Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
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

To lose 4 stone for Christmas ...

30 replies

2littleonesx · 27/08/2023 20:12

Finally time to make myself accountable.
Just more of a journal really! Starting first thing tomorrow.

I am 12 1/2 stone starting
Want to get to 9 stone hopefully by Christmas

OP posts:
blondieminx · 27/08/2023 20:18

That is a lot to lose in a very short space of time?

i would focus on losing half a stone at a time, then keep going till you get to your goal weight?

grapesandplums · 27/08/2023 20:20

How old are you OP? I'm 12 stone and hoping to get to 10 stone but no way I expect to get there by Christmas! It's taken me a month to lose 2lbs 😓 (I'm late 30s) be gentle with yourself, slow and steady!

RomeoMcFlourish · 27/08/2023 20:26

That’s an insane amount to lose by Christmas, especially as your starting weight isn’t ridiculously high.

I’ve had health issues in the past couple of years which has led to me reaching 14 stone. Now the health issues have been resolved I had a conversation with my GP about weight loss this week and his advice was to not attempt anything over 1 pound a week if I wanted to sustain it and make it a permanent loss. What he said made sense, everyone I’ve ever known to crash diet (myself included) never manages to keep the weight off long term.

Good luck with however you go about it though OP.

WorkCleanRepeat · 27/08/2023 20:26

Good luck! I'm aiming for 3 stone by Christmas so I'm happy to join you.

Queeniewag · 27/08/2023 20:27

I’m in please. Very similar weight and target. Just over 12 and would like to get to 9 and half by Xmas. But any loss would be good right now I just seem to keep gaining!!!! Fingers crossed we can do this. It’s starting tomorrow. Fasting works for me so going to start with that 16/8.

Original poster
2littleonesx · 27/08/2023 21:17

Ah maybe I am being a bit optimistic !
I am 29 with thyroid issues and had a c section 2 years ago so I am extremely big for my height.
New stretch marks everyday!

OP posts:
Original poster
2littleonesx · 27/08/2023 21:17

Thanks all!!
Yes will do fasting too and then try and track meals on here :) x

OP posts:
Laneymoo · 27/08/2023 21:22

In the same boat as you OP, can't seem to stop gaining. 9 month old baby that I initially lost the weight easily after but gained it all back and then some! I'd love to lose a lot quickly but that just isn't realistic or maintainable. It's 17 weeks to Christmas from tomorrow so I think a stone by then would be great!

Sugarcoatt · 27/08/2023 21:41

It’s 17 weeks till Xmas. A pound a week is achievable, maybe a little more. You would be doing well to lose 1.5 - 2 stone.

Unexpectedlysinglemum · 27/08/2023 22:07

No booze except one evening a week if you really must, and follow the diebetes Uk recommended diet I lost a huge amount of weight doing that

talkitup · 27/08/2023 22:21

I'm in. Just read a thread about cal counting. I'm going to do this (1500 a day) alongside IF. I'll be happy with a stone off because I need to stop the rot.

grapesandplums · 28/08/2023 07:46

I've got thyroid issues as well OP and I won't lie, it does make things a lot more difficult. I'm doing intermittent fasting, trying to lower my carbs a bit, and I gave up alcohol nearly 2 months ago. Also started swimming. Let's see how we go!

TinyRebel · 28/08/2023 07:55

I’m in the same boat as you OP. Following a VLCD and have lost three stone in three months, so aiming to lose a further four by Christmas.
Not going to be easy though, as have three events in October/November time.
Haven’t touched alcohol at all since started this diet and honestly don’t think I’ll bother again.

WeKnowFrogsGoShaLaLaLaLa · 28/08/2023 08:01

I'm hoping to lose four stone by Christmas too, the difference is I started in January! Be kind to yourself OP, and realistic. ❤️

heartofglass23 · 28/08/2023 11:10

That is only setting yourself up for failure. Then you will get down, eat more and end up gaining more weight.

It's 17 weeks til Xmas.

Even 1lb a week means a exercise/ eating deficit of 500 cals every single day.

So even a 17lb loss is a lot to ask.

That is the absolute max to -aim for

talkitup · 28/08/2023 12:37

I'll be very happy with 1lb a week until Christmas. Started using My Fitness Pal today and have set it all up on my current weight etc. so have 1450 cals daily to hopefully lose 1lb a week. I feel that's an achievable cal total. Good luck, everyone, starting today

TrumpetOfTheMatriarchy · 29/08/2023 08:50

Hello my people today is the day I start to sort myself out too! Before the Pandemic I was hovering between 11 and 11 half stone. I weighed myself this morning and am horrified to be 13 st 3Ib. I have not weighed that since I last gave birth in 2015.
I can blame the pandemic, and studying, and a knee injury but ultimately I did this and I have to sort it out.
I am aiming for a pound a week until Christmas too. To kick start I have dug out a bag of Exante meal replacements I bought and failed at last year. I plan two of those a day and a healthy evening meal and fruit for snacks. I also plan a cheat day once a week.
Come on, we can do this!

Helenahandkart · 29/08/2023 10:01

I did this last year. I signed up to the online version of Fast800. It was pretty straightforward, though all-consuming. Went from almost 13 stone down to just over 9 in 3 months.
Some of it has crept back on this year though.

Sugarfree23 · 29/08/2023 11:04

@2littleonesx I'm the same weight as you and think getting to 11st for Christmas is a much more realistic target.

Unless you are able to run for miles and eat like a sparrow I don't think 9st is a realistic target.
I'm half stone down, using MFP and trying to stick to 1000 calories a day. I've been loosing about a lb a week.

Dopaminefuelled · 29/08/2023 11:20

I'm 13st 12lb, 5ft 2. Ideal weight is 8.5stone (I think, will be flexible on this when nearer that weight)
I'd love to lose 4 stone by Xmas but I'm not at all convinced it's possible. I'm thinking more like 1.5 - 2 stone?

TrumpetOfTheMatriarchy · 30/08/2023 10:34

I now remember why I stopped with the exante meal replacements, they are foul!

Melissamelisante · 30/08/2023 11:12

Get a Fitbit and calorie count. That way you can eat all sorts but stick to your calorie limit. I've lost 15 kilos slowly this year using a Fitbit. Just had a bit of fudge as a treat at lunch, all counted and OK compared to activity today.

abbey44 · 31/08/2023 21:54

I’ve set myself this challenge (4 stones by Christmas) and am a month in now. Cutting carbs, logging what I eat into MyFitnessPal and upping the time I walk with my dog (she’s loving it!). I’m doing it in kilos though, as if I see it in stones I can’t get past how much I’ve put on over the last few years. So I went for 30 kilos in 30 weeks, which I know sounds ambitious, but I’ve got to do it and I need to see results to keep myself motivated. So far I’m down 7kg, which isn’t enough to make a visual difference yet, but I think my clothes are maybe not quite as tight round the middle. Bloody hard work though…

Heronatemygoldfish · 31/08/2023 22:18

I've lost 2st 10lb in 4 months and have just over a stone to go. I found the Fast800 a good way to start it, together with a fitbit, my fitness pal (logging everything!) and crucially knowing my tdee (total daily energy expenditure) and basal metabolic rate. My bmr is 1440 a day; this is how much I burn if doing absolutely nothing, and if I'm moderately active it is still only about 1700 at my age and height. So I need to be in calorie deficit from that by 500 to lose a lb a week. Being on 800 cal to start with meant I got a massive boost as deficit was even more. You raise your intake after a few weeks so loss slows down unless your exercise levels rise, but hopefully resets your blood sugars/insulin sensitivity in the process.
So yes it is possible to do 1kg a week if you're careful and can keep your exercise levels up, and there are 4 months to Christmas. Maybe not 4 stone, but 3 is doable. Good luck!

grapesandplums · 01/09/2023 17:54

Heronatemygoldfish · 31/08/2023 22:18

I've lost 2st 10lb in 4 months and have just over a stone to go. I found the Fast800 a good way to start it, together with a fitbit, my fitness pal (logging everything!) and crucially knowing my tdee (total daily energy expenditure) and basal metabolic rate. My bmr is 1440 a day; this is how much I burn if doing absolutely nothing, and if I'm moderately active it is still only about 1700 at my age and height. So I need to be in calorie deficit from that by 500 to lose a lb a week. Being on 800 cal to start with meant I got a massive boost as deficit was even more. You raise your intake after a few weeks so loss slows down unless your exercise levels rise, but hopefully resets your blood sugars/insulin sensitivity in the process.
So yes it is possible to do 1kg a week if you're careful and can keep your exercise levels up, and there are 4 months to Christmas. Maybe not 4 stone, but 3 is doable. Good luck!

@Heronatemygoldfish how did you work out your metabolic rate? I'm hypothyroid and can't work out if my heart rate is falling because I'm over exercising or becoming more fit.