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've had a good week food wise, did all my steps and off for a swim now

Excellent, well done both of you

Early days still but I've started having a protein joghurt breakfast instead of not eating anything (as I did for many years) and it seems to help against overeating at night! Except from that taking pictures of everything I eat, also seems to help somewhat.

Hasn’t been a brilliant week food wise - two meals out - but I made it to the gym 3x

So not sure what tomorrow’s weigh in will bring!

I feel your pain @SheilaFentiman. Disappointingly but not surprisingly I put on 2lbs in the last10 days, but I know why.

I've a meal out and a party this week so will try to focus on exercise and having lower calories meals other than those out.

Another 0.1kg today. Really is slow.
Stupidly looked back at my old weight entries and I’m 20 kilos heavier than I was in March 2020. Bloody lockdown.

Am joining the gym in September, I’ve promised myself I will be quite fit before I start to make the most of it.

Summer holidays are here and instead of sacking it all off for a few weeks I'm taking this as a klaxon going off! Here I go, I will be lighter at the start of next term than I was at the end of this one.

Weigh in ---
1st July 10st 9.2lbs Start
22nd July 10st 5.8lbs

Target 9.12 by 27th August, 5 weeks to go and 7.8lbs to go.

I have lost 3.4lbs in three weeks, not setting the world on fire but at least it is in the right direction. Have a great week everyone.😁

@ItsBinDayToday at least you're heading in the right direction, well done. I'm sure the gym will help x

Good luck @Hedonism .
If it was as warm as summer is supposed to be, it would be a lot easier - food wise any way. Much easier to eat simple, fresh food when it's hot, The temptation for wine/cider etc is another matter!

Do you have a plan to achieve your goal of going back to school lighter?

@FiveShelties That's a great, at least you are losing and not gaining. Having put weight on last week, I am really going to have to work hard at it this week.

I've put on weight too...

Not sure where to start. Again.

I've lost another 2lb this week. Very happy with that!
This week will be easy next week not so much as I'm off with my daughters, but they are also calorie counting so maybe we'll be good together

Thanks! My plan is to stick to 3 meals a day and cut out all of the unnecessary snacking, also no booze during the week.

Planning ahead makes such a difference to me - I enjoy cooking and I like eating healthy food, but if I leave it until I'm hungry then it all goes a bit wrong!

@HowIrresponsible do you know why you've put weight on? I know so why I did last week, and I find that helps me to focus a bit more

@socks1107 well done! I find it easy enough to 'make better choices' on a normal week at home, but as soon as temptation comes my way eg socialising), my will power goes out of the window

Eating the wrong things. My partner is a bit of a bad influence too.

@hedonism totally agree, being hungry is the worst thing when you're trying to lose weight, and planning ahead is the only way to make sure there are healthier options available when you really need something. I've stopped buying crumpets and tea cakes and have increased the amount and range of fruit.

Have lost the grand total of 0.1kg since Monday last week! This will be a very slow stroll at this rate :-)

@SheilaFentiman but at least you've not put weight on. Can you look back over the week and work out why so little, then see if you can step it up a bit this week?

I now have a UTI. So the gym is out for a bit. Feel a bit rubbish and lost some appetite. Awful thing to say but hopefully will kick something off.

So no weight lost but I’ve exercised everyday and my body feels better for it. I’m quite sore though as I’ve pushed it quite a bit. Don’t feel like it will make much of a change unless I keep up though.

@HowIrresponsible sorry to hear that, how unpleasant. Hope you feel better soon x

@ItsBinDayToday I've found since I've exercised more regularly, I have lost weight slowly over time. If nothing else, while I'm at a gym class I'm not eating! Also as I've got fitter, I've more energy so am more active outside of the gym which helps too. But yes I think it is something you have to keep up with. Far more health benefits than just weight loss though.

Me too, it is like I turn into a different person on Friday at 6pm! So stupid and I always have the best of intentions but ....................