Hey everyone, just looking for some input on this situation. My girlfriend is wanting to lose weight (not me pushing it, I promise.). Here’s a bit of background:
She’s 23, around 5’4”, and has a moderate belly with a bit of rounding in her frame.
I’m with her about two days a week. When we’re together, we usually eat balanced meals but with some sugary drinks and desserts like pastries and chips. We also go to cafes a couple of times a month, where she enjoys syrupy lattes and a Danish here and there.
She says she mostly eats healthy when she’s on her own and sends me pics of her meals, which look good.
Recently, she’s been averaging 6,000 steps a day and quit smoking two months ago.
She has high thyroid levels and is waiting to see a specialist about it. She also doesn’t exercise because of an ankle injury, so waiting on an appointment there too.
She’s been on antidepressants for over a year and hasn’t seen much progress in weight loss, maybe dropping a kilo here or there but usually regaining it.
Does anyone have thoughts on this? Should we just wait for her to get her thyroid checked, or are there other changes we could try in the meantime?
Maybe suggest she join us here? A simple calorie calculation; knowing her total daily energy expenditure (TDEE) and staying below it; could be all she needs. Calories in vs. calories out is the key.
Hey, I think she’s on the right track with the steps she’s taking. The thyroid could be playing a big part here, especially with the antidepressants, which can sometimes add to weight issues. Definitely good to see what the doctor says.
About the sodas, they can be sneaky calorie-wise. I’ve been there; I lost a few kilos just by cutting out sugary drinks. Maybe swap soda for water or even diet soda? And those desserts sound tempting, but you could try making or buying healthier snack options when you’re together. Could even make it fun to find new things to try.
And be careful with that ankle until it heals. Last thing she wants is more setbacks from pushing it too soon.
Tait said: @Finley
Funny thing, she thinks bread is bad because of carbs or something.
Compared to processed chips, pastries, and soda? Bread; especially whole grain; is a much healthier carb. It’s filling, with fiber and nutrients. And sandwiches can be made healthy depending on what you put in them.
It’s really about making small, better choices rather than perfect ones. Bread > chips, chicken and rice > bread. Don’t have to go from zero to super healthy all at once.
Just for the record, carbs aren’t the enemy. This idea keeps floating around, but it’s been disproven so many times.
@Finley
Yeah, I’m struggling to convince her. She’s convinced it’s her thyroid, and she doesn’t see how a couple of pastries and chips a week could be the issue, especially since she’s not doing much exercise with the ankle injury.
Not a dietician myself, so figured I’d come here for advice.
@Tait
Technically, pastries aren’t the problem if she keeps her overall calories below her daily needs. If she wants to keep the sweets, she’ll need to cut calories somewhere else.
But sugary drinks are hard to justify. Thyroid issues can make it more challenging, but it’s still about finding a way to balance it all. It comes down to choosing what she wants more in the end.
Tait said: @Finley
Funny thing, she thinks bread is bad because of carbs or something.
But if carbs are an issue for her, it would definitely apply to chips, too. People get strange ideas about food that really don’t hold up under a calorie balance approach.
Props to you for supporting her! It’s a sensitive topic for sure, but you’re coming from a place of care, which helps.
One easy move could be to split desserts and reduce soda when you’re together. Even small changes can help. But yeah, once she has her TDEE, the rest is about staying below it.
I have a similar story; I was close to 275 lbs and had to cut back on portions and sweets. It was tough, but gradually I lost 95 lbs just by changing habits little by little.
For example, I used to binge on baked goods, but now I eat smaller portions and only have snacks I really enjoy in moderation. I try to eat high-protein, low-carb meals and snack on things like Triscuits with cheese, which adds fiber, too. And now most sweets don’t appeal to me. The closer I get to my goal, the slower the loss, but I stick with it. It’s about finding what works over time.
Funny, I’m actually trying to help my girlfriend gain weight while I try to lose some. We both have our goals; she’s going for curves, I’m going for muscles.
Let’s be real, there’s no weight-loss diet that includes pastries, soda, sugary coffee, and snacks every week.
She’s petite and not very active, so even a couple of high-calorie days can prevent weight loss. If she’s not gaining, she’s likely just balancing out. For a steady 0.5 kg loss per week, she’d need to cut about 500 calories a day.
