Anonymous wrote:Above poster again...I know people will recommend exercise too, and while exercise is great and things like weight lifting can make you look better, the truth of the matter is that, for fat loss, diet is the most important thing. It is also so very common for people, myself included, to use exercise as an excuse to eat a little more which can leave you stuck in the same place.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Unfortunately, when you are down to a small amount to lose like that it makes it harder. Your body wants to keep you at you at the higher weight. Does your weight fluctuation correspond to your monthly cycle?

I've lost 50 pounds in the last year through calorie counting. I exercised as well but don't think that has had a huge impact on the weight loss.

Throwing out some suggestions for you to try if you haven't already:

Do you have a cheat meal or cheat day a week? For me, that helps, and doesn't seem to effect my weight loss as long as I stick to my diet the rest of the week.

Maybe try eating more carbs while still sticking in your calorie range and see if that helps -

You could try intermittent fasting - to be honest, I don't think 16/8 (I eat 12:30-8:30, fast the rest of the time) intermittent fasting helps me lose weight any faster than eating the same amount of calories spread throughout the day, however it helps me feel like I'm not depriving myself because when I do eat I can eat larger meals. A lot of my mindless eating previously happened at night too - I no longer feel the need to snack at night,

Here is what I eat - I'm not saying this is recommended but this is what works for me.

I don't eat breakfast.

I almost always eat the same things for lunch and snacks during the day. If I'm working from home, two scrambled eggs with one triangle laughing cow cheese and everything bagel seasoning. If I'm at work, salad with chicken. Either with lunch, or as a snack later in the afternoon, I have either greek yogurt or two Babybel light cheeses with usually an apple or grapes. Goal is no more than 500 calories before dinner.

This gives me more flexibility with dinner - my husband is the main cook, and I usually just eat what he makes for everyone. Depending on what it is, I'll aim for more of the protein and vegetables, less of the carb. Tonight was chicken enchiladas and salad, and I chose to go with eating the carbs - it still fit within my calories for the day. Because I eat a hearty dinner every night, I don't feel like I am depriving myself too much which makes it sustainable long term.

You really like Laughing Cow cheese, lady.

Anonymous wrote:Unfortunately, when you are down to a small amount to lose like that it makes it harder. Your body wants to keep you at you at the higher weight. Does your weight fluctuation correspond to your monthly cycle?

I've lost 50 pounds in the last year through calorie counting. I exercised as well but don't think that has had a huge impact on the weight loss.

Throwing out some suggestions for you to try if you haven't already:

Do you have a cheat meal or cheat day a week? For me, that helps, and doesn't seem to effect my weight loss as long as I stick to my diet the rest of the week.

Maybe try eating more carbs while still sticking in your calorie range and see if that helps -

You could try intermittent fasting - to be honest, I don't think 16/8 (I eat 12:30-8:30, fast the rest of the time) intermittent fasting helps me lose weight any faster than eating the same amount of calories spread throughout the day, however it helps me feel like I'm not depriving myself because when I do eat I can eat larger meals. A lot of my mindless eating previously happened at night too - I no longer feel the need to snack at night,

Here is what I eat - I'm not saying this is recommended but this is what works for me.

I don't eat breakfast.

I almost always eat the same things for lunch and snacks during the day. If I'm working from home, two scrambled eggs with one triangle laughing cow cheese and everything bagel seasoning. If I'm at work, salad with chicken. Either with lunch, or as a snack later in the afternoon, I have either greek yogurt or two Babybel light cheeses with usually an apple or grapes. Goal is no more than 500 calories before dinner.

This gives me more flexibility with dinner - my husband is the main cook, and I usually just eat what he makes for everyone. Depending on what it is, I'll aim for more of the protein and vegetables, less of the carb. Tonight was chicken enchiladas and salad, and I chose to go with eating the carbs - it still fit within my calories for the day. Because I eat a hearty dinner every night, I don't feel like I am depriving myself too much which makes it sustainable long term.

Anonymous wrote:41 year old mom of young kids here. I need to lose at least 10 lbs, 15 would be better. I track calories and generally do low carb but at least once a week I seem to fall off the wagon. How do you sustain motivation?