Determined to lose 1.5 stone by July!

[Getfits]

Enough is enough..I need to lose 1.5 stone and to keep it off! My goal is to look and feel better, and to be fitter too.

So I’m only 5ft 2 and have been 9 stone for most of my adult life but after constant takeaways, home baking, lack of sleep and inactivity during lockdown, my weight crept up close to 13 stone / 83kg by the summer of 2021 and my body fat percentage was close to 40% which put me in the obese category.

I managed to lose a fair bit of weight using various methods (SW, 1:1, running,
walking, calorie counting, IF) and I was down to 11 stone /70Kg by late 2023. But over the last year it’s been hovering around 11 stone with not much change which has been frustrating.

The past month or so my weight’s actually been creeping up, the latest is I’ve just came back from a 2 week holiday and weighed myself - I’m 11 stone 8!

This is the heaviest I’ve been in over a year I think and I could see it in my holiday pics :/

I want to nip this in the bud by actively starting to get my weight down
towards 10 stone instead of continuing to head back in the direction to 13 stone.

I’m going to post at least every Monday setting out my intentions for diet and exercise and posting my weight/measurements update. Anyone in?

Will also be a good space to share fitness videos and simple healthy recipes!

I've not posted as the half term weight gain is probably going to take me till July to shift the rate I'm going..
I need to learn that thesedays I can't just eat whatever on holiday and be back to starting weight in two weeks (like the older days).

@Cherryblossom81, well done for getting to 8st 4. I am with you, I still have fat on my thighs/tummy I would like to get rid of, hoping the last few pounds will make a difference.

Happy to reply about the food I eat. I don't count calories, I think it would make me obsess about what I am eating. A lot of what has helped has been that I started a new job in March that is almost all WFH with only occasional visits to the office. And DS1 is at uni and DS2 at 6th form so leaves early and is back late as he has a long commute. So I'm not thinking about snacks for teenagers all the time.

I have got myself into a morning routine of getting up and doing 30 mins exercise on my rebounder and then having breakfast.

I sit down with DH in the kitchen and we have a proper breakfast time every day together, for the first time ever. I have decaf skimmed milk cappuccino which he makes me. I usually eat either natural kefir or porridge made with skimmed milk, with some nuts and/or seeds and a piece of fruit. About once a week I have a boiled egg with a piece of fruit instead.

Mid morning I have another decaf coffee with skimmed milk.

At lunchtime DH and I take the dog out for a walk, which gives me more exercise. We make sure we take a proper hour break.

For lunch I make a big bowl of salad, but crunchy salad, not just leaves. Usually it has cucumber, tomato and avocado, but I also add some other things like celery, fennel, red pepper and a piece of fruit. I also add some protein like some nuts/seeds and/or a very small amount of cheese and maybe some olives. Usually I add raw sauerkraut or ACV and a little olive oil. I vary it so it's not the same each day. I also have a redbush tea with skimmed milk. And if I go to the office I pack up a lunchbox with a big salad like this in.

Around 4pm I have another redbush tea with skimmed milk. DH has WFH home for a long time and makes the hot drinks, he has established a good routine that I have fitted in with. I often feel like I want a small snack at this time and have been trying to wean myself off them.

But if I feel I need a boost to keep me going to the end of the day, I might have a couple of squares or dark chocolate of a couple of dates with some nuts. I have tiny bowls I put them in to stop me taking too many! Or I might have a little kefir with sone cacao powder and almonds stirred in. Our home office is on the 2nd floor so once I've got my snack I'm unlikely to go downstairs for more.

I do take some packaged biscuits to work, like Nairns oat biscuits in little packs of 2 that are low in sugar and saturated fat, as I often want to eat something late in the afternoon before my long drive home, but it's only once or twice a month. I also buy these for when we go hiking, which we tend to do when we go on holiday.

I have really tried hard to have a smaller dinner. I realised I just don't need loads of food when all I'm going to do is go to bed. I tend to make something for everyone but don't have the carbs that everyone else has, or only a small amount.

I might have baked haddock or salmon with lots of veg on the side, perhaps with a tiny bit of pesto for flavour. Or a homemade veg and chickpea curry. I will just have a bowl of that, whereas everyone else has rice and/or naan breads. Or I might make pasta for everyone else with a big lentil tomato sauce, which I pour over loads of vegetables.

At the weekend we tend to get some good quality steak mince and DH makes bolognase or chilli, which usually lasts us for 2 days as DS2 doesn't eat meat and DS1 is at uni so rarely here. I will often have the bolognase poured over lots of veg, or perhaps just a tiny bit of pasta and a little parmesan for flavour rather than the mound of grated cheddar I used to have.

If the others are having dessert, which they often do at the weekend, I just don't have any, or have a bit of dark chocolate or a couple of medjool dates. Occasionally I might share a 187ml can of red wine with DH, but not every weekend.

I do drink lots of water in the daytime. I try not to obsess about it but do weigh myself each morning when I get up. If I've put on a pound I remind myself to be restrained that day!

@Cherryblossom81, I'd be interested to hear about what you eat too and how you manage it all.

Yeah it can be hard to get out of the habit of eating more on holidays and putting the weight you just lost right back on,
but I find sometimes it gives me the motivation I need to get back on track. Good luck with getting back on the healthy eating.

Hope everyone had a great weekend.

My update: No change from last time really!
Still happy to be back down in the tens so I’ve more or less maintained from 2 days ago when I weighed myself.

SW: 72.5kg/ 11 stone 6
CW: 69.5kg /10 stone 13
GW: 9 stone 10

Starting waist size :32.5 inches
CW : 31 inches
GW: 29 inches

That’s half a stone off since early May! My weight gain seems to be fairly slow and steady, which is great. I just hope I don’t plateau before I reach my goal as I don’t want to go below 1200 calories. But if I do continue at this rate I should reach my goal weight by late July/early august. Here’s hoping!

This week : continuing with eating two meals and one snack a day and aiming to drink more water. It’s my day off and planning to bake some bread for the first time using a Tesco bread mix and making some garlic butter.

Monday progress:

SW: 15"9
CW: 14"9

I’m still fasting pretty much 16:8 and very low carbing/calorie controlling as per Fast 800. Increased calories a bit on the weekend but scales have stayed the same. Currently in my 4th week of 12 weeks and from here it seems like a looooooong time. But I’m determined to complete the full 12 weeks and give myself a good kickstart to a healthier and more sustainable lifestyle 🤞🏻

Loved reading today’s updates! Keeping me motivated so thank you all 😊

I came on my period this morning so I was heavier than I have been weighing (I weigh everyday to keep in check) but I am still feeling so much better for keeping to IF! I aim for 16:8 but usually ends up 15:9 or I get very shaky!

I am anemic which is making exercise very hard as I get very breathless but I’m making good progress.

this thread is keeping me accountable and I love hearing everyone’s updates so thank you :)

I won't with this week as it was my daughter's 18th then I had Covid! I'm on holiday next week but usually pretty good in warmer places as I eat better

I've not had a good start this week.
My DP bought 2 slices of cheesecake, he doesn't have much of a sweet tooth, just eats sweet stuff occasionally.
They sat in the fridge for three days. And then I ate them 😳 on Sunday.
Monday weighed 67.3kg.
Yesterday I had a stonker of a migraine and my cravings were unbeatable. After my lunch I had an ice cream I found lurking in the freezer.
Then after dinner I had 2 packets of crisps, a kit kat, a bounty and a can of coke.
This morning I weigh 66.6kg. Think I've got off lightly!

@Netcam Thank you so much for taking the time to share your daily plan with me (sorry it's taken me so long to reply - busy week). It's really helpful to hear from someone who is at a similar weight to me.

I'll reply to you in more detail later about what I eat etc. (no time now!) but just wanted to say thank you and that it really is so helpful to hear what's working for you.

I've totally lost it the last few days due to stress, so will get back on track Monday.

Ya I've had a rubbish week too. Drawing a line today. Onwards!

So far I’ve maintained but had a binge last night which isn’t great. I don’t just want to lose weight but trying to develop and maintain healthy habits.

I’m going out for dinner on Monday night but not much planned for this weekend. Planning to bake bread this afternoon and avoid snacking. At least thanks to last night I have no more binge food around as it’s usually only certain things I’ll eat in excess 😳

@Imatorturedpoet @goingdownfighting that sucks - stress can have such a big impact on our food choices. Hope you’re all able to get back on track.

I’m considering starting 5:2 but my own slightly modified version which would eat closer to 700 calories for two days a week.

Anyway, it’s absolutely pouring where I am and I’m just about to head out ☂️hope it’s nicer where you all are! Have a lovely weekend everyone.

Weigh in for me today - another 3lbs lost!

SW 11.13
CW 11.3
GW 9.13

Really want to get in the 10s by the end of the month.

Think my GW may be a little unrealistic by August!

Weigh in today

CW: 137.6
GW: 125
Total loss 9.4 lb
Loss this week 2.2lb

NSW: clothes fit well
Jawline more defined

Also attended 2 x Pilates and I'm seeing the results of regular skincare.

It's unlikely that I will hit goal before the end of July but I'm so thrilled with my progress so far.

I'm also trying to instil some long term habits so I don't mind taking my time if it means that my healthy eating/exercise is sustainable.

Happy Sunday everyone hope the sun is shining where you are (it isn't here)

@Netcam Thank you again for your reply earlier in the week about your daily plan. It was so helpful. Sorry it's taken me so long to reply to you.

I'm currently eating low-ish carb (not no carb, but trying to limit white carbs, bread, pasta, rice, etc).

I don't always have breakfast but when I do I have either Greek yogurt, berries & seeds or a small bowl of porridge.

Lunch is usually salad with protein (tuna, chicken, cottage cheese).

Dinners vary. If I'm on my own (couple of times a week) - I really like something like salmon with lots of veg. Other days it might be something like chilli, stir fry, bolognese, roast dinner, fishcakes, etc and I'll often not have the carb with the meal, but have extra veg.

I walk between 20,000 to 25,000 steps a day (I know activity trackers aren't completely reliable but I think it gives a rough idea).

I have been doing all the above for around 6 months but not managing to lose the few pounds I want to lose. Around a month ago I signed up to Nutracheck to see if tracking my calories would work. I've been eating 1100-1200 every day, but still not losing! I've also just recently started Caroline Girvan workouts (but not with very heavy weights!).

I'm not too sure what else I can do, but I guess it will be slow as I'm short-ish and at a 'healthy' weight. I just know that I look and feel better a few pounds lighter, so will just keep going. I actually really enjoy eating lots of veg, salad, etc.

If you, or anyone else, have any thoughts on anything I could change/try - do let me know!

Thanks @CherryogDog and @goingdownfighting we are just keeping on going.

Well I’ve not had a spectacular week. Migraine with all the stress of dd Wednesday and I put on weight. I was 93.9 this morning so basically back to where I was last week. I’m so hungry atm. I have chronic fatigue so the more ill I am the more I need to eat. And I’m very tired and depleted right now. Just giving myself a break. A positive if I lose and actually still good if I can maintain right now…

Congrats those, who’ve lost and don’t beat yourselves up if you didn’t. Life isn’t always easy.

Thanks for all of the detail, very interesting to read. It sounds like your meals are fairly similar to mine, although if you don't always have breakfast and miss out on the afternoon snack, then you probably eat less than me.

You also do double the amount of exercise I do, which is impressive, I do about 10,000 steps a day. And I think you said you were 5'3 like me and about the sane weight (I'm 8st 3).

I'm not sure what else you can do. I don't think I'd be able to eat much less than I do and would be unlikely to do more exercise while I'm working full time.

Maybe you've just hit a plateau and your energy intake/output is balanced. Is there anything you can do to cut your calories short term just to get those last few pounds off?

Do you have a particular reason you want to lose a bit more?

I feel OK about how I look, I was never really motivated by my appearance, although lots of people have commented that I look better and noticeably slimmer.

My motivation came from the tests I had at the GP in January. I have these annually because I had gestational diabetes with both DS and was on insulin from week 32 of both pregnancies. I feel fortunate that DS are now 17 and 20 and I haven't developed diabetes.

But this year my hb1ac was 41 which is borderline for pre-diabetes, chloresterol 5.7 and blood pressure, having tested at home after a high reading with the GP, was hovering around high normal. At that point I was 9 stone.

So I decided the best thing I could do was to try and lose a stone and increase my exercise. It won't be until next January that I find out if it has made any difference, but I am determined to stick at it. Even if it doesn't change, it might prevent it getting worse.

The reason I want to try and get those last few pounds off is because my waist still looks a bit flabby and could be an indication of internal fat around the organs causing blood sugar issues. So I want to do all I can to prevent diabetes.

@Netcam I'm finding your posts really motivational and helpful. I was 9stone 5 in March and now 8stone 5lbs. I'm going to give another push in the next week's and loose a few more lbs before hols.

@Cherryblossom81 would you try 2 weeks of slightly upping your calories and incorporate much more protein (maybe try to hit 100g protein+)? That is the advice I was given by my PT and on reddit. You are doing a lot of activity and have a really big calorie deficite. It might simply be adding a small tin of tuna or a protein shake to what your eating in the day.

OK I've been hiding after gaining FIVE lbs on holiday.
Been hard at it and almost back to where I started end of May.
I don't make this easy for myself.

Currently 9.12
Really want to be under 9 stone as I'm very short. Exercising lots.
Lots of events coming up like glamping and birthdays. Starting to realise this might not be a quick fix. But let's see what I can do before summer holidays..

I am soldiering on but can’t really weigh myself as I can’t weight bear. I’m now doing 1000 calories and doing upper body weights but otherwise very limited in what I can do. I’m really focusing on a small deficit and a high protein so that once I am finally back in my feet I won’t (hopefully) have gained loads of weight.

I am eating a lot of cottage cheese, eggs, smoked salmon!

You all seem to be doing amazingly well. Holidays and parties are going to happen and weight will go up and down but if I’ve learnt anything it’s just to try and make sure that a bad meal/day/week doesn’t turn into falling off the wagon.

My weekly weigh in:

SW: 72.5kg/ 11 stone 6
CW: 69.5kg /10 stone 13
GW: 9 stone 10ish

Didn't lose any but just maintained from last week. Did have a couple of binges last week. Hoping to step it up this week. This is the weight i plateaued at last summer.

It’s so great hearing about what others eat and what’s working and what’s not. I’m taking notes 📝

@TakingTheHorseToFrance, thanks so much for your comments and congratulations for getting this far.

Your suggestions about more protein are interesting, I'd be keen to know what the rationale behind it is.

I would also add to your comments that my instinct is not to get used to eating so little, as it would be so easy to put it back on again and it might slow the metabolism down.

I've tried to maintain eating enough so I don't ever feel deprived or hungry, but no more than I need, with the main aim as a sustainable better diet, with minimal UPF, refined sugar or refined carbs and a small amount of complex carbs.

@netcam my understanding (as ecplained by my pt) regarding a high protein diet is that it has a higher thermic effect and your body burns more calories to breakdown protein.

when you reach a "skinny fat" stage (when you've reached target weight but are not seeing abs/muscle and in my case im still seeing a wobbly belly) a higher protein intake can help your body recomp (loose fat but gain muscle)