Losing weight thread.

[tightfoot69]

Apologies if there is a similar thread but I couldn’t find it.

Is anybody else in the process of losing weight? Especially those who are on the wrong side of 40?

I used to exercise regularly. Usually swimming 3 times a week. Covid hit and I never got back into it. I eat and drink crap most days and I am probably at my heaviest I have ever been. Is it true it is much harder to lose weight once you are over 40?

It use to be good for my mental health too. Not that I am depressed or anything but I just feel a bit worthless these days.

My plan is to get back exercising three times a week. Is anybody else in a similar situation. I guess I just need the motivation to get started.

[myothernameis]

My plan is to get back exercising three times a week. Is anybody else in a similar situation. I guess I just need the motivation to get started.

Over the last two years I have struggled with my health, and then my weight, and level of fitness.   I'm planning a trip to USA sometime next year, and in away this kind of gives me the motivation to lose weight.  And hopefully by doing this my health will improve, and the consultant dosn't need to see me any more

Punting has also been affect with my poor health, and right now not interest in sex at all, but hoping when I lose weight, ot will kick start my sex drive

[akauya]

Apologies if there is a similar thread but I couldn’t find it.

Is anybody else in the process of losing weight? Especially those who are on the wrong side of 40?

I used to exercise regularly. Usually swimming 3 times a week. Covid hit and I never got back into it. I eat and drink crap most days and I am probably at my heaviest I have ever been. Is it true it is much harder to lose weight once you are over 40?

It use to be good for my mental health too. Not that I am depressed or anything but I just feel a bit worthless these days.

My plan is to get back exercising three times a week. Is anybody else in a similar situation. I guess I just need the motivation to get started.

Exercise alone is not going to help you lose weight. You need to change your lifestyle - and that includes your diet. Eating "crap most days" is not going to help at all.

I'm in my late 50s and like you when Covid hit I put on enormous amount of weight; it affected me in so many ways, my knees, my back, I used to get puffed out easily. Sex was hard work and most times I would get too tired before I could come - if at all. So I decided to change my lifestyle, by this I meant stop eating crap, exercise more and try to sleep well. To start with I went on the keto diet (this book by Dr Michael Mosley [RIP] External Link/Members Only helped me enormously).

Within six months I saw remarkable results, within a year I was lean and now a couple of years later I'm back to the same weight I was in my 30s. Had to get a new wardrobe as I looked like a scarecrow in my old clothes.

Was it easy? Hell no, but I was determined to lose weight. Now that I'm lighter I feel better, I have more energy, I'm no longer lethargic, sex has improved a hundred fold.

I still watch what I eat, and will always do. What I noticed with some friends who go on diet this or diet that, once they reach the weight they desire they go back to their old ways and then boom their weight balloons again - it's silly. That's what I said change your lifestyle, part of that should be a good diet - forever - coupled with exercise. Now that I'm lean I don't need to kill myself in the gym anymore trying to burn calories like mad. Just enough exercise to keep fit is good. I also go dancing a lot, you burn lots of calories whilst having fun - better than any gym.

You're still young in your 40s so it should be easier for you.

Edit: You mentioned your mental health, yes that improves too. Feeling (and looking) physically good makes you feel psychologically good too.

[Bobbyplastic]

When I was training for a half marathon, I lost weight. I gradually built up the miles. I did a half marathon race and was very pleased with my time. Unfortunately my hip joints were aching too much for to continue.

Fast forward a few years, and I'm my mid 50s and I've changed jobs. I'm a cleaner for a large supermarket, working a 25hr week. It's a fast paced job, I average 19k steps per 5hr shift, and my weight has dropped because of it. I eat whatever I what now.

[DastardlyDick]

When I was diagnosed as Type 2 Diabetic, my GP sent me on a "training day" so I could manage my diet. It was a shed load of information, front loaded.  Doing a simple soul, I decided to KISS it and just reduced the "hidden" sugar. A year or so later, I'd lost 3 trouser sizes. OK, according to BMI, I'm still overweight, but I feel a lot better in myself.

[RandomGuy99]

It's pretty easy but it does depend on whether you have medical conditions that stop you exercising.

To lose 1 lb a week you need to create a 500 calorie a day deficit. You could save 250 calories a day through diet change like cutting out snacks or switching to lower calorie snacks and the other 250 calories by walking a few miles. You could also increase your protein intake to help you feel fuller, so less snacking.

Eat less, do more generally works for me. I've lost a stone in 2 months.

[sir wanksalot]

Exercise alone is not going to help you lose weight. You need to change your lifestyle - and that includes your diet. Eating "crap most days" is not going to help at all.

I would double down on this. I've known people who've lost shitloads of weight without doing any exercise.

Diet is the primary way to lose weight. Someone can exercise and eat a shit diet and still won't lose weight. You cannot exercise a bad diet.

[lostandfound]

Metabolism plateaus in your 20s and remains pretty stable until 60, so at 40+ you are no way doomed to be heavier as a result of age.

I believe exercise at best would help you lose a small amount of weight (unless you are a preofessional athlete) though there are a ton of other benefits to your physical and mental health from exercise and for that reason it is definitely recommended.

I would avoid any "special" diets, including keto. I would describe them as fad diets thought that is an emotive term that many will disagree with.

For my part I decided a few months ago I was getting too heavy with a BMI over 30 in spite of exercising every day.

I stopped alcohol and cut ultra processed food almost to zero and eat mainly fruit and veg but also dairy and fish and I don't actively avoid meat. What is referred to as a Mediterannean Plus Diet (oops there's that D word again). I've lost weight because with these changes in habits I don't get so hungry all the time.

Several months later I've a BMI of around 26.5 and my running has sped up because I'm now hauling much less weight around. Also feel an awful lot healthier and energy levels have greatly increased as well as mental alertness.

So my recommendation would cut down on alcohol and UPF and exercise regularly. Exercise is also great for improving your mood if you are feeling a little down, and doesn't have to be extreme or require expensive kit or gym membership. Brisk walking is an excellent way to get into exercise.

[PeterParker94]

OP,

I am currently going through this. For reference I am 6ft and at my heaviest I was 129KG and I am now currently 79KG. I initially started off switching up my diet completely, I ate more wholefoods and cut down on junk food and processed foods where I could. Cut out a lot of carbs and took up intermittent fasting (9am - 4pm window) but made sure to have enough nutrients to keep me full outside of my eating window. Then shortly after I incorporated 30min daily walks x3 times a week and gradually I increased this and expanded to playing multiple sports which I found helped because it feels less of a chore if you're enjoying it. Had ups and downs and weight plateaus to deal with but if you keep at it and stay determined you will see the positive results. I think a big part of it is not seeing it as a short term goal but a long term lifestyle change. Since losing weight I've taken up multiple sports and I go to the gym x4 times a week.

Start off small and work your way up. Smaller and more frequent goals are easier to achieve and slowly builds up your confidence. You can do it!

[Thephoenix]

Reducing intake is more effective than exercise.
Particularly carbs.
It's worked for me and I'm still 11.5 stone as I was at age 20, 63 years ago.

[SoapyTW]

Something like this often comes down to mindset. It's not enough to know that you SHOULD lose weight. It's not enough to simple WANT to lose weight. For some people, it's still not enough to know you HAVE to do it. Those are weak mindsets, and more often that not people will self sabotage and it leads to failure.

There is just one thing you need to do to succeed, and once you do that, it's inevitable.

You need to DECIDE to do it.

You need to decide to be that better person than who you are now. The person who eats healthy, who takes care of themself, and despises any old negative behaviours that led to the problems you have now. Surely you have done hard things before and failed and failed and failed until that one day you decided to change - and then it was done. Left a shit relationship, cut off a toxic friend, stopped drinking, eating meat, smoking, etc. It seems impossible, until that one day you decide it's must change, and then it's just a matter of time.

It's that simple. Note I said simple, not easy. It's still hard, but once you've decided, you've got this

[Harry Monk]

I'm in my fifties and changed my exercise regime last year and very pleased to say I can still change/improve my shape.
Being consistent is key and that applies to both exercise and probably more importantly food intake.

Eat clean, no processed food,  sugars or fizzy drinks. A simple menu most days will be easy to do and then you can have the odd "cheat" meal where you have a pizza or buy a lasagne.

You will need to do this consistently for months and I can highly recommend some weight resistance training at minimum twice a week.Focus on great form and not how much weight you lift.

 When you build muscle your bodys' make up changes and you can reduce fat cell size during the muscle building process. Bit of cardio maybe a 1/2 hour run or better still swim (you said you used to swim)

Stay away from the scales and judge by how you feel and your clothes fit. You'll be ready to tango in Buenos Aires with those chicas amigo....unless I get there first and nab them all for myself   

[lostandfound]

Looking back on this thread it seems to me I was unfair in post #7 to single out keto diets as it seems clear the OP is going to hear a lot of conflicting advice on this thread.

Maybe it would help to declare our influences? Chief among mine are the likes of Chris Van Tulleken and Tim Spector.

So, I don't believe it's necessary to count calories, or to avoid carbs or follow a keto diet or that it has to be very hard work to lose weight ... etc

In this I think I am in agreement with PeterParker and Harry Monk?

Both Chris and Tim are very active in the media, write books, appear in podcasts, are quoted in the press ... etc

For example here is a quote from The Guardian

The distinctions Van Tulleken makes go to the heart of his research into the damage that ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are causing to our physical and mental health. The contention of his bestselling book Ultra-Processed People is that food engineered by corporations with additives and emulsifiers and modified starches essentially “hacks our brains”, disrupting the normal regulation of appetite. It tricks us into eating more by being softer, slicker, saltier, sweeter than whole foods and it is that trillion-dollar fact, his evidence suggests, which is driving the obesity epidemic. In the course of his deep research, he acts as a guinea pig for these theories (with the occasional help of his twin brother, Xand, also a doctor and, because they share a genetic makeup, his built-in control group). His months of eating badly served to show that what he was consuming was not food, it was, as one academic colleague kept insisting to him, “an industrially processed edible substance”. Or “food that lies to us”.

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[Roger111]

this is my advice
it's worked for me and many friends

go on YouTube
search for joe wicks hiit work outs
they last about 20-25 mins

when I started say 1.  I did 3 mins. then added a minute or 2 each day

if you can do a 20 min video once or twice a day. you will be good
after doing a work out u will be less likely to grab a pizza. you will eat better too

diet is super important too

[advent2016]

For me the game changer was Trulicity. I used to keep very fit and ran/cycled most days, then whilst recovering from numerous operations that meant I could not run/cycle, swim, climb I started eating more and not burning it off with excercise. This weekly injection, reduction in alcohol, dairy and carb controlled diet the pounds fell off.


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[AffAlchemist]

A mate of mine was prescribed these by his doctor today
Orlistat
I googled them and they look like they could be a good solution / aide to his efforts at weight loss

[RandomGuy99]

A mate of mine was prescribed these by his doctor today
Orlistat
I googled them and they look like they could be a good solution / aide to his efforts at weight loss

Injections should be the last resort

You will see results within a few months if you reduce your daily calorie intake and get more active. They recommend resistance training at the same time because you can lose muscle volume when you're dieting and having more muscle also increases the amount of calories your body burns each day just to maintain itself. Once your body gets used to exercising it will burn more calories. If I push it and do a 5 mile walk three times a week then I can lose 2 or 3 lbs a week. It's pretty easy when the weather is good. Probably not so easy when it's cold and raining outside. You can also burn quite a few calories by having sex. I am working on my GP to see if he'll recommend 2 shags a week on the NHS. Just think of the health benefits - exercise, good for your prostate and mental health leading to reductions in NHS treatment.

On an exercise day I burn 1000 calories through exercise and due to a change in diet I consume about 750 to 1000 calories less per day too. I have a few more months at the gym and walking before I hit my goal weight but it definitely works. Will power is a big part of it. You have to make the effort to change your diet and be more active.

[southcoastpunter]

for the vast majority of people its "eat less (especially the things we know are bad for us) and exercise more"

whilst it maybe true that exercise alone is a hard and longer way to do it, it does help "tone" the body so you begin to look good which motivates you more and its good for helping you to feel good / your mental health.

its not rocket science.

[PeterParker94]

Looking back on this thread it seems to me I was unfair in post #7 to single out keto diets as it seems clear the OP is going to hear a lot of conflicting advice on this thread.

Maybe it would help to declare our influences? Chief among mine are the likes of Chris Van Tulleken and Tim Spector.

So, I don't believe it's necessary to count calories, or to avoid carbs or follow a keto diet or that it has to be very hard work to lose weight ... etc

In this I think I am in agreement with PeterParker and Harry Monk?

Both Chris and Tim are very active in the media, write books, appear in podcasts, are quoted in the press ... etc

For example here is a quote from The Guardian

External Link/Members Only

Hi Lost,

Always nice to see people online who are open thinkers rather than forcing their opinion on others. I think the weight loss journey as with everything is all relative. Everyone has their own ideals and methods towards it but one unwavering factor is the mindset. The human mind is a fascinating thing, if you have the will and sheer determination to achieve something you will achieve it. It's just a case of how you will find a way to motivate yourself to make that first leap.

My personal journey may do wonders for me but completely fail for others. I think the best thing you can do is do your own research and then decide on what works for you. Trial and error is something I did A LOT until I found what worked for me. One error I made was not lifting weights whilst losing a lot of weight which is what I have now incorporated into my daily regime.

[PeterParker94]

I'm in my fifties and changed my exercise regime last year and very pleased to say I can still change/improve my shape.
Being consistent is key and that applies to both exercise and probably more importantly food intake.

Eat clean, no processed food,  sugars or fizzy drinks. A simple menu most days will be easy to do and then you can have the odd "cheat" meal where you have a pizza or buy a lasagne.

You will need to do this consistently for months and I can highly recommend some weight resistance training at minimum twice a week.Focus on great form and not how much weight you lift.

 When you build muscle your bodys' make up changes and you can reduce fat cell size during the muscle building process. Bit of cardio maybe a 1/2 hour run or better still swim (you said you used to swim)

Stay away from the scales and judge by how you feel and your clothes fit. You'll be ready to tango in Buenos Aires with those chicas amigo....unless I get there first and nab them all for myself   

Absolutely agree with you there, Mr Monk. One important thing I forgot was to include cheat meals. I worked hard in the week and I made sure my cheat meal on a Sunday was damn well worth it. You should be enjoying the process and rewarding yourself.

However, I weighed myself everyday but made a mental note to not determine my progress on what the scales showed but rather how I felt although the scales gave me a good indication that I was going in a positive direction. Like you said, consistency is key.

[mrwhite]

I tried slimming world a few years ago (more blokes go than you think)

They will try and sell you lots of crap, but, if you buy one or two of the recipe books and make the meals in there you will find you start to lose weight, especially when you include some exercise as well.

A lot of it is about changing your attitude to food and the way you cook it (so grill and bake rather than fry) cutting out oils and fats, reducing things like starchy carbs and fatty proteins and replacing with more filling and less calorific fibre, legumes etc.

The other good thing about it is the group attitude - if you hang around for the discussions you can pick up hints on recipes, support when you have a bad week and of course the healthy competition of trying to be the one that loses most weight in a week.

[badsin]

It's great to hear that folks have had success losing weight. Well done.
Definitely don't overly rely on the scales, and build muscle, which definitely helps in burning calories.
Even try a reputable personal trainer, to help you on your way

[Harry Monk]

Injections should be the last resort

Nail....head...you've hit it 

[Harry Monk]

Absolutely agree with you there, Mr Monk. One important thing I forgot was to include cheat meals. I worked hard in the week and I made sure my cheat meal on a Sunday was damn well worth it. You should be enjoying the process and rewarding yourself.

However, I weighed myself everyday but made a mental note to not determine my progress on what the scales showed but rather how I felt although the scales gave me a good indication that I was going in a positive direction. Like you said, consistency is key.

Mr Monk    Please Spidey call me Harry

[Carpy]

Some really good advice on here. And as always a lot of different methods. 

The simple approach is to expend more calories then you consume in a controlled way.

I was a squaddie and used to eat a full English and two more full meals every day… however there was a huge amount of exercise as you would expect. Sine I came out many years ago I just increased exercise rather then drastically change diet when I piled on weight.

Like others have said Covid was the time to pile it on (civi relationship made it worse). For the last 12 months I’ve been back in the gym mainly doing weight training and a small amount of cardio, the diet has now become more based on whole foods and intermittent fasting. Still regularly eat a takeaway and still drink. I don’t massively count my weight loss… instead focus on the fat loss. In your 40s you will gain muscle but not huge gains.

I think that like other have said you  need to see it as a life style change rather then quick win.

[Xtro]

Apologies if there is a similar thread but I couldn’t find it.

Is anybody else in the process of losing weight? Especially those who are on the wrong side of 40?

I used to exercise regularly. Usually swimming 3 times a week. Covid hit and I never got back into it. I eat and drink crap most days and I am probably at my heaviest I have ever been. Is it true it is much harder to lose weight once you are over 40?

It use to be good for my mental health too. Not that I am depressed or anything but I just feel a bit worthless these days.

My plan is to get back exercising three times a week. Is anybody else in a similar situation. I guess I just need the motivation to get started.

A month on..... What did you decide to do and how's it going?
 
I hope you're feeling better lately.   

[RandomGuy99]

Rice cakes are good for snacking. 28 calories each and also eat more protein to make you feel full. Need to exercise as well as you could lose weight from muscle loss, so exercising builds tye muscles and helps you lose weight together with a healthier diet.

[Xtro]

Rice cakes are good for snacking. 28 calories each and also eat more protein to make you feel full. Need to exercise as well as you could lose weight from muscle loss, so exercising builds tye muscles and helps you lose weight together with a healthier diet.

Rices cakes can be high glycemic, (how quickly a food raises blood sugar), so may be beneficial after a workout. They have zero fibre and almost zero nutrients as well as tasting awful unless other 'exotic' flavours are added which could include additional salt or sugar.

Building, or even retaining muscle, can be very difficult and might need the knowledge of a personal trainer to help someone put together a program. A lot of research now exists regarding building muscle more efficiently and cutting your time in the gym. Again, It can be very demanding.
I'm not so much a believer in 'bigger muscles equals a healthier body'; I believe it is the 'quality' of the muscle and how efficient it is in carrying out its metabolic processes.

[RandomGuy99]

Rices cakes can be high glycemic, (how quickly a food raises blood sugar), so may be beneficial after a workout. They have zero fibre and almost zero nutrients as well as tasting awful unless other 'exotic' flavours are added which could include additional salt or sugar.

Building, or even retaining muscle, can be very difficult and might need the knowledge of a personal trainer to help someone put together a program. A lot of research now exists regarding building muscle more efficiently and cutting your time in the gym. Again, It can be very demanding.
I'm not so much a believer in 'bigger muscles equals a healthier body'; I believe it is the 'quality' of the muscle and how efficient it is in carrying out its metabolic processes.

I had a personal trainer put a plan together for me. It was hard for the first couple of months, but now it's straightforward to do 3 times a week. I've lost 1.5 stone and gained muscle. My Fitbit says my cardio fitness score is very good to excellent with a range of 41 to 45.

[pbrown355]

1 pound equates to 3500 calories. Swimming 1500metres uses about 250 calories. Exercise will only work if you eat less food. Better quality less processed has to be a good idea, but has to be less.
Mindset and all the other tactics discussed in here are great but you have to keep the science onside.

[tightfoot69]

A month on..... What did you decide to do and how's it going?
 
I hope you're feeling better lately.   

Hi. I was just about to come back and update.

I started three weeks ago. Started swimming again 3 times a week(not as much as I use to but looking to do more in time) and cut down on food and drink. Although I still have a takeaway on a Saturday. More walking. My job is semi physical so should help a bit too.

The first two weeks I lost 7 pounds. This past week I was in Poland for 4 nights so ate and drink more than I should. Still managed to fit in Swimming 3 times. I neither lost or gained this week which I was quite happy with considering.

So overall I have lost 7 pounds in three weeks.

I am currently 15 stone 7 pounds. I have a trip to Argentina in seven weeks and would love to get to 14 stone but probably unrealistic so hopefully at least 14 stone 7 pounds which will be two pounds a week.

[Xtro]

I had a personal trainer put a plan together for me. It was hard for the first couple of months, but now it's straightforward to do 3 times a week. I've lost 1.5 stone and gained muscle. My Fitbit says my cardio fitness score is very good to excellent with a range of 41 to 45.

Congrats. Well done.     

Hi. I was just about to come back and update.

I started three weeks ago. Started swimming again 3 times a week(not as much as I use to but looking to do more in time) and cut down on food and drink. Although I still have a takeaway on a Saturday. More walking. My job is semi physical so should help a bit too.

The first two weeks I lost 7 pounds. This past week I was in Poland for 4 nights so ate and drink more than I should. Still managed to fit in Swimming 3 times. I neither lost or gained this week which I was quite happy with considering.

So overall I have lost 7 pounds in three weeks.

I am currently 15 stone 7 pounds. I have a trip to Argentina in seven weeks and would love to get to 14 stone but probably unrealistic so hopefully at least 14 stone 7 pounds which will be two pounds a week.

Great start, 7lbs loss.   
Keep it up and avoid Poland!
A chicken shish kebab will make a great Saturday night cheat!

[maxxblue]

They have zero fibre and almost zero nutrients as well as tasting awful unless other 'exotic' flavours are added which could include additional salt or sugar.

They don't.

[RandomGuy99]

They don't.

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[akauya]

Hi. I was just about to come back and update.

I started three weeks ago. Started swimming again 3 times a week(not as much as I use to but looking to do more in time) and cut down on food and drink. Although I still have a takeaway on a Saturday. More walking. My job is semi physical so should help a bit too.

The first two weeks I lost 7 pounds. This past week I was in Poland for 4 nights so ate and drink more than I should. Still managed to fit in Swimming 3 times. I neither lost or gained this week which I was quite happy with considering.

So overall I have lost 7 pounds in three weeks.

I am currently 15 stone 7 pounds. I have a trip to Argentina in seven weeks and would love to get to 14 stone but probably unrealistic so hopefully at least 14 stone 7 pounds which will be two pounds a week.

Well done mate. You've made good progress. As I said on my previous post, what helped me was being of a mind that I changed my lifestyle, for ever, so no back to my old ways. Maybe that will help you too. But of course, you need to find what works for you. So far, it seems you're doing great.

[maxxblue]

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[RandomGuy99]

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I tried blueberry flavoured rice cakes. They're feckin awful. Rice cakes are like eating polystyrene, but very few calories.

[maxxblue]

 

[tightfoot69]

Well done mate. You've made good progress. As I said on my previous post, what helped me was being of a mind that I changed my lifestyle, for ever, so no back to my old ways. Maybe that will help you too. But of course, you need to find what works for you. So far, it seems you're doing great.

Cheers. As I say I cheat a bit at the weekend. I know I couldn’t keep it up 24/7 because it would just make me miserable. But Monday - Friday I don’t really eat that much. But because of the hours I work I am not that tempted to eat and drink crap so far.

As I say my target by Saturday 30 November is at least 14 stone 7 pounds. Hopefully a bit closer to 14 Stone if possible.

I will still look out of shape compared to the beautiful people of Argentina but I will feel a bit better about myself at least.

[Thephoenix]

Personal trainers, exercise regimes, meal replacements, slimming clubs, books, videos, calorie counting, diet plans......
It's all a multimillion pound industry and people over complicating it.

Exercise is great to keep you fit, but it's intake reduction which will be effective to losing weight.
There weren't any fat blokes in prisoner of war camps.

But we're keeping on reinventing the wheel and changing the name, and people are making fortunes selling books etc.:
Atkins diet, Keto diet, Avoiding diabetes diet etc.

Years ago we called it the bread and spuds diet, and it worked.

Of course now it would have to be called the bread, spuds, rice and pasta diet.

Keep it simple:
Cut out the obvious sweets, cakes, biscuits, beer etc,  and reduce your input of carbs.
Plenty of protein and don't get too anxious about the fats, and drink plenty of water.
It's worked for me, and my weight and waist size has stayed within recommended levels for my height well into my 80s.

[berksboy]

My Mum tells me in the 50's and 60's you very rarely saw anyone fat as you could not afford to eat to much ! As above just dont eat too much , most portion sizes are far too big now days.

[timsussex]

1- cut out Booze
2 - cut out junk food
3 - reduce carbs

If that doesnt work try undercooked chicken - a weeks Campylobacter or Salmonella works wonders 

[Thephoenix]

1- cut out Booze
2 - cut out junk food
3 - reduce carbs

If that doesnt work try undercooked chicken - a weeks Campylobacter or Salmonella works wonders 

Following abdominal surgery a few years I had to go on a strict diet:
2 weeks fluid only,
2 weeks puréed food ( baby food).
2 weeks soft food.

I survived ok and obviously lost weight.

[pbrown355]

Jealous about your trip to Argentina even if it is work. Another piece of advice, make a brief plan to stop yourself overindulging while you are there so you don't derail your longer term aims. Not suggesting anything draconian, just a preplan to not go mad.
Well done so far.

[catweazle]

Not consciously trying to loose weight - I was about 9 or 10lbs over the ideal for my age height and build. However, I havent touched alcohol since those few days in Lisbon last month and having an active dog to walk means I've lost 12lbs and am at a 'proper' weight.

[tightfoot69]

Jealous about your trip to Argentina even if it is work. Another piece of advice, make a brief plan to stop yourself overindulging while you are there so you don't derail your longer term aims. Not suggesting anything draconian, just a preplan to not go mad.
Well done so far.

Maybe I wasn’t clear. Argentina is not for work. All leisure.

[pbrown355]

All the more reason for some sort of plan to reduce the damage. I'm only thinking of a "no more than 8 pints", or "1 large pizza per day is enough" type ruling. Hope you have a great time and I'm even more jealous since it's all leisure.

[tightfoot69]

All the more reason for some sort of plan to reduce the damage. I'm only thinking of a "no more than 8 pints", or "1 large pizza per day is enough" type ruling. Hope you have a great time and I'm even more jealous since it's all leisure.

Unfortunately it is not as cheap as last year so will be taken it a bit easy for that reason as well.

[Followyourdick]

Personal trainers, exercise regimes, meal replacements, slimming clubs, books, videos, calorie counting, diet plans......
It's all a multimillion pound industry and people over complicating it.

Exercise is great to keep you fit, but it's intake reduction which will be effective to losing weight.
There weren't any fat blokes in prisoner of war camps.

But we're keeping on reinventing the wheel and changing the name, and people are making fortunes selling books etc.:
Atkins diet, Keto diet, Avoiding diabetes diet etc.

Years ago we called it the bread and spuds diet, and it worked.

Of course now it would have to be called the bread, spuds, rice and pasta diet.

Keep it simple:
Cut out the obvious sweets, cakes, biscuits, beer etc,  and reduce your input of carbs.
Plenty of protein and don't get too anxious about the fats, and drink plenty of water.
It's worked for me, and my weight and waist size has stayed within recommended levels for my height well into my 80s.

This!
Eat less, do more.

[tightfoot69]

Another 2 pounds lost this week so 9 pounds lost in four weeks.

Going to up my swimming next week. I’m not sure if swimming helps that much in losing weight but it makes you feel better.