Lost 15lb in 3 and half weeks - learning curve tips

[DeletingFat]

Hi all, new here. My name is Sal.
3 and a half weeks ago my sisters ex husband died suddenly at the age of 35. He wasn't overweight but coke and chips was his daily staple. I was (am) overweight, age 44 weighing 11 stone 2 at 5ft 3. The day he died I questioned my own mortality and decided to get down to a BMI of 24. I hit the diet hard the first few days, putting my body into starvation mode just eating a few tomatoes, lettuce and celery I did crumble and have a few plums too as well as a multi vit and 3 litres of water- I was stupid! True I dropped 4lb in that time but was seeing spots, had no energy and punishing myself. Day 4 I popped to the local shop for an apple as a treat- the lady serving suggested I try chicken on a stick, they come in at 65 calories each so gave it a go - proper food! Maybe the shops pricing but at £1.40 for a couple of bites of chicken I couldn't afford that everyday so brought a load of chicken breasts and cut them to the same size chopped some fresh chillis (I read chillies are supposed to speed the metabolism up) and baked them with some salt and pepper. I had a stack of coffee stirrers and put 50g of the diced chicken on each coming in at 55kcal each. I keep a stack in the fridge and whenever I'm hungry I can grab one guilt free as a snack or eat the chicken with stir fried veg or salad.
I was missing latte big time, I can't enjoy a coffee without full fat 100ml milk and one sugar. Switching to semi and using sweeteners was punishment and knew this would just be dieting and not a life style change which is what I'm trying to achieve. I have found a substitute I'm happy with oat milk and a spoon of coffee whitener to thicken which comes in at 37kcal per mug- no need for sugar the oat milk is sweet 4 litres for £4 in ASDA but because it's long life it's a fair deal.
My diet now is a tin of john West sardines with lettuce, celery and chopped spring onions with 2 cups of coffee for breakfast.
My steps per day cover this so zero cal brekkie.
Chicken pop and smoothie mid morning.
Activia yoghurt and fruit for dinner.
Stir fry (no oil) with chicken pop as much as I fancy for tea.
A couple of crackerbread in the evening with a scrape of Philadelphia and a few cherry tomatoes might have another yoghurt.
Then two oat milk coffees in the evening.
If I have a 'ah go on' moment like I did yesterday with ice cream I jump on exercise bike to burn the exact calories off.
I'm coming in at about 7-800 calories per day and currently dropping 1lb every other day.
I feel great, sleeping better and can zip up some dresses I couldn't before so I hope my essay will inspire and encourage some of you looking for ideas.

[DeletingFat]

Aw thanks...
My stiryfry is half a savoy, carrots, broccoli, onions and peppers. The smoothie is kale and pear so definitely getting up there. I can't stomach soy or else I would go for it. My sardines are 17g protien plus around 150-200g of chicken - don't know the protien but guessing there's a little more to add.
Another lb down this morning woohoo :)

[Paxiled]

Good - you are getting some veggies.  Don't forget variety -- every different color represents a different antioxidant, and different vegetables are better than others.  Nobody needs to eat soy to be healthy, the point was to note that sugar isn't just added sugar, it's also what happens to the food after it gets into the digestive tract.  But you're doing great.

[DeletingFat]

Thanks :) it is all a learning curve at the moment.

[Paxiled]

Not to rain on the parade, but this isn't a lifestyle change.  You do realize if what you say is accurate you're not eating any nutritious vegetables.  Oat milk is basically sugar -- it's not high protein such as almond milk or soy milk would be.  I'm glad you're feeling good and doing better, but for long-term health, add in a lot of colored veggies -- and tomatoes aren't a veggie, it's a fruit, so you're not getting there with tomatoes.  Add in green leafy vegetables -- they won't make you fat but they will provide vital nutrients you're not getting long-term.  Keep up the good work.