Weight gain inevitable?

[LizzieG101]

I started here two years ago at 12st10lbs. I am now 14st7lb. I keep to NHS guidelines 1400 cals a day (often less). I have had various health problems which have rendered me inactive. I seem to gain at least 1 kg per week. What can I do?

[moreless Administrator 7 stone]

Hi LizzieG,

The NHS guideline for 1400 calories, is a generic number, for the average woman, which few of us actually are. I suspect you've been eating too little, for a long time and have lowered your metabolic rate.

Here is my advice for you, for what it's worth:

1. Put your details into the NHS BMI calculator, so that you know what your personal calorie allowance is.

If it's much higher than you've been eating, then increase gradually, until your body gets used to it. Do not be tempted to eat less than it advises. You want to aim to eat as much as possible, whilst still losing weight.

3. Make a shopping list, concentrating on fresh meat/fish (if you're not vegetarian), fresh/frozen veg, low GI carbs, eg quinoa, bulgur wheat, sweet potatoes. No low fat items and limit processed foods as much as possible.

Remember, all calories are NOT created equal.

4. Join today's weigh-in and log your start weight.

5. Join the Daily Diary and plan your menus.

6. Join Anna's reboot healthunlocked.com/nhsweigh...

My favourite quote:

"If we always do what we've always done, then we'll always get what we've always got"

Good luck!

[BridgeGirl Administrator 2 stone]

Hi LizzieG101 and welcome

Sorry to hear you're dealing with health problems; the inactivity in itself won't have a big impact on your weight (weight loss is much more about what we eat) but it can get you down and that doesn't help when you're wanting to make changes.

I agree with moreless that 1400 sounds way too low, and if you've been eating even less, that will be even more counterproductive. There's a general impression that we're supposed to be "starving" or suffering to get to a healthy weight; it's just not true; we can enjoy our food, have great variety, eat the same meals as the rest of the family, as long as we stay within our personal calorie range.

My experience of being on this forum is that my tastes have changed, I have much more variety than when I started. I have reduced my carbohydrates, but that has been step by step and hasn't been too painful. By planning my meals and shopping, I've got less distracted by unnecessary things that would take me off-track (sweets and snacks etc), and I've saved money because I'm wasting less.

You could start today by planning tomorrow's meals and joining Wednesday's Daily Diary when it's posted. If you're not keen on posting there just yet, have a read through to see what variety of meals your fellow forum members are having. Come on here every day, set yourself one or two changes to make this week, then another one or two next week and you're away

[anniedogwalker in reply to BridgeGirl]

Nd you keep on inspiring me!! Thanks👍

[BridgeGirl Administrator 2 stone in reply to anniedogwalker]

Thank you You're doing great

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The low fat items are usually full of sugar which is worse than the fat!

[IndigoBlue61]

Good to see you back Lizzie 😊. Please don’t despair, have a good read and take a deep breath, you can do this! Have a little self belief

[anniedogwalker]

Hello LizzieG101! You sound really down but you’ve come on this forum which in itself is a step forward. Stay with us and you will get of encouragement and advice from people who have been here a long time. I’ve only joined the plan a few short months ago and this forum for 3 weeks but I’ve already found out so many things I didn’t know about. So, chin up! I look forward to seeing you here!