Sustainable and not overly ambitious weight loss: 1 stone by September- anyone care to join?

[OMGitsnotgood]

I’m 5’4 and 12 stone 8lbs.
I exercise regularly now, and am slowly losing weight ( almost a stone over a year), I now need to reduce my calorie intake to increase the weight loss. I enjoy my food and drink, so a very restrictive diet isn’t going to work for me, plus I want it to be sustainable.

I want to try to lose a stone by September. In itself that shouldn’t be too much of a challenge but that time period includes a holiday and lots of social activities which will involve food and drink.

The approach I want to take is making healthier or at least lower calorie choices.
So for example, Weetabix and fruit for breakfast instead of toast and lashings of butter; soup or salad for lunch, with the occasional sandwich rather than sandwiches every day (and always tempted to have crisps with sandwiches); evenings have a ‘normal’ meal but consider the calorie content when meal planning or when eating out. Gin & slimline tonic instead of wine etc
I don’t want to be counting calories but am aware of what foods/cooking methods are higher in calories than others.
I’m good at not making or buying cakes/biscuits/ puddings - but if on offer will eat them - and want to be able to within reason.

I don’t want to join a group such as Slimming World, but know the weekly weigh ins have helped friends stay focused and accountable, so thought I’d give it a go on here to see if there are any other reluctant dieters who would find this gentler approach in the company of others helpful.

Anyone want to join in?

Me! I've been trying to lose this stone for a while, so I think some accountability would help

Hi @shunderland, thank you for responding. How much are you wanting to lose?
I've not got off to a good start, met up with friends last night and had wine and crisps, couldn't resist toast this morning, and am out for a meal tonight.

A stone would be great - I'm 11st 10lbs now and 5ft 8 so on the higher side of a 12 and I'd like to just fit my clothes a bit better and just feel better!

I've been going the gym reasonably regularly but it's food I struggle with - I think I'm going to spend some time meal planning this weekend to reduce temptation and maybe find some 'healthy' versions of sweet treats so I'm not craving

I'll join! I've been very very slowly loosing weight since January (about 2kg a month) but have totally stalled the last couple of months. The main approach has been similar to you OP, avoiding snacking and choices I know are unhealthy. I'm starting again today and using mfp until my holiday in 3 weeks. Then back to just 'sensible'

I should say the months I've stalled have been totally down to eating cake, chocolate and going to the pub! So not on plan

@shunderland sorry you did say a stone!!

Hi @MavisPennies, 2kg a month is excellent, and good that you know why it's stalled. I love cake and chocolate but somehow am pretty good at limiting that. Crisps and cheese are some of my biggest downfalls. And wine!

I feel like I've been trying to do all things that 'work' like eating less and moving more but it's not shifting! I'm going to make a proper new plan this weekend as that's my downfall. Good luck everyone!

I'll join! I've had a lot of stress and I'm an emotional eater with a 9-5 desk job so I've ended up piling on the weight.

I'm not overweight at all but I'm only short and of a small build so I feel much bigger. Losing one stone would mean I can fit into my clothes again and feel more comfortable with my body.

I think for me, it's about being more mindful of the amount I'm eating. Right now, I probably eat the same amount as a 6ft muscle man who works out 6 times a week (possibly a slight exaggeration). I need to realise I'm a petite woman who sits on her arse all day and adjust the calorie intake.

I'm going to start going to the gym to do a few strength-based classes per week in addition to the 10,000 steps a day I already do. But even then, it doesn't entitle me to gobble chocolate biscuits all day at work on top of big meal portions.

Hi, I’d love to join please. I’m around 12lbs over my ideal weight. I’m 5ft5 and 10st12lbs. I really want to be 10st. I think my 9st7lb days are over but 10st would bring me back into a normal BMI and half my wardrobe!

like you I don’t really want to do fancy diets. I know I need to eat less junk. I already exercise quite a bit but need to make it more consistent.

I'm in too. Hello!

I'm wanting to lose minimum 7lb max 1 stone. But I just haven't been able to do it. I'm perimenopausal and the weight has arrived.

I'm 5ft 10 and 12st.

I just bought one of those scales that tells you your body breakdown, I am 30.5% fat, classed as "poor" and have a BMI of 24.5, classed as healthy.

Just like the OP is like to do this by better choices and awareness.

Glad to know there are others in the same position.

@Trucklepops I was like that when I was working. I'm also a big eater - portion size is definitely something I'm going to try to focus on. Sometimes I eat more because I am enjoying it, not because I am still hungry.

@WhitegreeNcandle I've got my BMI down to under 30 for the first time in a number of years but still a way to go. I have a huge bag of clothes that I'd love to be able to wear again. I've managed to get back into a couple of tops which gave me such a buzz!

@twoforj0y I use the scales at the gym, I am currently 30% fat, clearly needs some work!

I don't have a target weight in mind. I was 8 stone when I went to university, 9 stone when I got married and 11 stones or there about at the end of my pregnancies. I am shocked when I think how much weight I have put on over the years, definitely time for action!

I'll join. Need to lose a stone or so.😀

I'll join! I am 5 ft 3 and 10 stone 12 as of this morning. I desperately need to lose a stone to get me under the 10 stone mark. Firstly for my holiday in September and secondly for my wedding in May! I've slowly started reducing my calories but I really am a bugger for a wine when I'm with my friends! Need to up my exercise dramatically. Anyone found a good none alcoholic alternative to wine? i find the no alcohol ones taste like grape juice 🤢, still want to join in with my friends but feel like alcohol is my biggest downfall as I really don't eat that much!

Can I join, I'm 5ft 2 and 10st 6 pounds, I've lost a stone and a half since this time last year but have been around 10st4-7 for the last 6 months and can't seem to lose anymore.

I've been in this position before and never did lose the last 10-14 pounds. I think I need to lose at least 9 pounds to be a healthy BMI.

I have a big birthday at the end of the year so would love to get to a healthy weight by then. I've been intermittent fasting and eating around 1500 calories a day. I tend to run 1-2 times a week and do 2-3 gym classes a week as well.

I'm not sure what I can do to get out of this plateau, I really want to be successful this time.

Hi @HowIrresponsible!

@tiredbridetobe how exciting! Hopefully you'll achieve your target well before then, and enough to fully enjoy your holiday without watching what you eat / drink.

I've not found a non-alcoholic wine I like either. Do you like white wine and soda? Same calories as a glass of wine but a longer drink so you could skip a round? . I like gin, gin and slimline tonic has much fewer calories than a glass of wine. With a meal, I try to have a glass of water as well.
All best of intentions but I know a lot of my weight is wine related!

Obviously not the same but sparkling water has the dryness of wine that l like.

@Mayhemmumma I like sparkling water to, also lime and soda

I weighed myself and have put on 1.2 kg this month. I'm going to aim to loose 2kg in the next 3 weeks before I go on holiday when I'll slack off.
A nice thing if you like the bitterness of wine in a drink is to slice a whole lemon and leave it to infused in a litre of water. I've also never found a decent non alcoholic wine.

Food today so far:
B. 2 spoons greek yogurt, 3 apricots, mixed berries, 1 spoon peanut butter
L. Egg fried rice with 1 cup cooked white rice, 2 eggs, peas & some leftover miso aubergine. 2 apricots for afters
I'll have half a pizza and some green salad for tea

@MavisPennies holidays are a good incentive to cut back. Food looks nicely balanced.

I was proud of myself today: was travelling and had forgotten to pack some lunch. Stopped at a service station, ravenous, and was so tempted to have a Gregs pasty (my guilty pleasure when travelling!) I forced myself into M&S and bought some carrot sticks and hummus. Not enough of.a lunch for me but we are eating out tonight.

I’m in!

I’m 5ft 5 and weigh 12 stone 4.

Ideally I’d like to get down to a normal BMI. I’m doing low fat diet because my cholesterol came out high on a recent blood test. I very rarely drink alcohol so that’s no problem, but I have a VERY sweet tooth.

Well done @OMGitsnotgood ! Hummus and carrots is nice as well

Thank you @MavisPennies but halo slipped tonight!

How did things go for everyone today?
I had good balanced breakfast and lunch, no snacks and then went to the pub, had chicken burger and chips and two pints of lager. Tomorrow is a birthday meal out for my dad, so will try my best but expect to be over calories

Sounds great @MavisPennies. Hope you enjoyed your burger all the more having been restrained during the day.

I had a good day too : 2 weetabix and a banana for breakfast; homemade soup (no bread) for lunch; apple mid-afternoon. Steak, potato wedges and salad with one large glass of red wine.. Also did a gym class.

How about others?

Hello. Well, I’m on it from today as yesterday was a washout. DS won a prize so we had a celebratory lunch which turned into a wine in the garden afternoon followed by too much cheese. Now I feel a bit hungover, bloated and anxious! I’m sure bad food affects me in a way it didn’t when I was younger. So here goes today!

weight is 10st13lbs. Aim for September is to be 10st if poss. Will go for 3 meals a day and no snacking at night which is my downfall. Todays menu:

B - eggs, spinach and tomato
L - sausage summer traybake (am batching two more for the freezer
T - will make a salad that will also do tomorrows lunch.

have a good day all!