TTC after loss penguins get fit & healthy in 2020

Hello ladies I've finally made it over here.

So me, I'm 39 and horribly over weight.
Unfortunately I have packed on the weight due to 8 pregnancy and losses, I've gone from a size 10 to size 16 in 2 years. So I'm after losing all that weight. So I've dusted off the tread mill, dug out my workout music and purchased new yoga pants. My biggest problem food's are cheese and bread so I'm going to be miserable limiting those. I've charged my fit bit and I'm ready to get started.

PT session done today! My word I am unfit. I knew I was but not this much. I shouldn't be surprised as even before I was pregnant I was out of shape but it was a bit of a shock.

It was good though, a nice mix of strength and cardio work and plenty of breaks when it got too much. The PT was super lovely and pushed me just the right amount. I've booked a block of five sessions and then I'll see where I am. DH and I have a few days away booked at the end of februsry so I'm hoping to have lost some weight by then and be back in normal clothes as I'm still wearing maternity jeans right now. I'm going for a spa day tomorrow including a massage and it couldn't have come at a better time!

Girls I've only now left the office and still have to work later at home 😔 so sadly haven't caught up with the thread but saw this on the news and thought I'd share:

www-bbc-co-uk.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/www.bbc.co.uk/news/amp/health-51019978

Xxx

@SheFliesOnHerOwnWings your farting comments really made me laugh! I am glad you had the opportunity to let everything out (tears and wind!!) and were able to get a decent sleep.

Last full day of skiing today - I have had a lot of fun. Not looking forward to going back to work next week...I am going to look into doing some mediation as some posters on here have suggested, if anyone has any other stress-busting tips other than exercise and running to Rudding Park I would love to hear them

Bugger its changed the Instagram name, will have to do it with spaces : (who knew that's how you underline??)

mother of one her name is Lucy

Thank you @SunshineCrocodile 😊 her Instagram name is motherofone she's posts everything to do with the running club on there. I'm really scared to go but decided I wanted to push myself out of my comfort zone. Definitely a non-healthy day as there'll be cake after!
Good for you going back to yoga, there's a nice class by me that's every Wednesday... Not quite ready yet, but soon 🤞

@Shefliesonherownwings sounds like a good cathartic cry was just what you needed, so glad you're feeling so much better. Hope PT goes well and the after effects of the beans have cleared by then

Hi @VenusStarr, wow, you've done so well! The rainbow running club sounds like a great idea, what's her name on insta? I don't really do Instagram but have a vague idea how it works. Hope you're feeling a little brighter x

@LASandOtto so glad you're being well monitored in this pregnancy, and that they're pulling out the stops to keep this one going. I quite like bbq jackfruit btw - I've made it at home before in the slow cooker although it wasn't so tasty that I've done it again! I have another tin rusting in the cupboard though..

@BunnytheBlueWhale let me know how the curried soup is! Hope you get to Pilates today. Lack of sleep is definitely cumulative, fingers crossed you have a better night tonight.

@SunStruck your veggie days sound delicious. It might be an idea to think about iron as well as protein - I say it as I went veggie a couple of years ago and despite eating really healthily - protein, green leafy veg, loads of pulses and varied diet - I ended up quite severely anaemic. Only found out when I went to give blood. Probably less of an issue if you're still eating meat other days but just thought I'd mention it as obviously anaemia and TTC/pregnancy don't go well together!

I'm feeling really happy with myself, I've had a few little slips but mostly maintained healthy meals and very few snacks, and have done two weights sessions and a yoga class so far this week. I can't actually walk now but I'm enjoying the pain in a weird way. Also, at yoga today it was really obvious how much my ability has dropped since I last went aeons ago, and normally it would have really annoyed me. But it didn't, I was just pleased to be back doing something I enjoy. It's not all about the fancy poses after all.

Good morning all. @BunnytheBlueWhale yes I will definitely go to another meeting. Once a month is fine for me, it was so emotional that I think more regular meetings would be too much.

@LASandOtto yes PT session today at 2pm. Thanks for the good wishes, will let you know how it goes.

Last night was eventful. DH and I were in bed watching something and it made me properly laugh, first time since we lost Isla I think. All of a sudden I went from laughing to sobbing my heart out. No idea where that came from but I just couldn't stop it. I've not sobbed like that for a while. Anyway after I'd calmed down I felt like a huge weight had been lifted from me, I didn't realise how tense I'd been the last couple of days. I slept so well last night. Better than I have for the last two months, no dreams and no waking up. I got 11 hours sound sleep. I feel so much better.

Also just wanted to share with you all that one side affect of our healthy dinner was that we have both been doing some very vicious farts all night. The bedroom stinks this morning! Maybe that's why I slept so well, I gassed myself lol.

👋 Just checking in, not caught up properly but good to see everyone doing so well!

@Avocuddles I think you asked about slimming world - I go to group and plan to for another 6 weeks and then hoping that I'll be OK to continue on my own. My goal was to lose 7lbs by 11th January and I'm -9lbs now, so pleased with that - especially with Christmas in between!

I'm not back at the gym yet, still got a lingering cough. Feeling very run down. I am managing a lunchtime walk, hoping the rain holds off today!

I'm going for a run Saturday morning - I don't know if any of you are on Instagram but there's a lady who's set up rainbow running club and she is holding one in my area on Saturday - 5k run followed by cake. It's for anyone who's had a loss or struggling to concieve.

I'm finding it helpful to be focusing on healthy eating as I'm being organised. I really didn't want to do much yesterday but forced myself to prepare my lunch for today and that means I can go for a walk because I'm not having to go to the shop to buy overpriced, tasteless food. Today I'm having harissa chicken, roasted veg and Cous Cous.

Have a good day 😊

Morning Ladies!

@Shefliesonherownwings your dinner looks really nice! I'm also having a lot of plant based meals these last few days (and weeks, actually) and I'm enjoying trying new things. I find Tofu a bit of a challenge personally as not used to cooking with it and so don't feel confident to make it flavourful! But I've seen a few recipes with black beans online which I want to try!

I'm glad also that the SANDS meeting went ok for you and there were others there whom you could relate to and speak with.

Today is your gym session with the PT right? Just wanted to say good luck and hopefully it's going to give you a happy boost of endorphins!

I'm a big candle fan myself and have tons of candles, it's always a bit church-seque at my house and I think OH is getting a bit annoyed by my love for the scented wax 

@BunnytheBlueWhale sticky beef and rice sounds delicious!

I had a team dinner out yesterday and went for a healthy jackfruit salad bowl at Bills which featured on their Veganuary Menu. It was ok - I don't know, I didn't quite warm to the jackfruit but want to try it again sometime!

@MrsMGE I used to love MFP when I was seriously on a plan with my PT, he had a macro split plan in place for me and I had to record all my meals. I gave up after a few weeks though as I found it really hard as of course, you have to create recipes if you're cooking yourself and not just scanning a snack or something. It's nonetheless interesting as for me it was an eye opener how quickly you can hit your daily sugar limit etc!

Over here all good on my end. Been to the doctor again this morning to check hCG levels. Been prescribed clexane, baby aspirin and cyclogest. Starting all of that tomorrow I guess and being closely monitored.

Going to go back to exercise next week I think, for now I am just walking as much as possibly and maybe will go for a swim at the gym tomorrow as it's Friyay!

Morning ladies how are you getting on?

My week in eating and gymming been good so far, I've done 2 weight sessions and 2 cardio sessions. I'm trying to take it easier as in 2ww so easier cardio and lighter weights.

Eating wise, my New Years resolution was to eat less meat, and this week I've had 3 meat free days. I've made a big batch of a Thai spicy vegan tofu curry with loads of veg in and chickpeas (delicious, healthy, low kcal but still good amount of protein!). I find it difficult to eat enough protein (and too much carbs) when I attempt veggie days but this is perfect. In the evenings I've had butternut squash soup I've made in the slow cooker (again, big batch). Lots of veg in there too! I snack on nuts, raisins, apples and Greek yoghurt or hummus.

I'm going to be more relaxed this weekend though ☺️

@Shefliesonherownwings I have some of those candles. They smell amazing but I've not been able to think of the crackle the same way ever since DH kept looking at me in disgust one night and asked if I was going to stop farting! It took ages to convince him it was the candle and I didn't have a sputtering wind problem.. it was making a bit of a farty noise tbh

I'm glad you got to the meeting too, even if it did mean some big emotions came to the surface. I hope it'll prove to be a source of support to you. Hope you get a good night's sleep tonight.

@BunnytheBlueWhale sticky beef looks delicious. Really well done with avoiding the snacking. My dinner was pretty lovely actually, the curry was really more of a spicy stew? Didn't feel very curry-like despite all the spices that went in. But was still really tasty and I quite liked the beetroot as a change. Not sure broccoli was quite the right accompaniment mind you!

Ladies can I share with you what DH cooked for dinner tonight. We have decided to have a couple of meat free days a week and are looking at plant based dinners particularly. So tonight we had tofu, vegetables and black beans diced up. We agreed the beans weren't the nicest texture but all of it tasted delicious. We also had a wholemeal wrap but to be honest we could have done without it as it was very filling. DH is now looking up lots of other recipes.

I went to a SANDS meeting last night run by a couple of lost their daughter at full term a few years ago. It was very emotional, I burst into tears as I walked in and cried pretty much for the whole two hours. But they were so lovely and it really was helpful to speak to people that have been through the same.

Unfortunately it was another bad night of sleep and I was very tearful again this morning. However I did go to the gym this afternoon even though I really didn't want to but I felt better afterwards. @Avocuddles the meditation class sounds great, I wish there was something like that near me, I struggle to do it on my own but might give it another go tonight.

Also if anyone is a fan of candles I can highly recommend the one you can just see in the picture of my dinner. It's one of those that crackles like a fire and smells amazing. They're a bit pricey but we were given this one by friend and it is really relaxing.

I braved it and downloaded My Fitness Pal! Revolutionary 😱 Turns out I was spot on thinking how many calories I've had today. I had circa 1500, but with exercising and walking (although only short today, no break again), it was closer to 1200-1300 net. I'm actually absolutely fine! Even had two cheeky cheese crackers with cheddar 😁 I dread to think how much I was eating in the 6 months after my MMC, yes, I felt sorry for myself, but fml... I've gone way over the top 🤦🏼‍♀️👀

Just enjoyed my soup and now back to work! Have a lovely evening, girls xxx

*to meditate later tonight

Girls! You're on fire! I love your recipe @Avocuddles, also @SunshineCrocodile what a salad to pull off quickly! 👀

You're putting me to shame, I love cooking, but admittedly don't have the time during the week, I focus on things that are relatively quick and simple and usually cook them in batches. I'm just too busy to do it all otherwise, how do you find time?! Or maybe I'm just too lazy 😂

Very interesting stuff re meditation too, you've motivated me to motivate later tonight to calm down my mind. It's racing at the moment, not helped by the fact I need to take some drafting home to get it out this week before my 2 days off (welcome to the world of unreasonable clients with unrealistic expectations, doh 🙄). Anyway! Coffee on the go and hopefully I'll pull this off before bedtime! Xxx

Thanks for all the info @Avocuddles and I hope the rest of your day passes peacefully as well. I actually have The Power of Now somewhere, I've attempted it before but found it really quite heavy going. Maybe I'll try again!

A meditation especially for people dealing with pregnancy loss sounds ideal - would definitely be interested to know how you find it.

I'm a massive meditation fan as you all know! I think it's amazing you went @Avocuddles and that you enjoyed it.

The Power of Now is an excellent book.

In my meditation we have two practises, one is deep breathing to calm emotions and self, and the other is called metta bhavana which loosely translated means developing loving kindness.

One key lesson for me was developing loving kindness for myself. I feel towards others I can be good at showing loving kindness but to myself, not as much.

My lunch today was pathetic as eaten rushing between my 3rd and 4th meeting of the day!

Will read properly tonight. Xx

Konjac noodles are glass noodles made from yams which have basically no calories at all. They have pretty much no taste themselves but are great mixed with a dressing or sauce!
The brands I like best are below (Ocado links as it was first thing that came up when I googled but most supermarkets and health food shops stock them.....)

www.ocado.com/products/bare-naked-noodles-346108011

www.ocado.com/products/saitaku-konjac-shirataki-noodles-397244011

The guided meditation today was mostly centred on mindful breathing and clearing our minds. The focus was on living in the here and now, so concentrating on how our bodies feel from head to toe, listening to the hum of the air conditioning, really being present in the moment without thinking about the past or worrying about the future. I sent an appreciative email to the teacher after and he sent me a few recommendations of books and websites to check out:

insighttimer.com - lots of free meditations - the instructor from this morning was Paul Geary who has a few on here. I also noticed that there is a meditation for after miscarriage / for use in pregnancy after loss so I might check that out tonight.

dharmaseed.org - Buddhist meditation talks - he recommends Yanai Postelnik

Books:
The Power of Now
New Earth
When Things Fall Apart
Welcoming the Unwelcome
Peace Is Every Step

Today would have been my first due date but I feel surprisingly calm (for now....). The meditation session was clearly perfectly timed!

Ended up with this! A bodgy sort of salad Niçoise. Used just balsamic vinegar instead of dressing and it was delicious! Put the solitary remaining egg to good use too. Served in style on the arm of my sofa 😂

That soup looks delicious, I love lentils. Will be making that I think!

@Avocuddles tell me more about these magical calorie free noodles?? I eat protein noodles sometimes but not heard of these?

Also, really interested in hearing more about the meditation. Did you have to visualise stuff? I self diagnosed myself a while ago as having aphantasia (I think it's called) as in I have absolutely no mind's eye. I've done a couple of meditations before in yoga but got frustrated because I couldn't visualise a tree or a happy place or whatever - with my eyes closed everything is just black! But I LOVE gong baths - I must be all about the sound rather than the visuals 😂

Hi! Just ate my packed lunch of a cold noodle salad and it was surprisingly yummy for something very healthy.

I lightly fried some red onion, cherry tomatoes, garlic and diced courgette in fry light to soften then them up, then added some spinach until it wilted. I let it cool then mixed it together with some zero noodles (the Konjac ones with no calories) and some sweet chilli cooked chicken from Asda. I drizzled on some soy lime and ginger salad dressing, sprinkled some birds eye chilli flakes and then tossed it all together and voila - tasty lunch! Only three points on weight watchers and less than 200 calories but surprisingly filling so I'll definitely be doing that again.....

@MrsMGE that soup recipe looks good, think that will be on next week's packed lunch list!

I went along to my first meditation / mindfulness session at work this morning and it was great, I really wish I'd discovered it earlier. It's led by a senior manager in the business who is a qualified meditation teacher and mindfulness coach and each week he guides the attendees through a 20-30 minute mediation. His voice alone was incredibly relaxing and enough to put even the most sceptical attendee at ease! Some of his meditations are available via the 'insight timer' app which I'm planning to check out. It's great to be able to access this at work, I'm going to be singing the praises of the group to anyone and everyone!

@SunshineCrocodile What have you got at home?

This soup is my all time favourite, it's amazing and simple to make:

thefertilitykitchen.co.uk/2018/01/30/hearty-tomato-lentil-chickpea-soup/