Help and Ideas welcome... little to lose but stuck..

CleanandLean33
CleanandLean33 Posts: 115
in Health and Weight Loss
I really hope you can advise me... I have 5-7lbs to lose to get to a happy weight where I feel comfy in my jeans.

Overall I eat very healthily (lots of lean protien, good fats, good carbs), don't drink alcohol and exercise hard 3 times a week plus lots of walking both at work and in my spare time. I have repeatedly tried to lose weight/ diet but my weight stays frustratingly static.

I have been tracking my kcal and find a reoccurring pattern; I can maintain a kcal deficit for a few days/ week but then over eat/ binge. The thing is I repeatedly and naturally/ unconsciously only ever over eat to my previous deficit so my weekly kcal intake is always pretty much exactly my maintenance kcal level. I've tried a range of diet and healthy eating strategies e.g clean & lean, high protein, weight watchers, small e.g 250 kcal deficits, large e.g 1000 kcal deficits etc but to no differing results.

I do really appreciate I'm lucky that my weight rarely increase but it's frustrating being stuck at a size larger than I feel happy for over 5 years now. I know I have not got a lot to lose but it is getting me down that as a supposedly smart healthily active person I am stuck in this rut and can't just shift the last few lbs that would allow me to feel great.

Any help/ ideas/ thoughts welcome and very much appreciated.

Best Wishes
Cat

Replies

  • 1a1a
    1a1a Posts: 761 Member
    I'd try maybe, eating at maintenance for a bit (to kick the binge). HIIT and strength training to kickstart your metabolism and get some muscle on you :-)
  • KellyS_86
    KellyS_86 Posts: 25
    Hi Clean and lean!

    I actually have the same situation! I will share my thoughts on why I found myself here, in case its something you can relate to. The reason I find the motivation on the days that I do well is that I have my goals very much I sight and wish to be lovely and slim on the beach in June. Those weekend days I find that I completely forget the diet and have potatoes with my roast dinner with my boyfriend I am more focused on my further goals to be with my friends and family and cook well for them and have fun. Its not that my willpower gives out its just that sometimes the diet isn't as important as sharing big dinners and wine with those I care about. My secret truth is that I don't mind my slightly wibbly wobbly bum or my maybe a bit too tight skinny jeans enough to make myself miserable all week long. Days off are important too I guess.

    What I am now trying is to change my cardio up - I'm biking rather than always running. And I borrow a friend's dog and walk up hills. And make them more frequent so my metabolism is racing every day instead of just 2-3 times a week. And on the weekends I give myself a meal each day to be 'naughty' whether it's pancakes for breakfast on Saturday or roast dinner Sunday evening!
  • CleanandLean33
    CleanandLean33 Posts: 115
    :happy: Thank you...

    I think I am going to try your idea about sticking to maintenance kcal for a bit... maybe if I can teach my brain and body to stick to a routine number of kcal when I start cutting down it will be easier. I will ramp up the exercise intensity and weights too. Thank you very much for your help and thoughts.

    I'm looking for and happy to provide motivation and friends so please feel free to add me if you want :-)

    Best Wishes

    Cat
  • k2charmed4u
    k2charmed4u Posts: 282
    You mention that you walk a lot, is this all you do? As introducing a new exercise each week could be all you need to kick your metabolism in to gear. I tried it when I was dieting I walked mostly and I levelled out for a few weeks so I introduced swimming and cycling a couple times a week (alternating depending on what i wanted to do) and it pushed the weight down again.

    Variety is the spice of life in everything you do whether it's food, exercise, hobbies etc. See if an introduction of a new exercise works for you, :flowerforyou:
  • StrawberrySt
    StrawberrySt Posts: 235
    I feel exactly the same!

    I have been on MFP for 3 months and I've lost 7 pounds but have another 7 to lose to feel comfortable. It's so hard to get that last little bit and no matter what I do I'm struggling to be consistent. And when you have put the work in on diet and exercise and it's still hard! I'm trying eating at my BMI at the moment and I eat my exercise cals back. I think being consistent is key and agree you should try eating at maintenance and stabilising yourself.

    I also agree with Kelly I think the most difficult thing for me is I love socialising with food and the occasional wine and then my whole plan comes unstuck!

    Good luck and hope it works for you :smile:
  • CleanandLean33
    CleanandLean33 Posts: 115
    Thanks guys I think you are right and that the consistency over the long term is what i need to aim for...


    RE: Exercise... At the mo' I play netball once a week which is fast and furious, then normally go to step or another gym class twice a week. I also walk alot during the day as I am a community nurse and spend a lot of time walking to and from tube stations in London and to client houses and appointments... normally very quickly as I am late!!

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