2.5lb a week (on average)

[HawdMeBack]

I weighted myself this morning and I'm 14st 5lbs. That's a gain of 12lbs in the past 10 weeks - I'm disgusted with myself!!

I've been struggling to lose weight since DC2 was born 14 months ago. Nowhere near enough sleep, too exhausted to exercise and bingeing on crap at night when the kids are in bed.

We're going on our first family holiday abroad at the end of September and I want to get back to my pre-pregnancy weight (11st) for then.

I have 18 weeks to lose 47lbs, that's 2.5lbs a week. I've fired up my fitbit and intend on doing the following:

10,000 steps a day
1200 calories a day
Log everything in MyFitnessPal
Drink 2 litres of water a day

I've lost around a stone twice already this year doing faddy diets but they aren't sustainable long term and I've put the weight back on (plus some) when I've stopped, so I want to do more of a lifestyle change than a crash diet this time.

Anyone want to join me for accountability? I plan on weighing myself every Monday morning and will share my results here (even if no-one else joins, it'll hopefully keep me on track).

Don’t log your exercise in MFP. It overestimates calories burned and it gives you those calories back to eat, logging exercise is the only time I never lost any weight!

Yeah, it's not great for that! I only log food/drinks in MFP, my Fitbit keeps track of the exercise.

I think I might join, desperate to lose about 2st. Currently 12st.
I'm amazed you've managed to lose a few stone this year (I know it's not good and you put it back on and not recommended but jsut interested in which fad diets you did?).

I've been trying to also change my mindset and do the things you've mentioned above.

Hey!

I did Exante (meal replacement bars/shakes). It's a VLCD of only 800 calories a day so the weight loss is rapid but it's not sustainable (or healthy). It's a good kickstarter though. I've tried loads in the past - keto, low GI, etc. All with the same results. Each time I've lost between 1 - 3 stone but I always become complacent and piled it back on.

Today I've had -

Shredded wheat
2 x boiled eggs
A protein bar
Banana
5 x coffee (with milk, can't drink it black)
2 x peppermint tea
3 x pints of water

I've managed 8,686 steps according to my fitbit. Not quite the 10,000 target but not far off.

If you want a good initial loss to kick-start you then consuming 1200 calories a day for 2 weeks is a good way to do it. Cutting out carbs will see you drop loads of weight on week 1 although some will be water weight. I lost 7lbs on my first week of Exante.

Hey,

Thank you!
I am thinking I need a kickstart to really motivate me. I've been doing a calorie deficit for about three months but haven't stuck to it strictly enough so have lost about 4kg.
However I have just had a terrible weekend food wise, takeaway, bbq, wine, so am thinking I'm going to have put it all back on.

Going to weigh myself today and then start 1200 calories if I can stick to it and walking more, trying to get my steps in.

I think you're definitely right that crash diets or anything drastic don't work in the long run. I feel really determined and I think my mindset has changed as I'd never have cared about the takeaway etc before, just would have carried on eating the same way of worse.

My goal is mid august for a holiday but realistically I'm thinking it'll be Christmas or later to lose two stone

Giving yourself ridiculous time constraints isn’t helpful. Unnecessary pressure for no reason, and it doesn’t work. Relax, be consistent and don’t overdo it as your body will fight against you…

@HawdMeBack 1200 calories isn't enough! You'll need more than this or is unsustainable.

James Smith TDEE calculator is good for an hour. Have a look at that and see how far off that calorie allocation is. For reference, I'm 5'1" and about 21lbs overweight, it gives me 1828 with walking 10,000 steps per day.

Have a read at his 'I have no idea James' blurb to make sure you select the correct activity level with your intended steps.

Good luck!

*guide not hour

4kg over 3 months is great and more likely to stay off at that rate! Well done. Being in the right frame of mind is really important and the only way to succeed really. I find it easier having mini milestones rather than looking at the bigger picture. It becomes overwhelming and seems impossible when I think, 'I need to lose 3 stone'. If I think, 'I need to lose 8/10lbs this month ' or 'my first goal is to get under 14st and my next is to get to 13st 7lbs' it seems more doable.

Thank you 😊

When I did Rosemary Conley (low GI) years ago, their plan was a 2 week kick-start of 1200 cals a day and then intake was adjusted according to age, weight and height (like James Smith). I've just checked and I should be having 1688 a day. I lost over 2 stone and managed to keep it off for over 10 years. I only gained weight again during my first pregnancy and then gained more during my second.

I need to see quick results initially to help motivate me to stick to it so a 2 week kick-start gets me in the zone and then I'll adjust it accordingly.

I find the food tracker better on the fitbit app than mfp 🙂

I've never tried it, will need to give it a shot 👍

I too think a quick loss initially would be a great motivator . I have no idea about measuring calories . Thought just cutting out the crap - and I definitely comfort and binge eat - would be enough. But obviously not working . Suffering from depression makes it even harder to get started especially on the steps. So following with interest.

Also following here. I didn’t gain weight from pregnancy… was back to 60kg within 3 weeks… it was the following 3 years that did it!! Less active, snacking with baby etc.

Ive had a real wake up call as I bought new clothes for my holiday last week and had to buy size 14 and 16. I was honestly devastated.

I weighed myself Monday and was 78.4kg.

A change for life starts today.

My plan is eat smaller portions, no snacking, and no processed food.

We are vegetarian anyway, and eat well, but clearly I’m eating too much.

I have batch cooked this morning for a couple of days. Chickpea stew, roasted veg with feta and seeds, 2x onion and pepper quiches, and a lovely broad bean and herb salad.

I have also decided to trial not eating breakfast when I’m not working (I work 2 days a week and often don’t get a break until 2pm so I have to eat breakfast). The reason being that usually my child eats lunch at 11am - so I’ll just have brunch then. I’m not often hungry in the morning but eat (toast, muesli) just out of habit.

today I’ve just eaten some strawberries and a banana with one spoon Greek yogurt and a tablespoon of homemade muesli (oats, chopped nuts, seeds). Then a cup of rooibos tea (I don’t consume caffeine) with oat milk.

I’ll update later!

Ah, that makes sense!

I might motivate myself to join you! I've been off and on the wagon for ages.

Almost 8 month old not helping but today is a new day, right?!

@HawdMeBack
Thank you, you're right it is still a loss even if it feels small considering how much I have left to go.

Also a really good point on not concentrating on the big numbers (3 st 😭) and the smaller steady loss.

Today I'm in the office so have just had a Huel drink, ready made, which is 400 calories. Black coffee and lots of water. I've also got a bottle of Pepsi Max for later afternoon.

My plan is very few carbs, and 1200-1400 calories a day plus trying to get steps.

Weigh in this morning was 77kg. I feel so far from my goal but also motivated mainly.

@Todaypicard that's what happened to me as well. So annoyed with myself looking back. Weighed less after having both my kids than now three years later 😭

You should like you have a great diet though. Can you cook for me? 🤣

Think we have a similar amount we'd like to lose

Getting started is always the hardest bit I find. I need a catalyst to get me going. For me, it's even the warmer weather. I have nothing to wear! Even the clothes that do fit are u suitable for these temperatures, uncomfortable and unflattering. I'm fed up of not feeling or looking like me. I don't want to go on holiday in September and feel self-conscious or avoid family photographs because of the way I look. I recently did a comparison photo from before I had my eldest and now, I put them side by side using a grid type app and was so saddened by how different the 2 were. That photograph is enough to keep me motivated to change.

Don't try to tackle everything at once. If you struggle to get moving then just change your eating habits to begin with. MyFitnessPal is a great app for logging everything you consume so you can keep track.

Morning all,

How's everyone doing?

I was really busy yesterday so didn't have time to think about being hungry which is a bonus! I had -

Shredded wheat
Protein bar
Chicken breast and potatoes
Salt and vinegar snack a Jack's
5 x cups of coffee
1 x peppermint tea

Didn't drink anywhere near enough water, also need to add veg to my diet. I managed 7,377 steps in total so missed the mark again but still not bad. Will be doing some working the garden today so hopefully that'll get the old heart rate going.

Coffee will spike your cortisol levels, causing you to store fat around your middle. Could you try to limit your coffee to one or two a day?

Morning @HawdMeBack that sounds like a great day yesterday food wise 👍
I also didn't managed to get all my steps in.

Had - lots of water
A pre-made huel for breakfast and lunch (drank it through the day from about 10:30 - 12)
Pepsi max
Big dinner, gammon, courgette, three eggs!
X 2 coffees x teas

Didn't suffer too much with hunger, not sure how I'm going to plan food today just trying to motivate myself!

@Soonenough I'm so sorry you're struggling with depression, it makes weigh loss so much harder.
I have also suffered with depression and binge eating l. Food has always been my comfort and my celebration.
I'm trying really hard to change my mindset on that but it's a battle!

When I started to try and change my diet a bit I read something that said start by changing one meal. So whichever meal you choose switch it out for a healthy option and have the same one everyday. That alone will help you lose some weight.

My husband changed his lunch to a ham sandwich with cucumber every single day and lost weight over six months.
Or a nice healthy breakfast x

Hello all - keep up the good work!

I had a small amount (a mug full) of chickpea stew with a handful of kale for lunch.

then dinner was a slice of homemade crust less quiche, and a broad bean and herb salad, with one slice of sourdough.

today I’ve had one slice of Schneider Brot Rye bread (can recommend but only double toasted, not as it is), with a scrap of peanut butter. Then 3 spoons of Greek yoghurt and a banana.

I’ve taken another portion of curry with green beans and kale to work. Not sure what’s for dinner - I’ll be home late so I’ll aim for something small and veg bases and then an early night!

That is me cutting back 🫣 I'd usually have 8 - 10 coffees a day but I'm trying to substitute some with water or peppermint tea. Coffee is my vice and with 2 toddlers and way less sleep then necessary I practically live off the stuff! I appreciate what you're saying though and could quite easily switch to decaff.

That's great @giantwaterbottle, sounds like you're right on track 👌 I was so tempted to weigh myself this morning and then remembered... it's only been 2 days 🤣