Weight Loss Support

111,026 members • 58,783 posts

Well - here we go; I'm a newbie

Hi, I’m John and I’m a newbie.

I’m a 62-year-old male who has struggled with weight all my life. I am a yo-yo dieter; my lowest adult weight was 11 st 6 lbs and my highest 21 st 10 lbs (that was last week!). I seem to lose weight, put the weight and more back on, then start all over again! Not this time though – I will NOT do that again and simply must stick to a better strategy when I get there.

I do not do social media so this is a first for me but as I have a long struggle ahead, I thought I’d give it a go. I feel I need to commit to a weekly weigh-in so as I started last Saturday, the Friday one it is!

Start Weight: 21 st 10 lbs (138 kgs)

First weigh-in: 10 Oct 2020

Next weigh-in: tomorrow

(Friday 16th)

I always have great successes in the first week, then the real struggle starts. It has been a hard week but I’ve been really good. Short, sharp shock tactics: 1200 cals/day and start exercising; next week I will get on a more sustainable regime.

Huge warmth to all those on any dieting path, it is very hard so take courage from successes and don’t let the odd lapse get you down – never give up!

Some advice on how the weigh-in thing works would be appreciated. 🤞💖

Written by

Ginge431

35kg

To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .

29 Replies

•

Nice to meet you Ginge431

I see you’ve been chatting with SofaJockey and have had some useful pointers.

1200 will be a massive shock to your system, (around half the amount suggested by the NHS BMI checker) I’m not sure I could reduce so drastically, even for a short period, but I hope it works for you.

What worked for me was making a series of smaller, more sustainable changes, such as greater calorie awareness and keeping a keen eye on portions size, reducing sugar, eliminating snacking between meals, and reintroducing full fat products (because they taste better and keep me full for longer). I used a Step by Step approach, making changes gradually over time, both for food and exercise.

I realise not everyone is the same, but what does work for almost everyone is using the forum regularly, especially the Daily Diary and Group Weigh-in, as well as chatting to others. Community help and support is a proven help for weight loss

Best wishes

Indigo 😊

Thanks IndigoBlue61. I know from experience that I need to be more sensible after this week; thanks for sharing your experiences and in particular avoiding reduced-fat meals - I'm going to give that a try; often, fat is replaced by additional carbs and the food is tasteless and not very satisfying. Very best wishes.

You’re very welcome 😊

This explains the weigh-ins, Ginge431 healthunlocked.com/weight-l...

You're a superstar moreless; my grateful thanks. 👍

Hi, John and welcome. What you are saying is so familiar! I struggled with my weight as long as I remember, apart from a few weeks after losing loads on meal replacement VLCD, when I realised in horror that I seemed to be unable to stop my weight from going down. That certainly didn't last long I started gaining fairly quickly and eventually I climbed back up to my so familiar obesity. July last year I found myself at 135.4 kg, which I consider my starting point. However, that freaked me out so much that I buried my head in the sand and three weeks later emerged from there at 138.3 kg - my highest ever recorded weight. But this time I decided to do it differently - just slowly introduce changes that would stay with me, hopefully for life. So I'm telling myself that I'm not on a diet as such, I'm simply on a journey to change how I eat - what, when and how much. I'm trying to find and secure the way of life that will allow me to stay at my target weight, once I reach it. Mind you, I'm still not sure what that target is, but I'll start thinking about that once I reach the healthy BMI range - at the moment I still have 6.5 kg to lose to reach that, but that's nothing in comparison with the amount I've already lost, which is nearly 60 kg from my highest recorded weight I strongly believe that whatever we choose to do, has to be sustainable, otherwise after a little while we will drop the new way and this will bring all the weight back if not more. I hope you find a way that is sustainable for you. All the best!

Thanks for sharing this N-o-r-d-i, it all sounds so familiar. I will begin a sensible regime next week then I have to change my life-style, slowly but surely, to something I can sustain for good. Not easy but I am determined this time. Very best wishes to you for all good successes.

Hi Ginge431 and welcome, yes I no what your saying about how you lose weight then gain and worse of all you gain more I have done all diets all my life.

But in May this year I came across this site to cut a long story short I started looking at LCHF low carbs high fat it’s changed my life

I have lots of health problems but this is the first time I’m loving my food eating loads and it’s not a diet it’s a healthy eating plan.

I can never go back to how I use to eat this is me for life but I’m happy to keep losing.

My start weight was 26 stone 6lb and Monday was my weigh in day and I’m now 21 stone 7lb I’m 1 lb off my 5 stone. I wish you well in your weight loss journey.🍁🍁🍁🍁

Inspirational - fantastic effort Iwilldoit22; well done. Thanks for your reply and very best wishes for all your future successes.

Thank you🍁🍁🍁

You say the real struggle starts after the first week. Then please take care not to send your body into starvation mode. My own 8 stone loss came largely without struggle because I ate enough healthy fats as I went along (avoiding low-fat and calorie counting slurry) so that I wasn't overly hungry during my diet.

But whatever path you take, as you say there's no need to be down and if you plateau, just keep checking in with the forum for other strategies to press on.

Thanks SofaJockey, Happily, the first week finishes today; from tomorrow healthy, considered and sensible dieting. I'm already much encouraged by all the others working away at their dieting; one big "club" it would seem.

Hi SofaJockey I see that you have lost 8 stone do you mind if I ask how.🍂🍂🍂

No issue sharing.

It was:

1. Having a strong reason for losing weight.

2.Treated weight-loss like a project

3.Measured weight daily

4.Cleared the cupboard of treat and unhelpful food

5.Cut out sugar, eating mostly food with <5g/100g sugar

6. Didn't eat more than 1-2 pieces of fruit a day and preferring berries.

7. Significantly cut back on carbs: pasta, bread, rice and potato.

8. Avoided low-fat and low-calorie unappetising foods that didn’t sate my hunger.

9. Increased amount of vegetables I was eating.

10. Stopped drinking fruit juices, tea/coffee, fizzy drinks & alcohol. Sparkling water instead.

11. When I ate treats kept them to 30g portions and spaced them out over days.

12. Ate only healthy foods I actually like.

13. Controlled my portions. Meat/fish of 120g for lunch, 180g dinner.

14. Preferred full-fat (portion controlled) foods to minimise my hunger

15. Kept on going through lapses and plateaus because they happen and it's ok.

16. Told other people what I was doing so they could support me.

17. Used 'Time Restricted Eating' (TRE 14:10). Food only from breakfast to dinner.

18. Did 30 minutes of daily exercise (including 'Couch to 5k')

19. I got support from this forum and 'Second Nature'.

20. I made it a lifestyle change not just a diet that stops, it's healthy living that continues.

Wow, that does sound like my eating plan. Great results for you.🍂🍂🍂

Then keep on keeping on. 😄

Good luck Ginge431,

Massive support on this forum,

Good luck,

Gary

Thanks Gary; it feels good to know that support is out there from people who understand! Wishing you good luck in your quest.

Thanks Ginge431,

Gary

We all start somewhere and my essential journey started over 2 years ago when at 58 I had aching limbs especially knees so if you embark on a sensible eating programme as I don't 'diet' then you will see changes to your physical and mental health .

Ensure on 1200 cals you can get all the nutrients you need from 3 good balanced meals . I had to up mine to about 1320 as I needed calcium and protein . I don't snack but a reasonable piece of chicken plus veg then yogurt and fruit as my evening meal = about 500 cals then I would only have 700 for the day so I found combined with walking and You Tube exercises I was better off with a few more if only 150 cals more .

You can only eat what you buy . Shop after you have had food and put in your trolley what your meal planning allows . You will get used to this and I saved about £10 per week even replacing crisps etc for fruit / veg as these items lasted more than one sitting .

Don't see this as personal punishment like I did at first . My work mates even say my hair looks better now . Let us know how you are getting on but don't give up if you have an odd binge you can always plan tomorrow.

I stopped weighing in but I am now 19kg lighter and maintaining as aged 60 I don't want to be scrawny and very skinny.

Thank you Focused1, I have now increased my daily cals to 1650 and I am indeed shopping for my diet meals. I have never been one for sweets and crisps, my downfall is bread; oooh I love it yum-yum. No matter; week one over and I feel enthused for week 2. Much great support from the lovely people here is a real help. Best regards.

Depends what you put on the bread but I have a slice of wholemeal bread with a veggie soup . Decent bread is quite high in fibre and I feel it rounds a meal off . I still have carbs such as porridge and brown pasta/ rice especially now it is colder. I see this as a lifestyle not a diet and I eat in moderation and rarely cut anything out .

Hi John,

You'll will get plenty of advice and support here for whichever way you choose to lose the weight. Personally I came here in my 60s after yo-yo weight all my life. I was pointed towards something I'd not heard of Low Carb High Fat (LCHF) and have not looked back since. Weight has dropped, hunger pangs gone, sugar cravings gone. Happy happy happy. It takes a while to believe there's life after bread etc and that meals without rice , potatoes or pasta can fill you up, but it's true. I'm thoroughly enjoying all my meals, with no calorie counting or weighing of food portions. if you're interested the four week plan by TheAwfulToad is a good place to start. Also google a series of videos by Dr Robert Lustig "The Skinny on Obesity" they were an eye opener to me as to why I kept putting the weight back on on my low fat diets. Good luck!

Thank you PandQs, I have tried the low carb diet before and it works very well for me; I may well give it another try to add some variety. More importantly for me, I'll take a look at the Dr Lusting videos; I'm a past master at losing the weight then putting it all (and more) back on. That situation cannot happen again so something has to change this time when I get towards the end of this crusade, so I'll have a look at his videos. Thanks and have a great weekend.

This change of direction from previously perceived "healthy" low cal, low fat diets has been a life changer for me. I just wish I'd known when I first started dieting back in the 70s. After watching the videos I now look around and feel very sad at the way people are being are becoming so mishapen and food giants are profiting from it.

Hi and a big welcome. I joined this group weeks ago but have only just posted..... like you my downfall is bread...

Lost over 7 stone ten years ago on a fad diet...sadly i have put 5 back on. Following WW at the minute and am finding it relatively easy. Good luck...we got this 😃

Hello and welcome, Timej

You've replied to a post from a month ago so it may be a while before you get a response.

This is a great place for information and support. Members follow a variety of different plans so have a good look around and ask any questions, if you haven't yet decided on a plan to get you to where you want to be.

You'll find all the information you need by following this link healthunlocked.com/weight-l... to Pinned Posts. A good place to start would be joining a weigh in team. I see on your profile you mention Wednesday so I am tagging Lytham , who will be hosting the weigh in on Wednesday, and she will look out for you. I also recommend using the Daily Diary, where members share their meal plans.

If you haven't already you can take a tour of the forum here healthunlocked.com/?tour=true

Active participation really pays off so do some exploring, read posts, chat and encourage others - it will all pay off for you

Hello, nice to meet you !

As BridgeGirl says, I will be hosting the weigh in on Wednesday and it would be great to have you with us

Here's the link to this week's post which will be open at 9pm on Tuesday night x

healthunlocked.com/weight-l...

Thank you Timej, It takes so much effort and dedication to lose 7 stone - what a tremendous achievement. However, it is demoralising when it goes back on again and that is my life story. I tell myself that it will not happen but invariably it does. I believe that this is down to dieting and not lifestyle changes. In the past, I have gone back to what I was doing before the diet and then I'm surprised when my body goes back to how it was before the diet (nearly always worse!).

For now, I am concentrating on healthy eating and lifestyle in order to lose half my body weight (yes - really - I need to lose that much!). Once I have succeeded, I must then live my life in such a way that the weight loss is sustainable; I'm sorting this strategy as I progress.

I wish you all success on your campaign with WW. I may give it a go further down the line when I get fed up with my own plan and need a change. Very best wishes and thanks for the encouragement.