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Not sure what to do!
shunt358
Posts: 15 Member
Hi everyone, I am struggling with what 'diet' to do. I feel better with something to stick to but I lose motivation fast.
I want to start running and I want to be toned and lean not too slim.
I have lost 2 stone by myself but for the last 7 months I have been at a stand still, losing the same few pounds theb putting them back on again.
I am a single mum of two young children, I work full time and I am a student so time is very limited and I reach for the quick sugar fixes alot. I am in the uk, not sure that really makes any difference to anything though.
Tia for any help/tips.
I want to start running and I want to be toned and lean not too slim.
I have lost 2 stone by myself but for the last 7 months I have been at a stand still, losing the same few pounds theb putting them back on again.
I am a single mum of two young children, I work full time and I am a student so time is very limited and I reach for the quick sugar fixes alot. I am in the uk, not sure that really makes any difference to anything though.
Tia for any help/tips.
1
Replies
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Don't "do a diet." What I mean is, don't count on a a temporary change in eating habits to result in permanent weight loss. Look for some permanent changes instead.
I've lost weight doing low carb - regained it. I've lost doing meal replacements - regained it. No more. All things in moderation for me. Measure & log regular food. Stay within calorie goals. Move more for fitness & health. Don't do that temporarily either.3 -
Fad diets are a waste of time and energy. Get a calorie goal from MFP - eat the foods you enjoy that fit that calorie goal.1
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Don't do a diet. You can stick to eating at a calorie deficit.0
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So it doesnt matter what I eat aslong as it fits in my calories? Should I bother with macros? I know I must sound like an idiot but Ive always been on a diet and it is hard to get out of that mindset.0
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Hi!
First of all what is your name?
Do you have a smartphone?
If so is it an Android or an iPhone? There's a special app you can get from the app store to track cal and exercise if you have an iPhone!! Previous comment has some useful stuff...
I would highly recommend that you download the MyFitnessPal app either for an iPhone or Android. It'll be very useful for you + it's easy tracking food on the go via the app. Also I'm on Jenny Craig. That diet is tailored to you specifically and it's good for a busy lifestyle because if you're hugry and you have to eat asap all you have to do is measure salad, heat food and eat! The only tools you might need are: 1) kitchen scales 2) measuring jug 3) measuring spoons 4) measuring glass (if you can find it!!) For me so far Jenny Craig has almost given me back the life I want to live and I'm doing more things I thought I couldn't do before. At least I'm gratefull to Jenny Craig for giving me the life I've got now and it's a good one!!
P.S. The MyFitnessPal app can do so much more than just track cal and exercise. It can also do other useful things for you (like track weight and give out the amount of cal you need for your weight, intensity, duration of exercise and etc!!)
When you track everything you've drunk, eaten for the day and when you hit the complete diary button it says "if everyday were like this you'd weigh say 80 kg in 5 weeks." And that's what gives me an idea if I'm eating enough for weight loss or too much.
Try the things I've mentioned.
I also would recommend getting the Weight Watchers magazine as it will contain important weight loss/other weight loss related articles + healthy recipes. Sometimes a free 101 healthy recipe book comes with magazine on certain months!!
That's just an example of what I'm getting with the Weight Watchers magazine in Australia sometimes.
I hope this helps!!6 -
So it doesnt matter what I eat aslong as it fits in my calories? Should I bother with macros? I know I must sound like an idiot but Ive always been on a diet and it is hard to get out of that mindset.
Reduce your calories below your maintenance, and you lose weight. My Fitness Pal will give you daily calories based on your weekly weight loss goal.
Macros matter for satiety, health, and fitness needs. Start out with My Fitness Pal settings. Treat protein like a minimum. Get a decent amount of fat. No need to manage carb intake unless you have medical issues.3 -
Yes, what you eat matters. But for weightloss, the only thing that matters is that you stick to your calorie goal.So it doesnt matter what I eat aslong as it fits in my calories? Should I bother with macros? I know I must sound like an idiot but Ive always been on a diet and it is hard to get out of that mindset.3 -
So it doesnt matter what I eat aslong as it fits in my calories? Should I bother with macros? I know I must sound like an idiot but Ive always been on a diet and it is hard to get out of that mindset.
Reduce your calories below your maintenance, and you lose weight. My Fitness Pal will give you daily calories based on your weekly weight loss goal.
Macros matter for satiety, health, and fitness needs. Start out with My Fitness Pal settings. Treat protein like a minimum. Get a decent amount of fat. No need to manage carb intake unless you have medical issues.
I must point out: first of all it does matter what you put in your mouth (food and drink etc.) Weight loss success=80 % diet 20 % exercise. Also take out coke/pepsi out of your diet as well! Watch your sugar & fat intake as well!! Water, water, water!! If you're not drinking enough water it'll be harder for you to lose weight 'cause water suppresses appetite and fills your stomach therefore you might be surprised just how much less food you'll need to satiate your hunger. Also remember that sometimes when we're hungry you might be mistaking hunger for thirst. First drink say a 750 ml bottle of water. If you're still hungry in 20 mins-30 mins then you definitely have to eat (especially if it's past your meal time!!)8 -
Thank you everyone. I appreciate your replies.1
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I'm glad that my knowledge might actually help someone else to live the life they want to live!!5
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standout00 wrote: »So it doesnt matter what I eat aslong as it fits in my calories? Should I bother with macros? I know I must sound like an idiot but Ive always been on a diet and it is hard to get out of that mindset.
Reduce your calories below your maintenance, and you lose weight. My Fitness Pal will give you daily calories based on your weekly weight loss goal.
Macros matter for satiety, health, and fitness needs. Start out with My Fitness Pal settings. Treat protein like a minimum. Get a decent amount of fat. No need to manage carb intake unless you have medical issues.
I must point out: first of all it does matter what you put in your mouth (food and drink etc.) Weight loss success=80 % diet 20 % exercise. Also take out coke/pepsi out of your diet as well! Watch your sugar & fat intake as well!! Water, water, water!! If you're not drinking enough water it'll be harder for you to lose weight 'cause water suppresses appetite and fills your stomach therefore you might be surprised just how much less food you'll need to satiate your hunger. Also remember that sometimes when we're hungry you might be mistaking hunger for thirst. First drink say a 750 ml bottle of water. If you're still hungry in 20 mins-30 mins then you definitely have to eat (especially if it's past your meal time!!)
In terms of weight loss it doesn't matter5 -
standout00 wrote: »I'm glad that my knowledge might actually help someone else to live the life they want to live!!
Mis-information is not all it's cracked up to be. I lose weight by eating food I enjoy - meal replacements taught me nothing.
I lose weight drinking diet soda here and there....so do a lot of people.
A few people can mistake thirst for hunger, but there's no reason to drink water before every meal. So water, water, water....has been debunked.
Watch your fat intake....plenty of people lose weight eating high fat diets.5 -
standout00 wrote: »I'm glad that my knowledge might actually help someone else to live the life they want to live!!
Mis-information is not all it's cracked up to be.
What do u mean by that? Please explain...0 -
Then explain to me how come I'm already slimmer with all of this knowledge instead of being a size 22 on the bottom and size 18 on the top obese category 1/2 young lady I used to be before?0
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standout00 wrote: »Then explain to me how come I'm already slimmer with all of this knowledge instead of being a size 22 on the bottom and size 18 on the top obese category 1/2 young lady I used to be before?
See my post above.....for information.
You lost weight due to CALORIE DEFICIT pure & simple.5 -
standout00 wrote: »Then explain to me how come I'm already slimmer with all of this knowledge instead of being a size 22 on the bottom and size 18 on the top obese category 1/2 young lady I used to be before?
You ate in a calorie deficit. You can still eat "unhealthy" foods and lose weight...all the time? No, but there's nothing wrong with it every now and then.4 -
TeaBea So you think this is mis-information? Do you actually know what you're talking about?2
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You have been in a calorie deficit.standout00 wrote: »Then explain to me how come I'm already slimmer with all of this knowledge instead of being a size 22 on the bottom and size 18 on the top obese category 1/2 young lady I used to be before?3 -
kommodevaran wrote: »
You have been in a calorie deficit.standout00 wrote: »Then explain to me how come I'm already slimmer with all of this knowledge instead of being a size 22 on the bottom and size 18 on the top obese category 1/2 young lady I used to be before?
Maybe. That's beause I was close to my goal weight of 80 kg...
1 -
I don't understand. Can you rephrase?standout00 wrote: »kommodevaran wrote: »
You have been in a calorie deficit.standout00 wrote: »Then explain to me how come I'm already slimmer with all of this knowledge instead of being a size 22 on the bottom and size 18 on the top obese category 1/2 young lady I used to be before?
Maybe. That's beause I was close to my goal weight of 80 kg...1 -
standout00 wrote: »Then explain to me how come I'm already slimmer with all of this knowledge instead of being a size 22 on the bottom and size 18 on the top obese category 1/2 young lady I used to be before?
You ate in a calorie deficit. You can still eat "unhealthy" foods and lose weight...all the time? No, but there's nothing wrong with it every now and then.
Eating unhealthy = weight loss doesn't really work. In order to lose weight you have to eat right + exercise.7 -
kommodevaran wrote: »
You have been in a calorie deficit.standout00 wrote: »Then explain to me how come I'm already slimmer with all of this knowledge instead of being a size 22 on the bottom and size 18 on the top obese category 1/2 young lady I used to be before?
That was to make me lose weight. That's all...0 -
standout00 wrote: »standout00 wrote: »Then explain to me how come I'm already slimmer with all of this knowledge instead of being a size 22 on the bottom and size 18 on the top obese category 1/2 young lady I used to be before?
You ate in a calorie deficit. You can still eat "unhealthy" foods and lose weight...all the time? No, but there's nothing wrong with it every now and then.
Eating unhealthy = weight loss doesn't really work. In order to lose weight you have to eat right + exercise.
Google the Twinkie diet1 -
No thank you.0
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standout00 wrote: »kommodevaran wrote: »
You have been in a calorie deficit.standout00 wrote: »Then explain to me how come I'm already slimmer with all of this knowledge instead of being a size 22 on the bottom and size 18 on the top obese category 1/2 young lady I used to be before?
Maybe. That's beause I was close to my goal weight of 80 kg...
No, not maybe. Weight loss is always about eating fewer calories than your body expends....always. You can eat less of food you enjoy, you can eat just "healthy" foods....it's your choice.
Low fat diets are a thing of the past. I used to do just this kind of diet back in the 1980's. Dietary fat doesn't make us fat, too many calories do. How you spend your calories is up to the individual.3 -
kommodevaran wrote: »
I don't understand. Can you rephrase?standout00 wrote: »kommodevaran wrote: »
You have been in a calorie deficit.standout00 wrote: »Then explain to me how come I'm already slimmer with all of this knowledge instead of being a size 22 on the bottom and size 18 on the top obese category 1/2 young lady I used to be before?
Maybe. That's beause I was close to my goal weight of 80 kg...
I was put on a 1,190 cal menu to make me lose weight because at the time my weight was 81.1 kg. And that's 1.1 kg away from my in between weight goal. It was only for 2 weeks.
Do you understand now?
P.S. I hope my explanation was clear enough...1 -
I'm sorry, I'm even more confused now.standout00 wrote: »kommodevaran wrote: »
I don't understand. Can you rephrase?standout00 wrote: »kommodevaran wrote: »
You have been in a calorie deficit.standout00 wrote: »Then explain to me how come I'm already slimmer with all of this knowledge instead of being a size 22 on the bottom and size 18 on the top obese category 1/2 young lady I used to be before?
Maybe. That's beause I was close to my goal weight of 80 kg...
I was put on a 1,190 cal menu to make me lose weight because at the time my weight was 81.1 kg. And that's 1.1 kg away from my in between weight goal. It was only for 2 weeks.
Do you understand now?
P.S. I hope my explanation was clear enough...
Do you know what "calorie deficit" means?2 -
standout00 wrote: »kommodevaran wrote: »
I don't understand. Can you rephrase?standout00 wrote: »kommodevaran wrote: »
You have been in a calorie deficit.standout00 wrote: »Then explain to me how come I'm already slimmer with all of this knowledge instead of being a size 22 on the bottom and size 18 on the top obese category 1/2 young lady I used to be before?
Maybe. That's beause I was close to my goal weight of 80 kg...
I was put on a 1,190 cal menu to make me lose weight because at the time my weight was 81.1 kg. And that's 1.1 kg away from my in between weight goal. It was only for 2 weeks.
Do you understand now?
P.S. I hope my explanation was clear enough...
1,190 calories is less than your maintenance (also called total daily energy expenditure...abbreviated TDEE). Eating less than TDEE = weight loss.
http://scoobysworkshop.com/calorie-calculator/
Eating healthier (whatever your definition) is great but it's not mandatory.3 -
So it doesnt matter what I eat aslong as it fits in my calories? Should I bother with macros? I know I must sound like an idiot but Ive always been on a diet and it is hard to get out of that mindset.
OP don't get too bogged down in majoring in the minors to start. Just log your food, try to hit your calorie goal, and learn what foods keep you satisfied at the right calorie level as you go. In general, protein, fat, and fiber can help you feel full, so try to hit those numbers if you can but don't worry if you don't always get there. Your calories will determine if you lose weight or not. Obviously, you want to eat nutritious food for your health, but there's no reason to cut out foods you like either. Be patient and good luck!4 -
standout00 wrote: »I'm glad that my knowledge might actually help someone else to live the life they want to live!!
Mis-information is not all it's cracked up to be. I lose weight by eating food I enjoy - meal replacements taught me nothing.
I lose weight drinking diet soda here and there....so do a lot of people.
A few people can mistake thirst for hunger, but there's no reason to drink water before every meal. So water, water, water....has been debunked.
Watch your fat intake....plenty of people lose weight eating high fat diets.
I don't like high fat diets because my body had a lot of fat in it already (from junk food abuse, hot chips, chips, nutella by the Tbsp, butter I was consuming before going on "the diet" etc.)
I don't need any more fat in my body.
Well I do treat myself occasionally with foods I enjoy but that "favourite food treat right" has come at a rather high cost... When first starting on Jenny Craig I was told I couldn't have chocolate, corn, potatoes, peas plus I had to exclude junk food from my diet as well as excluding coke/pepsi/burgers/chips etc. To not be able to have those foods was a massive schock to me... I couldn't at first even understand why I couldn't have those foods!
If I would still keep eating like I was eating before I understood that I'd be already dead or nearly there if I didn't try to lose weight first on my own, excluding foods I shouldn't be eating, drinks I shouldn't be drinking and I would also end up having a pretty miserable, very lonely life with no friends and no one to talk to...
When my mum signed me up for Jenny Craig I thought that I'd try it and see if it actually works.
I tried to lose weight on my own before even going on Jenny Craig. Shall we call Jenny Craig "the diet"?
Now you know quite a bit about my diet background I thought it'll be a good idea to share what I tried in order to lose weight, what worked, what hasn't, how I got a little bit better at dieting each time I tried it and etc.
I tried "hungry days" as Russians call it, didn't quite work for me... "Hungry days" from my understanding is when you say have a huge portion of different fruit instead of a proper lunch and then have a normal dinner. The next morning on the scales there was a huge decrease in weight but I think that was due to water loss and starving myself to the extent that I overeat at breakfast, have a huge lunch, have a big dinner, binge at night massively and then gain all the weight I've lost on the hungry day plus more!
At that specific moment I decided that hungry days are not for me.
Eliminating bad foods, drinks worked but it was temporary only. After a few years of dieting I felt like I needed more help with losing the weight that's been there all along even during high sçhool. However I wasn't always overweight. As a child my weight was OK I guess... My complexes with weight started in high school because I was teased/bullied about it ever since I started my high school education. I teased/bullied about in years 9-12 and then later at TAFE as well. And that's the reason why I refused to attend most social events and avoided going out because I was really insecure about my body and very conscious about my body flaws and my yellow teeth, plus back then I've had a negative body image as well. I avoided going out because I thought all other people could see was huge folds of fat and an ugly girl with yellow teeth who nobody wanted to be friends with... I felt so lonely and isolated that's why I started bingeing on unhealthy food and drinking coke and "eating bad/negative feelings away."
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