The 2025 Weight Loss Thread

[HTP99]

Fasting then, what do you advise, I'm genuinely interested: how does one start:

1. what's the best way
2. for how long
3. when
4. if one exercises, when is the best time to fast
5. if one gets hangry (I do) how do you get around it
6. what can one drink and when (obviously no alcohol)

A few questions and like I say I am interested?

[Hoofy]

HTP99 said:

Fasting then, what do you advise, I'm genuinely interested: how does one start:

1. what's the best way

I'm only talking about 24 hour+ fasts, so you work out when to start and end. Make it work for your schedule.

2. for how long

24 hours. Otherwise it's intermittent fasting, which is easier but there are fewer associated health benefits (I understand)

3. when

Whenever you want. Start with once a week, that's what I did. Now I do 1-3 times a week and go degen on the other days with food.

4. if one exercises, when is the best time to fast

I tend to do "functional training" when fasting so if you're going for PBs or 1 rep maxes then do it on a non-fasting day. I wouldn't play 2 hours of tennis during fast as I'm competitive and would underperform half way through a fast, so I wouldn't do a marathon either. TBH you don't need to exercise. I did 10 minutes of functional training today (lighter weights) more for mobility and movement (for when I play tennis). The only proper cardio I do is when I play tennis 1-2 times a week. Otherwise I lift weights (deads, squats etc) but not that much, maybe 15-20 minute sessions which burn bugger all calories tbf. If you want to burn big calories then cycle round the UK. Seems like too much effort and not very enjoyable to me.

5. if one gets hangry (I do) how do you get around it

Work out why you're hangry. It's not because you're hungry (well, it is but it isn't). If you're stressed at work, and on top of that you're hungry so you end up swearing at the boss, you should be dealing with the stress well before you're hauled up in front of HR.

6. what can one drink and when (obviously no alcohol)

Well if you're doing it properly, stick to water. Water and staying busy, it's enough to stave off the hunger feelings. You can also drink beverages like black coffee or green tea ie low calories. Some people call that a dirty fast. That stuff has calories but it's so low. Taking 20 calories in a 24 hour period vs your usual 3000 calories will still see big results. You could drink booze - check the calories. Best off saving it for "breakfast." (I call it breakfast but for me, it's dinner that's breaking the fast so booze with dinner is fine.)

Google "Eat, fast and live longer" - it's a bit out of date (2012?) but it's what got me interested in it. There's another documentary on Prime about fasting. I can't remember the content but it might also appeal to you.

I used to experiment with different diets because I'm a bit of a nerd and like to experiment with things, and it can be interesting to see what each diet is like (except keto flu) but in the last 18 months, my go-to is fasting. I'm at a point where I can attend a buffet breakfast with my partner and she will eat whatever, I'll just sit with her drinking a cup of black coffee. The staff at the hotel usually give me an odd look.

Edited by Hoofy on Thursday 2nd January 23:57

[22]

1.8kg for the 'week' - I'll take that as an opening salvo. Long and boring version below - mostly for my own motivation/sanity.

Fridays are my weigh-in day, I'll update here first thing, then will go to a local Slimming World group (unless the global obesity industry has collapsed and it's boarded up after seeing Hoofy's posts ) and then I usually have a treat day. The kids successfully negotiated a Thursday takeaway so had no idea about the scales today (but I'd barely eaten during the day). I've been weighing everyday - not something I always do, but at the start as the body adjusts to an improved diet (& less retained water or whatever it does) the scales can help get my head in the game.

My rowing machine was unfolded on the 30th so I've done 4 days of 10k metres total each day, starting with a timed 5k. Day 1 I rowed the 5k without pushing hard. Day 2 I set the little pace-boat graphic at the day before's pace and just aimed to beat it - which I've done again each day (from a proper slow start). I'm already 1min20 better than the first one - but the same again off a decent pace (& it gets much harder). I'll have to change the approach as you can't do a 'hard' 5k every day for long, but we're not there yet. I plan to walk down to work today (rowing machine in the office) and row again - when I'm rowing at a decent level I always have a rest day (on treat day) but at the moment I'll keep going until my body says otherwise.

My diet has been considerably improved. I don't drink or have a sweet tooth so it should be easy. I've been sitting stuffing whatever in the evenings 'because Christmas' after stuffing myself through November and December because I'm an idiot and it happens over and over.

[Blue_star]

Well done 22!

I am not doing “weekly” weigh ins but just jump on scale multiple time a week. My weight fluctuates more than 1kg day to day so inly “average week” works for me. Perhaps I keep too much water… you dont have same problem?

[interstellar]

Yes well done 22!

I am down 4lb since last Friday but Monday I will update the wiki I think and take an official weigh in then.

[Tisy]

Hoofy said:

I'm just trying to inform people that there is a really easy way of losing weight and that is to eat a lot less.

I'm sure your posts are meant with good intent, but this just doesn't happen in the real world for the vast majority of people. Sugar-laden food and highly processed carbs are incredibly addictive - that's exactly why it's called comfort food.

Basically your solution is to tell anyone with an addiction to just completely stop eating and then your life will immediately fill with joy and roses. If it was as simple as that then then we'd all be lean with max 15% body fat and in peak health. That doesn't happen because life is full of stresses from work and family situations that make us unhappy and an easy short-term 'cure' is to eat stuff that tastes good which then makes us happy. It's no different to a meth or coke addict needing another hit, or a smoker needing a cig. It's an addiction, same as sugar and carb addiction that ultimately causes us to pile on the pounds.

It's fantastic that you have reached the stage where you can simply turn your body switch ON or OFF like a room light switch and can stop eating without any come-downs from the sugar and carb highs with zero hunger pangs, but telling everyone here "stop making excuses, just stop eating" is not particularly helpful nor motivational to those of us who do not posses your superpowers.

[Jimjimhim]

Tisy said:

I'm sure your posts are meant with good intent, but this just doesn't happen in the real world for the vast majority of people. Sugar-laden food and highly processed carbs are incredibly addictive - that's exactly why it's called comfort food.

Basically your solution is to tell anyone with an addiction to just completely stop eating and then your life will immediately fill with joy and roses. If it was as simple as that then then we'd all be lean with max 15% body fat and in peak health. That doesn't happen because life is full of stresses from work and family situations that make us unhappy and an easy short-term 'cure' is to eat stuff that tastes good which then makes us happy. It's no different to a meth or coke addict needing another hit, or a smoker needing a cig. It's an addiction, same as sugar and carb addiction that ultimately causes us to pile on the pounds.

It's fantastic that you have reached the stage where you can simply turn your body switch ON or OFF like a room light switch and can stop eating without any come-downs from the sugar and carb highs with zero hunger pangs, but telling everyone here "stop making excuses, just stop eating" is not particularly helpful nor motivational to those of us who do not posses your superpowers.

This is why I find it better and easier to eat every day but cut back, even those without these superpowers that you talk of can manage that.

[Tisy]

22 said:

1.8kg for the 'week' - I'll take that as an opening salvo. Long and boring version below - mostly for my own motivation/sanity.

Fridays are my weigh-in day, I'll update here first thing, then will go to a local Slimming World group (unless the global obesity industry has collapsed and it's boarded up after seeing Hoofy's posts )

What is wrong with you bro? Just stop eating! It's really easy!

But well done on the loss, chap. Onwards and upwards (downwards?). Let's keep each other motivated.

I'm coming up to the 46hr mark of my fast, but need to finish off the remains of the chicken joint in the 'fridge before it dries out so will start a fresh fast once I'd had this.

Can I just say that a 15 kg kettlebell is fking torture doing suitcase lifts, double and single arm swings and cleans for more than a couple of sets when you haven't used your muscles for years. Thought my legs and arms were about to catch fire from the burn.

[Jimjimhim]

It would take me I think about 30 mins at the gym to burn 300 calories, but I can eat a doughnut in 1 minute, this is why cutting back on food is the best way (for me at least) to lose weight.

[Hoofy]

Tisy said:

Hoofy said:

I'm just trying to inform people that there is a really easy way of losing weight and that is to eat a lot less.

I'm sure your posts are meant with good intent, but this just doesn't happen in the real world for the vast majority of people. Sugar-laden food and highly processed carbs are incredibly addictive - that's exactly why it's called comfort food.

Basically your solution is to tell anyone with an addiction to just completely stop eating and then your life will immediately fill with joy and roses. If it was as simple as that then then we'd all be lean with max 15% body fat and in peak health. That doesn't happen because life is full of stresses from work and family situations that make us unhappy and an easy short-term 'cure' is to eat stuff that tastes good which then makes us happy. It's no different to a meth or coke addict needing another hit, or a smoker needing a cig. It's an addiction, same as sugar and carb addiction that ultimately causes us to pile on the pounds.

It's fantastic that you have reached the stage where you can simply turn your body switch ON or OFF like a room light switch and can stop eating without any come-downs from the sugar and carb highs with zero hunger pangs, but telling everyone here "stop making excuses, just stop eating" is not particularly helpful nor motivational to those of us who do not posses your superpowers.

You forget that I wasn't doing this 18 months ago. I just decided to give it a go so everything you've mentioned I have dealt with. So yes, stop making excuses, just stop eating. I'd rather just not "eat less" throughout the day because then I'd be thinking about food the whole time and/or have to plan everything. Still, you believe what you want to believe. If it works for you, crack on. I'll continue to walk the walk.

[Tisy]

Hoofy said:

You forget that I wasn't doing this 18 months ago. I just decided to give it a go so everything you've mentioned I have dealt with. So yes, stop making excuses, just stop eating. I'd rather just not "eat less" throughout the day because then I'd be thinking about food the whole time and/or have to plan everything. Still, you believe what you want to believe. If it works for you, crack on. I'll continue to walk the walk.

I'm glad to hear your method is working for you and having made sure we all know that your method - and only your method - wiill work for weight loss, presumably that will mean you have no further need to visit this thread.

It is, however, incredible that you have managed to become a dietary health expert in just a short 18 months with your one-size-fits-all solution to all the world's obesity problems.

Just stop eating!

[Jimjimhim]

It is pretty much true though, taking away all the crap that you hear you basically need to eat less.

[fiatpower]

Jimjimhim said:

It is pretty much true though, taking away all the crap that you hear you basically need to eat less.

Pretty much that. I lost 3 stone during covid lockdown as I only ordered what I needed for delivery and bought minimal snacks and couldn't just nip out if I wanted something without having to queue for ages. The only weakness was takeaways but I didn't have any for the first 3 weeks as I was convinced I was going to lose my job until furlough was announced so was saving every penny I could. In that 3 weeks I lost 1 stone roughly so realised what a big impact the bad eating made.

But then over the last 4 years with work building up and other life events i've just gone right back to where I was and even heavier. I need to try and replicate the better eating although as someone said earlier the reality is it's not as easy as saying "just don't eat crap".

[JustinCredible]

Hoofy said:

You forget that I wasn't doing this 18 months ago. I just decided to give it a go so everything you've mentioned I have dealt with. So yes, stop making excuses, just stop eating. I'd rather just not "eat less" throughout the day because then I'd be thinking about food the whole time and/or have to plan everything. Still, you believe what you want to believe. If it works for you, crack on. I'll continue to walk the walk.

Maybe if the only goal is to lose weight but I'm guessing for the vast majority of us our goal is to lose weight AND get healthier / fitter / stronger etc. and "just eat nothing" absolutely isn't the answer.

As with most things in life moderation is the key - eat well most of the time, do a reasonable amount of exercise and you've got a fighting chance of losing excess weight and gaining fitness.

[Tisy]

HTP99 said:

Fasting then, what do you advise, I'm genuinely interested: how does one start:

1. what's the best way
2. for how long
3. when
4. if one exercises, when is the best time to fast
5. if one gets hangry (I do) how do you get around it
6. what can one drink and when (obviously no alcohol)

A few questions and like I say I am interested?

Hi, if you are serious about it may I recommend youtube and check out Eric Berg and Jason Fung's presentations and videos on fasting. Lots of really good stuff to learn and Jason Fung does some deep dives on the chemistry going on inside your body which provides you with a better understanding of what causes you to feel hungry and the methods to stop it so that you can fast effectively and ultimately lose the fat.

One of the best tips I saw for getting into it proper is to start with a heavy protein meal, eg. a whole cooked chicken or joint of pork, or even a box of eggs. You want the highest satiety food you can find then eat til you feel full and the satiety will stop you from feeling hungry for the rest of the day and maybe even longer. When are you not eating, you are fasting. You do a 12hr+ fast every day without realising it - when you are asleep in between your evening meal and your breakfast. Increase the time between those periods and the longer fasts then happen automatically without even thinking about it,eg. cut out your breakfast and your lunch and just eat an evening meal and straight away you are doing 23hr fasts, or OMAD as it's more commonly known.

Drinks allowed are only water, tea and coffee (no milk or additives). These will not trigger an insulin response, which is the goal.

Edited by Tisy on Friday 3rd January 13:11

[Jimjimhim]

JustinCredible said:

Maybe if the only goal is to lose weight but I'm guessing for the vast majority of us our goal is to lose weight AND get healthier / fitter / stronger etc. and "just eat nothing" absolutely isn't the answer.

As with most things in life moderation is the key - eat well most of the time, do a reasonable amount of exercise and you've got a fighting chance of losing excess weight and gaining fitness.

The tricky bit is losing fat without losing muscle mass, probably best to lose the fat (and some muscle) then look to build muscle once you are happy with your % body fat.

What you eat is still the key to it all though.

[mcelliott]

HTP99 said:

Fasting then, what do you advise, I'm genuinely interested: how does one start:

1. what's the best way
2. for how long
3. when
4. if one exercises, when is the best time to fast
5. if one gets hangry (I do) how do you get around it
6. what can one drink and when (obviously no alcohol)

A few questions and like I say I am interested?

Please do not entertain the idea of 24hr fasts to lose weight, you will be utterly miserable and in all likely hood give up very quickly, the fact is you can lose the same amount of weight with out having to do any sort of fasting, I lost 60lbs just by being sensible with portion size and eating 90% clean.

[Hoofy]

Tisy said:

Hoofy said:

You forget that I wasn't doing this 18 months ago. I just decided to give it a go so everything you've mentioned I have dealt with. So yes, stop making excuses, just stop eating. I'd rather just not "eat less" throughout the day because then I'd be thinking about food the whole time and/or have to plan everything. Still, you believe what you want to believe. If it works for you, crack on. I'll continue to walk the walk.

I'm glad to hear your method is working for you and having made sure we all know that your method - and only your method - wiill work for weight loss, presumably that will mean you have no further need to visit this thread.

It is, however, incredible that you have managed to become a dietary health expert in just a short 18 months with your one-size-fits-all solution to all the world's obesity problems.

Just stop eating!

I haven't said that my way is the only way. My first post stated this. Please read my first post more carefully.

Anyway, you've not said anything I haven't already heard. Enjoy your diet.

PS I definitely haven't said I'm an expert. I've pointed to sources, though. Maybe not in a reply to you because you never asked. Google "Eat, fast and live longer". Plenty of experts in there.

Edited by Hoofy on Friday 3rd January 13:37

[Hoofy]

JustinCredible said:

Hoofy said:

You forget that I wasn't doing this 18 months ago. I just decided to give it a go so everything you've mentioned I have dealt with. So yes, stop making excuses, just stop eating. I'd rather just not "eat less" throughout the day because then I'd be thinking about food the whole time and/or have to plan everything. Still, you believe what you want to believe. If it works for you, crack on. I'll continue to walk the walk.

Maybe if the only goal is to lose weight but I'm guessing for the vast majority of us our goal is to lose weight AND get healthier / fitter / stronger etc. and "just eat nothing" absolutely isn't the answer.

As with most things in life moderation is the key - eat well most of the time, do a reasonable amount of exercise and you've got a fighting chance of losing excess weight and gaining fitness.

This is the weight loss thread.

You can do that. Fasting is easier. Just stop eating.

[Hoofy]

mcelliott said:

HTP99 said:

Fasting then, what do you advise, I'm genuinely interested: how does one start:

1. what's the best way
2. for how long
3. when
4. if one exercises, when is the best time to fast
5. if one gets hangry (I do) how do you get around it
6. what can one drink and when (obviously no alcohol)

A few questions and like I say I am interested?

Please do not entertain the idea of 24hr fasts to lose weight, you will be utterly miserable and in all likely hood give up very quickly, the fact is you can lose the same amount of weight with out having to do any sort of fasting, I lost 60lbs just by being sensible with portion size and eating 90% clean.

I think part of avoiding being miserable is thinking that you're doing something special. I kinda felt like I was "on a mission" a bit like someone doing one of those ice bath things.