Looking for a weight loss buddy and friend

[way2serious]

Like lots of us I want to try and lose weight in the new year and would really like to have someone to do this with, swap ideas, how the day has gone etc. I am thinking of using the intermittent fasting method and have 2 stone to lose. Is there anyone who would be interested in a weight loss buddy / friend to engage with?

So, despite promising myself I wouldn't, I have weighed myself. Although it isn't good overall, it's better than I expected.

I am going to aim to lose 10% of my body weight and not put a time limit on it. Weighing myself generally makes me focus on the number so I will maybe follow @katcha87 and weigh once a fortnight or do it monthly.

Reading all the posts is reminding me to have healthier habits, although I'll have to wean myself off some bad ones. I am going to attempt to reduce the fizzy drinks to one a week. I had a terrible headache yesterday from reducing sugar.
I now only have sugar in coffee and a chocolate biscuit which in time I will reduce as well - Heres hoping!

Heres to healthier and happier 2025

So my day one stats come in at 5ft9, 88.1kg, BMI 28.7.

I'm planning on doing 16:8 but am going to be fairly relaxed to start with and finish up the Christmas goodies within those hours. But will be cutting down by doing a no chocolate/not drinking booze at home for January.

Fingers crossed that will be enough to kick start some weight loss but happy to take it slow and steady - am going to aim to be 16kg down by summer.

Good luck everyone 💫

Hi could I join too please? I've managed to lose over 6 stone since Oct 23 through healthy diet and very gentle exercise. I'm currently teetering between 10st 12lbs and 11st 4lbs and have been for about 5 weeks. Looking to lose a further 20lbs and then I'll be happy! Currently size 10 in clothing and don't want to be much smaller than that really. Started out at 17.5st at my heaviest and wore size 18/20 clothing so it's been a big change already. I still feel big though in some ways and would like to get my bmi down to the healthy weight range as it's still slightly in the overweight category.

@spackleplumb that is an absolutely amazing achievement!!!! Well done you!

@Piglet89 thank you 🥹

I'll join you please 🙏🏼

I weighed in today at the heaviest I've ever been and all my clothes are too small, so time to do something!

I'm going to cut out unnecessary alcohol (by this I mean just grabbing a bottle of wine for the house for the sake of it!), cut right down on sweets/u healthy snacks and do 16:8 intermittent fasting.

Day 1 is tomorrow (tonight we're having all the leftover NY food for dinner to get rid of it!)

Start weight: 12st 5.3lbs
Goal weight: 10st 4lbs

We've got this 🙌🏼

I weighed in today too and was shocked. I usually hover around 65kg.

Start weight: 70.0kg
Target weight: 62kg

I went for a slow 5km run this morning and have so far eaten porridge with apple, blueberries and a few walnuts. I am going to aim to do 16:8 and cut out alcohol and sweet treats. There is no middle ground for me as I can’t resist them!

My day two went well. Have stuck to 1700 calories and done 18k steps.
I will have some wine tmrw but going to try and not have so much!

Day has gone ok too. Been a week tomorrow since I started. I know it’s bad but I feel so bored of dieting already 🙈😂. Eating a large variety of foods - but desperately fighting off the take away cravings for the time being.

I'm struggling at the moment. I've to take antibiotics for a week, 4 times a day, either an hour before food or two hours after food. Add to that that I take thyroxine and can't eat or drink coffee for an hour afterwards. I'm trying to do IF 16:8. Fitting this all together is a nightmare! I usually eat little and often throughout the day, but that means I'd never be able to take the antibiotics!

I weighed myself yesterday and despite walking 7 miles the day before and not eating much or drinking much alcohol I'd put on 2 last 😔 I'll wait a week before I weigh myself again.

another day done over here.
the meals and snacks suggested (i'm using the no carb challenge phone app) were tasty, and not too hard to put together.
i can see however that the amount of certain food items are used sparingly (berries) and if i'm not careful will spoil as will the yogurt which is being used by the tablespoon.
i'm following the plan to the letter and modifying meals for my dh who has zero need to loose weight. there is leeway to change the suggested meal and i've done that, as i cooked up some chicken breasts and need to use them up.
tonight's dinner was zucchini noodles with pesto and halloumi, dh had regular pasta noodles. he's okay with veggie meals once in a while but not two days in a row.
tomorrow's breakfast is a tiny shake...which really might not satiate.
but there's a morning snack and lunch looks fine.

Another 1.3lbs off yesterday. I do like these first week water loses. 😁
Went on a 5.5mile walk, which will have helped. It was a lovely crisp bright day.
Made Quiche Lorraine for dinner, which is about as calorie laden as you can get, but I only had a small slice with a few potatoes and lots of salad.
What is everyone else doing about alcohol? DH offered me a Bailey’s last night, which I refused as it was a school night and I don't drink in the week. However, normally have a drink Friday/ Saturday night. My whole plan revolves around small changes - so same/ similar food but smaller portions and no snacks. I will be having a takeaway tomorrow night (weekly treat). I’m debating between having a drink but choosing a better option than Baileys or not drinking at all for the first few weeks. Undecided yet, think I’ll wait and see how I feel tonight.

Morning everyone.

⭐️Total weight loss this week⭐️ - 2.6lbs.

Thought it was going to be 3lbs but I’m happy with 2.6lbs. Hopefully this will give me the motivation needed to continue on the diet this week and not give up!
Hope everyone has a good day.

Congratulations on your weight loss @Showmethefood that’s a fantastic first week! 👏⭐️👏⭐️👏

I know what you mean about being bored, I think we started on the same day and I’m bored too 😂 but we need to keep at it if we want lasting change!

Weigh in this morning for day 7: 76.55kg 👍⭐️
I’m happy with that.

3.45kg down / 16.55kg to go

I’m trying to think of a (non-food based) reward for when I get to 5kg down. Any suggestions?

I’m modifying my plan slightly: research suggests 18:6 is a more effective fasting window for getting the body into ketogenic state overnight, so I am going to try to build up to that as 16:8 has been going well. I’m also spending longer chewing each mouthful to try to help me feel more satisfied with what I am eating and hopefully eat less. I’m a very fast eater normally which makes it all too easy to shovel the calories in. I’m aiming to work up to 60 chews per mouthful, currently at about 20! It’s harder than you think 😂

Wishing everyone a wonderful dieting day

@HolyGrailSeeker doing the happy weight loss dance with you. Well done ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Fab loss. I know what you mean about non food loss rewards. I was thinking about this last night and have started putting money away to buy myself a beautiful winter dress for when i reach my target weight. Been looking online to see what styles I like. I’ve given all my “bigger” clothes away now - so have to stick to the diet 😂😂

@Showmethefood And happy weight loss dancing helps us get fitter, so more dancing!!

Ooh that’s a lovely idea with the dress. I think I might get myself a lovely cosmetic, maybe a really nice day face cream or serum. I think it might give me a little lift every morning and it’s another way of showing that I am looking after myself.

@HolyGrailSeeker Sounds nice. I'll have to post a link to the dress I buy on here when I've reached target/ordered. That way we can share each others excitement 😂

Congratulations @Showmethefood and @HolyGrailSeeker two fab losses, especially as you didn't wait until 1st January.
Just back from a 4mile walk. We did stop at a cafe. DH had hot chocolate and a slice of cake, I got a hot chocolate but only drank half. Enough that I didn’t feel as if i was totally missing out but not enough to knock me off track.
Good idea about the non food related rewards. I’m so far away from target that i don’t want to spend too much on clothes, but like the idea of a nice face serum. I’m mid 50’s and my face needs all the help it can get.

@Acolite re alcohol: I am doing Dry January combined with (very plant-based) OMAD. First time I have tried OMAD. I eat my meal between 1230 and 1400. I have been making veggie curries so far as I find them delicious and like experimenting. I am also trying to significantly increase my water intake.

Re non food based reward suggestions: my go-to would be a back and shoulder massage.

@Acolite Why don't you break your weight loss into sections and reward yourself at each milestone? It may help you to keep on track.

Today I feel less bloated and my skin is clearer. I am also sleeping a little better too. That is 3 days with no fizzy drinks or crisps. I'll do a week of that and then I will tackle cutting out bread.

I have just come back from an hours walk and I am having a small snack before finishing the day with the main meal at 4 pm.

Well done to everyone losing weight!!!

@LuckyMauveReader I love your incremental cutting stuff out strategy, rather than going hell for leather and doing everything at once. Smart!

@Piglet89 I have tried to cut too much too soon and failed miserably. This time I want to see what is manageable/difficult and work on that.

I will say I bought Atomic Habits by James Clear. It's about building positive habits/reducing negative habits and if we only work at them incrementally at least it is something. There is a section about dieting and how eating has evolved from delayed gratification to needing an immediate fix.

This explanation resonated and makes sense. During my weight loss, I will keep referring back to the book as a reminder.

@way2serious it's been a few days, how are you doing? are you using your water bottle?
i've completed another day of the "no carb challenge" all in all the recommended recipes are fine. i continue to log the app recipes into the calorie counter cronometer and keep a good eye on fiber.

@Piglet89 wow, that’s hardcore. I am impressed you can do OMAD. It’s not for me as it would aggravate my binge eating, but I’m sure you’ll get brilliant results. I’ve never purposefully done dry January as I’ve never seen the need as I don’t drink much - in fact, one year I realised I did it without meaning to. However, i may give it a go this year. I didn't have anything last night.
@LuckyMauveReader yes, I will do. I have about 40 lbs to lose, so will treat myself at 10lbs.
@GildedRage well done.

I did my first exercise in 3 months yesterday afternoon. I did 20 minutes of rowing and a 10 minute strength workout. Will try and do 30 minutes most days. That, plus all the walking I do, should be ok from an activity pov.
Eating going to plan and another 0.7lbs off, so looking like it’ll be an excellent first week, as long as I don’t relax too much over the weekend. Takeaway tonight, DHs choice, so will need to be extra careful during the day.

Morning all,

Fighting off a cold/sore throat here so I’m not going to be limiting my eating times for a few days, as I need to make sure I am getting all the nutrients and fuel my body needs to recover. Weighed in this morning slightly up again (77.25kg 🤦‍♀️) but given my lack of exercise the past few days that’s not that surprising and my cycle really does make my weight fluctuate a lot.

trying to focus on good nutrition today but it’s hard when you feel unwell. Oh well, setbacks happen.
Definitely didn’t listen to my body enough yesterday about when to stop eating and I felt overfull.
Sometimes we have to learn through getting things wrong.