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?

@OMGitsnotgood Thank you so much ! It's been very difficult! Tips to share are : don't give up as it will happen! If you mess up and have a wee naughty binge , don't feel too guilty! Just get back to it the next day and keep at it ! I am/was terrible for eating/craving salty snacks and chocalate depending on time of the month and it's about being prepared for that and having healthier alternatives in like dark choc, rice cakes or having a "bad day" . I have found any fasting the best . I do 16/8 most days and hardly miss a brekkie . I think this has kickstarted my system. I am still very much a woman who loves my bread and potatoes but have learned that I need to cut these down as they go straight to my belly! Eggs are my friends!Drink lots of water!
My goals are to drop another stone and get fitter .
I hope to tone up by doing some you tube videos and walking more !
Good luck everyone ! We can do this ! 💪❤️

@WhitegreeNcandle I hope you feel better soon.

@OMGitsnotgood I agree about the habits, so easy to get into bad habits and so difficult to break them.

Wednesday has been good for me, that is three good days on the trot!

B/Fast Boiled Egg and Toast
Lunch Ham salad, bread, fruit and yoghurt
Dinner Chicken breast cooked in tinned tomatoes, onions and celery, with a small portion of mashed potatoes, runner beans and carrots.
Two measures of whisky.

Calories 1293. 13584 steps.

Well done @FiveShelties, that's great

Thanks for the tips @Eatyerselffitter , very helpful.

Any one got any other good tips?

I had my usual weetabix and fruit for breakfast; a huge bowl of watermelon and feta for lunch. I'm making lasagne for tea, will try to eat a smaller portion with a side salad.

Im on day 3 of trying to do 16:8, managed Monday and today but yesterday was an hour earlier as I was out at lunch time. Adding in to that lowered carbs/ processed sugar and higher protein. It's going okay so far, but I've had a headache since monday- I presume it's lack of sugar related.
Starting to feel a little better hunger wise today, I think it takes a few days to get used to the changes.
Managed 1.5-2 litres of water every day too, which is a miracle for me!

A ton of broccoli with basically everything and hot water with fresh lemon squeezed in have been winners here.

We've got a mint plant going out of control in the garden so I have been making fresh mint tea to stop me snacking. It's working a little 🙂

I'll join you op!
Will weigh in in the morning.
I have 3 st to loose 🙈

I'd like to join please!

A bit about me: I am mum of 2 boys: a 3.5 year old tornado and a very cute, and very teething, 6 month old. I definitely eat emotionally 😬 especially once the kids go to bed, as a way to decompress. And I have also probably just normalised eating way too much.

I've dug my head out of the sand to realise that I am obese and need to lose a bit over 3 stone/20kg to be at the top of the healthy range. Trying not to beat myself up and take a slow and steady approach. A stone down by September would be ace!

I hope posting and reading on here, will help me with accountability and motivation when I hit the skids/go into a slump!

My plan in outline:

• Calorie counting on MFP. Going for 1500 a day at the mo. Will reduce further if I can, but I'll see how I go. I am trying to save some calories during the day for a small eve treat after kids bedtime
• got pinch of nom quick and easy cookbook from the library today so will try that for some dinners next week
• got some portioned treats today and will try to stick to one an eve within my calorie allowance.

Today is day 1 and has been a good day so I'm feeling quite optimistic.

Good luck and well done to everyone on here! Xx

may I join in please? 4 years ago I weighed 14 stone (196 lbs) I dropped to 149 lbs, but then retired, moved to a country famous for amazing rums and frozen cocktails. Started eating with my husband 3 meals a day, whereas when we both worked, I had different hours so was able to watch my food choices. And here I am , while I had maintained for 2 years I am now back up. I am not sure what I weigh so I will check tomorrow morning. I know I am not quite back where I was, but I am going to guess 175 lbs. I started today first meal was at 11 am and it was a salad with carrots, tomatoes, red onions, cucumbers and 3 oz of chicken breast with a little of skinny girl balsamic dressing. Dinner will be in the next hour around 630 and I have a stirfry marinating with 6 0z of chicken, red onion, red peppers, shred carrots and will add in a handful of bean sprouts. We can do this!

Difficult few days diet wise for me as I've had my parents staying. All I've done is avoid booze for 2 of the four days and avoid snacking for 3/4 days.
Tomorrow when they head off I'm going back to 3 healthy meals and no booze.

Welcome to everyone who has just joined.

@MavisPennies sounds like you have shown some restraint though which is more than I would have done in the same situation. Don't feel guilty about enjoying yourself, that's what this thread is about. Refocus when your parents have gone and you'll be back on track in no time.

We're going out for the day today and will have a pub lunch.
Wish me strength to avoid the pie and chips !

Pub food is hard to navigate! I usually avoid double carbs but otherwise just have what I'll enjoy if I'm going to eat there

@OMGitsnotgood I find pub lunches really hard. I have the best of intentions but when I see a nice burger and chips I just can’t resist.

@momager1 hello. Sounds like you’ve done amazing before and if you’ve done it once you can do it again! I lost around 5 stone 15 years ago and have kept 4 off. It does creep back on when I’m not paying attention.

Still feeling pants in our house. DS was off school last week and is off again today. I can barely move off the sofa. Stuck to the meal plan yesterday. Today will be
B - blueberry smoothie from the freezer
L - the last of the cous cous salad
T - the last of the aubergine chilli

indont normally eat the same thing 3 days in a row but the kids had a McDonald’s last night and I’ve not been eating much so there’s been a lot of leftovers!

good morning everyone! I did my weigh in (its about 7 am here) and I am sitting at 168lbs which is high but a little less than I was expecting. going to try not to eat until 11 again

breakfast at 11 will 2 egg greek oml with a tablespoon of crumbled feta, a few halfed cherry tomatoes and some diced red onion.220 cal

mid afternoon snack fresh pineapple and cantalope 1cup each 155 cal

dinner salmon filet with a bit of butter, 385 calories same salad as yesterday but with no chicken instead a chopped hard boil egg 134 cal

brings me in at 842 so allowing me to have a little more if I feel hungry. I cannot lose on more than 1100 but lose better around 1000. Yippee for menopause.

I have small individual ritter chocolates in my freezer that are 91 calories incase my sweet tooth beckons. I buy the individual ones because it is easier to not open a second one than if i have a full size bar , I would just keep going

@WhitegreeNcandle hope your household is on the mend soon

I’ll join too! I’ve put on 3 stone since lockdown started when everything went downhill for me.

I started calorie counting yesterday (I’m starving) and today I did a 10 minute workout video, I’m shattered. I was super fit in 2020 and now I am totally unfit. I’m slightly ashamed.

I would like to start losing a stone and tone up, I might actually fit into some clothes!

Continuing my slow amble to weight loss today. Weirdly, I've not been hungry, I think as my period is starting and I feel a bit sick. I've had
B. Voting day coffee and croissant
S. Half a cantaloupe, an apple, a tablespoon of peanut butter, a carrot.
D. I'm going to an American bar for British tactical retreat day so probably something awful but yet also great.

I’ve downloaded the turtle app and started it two weeks ago today and lost 3lb. Someone else lost 5lb. It’s incredible and I wish I had found it years ago as I have to undo all the slimming world, bad food syn shit! Maybe give it a go. It’s not about huge losses but sustainable losses that will last

I’m feeling quite pleased with myself as I’ve lost 2lbs since I joined this thread. I’ve been fasting 18:6 and have cut out bread and alcohol. Tonight may be a bit of a struggle as I’m planning to stay up and watch the election, so will no doubt be snacking. I’m planning to do some chores while watching though, so hopefully that will counteract some of the calories!

That's excellent @Silviasilvertoes, well done ! Not sure how long I'll be able to stay awake tonight but will try to stay up a bit. Hadn't thought about the snacking temptation, thanks for the warning!

Sounds interesting, will take a look.

I’d like to join! I’m 5ft 1 and 11 stone, reaching 10 stone would be perfect. My issue is working from home and constant snacking! and not having time to cook properly so ending up with ready meals.

Welcome @Peaceandquietandacuppa . The only ready meals I have had (from my Mium's freezer when she was in hospital) didn't fill me up at all and I was snacking all evening. Do you find that to be the case?

@ItsBinDayToday yeah, I've just started calorie counting too (am on day 2) and I'm 100 per cent with you on the starving and shattered front

I was so hungry for my dinner tonight that just had to eat, even tho I was meant to doing our older son's bedtime. Oops. I hope it settles down as my body and mind get more use to it. Hang in there - I'm sure you're doing great. I remind myself that all change is hard.

Personally, I think I'm actually gonna leave exercise till I've got a bit more used to having controlled calories. Not that I do much, or any really, now 😂

@Callernumber7 the exercise workout is on YouTube and is listed as a basic morning workout just to wake you up. I’m so sore and shattered.
still hungry and struggling to keep in calories.

I'm useless when I'm hungry @ItsBinDayToday , it's when I cave and snack.

I'm not counting calories but I do have e good idea of relative calorie content so am focussing on lower cal foods and smaller portions.

Been good food-wise today; weetabix, homemade soup and prawn risotto with lots of veg tonight. Then meeting up with a few friends at the pub. First alcohol since last Sunday so not going to be hard on myself. Just need to resist buying crisps.

Hope everyone has a good weekend, I've quite a lot on so might not get onto MN a much.

@OMGitsnotgood sounds like a great day. Well done!

@Peaceandquietandacuppa have a look at The Batch Lady on Instagram. I regularly Cook her meals and leave them in the freezer in a Pyrex dish. If I put them in the oven at 4pm they’re ready at 5pm. Cheaper and healthier than a ready meal and easier than a takeaway.

I had a bit of a cheat day last night. 2 glasses of wine, a large bags of salt and vinegar proper chips and two pieces of Aldi Rocky ready. Kids broke up from school so it was a bit of a free for all with screens and snacks. Feel a bit hungover today and not sure it that’s the wine, bad food or leftover virus!

But one evening off is ok and I’m back on it today!
B - avocado, eggs, spinach and tomato
L - lentil and beetroot salad
T - bacon, mushrooms and courgette fritter

Have a good day all.