Just a Moan Really - Ambition is dwindling in week 4

[TwinklingPotato]

Hello!

Some of you may know, I've had a bit of a game changer of a year this year, and now I'm working on me, my mental and physical health, and my smile!

I am now in week four of my physical journey 'transformation' (or should that be restoration!).

I've never weighed above 8st, I'd always been on my feet for work (catering and hospitality), I smoked instead of had lunch breaks, lived on coffee, crisp sandwiches, and coca-cola (the full beans version). I danced between 7st 7lbs and 8st.

Ten years ago I was diagnosed with IBD, I moved into an admin role and sat my arse down all day. That was fine for about 6 years. Four years ago, I noticed my legs starting to get a bit chunkier. Three years ago I moved into a new job - free cooked lunches (delish!), snacks, little moving. My then DP also expected a cooked dinner each night - I loved cooking so I obliged, but I also ate it. I stopped the lunches after about 10 months when I started getting uncomfortable. I didn't change anything for the good. I became miserable at work and at home, I felt trapped. I was eating and drinking too many sugary foods/drinks - fizzy pop was not safe around me! I was also having a couple of G&Ts a night, good measures, too.

Well, four weeks ago I stood on some scales for the first time in years. Fed up at the thought of needing to buy yet another size up, and dismayed by not being able to zip up my fave knee high boots (not worn them for years).

10st 12lbs.

Almost 3st heavier than I've ever been. I'm 5'4ish, BMI in overweight category, and I'd need to be 20cm taller for my waist measurement to be considered healthy (that's sobering!).

I've stopped drinking alcohol and fizzy drinks, removed sugar from my tea, thrown out the biscuits. I'm not craving any of it which has been a pleasant surprise.
I used to eat pasta/rice/potato of some description daily, now it's just once a week, I've replaced it with lettuce and cucumber in most dishes.
I track my calories using Nutracheck. They've given me 1200 calories a day. In reality, I'm peaking at about 800 including tea with oat milk, squash, etc. I log everything!
Last week I started back at the gym (resistance and weights with limited cardio as my heart hates it and swiftly shoots up to 200+ bpm - GP never been concerned).

Week one: As above, but no gym: 10st 10lbs
Week two: As above, but no gym: 10st 7lbs
Week three: As above, including gym: 10st 7lbs

So, why no change? I'm in a decent enough deficit, I've started doing more, and it's not changed. I know it's early doors, but I expected to shift at least 1lb! Not weighing daily to avoid becoming too obsessed, just on a Sunday.

Am I expecting too much? Should I be eating more? I don't feel hungry (I'm a boredom grazer so no longer bring anything to work with me that I can nibble at through the day). I sit down all day, try to get out for a walk some lunchtimes but it can be full on here so it's not possible. Gym 4 times a week, Mon - Thurs, Fri is the gym but only to sit in the infrared sauna!

OP you have lost 5lbs in four weeks, that’s a fantastic start!

Each pound of fat is equivalent to around 3.5k calories, so it does take time to shift, you are doing brilliantly, hang in there, some weeks will be great, others not so much. It’s all part of the process.

Also take measurements of your waist/hips/arms/thighs, especially since you are doing gym, your body shape and measurements can change, without that being reflected on the scales.

I’m no expert on nutrition so will let others advise there, but keep up the good work!

Thank you so much @RedBulb that is very kind of you, I guess I just expected something more dramatic with such a significant change but yes, I am probably being impatient!

I have started measuring - that's a good tip, thank you :)

When you start exercising you gain water weight due to muscle repair and gain muscle itself, so it may look like a stall but you've actually lost fat and gained water and muscle, but in a few weeks you won't have as much water weight when your body gets used to the exercise and then will see the losses. Keep at it! Drink plenty of water and focus on high protein to maintain and build muscle.

Thank you @Mysticmaiden I hadn't thought of that! I am trying to drink more..

I'll keep at it! Eating lots of pulses, legumes, etc., as I eat plant-based, so get my protein there.

Also forgot to mention I've cut out all of the fake 'meats' too. They are bloody lovely but no idea what's in them!

I was vegetarian for 5 years, I fully understand how difficult it is to find good protein sources. There are protein shakes and high protein yoghurts. I was also at my most unwell while I was vegetarian, my diet was mainly carbs, I was prediabetic, anaemic and low in D and B12 and prob every other vitamin if I had tested them. That was even with taking multivitamins. Collagen and probiotics helped heal my GI system as I had dairy and gluten intolerance too. I've eaten meat for over a year now, my body was craving it for 2 years and I eventually gave in. Definitely recommend clear protein and shakes, wish I'd known of them back then.

Thank you! Yes it can be tricky, but there's so much more on the market now. Unlucky in that I have most of my levels tested relatively frequently due to the medication I'm on. I have said if I needed to revert I would. My neighbour has some rescue hens and I'm considering taking some of the eggs she offers, I'm plant based for ethical reasons so I think that would be ok, and would probably help boost the protein!

I'll look into other ways to supplement my diet, too x