Sustainable and not overly ambitious weight loss 2025: 1 stone by June - anyone care to join?

[OMGitsnotgood]

Happy New Year!
I started this thread back in June in an attempt to lose a stone by the end of September. I wanted to do this through making better food choices and exercising more, rather than following a rigid diet. (Read the old OP for more details). Posting made me feel more accountable and made me rethink my eating after a calorific day (or week! )
I didn’t lose a stone but did continue to lose weight slowly, gaining some weeks but overall a reasonable loss.

Time to refocus after the excesses of December, and it would be great to have some company.

Welcome back to those who kept me motivated on the old thread and welcome to anyone new - you don’t need to ask to join, just introduce yourself and tell us what you are trying to achieve, and hopefully the encouragement and support we can give each other will help us all.

This is my info, feel free to post whatever helps you to keep track and use this thread as you see fit.

Height: 5’4
Heaviest ever: c 13st 4
Weight June 24:: 12st 8
Lightest since June 24: 11 st 11
Current weight: 12 stone 1/2lb - which is hardly surprising, i didn’t watch what I ate or drank for most of December. I think some of that will come off easily when I refocus. Going to have a few days away visiting various friends so expect that won’t help but I don’t want to be able to enjoy those times, and be extra careful at home .

My short term goal is to get back under 12 stone by the end of January..

My dream would be a stone by June. I'm not optimistic but a reasonable goal to aim for.

Had lunch out and was so disappointed as my soup was only lukewarm…I didn’t say anything as my DD had invited me out and wanted it to be a nice treat for me, but it’s made me slightly grumpy for the rest of the day. Now I eat less, I definitely want to enjoy what I do eat!

@MadamTeapotoh that is frustrating. I rarely have chips these days so if I do, I want them to be perfect!

I’m not doing particularly well with losing weight at the moment (confession: not really been trying rather than trying and not succeeding) . However I am still over a stone lighter than I was 18 months ago so that is something.

Hi ladies, @MadamTeapoti am the same, I would be gutted if the food wasn’t right. @OMGitsnotgood sorry to hear that. It’s very hard at times. Would you take a break from it in your head, and commit to starting, on a future date?

I’ve lost another lb in a week. Just the one :) total loss now is 16lbs. I’m 11st 5, and I was 12st 7.

I’ve decided I’m gong to keep going and get under 11 stone. My bmi is good now (I think) it’s 22.9.

I still have tummy to lose and clothes - particularly trousers still do not fit, not there yet! But lots of clothes ARE fitting - my jackets! Two Reiss jackets are now fair game again and shirts fit again 🙌 I am away for work tomorrow and for the first time in ages I’ll be able to wear something I like!

@twoforj0yyou are doing so well, it is just wonderful to be able to fit into lovely old favourites again, so rewarding.

Yes I think I am taking a break from actively trying to lose weight, both mentally and practically. I’m dealing with several difficult situations all at once, choose your battles as they say. That said, I have gotten into some good habits over the last year or so (filling but healthy breakfast is a constant; ‘better choices’ for other meals is a ‘sometimes’. ) I think I’ve been a bit better this week and have exercised a few days so possibly there will be a slight loss, will be disappointed if I have gained again.

We’re away visiting family next week which will involve meals out, being ‘entertained’ when eating in, and grabbing food on the go while out and about, and will miss my gym classes but hopefully will put in a few steps in other ways.

@twoforj0y its so nice to fit into clothes again. My aim is to fit into a gorgeous old wool coat I loved.

@OMGitsnotgood definitely a bit of a break and then refocus is good. Part of the sustainable model. It means you should be able to enjoy visiting family guilt free then return and have the tools to get back to healthy.

I'm also in the got to be worth it club. We went to the pub last week and my dinner was decidedly average. It was such a disappointment.

I had a really busy and stressful day yesterday. Still made healthy choices. So I am happy with that, and getting soooo close to the healthy BMI. Though aiming for the middle of healthy BMI so i have some wiggle room.

ARRGH I wrote a big post and when I clicked edit I lost it! BOO!

anyway, good luck ladies. The gist of it was, @OMGitsnotgood take a break from it. Come back when the will is there. It’ll come xxx

I just calculated, in the 7 weeks I have been tracking, I have lost and average of 0.5lb a week, and in that time eaten an average of 1680 calories per day. Not much exercise aside from my daily walking commute. Around 3km a day at speed.

I think that's sustainable.

But, I will need to wait another 38 weeks until I reach target weight! 😂

Hopefully soon life will allow me to build in a bit of extra exercise that will help.

I don't want to reduce calories anymore as it wouldn't allow room for any treats and I would feel permanently hungry.

i did a bit of maths too, I’m losing an average of 2lbs a week, as this week I lost 2.6lb!

i did want to clear this up. I AM on a diet (an eating less move more diet) which I know isn’t the focus of this thread. But I wanted to stay on this thread as last year I was trying to inch my way into sustainable slow weight loss. I’ve never dieted in my life and I felt more at home on this group. I will be finished this in a week or so, and then I will try to lose my final 7lbs or so, slowly, and somehow make my peace with loosening the limit I am currently under (1200 cals a day). The limit works really well for me, as if everything I eat is healthy I am full, and it’s not hard to stay under the limit, but if say, I had a muffin - I’d have blown too much and I’d have to sacrifice a meal. No way. So it’s changed how I eat and think about food and I am seriously happy about that. the mess I was in was I can now see was not just food. I was pressed in every way and at my limit and it was most obvious through food (no time to think about it) and the visible weight gain.

@twoforj0yi won’t be the only one who is very glad you’ve joined this thread, its great to have you here. I think that lightbulb moment of ‘I can have a muffin or can have a whole meal for the same number of calories ’ is really powerful in helping making better choices. It is of course fine to have a muffin - or chocolate / crisps / wine etc, we just need remind ourselves that if we do that too often, it will tell on our waistlines.

Another lightbulb moment for me was realising if we lose one pound a month - which is perfectly doable without trying too hard or giving up too much , we can lose 3/4 of a stone in a year. I’ve not been doing so well of late in terms of losing, but I am maintaining most of the weight loss of the last 18 months, so I’ll take that for now.

Well, I am officially a healthy BMI!

I'll take that for a win, and continue on the journey to the middle of the healthy range so I have some wiggle room during fun or stressful times.

@Hoolahoophop that’s great news, very well done!

I’ve just found out my blood pressure is still problematic even after losing weight, and exercising daily for six months now…I’m already caffeine free, don’t some or drink or eat much processed food, but I do have c-ptsd and I think after all these years it’s just too much for my body. Meds will be next.

I’ll keep on exercising and trying to lose a few more pounds regardless. Started aquafit yesterday, will definitely keep going as it was a great all rounder and no stress on joints.

Hooray for weight loss, and maintenance, and healthy choices, and healthy BMIs, and exercise, and being at peace with occasional less healthy choices 🥳

I seem to have had a willpower boost from somewhere and I've been much more successful recently in resisting the snacks. I've been adding fruit to my breakfasts and lunches and that's really helped. I think the psychological aspect of that works for me - adding rather than taking away!

Thanks @OMGitsnotgood. I love this thread, because I know it’s where I need to be - living healthy and realistically, and maybe losing a bit along the way. I mean, that sounds bloody perfect to me!!

Because I’ve never been on a diet, I suppose it’s also true to say I’ve never come OFF a diet! - so I’m not entirely sure what comes next. I just want to remain sensible!

I got out for a run last night. It was meant to be 5k, my watch decided to stick on a daft programme so I couldn’t see what I was doing, I became convinced I was doing 6, maybe even 7km and man, I was just fantastic. Well when it uploaded I had just clocked over 5.5k 😂 it was like my body knew but I didn’t 😂 but it felt so great. Last summer I did couch to 5k and when I’d run, I would feel, for went if a better word, my layer of padding, moving slightly off the pace. It was disconcerting. It is GONE! That strange feeling is gone!

Sorry I wasn’t fantastic, IT was fantastic!! 😂😂😂

How are you all? It’s very quiet!

How are you @twoforj0y ? I’m just ticking along. I’ve lost another 1lb, so I’ve between 2lbs and 9lbs still to go. Last night I squeezed in to a pair of M&S magic slim size 6 jeans, it would be really nice if I could comfortably wear them! I’ve never worn size 6 trousers - though my friend said that sizes are bigger than they were in the 80s/90s and a six now is often more like a ten back then.

Hi @twoforj0y I've been busy buying a house so been a bit quite on here lately. Happy to say that the sustainable but very slow downwards trend continues for me. I am now in the healthy weight category BMI (just) so hoping to continue until I am squarely in the middle of that category. I'm just under 9st at the moment, would really like to be just under 8. That may take a year, but so long as I don't need to reduce calories any more I think for once I can do it. I am not feeling hungry, am embracing the half filled plates of salad with whatever the rest of the team are eating and still finding space for the odd cake, ice-cream, night out, glass of wine or evening chocolate. It really was portion size causing me problems. (I'm under 5ft so eating the same amount as my 6ft husband was just silly)

Today I'll eat

B: 2 shredded wheats with semi skimmed milk and tea.
L: Leftover butter chicken and pilau rice with beetroot and carrot salad.
D: Stir fry meal from Tesco, probably with beef as protein.
S: Double choc chip cookie as I watch eldest DC at a sporting event.

I think that will come in at something like 1400 calories, for that amount of food, and with that many colors of veg included I can live like that.

I’m so glad to hear from you both! I’m inspired by what you’re both saying. @MadamTeapot take that win!! Six 6 jeans in any era is phenomenal. That’s amazing.

and @Hoolahoophop congratulations on the house purchase! Wow that’s big news. You’re also doing amazing.

I’m trying to get to where you both are mentally. I’m nervous to come off “the diet”. I’m off it now, I lost just under 1lb in my final week. 19lbs in total over 10 weeks. I’m 11st 2.5 right now. I’m almost 5 11, size 12. I’m more comfortable under 11 stone so I am close but I still have weight to go, but I want to do it sustainably now. I have to admit I am scared though and I don’t trust myself to have a day or two of mental wallow here and there and eat really, really badly, as I used to do.

im also looking to buy a house @Hoolahoophop, going though a relationship break up so I’ve a lot in front of me. Yesterday I felt so very overwhelmed, I had the day off from work and I just sat paralysed for hours. I was so upset. But I got myself out for a run, as I know that can chemically flip my mood up, fake it til you make style. I feel better today. A touch of anxiety in my stomach, and I am missing the restrictions of the diet because it gave me clarity!

Hi all, I hope you’re all doing well?

I was dithering about how to lose my final bit of weight and I’ve decided I can do this and don’t need to sign up for another round of weight loss. I wasn’t feeling self confident but I have somehow found it :)

I’m trying to remind myself of the following -

i’ve created good eating habits
I actually like healthy food (my taste buds were dead from an over processed diet)

So I’m going to sustainably keep tracking downwards. That’s the plan!

Currently I am 156lbs. (11st 2lbs)

to say I’d be overjoyed to get back into the ten stone range is an understatement.

Target weight is 10st 10

im giving myself a calorie allowance of 1200 - 1400. Not going to be cross if i go over 1200.

I feel relieved for made a decision.

no decision is a decision in itself, as they say!

the diet course I did helped me really think about it eating and I’m holding onto what I’ve learned.

I hope everyone is flying along!!! @OMGitsnotgoodany news with you?

xxx

@twoforj0ythank you for keeping this thread going.
You have done so well so far and it sounds like the adjustments you have made are paying dividends in reeducating your palate & adopting new eating habits. I am sure you will achieve your weight goal.

i was just thinking earlier this morning that I needed to come back to this thread and get myself back in a good place re food. While our main meals have been generally heathy (when we’re eating at home anyway), I’ve overdone the snacks & confectionery the past few weeks and have missed several exercise classes due to other commitments. We’ve had time away with lots of good food; we’ve been to a party and a wedding; and we’ve had various meals out with friends. I’ve also had too many ‘sod it’ moments (cheese and crackers for breakfast; walloping a box of chocolates left over from Christmas which I really should have donated to a foodbank)

Whilst there is no way I will lose a stone by summer as per this thread title, I’m not overly concerned about that. I do however want to see if I can shift enough to fit back in a couple of my favourite summer dresses - now very old buT still in good nick.

I will weigh myself if I get to the gym over the weekend and set myself a new ‘by June’ weight goal then.

Food goals
Breakfast: Back to cereal and fruit
Lunches: soup or salad.
Dinner: a decent but heathy meal

Try to drop the snacking habit which has crept back in (which starts with not buying crisps etc, and making sure we always have fruit & eg carrots to nibble on if needed).

Anyone else want to take stock of where they are and what their next short term goals are?

Thanks again @twoforjoy

@OMGitsnotgood hey hey! I’m glad to hear from you. It’s good to hear you’ve such a great social life! That’s what it’s all about really!

Good shout re short term goals.

id like to try drop 2 - 3lbs by end of April. That’s my short term goal!

anyone else?

Hello! 👋🏼 Nice to see this thread pop up again.

We are going away at the end of May so it would be nice to lose a couple of lb before then. That's my short term goal.

I am going to carry on adding fruit to my meals, and now the weather is nicer I would like to get back into running. I'm planning to do my first ever park run tomorrow so wish me luck!

Hi @Hedonism! That sounds like a very realistic goal.

I weighed myself earlier and am 11 stone 12, which is far better than I feared. Possibly faulty scales or maybe I’d just been focussing on how often I’d eaten calorific stuff and not thought about the times I’d ‘made better choices’.

I would like to lose some weight before the summer.
It’s 7 weeks until June. If I could lose on average half a pound a week, that would be 3.5 lb taking me down to 11st 8.5lbs. Given my lifestyle and desire not to follow a restrictive diet, I think that is realistic and achievable.

Morning all, I have been doing brilliantly by recording all my calories and making sensible choices.

So far this year I have lost 4.4kg or 9lb. I have been averaging about half a pound a week. So in the next six weeks to June I would like to loose another 3lb. That would take me down to 53.8kg which is just under 8 and a half stone. This would make me very happy indeed. I would like to loose more, but that will do for this summer. (I should add i am very, very short so this is not unhealthy weight although the numbers are low)

In June I hope to find the time to get some exercise back into my routine, back to running and as the summer arrives, a bit of kyacking.