few times a week to build muscle. The reason being that if you build muscle you burn more calories and can eat more!
I appreciate that it's not always easy to fit regular exercise in around children but during lockdown I did workouts for 30 mins from YouTube using hand weights and resistance bands. If you can squeeze in some resistance work then that will help with fat loss.

[WaverleyPirate]

Small portion control.
Eating less.
Snacks mostly fruit
Avoiding pasta and rice most of time
Walking 20,000 steps a day if possible.
Fitbit and app to record data.
Cycling.
Rewards eg. New dress.

[yoyo1234]

Will look for an item of clothing to try on and see if the fit is tighter or loser than previously as per PP advice .

[yoyo1234]

Day 11 managed . Not sure if it was a weight loss day though! Lots of chips and ice cream! At least I stuck to my 2 simple rules

[Webbedlife]

Another thing I did was commit to follow it for 4 weeks, because I knew the first couple of weeks would feel the hardest in term of hunger and getting used to logging everything. It's now been 16.

[Webbedlife]

I'm counting calories with MFP. I first lost some weight unintentionally via catching Covid then gained a few lbs back and realised I didn't want to go back to where I was.

So I stopped procrastinating and started counting calories with MFP, because it was free/easily accessible. I set myself a modest weight loss goal of 1/2 lb a week but it averaged out more like 1lb.

I've lost 1st 6lb so far which puts me at close to a 10% weight loss and safely out of the obese category. I don't eat radically different to how I did before as I cooked from scratch mostly, but have reduced the size and frequency of snacks and measure my cooking oil. I'm also going on more regular walks.

[Ifyoubelieveyouwill]

@beetlesandants that is really interesting. Dr J in his book Why We Eat actually says that Lighter Life is the worst diet he’s come across for putting on weight (and more) when you stop. He should know as he’s consulted with over 5000 obese patients as a bariatric surgeon.

I agree that swapping to a sustainable diet for life is the only way. I’m saving party food for parties!

[beetlesandants]

Maybe get a pair of jeans you can't zip up and make that your initial aim as sometimes scales don't show inch loss and it can demotivate/demoralise if numbers not down.
But non stretchy jeans or whatever you like a good indicator which out getting obsessed with a number.
Good luckwith it and keep posting.
I will watch your posts as it keeps me motivated hearing other people's views/stories.

[yoyo1234]

I think at the end of 14 days I really should try and weigh myself (incase I reach a plateau and get no satisfaction from my efforts -or incase it is doing nothing or I am gaining weight!) .

[yoyo1234]

Thank you KihoBebiluPute. I think there is a bit of change maybe to my stomach .
I do a lot of walking (baby likes the buggy). I am thinking of investing in ankle weights as previously suggested (thanks everyone for ideas and suggestions and pros and cons).
Wow beetlesandants you did amazingly to lose 5 stone in such a short time and thank you for sharing about finding the diet socially restrictive and risky (for putting the weight back on).
I hope with the eating in an 8 hour window and just cutting back on obvious wheat I can keep it up long term. This diet is pretty much what I did pre pregnancy/pre lockdown without much thought (I miss the office sometimes and the socialising......).

[beetlesandants]

Ps also walking so good for stress and health. Just don't overdo it but try to walk minimum of 30 minutes a day and if you do more great.
I do it for health/mental health benefits rather than weight loss as I never find exercise gets much weight off.
My personal experience has always been 80 percent diet 20 percent exercise.
I just like to be out rain or shine.
Good luck with it all.

[beetlesandants]

Hi
I have done lighter life two years ago and went from approximately 15stone to 10stone 4 in 5-6 months and I didn't follow it totally after first three months.
Very hard but I was in right mind set to do then but couldn't do again as very restrictive socially when you out for meal etc.
In last two years have put some weight back on and now weigh 12st 11 so still over two stone lighter than two years ago but have put weight back on ☹️☹️
I am now tracking weight with weight tracker free app and my first goal is to loose 7 lbs slowly. Once I have lost that I will put next 7lbs in. I'm going to do this slowly and if you think if I lose a pound a week which seems slow I will be 30lbs lighter by Xmas.
Don't do fad diets. They don't work long term. I am proof of that. Slow and steady progress will be better and healthier and will be how you change your eating habits for life.

[KihoBebiluPute]

Well done @yoyo1234 - you are doing great.

[yoyo1234]

Managed day 10

[yoyo1234]

Managed day 9

[yoyo1234]

Trying to get ideas that don't include lots of branded foods or joining groups that may have lots of costs .

[yoyo1234]

Thanks for the heads up Dowermouse about ovulation etc (maybe can convince myself it is that if I have weight gain - when I eventually weigh myself).

[yoyo1234]

Love the idea of ankle weights . I do quite a bit of walking as DB(aby) loves going for walks in the pram and will occasionally nap there (rather than on me!).

[Dowermouse]

Slimming World has worked well for me in combination with breastfeeding, they have a specific program for women who do. SW it's self has become alot more focused on branded products in the last 5 years, but it's completely possible to do using normal unprocessed foods.
I weigh myself at the same time every day. My weight goes up 3 or 4 pounds for a week around ovulation, so depending on where you are at with periods and breastfeeding it's worth concidering to avoid disappointment.