Threads for dieters not following a plan

[Chell]

I keep lurking on the Slimming World, Weightwatchers, Paleo, etc threads. I'm not following any of these plans. I am counting calories which is something I have never done before. I'm generally eating the same meals as my family but watching my portion size ands eating more veg/salad.

I'm doing one Zumba class and have started jogging twice a week (not very good yet).

Anyone want to join me for daily support?

[Timothy's Mum]

Oh yes. As you know I am just watching the calories on Myfitnesspal. I am also trying to do 4 Wii Active workouts a week. On average I am loosing 2lbs a week if I am strict with myself. Bad day today as a friends birthday so have had 3 glasses of wine and gone over my daily calories.

[cheeky_biscuit]

Yes please but I Don't weigh myself weekly and I don't know if my target is realistic for my mid 30's self!
Today has been a bad day on the diet front - had dim sum for dinner and a multitude of bad stuff including wine. This has been my worse day for a long time so tomorrow i will be better!
I usually restrict my fat intake and exercise a lot.

[Chell]

Oh yes. As you know I am just watching the calories on Myfitnesspal. I am also trying to do 4 Wii Active workouts a week. On average I am loosing 2lbs a week if I am strict with myself. Bad day today as a friends birthday so have had 3 glasses of wine and gone over my daily calories.

I've gone over a little today. Despite it being my daughter's birthday then mine I've been under my calorie allowance every day. A few naughty extras shouldn't do too much harm as a one off. I ate some Thortons mint chocs from my birthday and some leftover crisps (amazing that they'd stayed wrapped up in a box for 2 weeks uneaten).

Yes please but I Don't weigh myself weekly and I don't know if my target is realistic for my mid 30's self!
Today has been a bad day on the diet front - had dim sum for dinner and a multitude of bad stuff including wine. This has been my worse day for a long time so tomorrow i will be better!
I usually restrict my fat intake and exercise a lot.

I'm not sure what my target is. I'd reached 10st 4lb and wasn't shifting any weight. I'm not actually unhappy with my weight, it is the wobbly bits that annoy me. I'd be happy this size as long as I was firm. We moved house in October and I didn't exercise for a couple of months. I lost a pound in that time rather than gained but looked fatter as I was wobblier.

I've found that by tracking my cals on My Fitness Pal that I am eating more than I would if I were cutting down without help. I have noticed that my protein levels are often low so I am trying to rectify that. Protein wise I was good today but this made my fat level high (eg low fat hounous which is suprisingly high fat). We had cauliflower cheese for dinner which is high in fat too.

[cheeky_biscuit]

I can imagine getting the protein/fat balance right is difficult when you're q vegetarian. Do you eat eggs?
I stopped using fitness pal once I felt educated iyswim- it was great for getting an idea of what I was eating calorie wise.'I had the opposite problem in that I was often over on my protein.
I want to my arms and legs to be more toned. I've lost a bit too much off my boobs! (lost a stone since October).

[*kate*]

Will check in here as I don't find "plans" work for me at all. I've lost 10lbs since November just calorie counting/dropping carbs a bit. Also trying to walk a bit, DH and I have been going for a long walk after eating in the evening and eating far earlier in the evening than we used to (which gives us more of an evening anyway).

I've plateaued now and it's a bugger to start the weight loss again. On the bright side, I feel like a different person, more healthy, I sleep better, my previously horrid period pain has improved vastly.

I'd like to lose another 3ish lbs to get to 9.5 stones but I seem to be looking quite thin (get me!) and some of my clothes are gaping. When I was that weight before I looked fine but I suspect as I get older I might need a bit of weight to stop me looking crap.

[Chell]

Well done *kate*. I know what you mean about the weight as you get older. I remember a while back there was a thread about whether you prefered the ass or the face to look good.

I have periods like this when I am really controlled but I always lose the plot and over eat again. I do it every blooming year. I am lucky in that I don't gain a huge amount (yet, might change as I get older). My weight used to be around 9st 8lb if I weren't trying to be good but more recently it has stuck around 10st 3 or 4.

[mr nonsense]

It's good you're watching the cals and keeping them under control.
However consider this, if you want to transform your shape and tone up you must include some resistance training. That can be weights (dumbbells, kettle bells etc) resistance bands or body weight stuff like press ups and pull ups and dips etc. That will help the body 'choose' to lose the fat and leave you feeling tighter and being smaller. If youre pear shaped and only diet and do cardio workouts you will end up a smaller pear. If you include resistance training you'll shift that fat in the places you need to most - hips, thighs, arse.
You may not lose weight some weeks but if you're losing inches (clothes are looser) then you are shedding body fat which is good.
give yourself 2 chances to see success and feel good and take some body measurements. I can advise if you want.
You can be a 10 stone dress size 10-12 OR
you can be a 10 stone dress size 8-10
both ladies weight 10 stone but lady number 1 has more body fat, whereas lady 2 will have more lean body tissue (muscle)

[RedTiger]

I've not really been following a plan, but then I'm not really losing weight either I'm not actually as bothered about my weight - my BMI is around 22.5 so although in the 'normal' range I could do with losing a few lbs - but I really do notice a difference in how flabby I've got over xmas as I couldn't get to my exercise classes most of December (kids off sick, ex not turning up when he was supposed to).

So rather than doing SW again I'm going to try cutting down on the junk I eat (biscuits and sweets, meals are generally quite healthy) and try to get the exercise up again. I did use myfitnesspal for a few days last year but I kept going over my calories most days so I gave up

[Anne]

Thanks Mr Nonsense , that helps explain a few things.


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[CaroCaro]

I think you also have to be realistic about portion sizes - it wasnt until I actually weighed my food and then I could log my food on Food Focus and see how many calories I was consuming

The other thing to do is, and again you can do this on Food Focus, see how many calories you will burn off doing saying a half hour run - this will really focus you on whether you do actually have that biscuit or glass of wine. When I first started running I thought I could eat and drink what I like - I couldnt and this is why I stayed the same weight for a couple of years.

What you are all doing is a really good way of losing weight/getting fitter as you are changing your relationship with food and the way you eat rather than dieting which I think is soul destroying

[Elvisola]

Hi, I'll join you. I am having success with upping protein at each meal and cutting back on the carbs.

I am 5ft 5 and was 10.6 which appears to be my sticking weight. I am now 10.2. I always used to settle between 9 and 9.4 in my younger days so I would like to compromise with 9.9. I did get there last year and felt good at that weight but then fell off of the wagon quite spectaculary and put it back on.

Typical day is:

B. 2 boiled eggs with 1 slice of Burgen soya and linseed bread
L. Crustless quiche with salad leaves
D. Roast chicken breast, cauli mash and veg

Snacks would be fruit.

I can't be doing with following a plan as I just crave if I put myself on a "diet" and my BMI is normal so WW and SW won't have me.

[Lemony Posset]

Hi all, I'll join in too if I may (will weigh and measure on Wednesday so will start properly then).

I'm just calorie counting using a spreadsheet , and aiming for 10% less kcals than I am supposed to need for my size so not expecting weight to go very quickly but hoping it will stay off! I do pilates once a week and am aiming to do a 20-30min walk every day too.

Mr N, is there a sensible beginners guide to resistance training? I would definitely like to change my shape as carrying almost all excess weight around my middle, which I know isn't good!

[cheeky_biscuit]

Today;
Breakfast - mixed berry's, 2tbsp low fat natural yoghurt, 2tbsp alpine.
Snacks - banana and satsuma
Lunch - ham roll (unusual for me)
Dinner - is going to be turkey/pesto/pasta/bake with broccoli. I'll make the sauce with skimmed milk.
Tonight I've got body pump- planning to go to the gym 20-30mins early so I can do a cardio session first.
LP if I was brave enough to do a before photo I would but it's in the treat cupboard hidden from eyes (to save blindness!). The bulk of my weight I was carrying around my middle - my waist was 32" it's now 27", around my muffin tops I was 35" (I think) and now I'm 32 there. Then my ass thankfully never got over 37" but now that's 35". So I've lost heaps from my middle. To do this I started with lots of fat vining cardio then total body workouts. Initially my gym sessions would be 40mins card (10min treadmill, 10min bike, 10min cross trainer and 10min rowing). Then I'd do 20mins - chest press, Russian twists, sit up routine, planks, bent over rows, dead lifts, and lots of stuff to improve my back as much as my front. It's worked!
I love body pump as it covers the whole body and at the start I didn't realise how important it was to strengthen my back but I think that's made the difference with my weight loss.
I now tend to do 20min cardio at the start of a workout then 20min weights and a 10min row/bile at the end.
HTH

[*kate*]

Thanks mr nonsense, so I need to do resistance training - weights? We have some weights here that my 13 yr old son uses - would they be suitable? Max weight 4.5 kilos (not that I can lift that!)

Cb - that weight loss sounds fab, such an achievement!

Today: small portion of all bran, 3 dried figs and a handful of blueberries.
Chicken salad
Spanish bean and chorizo casserole with salad

[Chell]

The bit I need to tone is my stomach, the Zumba seems to do the trick. Even when I have been skinny I have had a bloated tummy. I could really see the difference when I stopped Zumba for a couple of months.

Today's food:
B: 1 slice toast with nut butter and a yog
L: crisp bakes with low fat philli
D: slow cooked green lentil and veg casserole (was yummy and very low cal even with baby potatoes in it) - scrummy.

I met my Mum at Costa but took a Special K mint bar with me. I like to nibble with a coffee and Costa biscuits aren't good!

I'll have some milk as I'm low on protein/calcium. I'll have an orange too.

[mr nonsense]

Hi all, I'll join in too if I may (will weigh and measure on Wednesday so will start properly then).

I'm just calorie counting using a spreadsheet , and aiming for 10% less kcals than I am supposed to need for my size so not expecting weight to go very quickly but hoping it will stay off! I do pilates once a week and am aiming to do a 20-30min walk every day too.

Mr N, is there a sensible beginners guide to resistance training? I would definitely like to change my shape as carrying almost all excess weight around my middle, which I know isn't good!

Yes I can advise on a beginners program.
Will you train at home or at a gym?

KATE- those 4.5 KGs will be great to start off with but you will need more as u progress & get stronger. You really need to be working hard during exercise. That includes cardio,Zumba, bodypump or anything else. It's that intensity that shifts fat & 'forces' the body to drop it off & transform the shape.

Chell - how many cals you on a day? There's not much there if you're exercising regularly. If you undereat the body ccan be 'scared' to let the fat go as its very calorie dense & needs fuel to survive those workouts.
Have you all seen the fitness instructors at your gym who exercise through 3-4 classes a day (3-4 hrs) yet still have fat thighs/arses?
Thats because their diet doesn't match their activity levels

[*kate*]

Mr n - I can only really walk as an exercise (other than weights) as I'm so time/childcare limited. I start work early and my DH can be away during the week a lot so I end up doing all the ferrying about. My walking is fitted in to and from school (10 mins fast walk 4 times a day) and then after dinner if DH is here (2-3 miles fast walking). Do you reckon that's ok?

I'm not really looking to tone up as I don't have any "problem areas" as such, I'm in proportion etc but would really like to lose a few more lbs (obviously I'm obsessed with the figure on the scales rather than how my clothes fit!)

[mr nonsense]

What is your current height/weight/age?
PM me if you'd rather.
If you don't need to lose much then it can be hard shift that last bit.
A tweak to the diet should be enough.
If you want to lose size though (smaller dress size/jeans) then ideally weights need to be lifted to tone up

[mrsdunny207]

hi all, I'd like to join in too please.

After some coaching with the lovely Helski before Christmas I have been very 'zen' with my approach to eating and have cut out chocolate / cakes / biscuits etc completely - I don't need them. I do still sometimes have a pudding after dinner but only special occassions etc.

I am stuck at 11st 4 which for most people is pretty heavy although for me it's a weight I'm happy with although my dream weight is about 10st 10 (although I'm not sure I've ever been that weight )

I'm running at least twice a week - 4 miles on a Weds and 3.5 miles on a Sat (about 10 min mile pace)

Today eating wise:

B - Porridge
L - Wagamamas - chicken teriyaki rice and a fruit juice and water
S - apple
S - Nakd cashew bar
D - chicken and brocolli crispbake (1 when I might have had two) green salad, tomatoes and cucumber and a spoon of coleslaw.

I'll have a green tea later.

I haven't been too obsessive about my meals and I'm not weighing tracking or measuring but I am trying to eat more consciously making sure I'm hungry and making better choices when I am hungry. If I do want to move past the sticking point then I probably will have to reduce portions a bit