The 2024 Weight Loss Thread
Discussion
Around 105kg just before Xmas, probably heaviest ever.
Now just over 90Kg today.
Have seen plateau’s through the process and ignored them and moved on again.
Doing some intermittent fasting during the week, anywhere from 24 to 36 hours, mostly when travelling as it seems easier due to lack of access to foods I’m focusing on.
Lots of non processed foods and have REALLY cut back portion size but don’t deny myself anything.
Needed to do this for years, aim is to see how low within reason I can get around BMI, scales said I was 35% fat! So 80kg might be about right and be in the healthy category at just under 6 foot for a stocky chap.
Measured my waist and while I’m losing weight and my belt can be tightened, was surprised to be 38 inches. Used a metal tape measure so might not be accurate. Had hoped to be 34inch as I’m sure jeans are 36 inch.
Clothes that looked rubbish on me when I was bigger now look terrible on the skinnier me, relate to a poster above I’m going to need to go shopping (but reticent to do this until I get to some sort of base weight as I’m a bit tight when it comes to spending on stuff).
Plan when I hit the base is to go a bit below and then ease back to 2000 calories a day as maintenance. Mentioned before but I weigh myself every day and will do for the rest of my life if possible, it sets the scene for what I might eat during the day. I’m generally aiming for 1000 or so calorie deficit per day (best guess, I’ve not been doing macros or anything, or not consciously. Maybe I hit paleo a bit with high protein, scrambled eggs with ham and such).
From experience, we vastly under estimate the calorific food we eat, over estimate our daily budgets and the changes take so long to register many give up too soon to see real results. If I get hungry, I drink a pint of room temp water. If I’m still hungry 15 mins later, I’ll have a tea or a coffee. If it’s still the same a bit later, snack on raw carrot, raw broccoli or nuts (challenge anyone to get fat on carrot!)
It sounds grim but a few weeks in and it almost becomes like good habits.
House of younger kids so access to all the bad stuff is still there, but less bothered now.
I’m trying to form good habits that will last and have dropped off the wagon once or twice, but get straight back on and fast out if required (or before if it’s planned).
One thing I’ve observed - we are SO conditioned to be around food with friends / family, it’s critical to have good habits.
Best mate who knows my journey and aims was keen to buy me some desert last time I was out for dinner which I didn’t fancy tbh but it was interesting to see how much insistence was there via the peer pressure (same with friends eating pizza in the pub etc).
It’s good to expose yourself to McD’s etc (for a cuppa only) and decouple your brain from the social outing = eating equation.
If I do have chocolate (it’s Easter and the cupboards are getting full!) I’ll have a few small pieces to tell my brain nothing is restricted or banned. It’s like sucking on lemon though after being off sugar and just doesn’t seem to provide anything positive.
Not embarked on an exercise routine yet other than walking quite a bit (which I did before with no effect) and said when I dropped below 95KG I’d start to run again (haven’t done as I’m lazy).
Do wonder how much lean mass I’m losing as a 50 year old, so contemplating going back to the gym which since we moved is a ten minute walk away (and I still haven’t been).
If I can do this, literally anyone can.
It did take me years (maybe 20) to act though and a dicky thyroid I think led me to gaining at least 15kg by stealth before diagnosis (even though I told my doctor I thought I was suffering from it, they put it down to being a new father).
Hitting 50 was the ultimate trigger, promised myself I’d be 90Kg by my birthday (wasn’t) so 90Kg “In my 50th year” (on track) and beyond to the new base hopefully by 51 and see from there.
Will be interesting to see if the weight stays off or if it’s as much as a battle to be stable at the end of this with new habits as it was to shift it?
Hopefully the daily weigh-in is the anchor point and gives me the lag indication if I need to buck my ideas up that coming day / days.
The craving for eating a lot of cakes / chocolate and high processed foods though has reduced dramatically, but I do love bread still. Surprised as ultimately I love my food, but I tend to see the calorie number hovering over it now and that determines if I’ll even contemplate eating it!
Now just over 90Kg today.
Have seen plateau’s through the process and ignored them and moved on again.
Doing some intermittent fasting during the week, anywhere from 24 to 36 hours, mostly when travelling as it seems easier due to lack of access to foods I’m focusing on.
Lots of non processed foods and have REALLY cut back portion size but don’t deny myself anything.
Needed to do this for years, aim is to see how low within reason I can get around BMI, scales said I was 35% fat! So 80kg might be about right and be in the healthy category at just under 6 foot for a stocky chap.
Measured my waist and while I’m losing weight and my belt can be tightened, was surprised to be 38 inches. Used a metal tape measure so might not be accurate. Had hoped to be 34inch as I’m sure jeans are 36 inch.
Clothes that looked rubbish on me when I was bigger now look terrible on the skinnier me, relate to a poster above I’m going to need to go shopping (but reticent to do this until I get to some sort of base weight as I’m a bit tight when it comes to spending on stuff).
Plan when I hit the base is to go a bit below and then ease back to 2000 calories a day as maintenance. Mentioned before but I weigh myself every day and will do for the rest of my life if possible, it sets the scene for what I might eat during the day. I’m generally aiming for 1000 or so calorie deficit per day (best guess, I’ve not been doing macros or anything, or not consciously. Maybe I hit paleo a bit with high protein, scrambled eggs with ham and such).
From experience, we vastly under estimate the calorific food we eat, over estimate our daily budgets and the changes take so long to register many give up too soon to see real results. If I get hungry, I drink a pint of room temp water. If I’m still hungry 15 mins later, I’ll have a tea or a coffee. If it’s still the same a bit later, snack on raw carrot, raw broccoli or nuts (challenge anyone to get fat on carrot!)
It sounds grim but a few weeks in and it almost becomes like good habits.
House of younger kids so access to all the bad stuff is still there, but less bothered now.
I’m trying to form good habits that will last and have dropped off the wagon once or twice, but get straight back on and fast out if required (or before if it’s planned).
One thing I’ve observed - we are SO conditioned to be around food with friends / family, it’s critical to have good habits.
Best mate who knows my journey and aims was keen to buy me some desert last time I was out for dinner which I didn’t fancy tbh but it was interesting to see how much insistence was there via the peer pressure (same with friends eating pizza in the pub etc).
It’s good to expose yourself to McD’s etc (for a cuppa only) and decouple your brain from the social outing = eating equation.
If I do have chocolate (it’s Easter and the cupboards are getting full!) I’ll have a few small pieces to tell my brain nothing is restricted or banned. It’s like sucking on lemon though after being off sugar and just doesn’t seem to provide anything positive.
Not embarked on an exercise routine yet other than walking quite a bit (which I did before with no effect) and said when I dropped below 95KG I’d start to run again (haven’t done as I’m lazy).
Do wonder how much lean mass I’m losing as a 50 year old, so contemplating going back to the gym which since we moved is a ten minute walk away (and I still haven’t been).
If I can do this, literally anyone can.
It did take me years (maybe 20) to act though and a dicky thyroid I think led me to gaining at least 15kg by stealth before diagnosis (even though I told my doctor I thought I was suffering from it, they put it down to being a new father).
Hitting 50 was the ultimate trigger, promised myself I’d be 90Kg by my birthday (wasn’t) so 90Kg “In my 50th year” (on track) and beyond to the new base hopefully by 51 and see from there.
Will be interesting to see if the weight stays off or if it’s as much as a battle to be stable at the end of this with new habits as it was to shift it?
Hopefully the daily weigh-in is the anchor point and gives me the lag indication if I need to buck my ideas up that coming day / days.
The craving for eating a lot of cakes / chocolate and high processed foods though has reduced dramatically, but I do love bread still. Surprised as ultimately I love my food, but I tend to see the calorie number hovering over it now and that determines if I’ll even contemplate eating it!
Thought I'd post this link as we've made it a quarter of the year into 2025.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mTTLAVnChrw
Ignore the cycling bit, and that it's from a cycling channel (although it's my 'thing'). There is some really great advice and thoughts on weight loss. TL:DW.... Generally, be sensible, don't think exercise will do all the work, and don't think calorie counting is the be all and end all. This chap has a phd, very intelligent despite the jovial persona, and knows what he's talking about in the subject of nutrition.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mTTLAVnChrw
Ignore the cycling bit, and that it's from a cycling channel (although it's my 'thing'). There is some really great advice and thoughts on weight loss. TL:DW.... Generally, be sensible, don't think exercise will do all the work, and don't think calorie counting is the be all and end all. This chap has a phd, very intelligent despite the jovial persona, and knows what he's talking about in the subject of nutrition.
So, here's the deal: I'm on a mission to lose some kgs this year. Currently tipping the scales at 112 kgs, and standing at 1.75 cm, I know I've got some work to do.
Besides going to the gym and dieting, I've been doing some research on natural supplements like PhenQ to help with weight loss. I've heard mixed reviews about them, but I'm curious if anyone here has had any success with them.
Any firsthand experiences or recommendations would be greatly appreciated.
Besides going to the gym and dieting, I've been doing some research on natural supplements like PhenQ to help with weight loss. I've heard mixed reviews about them, but I'm curious if anyone here has had any success with them.
Any firsthand experiences or recommendations would be greatly appreciated.
Edited by Pentino191 on Friday 12th April 10:09
mcelliott said:
Don’t waste your money
This. The reality is you can't buy yourself into weightloss.A healthy, balanced diet suitable for your personal circumstances, lots of veg, no to minimal sweets and junk, plenty of water and a good night's sleep is all anyone needs.
The hard bit isn't doing it for a day. The hard bit is doing it every day.
Smitters said:
mcelliott said:
Don’t waste your money
This. The reality is you can't buy yourself into weightloss.A healthy, balanced diet suitable for your personal circumstances, lots of veg, no to minimal sweets and junk, plenty of water and a good night's sleep is all anyone needs.
The hard bit isn't doing it for a day. The hard bit is doing it every day.
Pentino191 said:
So, here's the deal: I'm on a mission to lose some kgs this year. Currently tipping the scales at 112 kgs, and standing at 1.75 cm, I know I've got some work to do.
Besides going to the gym and dieting, I've been doing some research on natural supplements to help with weight loss. I've heard mixed reviews about them, but I'm curious if anyone here has had any success with them.
Any firsthand experiences or recommendations would be greatly appreciated.
Soon as you stop taking them the weight will go back on. Its the same with those meal replacement shakes. Besides going to the gym and dieting, I've been doing some research on natural supplements to help with weight loss. I've heard mixed reviews about them, but I'm curious if anyone here has had any success with them.
Any firsthand experiences or recommendations would be greatly appreciated.
Another two sessions at the gym for me. Trying to find the optimal time that is good for me. 4pm isn't. I'm too tired (I was up at 5am thanks to a seven year old). Just gone at 7am and that's not for me either (again was up until 1am due to a seven year old being ill which didn't help).
Tuesday was upper body. They have killed me! Most of the members are elderly (I'm 34 and the youngest by 30/40 years most the time I've been there!). The trainers like that as they can be
s to me and make me work really hard. Whilst Maggie does 1kg weights...Today was legs. I hate legs. I've got dodgy knees (when I squat it sounds like rice krispies in my knees). But my legs are properly my strongest part of me. Already topping out the leg press at 200kg.
Booked in for next week at a more reasonable time of 9am.
I’m pretty much at a stable weight at the moment.
Easter weekend was the village beer festival so I wasn’t very healthy but had a great time. I’ve also been hit by a cold/cough so my gym work is reduced. Worst thing is the lack of sleep due to the cough.
I’ll try to up the gym work again next week and I’ll reduce down the drinking again.
Aim is to try to drop another 3-4kg by the middle of June.
Pleased with the first quarters improvement as I look loads better and my strength in the gym is improving a lot.
Easter weekend was the village beer festival so I wasn’t very healthy but had a great time. I’ve also been hit by a cold/cough so my gym work is reduced. Worst thing is the lack of sleep due to the cough.
I’ll try to up the gym work again next week and I’ll reduce down the drinking again.
Aim is to try to drop another 3-4kg by the middle of June.
Pleased with the first quarters improvement as I look loads better and my strength in the gym is improving a lot.
Gluttonous Easter break here, can see the extra bulk on my tummy. Yesterday was day 1 of getting my act together. A couple of lads at work are doing really well with improved eating/moving, visibly so. I need to give this the attention it needs.
Will try and start doing email nudges to those who've dropped off - life keeps getting in the way!
Will try and start doing email nudges to those who've dropped off - life keeps getting in the way!
I've lost focus on this now. I'm not looking for sympathy at all, but to say the last few weeks have been some of the most horrendous times I've lived through in my life, and at the moment I just can't find it in myself to give a st about it, just doesn't seem important. I'll get back to it at some point. I don't want to lose all my progress, but I'm more focused on survival at the minute rather than weight loss.
@ 22 - don't bother emailing me - I will be back at some point 100%
t about it, just doesn't seem important. I'll get back to it at some point. I don't want to lose all my progress, but I'm more focused on survival at the minute rather than weight loss.@ 22 - don't bother emailing me - I will be back at some point 100%
Last update:
Today:
Fell off the wagon a bit for the last month or so but given I had the birth of my second daughter on the 28th Feb and turned 40 a couple of weeks later I am pretty pleased to have stalled rather than regained a lot of weight. The attention paid to calorie balance means I have been a lot better at snacking and I seem to offset bad meals with a subsequent string of better meals rather than falling into the old "start again tomorrow" mindset.
After 5 weeks of paternity leave I have a stag do in Finland to get through next weekend then I'll get right back into chasing down my next target which is 149.9kg. I think I'll aim for a good week before I get to Helsinki then enjoy myself a little bit.
| beambeam1 | 165.9kg (26/12/23) | 130kg | 157.2kg (19/02/23) | Consistency is key | 8.2kg | Y |
Today:
| beambeam1 | 165.9kg (26/12/23) | 130kg | 158.1kg (05/04/23) | Consistency is key | 7.8kg | Y |
Fell off the wagon a bit for the last month or so but given I had the birth of my second daughter on the 28th Feb and turned 40 a couple of weeks later I am pretty pleased to have stalled rather than regained a lot of weight. The attention paid to calorie balance means I have been a lot better at snacking and I seem to offset bad meals with a subsequent string of better meals rather than falling into the old "start again tomorrow" mindset.
After 5 weeks of paternity leave I have a stag do in Finland to get through next weekend then I'll get right back into chasing down my next target which is 149.9kg. I think I'll aim for a good week before I get to Helsinki then enjoy myself a little bit.
Someone needs to explain to me how this weight loss stuff works or makes sense...last 2 weeks I've been stable at 78.5kg, then easter hits, I have a big Polish easter lunch with family on the Sunday and consume a galaxy egg and lidnt choc bunny during the week and various other chocolate and yet..a loss of 0.9kg down to 77.6kg this week 
WHAT?!
Other days I'll be way under the calorie limit, have 1 Mcdonalds meal that week and gain 1kg.
WHAT?!Other days I'll be way under the calorie limit, have 1 Mcdonalds meal that week and gain 1kg.
mcelliott said:
If they could make a pill that consisted of a balanced diet, sufficient exercise and great sleep and discipline then I would say go for it!
Might be coming sooner than you think, GLP1s have shown appetite can be controlled chemically but with a side effect of muscle loss, so the race is now on to find something that doesn't cause muscle loss. https://www.forbes.com/sites/alexzhavoronkov/2024/...
Though becareful of any doctor who recommends pills for sleeping!
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conrad_Murray
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