Weight Loss Discussion Thread

[Ham]

What software are you keeping that chart in rr? That's the sort of graph (with ties from the point to the trend) which I've been trying to persuade excel to do without success.

If you want to create a trend in excel, the easiest way is to use a moving average, for example if you do a daily weigh, use a 30 day average.  EG if your data is in column A, in column b in row 30 your formula is =AVERAGE(A1:A30)/30 and copy down. From thereon, that will show the dynamic trend.

[mcshroom]

Thanks Ham.

I've currently got a 7-day rolling average set up and a similar 7 day moving average trendline on the graph. I was after a way of tieing all the points to the trendline as in rr's example (just wanting a pretty picture really).

Actually I'm wondering what the /30 does. Surely =AVERAGE(A1:A30) gives the mean of the dataset, similar to =SUM(A1:A30)/30

[citoyen]

You don't need the "/30" bit of that formula - it's implicit in the AVERAGE function. [edit: cross posted]

But basically that's exactly what I do in my excel chart, except I use a 14-day average.

There's also a trend line function in Excel graphs, which you can use to predict ahead. There are several different types of trend line available - it's polynomial you need for this purpose, iirc.

d.

[citoyen]

I was after a way of tieing all the points to the trendline as in rr's example (just wanting a pretty picture really).

Presumably, if it's possible, it will be a formatting option?

d.

[Ham]

Ah yes.... that's a left over from my normal way of doing things which is to sum and divide, because of the different way nulls are handled...... doh.

(average will leave out a null entry)

[Ham]

Today I has been up the loft and thrown out all my old fat git clothes. Gulp.

[clarion]

  You ain't gonna need 'em again

[Tigerrr]

I have just joined the weight loss charting community, as I have ballooned in the last couple of years and its got to be sorted out.  Is the weight input page content a string of code for everyone? Or is there a way to make the input side of it a bit more user friendly - like in an excel sheet or similar? I think I am looking at it in perhaps the wrong software or something?

[L CC]

I'm afraid it is just a tedious string of code. I may have started this (& last) years threads, but I didn't write it, it's just a carry over from time immemorial.
Each week I struggle to find the right place to put the depressing data in. It's part of the hair shirt process, I think.
I should point out that you need to modify your original post with the button at the lower right of the post, rather than the "modify" at the top, otherwise it can go screwy.
Wowbagger did try a simplified version last year, but Simonp's graphs use the current code so changing it would mean a rewrite for him.

[Emily]

Well, I've joined too.  I've put on half a stone in 2012, and I wasn't particularly svelte then either...  The plan: eat better, cycle more, keep track.

[SteveC]

I was feeling rather smug when I posted my start weight on Wednesday.  Managed to lose a little over Christmas--that's not bad! 
Last night MrsC asks "do you think these scales are working properly?" 

New batteries.  We'll have to keep an eye on them.  And I will be updating the other thread with the new 'best estimate'.  Sigh.

[mcshroom]

I got a Food Flask for Christmas (one of those short dumpy thermos flasks with a wide opening) so I thought I'd try out using that for lunch instead of eating in the staff canteen.

Unlike previous flasks, this one actually works at keeping things properly hot until lunch meaning I had a nice hot bowl of chicken stew when I poured it out.

Hopefully now I can properly track lunch as well as the rest of my meals as I think I was being rather optimistic with the values for the canteen food.

[essexian]

Well I am back in not at my highest weight ever (that was 22 stone) but at 2 stone more than I was in the summer.

It isn't good not exercising (a total of 40 miles since the middle of September) will do when you add it to an "inability" to stay away from fat/fried food.

My goal for the year: any weight loss would be nice.

[Psychler]

Hmmmm! 

Started my weight loss campaign by guessing at my weight [140kg] as my scales don't go higher than 130kg and the last time I was weighed properly I was 140.

Either stupidly or cleverly, I then bought some scales that go up to 200kg. 

So I have now amended my initial weigh in figure to ..... 157.4 kg.  My heaviest ever!!

[hellymedic]

Seems some posters here have large amounts of weight to lose.
This must seem really daunting. Well, it's a l-o-o-o-o-n-g journey. Start with a single step (or half kilo) and KEEP GOING!
There will be some weeks when you don't have any weight loss about which to be proud; this doesn't matter. You will have to be mindful about most of your eating for months and look at the big picture.
Weight loss IS possible; if I can succeed, albeit slowly, anyone can.
And I enjoy the occasional 'big meal out'.

Good Luck Everyone!
Persistence Pays Off!

[shyumu]

^^^
+1

Dig in.  (Oops.. I mean don't dig in!)
 

[hellymedic]

Habits and portion control are my watchwords.
Gone are the croissants I had most days.
I still have mayonnaise but by the teaspoon, not the tablespoon.
I've not given up chocolate but limit it to two segments of Chocolate Orange (or equivalent) per day.

[simonp]

My house contains no mayonnaise. It does contain chilli sauce, which is a weight loss product IMO. 

[hellymedic]

David doesn't eat food that's too hot and has only recently stopped taking nocturnal snacks for 4am munchies. He's down to 63kg.

[rr]

What software are you keeping that chart in rr? That's the sort of graph (with ties from the point to the trend) which I've been trying to persuade excel to do without success.

I use libra - an  android app. The trend line is an exponentially weighted moving mean as described in the hacker's diet (Google it).
There is a libre office addin that this calculation.

[mcshroom]

What software are you keeping that chart in rr? That's the sort of graph (with ties from the point to the trend) which I've been trying to persuade excel to do without success.

I use libra - an  android app. The trend line is an exponentially weighted moving mean as described in the hacker's diet (Google it).
There is a libre office addin that this calculation.

Thanks.

It's the Hacker's diet that gave me the idea of tracking that way. At some point I will get round to setting up the exponentially weighted moving mean, but a rolling 7 day average seems to be working ok so far (I may change this to a 10 day average now I have 10 points to work with)

[essexian]

Well, 1.3kg since Saturday is an okay start. That takes me to below 130kg, so one target met. Next target, 125kg and then 120kg etc. Small steps at a time eh! 

As for cycling/exercise... cleaned the gym out on Sunday (okay, its really the garage but we have a multigym, rowing machine, turbo and running machine in there) and have started to use it again. As for miles on the road, I seem to have lost my mojo a little as I am a little worried about going out: I know I will be way slower than last year hence doubt I can cycle in the way I like to. A ride to Penkridge and back (about 15 miles) and one to the shops is all I have managed so far this week.

[clarion]

I'm losing weight.  Negatively

Ah well, there are bound to be ups and downs.  Let's get clear of the season of excess, and see if it settles down a bit.  At least I'm still lower than at NYE.

[Chris S]

A decent first week for Boab and me; both dropped a couple of Kg - but that'll be mostly water.

We're trying something different - we've both found that there's more to the world than just Calories In/Calories Out, particularly when you're an audaxer. Boab craves sugar, I crave ethanol - so we've quit both and we're embracing the world of Fat.

There's much to be said for double cream, bacon, full fat mayo and oily fish, not to mention full fat salad dressings and high fibre low carb veggies.

It's the 9th today, and I've still not eaten this year, as much carbohydrate as I would have had in a day previously.

Our new heroes are Robert Lustig, Gary Taubes and Peter Attia.

Our performance on the bike(s) has plummeted - we're assured this is temporary. Fingers crossed!

[shyumu]

On target in week one.  But my eating is tied to my self-control and I am still not 100% happy that I'm avoiding the eating 'landmines' of cheese and chocolate.  I am learning a new phrase, "no, thank you, I don't actually like cheese."  It might not be 100% true; but in a virtuous circle it might become true.  Same for chocolate.  It is only by reeducating myself and changing my behaviour deliberately that lasting change occurs.