I’ve lost 2 stone- now what do I do?

[LouiseOuiOui]

So I have managed to loose two stone (actually just over) since September. I genuinely never though it was possible as I’ve been trying to shift at least one of them for about the last 7 years. Somehow, through exercise and keeping and eye on what I eat I have now reached my pre wedding weight. I’m obviously pleased with what I’ve accomplished and try to tell myself to be happy with it, which I am.

Two things though:

1. How do I maintain this?
2. Why don’t l feel like I’m slim? Don’t get me wrong, in one way absolutely do but in another I can’t really ‘see’ a huuuuge difference. I think it is becasue it has taken almost 7 months. I keep thinking if I loose another few pounds I might just be a little slimmer… Basically, how do I know when to stop?!

I’m at a healthy BMI now and was just over the line for overweight when I started.

@S392 I’m 6ft and 10st 7lbs currently.

@LouiseOuiOui wow!!! that is an amazing weight. I certainly wouldn't be looking to lose anymore, given your height. However, it is what you feel comfortable with.

If you did lose a few more pounds would you be fitting a smaller clothes/jeans size? or are you between sizes now and wanting to fit a smaller size?

Yes, exactly, I think the thing is I carry most weight in my hip/thighs and I think if I lost a couple more pounds I would see a difference there and be 100% in a size 28 jeans. I’ve always (before kids and marriage!!!) been a naturally slender shape so I do feel more like myself this way if that makes sense. I’m super happy as it is though so I want my main goal to be to maintain it now. It’s certainly harder as you get older!!!

Well done!!

It took me a year to lose 3 stone purely because I was being lazy!
I do have to watch what I eat every day but I do splurge sometimes.
Maintenance is just as hard as trying to lose I think.

Just carry on as you are, exercising qnd watching what you eat and I'm sure you'll be fine.
Do have the odd takeaway, night out etc and enjoy them then the next day, carry on with your healthier choices.

@LouiseOuiOui

Yes, exactly, I think the thing is I carry most weight in my hip/thighs and I think if I lost a couple more pounds I would see a difference there and be 100% in a size 28 jeans. I’ve always (before kids and marriage!!!) been a naturally slender shape so I do feel more like myself this way if that makes sense. I’m super happy as it is though so I want my main goal to be to maintain it now. It’s certainly harder as you get older!!!

I'd say go for it then! If you think you will still be healthy and comfortable. I know what you mean. Especially if you are used to being slimmer... how are those size 28 jeans fitting now? I have a non stretch pair. They don't fit. But I'm determined to fit them haha

You will have to keep us updated @LouiseOuiOui with your maintenance/loss.

For me when I lost a similar amount (over 4 months) I made the mistake of not doing exercise, eating more and it crept back on.

It was definitely 10-15 mins fast walking every day, lots of walking after work and generally not taking lifts etc.

I could then mix and match my diet around it.

What do people you know say re the loss? Maybe you need to just tone up.

[quote LouiseOuiOui]@S392 I’m 6ft and 10st 7lbs currently.[/quote]
@LouiseOuiOui - to be honest I think your height and that weight sounds fine and losing less wouldn’t be good.

I mean losing more!

@picklemewalnuts

Have you read the ' Why we eat (too much)' book? I'm a third of the way in. It's interesting, and highly rated here.

I'm reading it because I've lost 5.5 stone and need to find a way to live that isn't obsessed about food, counting every mouthful and planning every meal and snack.

Hopefully if I understand why my body is arguing with me about that bag of Maltesers, I'll manage better!!

@picklemewalnuts I think I’ll get that book!

I snack due to boredom or to treat myself. Both bad!

I'm 10.7 too and I'm shorter than you at about 5.9. I think I could lose another few pounds and be fine; I think at 6 foot you must be very slim.

Well done

@youdoyoutoday 3st is amazing! And super well done! I honestly think it is good it does take time. Have you managed to maintain ok?

@S392 Will do! The 28 with stretch are great. Without stretch they do up- with a lot of elbow grease. Haha!

[quote LouiseOuiOui]@S392 Will do! The 28 with stretch are great. Without stretch they do up- with a lot of elbow grease. Haha![/quote]
Motivation for you? Is the non stretch something that fitted before?

@Gonnagetgoing Well done to you too!

Luckily I have been exercising quite a bit the last 6 months and have definitely toned up. I think that’s why it has worked so well. Previously I’ve lost a stone or so with SW without exercising and it’s just crept back on again and more…
I don’t think I look gaunt etc and being overly thin is obviously not good for many reasons.

Thank you @LouiseOuiOui

I'm still going, slowly but surely, my wedding is in 14 weeks so another bit off will be nice.

I calorie count, weigh out portions every day (its bloody tedious sometimes) and when I need to be more motivated, I weigh myself every day, I find it helps.

Organisation as meal planning, ensuring I have healthy snacks to hand etc really help too.

Also, boom bod sachets help me when I feel a snacky munch brewing, I have a boom bod, a big glass of water and something to do helps keep my out the fridge and cupboards!

Also post it notes inside the cupboard saying "you're not hungry" "you're wedding dress won't fit" and "stop self sabotaging" as a reminder!

I also exercise 5 to 6 times a week, I'm exhausted.

Alcohol is my down fall so I can be super good on food then have a bottle of wine 🤦‍♀️ so I've used lent as an excuse to test my will power and give up booze again and its working, the lbs are slowly dropping again!

@youdoyoutoday awe; your wedding is an amazing motivation! It will be wonderful.
I’ve upped drinking (water!) by quite a bit. I have also replaced my evening and late afternoon unhealthy snacks with herbal teas. It’s just that habit of watching TV and having something.

@Gonnagetgoing forgot to say what family etc says. So I think family were more struggling to get used to me being a bit larger and now once I’m slimmer, for them, it’s like I’m just back to my normals self. Which is kind of true but I have been at my heavier weight for many, many years!

@S392 So not these particular jeans- my ‘slim’ jeans I got rid of ages ago. But I used to fit a non-stretch size 28 comfortably and a 27 sometimes. But. Perhaps I need to accept that that was a long time ago and that your shape changes after children and so forth. I will see how I go.

@jowly that’s also a great weight and you have lost so much! I think it also depends on where you carry the weight and how much muscle you have.

Also, has anyone tried the Lean Legs method by Rachel Attard? I’m looking at perhaps just doing that to see if it helps sculpt the thighs a bit.

@LouiseOuiOui: the thinking you need to lose more is v common, but it sounds like you are v lean already

I’ve heard the best thing is to step up your calories v gradually to see how your body responds

In practice, for me that is sticking with the habits I used to lose the weight, but relaxing a little bit on social occasions

I think it’s important to commit to regular weigh ins (weekly or monthly) to keep an eye on things

@LouiseOuiOui

Well done!

And Well done to everyone else on here with their weight losses.

I've lost 3 stone (between beginning April and mid December last year) and am at the maintaining stage and not finding it very easy to be honest.
I keep thinking... if I lost just another 3lbs I'd have more of a buffer to play with.

So I do get what you're saying.

Exercise has helped enormously (I'm mid 60s so I just walk 3miles plus a day, sometimes 5 miles) and I will continue with that.

I have had holidays where I've really eaten and drunk to excess, then put on 4lbs but within a week or two gone back to my target weight. But I do worry that won't happen one day. I just feel I've worked SO hard at it, I don't want to creep back up to how I was. Especially as 15 years ago I lost 5 stone and put it all back on

The best bit for me is wearing clothes I've got and I love and now being able to get back in them.

Anyway, good luck.

Get crunchy snacks, apples, celery, carrots, radishes!!
You'll be surprised by how satisfied you are by crunchy (but healthy) food!!

And yes, lots of water! My bladder hates me right now!!

OK- one month update; I have maintained!
I’ve had a weekend away and quite a few meals out and social events so I’ve had to really keep track at home. I’ve also stuck to my exercise regimen. I think my initial lowest weight a month ago was also a ‘lucky low’ and I am now more established at that weight if that makes sense. Feel great I’ve managed a few treats and still maintained.