Hi all...

I've been trying to lose weight since Jan 2008 now, and have gone down from 106 kg to 93 kg. I made it down to 89 kg a few months back but have sadly put some back on due to a combination of being in a car accident and getting injured so I'm restricted from the gym and giving in to temptation when it comes to junk food... But now, I really need to get back on it...

I've gone down from a size 16/18 to a 12/14 but I would like to be a 10/12. I'm 5ft8 and as I said, 93 kg. So, what would people advise? My diet that the doctor gave me puts me on 1200 cals a day, which I need to get back into the habit of. And I am getting better thanks to physiotherapy after my accident so need to get back to the gym too... but I could do with some support and encouragement on here too!

Have any of you fallen off the weightloss-wagon and had to get back on with gusto?? xx

Welcome Cutekitty,

Yes I too experience in weight loss plateau. You will do fine. All you need to do is getting a health coach and have them followup on your weight loss programs. And that includes getting motivated and getting accountable for the program.

PM if you need one. Will help you going through your program.

Well my first thought is that at your weight, 1200 is not enough calories for you. Is your doctor trained in nutrition and weight issues, or is he/she just a general practitioner? Because while I have nothing against doctors, I've found that a doctor who hasn't specialized in weight loss generally has very little idea about how to lose weight. It's been my experience that most doctors throw out the 1200 calorie figure no matter what the starting weight of their patients - which is really stupid, if you think about it.

At your weight you could be losing nicely on 2000 calories a day - or 1800 if you're really not wanting to hit the 2000 limit.

I personally weigh a good 20kg less than you and I eat 1600-1800 calories a day and still lose weight.

I suspect if you allow yourself a little more food and a little more flexibility, it won't make it so hard to get back into your diet. 1200 is pretty restrictive and hard to do for any real length of time.

I agree with Kara. In my experience most GPs have no idea about weight loss at all. You should be aim for the calorie level that Kara suggested. Naturally you would benefit by hitting all your nutritional targets so you would want to use those extra calories wisely.

My stomach would think that my throat had been cut if I dropped my calorie level down to 1200. I certainly didnt do it as I got to my 9 stone goal weight either...

I blame old fashioned thinking that said that women had to drop their calories down to 1000 or 1200 calories for two decades of failed diets. I would still be 21 stone if I had stuck to the notion that I had to drop my calories that low to lose weight.

think of yourself with a super lean curvy body. inspiration given.

Its possible at that, I lost 40 KGs, 96-56KGs. Although my routine won't do good for you considering it needs a crazy amount of physical exertion.

What helped me stay motivated however were images of guys with ripped abs and such (no homo).

Although I suggest you look into pranayama yoga and pilates, they don't exactly work wonders but provide good enough exercise without stressing the joints/ligaments.

As for the diet, you might want to try something hardcore (considering your weight, it will give good results) like a 60-30-10 diet (60% protein, 30% fat, 10% carbs) or perhaps the much more intense caveman diet or ketogenic diet.