Darlene914's Journal, 19 Mar 23

I agree that your loss is amazing. Slower weight loss is frustrating but definitely more sustainable. You likely didn't gain the weight in a few months, so losing it in a few months isn't a realistic expectation either. I do think you need to switch up your plan though. Eating 1200 calories per day is not sustainable or recommended. It's considered a crash diet for people on the list for gastric bypass surgery. If your plan isn't something you'd feel comfortable doing for life, it's not likely to work. 

Hang in there! A 2.7 lb weight loss is something to be celebrated and proud of. Besides, a gradual weight loss is probably healthier and more sustainable. 

I got my 1200 cal meal plan from fat secret premium and checked it with my local dietician who said it is healthy and nutrient dense for weight loss. I know I won't stay at 1200 cal daily forever but I need to lose weight, not maintain, so cutting cals needs to be a big part of the plan. Im celebrating losing 10 percent of my body weight since Jan 1. Now I will dig deep to find the courage to stay the course for the next 10 percent. Thanks all for your support.  

Hello! Okay, I am not currently successfully losing weight, so feel free to ignore my advice LOL! However, maybe play around with your macros? Not everyone has success with keto. My body hates it! I cannot sleep & have zero energy, even a month in. But I have been successful with "lower carb" ie 100 net carbs. Higher fats do not work for me. Being low calorie & keto is pretty traumatic to the system. Maybe have a higher calorie day to see what happens? More fibre? Your protein seems pretty low, so kick that up? (Obesity specialists were always telling me to have over 100g protein). I know you'll find the best solution for you! I know my solution; I am just wallowing in my food addiction habits!!! hahahahaaaaa 

Thanks for the advice and support. Actually getting advice from people in 'the same boat' so to speak, is very comforting. While I am doing keto it is very clean. Almost all my fats are healthy other than I have two or so strips of bacon a week as flavouring for salads, etc. I know keto is not making me lose weight any faster but it does curb hunger very well so I think I can stick to it for a few months. (Besides I really love eggs, cheese and avocado. They are comfort foods for me) I'm determined to have a breakthrough this week. Im due. I believe. I'll look to FS daily to see so many people with success as my encouragement.  

Thanks for the advice and support. Actually getting advice from people in 'the same boat' so to speak, is very comforting. While I am doing keto it is very clean. Almost all my fats are healthy other than I have two or so strips of bacon a week as flavouring for salads, etc. I know keto is not making me lose weight any faster but it does curb hunger very well so I think I can stick to it for a few months. (Besides I really love eggs, cheese and avocado. They are comfort foods for me) I'm determined to have a breakthrough this week. Im due. I believe. I'll look to FS daily to see so many people with success as my encouragement.  

@Darlene914. I also feel like this is a slower (than I would like) process, only losing a pound here and there. But either way, when I look back at my original weight, I have lost 13 lbs (based on yesterday's weigh in) so I certainly am going in the correct direction. My diet plan I try to stay below 1600 calories, and try keeping the carbs as low as I can handle (seems almost everything is considered a "carb"!). I allow myself a small dessert (usually small (1 serving size)chocolate) so I don't feel totally deprived! Also keep your protein levels up as it seemed to help me keep my energy level up there. I fit in daily exercise of at minimum some core exercises, which I am noticing is building muscle 💪 Keep going you've got this!  

Darlene, as someone who has almost completed her weight loss journey - I've lost 83 lbs, but it has taken almost 2 years to get to this point I wanted to share what has worked for me. You have to figure out what is going to work for you. It has not been easy, but I wanted it, really, really badly. Based on what worked for me, generally is: 1400-1500 calories a day for the most part. I am currently because of the level of exercise I do increased it to 1600-1700 a day. I eat a balanced diet, roughly 50% carbs, and fat/protein making up the rest - fat no more than 28% a day. I eat protein with every meal and snack I have, because women need protein. I prepare most of my food myself (very little pre-packaged). It is work. Losing weight is like having another job. I knew when I started this, it was going to take a long time to get the amount of weight off that I wanted. I knew that it was going to be 80+ lbs. But it's a lot like giving up smoking. You need to want it, to be tired of how your life is now. I just reached a place within me that said enough, I have had enough. And to be honest I didn't know I had it in me to do this. It sort of sneaks up on you when the pounds slowly but steadily come off and you say to yourself "I can do this" Exercise - When I first started I couldn't keep up with this 70 year old woman I started walking with. I felt so embarrassed about it. But I kept up with it and now I outwalk her as I am 15 years younger than her. Now I do stretching exercises and walking everyday which adds to the weight loss and has given me so much energy. But you gotta move Darlene. Slowly and safely to begin. Sorry this is so long but to conclude my advice is to up your calorie intake a bit, try to balance out your diet - eat good carbs; treat yourself very occasionally and WALK, just WALK. It's the best exercise. Don't think this will be a quick fix because it isn't. In terms of Ozempic, it's a drug and their are side effects with it for people who don't use it for diabetes. You can do this naturally, DON'T GIVE UP!!! I hope this helps you a bit. 

Congrats on losing 2.7! Don’t quit. 

You lost 2.7 pounds...congratulations and turtle slow is the only permanent way to go...do not give up when you are ahead. It is not a race but a healthier life choice. If you are doing everything right then don,.'t give up. There are 3,500 calories in a pound of body fat so you must have cut 9,450 calories. The quick diet does not work...when you gain it back then the body usually stores up an extra 10 pounds- it prepares for the next famine. You can usually tell how many fad diets a person has been on by how many 10s of pounds they are over weight. 

Regardless of prior weights...you have lost 27 pounds since January 1st ...wow what a huge accomplishment...that is encouraging for other FS members. Wow..way to go! 💯🌹🌹🌹 

It looks like what you are doing doesn’t work for you. Not in terms of weight loss since you are losing weight. But in terms of sustainability, your approach sounds dysfunctional. I’m not sure if you are looking for advice, if not then disregard what I’m about to type. Two things: 1. stop comparing yourself to others. 2. Increase your calories. Hating and punishing yourself for not achieving some arbitrary ideal is toxic. The good news is that you have full control over your next step. Do something for yourself, not in spite of yourself. You got this! 💪 

You are doing amazingly well. Anything more than a pound a week is pretty incredible. I am not a nutritionist but agree with many of the other comments. Increase your calories to 1500 and you will stlll see weight loss but perhaps it wlll not feel quite as horrendous. I personally find having a couple of go to desserts or snacks that fit into my plan helps a ton in not making me feel deprived. Recently I have been buying high protein unflavoured unsweetened yogurt. I add some swerve sugar substitute , some cocoa powder and a few fresh raspberries or blueberries or even frozen cherries. Even a few spoonfuls is very satisfying , high protein , low carb. But it took me a few tries of finding what I like that stlll fits into the nutrition plan. Good luck. Don’t give up on yourself.  

Hi there, Just so you know, I know someone who has been on Ozempic for 1.5 years. Yes, the weight came off quickly. However, she never did figure out her eating. This person mostly eats takeout, so she feels like she has to starve herself after that. She is starving herself until she is dizzy, because she doesn’t know what to do. She says she will probably have to stay on Ozempic forever, to maintain the weight loss. I am not sure if you can do that. What she is doing is not balanced, and quite frankly, it’s messed up. It also seems to have aged her quite a bit. Everyone keeps commenting on how old she looks now. There are many side effects. From Healthline.com (link below) Mild side effects may include: change in the way things taste abdominal (belly) pain burping* constipation or diarrhea dizziness headache flatulence (gas)* fatigue (lack of energy) indigestion (upset stomach) or acid reflux injection-site reactions, such as skin redness, discoloration, or discomfort nausea or vomiting minor increase in heart rate Serious side effects of Ozempic can include: diabetic retinopathy (damaged blood vessels in the eye) gallbladder disease, including gallstones or cholecystitis (gallbladder pain and swelling) kidney problems pancreatitis* (swelling of the pancreas) INCREASED RISK OF THYROID CANCER*† allergic reaction* hypoglycemia* (low blood sugar) https://www.healthline.com/health/drugs/ozempic-side-effects#more-common-side-effects I wish you success in the most healthy way! All the best. 

Everyone's support and advice is greatly appreciated. It"s encouraging to read different perspectives and lots of good ideas. Im in a good mind set now and ready to tackle the week. My dietician suggests that my slower weight loss is likely hormonal. Im dealing with profound grief due to the sudden and unexpected passing of my husband last year. Still going thru lots of stuff and very likely hormonal swings. I'm going to add weight training to my routine this week and try really hard not to feel sad every day and see what happens.  

You got this!