Healthy eating thread, NOT for weight loss?

[NancyEspana]

I know weight can be an indicator of health and it isn't something we should just ignore, whether we are overweight, underweight, healthy BMI but not comfortable with our weight or with a big waist to height ratio etc.

BUT, there are already countless weight loss threads on here, which are fantastic help sometimes, but for me, can sometimes be counterproductive. Not to mention me feeling as if I have been bombarded with diets, slimming clubs, books on weight loss, magazine articles on the way to get beach body ready, since before I can remember. I think I have diet fatigue !

I have been looking for a thread on here for just healthy eating / healthy habits. I really don't want to know what weight anyone else is, or how many lbs they have lost that week, what their BMI is or even what their measurements are.

But, I would really like a place to discuss healthy eating and healthy habits, like exercise, not too much alcohol, drinking more water, getting enough fruit and veg etc, without getting out the measuring tape or weighing in every week.

I appreciate, I sound like a right fussy fecker , but I don't think I'm the only one who must feel this way. But, I haven't come across any recent threads like this.

Would anyone like to join me on here?

Full disclosure: if I so happen to lose weight by changing my habits and making healthy choices, that would be a welcome side effect, but I would be equally happy if I maintained my weight but just made healthier choices and maybe changed shape a bit if I got more exercise etc.

Posting here as I don't know where else to post it basically and also because I think it will disappear from here if nobody responds because they think I'm an arse for posting .

Hello everyone, I'd like to join!

So I am (like a few others on here!) 3 months post natal and beginning to feel like I need to address this hand-to-mouth existence of toddler group biscuits and beans on toast!

I did a lot of reading around intuitive eating in pregnancy as I wanted to pass on a good message to my new daughter about size, health, appetite, food etc. Should have done it with my son aged 2 I know but I guess it didn't seem so pressing (sexism at play!). I found it incredibly liberating and paradoxically by eating more freely, gained less weight in this pregnancy.

But I feel sluggish and erm, things aren't moving as well as they might. When I was working I easily had my 5-10/day, now it's just a bit of a shit show really. I find that I'm eating things I don't even want when I'm feeling grumpy and tired and it just doesn't feel good.

So i Really like that this isn't about weight loss. I can't even think about that anymore, I find it really toxic and counterproductive when trying to eat "healthily". I don't want to scrap the biscuits totally I just want to add a lot more of the good stuff!

I love exercise but can't face jumping around in my living room with a dvd and my usual swimming and classes are out with a fully breastfed baby and a non-napping hellraiser of a two year old. Might try running again in the new year but must give my pelvic floor a little rest I think.

My thing for today is just to eat when I'm hungry, try to eat nutritious food, and see what happens.

Hi all!

Welcome @1bobbinwinder .

Well done on keeping up healthy choices everyone, especially flamingo! Hard to do that while on holiday.

I'm definitely on board with the not scrapping biscuits altogether but getting more of the good stuff.

I sometimes listen to Isabel Foxen Duke's podcast interviews and one thing she said which made me smile was "it still counts as broccoli if it's in mac and cheese".

I do think that focussing on getting more good stuff leads to generally healthier choices without the perceived deprivation. Whereas what I normally do is think "I'm cutting out this that or the other". So even before I've started, I perceive that I am being deprived. That's how I end up then sticking to a diet for only a short time before falling spectacularly off the wagon. Because in my head, I've been hugely deprived, when, if I'd been eating the same stuff but thinking about what extra things to add, I wouldn't feel deprived and therefore there would be no wagon to fall off . That's my theory anyway.

Thanks @NancyEspana, and I think your theory is spot on. Had toast with marmalade for breakfast this morning as I have a bit of a cold and wanted something sweet. This is a bad option for me as it just doesn't fill me up so I had more of the same for elevenses. Good day apart form that though.

Hi all! I really like that way of thinking... ie more good stuff and not just avoiding the delicious unhealthy things...

I made another big pot of veggie chilli today for lunches, and also went for a little run (in the rain!!) so I'm feeling alright! More water too, which is surely good for all aspects of health.

Good work everyone!

Ps I read today that healthy eating is a form of self-respect. I really liked that

it still counts as broccoli if it's in mac and cheese

I love this.

Today’s dinner was initially a very uninspiring veg stir fry. However I had a fridge rummage and made something delish.

Stir fried broccoli, red cabbage, carrot, onion, loads of garlic, heaps of chilli (fresh and flakes), mushrooms, peppers, peas then added peanut butter and a bit of water to almost make a satay sauce. Served with fluffy fluffy saffron rice, topped with salty peanuts and fresh spring onion and coriander. Not bad for a “we have no food” dinner.👍🏻

Went to the gym earlier. Lots of core work with my trainer she worked me hard the bitch but I feel good for going. It’s about toning up and looking and feeling good for myself. Strong not skinny. (Although I’m naturally on the slim side...)

Leftover dinner has been portioned out and will do both dh and I for lunches tomorrow. I’m planning an at home chores sort of day - with a walk if I get time. Having lunch ready for the microwave will help massively.

Hi all!

We also had a cabbagey stir fry last night emem. We had fried rice with cabbage, cashews and Linda McCartney duck. It was lovely.

I had yoga last night and I've booked in an extra class for this week, so I'm doing three, which I'd sworn I wouldn't as it's so pricey. But I love it and I don't love many forms of exercise! The swimming is good but it takes a bit of organisation with DS going to creche (which also makes it pricey) and i have to shave under my arms. I might try jogging on my non yoga days, but we will see. I am desperately trying to justify the ££££ yoga here .

I started today with peanut butter on toast, but then discovered a large patch of mould on the bread (not envy). Luckily we are going to the shops this morning to collect a lovely plant based shop from click and collect. Otherwise I'd demolish the ginger nuts instead I have just had three , to compensate for the mouldy bread incident.

I think DS is a bit poorly now. Just a horrible cold, but I don't think I'll take him to his activity as planned... Might be another day of housework and errands for us 👎.

Hope DS feels better soon @NancyEspana. What age is he? Is he old enough to appreciate the indulgence of a couple of treats and lots of couch and telly? I find having mildly ill children is much easier once they get to that point!
I feel terrible today too, I have a migraine so I've already had a choc chip flapjack, and it will be a case of whatever it takes to get through the day.

Oh no! Migraines are awful . Yes, definitely eat / drink / take whatever it takes to get you through!

DS is 21mo, so he does like a cuddle on the sofa, tv and his dummy . That's what we are doing right now and every time I try to get up to make lunch, he pulls my arms back round him. Think he needs a cuddle.

Hi @1bobbinwinder. Are there any buggy fitness classes like buggy boot camp or buggyfit near you? That's what I used to do when on mat leave and I really enjoyed being out in the fresh air and having a bit of a chat. Actually, I do miss it and wish I could do some kind of outdoor exercise class now, but doesn't seem to be anything available.

I'm still away for work at the moment. The food here (at the conference) is really good! I'll admit to partaking in a couple of desserts from the buffet, but they are small and overall it's been a pretty good couple of days food-wise. I've also been out running a couple of times (only a short distance as im unfamiliar with the area) and done some yoga. So not too bad overall.

@NancyEspana hope your DS gets better soon.

Thanks numberblock. He has woken up in a much better mood today, but is still a bit full of the cold.

I also used to love buggyfit. They do outdoor bootcamp near me, but I'm not a fan. Too many burpees in the mud . I did it once and hated it. Put me off for life! Those who love it REALLY love it though, a bit like Crossfit. So maybe worth a go?

I'm setting myself a little challenge today where I don't snack at all between meals. Doesn't sound like much does it, but I'm such a habitual grazer and I want to change that habit. If only to be a better role model for dcs, as I'm always trying to get them to eat more at meal times and fewer snacks. I should probably follow my own advice!

So, I've had a decent breakfast, fairly late today. Planning a late lunch and then I've got school run, then dd activity, then DH comes home and I go to yoga. I probably won't be able to eat till about 9 this evening and then planning to go to bed not long after that.

Hope everyone else is well .

Hope DS is better today @NancyEspana?
I had a second bad day yesterday but feeling much better today, still inhaling sugar but I know it's my body trying to find energy from somewhere, I'll aim for a nutritious (if quick and easy) dinner this evening and better tomorrow.

Got a bit of exercise today walking up and down high street Christmas shopping. Phew.

Oh well done on the Christmas shopping emem! I really need to start!

flamingo, DS seems much better thank you. He's still snotty and not 100%, but hopefully well enough to actually do something tomorrow 🤞.

I was at yoga yesterday and it was a good class. I have another one booked for Saturday morning. It's such a treat to have three in one week. Cannot afford to do it every week though.

I've got another fruit and veg box today and I quite enjoy getting them, so I can think of what to make. The fruit is lovely too and all organic. I've got a tonne of apples as we didn't finish last week's before this week arrived...so I might make something involving stewed apples and craisins tomorrow. Not sure what though!

Just have to wrap everything and then schlep to the post office and send it all off to New Zealand.

I like a bit of stewed apple and cinnamon stirred into porridge.

Don't feel like I'm making huge healthy inroads, but have done my dance class this week and had an alcohol free night last night.

Oh yes, that sounds nice wilderness. I might make a low sugar version of a crumble with oats and ground almonds which I have knocking about.

I'm the same, very hit and miss with food, but I'm not doing badly. Feeling much better for exercising more. My arms are bordering ripped, (by my standards). One day I'll be able to chaturanga properly in yoga class and hovering rather than flumping on to the mat.

Just about to make veg lasagna for dinner this evening. I'm trying to be more organised about cooking meals as I find the nibbling while I'm deciding what to make of an evening gets a bit out of hand.

Not a great morning as I've just had a scone. I was hungry after a small breakfast, was running late as DD wouldn't let me shower in peace, she had to come too, she's clingy in the mornings these days so I need to start getting up fifteen minutes before her.
The sun is shining right now though so I'm going to go for a walk at lunchtime.

Not a great morning as I've just had a scone

Depends on your perspective !

We've all been there, when we plan healthy meals and life gets in the way.

A walk in the sunshine will probably do you the world of good .

@NancyEspana That description doesn't really make me want to try bootcamp to be honest! Anyway, the ones near me are all either 6.30am or 7pm, neither of which work for me.

Talking of exercise, today I went to circuits at the gym, but just felt horribly unfit. They were one-minute circuits, eg. press ups with feet raised, box jumps, box lunges etc. I can't keep these up at a high intensity for that long and I just never seem to improve in these type of gym classes. I think it is partly because I never go to the same ones each week due to my varying schedule, so one week it will be Bodypump, the next circuits/intervals, the next nothing etc.

Feeling the urge to snack tonight but trying to resist. I was doing fine with food, but then went to a children's party after school and had a chocolate biscuit and some chocolate cake (to be fair I refused the first time but they came round again and there are only so many times I can say no!). Otherwise, I had muesli and banana for breakfast, apple for a snack, peanut butter sandwiches and yoghurt with blueberries for lunch and couscous, roasted veg and feta for dinner.

Weekends are so much easier for me to keep to my goals.
Yoga first thing. Made a nice pork, cabbage and apple traybake for tea.

Went riding yesterday. Instructor put us through our paces. Lots of riding ever decreasing circles - rising trot and sitting trot (great for glutes quads and core). I basically couldn’t walk after.

My full vegan experiment has ended. I bloated out a bit but thankfully that has gone now.

Having breakfast with ds at the moment - a sharing plate of brown toast and jam, apples and grapes with orange juice. Sitting on the couch with him watching teletubbies. Couch has jam on it.

Just finishing a breakfast of scrambled eggs with cheese, and a bagel. I'm hoping to head out for a walk shortly, it's raining a little but my hair needs washing anyway so I don't care If it gets wet. And I'm feeling a little of the winter blues so I really need exercise, fresh air and daylight.
Do you have a recipe for that tray bake @Wildernesstips? I would love to expand my repertoire of tray bakes as they are so quick and easy

Here’s a link books.google.co.uk/books?id=24ptDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT210&lpg=PT210&dq=sichuan+peppercorn+pork+cabbage+and+apple&source=bl&ots=pyNyrS1SZ1&sig=ACfU3U2vw3NK0VsHAKiqiKBXDAz4WewbdQ&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjjhZLY-_DlAhXhUBUIHfNbCBMQ6AEwGXoECAkQAQ#v=onepage&q=sichuan%20peppercorn%20pork%20cabbage%20and%20apple&f=false

That's for that @Wildernesstips, would you recommend it?
Just finished a big roast dinner (early to eat with DC) and I'm too full to move. 3 different veg though to make up for the two potatoes (roast and mash) and the stuffing. It was delicious.