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!

That's really good to know. I definitely see a wobbly belly!

I've been yoyo dieting for decades. The game changer is that last time (2022-23) I cut out processed foods. I didn't calorie count except in the common sense way - i.e. no massive ton of pasta. I ate whole foods for a year, and have stuck to it mostly since I lost the weight, and haven't regained. Total game changer, wish I'd known 20 years ago.

@RogueFemale, that is amazing, well done. I think that is a brilliant approach and the way forward. It's similar to what I've done.

I've always eaten mainly whole foods, but there's been some processed too and stopping them has made a difference to me too.

I think I've always known that, I grew up with a mainly whole food diet. I just didn't act upon it! I've just found it hard when busy with a family, especially when I was a single parent for 5 years.

I tried to mainly cook from scratch but have always had the odd day when I just wanted to stick something in the oven from the freezer. I just don't do that anymore, at least not for myself.

And I remarried my wonderful DH, but he used to eat a lot of processed food until he met me. He has been great and eats so many things now that he'd never even tried, including my huge lunchtime salads, pulses, wholewheat pasta, brown rice and most vegetables.

But he still sometimes wants pizza, fish and chips and cake, so occasionally he (and my DS) have them and I eat something different on those days. Before I used to join in, partly because it was easier and I was tired/busy. Partly because it was there. Or when biscuits are in the house and everyone else was eating them I'd have one. I've learnt to ignore them and actually prefer my medjool dates and nuts for treats.

In fact, I actually enjoy crunchy, fresh salads, fresh fish and mounds of vegetables more.

Anyway, great news this morning, 8st 2! 2 pounds to go!

@RogueFemale, interested to know what you eat and what you consider processed. I still eat things like tinned tomatoes, tinned pulses, wholewheat pasta, bought kefir and fermented sauerkraut because I don't have time to make my own, for example. I also buy things like organic hummus and pesto but am aware of ingredients and check them. But most of my diet is fresh fruit and veg, nuts and seeds, milk, fish, a little meat and oats.

@Netcam But he still sometimes wants pizza, fish and chips and cake, so occasionally he (and my DS) have them and I eat something different on those days. Before I used to join in, partly because it was easier and I was tired/busy. Partly because it was there. Or when biscuits are in the house and everyone else was eating them I'd have one. I've learnt to ignore them and actually prefer my medjool dates and nuts for treats.

In fact, I actually enjoy crunchy, fresh salads, fresh fish and mounds of vegetables more.

Anyway, great news this morning, 8st 2! 2 pounds to go!

Wow, well done you, nearly down to 8st is great!!

I remember a few years back, reading that you can eat anything you like, as long as you make it yourself from scratch. i.e. pizza and fish & chips etc are fine if home made. Which now makes sense when we know so much more about UPF. So that could be a way round with your DH/DS (- get them to help with the prep).

interested to know what you eat and what you consider processed. I still eat things like tinned tomatoes, tinned pulses, wholewheat pasta, bought kefir and fermented sauerkraut because I don't have time to make my own, for example. I also buy things like organic hummus and pesto but am aware of ingredients and check them. But most of my diet is fresh fruit and veg, nuts and seeds, milk, fish, a little meat and oats.

I'm a fairly lazy healthy eater. I live alone. I batch cook a lot, and freeze my own ready meals, so that it's not making from scratch every single day. I don't go as far as brown rice or pasta (hate both). Fish or vegetarian (vegan or eggy or cheesy) mostly, chicken once a fortnight (but will last a few days in various forms, ending with soup), and red meat once a month. Make my own humus - and a great lower-cal dip alternative is beetroot and yogurt (Turkish, multiple recipes online). Try to buy the best artisan bread but not always easy to find. Lucky with other local suppliers, but bread is difficult. Buy organic if I can afford it.

Yes I do buy stuff in packages. Tinned tomatoes etc are fine. Tinned fish too, like anchovies, which are cheap at Aldi. Always check the labels, that's all. Some Waitrose ice-cream is surprisingly free of additives.

Agree, medjool dates are a real treat. Currently enjoying the summer fruit after months of bananas, oranges and grapes. My local market is doing 2kg crates of black cherries, - bliss.

P.S. @Netcam Here's a fabulous veg curry recipe, easily adapted to whatever veg you have, and really delicious. Easy to make large quantities and freeze some. The zing of the lime squeezed when you serve is essential. https://www.theguardian.com/food/2023/oct/22/nigel-slater-recipe-golden-autumn-vegetables-basil-sauce

@RogueFemale, thanks for the replies and recipes, that veg curry looks great, very similar to the kind of curries I make with whatever veg we have, although I rarely follow recipes to be honest.

DH does make oven chips with fresh potatoes sometimes, but I still don't eat them, or I might have one or two. I have made bread and pizza in the past. I just have found these days post menopause I just can't eat things like that anymore without putting on weight.

The things we keep in the freezer really are for emergencies when we don't want to cook. Although I'd be happy putting together a quick salad on those nights, DH and DS want something more substantial. But part of me wants to just stop buying them, although they are useful occasionally.

Hi, I had a life change 2 years ago and have piled on the pounds. I'm 5ft 5 and 12st11 ...... I'd like to be 9 again if possible or at least under 10 somewhere!

I've not decided if I'm going to do any type of diet or just do the sensible eating cleaner and healthier choices.

I've come on Mumsnet for inspiration & love your thread. I hope it's not too late to join you guys?

☺️

Welcome @Achangenow , it’s not too late to join! I hope you’ll continue to find this thread helpful in reaching your goals.

Currently weight update:

SW: 54.4kg
CW:53kg
GW:50kg

not a huge loss but really feeling and seeing the difference in my clothes, face and tummy! I am 5ft so even a 2lb loss makes a dramatic difference. I won’t hit 50kg by July but happy with where my progress is going :)

I don't have a weight problem. Male. I wanted to be a little bit trimmer. I just stopped taking sugar in drinks. Tea instead of Latte. I loved biscuits and crisps. Stopped buying them for the house. Eat carrots and celery instead. Just little changes.

Losing weight is much easier for men. A larger muscle mass in relation to overall weight means you drop weight faster. Coupled with this you don’t suffer from hormone fluctuations, which change throughout the month, peri menopause, menopause or pre / post pregnancy weight and hormonal changes. It takes 18 months post partum to return to pre pregnancy hormonal levels even assuming all runs smoothly. Plus men don’t generally carry so much mental load or childcare so have more time and space to workout.

Yeah I agree as a fellow short woman - I’m 5ft 2 and feel a few pounds can make a lot of difference @Hellohihola yay for non scale victories!

@Mummyoflittledragon spot on - you make a lot of good points. Currently on my period now and my weight and hunger levels have gone up instantly!

Welcome @Achangenow

Weigh in for me

CW:137.4lb
GW: 125lb
Weight loss approx 12lb
This week 1.4lb

It's been tough.

NSW: managed to eat out a few times but adjusted my diet to minimise damage.
Feeling the mental health benefits of my Pilates classes.

I also feel stronger and some very faint muscle definition coming through.

Have set up the peloton ready to start at some point.

I'm deliberately introducing changes very slowly so I don't reach breaking point and fail. I'm guilty of going in too hard and fast in the past and as PP said, it's all about WOL changes.

My goals are changing, the numbers in the scales are becoming less of an issue. I want to still be eating like this and attending my Pilates classes at the end of the year whatever my weight is and that requires change that is deeper and more measured.

Pilates has made me more connected and aware of my body than anything I've done before as has journaling before I reach for unhealthy food. Eg my child was upset this week and after I'd sorted him (he was absolutely fine) I went and reached for the chocolate. I then realised that I needed comfort and forgiveness (I was upset because he was, and felt guilty although it wasn't my fault) so found alternatives to deal with those emotions than just eat them.

This stuff is hard but it's slowly unlocking progress.

Sorry for the long post! Hope everyone is enjoying some sunshine somewhere!

Hi all,

Well done to the losers 👏

I weighed this morning:

CW:12st 13
GW: 11st (for now this is a good target!)
Weight loss
This week 0.00000 nought! 🤦🏼‍♀️

Though I wasn't prepared when I joined you ladies ..... I just saw you thread and jumped on!

Ive been shopping last week, making some changes and am prepared for a loss this coming week! 😊

This weeks weigh in for me (I will try to aim for Mondays) -

SW 54.4kg
CW 52.5kg
GW 50kg

pleased with my loss in the last month (couldn’t tell you what it was this week 😂)

After a couple of very busy, stressful couple of weeks, I was then unwell and feeling very sorry for myself as I recovered. Anyway, I've started IF after a chat with the GP. Fairly short eating window. I'm 75.6kg today.

@TakingTheHorseToFrance Sorry, it's taken me so long to reply! Thank you for these ideas. I have made a big focus on upping my protein over the last few days. I'm a bit scared about upping my calories! Did it work for you?

@Netcam How are you getting on? I don't think I answered your question about why I want to lose the last few pounds. It's to try to target my belly fat. I am 8 stone 3 this morning, but I really have a disproportionately big tummy! I am a teacher and children have asked if there's a baby in there!

It was reassuring to hear that my diet sounds similar to what you eat.

It's really helpful to have this thread, as I don't talk about this to anyone in person.

@Cherryblossom81 I am now eating more calories (approx 1400 some days a bit more some days less)and trying to hit 100g protein a day. Scales is showing 8stone 5 and some days 8stone 4 and I'm a very comfortable size 8. That is a full stone lost.

For this week on the advice of my Personal Trainer I'm going to try and hit 45% protein, 35% carbs. So I'll report back on how i get on. I'm hoping to see a change in the tummy area rather than on the scales. I'm going on holidays next week so I'm just doing one last final push.

@TakingTheHorseToFrance Yes, let me know how you get on! Sorry if you've already said this - how tall are you? Also, what is your exercise routine?

I'm just under 5ft 2. Natural body type would be short and pudgy, curvy big boobs, squishy, but never looked very overweight, an uncomfortable size 10.

Started with a personal trainer February 2023. Got fitter and felt great but weight didnt change much. Feb 2024 I realised I'd needed a change as I weighed at 9stone 5lbs. So went calorie deficite. Dramatically increased steps (approx 20k per day). Worked out with PT twice a week. Tried to go for a short slow jog most days. Downloaded a leg workout app and did it 3 to 4 times a week (only took 30 mins in between putting kids to bed). Did that for about 3 months. Lost a stone and noticed a massive difference in leg shape.

My routine is now in the gym twice a week with PT. 1 home dumbell/strength training 1 hour mid week and a starting tomorrow I'm going back to a cardio session (jog). This gives me 4 work outs per week. My aim now is to see a change in body shape rather than just get skinny. But admittedly I feel a bit aimless and not sure what I'm doing. I found it easier (and dare i say found it a bit addictive) seeing the numbers going down on the scales and doing loads of cardio than where I'm at now, but this is long term maintaining a healthy weight.

@Cherryblossom81, yes, understand about the belly fat, mine sticks out too, worse post menopause but I think it always has. DH thinks it's just my body shape. But he strokes it and says he likes it!

I seem to have plateaued a bit. Been 8st 2 for a couple of weeks, but yesterday was not a good food day. Had 4 squares 90% chocolate, 2 slices sourdough and a small glass of red wine on top of what I usually eat. Was 8st 3 this morning. Easy to see how I could put it all back on again! That was my weekend indulgence, but at least I avoided the chocolate éclairs that DH and DS were eating.

Was really busy with work trying to get something finished that needed to be done by the end of the week and was trying to give myself extra power. After that I fancied wine on Friday night with DS who'd just come home from uni for the summer.

@TakingTheHorseToFrance I think I have the same body type as you. I feel like you have described me exactly when describing your height, body type, size, etc. Thank you for sharing what you've done/are doing.

It's helpful hearing that a few of us are at a similar place with height, weight, body type, etc.

@Netcam Hope your next week is less busy and you enjoy having your son home.

@Cherryblossom81 @TakingTheHorseToFrance

I'm a similar shape. Short curvy hourglass which doesn't carry fat well.

I've started reformer Pilates and I feel I'm beginning to lengthen throughout my body, my arms and legs are getting more slender, and my posture is better too.

I've added 1x cardio and 1x strength workout too along with lots of steps and I'm definitely seeing the difference in the mirror.

That's encouraging to hear @goingdownfighting (I'm finding it really helpful to be hearing from people with similar body types to me).

I had been wondering about Pilates. Wonder if I can find something suitable online to follow?

I'm not really able to get to a gym/classes, so all of my exercise has to be home workouts and lots of walking. I've recently been doing Caroline Girvan workouts at home. Does anyone else workout at home?