Just over a year ago, inspired by a blog article, I decided to give up breakfast in order to lose weight and get back to my ideal weight range of 83-85kg.
I finally hit my goal in mid-March, having lost 17kg and with it, gained a real sense of achievement and satisfaction, as well as feeling healthier and lighter.
Over the course of the year, I kept a daily diary of my weight so I could track my progress, together with a record of any exercise I’d done.
Below are some tips that have helped me on my journey.
A Word of Warning
This diet is not for everyone - I’m not a doctor or nutritionist, so I’m not going to recommend that people try it; it is just something that worked for me, for my metabolism and my lifestyle.
While the premise is simple - lowering your calorie intake to force your body to start using its fat reserves - there are many health and lifestyle reasons why this diet may not be a good idea. For example, you may partake in sports training, or have health problems where a diet would be unsuitable for your body. If in doubt, consult a professional who can advise you on what to do.
Tips for a Successful Diet
Diets come with highs and lows, but it is important to persevere and believe in yourself and your ability to reach your goal.
Below are some tips that have helped me:
- Be consistent when weighing yourself. Always weigh yourself at the same time each day as your body may fluctuate by a kilo or more over the course of the day. I found that first thing in the morning worked well, as my body was at its lighted then.
- Be strict (but not too strict!). Giving up breakfast, but then increasing your snack intake in the evening is going to be counter productive as there is a fine balance between a calorie deficit and a calorie surplus. It’s ok to have an occasional small snack in the evening, or even to eat breakfast once in a while, but it shouldn’t be a habit.
- There will be ups as well as downs. I found that I would lose a good amount one month and then lose hardly any the next. I reasoned that it was my body settling in to its new weight. The key is not to be disappointed; if you are being strict and consistent, then you will make progress.
- Try to do 30 minutes of exercise each day. While diet alone will lead to weight loss, doing 30 minutes of exercise each day helps to burn fat and keeps you healthy. I found that I lost more weight on the days I did some exercise than those I didn’t do any.
- This is not a crash diet - you need to be in it for the long haul. It took me just over 13 months to reach my goal. You need to be prepared to keep up your diet for the long term - in that sense it is as much a diet as it is a lifestyle change. Small inroads made each month will add up over time, but do not expect immediate and drastic weight loss.
The Future
Even though I hit my goal, I have chosen to continue to go without breakfast for the foreseeable future: this is more a lifestyle change and something to continue for the long-term. I’ll continue to monitor my weight over the coming months and adjust my calorie intake accordingly, if I find my weight continues to reduce.
