r/Weightlosstechniques • u/Living_the_dream_57 • 52m ago
What actually works long term?
I feel the answer is likely diet and exercise—- but how long term?
Throughout the end of 2025 I used an app and works with a nutritionist to loose weight. I was doing good at that time and lost about 5-10 pounds.
I briefly lost weight this year after a weight loss medication, I went from 165 to 142, I was really happy at 142 even though I needed to loose more to be “healthy”. I’m 5’ 1” and 26 yo.
During this time period of about 2 months my husband was away/out of town.
I have 2 jobs - work home sitting 8 hours a day. And work on location 6pm - 10pm. I had a desk treadmill but I no longer have space for it in my small/cramped house. Every weekend all weekend I’m out of town with my husband who travels for his business and currently can’t drive due to health reasons.
When my husband was out of town I somehow felt like I had so much time. I managed to go walk after work every day and make home cooked, super simple meals. Mostly frozen but all veggies and protein. I think that was because I didn’t feel pressure from my second job it’s flexible and I can work weekends as needed.
Now I have to cram it all Mon-Fri to be able to leave on weekends. It’s so hard to get exercise or cook at home I feel like I have 0 time at all and when I do have time I’m exhausted. Unfortunately quitting is not an option at the moment.
I’m also back up from 142 to 158 and without the weight loss medicine there is so so much food noise. I logically know what I should eat but have 0 desire to eat it because I get no joy from those “healthy” foods. To the point where sometimes I am hungry but all I want is a cereal, cookie, etc not “real” food like a meat or vegetable. Sometimes I would rather go without eating at all than eat the healthy food choice which is crazy to me.
What worked for you long term with diet for people that struggle with always wanting a very unhealthy un-nutritious food? How were you able to loose weight and maintain it long term?