My Weight Loss Journey + Tips

Thursday, January 18, 2018
December 2016 (9 stone 3lbs) - November 2017 (7 stone 9lbs)
One of my New Years goals every single year is to exercise consistently and to lose weight which I never did; however in July and August 2017, I started exercising almost every day even if it was only for five or ten minutes (because every little bit adds up) and tracking what I eat. I had a goal of losing around one stone, if I could but I'd never done anything like this before so I didn't know if I would be able to stick to it or how much I would lose but I lost even more than I thought I would so here are my tips for those looking to do the same!

Analysing What You Eat & Not Over Eating
My diet is fairly healthy as it is mostly vegan and it has been for a couple of years now but since I started using the Lifesum app, it has made me realise just how much I was overeating without even realising it! When I started to weigh out food and use the app to see how many calories I consumed each day, I was genuinely shocked as I thought that I was eating within the average range or just less but I was eating so much more than I should have been, hence the slow weight gain. I think most people, my previous self included, think that the amount they consume is fairly normal and within the normal calorie intake range but it might not be so. Even if you don't want to loose weight, I'd suggest downloading the app just to check as it also shows if you're not getting enough protein in your diet too which is another important point for me to keep in mind.

Reducing Calories & Carbs - Nutrition, Not Wasted Calories
One of the first things I did back in the summer was to dramatically reduce the amount of processed carbohydrates I was eating such as pasta and bread as they contain so many calories but not that much nutrition - sadly, pasta is one of the favourite foods! I switched from bread and pasta/rice to grains and pulses such as bulgar wheat, beans of various kinds, quinoa and more, all of which came in those easy microwaveable pouches that are so easy to add to salads or on their own with extra veggies and a delicious dressing. I think a fair amount of my weight loss is definitely due in part to my cutting back on carbs and also the reduction in calories from around 1,600 or more calories per day to between 700 to 1,000 calories each day (my average is now around 900 which works for me and my body/activity levels).
 Daily Exercise + Being More Active
If you asked any of my friends from school or my parents, you'll know that I never liked exercise or sports (unless you count trampolining or table tennis) and I would do anything to get out of it! However, I think I've found exercises now that work for me and my abilities such as yoga and using my cross trainer (it's almost a mix between an exercise bike and a treadmill). In the summer I exercised every single day but with the colder weather recently I have only been exercising a couple of times per week - I actually miss it so I need to start my daily exercise routine again! It's not only good for me as I sit at my desk all day but it also seems to help me feel motivated and good about myself!

One of my goals for 2018 is to be more active and I want to try kayaking and maybe rock climbing again as I loved both when I tried them years ago. Another activity that I'd like to try is snowboarding and thankfully in Manchester we have the Chill Factore which is an indoor skiing/snow boarding slope! It is somewhere that I've known about since it opened but I've never been - maybe 2018 will be the year that I go...and fall on my face.

Tracking Weight Loss & BMI
I think a lot of people who start the process of exercising or losing weight can become demotivated quickly, as I did but one thing that really helped was the weight and BMI tracking on the Lifesum app. You can see my weight loss progress via screenshots from the app above. As you can see I've lost almost 24lbs (which means that I'm almost 7 stone 5lbs now) and almost five points off my BMI which I'm so happy with as my BMI is now in the healthy range rather than the overweight range!

Tracking my weight and seeing the plots on the graph decrease is so motivating and it means that my hard work is paying off and I'm closer to my goal. I reached my initial goal of 8 stone a few weeks ago and now I've set my new goal of 7 stone 5lbs which I'm so so close to reaching. Another motivator is trying on old clothes and having to donate them as they are now too big when previously they were tight! I'm hopefully taking some outfit photos this weekend (if it isn't snowing) so you'll see my updated weight loss as I've lost more since November 2017.

Consistency...With Treats
Lastly, even though I am strict at keeping track of what I'm eating and not going over my calories, I do have treat days as I adore food and I sometimes want a treat or a few...Instead of having a treat every day or every couple of days, I'm having a treat once a week so I don't fall back into the habit of over eating or indulging for no reason. Additionally, I have to mention that I'm taking multivitamins everyday to keep my vitamin/mineral levels topped up and I'm using the LeanBean tablets every so often which have been helping (I think....), it's difficult to know if it's the tablets or just the changes to my diet and exercise that have been helping.

Overall, using the Lifesum app, exercising daily and reducing carbohydrates/calories, I've managed to lose 24lbs which is much more than I thought I would and for the first time in at least three years, I'm happy with the way I look and how my clothes fit me. I'm buying much smaller sizes, I feel so much better in myself and I'll definitely be sticking to this routine and lifestyle for the foreseeable future as after I've reached my new goal weight, I want to maintain that progress!

Do you have any exercise or weight loss tips? Do you use the Lifesum app (not sponsored, I wish this post was)? 

26 comments

  1. You look amazing, but I think you did before too :)

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  2. You look amazing! The app sounds brilliant- it’s funny how calories can add up without us even noticing xx

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  3. Congrats on the weightloss! I can't wait for this weather to pick up so I can get back into running regularly again!

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  4. You look amazing Heather!! I think I need to download this LifeSum app as it sounds great xo

    Char | www.charslittleblog.co.uk

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  5. You look absolutely great! Thanks for the tips, I am definitely looking forward to a healthier year x

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  6. Well done hun! Xx you look amazing though you also did in the before pic too so now you look double good xx

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  7. You look fantastic! Thanks for sharing your advice, I'm thinking of getting on the weight loss train and needed a kick up the bum to do so! xx

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  8. You look amazing in both pics lovely! Well done for reaching your initial goal too!!
    Chantelle x
    The Girl In The Tartan Scarf

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  9. wow you look amazing!!! Thanks so much for sharing your story. I've just started a lifestyle blog and would love for you to take a look at it. Congratulations and keep it up! Lou x
    www.loukatherine.co.uk

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  10. But I love pasta and bread and that’s my problem, a bowl of pasta is just one of my favourite things x

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  11. Fantastic weight loss! I always watch what I eat and lost 2 stone after I had my son, I always reduce carbs through the week. Xx

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  12. There's some truly fab tips here Heather! You also look absolutely stunning in both the pictures above! xx
    www.imjustagirl16.co.uk

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  13. Well done! And you have done it in such a healthy way!

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  14. Well this is really motivational! X

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  15. Oh wow hun well done!! That is incredible! You look fantasic, such good motivation and advice :)

    Erin || MakeErinOver

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  16. You look amazing! Well done with your journey so far.

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  17. its' very important to have treats along the way so you don't get stuck in a rut! you look fab!

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  18. its' very important to have treats along the way so you don't get stuck in a rut! you look fab!

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  19. Well done sweetie, you look incredible!

    Danielle xx
    http://www.fashionbeautyblog.co.uk/

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  20. This app sounds brilliant. It’s so easy to eat without realising how much it all adds up. I’m not on a diet or healthy eating plan at the moment but I have become mindful of how much I tend to snack throughout the evenings especially x

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  21. I’m desperate to lose the last of my baby weight but just don’t find the time with a one year old!

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  22. This is incredible! I’m working on losing weight this year and I’m so determined! Xx

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  23. You've done so well - you look amazing! I really need to get a PT but I want a female one and don't know if there are any at my gym... x

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  24. Well done you- you look great!!
    I always believe that the less you stress the more you’re body will do what you want it to! The more you stress the less you’ll tone up or lose weight!

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  25. You look flipping fantastic and I adore your attitude to food x

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  26. You’ve done so well! I’ve joined slimming world again recently - just need to stick to it!

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