Is really going on a diet the only option??

[Chattenoire]

I'll start by saying that I do like my body/body shape for the most part. I like exercising but I don't like looking strong, in fact just a slimmer version of myself would be ok too!

I'm shortish (1.59m) with a longer torso. I look athletic (or that I work out in my DHs words) and I'm a size 8. I'm heavy though! I also don't like following/having to plan a diet.

I do around 5hrs+ of spinning every week plus walking the dogs. I also do some weights while on the bike.

I see people of my weight (68/70kg) and I definitely think they look bigger than me.

I don't think I eat much, I tend to eat the same every day for ease (apart from dinner).

Breakfast: coffee and 1/4 of a digestive
Snack: 1 banana
Lunch: I slice of toast with one slice of cheese (it tends to be some sort of protein)
Snack 2: 2 carrots + 40g hummus
Snack 3: 50g of full fat greek yoghurt+ 8 blueberries and 3 pecans

Dinner: varies but so far this week:
Mon: 300g of steak plus 4 onion rings
Tue: 3 sausages plus a serving spoon of mash
Wed: three egg omelette+ 2 slices of bacon+ one baby potato

My goal I guess would be to get to a size 6 in proportion to how I currently look.

Your situation sounds a bit like me, and although I am currently cutting down calories to lose fat, I had managed to recomp my body that I fit into size 6 (I'm 5') but weighing the same as before.

I suggest upping your protein and heavy lifting to build up muscles so that your base metabolism increases and that will also decrease your body fat ratio, if you stay at the same weight.

What is your BMI?

Why do you think you need to lose weight? Maybe you should chat it through with your GP.

Clothes sizes are meaningless

Your BMI (according to NHS calculator) at 68kg is 26.9, so yes you probably would benefit from losing some weight. BMI is screening, not diagnostic, but NHS says the range you should be aiming for to be in the "healthy weight" category is 46.8 - 63.2 kg. So I'm guessing your aim would be to lose about 5kg?

You seem to be accustomed to eating little and frequently, and aside from the hummus, yoghurt and steak, you haven't mentioned portion size - how big is that slice of cheese? That would be one of the first things to look at, as would checking things like the onion rings (which I'm assuming are in oily batter) or the size of the sausages. You could probably increase the fruit and veg (assuming you're not cooking or dressing them with butter/oil etc)

I'm in awe of your self control if you can really eat only 1/4 of a digestive and stop there!

You've not included drinks - what are your habits with those?

It's 28/29, and that's the only reason I want to lose weight realistically (and maybe to get my thighs slimmer).

I like my arms (they're starting to look great!) , I like my stomach too.

The slice of bread it's pre-sliced so it's 20g

You don't actually seem to eat a whole lot tbh! I do notice it's a lot of red meat though (that might be just your example) on a very non scientific basis based on personal experience, I find that a lot red meat 'clogs up' my metabolism quite a lot.

Just out of interest - have you ever tried eating more earlier in the day? It might not suit you, just curious. And how much water are you drinking?

None of that adds up.

Sorry to be blunt but you are veering into disordered eating territory here. You are fine as you are, your body dies marvellous things, just concentrate on that and the activities and people you enjoy.

I drink at least 2/3lt of water (sparkling) I do eat a lot of red meat because I'm iron deficient and that seems to be what sticks the most.

You have "1/4 of a digestive" for breakfast - is that actually a quarter of a biscuit??

Yes correct

Yeah this sounds like disordered eating to me. You're a size 8, that's thin, find something else to worry about.

Is there a reason that you avoid vegetables and fibre in your diet?

Eat low carb and cut out the multiple snacks and eat 3 meals .

Maybe 9 blueberries instead of 8?

I would add more fruit and veg in. As an example I have an all white omelette with vegetables for breakfast every morning. With some toast and a banana. That comes to about 400 calories. Will fill me up till lunch.

i Would seriously be upping the amount of food u have.

I like exercising but I don't like looking strong, in fact just a slimmer version of myself would be ok too!

You definitely don’t need to be slimmer! You do a lot of working out from the sounds of it and eat very little so your obviously going to be slim, toned and muscle.

Not really, but I do eat veggies, but I see them as more of a side dish, so that's why I didn't mention them.

For example with the sausages I also had leaks and peas.

Although I'm very much aware that I could have more...

This is v odd. I weigh 70 and am a size 12. I look way fatter as its all around my waist. You look great. I dont think you need to do anything except eat more veggies.

I just don't get that hungry! Even some days I forget to eat my toast

Are you muscular? I am not.

I suspect the solution for what you want might be around some low weight high rep weight or resistance training.

I honestly think you don't need to lose weight. At most just tone up a bit but even then you're already toned enough looking to me!
The food you eat seems healthy I guess, but I can't see how you could eat very much less. Other than having soup for lunch instead of the cheese toast? But I think you'd be really hungry then! I am pretty surprised anyone who's a size 8 would want to lose weight. For me six and below is indicative of underweight, unless the person is very short indeed.

You be the judge! I think I'm more muscular than the average person sure, but I don't lift So.... Theoretically my muscle mass can't be that high to explain the scales

But I wasn't underweight when I was a size six, my BMI was 24! When I was a size 4 my BMI was 22, and yes I definitely looked malnourished then, so don't plan to get that small ever again.

I looked slim but healthy as a size 6.

If you are weight stable, you are not doing too bad.

Only you can give yourself a good prod around the ribs, hips, thighs etc and decide if you are squidgy (probably not). Or if you have good solid, will last you a lifetime, bones and a reasonable amount of muscle.

With cycling and walking you will have better developed thighs and butt, presume you don't want skinny thighs and a flat bum.

Are you fit and healthy at your weight?
Seems like you are.

Minor tweaks only, fit in more veg, include cabbage and lentils. Remember there are outliers who can be just right with a BMI of 18 or 27.

@Chattenoire I think you look slim and healthy now. 😊