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Weight loss chat

A space to talk openly about weight loss journeys and challenges. Mumsnet hasn't checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. You may wish to speak to a medical professional before starting any diet.

Some of my weight loss tips for anyone interested...

29 replies

IsItFuck · 23/03/2022 08:48

And if anyone isn't interested fair enough it won't work or be feasible for everyone anyway (timing, childcare etc) Grin

WALK!! I can't stress this enough. It's free, gives you fresh air and you can alternate routes to try and keep it interesting. I walk every evening after work at least 4 miles, more on a weekend.

Download My Fitness App. It counts your calories and updates you on progress depending on what goals you give it in the settings. I'd suggest losing just half a lb per week. Slow and steady, more sustainable.

If you can afford it, buy a Fitbit. It counts steps, calories, miles. Once you get going with it, it really falls into your routine and the "praise" it gives you keeps you going. The one I have pushes you to walk 250 every hour, it only takes a minute to do this up and down stairs or walking around the office etc. They look smart too!

Weekends off. Eat what you want at weekends. If you restrict yourself 247 it won't work. Plus it's easier to be good Monday to Friday knowing a treat isn't that far away.

Make your own "mayonnaise". Natural yoghurt, dash of mustard, dollop of parmesan cheese, lemon juice and a bit of worcester sauce. Tastes incredible and much lower in calories.

Finally... don't eat after 6pm if possible. The later you eat, the harder it is to burn.

33lbs off in under 18 months and hoping to be a slim size 10 again very soon. No expert here, just hope it helps someone else!

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Raspberrymeringue88 · 23/03/2022 08:50

Congratulations on your weight loss op and thanks for the tips!

Do you mind me asking roughly how old you are please?

IsItFuck · 23/03/2022 08:55

I am 37. Was quite overweight for most of my 30s and then something snapped and I wanted to get it sorted before it became even harder or I got bigger. I'm a huge carbs fan but now very rarely eat bread or pasta during the week. But often a jacket potato or salad spuds for dinner if I've had a light lunch. Plenty of bread on a Saturday and Sunday as I am careful enough during the week to justify it and still walk loads at weekends (10 miles Saturday, 6 on Sunday).

If I think of any other tips I'll post them x

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Ambushedbycakeinmydreams · 23/03/2022 09:00

Gosh that's great, well done! Can I be nosey and ask what height you are and starting weight please?

I'm currently losing weight on the Fast 800 which is brilliant for me. Day 25 and by day 21 had lost 11 lbs and 3.5" off my waist. I can now get back into most of my size 10 clothes so am delighted.

IsItFuck · 23/03/2022 09:11

In November 2020 I was 11.5 stone and I'm only 5 foot 3, so quite overweight. I'm a pear shape too so couldn't hide it. I'm now 9.6 (or was the last time I weighed myself. Just had a weeks holiday so probably a couple of lbs back on temporarily).

So sorry forgive my error - I've not lost 33lbs I've lost 27lbs!! The end goal will be 33 as I'd like to get down to bang on 9 stone.

I'm now a 10/12 and wearing skinny jeans for the first time in my life. My thighs still feel a bit too big for my liking so I'm hoping that final 6lbs will satisfy me. I won't want to drop below 9 stone I want to be slender but not gaunt looking. I'm not a teenager anymore... I need to fill those wrinkles lol!

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Wrinklepicker · 23/03/2022 09:15

What do you eat for your lunches? I’m trying to break my sandwich and crisps habit 😂

IsItFuck · 23/03/2022 09:29

Lol sandwiches and crisps are the best! If I'm having a light lunch it's usually some crackers with lots of philedalphia light spread on them followed by a packet of low fat crisps like the oven baked walkers ones or snack a jacks (love the chive ones!) and a low calorie chocolate bar like a fudge or one of the Aldi ones (Aldi do loads of low calorie treats) so I still eat "treats" each day. Just a smaller one! Or a banana or apple. More "proper" lunches are usually 2 tins of tuna in spring water with my own mayo and loads of chopped up salad, or a grilled chicken with a bit of paprika to take off the boring then again tons of salad. A boiled egg is usually included. Include lots of spinach leaves. Roasted chickpeas are great but I only eat them if I'm WFH because they make me fart!! Also if I have fish for dinner I'll have a jelly pot afterwards to get rid of the smelly breath and feel like I've had a sweetener. The Asda ones are a mere 5 calories per pot and taste lovely 😍

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NutellaEllaElla · 23/03/2022 10:01

Soup is great for lunch, batch cook it and it's usually low cal

Raspberrymeringue88 · 23/03/2022 10:11

@IsItFuck

I am 37. Was quite overweight for most of my 30s and then something snapped and I wanted to get it sorted before it became even harder or I got bigger. I'm a huge carbs fan but now very rarely eat bread or pasta during the week. But often a jacket potato or salad spuds for dinner if I've had a light lunch. Plenty of bread on a Saturday and Sunday as I am careful enough during the week to justify it and still walk loads at weekends (10 miles Saturday, 6 on Sunday).

If I think of any other tips I'll post them x

Brilliant! Thanks for all of that info! I am older, late fifties, and I am finding it really hard to lose weight ATM because I have to eat miniscule amounts in order to see any weight loss at all. So well done for getting to grips with this in your thirties. I will follow your tips about bread!
carrotcakefan · 23/03/2022 10:19

Ooh this is helpful! Trying to lose baby weight and not getting very far... I do walk quite regularly with baby, but don't think I'm doing far enough distances. Where do you tend to walk- countryside? Are you going at quite a fast pace?

What kinds of things do you have for breakfast. Are you low carb all day or just lunchtime?

Thanks and well done!

IsItFuck · 23/03/2022 10:39

I'm low carb pretty much Monday to Friday (as far as bread and pasta goes anyway). Saturday and Sunday I'll still have bacon or sausage batches for breakfast! As I say it usually equals out for me. I do think not eating after a certain time makes a massive difference. I used to eat cheeseburgers at 9pm no wonder I was overweight. You still CAN eat these things if you're doing other things right. My walks are either around the local area just streets and main roads etc but my favourite are the long canal walks as I love being by water. It's not massively picturesque where I live but there are still nice walks. I did nearly 11 miles the other Saturday it took 3 hours. I save the canal walks for weekends so it doesn't get too repetitive. I walk probably 3 to 3.5 miles per hour according to Strava so I'm not even pushing myself that much really.

I know not everyone is a fan of salad but if you are take 20 minutes to chop up cherry tomatoes, cucumber, celery, red and white onion, mixed peppers, sweetcorn and radish. Put it all in a big bowl in the fridge then you can just pack a tupperware box full of it before work, throw in some protein and homemade mayo mix all together boom lunch prepared in 5 minutes. I add beetroot sometimes too. It looks lovely and colourful, tastes great and bulks up anything!

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IsItFuck · 23/03/2022 10:43

Weekday breakfast usually consists of a boiled egg, grilled plant based sausages (I eat the taste and glory ones from Tesco and contrary to my initial hesitation they actually taste seriously amazing!!) 130 calories for 2. I can even have a grilled hash brown with this. Then an activia yoghurt. The whole lot is less than 350 calories and fills me up until noon x

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Todaysinner · 23/03/2022 11:38

Well done on your loss and thank you for the tips? How many miles do you walk per week and how many calories per day roughly? I have small children and time is an issue for me.

IsItFuck · 23/03/2022 11:49

Thank you! I eat probably between 1,400 - 1,600 calories per day on a weekday and usually burn off between 600 and 800 calories walking or sometimes a touch of cycling (not including calories burnt at rest, which according to my fitbit is 1,255) I eat and exercise more on a weekend. I was only eating around 1,200 per day for the first few months whilst getting the main bulk of weight off but wasn't moving as much then. I've only really become active in the last year, that part isn't just to get slimmer it's also because I've had a very bad 2 years personally and it's good for mental health to get out the house.

If it helps... they say if you walk 1 mile (walking properly not dawdling) it's 100 calories burnt. Probably more if going uphill or fast walking. I've started stop start jogging recently but only slightly. I'm not a big runner and have a weak bladder :-)

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IsItFuck · 23/03/2022 11:50

I probably walk between 35 and 40 miles per week

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Todaysinner · 23/03/2022 11:54

Thank you, I also do a similar amount and also have a weak bladder Blush, hope it all makes a difference by August

rookiemere · 23/03/2022 12:21

This is very helpful. I desperately need to lose some menopause weight and something I've identified as relatively easy but should make a big difference is no eating after dinner. I managed Day 1 ok Grin.

hopeishere · 23/03/2022 13:51

@Wrinklepicker

What do you eat for your lunches? I’m trying to break my sandwich and crisps habit 😂
I've managed to lose weight and for lunch I have a ciabatta roll from M&S and some Turkey and salad and the lowest cal crisps I can find (Sainsburys onion rings).

I also recommend MFP!

TabithaTittlemouse · 23/03/2022 14:00

I’m glad you have said about walking because sometimes I seriously doubt if it’s doing much for me.
Do you do any other exercise? Sorry if I’ve missed that bit.

Branleuse · 23/03/2022 14:02

Do you not feel hungry in the night if you dont eat after 6.

IsItFuck · 23/03/2022 14:17

I admit sometimes I do feel hungry in the evening - there have been a few times where I've cracked and ate a chunk of cheese or whatever. But I'm usually in bed reading / watching TV very early and I probably fall asleep earlier than most. That might not feel so normal soon though with the evenings stretching!! I mainly walk but also have a mountain bike. I'll try getting out on that every week now the Spring is here. But I don't enjoy it as much as walking and I don't cycle hard enough to burn many calories. Probably only 300 on a 90 minute cycle. I also HATE cycling uphill!

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Crazzzycat · 23/03/2022 14:47

I’ve lost 4 stone over the last 12 months and agree with all of this!

I add taking it easy on the processed foods and making sure you get enough fibre to the list. Everyone is always going on about how protein fills you up. Fibre has a similar effect, but hardly ever gets mentioned.

FlickyCrumble · 23/03/2022 14:52

I think the walking is a great one and I try to do 3 miles a day within a timeframe. I’d also add to keep moving. Get up out of your seat every 15 mins. Walk to other end of room and back. By doing this you keep your metabolism moving.

I also feel great if I skip breakfast but that’s not for everyone.

I also batch cook veg soup for lunch everyday. Makes me feel smug to be getting my veg in.

IsItFuck · 23/03/2022 14:53

@FlickyCrumble

I think the walking is a great one and I try to do 3 miles a day within a timeframe. I’d also add to keep moving. Get up out of your seat every 15 mins. Walk to other end of room and back. By doing this you keep your metabolism moving.

I also feel great if I skip breakfast but that’s not for everyone.

I also batch cook veg soup for lunch everyday. Makes me feel smug to be getting my veg in.

Is it homemade soup? Would you share your recipe please? X
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Hercisback · 23/03/2022 14:54

How do you have time to walk 4 miles a day? I'd love to do this!

IsItFuck · 23/03/2022 15:04

@Hercisback

How do you have time to walk 4 miles a day? I'd love to do this!
Honestly it's only an hour or ever so slightly longer if you get on with it. If I'm WFH I could squeeze that in before I even start working. I understand it's easier said than done if you have kids though (I am childfree by choice).
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