I have struggled with my weight since my thirties, swinging from one diet to another: Weightwatchers, Slimming World, the Cabbage diet, I tied them all. After a series of operations in my fifties, I shot up to 15 stone 3lbs (213lbs) and, in 2011, I successfully dropped 2 stones, only to put a stone of it back on within a year.
Enter 5 2.
With a start weight of 14st 3lbs (199lbs), I started the most sustainable way of eating and, to my delight, I not only lost the weight, but managed to get to a respectable 10st 3lbs (143lbs), significantly under my original target.
I started daily weighing on 1 July last year, recording my weight and the calories consumed daily on a spreadsheet. I know you should not have to count calories, but it was the only way I could monitor and regulate my intake. I used My Fitness Pal, setting it to record total calories, carbs, fibre etc. I had to be honest with myself, so even on the blowout days, everything was recorded faithfully. I put aside time each day to do this.
Now, with a year's worth of data, plus a food diary, I can plot my progress and, more importantly, I have the tools to ensure I maintain my weight.
A year ago, I was 12stone 3lbs (171lbs).
I have been maintaining since March this year and have a wonderful support group of people from this forum. But, to the point of this post: how am I maintaining? Just what makes things different this time?
1) I am a committed daily weigher . My 'weighing window' is between 10st 3 and 10st 5lbs and I take action if I see 10st 5.75lbs (145.75lbs) on those scales! I schedule a fast day! Only once since March have I seen 10st 6lbs.
2) I am a committed recorder of calories. My average calorie intake for the last year has been 1110. Too low, I hear you cry! Not for me. I think as my weight has dropped, so has my TDEE.
3) I stick to an average of 65 (approx) daily carbs, none of which come from rice, pasta or other grains.
4) I have finally, I think, got my fibre intake about right (phew!)
5) I wear a Fitbit and, even if I do not take much exercise, it makes me think about my activity levels.
6) I have an eating window and, even though it's hard for me to achieve, I can usually go to lunch time to break my fast (usually!)
7) I measure my waist, and try to ensure it is less than 50% of my height. I am now in UK size 12.
Thank you, @moogie for setting up this forum and especially the tracker and to all the knowledgeable, friendly people on here for keeping me on the straight and narrow!
Enter 5 2.
With a start weight of 14st 3lbs (199lbs), I started the most sustainable way of eating and, to my delight, I not only lost the weight, but managed to get to a respectable 10st 3lbs (143lbs), significantly under my original target.
I started daily weighing on 1 July last year, recording my weight and the calories consumed daily on a spreadsheet. I know you should not have to count calories, but it was the only way I could monitor and regulate my intake. I used My Fitness Pal, setting it to record total calories, carbs, fibre etc. I had to be honest with myself, so even on the blowout days, everything was recorded faithfully. I put aside time each day to do this.
Now, with a year's worth of data, plus a food diary, I can plot my progress and, more importantly, I have the tools to ensure I maintain my weight.
A year ago, I was 12stone 3lbs (171lbs).
I have been maintaining since March this year and have a wonderful support group of people from this forum. But, to the point of this post: how am I maintaining? Just what makes things different this time?
1) I am a committed daily weigher . My 'weighing window' is between 10st 3 and 10st 5lbs and I take action if I see 10st 5.75lbs (145.75lbs) on those scales! I schedule a fast day! Only once since March have I seen 10st 6lbs.
2) I am a committed recorder of calories. My average calorie intake for the last year has been 1110. Too low, I hear you cry! Not for me. I think as my weight has dropped, so has my TDEE.
3) I stick to an average of 65 (approx) daily carbs, none of which come from rice, pasta or other grains.
4) I have finally, I think, got my fibre intake about right (phew!)
5) I wear a Fitbit and, even if I do not take much exercise, it makes me think about my activity levels.
6) I have an eating window and, even though it's hard for me to achieve, I can usually go to lunch time to break my fast (usually!)
7) I measure my waist, and try to ensure it is less than 50% of my height. I am now in UK size 12.
Thank you, @moogie for setting up this forum and especially the tracker and to all the knowledgeable, friendly people on here for keeping me on the straight and narrow!
