Ready for a Change

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  • tulips_and_tea
    tulips_and_tea Posts: 5,786 Member

    Yes, 100% agree with @springlering62 !

    Also, I agree with your trial and error method because for one, we each need to find out what works for us individually, and two, I pretty much feel my whole life involving nutrition and fitness is constant trial and error. What works for us for a while may not do so when life changes, which it does constantly.

    Adopting this mind set now should set you up well for the future. Thanks for continuing to post and please keep us updated!

  • Overheadfan
    Overheadfan Posts: 113 Member

    I jumped on the scales and the Easter frenzy has caught up ..94 kgs. A one kg gain. No worries, I just keep plugging on.

    And I bought another 7 kg watermelon and thought " yep, another year , another 7 . Bring it on. "

    I'm motivated, positive and enjoying my new experiment. I've also found that being off my sleep aid medication has put more pep in my step. That's definitely a good thing.

  • springlering62
    springlering62 Posts: 9,652 Member

    Sweetie, that’s just shy of half a pound.

    Sometimes I think thinking in kilos makes it a lot harder for folks. They’re bigger increments.

    half a pound- nothing to sneeze at That’s a decent sized piece of beef (errr….sorry!), half a large russet potato, a couple of bananas, 3/4 a party sized bag of potato chips (crisps, presumably, to you!)

    Heck yeah, it’s a win!

  • tulips_and_tea
    tulips_and_tea Posts: 5,786 Member

    CONGRATULATIONS!!! Thank you for continuing to update us via your thread, and more importantly, for continuing to work the program! So very proud of you.

  • yakkystuff
    yakkystuff Posts: 1,003 Member

    Tossing balloons around, congrats!

  • springlering62
    springlering62 Posts: 9,652 Member

    I chose inspiring because, you’re still here and you’re still hacking away at it!!!!!


    that’s the definition of “ inspiration” to me!!!!

  • Overheadfan
    Overheadfan Posts: 113 Member
    https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/comment/48635718#Comment_48635718

    Thankyou very much for those kind words. If nothing else , I'm steadfast. :)

    I'm sure that one kilo a month loss for most people wouldn't rate very highly on the success ladder, but had I changed nothing I'd still weigh 100 kgs.

    At this rate I might conquer another 6 kgs by the end of the year.

    Bring it on. I'm ready.

  • springlering62
    springlering62 Posts: 9,652 Member

    I'm sure that one kilo a month loss for most people wouldn't rate very highly on the success ladder, but had I changed nothing I'd still weigh 100 kgs.


    This is what 99.5% of people doing pinball diets just don’t get.

    You do!!!!!!

  • Overheadfan
    Overheadfan Posts: 113 Member
    https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/comment/48636274#Comment_48636274

    A friend of mine is a big fan of the "quick fix/ fast loss/ drink this shake /, eat 500 calories per day for 2 weeks etc type approach. A few months ago she said to me

    " I don't know why you bother, I'd get so frustrated and fed up. Why don't you give my plan a try?"

    I politely declined. And yep you all know what I'm going to say …my friend sure did lose weight ...and then put it all back on ( plus 3 extra kilos because she'd lost so much muscle) .

    As a child I really enjoyed the story of the Tortoise and the Hare. It just made sense. :)

  • Overheadfan
    Overheadfan Posts: 113 Member

    A warm hello to my " support group".

    You're only people I share my weightloss journey with so I definitely feel the need to tell you about my small victory.

    I have lost exactly 8 kgs since I started MFP waaaaay back in January 2024.

    It's definitely not a record breaker but it sure is a big deal to me. I'm looking forward to losing the next 8. :)))

    Thankyou all for the information, tips, support and kindness you've shared along the way. It's made a world of difference to my experience.

  • springlering62
    springlering62 Posts: 9,652 Member

    thank you for sharing your experience.

    I wish others would pay attention and learn that they can either cut, binge, gain, cut harder binge gain again, OR stick to a reasonable plan and a year later be down 20 pounds, without the crazy ups n downs.

  • Overheadfan
    Overheadfan Posts: 113 Member

    The entire experience was ,for the most part, really easy breezy. I didn't experience insane angst, stress or " white knuckling through cravings" type feelings.

    The simple fact that I have a calorie limit per day appeals to me because I had a have ultimate control and complete neutrality around food. ( I mean, no food is banned)

    It's certainly a sustainable" rest of life" plan for me and that's SUCH a comfortable and easy way for me to feel about it.

    I'm not going to pretend that I wasn't frustrated reaching a plateau and staying there for over 10 months!!! And I still don't know why that happened. But that 10 months absolutely did give me a whole lot of time to just making my food choices and behaviours more firmly entrenched and simply become daily consistent habits.

    I might not be the inspirational model for fast transformational weightloss but I'm definitely proof that eventually consistency works. ... even after an 10 month stall. :)

  • tulips_and_tea
    tulips_and_tea Posts: 5,786 Member

    "I might not be the inspirational model for fast transformational weight loss but I'm definitely proof that eventually consistency works. ... even after a 10 month stall. :)" - which is 1000 times MORE impressive that fast, unsustainable weight loss!

    Thank you again for keeping us posted. You are an inspiration! I wish this thread would be saved and stickied to the top of the page, preferably on the Success Stories thread. Everyone can learn something from your consistent, timely experience. Keep at it!

  • AnnPT77
    AnnPT77 Posts: 36,879 Member

    What they said!

    I think you're a great example. I wish more people thought about how to make achieving their goals "easy breezy" without "insane angst, stress or " white knuckling through cravings" type feelings".

    That's perfect. That's achievable, sustainable.

    Who cares if it takes some time? Way too many people spin their wheels, go on some extreme eating regimen for a small number of weeks, maybe stack punitively intense daily exercise on top of that . . . then burn out, give up, regain those pounds (which bring friends) . . . repeat the same unproductive thing in a few months or starting next New Years Resolution, or for the high school reunion/wedding, or whatever.

    The time's going to pass no matter what. You've chipped away at goals and made progress. That's a good way to spend time.

    Congratulations on your progress; wishing you - and predicting - much more progress ahead!

  • Overheadfan
    Overheadfan Posts: 113 Member

    Thankyou all for the kind words. It's especially appreciated because I'm very mindful of the fact that you all have been living this very approach for years and years, as your MFP membership illustrates. That's mighty impressive and absolutely what is the key. I know that anything I do today is sustainable and achievable every single day . I'm intending to be working the program when I'm 80 and beyond.

  • Overheadfan
    Overheadfan Posts: 113 Member

    Today THE dress arrived by courier. My dream dress for the very fancy function next February. Yep...you got that right...8 months time. Never let it be said that I'm not a long term strategist. :)

    I knew that it was possibly going to be a teensy bit snug around my hips ( yes, it is) but I figured it's better having it hanging here and reminding me of staying on task, so to speak. I did momentarily feel a bit flat about it not fitting and then I reminded myself that a year ago it wouldn't have zipped up. That's worth remembering , for sure.

    And honestly, even if it still doesn't fit in 8 months, I know that my options for finding a dress that will fit me has vastly increased. Yaaay. I'm not deterred, just recalibrating.

  • springlering62
    springlering62 Posts: 9,652 Member
    edited June 24

    While “down” to a size 18, I found a size 8 pencil dress at TJ Maxx that I loved.

    I hung it sideways in the closet so I had to move it every single day to reach the clothes underneath.

    I talked to it every morning. “I can’t wait to wear you”. “Soon, real soon.” “What fun we’ll have”. “You sure are purty.”


    it sounds so piddly, but deliberately putting it in my way so I had to look at it, think about it every day was a terrific motivator.


    Red letter day when I finally wore it to a museum event.

    IMG_1266.jpeg


    I gave it away when it got too big.

    You know what’s really wierd? I told my husband my hair is getting darker. He laughed and said I was nuts. But looking at this photo, yes, it is. Better nutrition?

    Anyway, talk to that dress you got. Make it a friend. A support. It really works.

    Can’t wait for a pic of you and Suzy Negative. Bet she’ll be scowling.

  • Overheadfan
    Overheadfan Posts: 113 Member

    Oh Wow!!! ...Super Wow actually!!! Your story and the pic illustrate an absolute success story. So .. size 18 down to size 8 ?!!!! Whaaaaat?!!!! Absolutely sensational. You look fantastic in that dress and and look an absolute picture of health. Thankyou so much for sharing. You're my inspiration , right there.

    This really emphasises my point made in my previous post about my "support team" having years of experience and results in this MFP journey. How very impressive, and I feel newly inspired to keep plugging on.

    I will have a conversation with my dream dress right now. I'm hopeful that the next 8 months show a big " woosh" in weightloss, but whatever happens I'll keep on track.

  • Overheadfan
    Overheadfan Posts: 113 Member

    p.s....sorry to keep going on but I've just realised…US sizing is different, so I have just looked at a conversion chart.

    US size 18 to US 8 is the equivalent of going from an Australian size 22 to a Australian 12.

    So I'll say it again . Wow!!! Seriously well done . What a marvellous achievement. You are impressive.

    I'm about to have a REALLY big conversation with my dream dress. :))

  • springlering62
    springlering62 Posts: 9,652 Member
    edited June 25

    you’re kind. I lost 20-30 before starting MFP, so started US 22- or 24W, have maintained in size us4 for five or six years now.

    Not to imply that you are a damn fool! 😇 I was, though, for letting myself get so doggone big. 😢

    That’s why I preach here, if I can do this, any damn fool can do it. I bet I wasn’t averaging 3-4000 steps a day when I started. 

    everyone starts somewhere. Just start!!!!


    I love your attitude and your determination. I see a kindred spirit and am so thrilled for you that you’re keeping on!!!!

  • Overheadfan
    Overheadfan Posts: 113 Member

    I really am inspired by your success. I'm currently an Australian size 18 (US14) and my absolute dream would be to reach an Australian 14 (US10).

    I'm sure that seems a bit of an underwhelming aim to have for lots of people, but size 14 for me is a really good size. It was basically the size I maintained through my 20's and 30's and it's " a good fit for my frame", but I'll recalibrate my expectations and aims with each kilo list :)

    What you've achieved is seriously impressive, steadfast determination in action , right there!!!

    I keep on reminding myself that my approach DOES work and I WILL get there. When loss is so slow I remember to find happiness in the SLOW gratification of it. :)

  • Overheadfan
    Overheadfan Posts: 113 Member

    Well, today's weigh in really highlights the benefits of an approach that is patient and long term. I had a birthday, ate the cake, went out to dinner, then ate the small box of chocolate treats ( a gift) the next day. Had lunch with a friend where I was presented with homemade treats. Yep ..you guessed it. Ate most of those too. 3 lovely days of indulgence and I enjoyed it all.

    Today the scales show an increase of just over 1 kg. The benefit of having my "reference library" of experience built up over the last 18 months of MFP/ logging/ recording cause and effect etc has reduced my anxiety about the weight gain to practically nil...cos I know that today it's business as usual and recalibrating and reset will happen. FINALLY, after about 20 years of feeling guilty for indulging during times of celebration , I feel really relaxed and in control.

    That maybe doesn't sound like a big deal, but wow..that's a huge mindset shift for me. Another huge positive .

  • Overheadfan
    Overheadfan Posts: 113 Member

    Ok, today is mid way through the year.

    So that effectively means I've got 7 months to fit into the dream dress .

    Logically I know that 7 months means I've got a reasonable time frame for weightloss to occur, but I'd be lying if I didn't have a slight concern and a feeling of. " Uh oh....what if I stay stuck at this weight/ lose weight but not in the right places/ have to find a new dress before the wedding and nothing fits.." ..All the usual brain junk that can infect my confidence.

    I'm even more motivated but I'm only human and positive results will give me a boost. Hopefully the scales have shifted another kilo in a fortnight or so. Staying on track and increasing my activity a little more ( nothing OTT or I'll hurt my hip again.. definitely not doing that again) ..and tightening up my measuring and weighing again.

    Keeping it totally real here for a moment.....the internet is full of various spokeswomen extolling the benefits of a 16:8 ( and other timeframes ) fasting / eating regimen for post menopausal women.

    Have any of you , my support team, had first hand experience of the intermittent fasting for boosting weight lose plateaus?

    Truth be told , I often have a 14 to 16 hour break from food BUT I always kick my day of with my morning cup of tea with added milk. That means I obviously don't enter a fasting state because of the milk..but I'd be willing to drink black tea if it improves my weightloss . :))

    Any scientific and / or personal anecdotal evidence would be gratefully received. I'm hitting the rest of the year with renewed vigor. :)

  • tulips_and_tea
    tulips_and_tea Posts: 5,786 Member

    Slow and steady wins the race! Please don't let those nagging doubts and worries affect your confidence. You've proven you know what to do, so just do it.

    I am not a breakfast eater and I start my day with a tall glass of ice water and then hot tea (lemon; no milk). I can't attest to this boosting weight loss plateaus or weight loss at all. It simply is what works for my lifestyle.

    If you enjoy milk in your morning tea, please continue to have it! You have to be happy. Don't take away little things for no solid reason.

  • AnnPT77
    AnnPT77 Posts: 36,879 Member

    Anything I've seen suggests that there's no significance in weight loss with intermittent fasting/time restricted eating (TRE), if total calories are the same. In some cases - anecdotally, at least - if calories are not controlled or not equated, some people lose weight better with TRE because it suits them, i.e., they find they manage lower calorie intake more easily with TRE . . . but some people find the opposite. IMU, it's not a magic bullet for weight loss if already accurately and consistently managing calorie intake.

    Also anecdotally: I'd been in menopause for around 14.5 years when I started weight loss, ate through the day from soon after getting up to nearly bedtime, and lost weight just fine . . . and at a predictable pace, once I ran the 4-6 week experiment and used those results to personalize my calorie goal.

    I haven't read super-deeply on other potential reasons to choose IF/TRE, but my loose impression from what I have read is that there's still fairly mixed evidence about whether it has other advantages for health or well being (i.e., for things other than weight loss alone).

    Yes, a lot of marketers are pushing IF/TRE for menopausal women (and other subgroups). Marketers need some kind of "do this special thing" hook, plus a trusting target audience, in order to sell their books, programs, supplements, etc. In the last few years, it seems like menopausal women are one of the major audiences being targeted. Call me cynical, but if they can convince women that menopausal status is weight loss doom, they can sell more of whatever their product is. I think that serves them better than it serves us, generally.

  • Overheadfan
    Overheadfan Posts: 113 Member

    Thankyou both for those replies. It was very timely to hear that , and it helped me to reset my "patience meter " and detox from all of the diet noise online. Wow..there really is a lot of clacking and clambering…I could easily go down a worm hole.

    I took a deep breath and ate my spinach and eggs for breakfast.

    Cris averted. Business as usual.

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