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.

Fair enough. All I’m doing is exact what i have done any other time I have tried to lose weight, and the WLI makes it achievable.

I have lost about two and a half stone since February. It was hard going at first but it started to come off slowly at about a rate of a pound a week. It may seem a long tim since February but it isn't really, it has gone very fast. I'm hoping that because I have done it gradually it will stay off.
I changed what I eat and when I eat and it hasn't been too difficult . I have another half a stone to lose and it's more difficult to keep the momentum now I know I look and feel better but it is worth persisting.
Good luck and just think how many ch better you will feel this time next year

I lost two and a half stones in the traditional way ten years ago. I’m now well within a healthy bmi range. It took me ages to lose the weight I’d say 18months - 2 years. But ten years later I’ve kept it off. I’m sure it’s because I didn’t do any kind of fad diet I just eat normal food and exercise, which I can maintain.

Your loss is amazing OP! I have lost 3 stone since April 2024. I was feeling a bit flat after a 5lb over the summer but have been aiming for in excess of 100g protein a day (I strength train 4/5 days a week) and also 30g plus of fibre. Both have been an absolute game changer for satiety, gut health and body composition. I had an ED for most of my twenties, so being able to accomplish this has made me feel so proud. Each to their own, but I know that if the jabs had been around when I was poorly, I would have been first in the queue taking deceptive photos etc. I worry for those people not obtaining them in a legitimate way.

I’ve lost 7kg since July. I was wishing for slightly more.
Ive been calorie counting and I joined the gym. I’m not getting the balance of calories/gym right though so it’s been slow. I have toned and put on muscle though. I know more weight off will help my exercise/gym work so I am desperate for that.
It’s mostly frustrating as I’m not down a clothes size yet. I’ve gone from bursting out of a 16 to it being very baggy, but not a 14 yet.
Im scared of the jabs though so no choice.

Well done OP and keep going.

I lost nearly 4 stone nearly 2 years ago and although I've had a slight creep up by 9 lbs so now back tracking my eats to lose it again, it has been sustainable.

Definitely agree on not comparing.

Weight loss jabs are great for some but they still come with the issue of changing life style and maintenance down the road. I also wouldnt want even a quarter of the side effects that friends have dealt with.
The traditional way as you describe it has it installed in.

Main thing I do is factor in nights out or events into that weeks calories throughout the week. That means I don't feel bad. I also don't weigh myself 2 days before, during or 2 days after my period. I know my body, I know I retain water and bloat. Weighing myself will just show the scales going the other way and no matter how much I reason will put a dampner on me. So I find avoidance of it a better motivator.

But it’s almost undisputed that people gain the weight back and then some when they come off WL drugs

I have done that repeatedly for the last 30+ years the "traditional way" gaining more each time.

What is actually undisputed is for any weight loss journey that once you stop actively managing your weight/diet you will gain the weight back. It is important for everyone, regardless of how they chose to try to lose weight to be aware of that, not just those who use WLIs.

Over the years I’ve done it both ways - felt less ill using trad methods but did find it easier with help of jabs.

my weight loss has been about the same rate - just haven’t had all the food noises

now on a forced break from them due to heart issues. Now 10 days since last jab - actually feeling weller, eg no cold hands or nausea still a little constipated.

Contemplating next steps - especially as I still have 50+ to loose (down 35 in 15 months on jabs so quite slow I think)

You’d still need to eat less and exercise if jabbing. If I could have eaten the ridiculously small number of calories (under 1000 a day) that it has taken for me to lose a stone, without jabs, then I would have.
So lucky you that you are able to do it naturally OP! 🎉

I have been following the Fast 800 program for the last 7 weeks. It has been surprisingly easy and I haven’t felt hungry at all. have lost 19lbs. I have the recipe books and have eaten well. I really wasn’t expecting it to work or that I would stick to it. I feel quite evangelical about it.

Amazing OP and so many inspiring stories here! I’m also losing without WLI - down 1 stone since the end of August. I need to lose another 33lbs to be a healthy bmi. I’m perimenopausal and unfit and time-poor (aren’t we all) so have been using an app called LazyFit every day, plus some light strength training a few times a week, and trying to walk more too. My biggest downfall is hoovering up child leftovers and eating before bed. Just cutting those bad habits has helped so much more than I thought! I’m also watching what I eat but not really counting every calorie because that’s too tedious for me.
Agree with not comparing specifics of your weight loss with anyone else. We’re all moving in the right direction and that’s what matters.
My goal is to be out of the “obese” zone by Christmas (4 more pounds) but I’m expecting it to take another 6 months after that to get to my end goal. But - if I consider it’s taken me 9 years to put the weight on (post kids) then 1 year or less to get it off seems a good deal, especially if I can keep it off forever. I already feel better so the only way is up! (But numbers down)

I can’t use WLI as I have type 1 diabetes. I have seen people who have been very overweight for years have amazing success on them, like 60kg loss, whether they eventually regain remains to be seen!
In my life time I have twice lost a significant amount by counting calories and exercise, the last time in my late 30s when I lost 60kg. But it was very hard to maintain and then I met and married my cooking loving husband and had two kids, developed type 1 diabetes, lost my husband suddenly and I’m now fatter than ever. But I’ve lost 19kg since Sept 1 by just calorie counting (1750-1850/day). I’m 63 and post menopause but very tall. My goal weight is about 10kg higher than my previous weight loss goal as that was so hard to maintain. At the moment I eat the same breakfast and lunch and a normal albeit calorie counted dinner. I allow myself one bite size chocolate bar (70 calories) after lunch and two mini biscuits (totalling 88 calories) after dinner to satisfy my sweet tooth.
I found a trip the best motivator. I’m going abroad to see family in March so have a goal weight for then. I am going to allow myself a break at Christmas- I’ll get right back on it January 1.

@HarlotOTara would you mind sharing what meals you ate on Fast800? I’ve got the books and started a few times but did feel very hungry…

You do realise yoy have yo eat in a calorie deficit and...shock horror do actual exercise to lose weight on the jabs....I've completely changed my life around this year with 'the jabs' and lost 6 stone in the process.

My way is no better than 'the old fashioned way" and vice versa...

Hi. Just a quick one I am type 1 I take insulin and was prescribed by The Family Chemist.

I did the Michael Mosley 5:2 diet and lost 1.5 stone in 3 months, 7lbs each month. We had a competition with 4 of us, all doing it differently and having different amounts to lose by 1/12. I had the least to lose and was the only one that met my target. God rest his soul, MM certainly knew his stuff. 😟