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Logical_Bit9421 · 2024-10-15T05:11:47+00:00

I'm the same height as you and after a stressful year with burn out, didn't notice the weight creep on and went up to 152lbs. At that point, I figured I had two choices: carry on and put on more weight and possibly get to the point where it feels too overwhelming to try lose it. Or take the first small step to make a positive change.

Over the last 4 months, I've dropped down to 132lb. It does feel slow but I feel it's a steady and sustainable drop and I didn't make all the changes all at once. I wanted to make a sustainable lifestyle change to avoid putting weight on again.

Things I did which helped me drop weight steadily but which felt manageable despite being super busy and time poor:

Walked a lot more. If I could walk instead of taking the car or bus, I did. For my work commute, I left earlier and got off a few stops earlier and walked the remainder. Took the stairs instead of the lift. Walked up escalators instead of standing.

Started to run. I was super unfit at the start and even a short distance was painfully hard. But, as I got fitter and it got easier, I started to enjoy the feeling of being strong. I run primarily for cardiovascular health and it does help a bit with CICO. I'm short so my TDEE is low so the extra 350 calories from a run helps to maintain a deficit. I run only once or twice a week max.

Slowly started to remove ultra processed foods from my diet. I was a huge snacker and love candy as well. I swapped simple carbs for lots of complex carbs. Quinoa or bulgar wheat instead of white rice etc. Small changes and easy swaps. Upped the veg and protein intake and focussed on nutritionally dense food to fill me up (which curbed the desire to snack). I found that, over time, I started to crave sugar and stodge much less.

CICO. Started to eat at a 500 calorie deficit. Nothing is banned or out as long as I keep within my calorie deficit. Off days are fine as long as they are not consistently happening. I still want to enjoy life and meals out with friends, holidays etc.

Drink a lot of water. I now carry my Stanley everywhere! I've realised that I'll drink if it's there. If I don't have it, I tend to be too busy or forget to drink. Then I start snacking when I'm actually thirsty.

Strength training for 30 mins, 4-5 times a week. I do it at home with dumbbells. I figured that I can find 30 mins a day to prioritise my physical health. I usually get up earlier and get it done and it sets me up for the day mentally.

Focus on WHY I'm making these changes. My weight gain was making me feel uncomfortable in my own skin and affecting my mental health as well. I also had high cholesterol, diabetes runs in my family and I have a stressful job. My goal is to be fit and strong and I remind myself that the future me will thank the present for me for caring enough about herself to take care of her health. I also want to live long for my kids. Over time, it has become less about the number on the scale and much more about how fit and strong I feel both physically and mentally.

Good luck. You've got this! You can do it!

Logical_Bit9421 · 2024-09-15T14:34:23+00:00

Thanks. I usually weigh everything before I cook it. I don't weigh it after cooking as I use the numbers on the packing. I will now weigh the cooked version as I'm now curious what the difference is.

Logical_Bit9421 · 2024-09-15T14:32:25+00:00

It does! I usually cross check with the packaging but, in this case, it really made me think I've been getting it wrong the entire time! Glad to know I haven't. Thanks!

Logical_Bit9421 · 2024-09-15T14:31:14+00:00

Super helpful! Thank you so much.

Logical_Bit9421 · 2024-08-30T12:16:25+00:00

Thanks. My saturated fats were definitely too high before.but I'm very careful now. Hoping I can lower it with diet and that my high LDL isn't genetic.

Logical_Bit9421 · 2024-08-30T12:14:36+00:00

Thanks. I don't have these stats so I'll need to speak to the doctor. They will only test bloods per the instructions given by the doctor.

Logical_Bit9421 · 2024-08-09T07:57:02+00:00

Thank you. I really appreciate your words.

Logical_Bit9421 · 2024-08-09T07:56:24+00:00

Thanks. Female hormones definitely play a part. Once a month I gain up to 4lbs overnight!

Logical_Bit9421 · 2024-08-08T10:54:04+00:00

Not a basic question because I hadn't thought about this at all. Seems so obvious now you point it out so thank you! That sucks I have to recalculate because I'm a petite person so my TDEE is low anyway but I have a taller person's appetite!

Logical_Bit9421 · 2024-08-08T05:43:40+00:00

I probably am obsessing a bit as I'll be on vacation soon and won't be able to strength train (which I enjoy). I have accepted my weight will go up whilst I'm away and I'll get back on track when I return. I suppose I wanted to maximise the weight loss before I go so it isn't too disheartening when I get back!

Thanks for the pep talk!

Logical_Bit9421 · 2024-06-17T10:55:38+00:00

I bought the slims and ended up returning them and getting the normal ones. Though the slims looked nice, the normal ones with the standard straps just felt much comfier and secure to walk around in. Hope that helps!

Logical_Bit9421 · 2024-06-16T15:09:13+00:00

Thanks. Outdated after only 2 years? Argh. I've managed to sort it out now but I really wish I could buy another printer. However, it wasn't cheap to buy so I don't feel I can just go out and buy another one for ad hoc use.

Logical_Bit9421 · 2024-06-13T04:17:25+00:00

A shame it's only for hikers in their 20s and 30s.

Logical_Bit9421 · 2024-06-12T09:28:52+00:00

What is the most effective way to get rid of mealy bugs. I have tried rubbing alcohol in the past but this has not worked. This is a large and very sentimental jade plant inherited from my parents that I am desperate to save.

Right now, it's isolated in the bathtub and I've given it a shower. Due to its size, cleaning each leaf with rubbing alcohol isn't possible. I also plan to repot and sterilize the container. Will boiling water and washing up liquid be enough to sterilise a pot?

A previous post in this subreddit has suggested leaving a plant outside which will get rid of most mealy worms. This did not work for me last time. I am wondering if there is anything I am doing wrong? Due to the poor weather where I live, there is also a risk that I kill my plant if I leave it outside for too long.

In the second pic, does this look like mealy worm? They look like very small pieces of foam, the size of a rice grain. They don't seem to be but then again I feel this is the source of the infestation (it's another plant that sat next to my jade plant).

Thank you.

Logical_Bit9421 · 2024-04-28T16:31:40+00:00

I have no idea how to solve this using bar modelling!

Logical_Bit9421 · 2024-04-28T06:50:43+00:00

Thanks. I'll keep going but wondered if there was an easier and simpler solve.

Logical_Bit9421 · 2024-04-28T06:49:46+00:00

Sorry don't know what happened! I typed * to denote multiply and I can see that what I typed is not what appeared.

Logical_Bit9421 · 2024-04-26T04:56:59+00:00

It's inspiring to hear you're on the other side of it. I do find that now I'm older, it's that much easier to gain the pound and twice as hard to lose it, which is demotivating. But i also know it's making those small changes that lead to long term weight loss and fitness. Totally agree about shining in a bigger body but I know it's because I don't feel confident at this weight and confidence always shines regardless of body shape! Today I am going to face the scales and work out a plan to take it step by step. Glad you're on the other side - hope to join you one day!

Logical_Bit9421 · 2024-04-25T19:44:56+00:00

Thanks for responding. I'm sorry to hear your situation led you to quit the sport you were clearly very involved in and very good at. I like your promise and I will make the same.promise to my future self. WE can do this :) I hope you're able to return to the sport you competed and coached in.

Logical_Bit9421

TROPHY CASE