Monday, March 22, 2021

How I Lost 9lbs in 4 Weeks By Eating Within A Calorie Deficit

 

On February 22nd I decided to start eating within a calorie deficit. 

I don't know what spurred on this decision. It may have been the devastation of cleaning out my wardrobe and putting so many outfits I loved into the charity donations bag as I was now too big for them, or it may have been the fact that my non-existent gallbladder doesn't stop me from having those horrible 'gallbladder attacks'. 

I also have a knee which is so swollen and huge compared to the other and I don't think my weight helps it at all.

On February 22nd I weighed 17 stone 6 pounds (110.6kg). Today, March 22nd, I weigh 16 stone 11 pounds (106.5kg). That's a loss of 9lbs (4.1kg) in 4 weeks by eating within a calorie deficit and walking each day.

Last week I also began tracking my measurements too and have lost 19cm/7.4in off my body too.

I am delighted with my progress and with the efforts I'm putting in to not only change my weight, but my whole relationship with food and my lifestyle too.

I now go for a walk every single day. I average 4k and most days now I even go on two walks - one with my boys and one with my partner or on my own. These walks are not only great for my physical health but for my mental health too.

I'm sticking to a deficit of 1700 calories a day. I used TDEE Calculator to figure out my maintenance calories and then took 500 calories off that number to get my deficit. 

The first few days, sticking to a deficit was a lot to get used to and I was hungry, but now I'm never hungry.

I still eat what I want, when I want, as long as it's within my 1700 calories a day.

This is not a diet. This is me consciously trying to change my relationship with food. Ever since I had my first son in 2013 I have used food as a crutch. In recent times I've also begun to binge eat - lockdown exacerbating the whole situation. I have lost weight before and put it all back on because it was not sustainable for me, so this time I'm not dieting. I'm simply eating better and a little less, while moving a whole lot more, but still enjoying my life. 

I'm eating things such as pancakes or waffles with Nutella and fresh fruit, tuna with pasta and salad, chicken fajitas, mince wraps, homemade meals such as Shepherds Pie and lasagna and so much more.

I still eat chocolate, jellies and crisps, but in moderation and I don't reach for these too often now.

I've discovered amazing tasting protein bars that keep me full for longer and have been preparing tasty, fresh meals each day - so much better than I was before when I would just take food out of a box in the freezer and pop it in the oven.

I feel like I have a whole lot more natural energy and I feel a lot more happier in myself too.

Although I've lost 9lbs, I don't really see this yet in my appearance, but my clothes do feel looser. I know it can take some time for you to see the difference in yourself.

I do a daily vlog of what I do and eat each day to change my weight over on my TikTok @dollydowsie if you fancy following along with my progress.

I'll continue to do updates here on the blog too.



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