I am a 58 year old woman, who is very overweight. Have tried every diet under the sun, but am now going to give the 5:2 my best shot. Has anyone else done it?
My daughter's graduation is next year, and I simply cannot be as big as I am now! 😢 I need to lose around 7 stone (where did that come from?!), and it seems like such a huge mountain to climb ...
I lack motivation, but once I'm 'in the zone' I give it my all ... but how to kickstart this?
Good luck to everyone!
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Needtodosomething
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Hello Needtodosomething and welcome to the Weight Loss Forum
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Hi Needtodosomething welcome to the forum. Before I joined here I always had trouble with losing weight but have now managed to lose weight and am so pleased I found this site as I found out what I had always been doing wrong before. I don't know if you are also making this same mistake but what I was doing was not actually eating enough calories as I always thought I should eat as little as possible to be able to lose weight. This was wrong because what you should do is look at how many calories you should be having every day to be able to lose weight on the NHS bmi calculator and this gives you two personal amounts you should make sure you eat between that are not as low as you would think. All other sites that give you any amounts to be able to lose weight tend to give you amounts that are too low and just average so people don't lose weight. Do make sure you don't eat any less than these amounts on the NHS bmi calculator because your body thinks that you are starving it and turns what you do eat into body fat and this weighs more than eating the extra calories does so it stops you from losing weight and sometimes puts weight on instead. I made this mistake for years so please don't make this same mistake. Good luck with your journey.
Thank you so much for taking the time to reply ... I really appreciate it. 😊
If at all possible, I am trying to break free from 'calorie counting' as I have tried this before ... never would 'under eating' have been an issue for me ... lol. However, if my 5:2 attack does not yield the svelte figure I crave, I will indeed return to it, bearing in mind your comments.
Best of luck to you too on your weightloss 'journey'.
I think we've all been there, the OMG how much! moment on the scales or with an item of clothing that doesn't fit.
I would definitely recommend having a look at the NHS plan, it's free and I found it a good place to start. I don't think it's incompatible with the 5:2 plan, from what I know of it.
Maybe to help with your motivation you might do better to break it down to smaller goals. I agree that 7 stone can seem a lot, but it doesn't seem so bad if you break it up. Just take the first week to make a couple of small changes and set a goal to see a shift, anything downward, on the scales. Then you can set half, stone, or some other goals on your way down. Then when you reach these milestones, you have a chance to celebrate! Make sure however you reward yourself it's NOT with food! Get some new clothes, see a movie, treat yourself to a spa day. Whatever works for you.
Thank you so much for taking the time to reply ... 😊
You're right, you do have to move to see any results. I have got into the (bad) habit of taking root on the couch, watching endless tv shows, without really being aware of what I've been watching. 😳
I looked at a BMI thingy and it said I need to lose 7 1/2 stone ... (err ... excuse me?!) and I thought this has to stop. I also have my daughter's graduation next year, so that in itself should be the only motivation I need.
Hi...we all need to do something brilliant name by the way. I have similar amount to lose and giving myself a year. Something as just clicked with me and I want to look slimmer more than I want this feeling I have carried for so long. You can do this, lots of posts on here spur you on...stick to the kcals your allowed...mine is around 1700kcals (lower end) and I have lost 9lbs in 2 weeks and honestly its just being kinder to yourself and getting your mind right. Look forward to how you want to look in 12 months time and keep that image in your mind and reflect. I wish you all the best x
Thanks Alwaystartingagain for such a lovely reply.
You must be thrilled with a 9lbs weight loss in two weeks ... well done!! 🏆
I'm so pleased I've found this site, as encouragement and information are readily available.
The daily 'calorie allowance' is a revelation to me. I have always cut down, eaten very little, been permanently exhausted ... and not lost weight!! Time for a complete overhaul of my eating habits ...
Thank you again for such a kind reply, and I wish you continued success with your weight loss.
I was surprised in the amount it says I could eat when trying to lose weight. Other sites have said 1400 and then when I have gone over my mind always said well I have done it today may as well start tomorrow. Its amazing how much you can eat with 300 extra kcals. I have bought a soup maker and its making a huge difference. For 4 soups its around just over 300 kcals...and it keeps me going no end.
I keep coming on to read everyones posts and its so helpful, not only seeing others succeed but also struggle as it shows we are all in the same boat. Keep posting x
A soup maker? That's inspired ... and just the thing we need for our 'summer' weather ... lol. I'll need to invest in one. Great idea, and I wouldn't even have thought of it, so thank you. 😊
I have just returned from food shopping. My trolley was so healthy I didn't recognise it as mine! Lol You know how there is a 'traffic light' system for 'good' and 'bad' food? My trolley was so healthy it should have been flashing 'Green'!!! 😆
I do hope your weekend and food choices are going well. 😊
Hahahah brilliant, it will be glowing like your trolley.
I don't eat much veg but I knew I had to get it in me so I bought the soup maker. I want better skin and hair! So trying..i know usually we wouldn't in summer but what the heck, summer seems to have gone on holiday.
I am waiting on my tape measure coming tomorrow...I will surprise myself with the inches I intend to lose, so when the scales slow down...hopefully the inches wont.
Today I have had a lovely beef roast with mash and veg...soup..eggs and a slice of toast. Have you tried green tea? I didn't like it at first but am sure its helping slightly. Not started exercising yet but climbing the steps is a marathon for me am that out of shape
Hope your well and I will see on your first weigh in how good that trolley was x
Very impressed with your food choices, roast beef, mash and veg ... yum. 😊 I still can't get my head round the 'calorie allowance'. I am sticking to it religiously and writing everything down, but I feel I am eating loads more than I would normally. 😕 I will be gutted if I have stayed the same ... or ... dare I say it? ... put on ... (sharp intake of breath).
Time will tell, and Tuesday's weigh in looms large .... 😕 No pressure about you expecting great things from me as a result of my super healthy trolley ... lol.
As for green tea ... afraid I can't get into it. I have bought some fruit tea, so I'll give it a whirl and report back. 😊
I applaud you for going to use a tape measure ... 👏👏👏👏 (I hear that hot sweet tea is good for shock!!!).. 😂😂😂... I can't 'look over the side' on that one! 😂 I'm just going to guage my losses by how my clothes feel, when the scales don't shift. 😊
Hope you've had a great weekend. Keep me posted on how you're getting on. 😊 x
Evening...next year we wont be known by alwaysstartingagain and needtodosomething haha...we will be known as .....oh heck...we will have to cross that one when we come to it but I will think hard haha.
I am going to try different flavoured teas but I still don't think I have found anything to taste better than the old fashioned one with milk. I have faith you will lose weight!!
. I have been sticking to 1700kcals but today I had a little treat this evening for 250kcals so I nearly hit the higher end...but I enjoyed it and it doesn't happen daily. I think am making sure I eat the kcals because I know then I will have room to move when I have to lose say 100-200kcals a day...by then I might try stretching my toes more and it might burn a bit for that tea with milk haha.
I will post my inches tomorrow...along with a funny thing regards people noticing weight.
Getting off now, film time for me Enjoy the rest of the evening x
Brilliant choice of name...I have no idea what mine will be but with the months passing I will sure have many a idea haha.
I had the green tea, but no toe curl...god that sounds so odd.
Hows your day going? glad your writing it all down. I try visualise it but I know I will have to get writing in time.
I did get the tape measure and my leg is now the size of what my waist once was!..infact a tad bigger. I posted on it earlier. My waist is 44 and a bit...my hips a whopping 53 inch! and chest 44...leg 29 and arm 15 something...terrible but heres to a start of getting no bigger. Is it your weigh in day tomorrow? x
Well done on Facing The Dreaded Tape Me asure ... those stubborn inches (the rascals!) are sure to be quaking in their boots, now that healthy eating is the norm. 😆
I have to write everything down as it's so easy to forget or underestimate what I've had. On that note, I we
nt out today and bought a shiny new notebook for this very purpose. 😇
Yes, it's weigh in day tomorrow, so I hope it goes well, as I have stuck to the recommended calorie allowance (I had one mini blow out, but took that into account the next day).
When is your weigh in day? If it's tomorrow, we can celebrate our efforts, regardless of what the scales say.
I should be hiding. My mom thought it would be a nice idea to buy me a treat....fish and chips!!! Omg I half heartedly wanted to bin them but I felt mean. I am gutted as she knew yesterday I was losing weight, so yes tonight I have massively gone over my allowance and I can but pray I have until Friday to pull it back.
You sound so organised and your putting me to shame. I have jointed down things on my computer regards measurements as I read one post saying when she didn't lose on the scales it showed on the tape so I am hoping.
I don't know why am not getting told you have replied lol...its only if I sign into my Hotmail does it show. I think you will do well tomorrow and soon be moving off the newbie. I think its a badge for 7lbs and then every stone....looking at me the class swot hahaaha.
Hope you have had a good evening and good luck tomorrow x
Isn't it always the way, when you're trying so hard to lose weight, that family members show up armed to the teeth with 'treats' ... grrrr.
My daughter did the same thing tonight. She came home from work clutching a tray of calorific sarnies! I didn't have any, as I thought it was pointless to have stuck to the plan, just to break it near the end of the day. 😇😇😇
Don't know how it will go tomorrow. I have a feeling I'll have to reduce calorie intake to lower, but time will tell...
Thanks for your good wishes; I'm sure your fish and chips won't do any damage!😊
I am back on my soup to fill me up but I haven't gone under 1650 on any day yet and mostly am around 1730 daily. Believe me to the high kcal junk I used to eat...am reckoning around 3000 kcals daily this is a massive improvement so I am hoping it works.
I am off to check in the Tuesday weigh ins to see how you have all done x
Hi, I have just joined I'm 52 and need to loose probably 5 stone- oh my even just admitting that is hard - bigger than i have ever been- i tried 5:2 and did loose but my partner said i was grumpy! but that may just be me. it was easier from the preparing food point of view but may not encourage you to think about what you eat. could be a good kick start I think. my problem is whatever weight loss thing I do but I give up too easily and need someone to chivvy me along. Good luck!
I did the 5:2 diet a few years back. It definitely works, but I found I had to be really disciplined, so in the long term it wasn't for me.
I fully intended to do it again on here, but once I got into calorie counting I thought why do two days of greatly reduced calories when I can eat well 7 days a week lol.
Please look up your calorie allowance on here, and make sure you eat at least the minimum stated. I have settled on a mid way point of allocated calories, am losing weight for the first time in a l-o-n-g time, and am never hungry. 😊
I used to think you could only lose weight by eating next to nothing, and this is simply not the case. What I have found is that you have to eat in order to lose weight (lightbulb moment!)
This is a fantastic website, and you will get all the help and encouragement you need.
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brilliant name by the way. I have similar amount to lose and giving myself a year. Something as just clicked with me and I want to look slimmer more than I want this feeling I have carried for so long. You can do this, lots of posts on here spur you on...stick to the kcals your allowed...mine is around 1700kcals (lower end) and I have lost 9lbs in 2 weeks and honestly its just being kinder to yourself and getting your mind right. Look forward to how you want to look in 12 months time and keep that image in your mind and reflect. I wish you all the best x
x
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