Losing the last 80lbs

scottishchubster

Hello! Newbie here!

Little bit about me :-) Until 4 months ago I was in a very abusive marriage and was very depressed and stressed. I was addicted to sugar and used it as an emotional crutch, I also had a very enabling husband who 'liked' me fat. At my peak I was 337lbs/150kg which on my petite 5'4 frame was horrific, I could not stand for any length of time without my back giving way let alone exercise.

I began to make headways with my weight about a year ago and have lost 110lbs/47kgs so far taking me down to 227lbs/103kg. I can now walk, see my feet and don't have 12 double chins - maybe only 2 now..! I've done this by eliminating all pre-packaged food and sugar from my diet and replace it with an organic diet rich in vegetables, protein and whole grains that is made from scratch (I am and always have been vegetarian). I feel so much better and healthier, though I am still recovering from the damage constant stress hormones had on my body but I am led to believe the recovery for this could be in excess of a year. I'm basically just trying to treat myself better. Doing some walking 4/5 times a week too.

Now, I feel like I'm on the homestretch with my weight loss but it has begun to plateau a little. My goal at the moment is to get down to 147lbs/66kgs, this might change when I get there but it takes me into a healthy BMI to start with. I know through continuing my current regime I could be there by this time next year but I would really like to get there by the end of the year if possible. I think I need to make a push and keep up the momentum, if only to keep my mind off the fact that I am 30, getting divorced and living with my parents!!! Have any of you got some good tips/idea/regimes how I can go about doing this. I've done those awful meal replacement shakes in the past and they have worked to get weight off quickly but I don't want to go down that route again, I want to do it as healthy and naturally as possible.

Answers on a postcard please!!

VintageFeline

First off, amazing work so far and congratulations on getting out of that relationship, that's no mean feat.

You need do nothing more than consistently stick to a calorie goal. I think getting to goal by the end of the year is a little too aggressive, you'd be losing a lot of muscle. It really matters little what you eat (from a weight loss point of view, nutrition is a different matter), the most important thing is how much.

I started about where you are now and I have always aimed for 1lb per week loss. You could probably be a little more aggressive but I like to eat and like my muscles so I was happy to go slower.

Start weighing your solids and measuring your liquids, the lighter you become the more important accurate logging will become.

And if you want to be able to eat a little more, exercise is a great thing to start incorporating, it also statistically improves your chances of maintaining your weight loss.

OhMsDiva

I have lost a lot and have a lot to lose. For me, I am glad that this process has spanned more than a year. It is helping me to learn that i have to change the way I eat and live. I am much older than you, so it probably is taking me longer than it would take you anyway. Im in no hurry. I was the size I was for many years. For me, every pound is a success and it motivates me to keep going. You can do it!

tulips_and_tea

Congrats on your success already! Excellent job. Also very glad to hear you were able to get away from your abusive husband. No shame in living with your parents! You're saving your own life, so just take time to adjust and rebuild.

Have you adjusted your calorie goal to match your new lower weight? There are really no magic tricks to losing your next 80 lbs. All you need to do is start eating a little less than you are now. Start walking if you can. It's great exercise for the body and mind.