Losing Weight

[BrynCartwright]

Let's just say, of late, I've become a bit of a porker. I've put on more and more weight since giving up the fags in Sept 2018.

This is not acceptable in my early 50s.

In January I will be cutting down massively on the booze, but has anyone successfully shed a load of weight using a plan or diet I can copy?

 

[Glyn1]

I've lost just over 14 pounds in the last 6 months: from 13 stone to 12 stone, which isn't quick but I'm happy with it and I haven't really made any sacrifices. I haven't gone on any diets but I have eliminated chocolate and snacks and switched to more fruit. What's been best for me is when a sister gifted me a Fitness Tracker, because I'm quite goals oriented. It's been interesting to see how many steps I've taken in a week, and tried to better it the next week. If you're competitive, it could be a good incentive for you.

 

[DJack]

I've lost just over 14 pounds in the last 6 months: from 13 stone to 12 stone, which isn't quick but I'm happy with it and I haven't really made any sacrifices. I haven't gone on any diets but I have eliminated chocolate and snacks and switched to more fruit. What's been best for me is when a sister gifted me a Fitness Tracker, because I'm quite goals oriented. It's been interesting to see how many steps I've taken in a week, and tried to better it the next week. If you're competitive, it could be a good incentive for you.

:clap: Well done buddy, even though I wont disagree with your post the simple change of switching from sugary snacks to fruit makes a massive difference. Incentives are always a useful tool whether or not you are competative... the right lever is always useful.

 

[Fbreath]

As above cut out the sugary snacks and you will notice the difference.

My incentive about 5 years ago was doctor telling me I needed to go on statins due to high cholesterol. I wasn’t exercising and while eating good food that was all cooked fresh was also eating rubbish when sat in front of tv.

Changed all that, started running and classes in the gym and within 6 months cholesterol was down to normal. I now train 5 days a week.

I went from 34” waist to 28. I’m same weight I was in my 20’s and I’m 60 now.

I once read somewhere that you’ll never out train a bad diet.

The changes also had an effect on my overall feeling mentally.

I still have the odd treat as a reward when I want it.

 

[dickythorpe]

Cut out sugar plus strong coffee as your first drink in the morning

 

[Epaul]

Let's just say, of late, I've become a bit of a porker. I've put on more and more weight since giving up the fags in Sept 2018.

This is not acceptable in my early 50s.

In January I will be cutting down massively on the booze, but has anyone successfully shed a load of weight using a plan or diet I can copy?

Firstly Bryn, well done on quitting the cancer sticks, I'm 6 months clean, so far not put a pound on, saying that I never do, I havent really upped the amount I eat in reality just a tad more binging on a bit of chocolate or savoury snacks in the evening

 

[Itchysphincter]

I struggle from time to time. I lean out fairly quickly with a combination of clean eating and weights but I also gain very quickly when I slip in to bad habits. I’m struggling a bit at the moment due to travelling for work quite a bit this year as it’s very difficult to get into routine. No point starting over crimbo so January will see a concerted effort to get a decent breakfast, plenty of fat and protein and a reduction of refined carbs. Anywhere between 20 mins and 45 mins of exercise per day will be more than adequate on top of that. The frustrating thing is that it’s actually really easy and enjoyable when you get started but often getting started is the hardest thing.

In all seriousness, if you want to drop a few pounds quickly check out slimming world. People may laugh and say it’s for middle aged women but the food plan is actually very sensible and if you’re training you can tweak it to your requirements. The key to it is basically not to get hungry.

 

[Jinxy]

Let's just say, of late, I've become a bit of a porker. I've put on more and more weight since giving up the fags in Sept 2018.

This is not acceptable in my early 50s.

In January I will be cutting down massively on the booze, but has anyone successfully shed a load of weight using a plan or diet I can copy?

Yes, well done for giving up the fags Bryn - that's a massive achievement. I was always a skinny boy, but as my career became more and more sedentary , my weight piled on. Then, I was travelling all over the world and fast/reward food was the order of the day so it got worse! After a few false starts (to falter is not to fail remember), 7 years ago I lost 4 stone (I'm 58, 5ft 9" and under 12 stone now), and have kept it off. I could write a book on this, but importantly the solutions for everyone differ - for me, it was a little in every area including more vegetables, better portion/plate size, not eating late, reduce takeaways, a little exercise with or without the dog (if I can walk or cycle anywhere, I will), switching to G&T's, etc. etc. weighing every day - I still do - you need to know how your body works and what exactly affects it (we're all different). I did things like buying new jeans as soon as I could get into them (this is a financial incentive!) but ironically they all became too big too! I went from size 40" to 32" now. I bought new motorbike gear too, and I'm not about to waste that cash either!

My health improved massively - I used to get really bad chest infections 2-3 times a year, but I have had only one cold in the last 7 years. Maybe that's all the garlic I eat though - I've had a 2m+ social distance around me for years! I feel great, oh and when I go out, all bets are off and I go for it - but I will pull the reigns in over the coming days.

I've mentioned this on another thread - I believe we have to get our health in the best possible place to improve our chances vs Covid - try to avoid that "underlying health conditions" category if you possibly can. As was said above, don't even attempt a diet over Crimbo but once you make the decision, you will not fail in the end, trust me. It really is all in the mind. Good luck, and if anyone needs advice from someone who's done it PM me by all means and I will help.

 

[dickythorpe]

A lot of walking as well Bryn. Take the car to Pennard, worms head, rhossili beach and walk, walk walk man!!

 

[Squarebear]

I dropped 15 LBs pretty quickly.

1. No breakfast mon-fri.
(It was AGONY for the first week or so. AGONY. Now it's normal. Plus I have a treat of breakfast on sat&sun).

2. Only drinking beer fri/sat/sun.

It took about 6 or 8 weeks to lose a stone. Though dammit I've not lost so much as a dram since. I eat half a bar of those Aldi multipack dark chocolate bars with my evening coffee, as treats are nice.

 

[Squarebear]

Respect to Jinxy above btw. I'm impressed with his "can do" approach to getting back on track.

 

[Cooperman]

And water, Bryn! Drink as much of it as you can. Not only will it lessen the hunger spikes, it will also help to rid the body of toxins. I try to get through five litres of water each day which is on top of any tea that I consume.

I shall be following much the same path at the start of the new year, I always do. The excesses of December will need shifting and January is a good month to do it as party season is over. I can relate to what Itchy and Jinxy have said, I am away from home a lot and late evening dinners or the convenience of a hotel room service meal at 11pm don't do anything for the figure. Which leads me on to the next point, I strongly believe that the achievement of any goal in this respect needs to be tied to a lifestyle change; it's no good following a plan for a few weeks only to then fall back into old habits. Instead it's time for some big decisions about old behaviours and some new ones. There are many ways in which to implement a lifestyle change, not eating after 7pm, not consuming alcohol on a school night, achieving 70k steps per week, getting a dog that requires walking, etc.

 

[swan65split]

I lost around 4 stone a few years ago doing the Boiled egg diet just google it. was ok, but a bit bland , its more than eggs involved ,

It all went pear shaped as my wife then had sepsis , so other things took over, followed by this shyte Covid, so its back on it in the New Year.

 

[PSumbler]

A simple basis of calories out v calories in.

Download an app such as My FItness pal, put in your current stats, set your goal, set your time and it gives you a suggested daily calorie intake. Use a fitness tracker to track any exercise link it to My Fitness pal and it will tell you how many calories you burn so you either treat yourself a little or the weight just comes off quicker.

Water is spot on as well - most of the time hunger pains if you have any will disappear with water but just drink consistently through the day (2 litres+)

When I did it I had to make one significant lifestyle change on top of the above and that was an early rise every day to go walking over the hills in Margam Park for 90/120minutes before anyone else got up - much easier on a summers morning

Whenever I feel the weight going back on I revert back to calorie counting and it comes off relatively quickly and never do I feel like I am missing out, it ends up more about portion control in the end within those calories

 

[Pentyrchjack]

Well done Bryn. I’m 77 kg and want to get and stay at 72. It’s tough because while I exercise a lot when I can, I also spend days and weeks travelling with work and inevitably eating crap on the move.

Last year I cut out most dairy (drink Oat milk instead) and never eat too late in the evenings. It’s taken a while but my new rule is that it’s better to go to bed hungry than overfull.

Not much fun mind but I have realised stating healthy trumps fun.