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!

Hi everyone, weigh in from holiday, still 8 stone. Over the past few days have had a glass of wine, a small beer, a biscuit and more bread than usual. In Wales now and going for a hike along the Millennium Coastal path today. Hopefully all the walking will make up for eating a bit differently from usual. But so much easier to pack up a cheese sandwich and an apple than a salad for a hiking packed lunch while we are away.

That's interesting @Mummyoflittledragon . I know when I was sticking to fasting I wasn't craving anything either.

Weighted and measured myself this morning and am exactly where I was 8 weeks ago when I last weighed myself, so very pleased with that!

New starting weight 12 stone 5.4
Goal 11 st 7

Another update from holiday, still 8 stone. Did a 20km hike on the Millenium Coastal path in South Wales yesterday. Eating a bit more than usual, but still healthily. Not sitting at a desk for most of the day, and glad to see weight loss is being maintained.

@getfits well done on your progress - especially dealing with your iced bun episode.
Sometimes it's best just get it out of (or into) your system and crack on.

I've come to the conclusion that aiming for perfection is not the way to go and if I do this 70 percent of the time I will get 70 percent of my goal, or 100 percent but in a longer time both of which would bloody amazing.

@Netcam well done on maintaining. I'm not sure that I have the bandwidth to weigh and monitor on holidays. I'm going next week and will be careful where it doesn't hamper my enjoyment but that's about it. I'll deal with the fallout when I get back.

Hope everyone is keeping hydrated this week!

@goingdownfighting, I understand not wanting to weigh on holiday. But from past experience. I know I can put on half a stone on a 2 week holiday and take months to lose it again. Plus, my mini travel scales are right next to me under the bed, so it's easy in the morning if I remember.

I don't count calories anyway, so there's not much to monitor, but I am eating different things to usual but also doing more physical activity. So it's useful for me to know if I'm maintaining with these changes while away.

So far, so good, on day 6 and still 8 stone, despite having sandwiches instead of salad for lunch, so a lot of bread that I don't eat much of. Also, having a Nairns low sugar oat biscuit or Graze low sugar mini flapjack to keep me going in the afternoon on our hikes and a small glass of wine some evenings. Managing to avoid cake, even though DH has it every night!

We are self-catering and making packed lunch every day, which makes it easier, but it's still different from home. At least I'm not eating huge hotel buffet breakfasts with pastries, which I have in the past, to my detriment. And all of the hiking is obviously burning off the extra calories I'm sure I'm eating.

@Netcam well done!

I've come to the conclusion that aiming for perfection is not the way to go and if I do this 70 percent of the time I will get 70 percent of my goal, or 100 percent but in a longer time both of which would bloody amazing.

I very much agree with that @goingdownfighting . Different things works for different people but I think for many allowing ourselves to eat “off-plan” here and there is more sustainable even if it makes us reach our goals slower.

Re. Holiday weigh ins, I’m going away in autumn for a few weeks and I’m in two minds whether to monitor my weight or not. I’ll see how I feel closer to the time.

I’ve never done that on holiday, but I did start this thread partly because I’d put on a fair bit after ten days in Vietnam! So I don’t want a repeat of that 😆

Weighed in this morning! 1lb down.

I've been trying really hard this week. Although I've been very productive, I have really benefitted from the later starts as the kids are on hols. A bit more sleep and a bit less stress really helps!

Lots of NSW. tried on a pre wedding top (22 years old) and it fits perfectly. I'm definitely a full size down now.

I've got a jawline, cheek bones, collar bones

My underarm fat is going

On holiday next week so I'll come and post the damage when I get back.

Hope all are doing well.

have a great time on hols @goingdownfighting the changes you’re seeing sound amazing. I’d love to get a bit more of a jawline back!

One thing I wish I’d done on the weight loss journey is take progress pics actually. Because no doubt there’s been more changes that I’ve noticed - I hope 😌

Weight update :

no change from me on the scale, it is still jumping between 68.3 and 68.8kg each time I get on, so I’ll just take it as 68.5 which is the same as last week.

Intentions for this week :

• to be more active. My physio recommend I get a standing desk to ease some of my joint issues so I’ve got one and getting it assembled tomorrow. I think if I’m standing at my desk I’ll end up getting lots of steps in as I tend to dance around while standing 😆
• to eat between 900 and 1200 calories each day
• to do my physio stretches
• maintain my low refined sugar diet

Another check in from holiday, past few days I've been 7st 13! Did not intend to go a pound under my target weight, been eating more than usual, must be all the hiking.

Enjoy your holidays everyone!

Weighed myself this morning, I'm 2 lbs down 😊

Starting weight 12 st 5.5
Current weight 12 st 3.5

Check in from last day of holiday. Was 8st for a while, then 7st 13 for a few days, then 8st 1 for a couple of days, today 8st. Good news that I've stayed the same.

I've been eating bread and cheese at lunchtime instead of my usual salad as we've been taking easy picnic lunches on hikes. I've also had a small glass of wine some nights and the odd biscuit here and there.

But to balance that out, we've walked a lot.

Yesterday we did a 30km hike along the Cotswold Way, the longest one we've done. I'm feeling quite fit and healthy and actually felt fine afterwards, despite the hills.

It's been interesting, I haven't eaten loads, just more the amount and types of things I used to eat before I lost weight, but wasn't doing lots of exercise every day.

So when I get home and am back to my desk job, I know I won't be able to eat cheese sandwiches and biscuits, or I will just put on weight again. But at least I know when we travel, I can eat a bit differently if we're hiking.

And now I want to try and maintain some of the fitness I've been building up over the past couple of weeks.

I'm determined to do a long walk every weekend from now on, as well as making sure I get up early to do my regular morning exercise before work.

@netcam I love your updates. I've fallen off the wagon and am 8stone 4lbs but I'll reset in the next week.

Thanks. But 8 stone 4 is hardly falling off the wagon, just a minor digression!

Hey hope everyone’s doing well and had a great weekend.

Still no real change from me, still around 68.5–69.5kg and waist of 31.5 inches.

But I have been getting into some healthy habits the past week or so. I’m eating between 11am and 7pm, and for the most part sleeping 6-8 hours which is good for me as someone who’s struggled with sleep.

I’ve also started exercising 3 times a week for 20 minute sessions despite my injury.

As disappointing as it is not to be losing more weight I’m grateful I’m at least maintaining so I’m not feeling too discouraged. And tbf I weigh 30 pounds less than I did now in 2022 and now just need to lose 10-14 pounds to get within my recommended weight range. So knowing I’m over half way through the journey helps too, although plateaus are frustrating.

If anyone is feeling discouraged hope you can get some motivation to re-start the journey by thinking of how far you’ve come or past progress or how it will make you feel to reach your goals.

And well done to all who keep smashing it with the weight loss progress or who have reached and maintained their target weight.

I’ll probably not post my updates for a while until my weight or body actually starts to change, but I’ll keep reading everyone’s updates!

I have thrown the towel in and decided to go back to WW. Well done everyone for sticking with this. My last few months have been the same as the last 12 months or so lots of stop start. Exercise and healthy eating go hand in hand for me so not being able to exercise is tough.

good luck everyone though and if anyone wants to join me on a WW thread I’m going to start one when I get back from holiday next week.

I know how you feel about not being able to do any exercise. I’m very limited atm in terms of how much exercise I can do.

All the best with WW @Picoloangel hope you reach your goals.

Finally - I have a proper progress update again. The weight has started to shift 🥳

For the past few days I’ve been aiming for 800 calories and getting to about 1000-1200 calories. Previously I was aiming for 1200 calories and ending up on 1500 calories a lot of the time!

Today I weighed myself and I was 68kg /10st 9 so I’ve lost 2 pounds since the last time I weighed myself earlier this week when I was just under 69kg.

I think this is the lowest weight I’ve been since early 2020 when I was 11stone 4 in January then started making progress and got myself down to 10stone 9 through going to the gym and eating less takeaways just before lockdown happened. Of course once lockdown started I stopped the gym and ate even more takeaways and my weight just soared.

NSV including baking and eating only half of what I’ve baked and having the self control to put the rest in the freezer!

I started this thread on 11stone 6 I’d love to get down to 10stone 6 before middle of next month. I’ll update this thread one more time if I do! Not quite my original target but would be a massive achievement!

I’m away traveling in October and I just plan to maintain then, but might pop up with a new thread in November for those wanting to lose half a stone before Christmas since this thread is now a bit outdated given it was lose 1.5 stone by July 😆

Thanks to everyone who joined in or contributed to the thread or even quietly lurked! Every other thread seems to be about people using certain well known weight loss medication drugs, so it was nice to hear from people who like me are doing it without those 💊 💉

Wishing you the best on your journeys ⭐️

Well done @Getfits, you must be really pleased. This thread certainly helped me going and I've also appreciated encouragement with healthy eating and exercise.

Two weeks post holiday, I've been WFH so am sat at my desk all day, but keeping up my morning exercise before work and walk at lunchtime. I'm still 8st, with some days 7st 13, although 8st today and 8st is where I aim to stay.

Thank you!

And your progress has been so inspiring to hear about @Getfits ⭐️

good luck with maintaining now you’re at your goal weight 🥳

sorry that post above was obviously meant for @Netcam I tagged myself by accident 🤦🏽‍♀️

Well done, @Getfits

Thank you for this thread. It was the first 'weight loss' thread where I felt 'ok' to post that I am trying to lose a few pounds when at 8st3. Some of the people on here have really encouraged and inspired me.

I'm still struggling to lose the few pounds I need/want to lose, but the progress of people on here at a similar height/weight to me is encouraging me that it is possible (but slow!).

@Netcam - Well done for your progress and maintaining.

I thought I'd post an update . 5ft 2
Sw 9st 5lbs -Feb 2024

Lowest weight before hols 8st 2

Current weight 8st 3lbs/8st 4lbs.

I somehow have managed to not pile on the lbs and am at a happy weight. A self confessed biscuit and bar addict I haven't eaten a bar since Feb and rarely rarely eat a biscuit. This is key for me in keeping the weight off.

In July before my hols I was very strict with my eating and dramatically increased exercised. I always went very high protein 2 weeks before my hols.

My dinners now resemble a bit more of my pre-diet dinners (carbonara, fried chicken breasts, the odd takeaway) but yet weight didn't pile on. I'm not doing as much exercise. I will do a very strict week of calorie deficit next week as I wouldn't be surprised if I'm up next week. Somehow I have managed to find a way to keep the lbs but manage a but of normality.

Well done @TakingTheHorseToFrance, great news you are maintaining.

Thought I'd add my update. SW about a year ago was 9st 7. GW was 8 stone, which I reached a 2 or 3 months ago.

I didn't do any calorie counting, have been eating 3 small, healthy meals a day and 1 snack. Also increased exercise.

Have continued that eating pattern as I'm happy with it. Seem to still be very slowly losing about a pound a month, now 7st 10. I'm 5'3 with a small frame so I don't look underweight, but I don't want to get much lighter, nor do I was to increase my weight.

Will just weigh daily and adjust portion sizes slightly to try and stay around 7 3/4 stone as it feels the right weight for me.

@TakingTheHorseToFrance and @Netcam Well done to both of you.

Thank you for posting. It was very timely for me to read this today. I'm still stuck at 8st3 and know I look/feel better under 8st (also 5ft2 and small frame). It's feeling frustrating that I can't lose these few pounds, but both of your updates have really encouraged me. Please keep posting updates!