I’ve put on some unwanted pounds while under lockdown. Now that things are opening up, I’ve resolved to lose the weight and get back to a healthier lifestyle. Anyone have tips on a particular programme, product, or regimen that has helped them shed a few (or more) pounds and feel healthier?
- Mara, Bristol
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22Real experiences shared by the community, from the original discussion to today.
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Paula6 years ago
I’ve started IF fasting for about 21hrs, eating whatever I feel like as 1 meal and a small treat. Averaging around 1,000 calories I’ve lost 14lb in 7 weeks. I’m not hungry during the day I just drink water. I feel much better, I’m hoping to lose a further 14lb to get to my goal.
Ellie6 years ago
Hi Paula, l have heard a lot of people talk about intermittent fasting! Going to give this a go and see if l can shift a few pounds. Not sure if l could last 21hrs though, think l will start with 12hrs at first ?
Paulareplying to Ellie6 years ago
Hi Ellie, I’m actually surprised how easy I’ve found it, I ate everything at the beginning of lockdown! But I can easily go all day knowing I’m having a normal meal and a treat rather than diet food. I eat full fat because I think it’s more satisfying. IF is supposed to have a lot of health benefits too. I’m feeling really positive and enjoying fitting into clothes I have t worn for a while. Hopefully I’ll get on holiday later in the year and wear my bikini??
Elliereplying to Paula6 years ago
Hi Paula, It’s all the baking that l have been doing! Trying to reduce it now. Definitely working then, you can see the results already ?? Hope you will be able to go on holiday later in the year ?
Alison6 years ago
Hi I’m on day 3 of IF I’ve been doing 16.8 and enjoying it. How long were you doing it before you started to notice results?
Anonymousreplying to Alison6 years ago
Hi Alison, I noticed after about 5 weeks, I’m 8 weeks in now and I’ve lost 16lbs some weeks I haven’t lost but I’ve stayed focused (something I’ve found difficult in the past) and it’s showing my work uniforms is a pleasure to wear now, it was feeling very snug? I feel I can carry on with this plan for as long as it takes and then maybe introduced another small snack in order to maintain my weight when I’m at my goal, which hopefully won’t be too long (another 10lbs [ish] to go) I’ll see how I feel at my original goal weight. ☺️
Anonymous6 years ago
I joined Slimming World a few weeks before lockdown and have continued attending the virtual meetings throughout. I have managed to lose about a stone in that time - a steady loss but I’ve got used to the idea that there’s no quick fix!
LucyL6 years ago
Hi! I’m in the same boat & have just started a 10 day detox including logging steps, food & water intake on the Fitbit app. I’m only 4 days in but already feeling some benefit. Having to log everything seems tedious at first but once you get used to it, it really helps your focus. Have also used MyFitnessPal I the past which is similar. Good luck!
Crystal6 years ago
I’m afraid not but I am the same. I’ve read that weight gain can be related to hormonal changes in menopause meaning that traditional regimes don’t work. Be good to know from anyone who is a bit more knowledgeable about this and it’s implications for losing weight in menopause
Anonymous6 years ago
I have been doing research and HRT may help with weight gain and many other negative symptoms of peri menopause or menopause
Rachel6 years ago
I have recently started to use the MyFitnessPal app. While it is sometimes challenging to log everything correctly, I find it really useful to educate myself and it is also an eye opener. I am finding out about how fattening or sugar laden some foods which I thought were healthy really are! And login everything I eat showed me how much I really eat, which turned out to be quite different from how much I thought I ate...? Therefore I am changing some of my habits, hopefully it will make a difference in the long run. Otherwise, walking is a great form of exercise that is a lot more efficient than we think. Best of luck!
Astrid, Reading6 years ago
Exercise always makes me feel healthier and better about my body. Strength training for muscles and bones, cardio, particularly boxing drills at the moment, for CV and bones. For the rest of it, body positivity, intuitive eating, and don’t worry about the number on the scale or the fat on your belly. Be healthy, eat well, exercise regularly.
Stacey6 years ago
Love this. Moving one’s body is not only great for one’s mental wellbeing but for me, it has a ripple effect on my food choices as well.
Anonymous6 years ago
I’m planning to reduce the size of portions I’m eating and keep alcohol for the weekends. Haven’t decided what to do about the chocolate yet though.
Lisa6 years ago
I’ve also used myfitnesspal - once you’ve put all your details in you can set a goal and it will then calculate your daily calorie allowance. I’ve used the Arbonne high protein detox plan - no sugar, caffeine, alcohol, dairy, or white carbs. Sounds tough but they have products to help. It’s called 30 days to healthy living. I’ve so far lost 6lb since 1st June (even though I’ve cheated and had a few drinks at weekends so could have been more) and 2.5% body fat. I have also been very active - weight / strength training, cycling, running and long dog walks. I started on HRT about 3 months ago.
elisabete braga6 years ago
Same here I am short And when I say I weigh just shy of 54 kg it seems a little, but in my body ( petite) is a lot I have in the past lost 10kg So I know if I put my mind and spirit I can do it but now the menopause as kick in as well I am trying to cut carbohydrates in the evening That’s it really for now And wait to see if in a couple of weeks I see a different Because sometimes I feel bloated and that is not fat. Good luck for all of us
Gill6 years ago
I lost quite a bit of weight and stayed fit using MyFitnessPal a few years ago. Works well as it makes you think about what What you’re eating and how much exercise is needed to burn off any excess calories. More recently I won a 3 week session at Dropit21 which has an exercise and sugar free regime, quite strict but never felt hungry and I lost a lot in the short space of time and have kept it off since. Also stopped sugar cravings.
Gorda6 years ago
Using My Fitness Pal again and I’ve got it into my mind that it is going to be a long road with the odd hiccup...but that’s okay, nobody’s perfect. I don’t expect the “lose a stone in a week” type of thing, I know that I will get there slowly but surely. I’m also looking forward to finally taking my new puppy for walks once he has got his third and final vaccination, because I know that more walking and keeping an eye on what you eat is the only way to shift the flab. (Unless you’ve got enough money to pay for surgical removal of fat!?)
Anonymous6 years ago
I use a calorie tracker app which forces me to be honest with myself about how many calories I’m consuming. I know what my target should be to maintain my weight (based on my resting metabolic rate and how much exercise I do), and what it should be to lose weight (500 kcal per day less than normal to lose 1lb per week). I use the ‘calorie counter quick’ app on iPhone which is great cos it’s so simple. There’s a similar one for android called Diet Diary. I love it because nothing is off limits. But I can make choices on what I eat based on whether ‘it’s worth the calories’! You need to know the calories of something to log it, or google it but some of the apps that claim to have thousands of foods and their calories in the app tend to be way off. So you learn about the calorific value of everything you eat quite quickly which means you learn healthy eating habits for life!
Gorda6 years ago
That’s what “My Fitness Pal” does on iPhone...it’s your choice what you want to eat as long as you stick to the calculated calories each day. Plus you can add your exercise which then get converted into calories you managed to burn and you add your water intake. You use the barcode scanner to get the exact calories of the particular product.
Anonymous6 years ago
I’m really struggling with weight gain. Have tried every diet out there. I cook all my own food, I’m gluten free eat veg often yet I’m still gaining weight. Does anyone know of a good slimming tablet. I’m getting so depressed.
Ellie5 years ago
Hi Mara I started using Nutracheck in Jan which is a calorie counting programme and so far I have managed to lose a stone. It has a very user friendly app and has forums for support etc I have used ww and sw in the past with success but once I have reached goal it was unsustainable for me!