What Is The Best Way To Lose Weight?

[Scarlett O'Hara]

So I used to be 48kg or 105 pounds at 5'3". I gained like 18kg over a couple of years and in the last 6 weeks months have lost 6kg through reducing my serving sizes and having a virus (I lost 3kg in one week). I still eat a bit of chocolate but haven't been the best at keeping up with regular meals. I know this isn't healthy but in all honesty I haven't been particularly hungry a lot of the time as it's summer so it's a bit hot to eat. The food I generally eat is toast with jam in the morning, one toasted sandwich with cheese, tomato and onion for lunch and either pasta with veges or a chicken/beef stirfry without rice for dinner. Often I get lazy and just have another sandwich or some eggs on toast. Bear in mind that I don't exercise, apart from walking each day to class (15 min each way).

What do you think is a sensible way for me to continue shedding the weight? I do take a multivitamin, magnesium, zinc and vitamin b complex to ensure I am getting enough nutrients. My goal weight is 50kg, and I hope to have a part time job soon so might be able to join a gym to tone up. I understand that muscle weighs more than fat so it will make me slightly heavier but I'll still look good.

I'm not one of these girls who always think they're fat no matter what their weight/size. I have always had a healthy body image right up till 23 before my weight gain. I knew at times I was too thin (I got down to 45kg/99lbs). The reason I gained weight was due to unhealthy eating, eating out and I believe through doing so I have slowed my metabolism down (could be age related however). I have noticeably become thinner around my legs, arms and stomach but I still have fat in my face that is bothering me. I know that weight loss is taken from all over your body not just one area which is fine with me.

Any constructive advice would be appreciated. I'd be interested in hearing from Kayleigh as she has managed to lose weight and looks fantastic!

[Paul Smeenus]

I bet you're hotter now

[Scarlett O'Hara]

I'll post the differences.

Before:





After:





Apologies for poor photo quality but it's the only recent one I had that showed part of my body.

[Paul Smeenus]

Fecking lovely. Now I mean. I'd totally ask you out if I wasn't worried about coming off as a old dirty pervert. This is severely complicated by the fact that I *am* an old dirty pervert.

[333]

You don't need a gym to exercise - especially since it's summer time there. You can run outside before it gets too hot, or even speed walking. Try searching youtube for good Pilates videos. When I started going to the gym, I used to do my regular cardio routine and lift some light weights. Then I started going to a Pilates class and got toned in places I never thought I'd see. I will do some research and send you some of my favorite positions.

I think your body (and weight) could benefit from more fresh vegetables and fruit. I try to have a salad at least for one meal a day. I always eat breakfast to get my metabolism kickin', too. Breakfast is crucial. Being asleep is the longest time you go without having any food, so within an hour and half of being awake, you should definitely eat something to get your body back into digestion mode. Though I love bread and pasta, these are things I tend to stay away from. I do eat bread almost every day, though! Pasta on the other hand, I limit myself to once every few weeks. I'm not saying carbs are bad for you. You definitely need them, but fresh unprocessed foods are much better for you! I find that I feel the healthiest and look the best when I'm eating 5-6 servings of veggies/fruit a day, exercising and rewarding myself with some whiskey at the end of the week.

Edit: I saw the pictures after I finished writing. You are stunning and definitely not in need of losing any weight. Still, I stand by my advice!

[Paedantic Basterd]

I don't see a problem.

[Dr_Rez]

Vanilla you probably do NOT want to lose weight. From a health standpoint or me being a guy visually looking at you standpoint. Your weight in that last picture is what I think you should stay at. The thing you should do (same thing I am trying to do) is simply stay at your weight but turn fat into lean muscle. Sounds easy but it is definitely a lot of work and doesn't happen overnight.

The mistake people make is they think they just go into the gym and run or do intense cardio forever and they will lose all the fat. That is actually most of the time burning muscle (especially if they are not eating enough). You want to lift weights with relatively light weight and very high reps while not taking many breaks. You can use dumbbells, just do body weight stuff like pushups dips and such, or a plethora of other things like resistance training.

It will not make you look bulky or big like many women are afraid of but actually do the opposite. Lean muscle while weighing more looks much more ascetically pleasing, especially on people with thin frames like yours, or mine. Another huge mistake people do is practically starve themselves. You want to eat the same amount in calories you have been and just clean up your diet. More lean meats (if you are a vegetarian, I cant remember if you were or not) then make sure to get protein through other sources, enough clean carbs, and also importantly some fat (but not alot!)

I guarantee by excersizing like that and eating cleaner, without changing weight you will feel much better.

Lastly don't get me wrong, I think you look great as you are but everyone can look/feel better no matter who you are. If you have any questions feel free to ask. If you dont agree with what I said ignore it!

[Necromancer]

Originally Posted by Pedestrian

I don't see a problem.

Neither do I. Absolutely stunning my dear, if I do say so myself.

As they sometimes say in our line of business .. "It's a dog-eat-dog world, Sammy, and I'm wearing Milkbone underwear".

[Dr_Rez]

Originally Posted by Necromancer

Neither do I. Absolutely stunning my dear, if I do say so myself.

As they sometimes say in our line of business .. "It's a dog-eat-dog world, Sammy, and I'm wearing Milkbone underwear".

No problem, but as I said above everyone including a top bodybuilder could get into even better shape if they want.

[Engine]

It's pretty simple:
calories in < calories out = weight loss
So you can either consume less calories or burn more calories with exercise, or both. The type of exercise doesn't matter much if you just want to lose weight.
And if you go the calorie reduction route (without exercise) then just take vitamins and drink a lot of water. Stay away from amphetamines and forget about the hunger that results from calorie deprivation and you can lose weight just by eating less.