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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.

Original poster

What helps you maintain or keep an eye on your weight?

30 replies

L1R876 · 13/07/2023 15:23

Do you weigh regularly?

Do you have an outfit or item of clothing you try on and then if it doesn't fit, you diet till it does?

What works for you? That's helped you not regain all your lost weight!

OP posts:
Mad1988 · 13/07/2023 16:37

My clothes will tell, not a specific item, but I know how most of my clothes fit. The mirror also doesn't lie, I can tell just by looking at myself if I have put on weight.

I see from time to time someone posting they have put on a stone or 20 kgs without realising it and it always puzzle me. Even two or three kilos and I struggle to button my trousers.

Weight fluctuates and there is nothing wrong with that, but when a shirt feels uncomfortable or the zip of a skirt get stuck, those are signals one can't ignore.

When this happens, I just reduce what I am eating. I don't buy into any of the BS diets, be it low carb, low fat or whatever. It is just calories. Eat less of them, and you will lose. Ignore the burning part of calories balance, it is what you put in your mouth that matters.

42coats · 13/07/2023 16:42

I find the only way I can maintain is to weigh regularly. If I take my eye off, I'll put on 7lbs very easily.

To be honest I'm in an eternal cycle of 1 stone on, 1 stone off. I find maintenance so hard!

Original poster
L1R876 · 13/07/2023 18:57

42coats · 13/07/2023 16:42

I find the only way I can maintain is to weigh regularly. If I take my eye off, I'll put on 7lbs very easily.

To be honest I'm in an eternal cycle of 1 stone on, 1 stone off. I find maintenance so hard!

Interesting. I guess weighing does help. Though chasing a number isn't always a good idea, it can help to serve as a benchmark!

OP posts:
Alongthe · 14/07/2023 16:34

I took a photo of my scales showing my heaviest weight. I take a photo of my weight as I go up and down on the scales. It helps me to stay within 7 pounds of my goal.

Moana123 · 14/07/2023 16:37

Weighing regularly here too… as soon as I don’t the weight creeps up…

Original poster
L1R876 · 14/07/2023 16:38

I weigh regularly too. It's a great help!

OP posts:
Gardenerboo · 14/07/2023 16:44

I weigh every day before my shower and log it on an app on my phone. Sort of keeps me accountable. Works here!

InTheFutilityRoomEatingBiscuits · 14/07/2023 16:53

I don’t know how much I weigh and have never weighed myself as an adult.

If my trousers get tight I eat fewer puddings until they aren’t tight any more.

Original poster
L1R876 · 14/07/2023 17:22

InTheFutilityRoomEatingBiscuits · 14/07/2023 16:53

I don’t know how much I weigh and have never weighed myself as an adult.

If my trousers get tight I eat fewer puddings until they aren’t tight any more.

Some clothing stretches, so I tend to avoid that. Unless there no stretch trousers?!?

OP posts:
PickAChew · 14/07/2023 17:29

Not going back to how I used to eat. I still snack about once a day but I only rarely eat sweet stuff as that makes me hungrier.

HereToo · 14/07/2023 17:36

I weigh myself every couple of days or so just to keep an eye on it.

I've never been overweight but I'm menopausal with an under active thyroid so I think it's wise to keep an eye on the scales.

lljkk · 14/07/2023 17:52

maybe because I don't like to eat if not hungry

Sierra259 · 14/07/2023 17:56

I did a trial of Noom last year and they ask you to weigh every day. I wasn't sure initially but actually found it really helpful as you get used to what are normal fluctuations and can spot a more general increase very quickly. I also found it quite motivating to keep my discipline when the numbers were good, and to give me a kick up the arse if things were stalling/heading in the wrong direction.

Poke · 14/07/2023 18:00

Yes, I weigh myself a couple of times per week.

I also look at a photo of me when I was at my best weight and it motivates me to go for a run or do some exercise.

Jongleterre · 14/07/2023 18:03

I think I last weighed myself over 40 years ago!

I've never been overweight, always slender and I'm closing in on 60 in the next few years!

I eat whatever I want but I'm mindful of the amount, so I suppose it's portion control.

I'm very active so don't ever ever think, oh I've put on weight as I don't.

My clothes would be the indicator if I had.

Once you get to 50 you have to accept that you eat a lot less than what you ate at 20.

Keykat · 14/07/2023 18:03

I usually gain a bit when on holidays or away etc. I go straight back to 16/8 IF and within a couple of weeks I get back to where I was, more or less! I do IF all the time now as maintenance anyway but I can be very indulgent at parties, BBQs, on holidays etc. and can eat later and indulge in nice breakfasts. But life is for living, the trick is to get back on track. I find the discipline/rules of IF work for me, and I am also trying to stave off diabetes as I am in the pre diabetic cohort.

LittleLegsKeepGoing · 14/07/2023 19:20

I weigh every day, but in kgs. It helps to keep me focused on being good with the choices I make but because I have no frame of reference for kgs the actual number doesn't affect me. I just want to keep on a downward trend until I'm at a much more reasonable size...then I'll use the same trick to maintain.

TennisWithDeborah · 14/07/2023 22:46

LittleLegsKeepGoing · 14/07/2023 19:20

I weigh every day, but in kgs. It helps to keep me focused on being good with the choices I make but because I have no frame of reference for kgs the actual number doesn't affect me. I just want to keep on a downward trend until I'm at a much more reasonable size...then I'll use the same trick to maintain.

This is a good idea!

I also like the photographing the scales idea. Wish I’d thought of it when I started my weight loss plan. I’ve kept a written record, but I think that pics would be more motivational.

Original poster
L1R876 · 15/07/2023 20:32

I've never thought about taking a picture of the scales. How would that work?

OP posts:
OddsOff · 15/07/2023 20:55

Clothes, I wore a pair of capri style summer trousers today and oof they are a bit tight but I have had them for about 15 years and I have been thorough menopause since I bought them and am no longer my sylph like 40 year old self.

If you can make a chart and get in to a weight loss weigh in with a mate/lover. We used to have the scales of shame at work and all weigh ourselves on a Friday morning. I don’t think many would stand for that especially these days, but it was a free weight watchers really.

Original poster
L1R876 · 15/07/2023 21:01

@OddsOff good for accountability though. But, yes you're right. I don't think it would be seen as acceptable today.....

OP posts:
QueefQueen80s · 16/07/2023 16:52

Mad1988 · 13/07/2023 16:37

My clothes will tell, not a specific item, but I know how most of my clothes fit. The mirror also doesn't lie, I can tell just by looking at myself if I have put on weight.

I see from time to time someone posting they have put on a stone or 20 kgs without realising it and it always puzzle me. Even two or three kilos and I struggle to button my trousers.

Weight fluctuates and there is nothing wrong with that, but when a shirt feels uncomfortable or the zip of a skirt get stuck, those are signals one can't ignore.

When this happens, I just reduce what I am eating. I don't buy into any of the BS diets, be it low carb, low fat or whatever. It is just calories. Eat less of them, and you will lose. Ignore the burning part of calories balance, it is what you put in your mouth that matters.

Many people wear elasticated clothes only, avoid mirrors, denial, stay slim in face etc.

That's how I got bigger than I thought!
I weigh regularly to stay honest and no room for denial

Bubbles254 · 16/07/2023 17:25

Now I am at my target weight I have switched from weighing daily to taking waist etc measurements and using the army fat calculator to measure body fat. I now have a fat target to get to. I like having a new target as I find maintenance hard and am trying to gain muscle.

coxesorangepippin · 16/07/2023 17:26

I've just accepted that my weight fluctuates by about a stone throughout the year

It's so tough maintaining

Original poster
L1R876 · 16/07/2023 21:11

Clothes are a big indicator or weight gain!

OP posts: