Losing weight the traditional way

[SouthMumof2]

Just looking for reassurance from anyone else trying to lose weight the traditional way … I’ve lost about a stone but taken me a good 12 weeks of discipline with food, changing habits and taking up a new gym program ect. In contrast , by using the fat jabs a family member lost 12 pounds in 2 weeks and another friend has lost 2 stone in less than 3 months. Looking for morale support from others doing it the long way! I would like to lose another 2 stone but could take a while.

I’ve lost 5.5 stone in the past 3 years the old fashioned way. One day at a time. I’ve struggled with my weight all my life but have found a way through. It’s great. Set yourself small targets. Half a stone, a stone etc. Getting into a healthy BMI was great for me. Good luck

Im doing this OP - I did 5 weeks of mounjaro at beginning but gave me heartburn 4 days a week - it did however kick me into good habits- like you it’s slow and steady , I’m 2 stone down now but has taken 7 months factoring in holidays and high days etc - I suspect it could be quicker but refuse to give up my half a bottle of wine on a Friday and Saturday night. The good thing is though I’ve lost no muscle, gained no wrinkles and ate extraordinarily well , so can keep it up- I’m on about 1300 cals a day andaround 1650 on Fridays and Saturdays. One dance class a week , lots more water - I’m expecting to be at it till June/july - once I’m just under11 stone I will then aim to keep it that way-I’m 63 too so it seems to get harder the older you are.

Yea it could take a while but you’re creating healthy habits along the way, and that plus slow weight loss is the recipe to keeping the weight off long term. A stone in 12 weeks is amazing - that’s over 1lb a week. Add in weight training and you’ll speed up your metabolism too.

The evidence suggests that you are more likely to maintain a long term weight loss than those on the jags

and it will be cheaper

keep going

I am doing it the old fashioned way. Nearly lost a stone already. Only really started properly in September. Doing 16.8 fasting.
I also got a d&v bug whilst I wouldn't reccomend its certainly sped things along 😂

Now I'm back to normal just taking it slowly. For me it needs to be maintainable small goals otherwise it doesn't last and I give up.

Congratulations on your weight loss so far. I would very much try not to compare your weight loss progress with anyone else's, whatever method of weight loss they are using. You are doing really well, independently of anything else.

I've lost 3 stone over the part year - WITH Mounjaro. About 1.5lb per week and slower recently. It's slower for lots of people and I believe it's better that way eg no loose skin. Does the speed matter unless you have a major event or surgery or whatever?
I'd keep doing what you're doing.

Your family member and friend have lost the pounds, but also £££s. Slow and steady will get you there; well done on your weight loss OP!

I've lost weight so many times. I really struggle with my weight, always have from age 11.

I've lost over 2 stone with Weight Watchers twice. With pure calorie counting using My Fitness Pal. With going to the gym 5 times a week burning 400 calories each time. With eating nothing but vegetable soup. With cutting out carbs. They all worked.

I don't eat rubbish, I cook from scratch, my diet has been mostly organic for 15 years. I just find I can't eat little enough not to gain the weight back. I'm menopausal now so my TDEE is 1400 which I'm finding very difficult. I have to severely restrict what I eat just to stay the same.

Ignore what anyone else is doing and how they have lost weight. If a person can, the best way for them to lose weight is by eating less calories and upping their exercise.

In September 2024 I started logging what I ate via WW’s. I do my own version of it which is a fusion of Zoe and WW’s. I upped my cardio and weight training. Within 6 months I lost 2.5 stone and was the healthiest, fittest and in the best mental and happiest place I’ve been in a long time.

A year later+ , now I’m still at my goal weight. I’ve had a couple of bad months with family issues, but this week I am back on track.

You need to block out others comments about how they are losing, and stick to what you are doing. It’s the healthiest way to lose, and a stone in 3 months is great. Well done.

I also mentally don’t think of it as a diet- just changed eating habits and more healthy eating -

I forgot to add that I got so many positive comments, and looked so different and happy that my DH started to follow what I was doing, and he has lost 3 stone in the past 8 months, has got super fit, got a 6 pack and looks absolutely amazing.

I have lost 14 kg since February. Calorie counting, taking it slow and high protein and steps. I’m not in a rush as I feel this is sustainable and when I haven’t lost I am maintaining.

I have been slowly losing weight since 2021, I am 4.5 stone down. It's hard work, perimenopausal and with underactive thyroid. I used to do Slimming world but now I just use My fitness pal. I walk every day more than 10000, fast walking and I go to the gym 3-4x week and I walk on treadmill incline 8 for 60 minutes at 5.6 kmph.
I still have 2.5 stones to go but I went down from size 20 to 16. I kept a pair of black trousers size 20 and when I feel a bit low I put them on, so I can see how far I got.
Moujaro is a great option for some but I think I can manage without.

That’s similar to me except mines since April - does make a difference though - I’ve now got great legs , even at 13stone!!

It can really knock your confidence if you compare your progress to others using different methods and is a form of self sabotage to benchmark yourself against others whether they are losing on medication, slimming world, keto, fasting or whatever method they choose to lose.

Every method has it pros, cons and challenges, some at different stages - no method is easy, especially to sustain long term.

What matters is you have chosen what feels rights and sustainable for you, and with commitment and consistency, you will get there if you don't allow yourself to get distracted by others progress. Measure and be proud of your own results and successes, and for family/friends who have chosen a different route celebrate theirs too while they are succeeding, as they may have the challenges you are facing now, or different ones later.

You’re doing great. Don’t worry about what others are doing. I’ve lost 4st in 2 years and that’s with WLI… I’m an extremely slow loser even with help but without the jab I was lucky to lose 1lb a month

The jabs don't make the weight fall off you, they just make you less inclined to eat. I've lost nearly three stone this year without a jab because I got diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and it put the fear of god into me.

But I've not done anything different to my friend who's also lost around the same, while on the jabs. We're both in the gym, both eating more healthily, both limiting snacks etc. The only difference is that he's quieting his food noise with a drug, whereas every time I look at a cake I see a little black spot in the middle of it because I fucked my eyesight up with sugar.

We've both done the work needed to lose the weight, but he's a bit worried that when he comes off the drugs, he's not going to have the resiliance to keep at it, whereas I'm reasonably sure the habits are ingrained at this point.

I’ve just joined Gloji through my GP. It’s a 12 week phone based program. Not sure yet what’s involved exactly.

I lost 5.5 stone with SW during lockdown, but I can’t sustain the healthy habits when I’m busy and stressed. Lockdown, while alarming, was a very quiet time for me so I was able to prioritise my health.

I’ve put a lot back on. So I’m doing Gloji in the hope of dropping down a bit. I’m about a size 18/20 and am much more comfortable as a 16. And I have some clothes I want to fit in.

I lost 3 stone by the traditional way, calorie counting using MFP, upped exercise to daily walks & workouts & ate much more healthily.
I’ve put about 6/7lbs back on but I’m still a healthy weight, have a good BMI and still fit all the smaller clothes I had to buy and I started my new regime 3 years ago.
I honestly believe slow & steady & doing it the way I and many others have done it is the best way but each to their own.

I mean I’m using them but also doing the ‘traditional way’ of slow, sustainable loss. Eating a healthy and balanced diet. I’m losing about 0.5-1lb a week.

I don’t think comparison is particularly helpful though, we are all striving for the same thing non matter which route we take.

It’s very tempting to go on the jabs. I have to admit when I’ve been good all week and not seen a single change on the scales I have been extremely tempted. But it’s almost undisputed that people gain the weight back and then some when they come off WL drugs. Some people say that they will be on it for life. In no way would that come without any side effects. You’ll be far better off in the long run.

Health is wealth.

I do think you learn a lot by addressing your food issues the traditional way. My weight gain came from bingeing due to extreme boredom. I have found healthy things to binge on when I get that compulsion to eat (cucumber salad, kimchi, frozen grapes etc).

Okay but what you’re doing is not traditional weight loss. Not that it matters. But let’s be honest 50% if not more of the work is being done for you.

I think it doesn't really need stating that losing weight without needing prescription obesity medication is preferable, in terms of risks of side effects and costs. It's absolutely great that lots of people don't need these medications. Equally it's absolutely great that these medications exist for people who need or choose to use them.

Weight loss is (generally) about eating fewer calories than you need to maintain your weight, and however you can consistently achieve that is the "best" way for you. Whatever method or approach you take.

A stone in 12 weeks is fantastic, well done.

It took me a year to lose 3.5st, just calorie counting and some light exercise.