The stone starts shifting, today!

[Chubbybetty]

I am 45 and 5ft 2". I have been a size 6/8 for most of my adult life. I put on about a stone in lockdown. Managed to lose it (largely through stress) for my wedding a couple of years ago, and have since piled it back on, mainly through too much cheese and wine and a love of cooking/feeding other people. I eat mostly low carb and Mediterranean style but have become a bit more lax, I don't really snack and do a fair amount of exercise (including strength training) I'm now more a size 10 with a small spare tyre and a large chest. I detest my body like this. On a short, small frame, 1 stone is a lot and really shows. Yesterday I didn't even want to leave the house with my husband to go for a drink in the sun as I thought I looked hideous. Today it all changes. I have started working with an online wellness/fitness coach recently and she said something this morning that made me stop and think - how sad it is that people literally don't want to be in photo's with their families because of their weight. This is me. I hate that I am so hard on myself because of my size and speak to myself in a way I'd never speak to anyone else. I hate that for the last few years every nice thing we've done, has always had the niggling thought that I'd enjoy it more if I were a stone lighter. I know I have lots of 'mind work' to do aorund my relationship with my weight (hence the coach) but on the physical front today is re-set. Binning the alcohol, more strict with the carbs and cheese. I aim to lose 7lbs in the next 4/5 weeks. Posting here for accountability really. Anyone else having a 're-set' today? Good luck!

Thanks for the welcome @Chubbybetty! I had another 1400 calorie day today which felt pretty ok actually so I’m going to try to reduce for rest of this week to 1200 per day with focus on protein and veg. I’m keen to start making progress but also mindful that I want to stick to it this time so need to try to find a balance that is sustainable over a longer period. When you fast, can I ask what does that mean? Does it mean periods of no food at all (intermittent fasting?) or much lower calorie days, or something else?

@MunsteadWood 1200 calories sounds doable, especially if protein and veg mainly (what I seem to live on atm!). I have been reading 'Fast like a Girl' by Mindy Pelz and some other sources of info. The purported health benefits of water fasting alongside potential fat loss are interesting. I'm no expert and have reall only dabbled but a couple of weeks ago I did a 60 hour fast, so just water from Tuesday evening to Friday morning (although my husband forgot a couple of times ad put milk in my tea), then last week I did a 48 hour water fast. I sometimes do intermittent fasting (8 hour eating window) and quite frequently OMAD (so technically 24 hour fast).

Well, weigh-in today today and I am 9 st 2.5 so a small loss but still in the right direction ⬇️.
I was convinced I’d have gained as had a friend staying and went out a lot BUT I have been doing daily (almost) workouts and I think that makes a difference - even if it’s just that seeing myself in a sports bra and cycling shorts makes me want to eat less 😂.
The progress is very very slow but slow and ready wins the race 🐢 so they say… (don’t think Usain got that memo)
Keep at it, ladies.

Well done @Valkyrie3 and everyone that is sticking this this 'slow and steady' approach.

I think massively reducing alcohol has really helped, combined with daily weighing and the happy scale app to keep me motivated - I've lost 1.7kg since starting, which I can't quite believe. I do feel a bit stupid - I wasted the best part of a year trying to be 'intuative and healthy' and focussing on measurements rather than weight, but I just don't think it works well enough for me! First goal is to get to 54kg, and then I'll see how I feel measurements wise. I know I felt really good at 51Kg before but that was after 2.5 years of breastfeeding, and I'm not sure how realisistic that level is for me - plus I had no boobs left by then, and they've 'rebounded' a bit now, they probably account for at least 1 extra kg, and I don't mind keeping those!

I’m another half kilo down this morning! I’ve run four times this week and feel pretty good. I’m now 2lb under the 10 stone mark so need to keep going and I think another 2lb and I’ll feel safely under that threshold. That’s 1kg off, I think I can do that in the next three weeks. I did wonder if there was a bit of dehydration going on though…

Hope everyone’s weekend has gone well! I didn’t go anywhere, but I was out for dinner with a friend during the week. The calories were so helpfully displayed on the menu so I know I ate about 1100 calories there but as I’d only had a banana, some seeds and ribena during the day, it was absolutely fine.

Since then I’ve had 3 days of being on around 1200 calories and my veg and fruit intake has been good too.

I am finding kimchi great for breaking my intermittent fast at 12-2pm. One portion is 15 calories so I had some with a boiled egg today around 2pm and it filled me up for hours. Not bad for a 100 calorie snack.

Anyone else like kimchi? I think it’s the fermented aspect of it that helps satisfy me. And the fact it has such a strong taste. I feel sometimes when I think I’m hungry I’m probably not - I just want to taste something!

Ended up not eating my first proper meal until 5pm today ,and going to make a berry smoothie with Greek yoghurt now. So it will probably be a very small dinner for me later on.

Still around 10st 7 but according to my body analysis scales my body fat is now 31% - which is the lowest it’s been in years. I’d like to get to around 28%.

Tiny victory this morning - found a dress in the back of my cupboard that looked awful last time I tried to wear it, showed every lump and bump. Today it looks good! Half a stone to go until I’m at the top end of my acceptable weight range, and I’m feeling positive this morning. (And am ignoring the super unflattering pictures my friend took at the weekend… must be her camera…)

Hello can I join. I'm 5.3 and currently 11.5 stone 🙈 I've been around 9/9.5 stone my whole life but after 3 babies and breastfeeding for what feels like a decade. My body has change so much🫠 I also have diastasis recti so feel really big and look pregnant the whole time anyway. I think I gave up a bit as I need reconstructive surgery at some point but can't afford it.
I have a really hard time telling where im at with my body/health. I'm really active I cycle/walk daily and have a ok diet although could be better.

I've just added in cardio and weights and going to look at diet too. I just struggle being consistent. I really need encouragement and accountability. Especially as I'm not sure I will see a massive amount of difference in My body but I'm hoping I feel it.

@Swearwolf love that about the dress fitiing better. A great NSV (non-scale victory!). Well done. @MightyGoldBear welcome! We're a pretty supportive bunch here and help each other through the high and lows.

Sorry I've not updated for a few days. We had a slightly unpplanned hedonistic weekend. 3 BBQ's Friday to Sunday evenings. Friday and Sunday just me and my husband so stuck with mainly couple of fresh salads and one or two lean proteins, but of course wine/cider too (you all know how I love a BBQ!). Saturday evening was a family affair with loads of food and wine/fizz. I also haven't worked out since Friday last week (but just about to start a 30 mnute weight session in this heat, wish me luck!). as you can imagine I was fairly trepidatious stepping on the scales this morning (in fact yesterday couldn't even face it). To my shock and delight I am still at 8st 11 so no gain from before the weekend. Either the weekend hasn't caught up with me yet, or a few weeks of consistency during the week and with workouts, and a few fasts are finally starting to pay off. Either way I am 36 hour water fasting from yesterday evening (Monday) to tomorrow morning (Wednesday) or may stretch to 48 hours depending how I feel tomorrow, so hoping that will mitigate any potential gain from the weekend and may even lose another 1lb or so. Already telling myself, must reign it in this coming weekend...

Welcome @MightyGoldBear you're very welcome to join us! Did you manage to do any fitness/healthy eating today?

That's great news on the maintainence @Chubbybetty I was beginning to worry you'd deserted us!

I am at the stage of the month where I am going to blow up like a balloon - this is where I need the moral support to keep going whilst my body clings on for water for dear life, I think by Sat/Sunday the worst should be over. I haven't had a migraine yet this month, maybe it's a 'well behaved cycle'!

Thank you @GrazeConcern
Yes so far I'm staying consistent and doing some exercise however small each day. I'm trying to keep to a simple diet and just take easy wins of cutting out any chocolate crisps etc

I find if I start getting too serious with diet and planning meals it exhausts me a bit then I'm more likely to give up. So slowly does it for me. I've lost a few pound so far. I'm using renpho scales which has been a good visual monitor for me. Although a little shocked when I first went on them but it's good motivation.

How is everyone else doing?

@MightyGoldBear sounds like you're doing well and have a great strategy in place.

Just a demonstration of how wild the scales can be - after my full on weekend seemingly having no effect, I went to a work away-day yesterday where I partook of the buffet lunch but only lean proteins - sliced beef, smoked salmon and some roasted veg, then for dinner had a white wine spritzer with soda and a small grilled chicken salad, the result is a 2lb gain this morning. Now I know I haven't put on 2lbs of fat since yesterday, and some of that may be delayed weekend effects but it just demonstrates what a cruel master the scales are.... am considering how to approach today as I haven't eaten yet - perhaps just another lean protein salad for dinner, or fast until tomorrow. Depends how my day goes I think!

Yeah the scales can indeed be a cruel master @Chubbybetty that’s one reason why I like my daily weigh ins and don’t make the scale weight everything.

Seeing my weight each day of the month shows me that there all kinds of reasons for fluctuations on the scales that are likely not all to do with losing or gaining fat. So for example I no longer flinch at the (temporary) 3-5 pounds I put on at the start of my period!

I tend to look at the overall pattern of weight gain rather than each individual day in isolation which means the scales can neither ruin nor make my day.

That’s a big win IMO!

I’ve got a 2 week trip to Spain in September. I’m currently a size 10/12, and I’ve ordered myself 3 summer dresses, 2 of them are a size 8 and one a size 10.

I’m going to see how they look/ fit now and then see how they look in 6 weeks.

@Pinkiesheetie Yes, I also weigh daily (except when I know I've over indulged) and it is interesting to chart the fluctuations. It sounds as though you are better at not letting it emotionally affect you than me though. Best of luck with the dresses! Whereabouts in Spain are you going?

Hello 8st 10, I've not seen you in quite some time! Scales showing a 3lb loss since yesterday. Ridiculous! Happy to see the lowest figure in some months though.

Well done @Chubbybetty excellent work! Do you think it will help you keep on track for the weekend?
I had a mini bottle of Prosecco last night and although I enjoyed it at the time, I definitely feel more jaded than I have done in a while today. However I also weighed in lower - 56.6kg, which is what used to be my ‘too big, time to cut down’ benchmark. I’m definitely feeling slimmer, so going to continue on the much less alcohol approach for the foreseeable.

Thanks - Andulasia and Madrid. I’ve only been to Spain once before and it was Barcelona, so I’m looking forward to it.

I’d just really like to get rid of this extra stone first and look slim in my dresses!

Congrats on the 3 pounds weight loss!

Some great wins (ie losses) - well done everyone. I did my weekly weigh-in today and was convinced it wouldn’t be good as have had family here and eaten pizza and dips and so on, as well as having quite a few Proseccos. However, I weighed in at 9st 1! I am very busy at work atm but am planning to squeeze in a bit of Rick (thanks again @Chubbybetty) most days and eat more healthily as I really want to be able to say I’m ’in the 8s’, even if it’s 8st 13.
Don’t think I look any thinner though, but I suppose it’s less noticeable when there’s less to lose. Is it?

Hi all- is it alright if I join in?

I'm 5 foot 3 and now a size 14 😬and would like to get back to a size 8-10.

I was a size 10 for years but stress eating through a hellish couple of years has meant my weight has crept up. I'm good at keeping active but stopped paying attention to my calorie intake and eating habits. I don't like how I look right now and feel ready to make a change.

I want to lose weight partially for my own superficial reasons but also genuinely for my own health. I worry htat the weight I'm at will cause me health problems down the line. I also have a sports injury where losing weight would make a big difference to my recovery!

Sending love to everyone here in the Diet Trenches and congrats to everyone who has budged a few pounds. I hope I'll be joining you soon!

I’ve found my people.
It seems as if there are loads of us with tummy problems. I’m really thin arms/legs and you can see my rib age but my tummy pushes out like a rounded tellytubby in that I look 4-5 months pregnant with no clothes on. I weighed 8stone around a month ago and am 5ft 2in and 53 on HRT. I tried to lose weight over the last month with just eating a protein/salad lunch and yoghurt/berry supper but there was zero change on the scale nor my tummy. If anything it was getting bigger.
So last Monday I decided to do OMAD - just the protein/salad lunch and nothing else except water/coffee/tea (did allow myself milk) and finally I’ve lost 2 pounds and my tummy is reducing slightly (can feel it in my trousers). So is this it now - one meal a day????? Weirdly, it’s been easy and I haven’t been hungry at all - in fact I practically have to force myself to finish my lunch. But it’s just all a bit depressing.
So I’ve decided I’m only doing it Mon-Fri and then on the weekend I can either add one more meal OR a sugary treat OR wine but only one. Sound like a plan? Part of me doesn’t want to undo the good work this week but another part thinks menopause sucks and just give me all the Rose and chocolate!!!

Good evening all. I’m so sorry, I seem to have not posted here for a couple of weeks. I often have the odd moment to quickly read your posts and then not time to reply. Sorry! I will try to reply/post more regularly.

Well done, everyone - whether you are seeing progress or simply keeping on with trying to make progress.

Welcome @MightyGoldBear, @Wildegeese and @JMAngel1 (hope I’ve not missed anyone).

I’ve seen some progress this week. I actually saw 8st9 on the scales this morning (although I’ll believe it when it’s been consistent for a few days). However, to put this in context - before Easter I was 8st8. Over Easter weekend I went up to 8st12. I then stayed stuck at 8st12 for ages. So, it’s taken me 10 weeks to lose 3 pounds, after I gained 4 pounds in one weekend. It makes no sense. I genuinely didn’t even eat that much over Easter weekend (and a lot less than everyone who I spent the weekend with).

I think my target is still around 8 stone. My Happy Scale app is currently saying I’ll get there in over 2 years time - November 2027!

@Valkyrie3I Completely agree about being in the 8 stone range. I had my annual health check yesterday. It went well, no issues but when she did my weight I was exactly 9 stone. I’m 54 and 5’2’’ and my BMI is 23. Nurse said that was great but in my head all I could think of was how much better I would have felt if she’d said 8 something. Even 8 12 would have been ok.

Ah well, onwards and downwards. Off to a wedding today but determined to make good choices. Granddaughter’s birthday party tomorrow where I’m sure my choices won’t be as good 😆