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?

I have just come to this topic to update my weight loss in the 2st to Xmas thread but as I am also only planning on loosing 1st I am going to jump across to you if you don’t mind! There are so many positive story’s here. Like many of you I am not trying to ‘diet’ just make better choices. I have increased my protein intake at meals - this makes a big difference at breakfast especially for me. I have also now had delivery of two big boxes of Pip and Nut snacks, I have one at work and one at home but the home one is hidden from my DH & DC or there would be none left. I also started HRT recently which I think has also been a big help with my motivation etc generally.

was: 10st 2lbs
now: 10st 0lbs

Welcome @Readingtheworld. Hope you find this thread useful.

Thanks for the reminder re increasing protein. I find it much easier to stick to sensible eating if I'm not hungry.
Any other tips you've picked up from the other thread?

Or anyone else finding what works best for you? Even if already mentioned as the thread is getting long to save scrolling back.

What works for me:
Don't under eat, hunger is not your friend.

Don't buy things you can't resist eating if you've got them in (crisps, biscuits, cake)

Meal plan, if you've time research lower calorie meals (lots of threads on MN if that's easier). Ensuring you've the ingredients for healthy meals makes you less likely to need a takeaway. I've been enjoying British strawberries and watermelon as a snack.

If you end up having eg pie, fish and chips, ice cream, puddings, cake etc (holiday/meals out/ social events, or just fancy it at home), savour and enjoy and do not feel guilty, just fuel your resolve to make good choices tomorrow.

Increasing my exercise has been a massive bonus for me and has helped offset high calorie intake days.

I've reduced my alcohol intake when I am a home, it was becoming a bit of a habit. Still enjoy a drink when out but will have a glass of water alongside my wine.

Just weighed myself and have put on 2 kg since last week 😮. Likely in part a difference between scales & time of day but I think it's time to get a bit more serious so I'm going to start with mfp again.

I think we cross posted this morning - things that have worked for me in the past are; not drinking my calories, upping protein, having accountability, setting a habit of smaller portions.
Today's food
B. Bagel with avocado & bacon with tomatoes
L. Homemade lentil soup 1 slice of toast & butter
S. Apple & a mango ice lolly
D. Baked potato, cheese & beans with salad
Drinks, coffee, lots of tea, water

Oh, also another thing which helped a lot when kids were little and eating at different times was to chew minty gum while making and serving their food. Stopped me grazing.

Things that have worked for me in the past:

• Increase protein and healthy fats, reduce carbs
• meal plan (fail to plan = plan to fail)
• Stick to three meals a day, no snacking; this made me automatically go for good quality, filling food, as I knew I wouldn't be eating again until my next meal
• always allow for some treats somewhere, and enjoy them!

I lost 3 stone a few years ago following the no s diet, which I read about on here. It stayed off for ages but a stone has crept back on in the last 18 months so I need to reverse that.

How's everyone doing?
I've stuck to my plan today
B. Wholemeal toast with pb & banana
L. Grilled chicken 'massive' salad, raspberries for afters
D. Salmon potatoes peas
Drinks, water, coffee, non alcoholic beer

3 stones is amazing @Hedonism , and to even have kept two of those off is pretty good going. Looking forward to keeping you company on getting rid of that other stone!

I'd never heard of the 'No S' diet. it seems really simple and sustainable.

There are just three rules and one exception:
• No Snacks
• No Sweets
• No Seconds
Except (sometimes) on days that start with "S"
More info here

It fits quite well with the 'make better choices' approach I'm trying to adopt.

I'm a sucker for seconds if I'm enjoying my meal, that's something I need to keep an eye on.

You had a good day @MavisPennies , well done.
I've had a good couple of day too

B: weetabix, banana, blueberries both days
L: homemade carrot soup both days
D: veg & chicken traybake (M)
Shepherds pie & veg (T)
Drinks: sparkling water, coffee, fruit juice. no alcohol since Saturday.
Snacks: strawberries, watermelon, yogurt

Hello y'all!

I didn't post last week as I was ill in bed, on antibiotics with what I thought was a migraine but was a sinus infection, ouch!

Weight today is: 12st 3.1lb

So I am the exact same

Silver linings is I didn't gain and I haven't fluctuated at all this month. I also didn't physically move an inch last week apart from 1 hour on my bike on Sunday ... headache is finally gone.

Returning to running tonight, god I hope I can lose a pound or two by Monday xx

Sorry to hear that @twoforj0y, but glad you're in the mend and at least no weight gain. Take it easy and be kind to yourself til you're fully recovered x

Sorry you've been ill @twoforj0y make sure you look after yourself as you recover!
I've been on plan today aside from having some toast with my salad at lunchtime.
How are things going with you @OMGitsnotgood

Well I'd been pretty good all day - food wise and 12k steps - but then I saw Camembert winking at me from the fridge - bought in for visitors but didn't get opened .So had some with a few crackers after dinner. Grrrrr. Just goes to show the importance d not buying this stuff in the first place!

A bit of cheese won't mess things up too much @OMGitsnotgood. I've had a hungry day
B. Blueberries, yoghurt, homemade granola
L. Nandos 1/4 chicken, mash & peas
D. Homemade venison burger in a bun with salad & cheese. Homemade crumble with custard
I reckon it's over on calories a bit but all healthy, I'll bring it back tomorrow.

Pretty good for me today:
B: fruit and yoghurt
L: pearl barley risotto with butternut squash
T: spag bol
Snacks: handful of grapes, chocolate rice cake, 3 jelly babies (I resisted a lot more than I ate on the snacking front, including the chocolate in my desk drawer at work).

I tried to weigh myself but realised that my scales were weighing me heavier on one part of my bathroom floor than another. I don't know why, they were definitely flat and level both times but there was over a kilo between the two weights 😕 I took a best of three approach and happily the third attempt was almost the same as the lighter reading, but I'm not feeling very confident in my scales now.

As long as you are trending downwards you're ok I reckon @Hedonism 😁
I've got a night out in the pub tonight so I'm on damage control

Flat lining 🤦🏼‍♀️😂

Enjoy the pub 😁

Ah well, better than going up!
I managed not to do so bad in the pub food wise but had half a bottle of prosecco and the hangover day included a binge on a whole packet of biscuits.
Oh well onward and (hopefully) downward!

I weighed in this morning, down 1.5 lbs, which I'm really pleased about. Just shows a few days of healthy eating and upping the exercise does work.

Will try to do the same again this week as we've a few things over the next couple of months which will be a challenge food/drink wise.

@OMGitsnotgood thats brilliant!! Well done

That's great @OMGitsnotgood !
I had a better day today
B. Yoghurt, fruit & granola
L. Cheese & ham toastie
D. Leftover veg fried up with herbs and beans and a bit of avocado sushi. Grapes for afters

I need a decent plan for tomorrows lunch which will be at work where the food is bad. Hopefully I will remember to make & bring a sandwich

My phone has been up the spout this week and I have missed out on Mumsnet. I am just trying to weekly weigh in, I’ll do it in the morning. I have been doing more exercise which I’m pleased with as it really helps me feel better. The DC have both been up a lot on the night so I am tired from that. When I’m tired I eat sugar & snacks so I’m not too hopeful.

@Readingtheworld disturbed nights are the worst, you must be shattered. Hope you've had a better one.

We've had a challenging week for several reasons, am also comfort eating. That said, I've definitely benefitted from eating less the last few months as I'm not devouring what I might have done another time.

We need to be kind to ourselves.

Morning, I have been having a shit time recently with eating too. We've had really early starts since last week which means I'm hungry earlier and struggling. My weight has stayed the same, small mercies, but I'm not happy with it. Aiming to wiggle the hours a round abit to reflect the changes, instead of 7pm-11am (16 hours) I'm going to try 6pm-10am with lots of water and two meals, brunch and dinner. It helps reading what you guys are doing!

How is everyone doing? I've had a calorific week for various reasons, but have managed a few exercise classes. Will weigh in tomorrow or Monday.
I do think overall I am eating less and healthier, so am on the right track. We've a few trips and events over the next couple of months, so expect I'll be lucky to maintain my weight let alone lose any.. Will be damage limitation for the next few weeks, and then try to focus again in November before all the calories that come with the run up to Christmas.