New high = new low

[Todayillbebetter]

I am at my highest weight since being pregnant 10 years ago. I am 14 stone and 5ft 6.
I just couldn't stop eating/ bingeing and saw myself go above 12, 13 and now at 14 stone. All put on in a year - a stressful year.

I've resorted my fitbit, got the app and walked 5k yesterday and today with an aim to eat 1200 calories. But food is my mental comfort. Gah
I need new clothes now I'm too fat for everything I own.

Welcome Operation!

I feel your pain and frustration, I really do. I'm an emotional eater (and the last 8 years have been v emotional) and also reward myself with food/wine.

This year was the year I was going to finally lose 4 stone, and I joined Slimming World for the 4th time in as many years, but just couldn't stick to it. When I came back from holiday in August I was 10 pounds heavier than at the start of the year: 15:13. Heavier than when I was pregnant!

I can only tell you what's worked for me, and that's been using My Fitness Pal to log my calories. I stick to 1300 a day, but on a Friday I allow myself to drink the wine and eat a bigger portion. I give myself permission to take an evening off, but I do get straight back on it the next day.

The thing that's clicked for me is not self-destructing due to being rigid with myself. I cook the same meals but have a smaller portion. If I really can't trust myself with this with certain meals (like homemade lasagne which I could eat all day), I buy a skinny ready meal version and have that.

Like you I have children, a job and am studying, so it's almost impossible to prioritise myself; I just decided that life still goes on, meals out, parties, emotional days; but that I would just try my best to eat less and lose weight. This week gas been the first week I've not lost any as DP and I went for an amazing meal and I don't regret those chips!

I am more than happy to hold your hand! No judgment, no shame, just a slow and realistic approach to losing weight that doesn't involve slimming clubs, crazy amounts of exercise or faddy eating. Just a tiny bit of planning and a little bit of willpower.

You can do it!

Thanks for the reply! Oh so much I could have written myself! Yes to this was the year to lose 4 stones, this is the year I went on holiday and came back heavier than when I was pregnant - and I certainly didn’t do minimalist pregnancies. I have nutra check on my phone so counting the calories is easy enough to do. I’m daunted though so I’m over complicating the whole thing in my head. I just think it’s amazing how much about trying to lose weight is in your mind and if you have limited headspace to give to it, it gets a lot tougher. Enough of the excuses though, I’m going to menu plan this morning for the week. What do you do for lunches? On your Friday night off do you count all the calories? Do you count fruit and vegetables? I’m stealing the Thrown diet plan!

OK - don't panic! One day at a time with this, otherwise it can feel like too much (and like a punishment, and it's not meant to be that, not at all!).

Menu planning is key!

As you say, keep it simple. Eat the stuff you normally eat (cos who has time to cook different meals, I bloody don't), but have a bash at working out what they roughly come to. It's impossible to count everything, so just count what you can. And yes, that includes all fruit and veg!

My day is generally this:

BF: I x toasted pitta bread with 2 x eggs (301 cals)

LUNCH: Jacket spud and a small tin of sugar free beans (460)

DINNER: Normally a smaller portion of what the family have and I log as 500 cals. Or I buy a ready meal if we are eating at different times or as I mentioned, I can't trust myself to not scarf a massive portion!).

This takes me to 1200 cals. If I am hungry I'll have a banana or an instant 60 cal soup, and I like those 10 cal jelly pots. that gives me a 100 cal snack allowance - absolutely essential some days, like today, as taking DS to cinema and don't want to eat any chocolate!

Friday's calories - no - I just complete my diary in the usual way. I have found that I am not binging in the usual way at all. Not because I am amazing, but because I think massively reducing my wine inatke has helped the cravings; but this took a few weeks.

Not everyday is easy; I have occasionally had a slice of pizza rather than make a healthier tea because I'm tired, that's life. Or a double decker when it's that time of the month.

So for example I had my usual breakfast but I know I'll be starving when I get back from the cinema, so will have another poitta bread but with ham and sald stuffed inside. Dinner is roast chicken etc - I'll have some white meat and lots of steamed veg, but no roast pots, gravy etc. So I'm still eating, just a bit more carefully? And I'm making that meal anyway!

I think the thing for me was just realising that it was ok if it took me 6 months. so long as I kept going!

It's really not much of a plan - but by all means steal it! And I promise, I totally understand how scary this all feels, but it really is possible!

Morning all! Hope you are all doing ok.

Four weeks til my first goal (14:7) which will be a total loss if 1 and a half stone.

I have 5 pounds to lose so fingers crossed I can do it! Busy week including a meeting in London where lunch is provided so will have to take my own AND be super strong...work lunches are always delicious...

Happy Monday all. 💚

Morning! 1 and a half stone will be a brilliant achievement. And you’ve already lost 1 stone 2, that’s fabulous. How long has that taken? - not that it matters, it’s gone now never to return!
Day 1 here. Did a big shop yesterday and much cooking to get ahead for the week. Had intended to study yesterday but hopefully all the meal prep will take a bit of pressure off during the week and I’ll get some study done, I’ve a working lunch tomorrow too, it’ll just be sandwiches but somehow the novelty makes them seem more attractive than they are! I’m planning to take my own and try to believe it’s nicer. Must remember to stop treating every occasion I eat out as if it’s my one and only opportunity to do so for the rest of my life. We never ate out when I was growing up and still at my advanced age I treat it like the last supper.
We have friends coming for dinner on Saturday. Need to plan ahead as food and wine will be consumed. Wine is definitely my downfall and I’m not good at moderation. Need to think about what I’m going to do. In the meantime it’s 1300 calories for the day.
Have a good Monday!

Hi, Operation! Gosh it's nice to have some company!

It's taken me 8 weeks to lose that - last weeek was the first week I have stayed the same/not lost, but that was due to a planned dinner out (which was bloody amazing!). And yes, hopefully it will never return!

I think you have summed up the midnset really well - all too often 'dieting' is all or nothing, when there is no need for it to be that way! I am also rubbish at moderation, but allowing myself that one evening to drink and eat really helps me manage the rest of the week. And I do still eat!

I weigh on a Friday, then enjoy my Friday night - can you pick a day which helps you to do the same? So weigh Sat morning this week? I don't think it matters if you need to be flexible some weeks (in terms of when you weigh), just stick to the fundamental principle that eating less calories will result in a weight loss! That is all. I really don't believe there is a magic bullet.

Are you ok with 1300? I worked mine out on MFP based on weight, how much I move and how much I wanted to lose each week. Make sure you aren't going too low, or you will crack. And be realistic - I have had the odd day when i have eaten 1700 cals because I've been hungry, or I just really needed them; that's ok too.

You can def do this, you really can.

Well day 1 in the bag yesterday. 1300 is probably fairly tight but I’ll see how I go with it. I think 1400 would be ok but I want to give myself a bit of wriggle room for the weekend. I’m going to weigh on Thursdays, that’s when I can get to the scales. I don’t want to use my own because I don’t think they’re accurate or consistent and also I think weighing once a week works better for me. I’m booked in for an exercise class this evening. I used to really enjoy it but I’ve really struggled to find the time to go in the last 6-9 months. Going today involves a bit of juggling but I’m going to give it a go.
Work lunch today but I’m going to bring my own with me. That’s not an unusual thing to do so I won’t stick out. Dinner is stew and I made it on Sunday. Get me! I wonder how long I can keep this up!
Have a good day!

Sounds fantastic, Operation! Totally realistic! Congrats on Day 1 done and dusted!

Knowing what you are going to eat is key, I think - if I know what I'm having for dinner (quorn cottage pie and peas tonight!), then I'm much less likely to pick and self-destruct.

Good luck with the class tonight. I walk and swim but no time for anything else with work and study and family etc. But that's fine, my focus is the food!

Don't put too much pressure on yourself - changes take time, so if you need an extra 100 cals to take the edge off, do it. It really is so much better than the thousands we were having before!

Hope your work lunch goes well (and again, well done on the planning). I am working from home today, always tricky, so I normally have a baked spud and beans, which feels like a decent lunch. And I treat myself to favoured coffee (just in a jar), which I drink black so 0 cals. Currently got an Irish Coffee on the go (no booze, honestly!).

You can do this!

Let me know how it goes today.

Good morning everyone, just checking n to see how everyone is doing.

I did a sneaky mind week weigh - no sign of any loss yet, but have been laster focused all week so far, and my trousers feel a bit looser today. We'll see!

I've not had a drink since last Monday 8/10, so literally can not wait for Friday this week.

How did you get on with your work lunch, Operation? I'm on a work thing tomorrow where lunch is provided, but asides from fruit, I will not cave!

Day 2 yesterday in the bag and I went to Body Pump last night too. It was a bit of a faff to get there and I nearly didn’t go but as always I was glad I’d done it afterwards. I can feel it this morning though and I had the lightest weights possible. I’m a weakling. There was a woman beside me who looked absolutely fantastic with about 4 times the weight I had on her bar. I wanted to be her.
I managed to remember to bring my food with me for lunch and avoided the work stuff so positively angelic. Lasagne in the fridge ready for this evening. I’m so glad I did all that cooking ahead at the weekend, it makes such a difference. I find menu planning tricky because the wretched children all like different food so there’s always somebody complaining.
Working at home today and trying to get myself organised a bit. I agree working at home is tricky food wise.
I like the sound of the flavoured coffees. No calories you say? Can you just get those in the supermarket?
Looser trousers! I can only dream!
Have a good day!

Operation - you are on FIRE! Well done, you must be feeling really good about things - one day at a time! Handling the work lunch thing is brilliant - they always look good, and I always think, lovely, someone has cooked for me! But there will always be another work lunch - and my treat is Wine Friday (two more sleeps)!

Nothing wrong with a bit of fitness envy, too.

Meal planning really is key. I just cook what I always cook for DS and DP (though there are slight variations for different tastes of course). I keep a stash of ready meals in the freezer for me (Sains basics range is weirdly low-cal and cheap, I like their cottage pie, great with a pile of peas!).

Yes, I like these coffees and get the in Sainsbury: www.sainsburys.co.uk/shop/gb/groceries/beanies-cinder-toffee-flavour-coffee-50g

The ameretto one is great. Tastes like Christmas in my sad little mind.
A little pricey but often on offer and with a splash of milk they feel a bit special.

Good luck on home working; I had that yesterday but stayed on it. On campus today and Friday, up in London tomorrow with my massive tupperware box of crudites and fruit!

Looser trousrers but not too big yet - by Christmas I hope. As yours will be!

Just about hung on yesterday. Working at home is very tricky! Feeling the effects of Body Pump even though I was on tiny weights! It must.be doing something! Hurting me mainly I think.

I like the look of those coffees, they look like they would feel like a treat even though they’re not calorific.

Busy day today work wise, need to get a shift on today or I’ll be working over the weekend to hit a deadline on Monday.

You’re off to London today with your packed lunch? Hope it goes well. I have a talent for making lunch then leaving it behind.

Have a good day!

Well done! I agree about home working. It can be a disaster.

Sorry your muscles are aching, hopefully you'll feel better the more you go.

I survived the buffet but it was a close call! It was full of all my fave things like wraps and samosas, but I left and had my sandwich by the river, then just had some melon. Honestly, I should get a medal!

On train home now, so a spot of tea then need to study, then bed. Am literally counting the hours til wine and nuts tomorrow.

Will post weigh in results in the morn.

Well done sliding past the buffet! It’s easy to give in!
I weighed in this morning since Thursday is the day I get to the scales. Half a pound on since last Thursday which clearly would have been worse if I hadn’t hopped on the wagon on Monday. Hopefully I’ll see a drop next week.
Good luck with the weigh in tomorrow- just one big sleep until you get the wine!

That's exactly the right approach, viewing this as the long game. It takes a bit of time to get into a rhythm, the important thing is that you have started the process!

Don't underestimate how hard it can be to take the plunge. You're doing amazingly!!!

Anyway, two for me this week (feels like it was worth 5 though for good behaviour!).

Fri 19/10: 14:10. Total loss: 1 stone 3.

3 weeks til first milestone, aiming for 14:7.

Wine and Thai chicken curry tonight, and finish work at 1pm so a nice day ahead! I have a huge amount of studying to do over the weekend but other than that, all is cool!

What are you studying btw?

That is a really brilliant weightloss! You should definitely hit your milestone. Are you feeling the difference? Are other people starting to notice? I have a whole wardrobe of clothes that don’t fit and I remember when I successfully lost weight ( a very long time ago ) it really helped to try things on once a week. Sometimes you can see the change even if the scales don’t reflect it.

I’ve got some really nice fish for dinner this evening so that will be pretty low calorie, then tomorrow night friends for dinner which will be more of a challenge! I had started cooking ahead for it last night but the sauce went a bit wrong! Will have to try to sort that tonight.

What are you studying for? I’m doing a part-time MSc in a very niche work-related subject. I’m really enjoying it but my word it’s hard to find the time for it! I’ve resorted to a timetable for the next week trying to put in time slots for everything. It soon goes wrong though. I had intended to do menu planning and online shopping last night but ended up helping dd2 bake a cake she needs to take somewhere tonight. Also had to sort out fancy dress for ds2 to wear to school today. Ah well - menu planning for me tonight!

We had a few tough years and in a lot of ways things have settled now and it’s good but I always take on too much. All good though!

Enjoy your Thai curry and wine! You deserve it!

Thank you! I'm feeling the difference certainly but no one has noticed yet! I don't think people who see you every day do really but my Mum is coming for Christmas and she'll hopefully notice!

Clothes are feeling looser but the best thing is the headspace it's creating? I feel in control of my eating and ability to change things for the first time in 8 years. I'm enjoying that.

I'm sorry you've had a tough few years and relate to that. Hopefully as you say things have settled.

Well done on your MSc. Not easy to juggle that with work and family! I did my MA p/t whilst my DS was little and it's tough. I'm now doing my PhD (I'm in the social sciences), full time and also lecturing. I love it, but it can be challenging! You really do need to carve time out for it and stick to it. Not easy when cakes need to be baked and the food shop done.

I hope tonight's dinner goes well and you enjoy your wine! My evening was lovely, but now back to reality!

What are you up to today? I think DS wants to go scooting at the local indoor park. I get a surprising amount of work done at these places! Just need to take healthy snacks as he'll want McDonald's after...

Enjoy your weekend.

Bugger! I gave in to Friday night! I do this a lot, I need to count it up but I had wine because it was there and it was Friday. It wasn’t a massive blowout but I was also starving and had 2 slices of the kids’ pizzas. I’ll count it up and see what the damage is. The important thing is not to get stuck in the rut. Oh my weak will!!
You are a very early riser!! Even on the weekend. I’m lying here trying to drag myself from the pit. Def not a morning person!
It’s funny with losing weight, Nobody notices for ages and then suddenly everyone does. I know what you mean about headspace though. After my second child was born I lost about 41/2 stones. It was the first time I’d ever really been successful at it and I felt like I could do anything. It was such a massive thing for me to do and if I could do that then anything was possible. I did keep it off until I had a couple more children close together and I’ve never really lost the weight since then. It’s good to really notice how much better it makes you feel. It’s doubtless not good that there’s so much emotion, self-esteem, moral judgement tied up in whether you’re fat or not but it’s the way it is so I suppose it’s better to try to use it to your advantage!
A PhD! Dear lord! The part-time MSc is killing me! It’s 25 years since I did anything like this and my poor brain is befuddled. You’re right about the time carving though. I need more discipline in my life! In so many ways!
Now for the weekend. There’s a lot of taxi-ing to do today. Sports team stuff for 2 kids this morning, one is going on a course today so needs left there, then a Cubs thing for one, a birthday party for another. It sounds more hectic than it is but it’ll be fairly steady. Friends coming this evening so I need to cook for that. I started on Thursday night trying to get ahead but it went a bit wrong!
Have a great weekend!

Morning Operation, how did last night's dinner go? Did you manage to get something together in the end?

Do not beat yourself up about Friday - you are not weak! Count it if you need to, or let it go, and move on. Next week plan it better, so that you don't sabotage as much - I am not good if I'm hungry, and I understand the pizza thing only too well.

I also did my MA quite recently, when I was 42, so my brain is also frazzled!

What are you up to today? DS and I went to a lcoal trampolone park yesterday, and he lasted three hours, so I got lots done! DP has taken him out now so I can study, then I'll take him swimming later. It's beautiful here, so I fancy a bit of fresh air at some point too.

Enjoy your Sunday, and keep posting; it really does help.

As we both know, eating for us is very emotionally charged, and that is a hard thing to get on top of! As a feminist I loath how the beauty industry values a thinner shape, but my feminism has also stood in the way of me losing the weight (because it's my body, not the beauty industry's). We can't win, we can only do our best, and what is good for us!

Four and a half stone is a massive amount, and if that's what you want to lose again, you will (I also need to lose 4 stone, I'm still only just under what I was full term with my DS!).

For some bonkers reason my post above has moved around and is in the wrong order!

Hopefully it still makes sense...

Hello all, I am back from my holiday.. in Italy, so yes I ate all the good/bad stuff. I'm such an emotional eater, thinking every meal is my last "bad" meal so I end up binging.

I did not want to post as I've not been healthy eating at all and felt miserable saying the same thing yet again.

But I've got it all out of my system. winter veg soup made and meal planned for the rest of the week.

I have a month for my first goal which I will not make but that's okay, it's been tough at home with a 5 month old who doesn't like sleeping, a difficult husband who loves his food and no support and the stress of buying a new house! So I'm being more realistic, health lifestyle starts now!

Well done @ThrownMuse on the amazing loss, not long till your goal and you can definitely do it!! Time is certainly flying by. Hope you have planned something nice for your birthday.

Welcome @OperationTransformation - I feel new too because I disappeared but I'm back now. We can all do this together! 

So sorry if my post doesn't make sense.. I rambled on whilst my DD thinks 3am is the perfect time to play/cry/keep mummy up. I've already had 3 hours sleep which is a bonus so this is a good night! Looking forward to my soup tomorrow with lots and lots of water! Happy Monday everyone.

Duckii! It's so great to hear from you!

But up at 3am wirh a baby is no time to be berating yourself for your food choices: I think you are a superstar for even considering weight loss when you have so much going on.

How are things with the new house and hubby? Full on I imagine.

Would it help to scratch all thoughts of your original goal and start afresh? How about 3 pounds in 3 weeks, and we can work towards our goal together of 9th November? Not too terrifying!

It really is lovely to have you back, and we are totally here for you.

Hopefully you got a bit more sleep.

@ThrownMuse I know. To be honest it's really hard not to, when you see people who have had babies and they bounce back to their pre-preg weight so quickly.
But you're right, I am starting off fresh and 3 pounds in 3 weeks sounds like a good start for me.
Things are better but we are still in the process of buying the new house. Everything is quite expensive (it's a new build) so that adds to the stress.

How are you? It must feel great when your clothes feel looser!

Oh bless you, you have a lot to be dealing with! Be kind to yourself.

My DS is 8 and I am only just managing to deal with the massive changes (and life events) that my body went through. So I most certainly did not bounce back either!

Don't forget you are not alone, but just do what works for you.

Yes, looser clothes is nice but no one has noticed the loss yet. I think at two stone it will be noticeable. I bloody hope so!