Im down 16 lbs in the last month, and it didn't take a crash diet

[Anonymous]

42M. 6'-1". On 9/24 I had to put on a suit for the first time in over a year and I discovered my jacket wouldn't button because of my belly. I weighed in at 216, and realized that I had to make some changes and drop the COVID 15 ASAP.

The recipe is simple and something we all know - Caloric deficit. I log what I eat into MyFitnessPal daily.

The biggest changes I made are:

1) More veggies. More salads. Its boring, but I eat this salad 3x a week for lunch (https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/copycat-guacamole-greens-3686274). I also try to have a green smoothie every morning (power greens, celery, apple, ginger, lemon in the Vitamix)

2) Much less alcohol - down to 1-2 drinks during the week (wine or beer with a meal maybe), and 1-2 on the weekend

3) Daily exercise. I started two programs on Peloton: Discover your Power Zones and Crush your Core with Emma. On non-ride days, I try to walk 2-3 miles during the day.

4) Reduced desserts (I have a mega sweet tooth), and no snacking after dinner. I think the late snacking was my biggest problem. Note, I still have dessert frequently, 4-5 nights a week, but much smaller servings and immediately after dinner vs. later at night.

I know the first 15 are often the easiest, but it has been motivating to see the results. The best part is this whole thing feels sustainable. During this time I have been out to a few "cheat meals" like steakhouse business dinner and an annual end of the golf season dinner with my foursome. Also I do eat wings and drink beer on Sundays watching football. My DW makes the best apple pie and that's my favorite dessert, so after apple picking two weekends ago I had a lot of pie to consume.

This week will be a test to see if I can reasonably stay on board...Kids' birthday weekend so lots of cake and treats, then 4 days in Vegas for a conference, with lots of indulgent meals and alcohol. But I'm committed and believe within 6 months I can drop another 15-20 to get to my target weight

[Anonymous]

That’s great. Congrats.

[Anonymous]

Good for you! Thanks for the inspiration!

[Anonymous]

Reading this is not motivating for my peri-menopausal self who has done all that to lose one pound during the last month(minus cheat meals). But congrats!

[Anonymous]

Before I even opened this thread I knew- yep, must be a large man posting

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Reading this is not motivating for my peri-menopausal self who has done all that to lose one pound during the last month(minus cheat meals). But congrats!

I was thinking the same. Men have no idea

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Reading this is not motivating for my peri-menopausal self who has done all that to lose one pound during the last month(minus cheat meals). But congrats!

I was thinking the same. Men have no idea

Have you been doing all those things? post your MFP stats so we can see the exercise and caloric intake.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Reading this is not motivating for my peri-menopausal self who has done all that to lose one pound during the last month(minus cheat meals). But congrats!

I was thinking the same. Men have no idea

It is true - losing is so much easier for men and they don’t get it. For us 40+ women, It takes work, discipline and more time than any of us have. 41F here who gained, no joke, 30 lbs during covid. I lost 18 lbs in the past 2 months but I work out roughly 2-2.5 hrs daily (3 mile run, 1 hour of weights, additional walk later in the day) and track all of my calories w/ a 1200 calorie daily limit. So it can be done but it’s time-consuming and virtually impossible w/ a job and young-ish kids etc. All my husband has to do is fart and he loses 10 lbs.

[Anonymous]

Good for you, OP! Keep it up.

-A non-bitter woman

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Reading this is not motivating for my peri-menopausal self who has done all that to lose one pound during the last month(minus cheat meals). But congrats!

I was thinking the same. Men have no idea

It is true - losing is so much easier for men and they don’t get it. For us 40+ women, It takes work, discipline and more time than any of us have. 41F here who gained, no joke, 30 lbs during covid. I lost 18 lbs in the past 2 months but I work out roughly 2-2.5 hrs daily (3 mile run, 1 hour of weights, additional walk later in the day) and track all of my calories w/ a 1200 calorie daily limit. So it can be done but it’s time-consuming and virtually impossible w/ a job and young-ish kids etc. All my husband has to do is fart and he loses 10 lbs.

I'm thankful my mid-40s wife (works full time, 2 elementary aged kids, no family help nearby) doesn't make excuses and instead works on her fitness and health. It would be miserable being married to some of the women here.

[Anonymous]

Sorry ladies- a 44 woman here who has been counting calories on Noom and have lost about 20 pounds. It took awhile (6mts), but you can do it! I have also increased my workouts and have been lifting heavy. SW 148 now I am 128 and I am 5'3".

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Reading this is not motivating for my peri-menopausal self who has done all that to lose one pound during the last month(minus cheat meals). But congrats!

I was thinking the same. Men have no idea

The other side of it is they gain it back way faster.
I did not mean to come across as bitter, but yeah. It’s not that simple for most mid 40s women! OP comes across as a bit unaware. These tips aren’t a secret.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sorry ladies- a 44 woman here who has been counting calories on Noom and have lost about 20 pounds. It took awhile (6mts), but you can do it! I have also increased my workouts and have been lifting heavy. SW 148 now I am 128 and I am 5'3".

Wow, excellent! Good for you!!!It isn’t easy sticking to a 1200 calories /day diet (the number Noom gives me to lose
1-2 lbs / week—I am also 5’3”) and I defy anyone who can loose weight on a 1800-2000 cal/day diet to try it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sorry ladies- a 44 woman here who has been counting calories on Noom and have lost about 20 pounds. It took awhile (6mts), but you can do it! I have also increased my workouts and have been lifting heavy. SW 148 now I am 128 and I am 5'3".

Right. Did you read the title? Just saying it won’t happen in a MONTH.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Reading this is not motivating for my peri-menopausal self who has done all that to lose one pound during the last month(minus cheat meals). But congrats!

Me too. I have a caloric deficit and exercise daily and I still gained 15 pounds. But, congrats to you.