What is the one thing you did that helped you the most in losing weight?

Question

Or if it's more than 1 thing, please share!
I'm currently 171 lbs (78 kg), 29 years old and have 2 babies, 2.5 and 14 months. I'm breastfeeding still. I just left the doctor and she told me I'm minor PCOS. And that the best thing for me is to lose weight. I don't look 171 lb really, except for that mom pooch. I've always been quite curvy. Big butt, thighs. Wide hips. But I have skinny arms and slender face. Id like to go down to like 140 lbs (65 kg) in a healthy way. I'm not a fan of diets and know healthy eating overall, but wondering if I should cut something out completely in order to kick start this weight loss journey. Let me know and share your recommendations!
I'd also like to add that I'm 3 weeks post op from a laporatomy for a cystectomy. I have to wait at least another 3 or 4 weeks before I can start doing cardio for weight loss.

Answer

Im currently in the process of losing weight and im down 13lbs in less than 2 weeks! I added exercise daily - I do about 40-45 min on the elliptical at a higher resistance and I know that’s a big part of my weight loss. I have an elliptical we got at a garage sale for 50$ in my garage and I just workout at home! 
The only thing I’ve actually cut out was sugary drinks like juice or soda. And I make healthier food choices- instead of bacon and eggs or a bagel for breakfast I’ll have scrambled eggs with green pepper and Turkey breast. 
I substitute one meal every day (either lunch or dinner) with a salad with chicken breast. And I actually use about 1 tbsp of full fat Caesar dressing on the salad because it’s the only dressing I like enough to eat daily. 
Usually for the meal that’s not salad I eat meat and veggies
For snacks I’ve been sticking to veggies and fruit. But I occasionally have a couple chocolate covered almonds or a handful of potato chips if I’m really craving them🤷🏻‍♀️

Answer

Intermittent fasting! Swear by it, I lost 2 stone in a month and half but you have to follow it strictly.
I would eat between 12pm-6pm not before or after only have water at those times.
You can technically eat anything in those times but if you want it to be more effective eat healthy meals.
Some people do it for 5 days and then not for 2 days.
Personally I did it everyday and had like 1 cheat day a month to give my system a shock as your body can become complacent.
The first weeks hard but easy after that as your stomach shrinks.
The idea is when your not eating your body is burning fat for energy. 
It’s not recommended when pregnant tho but defo helped me lose weight 😊

Answer

I went from 242 to 164 in about 5-6 months by doing intermittent fasting. Don’t start eating until about 10-12 and then make sure you’re done eating by about 7-8pm depending on how many hours you’re trying to fast that day. Take a break day once a week where you eat at whatever times you please. I used an app called Fastic to time my fasts and it really helped me. I plan on doing it again after baby is born to help with baby weight. Assuming doctor gives me the okay to do this while breastfeeding ofc

Answer

Potion control and cutting out sugary drinks/snacks x

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I gain weight in my midsection as well, and it's due to sugars and refined carbs. My husband cut gluten and all sugars and his belly went flat, when he starts up the sugars and honey it starts getting bigger. I have been able to reduce a bit but havent found the self control to cut it, if I did I bet I would lose the belly. If I do anything else eg portion control, I just lose everywhere else (which I dont really need to, like you my arms and butt etc are slender).

Answer

Swap full fat drinks to diet drinks if you can't cut them out completely 
Cut out snacks in between meals as much as possible (OR if you need a little pick me up, go for fruit/ veggie or something like boiled eggs).
Try a smaller plate! When cutting down portions it can be easy to make it look "too small" on big plates. Try a smaller plate and it'll help those portion cut downs not seem as daunting
I saw you mentioned your diet can be carb heavy- unlike many diets I'm not here to say cut them out but maybe reduce it (I.e if you have toast for breakfast and a sandwhich at lunch Try to avoid having bread at dinner :) ) also consider alternatives (brown rice instead of white same with bread etc).

Answer

Biggest thing for me was reducing carbs and making sure that when I had them they were whole grain. I also recommend fibre supplements. 
I also did 150 mins of moderate excercise a week, mostly walks or youtube videos :)

Answer

I’m terrible at sticking to diets, so I try to do small things, like skipping buns. When we have brats or burgers at home, I don’t have a bun with it. Also just having smaller portions. So instead of eating 3 pieces of pizza and feeling stuffed, I eat one piece and some fruit. Smaller glasses of milk with dinner. I was having yogurt and granola for breakfast, and I love it but it’s a lot of calories and getting expensive, so I’m going to cut back and do a fried egg some mornings. I also enjoy baking, so rather than buying desserts, I make my own and have small portions. Same with ice cream - we make our own and have a scoop or so instead of a bowlful.

Answer

I did a low fat diet, so I still ate what I wanted as long as it was low in fat/under my daily fat intake and lost 2 stone in around 2 ish months. 
I intend on doing that diet again after I have my baby in October

What is the one thing you did that helped you the most in losing weight?

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