Eat less at each meal. No snacking. That's the only way to lose weight. The rest is just marketing. Doesn't matter if you're a vegetarian.

Don't be stuck on a number on the scale. Do you want to be leaner, more firm? What is your real goal. I'm also guessing that you likely need to lift weights, but that is not going to make the number on the scale move down.

Five pounds overweight and you feel helpless? Life will not get any easier for you, OP.

Anonymous wrote:If you are already low calorie, you might need to add calories. Friend of mine only started losing weight when she started eating more because her body thought she was in starvation mode.

Came here to say this. My pescetarian sister had to add in more fats and increase her caloric intake to lose the last 15 lbs. after she had her last kid. Even though she was eating big portions and included lots of fish in her diet, her body was still in starvation mode and refused to shed the lbs.

To lose just 5lbs you don’t need trainers. You need self motivation, self tracking and avoid all processed and salty food. You can lose 5lb in two weeks regardless of your BMI.

Rachel at Vida in dc is an excellent nutritionist and trainer. Highly recommend! She’s at Chinatown and 5th and k.

If you are already low calorie, you might need to add calories. Friend of mine only started losing weight when she started eating more because her body thought she was in starvation mode.

To build strength you need to work out. Nothing you eat is going to help.

what about more cheese, nuts, seeds, avocados, coconut, etc? and you can keep eating grains and beans, but just watch your carbs - like for breakfast, eat half a serving of oatmeal with yogurt and nuts, instead of a full serving of oatmeal.

What does your current diet and exercise program look like?

You need more protein, eat a little meat each week.

OP here: thanks for the encouragement. All the trainers I have considered are on a paleo kick, so I I’ll need to look some more to find somebody who can work with me.

I am not a vegetarian, but keep animal products to a big minimum - I lost 50lbs this way, and also built strength.

Ignore the "cut carbs" nonsense - weightloss is about calories in vs. calories out. For health, it's obviously best to keep refined carbs (cakes, cookies, white breads, etc) to a minimum, and keep wholesome carbs plentiful and abundant (whole fruits, whole vegetables, beans, legumes, etc).

If you want to lose 5lbs, cut some calories, move more. It's that simple. If you want to build strength, start doing weight exercises - either with body weight (pushups, ab work, squats, lunges, etc), or start using weights. It will take time, but lifting 2x a week will definitely build strength over time.

There's tons of low carb vegetarian recipes online:

https://www.google.com/search?q=low+carb+vegetarian&rlz=1C5CHFA_enUS717US719&oq=low+carb+vegetarian&aqs=chrome..69i57j0l5.3814j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

I've been veg for going on 40 years now. You don't need to feel helpless. You just need to eat a little less and exercise a little more.

What can I do to build up strength and lose some weight (5 lbs or so)? I feel like everywhere I turn, the advice is to cut carbs and soy and consume meat. I already eat a lot of vegetables.