Yet another weight loss thread!

Ilyana

I hope someone can help me, I'd like to lose weight but I just don't know how to do it anymore. I'm female, 5ft 1 and about 128 - 130lbs - I'm not quite overweight, but heavier than I'd like to be. I carry my weight on my stomach and hips, which I'd love to change! I know I can't spot-reduce though!

Last summer I weighed about 140lbs, and decided to lose weight. However, I got a bit obsessed, severely limiting my calories to lose 14lbs, but being drained and unhappy. I've seen sense now and I'm eating more, although this has inevitably put my weight up again. I would rather not weigh myself now as I think I get a bit 'stuck' on the numbers. I want to focus on making my body feel and look good, not what it weighs.

I like most kinds of healthy foods, but I am a student, so I don't have much money to spend on food, nor have I access to a decent gym for the next month. I'm also studying for exams, so I want to focus on those until next month (I haven't much time for a lot of exercise until then). However, I'm ready to take on board dietary advice now. Several members of my family are coeliac; I've tested negative but might it be worth my while to try a gluten-free diet? I'm also open to low-carb, although chocolate and bread are my vices!

As per the exercise, I'm interested in trying weighlifting, as I've seen the amazing results people get from it. I don't mind running, although I hate doing that alone. I also really like swimming.

I hope someone can guide me in the right direction to looking and feeling good, sorry if my post was a bit long and vague!

SunnyDub1

I hear ya, Nothing worse then starving yourself and feeling miserable - it also only works has a quick fix.

I'm also currently trying to maintain a healthy diet and gather as much info with regards healthy eating and exercises.

What kind of dinners does your mam cook ? Try get her too cook healthily or suggest foods for her to buy and you offer to cook dinner.

Try eat 3 meals a day and snacks in between meals.
High protein foods (fill you for longer and give energy, also helps build mussel if doing the right exercises)
Chicken, lean meat, fish, eggs, veg, fruit, nuts and seeds.

Most gyms offer great student rates at the moment so thats a first suggestion. If this is not an option , you can get weights (at a reasonable price) in Argos. Also try a fitness dvd, or walking/jogging.


I'm sure there is someone on here with better advice for you, this is just a start

Good look.

25215615

EmilyO wrote: »

I've tested negative but might it be worth my while to try a gluten-free diet? I'm also open to low-carb, although chocolate and bread are my vices!

As per the exercise, I'm interested in trying weighlifting, as I've seen the amazing results people get from it. I don't mind running, although I hate doing that alone. I also really like swimming.

Hey Emily

First thing I would do is start writing down what your eat and drink. Start by eliminating sugary drinks such as coke and fruit juices. Instead drink water and if you have a sweet tooth a diet drink here and there is fine.

Next I would look to eliminate most refined carbs. Things such as bread will do nothing to help you lose weight. Instead eat more foods that are either high in fat or protein. Have a sweet potato here and there and a cheat meal once a week.

For exercise I would look at swimming or some short sprinting or walking for now. Main thing would be to get your diet in order and in a routine and then look to add in some exercise once you have established a routine.

Ronan91

myfitnesspal.com is an excellent documentation tool you might find useful. Its database contains pretty much every store bought food and will allow you to see exactly how mant cals/macros you are or should be eating. I have found it invaluable for decreasing and increasing my weight.

Ilyana

Thanks for the advice Yeah the bread definitely needs to go! I don't buy it in college, it's when I'm at home that things unravel. I do drink plenty of water, and usually I don't drink sugary drinks, except as a mixer if I'm out.

I've used MFP in the past, and it is useful, although I'm not sure how accurate the calorie recommendation (1200) is, it seems to be a default figure for anyone who isn't looking to lose a huge amount of weight. Also, I tend to fret and get disheartened if I exceed my calories slightly. I think I'll use it again though, so I'm not unconsciously overeating.

Fitseeker

Three main things I've done to lose weight have been counting calories (eating at a deficit) ,keeping my protein high and lifting weights. You can calculate the calories you need to be eating on a daily basis with the stickies at the top. I haven't cut out any foods I enjoy, still go out drinking on the weekend, have the occasional take-away and I've lost over 4 stone, six-pack well on its way :P I lift weights 3-4 times a week and only do cardio if I feel I've eaten alot or will eat/drink alot later .

tl;dr - Calculate your calorie needs, keep your protein high and lift weights to preserve muscle while eating at a deficit.

(I realise simply eating at a caloric deficit is enough by itself for a person to lose weight, but feel the above is the best advice I can give anybody who would like to improve body composition)

littlejo

I am in the same boat carry all my weight literally like a tyre around my waist it igs soooo depressing if anyone can suggest any exercises i would be so grateful

25215615

Try not to get hung up about counting calories.

2000 calories from fat and protein is completely different to 2000 calories from carbs,fat and protein. Just concentrate on eating foods that were alive or came from the ground or a tree instead of a factory and you won't go far wrong:D

Resistance training and some type of interval training IMO is the best for fat loss and long term development of someone's physique. Some "normal! walking is ok as well, but won't do a great deal for fat loss.

accountant101

Hi Emily....
I'm in same boat...so sick of trying diets and everything and must have every piece of gym equipment you can buy...I have decided to NOT GO ON A DIET...the minute i go on a diet i want to eat everything...so i think if you want something have it...obviously in moderation....and i'm trying to step up my excercise...i'm in work all day and when i get home i'm just too tired but i'm trying to slowly make changes...i love swimming too and i'm going to go one night a week...go on my treadmill another night a week and i purchasded a body shaper this week to do resistance training..i hear that if you do resistance along with cardio the weight should start to drop off...So i'm starting this week...i need to lose about 28ILBS though...i want to be 10 stone...I'm about 5ft 8inches so i think 10 stone is about right....Whats everyone else trying???

GBMC

At the risk of over-simplifying...

Run. That's it. That's as complicated as it is. Just run. Don't quit after 1 week because you don't like it. I bet you'll like it more than you like being fat.

Just get off the sofa and run. Download a Couch to 5k app and use it.

If that seems too simple, then stop eating rubbish too. You don't need anyone to tell you what food are rubbish unless you're particularily dumb. If you really want to feel like you're suffering for your gains, cut out alcohol too.

Usual caveats of consulting doctors first, getting decent shoes etc apply.

henger

Running alone wont cut it. It's 70% diet 30% exercise. You need a calorie controlled diet along with running. I know, I run 5 times a week. Good luck with the weight loss...

MagicMirror

1200kcal daily? Eh no, just – no. Pay no attention to that.

Cut out the chocolate and cut down the bread (cut it out completely if you can) and you’ll see a difference in no time. You don’t need to monitor your kcals daily if you find you get a bit obsessive about it, but by being sensible about it and just cutting out the crap they’ll go down anyway. IMO, there’s no need to get down to the nitty gritty of macro nutrients and specific kcal intakes til you get to a level where you’ve been clean eating and training for a while and reached a plateau. Start at the start, not the finish line.

You don’t need to join a gym to exercise. You also don’t need tons of free time. There’s a poster on here who balances personal training, study, a full time job and their own daily training on top of it. Do some bodyweight workouts, a quick google or a search in here will give you plenty of examples. If you’re low on motivation then get a friend to join you, just make sure they’re actually committed to it also.

Fitseeker

MagicMirror wrote: »

IMO, there’s no need to get down to the nitty gritty of macro nutrients and specific kcal intakes til you get to a level where you’ve been clean eating and training for a while and reached a plateau. Start at the start, not the finish line.

I'd be worried she'd undereat again if she just tried to guess how much to eat while trying to lose weight. Any adult with google can work out kcal intake, and eat 1g of protein per pound of body weight. I'd say that's a good starting point. Keeping track of calories and protein isn't difficult, and will likely lead to her being able to consume more food, at least to begin with, while maintaining a deficit.

GBMC

henger wrote: »

Running alone wont cut it. It's 70% diet 30% exercise. You need a calorie controlled diet along with running. I know, I run 5 times a week. Good luck with the weight loss...

Good for you. Do you spend much of your week worrying about what you eat?
I would guess not.

My point is, there is no need to over-complicate things. Obviously, diet is important but when someone is struggling with both diet and exercise, the easiest one of those to sort out is exercise. By simply running.

It takes a bit of effort to go from running zero to running 5k and along the way most people will sort out their diet for themselves. There's no need for counting calories, just know what's rubbish and what isn't (and that's not difficult)

Running (the art of and the act of) improves everything. You'll feel better, more confident and happier with yourself for doing it. This alone will make you less likely to sabotage what you've achieved by continuing to eat rubbish food.

I'm not suggesting running as an immediate cure. It's way better than that. If you stick with it, you can be fit for the rest of your life and your eating habits will change for life too.

Think long-term and you won't be disappointed.

MagicMirror

Fitseeker wrote: »

I'd be worried she'd undereat again if she just tried to guess how much to eat while trying to lose weight. Any adult with google can work out kcal intake, and eat 1g of protein per pound of body weight. I'd say that's a good starting point. Keeping track of calories and protein isn't difficult, and will likely lead to her being able to consume more food, at least to begin with, while maintaining a deficit.

TBH, I would be concerned it would work the other way. It's easy to keep track of kcals etc. when you're at the stage where you basically know yourself what's in everything without checking, but if you were starting off by googling every single thing you ate and naturally a tad obsessive then I'd get concerned it may not be the best idea for someone like that. Especially with someone who has mentioned her previous tendency to go a bit overboard. I think it would be a lot better to start off slowly with cutting things out and adding in new foods to see how that goes and then refine it as she progresses. She would also be much more inclined to stick with it.