December diet anyone?

[whenjen]

Hi! My plan is to (try to) lose some weight for Christmas. No faddy diets, just better choices and less food!
Would love for some company and mutual motivation!

[moresleepsoonplease]

I'll join you - it would be lovely to be a little lighter by Xmas day.

I don't want to do a set diet either - I've been looking at where I'm going wrong, and am hoping to find the will power to shift out of those bad habits.

Some company would be great

[Scarlett175]

I will join also...

have already lost 4 stone since July, am adamant don't want Dec to turn into the usual disaster eating-wise as I still have 3 stone to lose...

have been doing rosemary conley, but no calorie restriction as still bf-ing DD...

x

[whenjen]

Great to have you both with me, scarlett and moresleep!

Moresleep, I've got such bad habits! Too much snacking in the evening is the big one. I'm going to avoid that as much as possible but I have such a sweet tooth....

Scarlett - you sound as though you've done soooo well already! 4 stone is amazing. We need some of your motivation! I can't even lose 4

[whenjen]

....4lbs!!

[moresleepsoonplease]

Scarlett - wow, you've already done so well. I wish I had your willpower.

WhenJen - I've been working on stopping snacking on sweet things after dinner too. Plenty of other ones to deal with though - currently eating my toddler's leftovers is a big problem for me. And I have got into the habit of having a glass or two of wine to try to chill out in the evening..

I find that if I do all the right things, including increasing activity, going to the gym, no alcohol, no puddings, less snacking, no takeout, smaller portions etc.. then I can still only lose about half a pound a week..whereas if I fall off the wagon it takes about a fortnight for it all to pile back on :(

[whenjen]

Moresleep - I know what you mean. Someone once told me that as soon as it was clear their dc had finished, they would purposefully get up and throw the food away. Or pour something undrinkable all over it (washing up liquid?) Sounds a bit extreme but if it helps...!

I need to do more exercise. It just never seems to have the impact I want it to.

[moresleepsoonplease]

Whenjen - I know what you mean about exercise. I'd like to do more - I eventually found a gym with a creche (3 mornings a week). It's on the other side of town which is a pain - but on the upside I walk there, and then half the way home so that helps me feel it's worthwhile going. I've only done small walks this week due to the snow.

Managed not to have a glass of wine last night which I'm pleased about. I think maybe if I blitz one bad habit every day or two I might get somewhere. So today is 'no eating DS's leftovers'

What are you going to do differently to try to lose the weight?

[whenjen]

Hi moresleep and scarlett,

I am going to try just to say 'no' to temptation. But I haven't done very well today. I know that I need to avoid cakes and chocolates and can avoid buying them. But at work they seem to be everywhere!

Also, I'm going to drink more water.

How about you?

[moresleepsoonplease]

Whenjen - For the next few days I'm going to concentrate on not drinking alcohol, and not eating DS's leftovers. Then I'll concentrate on other things like not snacking, and doing more exercise.

Cakes and chocolates at work used to be my downfall - but now I'm a SAHM it's the cakes/puddings I make for my DS..

Scarlett - must be hard to watch what you eat while BF? I remember not really fancying any food but being hungry all the time. Which Rosemary Conley are you doing?

[Scarlett175]

Hi both

Because I am BF-ing I just make sure I eat low fat (less than 5% fat) and don't restrict calories, also on the new diet you can have 1 high fat treat a day (100 cals) so I have a mini mars every night after dinner also...

DD is 7.5 months so to be honest she is cutting down her feeds now- I started RC when she was 3 months but have been careful to still eat a lot, but low fat foods, I checked with my docs etc before starting, and would still occasionally eat higher fat foods if I really craved them, but was still eating less enough to lose weight IYSWIM... I really, really need to start exercising more, joined a gym 6 weeks ago and have hardly been :( DH is great and puts DD to bed so I have no excuse at all. Just hard to get motivated when its literally FREEZING.

I don't find it too hard to watch what I eat (not meaning to sound smug), I was very, very overweight when I started and really wanted to lose weight and be a healthy mum for my daughter. I lost my mum 2 years ago, and she suffered health wise, and some of that must have been due to her weight, so I am determined to improve my health...

hope you both have a lovely weekend

x

[whenjen]

Hi both,

The weekends are always so hard for me and this time of the year is just the worst! I love Christmas but there's so much food around and it's hard to resist. But I'm still determined to be good for December.

I haven't been so bad since starting this thread though, so I'm convinced that just focusing on it all a bit more is good for me. I went out for dinner last night but tried not to finish everything that was on the table, just because it was there. I impressed myself with a bit of self-control!

Scarlett, sorry to hear about your mum. I hope the good that comes out of such a sad sitation will be better health for you.

Moresleep, are you exercising along with the diet?

Stay warm (apparently, turning the heating down one degree and putting on a jumper makes your body burn more calories!!) I'm not about to try.....!

x

[Saracen]

I'll join too if I may.

I'm actually about to come OFF my weight-loss diet for a month and want to try to maintain my current weight during that time. Doing that without being on a diet, just by changing my habits, feels like a challenge.

Atkins has served me well since August and I've lost weight steadily without feeling particularly deprived. It is quite an all-or-nothing diet, however. I think I'd find it awkward to keep up while I am off in the Land of Food (the US) where I am going to visit my sister for a month. I don't want to be a difficult guest at her house, and also we'll be going out to eat often because it's so cheap there. I've decided I'll feel more empowered if I choose now to put the diet on hold rather than trying to keep it up and then having lots of lapses. Anyhow, Atkins doesn't really work if you do it some days and not others.

I have a long way to go with losing weight, and I'm confident I can re-start the weight loss again in January without difficulty.

It just seems a bit scary to leave the diet behind. I hope I'll be able to eat fairly sensibly when I'm not being told exactly what to do!! I don't want to be in a binge-and-diet cycle.

Anyway, I'll stick with what I'm doing for another week until we leave, and should be able to shed another pound or two. In the long run, every little bit helps!

[whenjen]

Hi Saracen,

It seems as though you've been doing really well with Atkins. I've always admired anyone who can do this kind of diet for as long as you have. Well done! When you stop, you might find that even though no one's telling you what to do, you've learnt some really good habits.

I know the trip to the US might be full of challenging food choices, but there are also massive salads and low(er) fat blueberry muffins!

I think your aim of trying to lose a pound or two next week is a good motivator. This is what I'm aiming for. Will you be able to do any exercise thi week?

:)

[Saracen]

Thanks whenjen! I think that different diets suit different personalities, and this is the one that suits mine. I can generally do what I am supposed to if I've decided to do it and if it is quite black and white. I hate having to weigh portions and keep track of points or calories: I think that would just make me obsess about food. It has taken me several years to feel ready to do this diet and now is a good time for me to do it.

I don't feel motivated to exercise at this moment, but I have an idea that I will in a few months' time and I am starting to think about how I want to do it. I think a pedometer might be a good place to start in getting more active. Wish I could find somewhere with a creche, but I don't think there is anywhere so I might end up pushing the buggy on long walks instead. I enjoy team sports but I don't know of anything convenient which would be suited to someone with such a low level of fitness as I have. I'll think of something in time though!

Might return to cycling in the spring after a break of about six years!! I used to enjoy that and go quite long distances. I'd have to think of a good way to haul my disabled 4yo around on it, which is a bit of a challenge. She's too big for a toddler seat and not strong enough to sit astride a tagalong or on a tandem. I need some sort of trailer, I guess, but I don't think they are cheap or easy to store. Hmm...

Can you tell that I never start anything in a hurry? LOL.

[whenjen]

Hi all,

Hope everyone has had a good, controlled Monday! I weighed myself this morning and have lost a pound. Not exactly impressive but moving in the right direction. If I lost a pound every week, I'd be really happy.

Moresleep - hope you had a good weekend.

Scarlett - did you get to the gym? I went for a very halfhearted session on Sunday night, but felt better for having made the effort.

Saracen, I totally understand needing to do things when the time is right; especially where diet and exercie are concerned. Sometimes, though, I know I make excuses and just need to get on and do it! Procrastination....!

Hope the weather is being kind.

[moresleepsoonplease]

Hi all,

Well the weekend wasn't the best food-wise for me - especially as my DH bought a v high cal choc pudding for us to have...

Still all is not lost -I'm not going to dwell on the weekend. Today went really well and I didn't even feel hungry.

whenjen - I have been exercising but not this month yet due to one thing (snow) and another. Well done on your weight loss

saracen - hope the month goes well for you. The goal of maintaining your weight while off the diet seems a good one. Hope you have a great time in the States.

scarlett - your diet sounds good. Have you gone to the gym yet? I know what you mean about getting motivated when it's so cold..

[Suzie1601]

Can i join too? I really need some encouragement, just comfort eating so much just now....need to lose 2 stone.

[Scarlett175]

Hi all,

Welcome Saracen- I am visiting my brother in San Fran over xmas, for 2 weeks so am definitely not going to be losing any weight over xmas. I will be pleased just to maintain and NOT gain.

Ladies I did make the gym at the weekend, Was on a spa break at Champneys and started the day of pampering with a workout and whilst I was reluctant, my body did feel good after so was glad I did. Now I'm home I plan to try and go at least twice this week, and try and have 2 good weeks exercise wise before Xmas and my hols......

I really need to get on it gym wise. I am an all or nothing kind of person too, and at the start of my diet (July) signed up for a half marathon in March!!! so I really need to get my head in gear.

hope everyone had a good Monday

x

[Saracen]

Hi Suzie! I've been thinking about the comfort eating problem too. I was just remembering a documentary I watched once about depression. They were trying out different ways to get people "kick-started" out of their blues, recognising that for many people the first steps are the most difficult.

The most effective quick fixes that were found for a low mood were music, exercise and company. A combination of those things was even better, so going out dancing topped the list. Though I wasn't depressed, I've tried to keep that advice in mind over the years and sometimes I turn to some favourite feelgood music for an easy pick-me-up.

Have you found other things that cheer you up quickly besides food? If not, maybe those three things would be worth trying even if the idea of them doesn't particularly appeal. Interestingly, many of the depressed people on that TV programme were far from keen about going out dancing but every single one of them said afterward that they'd enjoyed it.

[Suzie1601]

Hi Saracen, i know that exercise works for me, a few years ago i lost 4 stone (have put 2 back on) and i exercised a lot and felt great! I just cant seem to get motivated these days, i have a 4mth old who is reasonably well behaved most of the time and could do some exercise when she is sleeping i just always put it off. Ive done well with my eating today though, i think the shock of weighing myself has helped! I often have radio on in kitchen and have a dance with the baby! Im really new to using this site so could you please explain all the lingo to me? DD? DH? etc...

[whenjen]

Hi all! Nice to have you with us Suzie. I'm quite new to the site too and feel a bit intimidated by some aspects. But I like the idea of being motivated by like-minded people and the sense of community where no one's judging you. Well done on your eating today!

There are abreviations everywhere! DD I think is darling daughter and DH darling husband. DS would be darling son and so on.....

I think weighing oneself can be the motivator needed to get things moving but also addictive. I have to stop myself doing it everyday and I know that it's crazy to expect that things will have changed in such a short time. Throughout the week things yo-yo so much at the best of times.

Scarlett, I think the marathon is such a great idea! There's a half marathon that I'm thinking about but it's not til next October so I have plenty of time to put off more intensive exercise!

Moresleep, hope things are going well for you. I think it's important to have a little bit of what you fancy, every so often! Are you back in the zone this week?

Saracen, you and Scarlett are both off to the States for some time over Christmas!! I think there's a huge variety of food so bound to be something healthy - it's just the portion sizes that need some self-control.

I am determined to lose another pound this week. I'm not drinking any alcohol; not eating after 7pm; snacking on rice cakes!

[Saracen]

"I think there's a huge variety of food so bound to be something healthy - it's just the portion sizes that need some self-control."

Excellent point, I hadn't really thought about it that way. Everything is super-sized! And all-you-can-eat buffets are popular, especially with my family!

Thinking of my family, on a positive note, my sister has been doing Weight Watchers for some years now with good success so I am sure some of her habits will rub off on me. In fact, her husband is the only one in the family besides me who has bad eating habits. My four year quite often takes two or three bites of a pudding before declaring she is finished!! (Mind you, it's quite hard for me not to hoover up her leftovers when she does that!)

[whenjen]

Hi

Hope everyone is well.
Yesterday I didn't manage to avoid the mini mince-pies at work so have tried to be good today. The test will come when I go home! I might force myself to do some exercise....

How's everyone else doing? I have almost certainly gained the pound that I lost last week! I need to focus on tomorrow and the weekend, which is always easier said than done.

I'm trying to write down what I eat, in order to make me assess whether I've actually been kind to my body or not. The problem is trying to remember it all..

Bye for now.

[Suzie1601]

Whenjen you are just like me! Im having to drag myself away from the scales as i want to hop on every day!

How is not eating after 7pm going? Ive heard that's a good thing to do but dont think i'd manage.

Have still not done any exercise

[Scarlett175]

YAYY!

weighed myself today have lost 2 pounds since last Friday. Despite making shortbreads and erm, sampling a few.

Got 4 meals out coming up so need to be saintly for the next few days....

No more exercise since the weekend- cannot be arsed and really, really need to.

x