Losing Weight

[Pegojack]

I'e been dieting since October and have lost 6kg so far. No fancy diets, just calorie counting, 1500 calories a day allowed, with the odd lapse day when we go out for a meal.
If you stick to it, you'll find there's no room for sweet snacks, you'll naturally fill up on fruit, veg, grilled meat and fish, a bit of cheese, and allow yourself a glass of wine a day with the main meal. And try and move a bit more!

 

[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?

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.

Top post Jinx. Thanks pal. I may PM you in the New Year to give you an update on progress. Very appreciated!

 

[Lifelong]

Keto diet is worth looking at, basically meat, fish, eggs and veg grown above ground, some full fat dairy.
Very low carb high protein diet, did it a while ago and lost 2 stone.

 

[MajorR]

Loads of good stuff on here. I put weight on as a result of a more sedentary role, coming home mentally knackered, collapsing in the chair, chilling on beer, munching rubbish along with running the kids around. Did the Atkins diet and the weight dropped off, but it’s not a great long term option. Someone’s mentioned Slimming World, they do a few plans and there’s one where you can eat loads of good as long as it’s free, veggies etc. It’s worth a look.

I have changed jobs and am on my feet a lot more, I also try to get the 10,000 steps per day in (normally via a brisk 3 mile walk) and I tend to eat a bit more carefully. Generally start off with muesli and low fat yoghurt breakfast, a home made soup for dinner and a decent meal for tea ( including pizza if I feel like). Home made soups are excellent, they fill you up and if they are only made from fresh vegetables they are low calorie, high fibre and very nutritional. You don't need to go mental, a balanced diet, reduction in stuff like crisps, pastry, cakes, sweets with a bit of exercise will sort it.

 

[BrynCartwright]

Thank you so much everyone for all your constructive advice. You are all top fellers. I will try my best in the New Year. I am looking to lose about 4 stone.. (I know)

 

[MajorR]

Thank you so much everyone for all your constructive advice. You are all top fellers. I will try my best in the New Year. I am looking to lose about 4 stone.. (I know)

Get a decent weighing scale too. Get up in the morning, have a Malcom Nash and then jump on the scale to see what you weigh. You’re at your lightest first thing in the morning and if you do this every day you can monitor weight loss/ progress. Some people suggest you weigh once a week, but I do it every day and it focuses the mind. Follow the same routine every day.

Keep us posted.

 

[WalterBoyd]

Thank you so much everyone for all your constructive advice. You are all top fellers. I will try my best in the New Year. I am looking to lose about 4 stone.. (I know)

Bryn.

You have motivated me. I am the wrong side of 17 stone. Need to lose at least 4 stone, for many health reasons.

Why dont you start a thread end of the month or January 1st. Planet Swans weight watchers. I would willingly put my starting weight and once a week update. Could be the motivation I need.

I think we all know what we need to do to lose the pounds, less beer, less crap food, exercise a bit more. Any one of those will make a difference, all 3 would smash it.

I am up for it Bryn, join your journey. See what 2022 brings. Phil can cheer us on, having done amazing himself. Dont think I would do the 90 mins walking over the hills first thing in the morning, but it is what works for the individual.

Just an idea.

Happy Christmas everyone.

 

[DJack]

I'e been dieting since October and have lost 6kg so far. No fancy diets, just calorie counting, 1500 calories a day allowed, with the odd lapse day when we go out for a meal.
If you stick to it, you'll find there's no room for sweet snacks, you'll naturally fill up on fruit, veg, grilled meat and fish, a bit of cheese, and allow yourself a glass of wine a day with the main meal. And try and move a bit more!

Excuse me if I'm confused..OK I've always been confused but were you not a mad/regular cyclist at one time?

 

[tim_healings]

Until my mid 30’s I was a right skinny runt. Bag o bones I was. Mates used to send mail to the house addressed to S.K.Eleton. Right horrible shites they were.

Well I’ve showed em now. I’ve piled on the pounds after years of disciplined eating and drinking to the point where now, most people call me Tubs. Those knobheads that used to taunt me are feeling pretty bloody stupid now as I waltz into the pub with 4 chins!

 

[Jinxy]

Thank you so much everyone for all your constructive advice. You are all top fellers. I will try my best in the New Year. I am looking to lose about 4 stone.. (I know)

Get a decent weighing scale too. Get up in the morning, have a Malcom Nash and then jump on the scale to see what you weigh. You’re at your lightest first thing in the morning and if you do this every day you can monitor weight loss/ progress. Some people suggest you weigh once a week, but I do it every day and it focuses the mind. Follow the same routine every day.

Keep us posted.

Spot on MR. I was advised not to weigh every day but I ignored that and apart from holibobs I've weighed every day for 7 years. You have to a) know what affects you and b) nip things in the bud. Also, when you are in the process of losing weight it is a massive incentive when you see the numbers dropping. On a recent dog walk one day I was chatting to a doctor about that, and she said "new research" seems to back the idea of weighing every day (as you say, at your "lightest" lol). Seemed pretty obvious to me - if you are trying to fix anything, you have to monitor it closely.

Oh and one final observation for Bryn et al, there is a different diet to losing weight vs keeping it off. I found that on return from holidays - you do have to up the ante a bit to lose it, but once off you can return to a more normal diet. This normally takes me 2 weeks max to lose up to a stone probs. Good luck to anyone embarking on this - you won't regret it and you'll feel great and healthy. Remember, as I said to falter is not to fail - keep at it!

 

[Pegojack]

I'e been dieting since October and have lost 6kg so far. No fancy diets, just calorie counting, 1500 calories a day allowed, with the odd lapse day when we go out for a meal.
If you stick to it, you'll find there's no room for sweet snacks, you'll naturally fill up on fruit, veg, grilled meat and fish, a bit of cheese, and allow yourself a glass of wine a day with the main meal. And try and move a bit more!

Excuse me if I'm confused..OK I've always been confused but were you not a mad/regular cyclist at one time?

Yes mate, its called getting older. That, and covid restrictions. I've got out of the habit. But I do intend to start again seriously. I also bought a static exercise bike during lockdown for the terrace, and I use that regularly.

 

[Swanjaxs]

Not a fan of diets, eat the right food, plenty of fruit to snack on, get active, it doesn't have to be too strenuous, walking will do, the weight will come off gradually.

Good luck

 

[Pacemaker]

I lost the best part of 4 stone using the free my fitness pal app, I am quite good at sticking to a regime if i decide i am going to do something, i cut out booze except for special occasions. I then used my training efforts to add a bit more calories and also burn off a bit more weight.

I have more or less kept the weight off for over 2 years so happy enough, i have dropped several clothes sizes over the year that i started it. We had a chub club in work that started in the new year we all put a tenner in the biggest percentage loss won £160 the next Christmas. That was my target and i won the 1st prize. I did initially keep losing weight and went too far so jus started keeping an eye on what i was eating and ensuring i hit my calories target.

I feel a lot better for it, i eat healthier because i see the calorific value of food so avoid chocolate, sweets even though i have very sweet tooth, massively upped my intake of fruit and veg.

I will eat and drink what i want over Christmas but will make sure i get onto the app again on the 1st Jan.

 

[Glyn1]

Thank you so much everyone for all your constructive advice. You are all top fellers. I will try my best in the New Year. I am looking to lose about 4 stone.. (I know)

56 pounds / 4 stone / (9 new-born babies) is very ambitious, Bryn, and will probably take you until next Christmas to do. I think that you should look for a local slimming club that exercise together, or at least a slimming on-line forum that will give you support. Good luck to all us, and I do hope that there's less of us around here next year.

And if you get an Irish Water Spaniel, see right, (other dogs are available) it would encourage the exercise.

 

[Pacemaker]

My Fitness Pal app.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.myfitnesspal.android

Also available at Apple play store