Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Upper 50’s and lost weight about 25 lbs a few years ago using MyFitnessPal and have kept it off. I logged all of my food and exercise and increased my overall water consumption. It was a big adjustment to see what I could eat and stay within my calorie defect.

I was always tall and thin with great metabolism but menopause hit me like a ton of bricks. I had been able to eat whatever I wanted without gaining weight.

Thankfully I didn’t have any health issues so the diet and exercise program worked for me. I acknowledge that for some people, GLP-1’s are necessary because their bodies don’t process insulin so no judgment from me for those who need them. I have friends where traditional diet and exercise alone don’t work for them.

I could have written this, except that I am very envious of friends on GLP1s because weight loss seems much easier for them. Diet and exercise works for me for weight loss because I am regimented about both, my diet in particular. I have to constantly think about and pre-plan my meals, and feel like I live on a diet.

I met an old friend for brunch today and we both lost about 25 lbs over the past 1.5 years, hers by using a GLP1 and mine by changing my diet (we both always exercised and continue to do so). We both got omlettes- I had mine without cheese and didn’t touch the home fries and had 1/2 a piece of dry toast, and basically I won’t be able to eat again until dinner unless something like plain yogurt. She ate her omlette with cheese, ate half the home fries and a piece of buttered and jellied toast.

I don’t think you understand how glp1s work. You still have to eat in a calorie deficit, eat your protein, drink your water….same as you. The meds just make it easier to stick to that because it takes away your desire to eat and in reality makes you crave healthier options. It has literally changed my taste buds and I no longer want chocolate which has always been my downfall.

I would never have been able to eat a full omelette and toast and not felt sick at least after. For all you know, what is her only meal of the day, or is a day prior to her shot where she is refeeding after not having an appetite most of the week. Just because you’re taking a glp1, doesn’t mean the weight just magically falls off no matter what you eat.

I've maintained a 100 lb weight loss without meds. Some key things for me

1. No restricting. I eat what I want, but I work it into my overall nutrition of the day. So it's fine having a serving of cake or Doritos.
2. Actually following portion sizes
3. Finding healthier substitutes for foods. Or better substitutes. Still had buffalo chicken dip at a party last night, but dipped veggies, not chips.
4. Finding ways to break the bad habits. I was a night snacker. I found ways to busy myself at night so I didn't mindlessly snack. Then once the habit was broken, it was fine. I can veg in front of the TV and not have that desire to mindless snack.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Upper 50’s and lost weight about 25 lbs a few years ago using MyFitnessPal and have kept it off. I logged all of my food and exercise and increased my overall water consumption. It was a big adjustment to see what I could eat and stay within my calorie defect.

I was always tall and thin with great metabolism but menopause hit me like a ton of bricks. I had been able to eat whatever I wanted without gaining weight.

Thankfully I didn’t have any health issues so the diet and exercise program worked for me. I acknowledge that for some people, GLP-1’s are necessary because their bodies don’t process insulin so no judgment from me for those who need them. I have friends where traditional diet and exercise alone don’t work for them.

I could have written this, except that I am very envious of friends on GLP1s because weight loss seems much easier for them. Diet and exercise works for me for weight loss because I am regimented about both, my diet in particular. I have to constantly think about and pre-plan my meals, and feel like I live on a diet.

I met an old friend for brunch today and we both lost about 25 lbs over the past 1.5 years, hers by using a GLP1 and mine by changing my diet (we both always exercised and continue to do so). We both got omlettes- I had mine without cheese and didn’t touch the home fries and had 1/2 a piece of dry toast, and basically I won’t be able to eat again until dinner unless something like plain yogurt. She ate her omlette with cheese, ate half the home fries and a piece of buttered and jellied toast.

How about eating half of the omelette (which are usually three eggs at restaurants) with cheese (add in lots of veggies) too, and taking the rest home? You should also be able to eat two or three home fries to satisfy your desire. Pack at least half of the food in a to-go container when it arrives and then enjoy the rest of your meal.

Thanks for these suggestions, from the PP. I do know I can do these and similar things, but I have to balance that I will be hungry again in 3 hours so need to restrict at every meal. What I was trying to emphasize is that my friend who is on glp-1 doesn’t seem to have to do any restricting, whether because she won’t be hungry again, or because her metabolism changed, either way thanks to the glp-1. We lost the same amount of weight but I need to constantly think about what I can/can’t eat- so I am very envious of those who use glp-1s to lose and keep off weight. (I won’t try one due to other health conditions I have, plus the cost.)

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DCUM is not fan filled but I lost 45 pounds at age 58 by going to Overeaters Anonymous. It enabled me to stop excess eating, mini binges, eating over feelings. I did not track calories, did not exercise. Just did my usual walks.

Do they meet in person or online? How are people with 20 lbs to lose treated? Does this group touch on binge eating?

They have all kinds of meetings including in person. Certainly not all are obese, but some are. The physical manifestation varies, the underlying problem is very similar. Binge eating is common.
I also attend Eating Disorders Anonymous phone meetings. It's a bewer fellowship focused on balance not food plans and seems to have more bingers and restrictors than garden variety compulsive overeaters like me but they are very welcoming too.

You can find meetings of all types at these sites use the search options

OA https://oa.org/find-a-meeting/
https://eatingdisordersanonymous.org/meetings/?type=in-person
EDA has virtual also use menu options

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Upper 50’s and lost weight about 25 lbs a few years ago using MyFitnessPal and have kept it off. I logged all of my food and exercise and increased my overall water consumption. It was a big adjustment to see what I could eat and stay within my calorie defect.

I was always tall and thin with great metabolism but menopause hit me like a ton of bricks. I had been able to eat whatever I wanted without gaining weight.

Thankfully I didn’t have any health issues so the diet and exercise program worked for me. I acknowledge that for some people, GLP-1’s are necessary because their bodies don’t process insulin so no judgment from me for those who need them. I have friends where traditional diet and exercise alone don’t work for them.

I could have written this, except that I am very envious of friends on GLP1s because weight loss seems much easier for them. Diet and exercise works for me for weight loss because I am regimented about both, my diet in particular. I have to constantly think about and pre-plan my meals, and feel like I live on a diet.

I met an old friend for brunch today and we both lost about 25 lbs over the past 1.5 years, hers by using a GLP1 and mine by changing my diet (we both always exercised and continue to do so). We both got omlettes- I had mine without cheese and didn’t touch the home fries and had 1/2 a piece of dry toast, and basically I won’t be able to eat again until dinner unless something like plain yogurt. She ate her omlette with cheese, ate half the home fries and a piece of buttered and jellied toast.

How about eating half of the omelette (which are usually three eggs at restaurants) with cheese (add in lots of veggies) too, and taking the rest home? You should also be able to eat two or three home fries to satisfy your desire. Pack at least half of the food in a to-go container when it arrives and then enjoy the rest of your meal.

Anonymous wrote:Upper 50’s and lost weight about 25 lbs a few years ago using MyFitnessPal and have kept it off. I logged all of my food and exercise and increased my overall water consumption. It was a big adjustment to see what I could eat and stay within my calorie defect.

I was always tall and thin with great metabolism but menopause hit me like a ton of bricks. I had been able to eat whatever I wanted without gaining weight.

Thankfully I didn’t have any health issues so the diet and exercise program worked for me. I acknowledge that for some people, GLP-1’s are necessary because their bodies don’t process insulin so no judgment from me for those who need them. I have friends where traditional diet and exercise alone don’t work for them.

I could have written this, except that I am very envious of friends on GLP1s because weight loss seems much easier for them. Diet and exercise works for me for weight loss because I am regimented about both, my diet in particular. I have to constantly think about and pre-plan my meals, and feel like I live on a diet.

I met an old friend for brunch today and we both lost about 25 lbs over the past 1.5 years, hers by using a GLP1 and mine by changing my diet (we both always exercised and continue to do so). We both got omlettes- I had mine without cheese and didn’t touch the home fries and had 1/2 a piece of dry toast, and basically I won’t be able to eat again until dinner unless something like plain yogurt. She ate her omlette with cheese, ate half the home fries and a piece of buttered and jellied toast.

Upper 50’s and lost weight about 25 lbs a few years ago using MyFitnessPal and have kept it off. I logged all of my food and exercise and increased my overall water consumption. It was a big adjustment to see what I could eat and stay within my calorie defect.

I was always tall and thin with great metabolism but menopause hit me like a ton of bricks. I had been able to eat whatever I wanted without gaining weight.

Thankfully I didn’t have any health issues so the diet and exercise program worked for me. I acknowledge that for some people, GLP-1’s are necessary because their bodies don’t process insulin so no judgment from me for those who need them. I have friends where traditional diet and exercise alone don’t work for them.

I'm 42 yo, 5'3", and working on losing weight without drugs. I have been skinny most of my life and have a small frame. Never really did consistent strength training so have historically had quite low muscle mass. Weight as an adult before baby was between 115 and 125. Had my baby 7 years ago and didn't gain too much weight until I weaned her at around 14 months. Weight creeped up over a couple of years. Starting an SSRI might have contributed. This time last year I was at 140. I'm down to 131 now. Started losing weight after I built up a weekly consistent exercise routine that now includes:
- about 3 hours of Peloton Power Zone rides split between 4 sessions
- 3 40 minute sessions of Peloton strength classss per week (I follow the HardCoreOnTheFloor calendar but not all the days of it).

Diet wise I have not been very intentional about reducing calories. With the exercise I have fewer cravings for junk food. I do go through phases where I don't lose much weight at all because I am indulging more, eating worse. When I do lose weight I am not tracking calories but just generally trying to eat less and skip that can of coke or extra piece of candy.

It's going slowly but feels very sustainable. And the strength training has helped a lot with improving my posture and feeling more stable.

Anonymous wrote:DCUM is not fan filled but I lost 45 pounds at age 58 by going to Overeaters Anonymous. It enabled me to stop excess eating, mini binges, eating over feelings. I did not track calories, did not exercise. Just did my usual walks.

Do they meet in person or online? How are people with 20 lbs to lose treated? Does this group touch on binge eating?

pp, any particular location you recommend?

DCUM is not fan filled but I lost 45 pounds at age 58 by going to Overeaters Anonymous. It enabled me to stop excess eating, mini binges, eating over feelings. I did not track calories, did not exercise. Just did my usual walks.

Any suggestions for groups in the DMV, ideally NoVa (not online, not zoom) that meet regularly?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This thread will be dead soon, but Reddit offers a few good groups that are very active.

What's nice about dcum is the anonymity. Reddit requires a user account and people over there are very snoopy taking deep dives on users posting and comments history. I like looking at r/progresspics for motivation. Unfortunately, many of them have lost weight with glps.

still? it's 2026!

Not sure what you mean. The whole point of this thread is non glp weight loss. It is irritating trying to filter out glp "dieters" from those who are losing weight through nutrition and exercise. One tell in the before and after pics is the lose facial and neck skin. I think a gradual weight loss is kinder to the face.

fair enough, misread you earlier.

noticed the bolded part as well but very small sample size

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This thread will be dead soon, but Reddit offers a few good groups that are very active.

What's nice about dcum is the anonymity. Reddit requires a user account and people over there are very snoopy taking deep dives on users posting and comments history. I like looking at r/progresspics for motivation. Unfortunately, many of them have lost weight with glps.

still? it's 2026!

Not sure what you mean. The whole point of this thread is non glp weight loss. It is irritating trying to filter out glp "dieters" from those who are losing weight through nutrition and exercise. One tell in the before and after pics is the lose facial and neck skin. I think a gradual weight loss is kinder to the face.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This thread will be dead soon, but Reddit offers a few good groups that are very active.

What's nice about dcum is the anonymity. Reddit requires a user account and people over there are very snoopy taking deep dives on users posting and comments history. I like looking at r/progresspics for motivation. Unfortunately, many of them have lost weight with glps.

still? it's 2026!