Healthy weight loss without weighing ourselves

[BrimfulOfBaba]

Weighing myself is driving me crazy! I know what works for me and that's managing my calorie intake and exercising regularly. Whether or not I have the drive to stick to it consistently is another story entirely...

It doesn't help me to see the fluctuations in weight on the scales anymore. All it does is demoralise me if it's up, or make me compete with myself to get it even lower. Not healthy!

My wedding is in July and I want just enough fat loss to feel comfortable. I can monitor this via how clothes fit and photos rather than the scale, for now.

I'm going to use this thread to record my activities for the day as it keeps me motivated. Please feel free to join me!

To start - my aims. I am currently approx 9 stone 10 - who knows?! I'm happy with my overall size but carry excess fat on my middle, upper arms and thighs. I'd also like to lose some fat/fluid around my face before the wedding. I don't want to eat 'diet' food or cut out any food groups, I'd rather eat sensible but filling portions of things I actually like.

I count calories but don't have a singular caloric target. My aim is to burn approx 500 more than I eat each day, which I can track using MFP and my FitBit. I'll reach

Brekkie was honey skyr (150g - I may not want to weigh myself but I need to weigh my food!), 30g of granola and coffee with semi-skimmed milk. About 250 cals.

Lunch will be: Homemade spiced sweet potato wedges, some caramelised onion hummus, and onion and garlic dip, with an oil-dressed salad on the side. About 618 cals.

Dinner will be: 100g wholewheat fusilli and a homemade sauce of courgette, ricotta, garlic and onion. Using up leftovers! About 480 cals, may be more depending on how much ricotta I use and whether or not I'd like to add parmesan.

So that's roughly 1,345 cals intake (but we have some chocs in that are looking at me...let's see) and I'm hoping to burn about 200 cals on the crosstrainer tonight as well as doing a legs circuit.

Will update tomorrow with actual numbers :)

I would love to join this. I've been weighing myself regularly and I find upticks really demoralizing. I'm VERY slow to lose anyway so just plan to eat right and hope for best.

Welcome @Dontknownow86! Sounds like a good strategy :) Happy to support you however works best for you.

According to my FitBit I burned 2,139 cals throughout the day. I recorded 1,618 calories eaten (demolished more garlic dip than planned) - but I had some chocolates that were unrecorded. Regardless, I had a caloric deficit, yay, and am a good sort of sore post-workout.

Today's plan involves enjoying the heatwave with an alfresco dinner. I had wanted 30 mins on the crosstrainer so will see if I can fit that in on my lunch break rather than the evening as I usually do - only had one online meeting this afternoon which has now been cancelled, so really, I should be able to!

Today's meal plan:
B: 150g honey skyr, 30g granola, 40g blueberries (266 cals)
L: Salad of baby spinach, cucumber, tomato, spring onion, 100g tikka vegan chicken-style pieces and 100g cottage cheese, olive oil and balsamic (436 cals)
D: Fried halloumi and olive and pepper salad in a garlic and herb pitta with sweet chilli sauce, and elderflower cordial to replace the wine that I actually want (603 cals)

1,305 calories total today. I should reach a deficit even without exercising today, but I'd like the extra cushion given my sneaky chocolates yesterday!

Hey. This sounds great. I'm top end of 16stone tho but solid muscle rather than round. The scales really bother me and I get obsessive sometimes and it never makes me feel good as I never actually lose weight. I usually burn 3-4K cals a day and have cals set around 1800.

I'm starting to realise the scales can be such an unhelpful way of measuring our fitness, @Looneytune253! Your daily burn is incredible, what do you do? I never seem to burn much more than 2,000 a day but I suppose my job is pretty sedentary (desk based!).

@BrimfulOfBaba I think it's just my size but I am pretty active. Do a minimum of 10000 steps most days but closer to to the 4K when I've done a proper workout too. I have an underactive thyroid which I think prevents me from losing weight.

Wow I've just looked and burned almost 5k on Thursday. That was a pretty active day tho which is unusual. 25k steps but no workout

Hi @BrimfulOfBaba! I wonder if any other vanity graduates will come over. Hope so!

I’m maintaining now and love a chatty thread to keep me on track. I’m focussing on looking more toned up rather than losing weight but I think this one will fit.

So far this week (how is it only Tuesday?!) 30 mins unenthusiastic hiit, 1 hour Zumba and a 3 mile walk yesterday. Today it’s a long sunny walk with maybe a barre workout on Les mills. Food has been a toasted muffin for breakfast, a lot of coffee. Lunch leftover lentil bolognese sauce with salad or grilled courgettes (much nicer than it sounds!) and beetroot bourgignon for dinner.

Actually, I need to update that my sunny walk has now turned into a long sit by the harbour with coffee... must move.

@Looneytune253 that's amazing! I'm not sure I'll even break 2,000 today despite managing to squeeze in half an hour on the crosstrainer.

Hi @PurpleDaisies! I hope so too. I realised my break from the scales might need to be more long-term than I thought!

Your food sounds amazing - grilled courgettes sound gorgeous to me! I've not seen a beetroot bourgignon before but that sounds lush. V envious of your sunny sit by the harbour! Sounds tranquil :)

Morning everyone!

Very pleased I did my lunchtime crosstrainer session, although I didn't quite get the burn I wanted in 30 mins due to being hangry, so had to add a walk in the evening to get up to 2,000 cals burned.

Today I've got an upper body circuit and maybe 30 mins on the crosstrainer. A day full of meetings, sitting on my bum, so I'll have to really try for my target of 2,000 calories - walking around the house between meetings in my desperation!

B: I've already had this, it was a cup of coffee with semi skimmed milk, a scramble of 1 egg, 60g pretend chicken pieces, mushrooms, spinach and egg. 307 cals

L: A v light, summery curry I made last night: Paneer in a brothy tomato and ginger sauce with snap peas, with 90g brown rice. About 468 cals

D: Making a black pepper, tofu, asparagus and baby corn stir fry, which I'll prob have with leftover rice and DP will have with egg noodles. About 422 cals.

I also snaffled a couple of chocs. 100 cals.

So if I stick to this, it'll be 1,297 calories in, 2,000 calories out. So gives me some room for a bit of buttered toast if I fancy :)

Somehow hit my 2,000 calorie burn target yesterday (juuust about) despite deciding not to have a go on the cross trainer. I did try to walk a lot in my breaks and did an intense upper body workout (urgh, press ups).

I made the mistake of weighing myself today. I find it perplexing - I can notice real changes in my body and figure and when I was this size a few months ago I was a good 5lbs lighter. Anyway, no more scales for a bit, just trusting the process.

Planning a couple of drinks with DP tonight so trying to adjust my calories throughout the day accordingly. I have a walking meeting with a colleague which should get in lots of steps, and I'd like to do at least 20 mins on the crosstrainer plus some stretching/yoga.

Plan for today (although drinking always makes me eat more...will update tomorrow):

B: 150g honey skyr, 30g granola, blueberries and strawberries, coffee with semi-skimmed milk. 274 calories.

L: A pot of Sainsbury's thai green veggie soup, buttered toast. 443 calories.

D: A salad with usual salad veg, garlic mushrooms, olives, sundried tomatoes and 100g of cottage cheese. Considering adding 100g of cooked green lentils to try and avoid tipsy urges for chips. If I do, that's still a very small (for me) 442 calories.

I've budgeted 2 slim gin and tonics. 166 calories.

So that's a pretty modest 1,325 calories and an aim to burn 2,000. But to be honest there were a lot of chocolates I didn't count yesterday, so I need this cushion. Next week - log all the chocolate!!

Your food always sounds lovely! It was a mega busy day for me yesterday. I managed a couple of walks (including a really nice one at 8pm which was full of bats) totally 5 miles and a Hiit class. I don’t have a Fitbit so no idea about calories. I can’t decide if it would be encouraging or if I’d get obsessed. Food was a mix of healthy and really not...there was an incident with Aldi mini eggs!

Today so far I’ve had a hot cross bun for breakfast, a couple of mini eggs with coffee for mid morning break. Lunch will be an m and s sarnie dh bought and dinner mushroom stir fry. I’ve got fancy looking ones from the Chinese supermarket.

I’ll be glad when the Easter choc temptation is all gone!

Thanks @PurpleDaisies, so does yours! Re: fitbit, to be fair, once I'm at my target weight I don't think I'll use it for the calorie tracking at much. I can see how it might get obsessive. Luckily I've been able to switch my focus on and off!

I hope everyone had a lovely Easter! I had a really nice break from work and although completely treated myself on food, tried to keep things in balance. So, lots of walks and a couple of workouts, and a whole medium Papa John's pizza after a full day's calories, for example!

I stupidly sprained my ankle yesterday so not working out today, although I hope to still reach my step goal. Dreading not being able to work out so close to the wedding...and I have my final dress fitting on Friday...urgh.

Brekkie is a new brand of Skyr (Hesper, coffee and vanilla flavour...nice flavour but oh god it's tart!) with granola and berries, and a cup of coffee with semi-skimmed.

Lunch will be a mushroom and spinach kiev with probably some sort of salad on the side.

Dinner will be a cheddar and shallot puff pastry tart with some tenderstem.

Not sure of calories yet but pretty hopeful I'll get a deficit!

Oh what a pain about your ankle. I hope it recovers quickly. It’s so hard when you have to rest but you want to work out. I’ve got a sore hip which I think is due to my trainers being worn out. I’m having to shorten my walks which is not great for my mood. I’m doing a bit more yoga and a lot less impact for now, and hopefully I’ll get new trainers next week when the shops open.

One thing that has really cheered me up is some new bras I ordered arrived. Only a new nude t shirt bra (dull!!) but I’ve gone down a back size and it looks great!

Once again, your food sounds lovely. I’ve also eaten very well over Easter. I met some friends and baked cupcakes. I’m meeting different friends tomorrow and baking...more cupcakes. I guess they’re easy for covid safe sharing and also a standard portion so you can’t have a massive slice! Also a chippy take away on Friday, plus some posh pies from the local shop. I feel a bit sluggish but I know that’s psychological. Today’s food was marmite houmous on toast for breakfast, lunch will be carrot and lentil soup with bonus harissa and stir fried kale. Dinner is either crispy mushroom salad or mixed mushroom chow mein from Ching he huang’s new book.

Good luck with the fitting-exciting times!

Thanks! Ah, sorry about the sore hip, it is pretty mindblowing what poor footwear can lead to. I am basically bow-legged due to my lazy shoe habits!

Yay for the bra! That must feel great :)!

Ahhhh your food today sounds gorgeous. I really need to buy that book, it sounds lovely! I've been mainly cooking out of Rukmini Iyer's veggie roasting tin book and Joe Wick's veggie lean in 15 - they are both fab but I do need to branch out.

PMT related setback. Had 2 helpings of dinner last night, onion ring crisps (my PMT kryptonite!), a fresh cream and apple turnover and a G&T. This morning I had the remaining turnover and the rest of the (massive) bag of onion ring crisps!

Also really feeling the lack of exercise. Anyway, back on track immediately. My lunch was a mushroom and spinach kiev (Goodlife brand in supermarket freezers, so lovely and about 250 cals) and dinner will be a pasta puttanesca (without anchovies as I can't stand seafood!)

I will also attempt 20/30 mins on the crosstrainer and an upper body circuit. My ankle is feeling better but still pretty sore, but I just have the urge to exercise!

I really like those kievs. It was the final portion of harissa, lentil and carrot soup for lunch with a sliced up spicy tomato tofu sausage chucked in. Marmite houmous on toast for breakfast. Dinner probably chilli and a jacket potato with some guacamole on the side.
I’ve met friends this morning so expended all my cooking energy on cupcakes (!!!) yesterday. The mushroom thing turned into veggie chicken nugget wraps with wholeness rice/quinoa packet, salsa and guacamole. I’m exactly the same for PMT eating. Don’t beat yourself up.

My hip is a bit less sore. At least the cold weather is helping me shorten my walks! Glad your ankle is on the mend.

Oooh tomato tofu sausages sound lovely. I'll keep an eye out for those! Is the marmite houmous pre-made or do you make it? It sounds so up my street.

You're right @PurpleDaisies I won't beat myself up about it. In fact I might just start the exercise again tomorrow - getting up to 10,000 steps today and that'll be enough for now. Ankle can try its luck tomorrow!

The sausages are tofoo brand. The texture isn’t really sausage like and reviews are mixed but I really like them in a pasta bake or in a lentil soup (!). The marmite houmous is ready made-I’ve seen it in Sainsbury’s and Tesco. It’s like crack! Love the stuff. I’ve seen chilli marmite is now a thing. Hoping to find that on my next shop.

Can I join too please? I started trying to loose some weight about 4 weeks ago and made a conscious decision not to weigh myself. I did the weighing thing in the past and it just makes me far too obsessive about every single minor fluctuations. It’s an emotional rollercoaster and I just don’t need that in my life!

I did take a waist measurement at the start and it plan to continue to do so once a month. I’m focusing on generally becoming a bit fitter and healthier as well as cutting calories. I already feel like I have more energy and my jeans are definitely looser, so it’s going well so far 🙂

Hey @Crazzzycat, welcome! I felt really similarly, screw that rollercoaster!

Great to hear things are going well so far, what's your approach?

@PurpleDaisies I'll look out for that, I love veggie sausages chopped up in a salad! I've seen the chilli Marmite and am so tempted...!

I had a very studenty "brunch" of a whole Margherita pizza (Dr Oetker) due to PMT! And will have some ravioli and salad for dinner. Planning to finally get on the cross-trainer this eve and do an upper body circuit. My ankle is much better so I feel I made the right decision in waiting :)

So should still have a deficit today, yay!

I’m taking a fairly relaxed approach @BrimfulOfBaba. I’m really looking for a lifestyle change, not a quick fix, so I have a relatively high calorie goal (1600 kcal). I’m also doing 16:8, as I find I eat a lot healthier if I spread the calories over two meals, rather than 3. Oh and plenty of exercise too!

My meal plan for today is Spicy Mexican bean wraps for lunch and roasted vegetable & bulgur salad with halloumi for dinner. That will take me to around 1100 kcal, so plenty left for some snacks, which will probably be some fruit, yoghurt and maybe some rice cakes with peanut butter! 😋

Are we all veggies on this thread?

All for a sensible calorie goal here! Yay for room for snacks.

Your meal plan sounds delicious! I'm not a vegetarian, but I'd say a good 95% of my diet is. I do cave in to meat some weekends, but trying to curb that since reading 'Eating Animals'!

Welcome @Crazzzycat. I’ve been veggie for years and dh had come over to the green side which makes cooking at home much easier.

I’ve had a lovely day so far. We walked to the next village where there’s a new cafe opened up. It was just sunny and warm enough to have a take away lunch (sweet potato and red pepper soup with a chunk of proper sourdough granary bread) and a coffee. Birds singing, spotted bunnies, squirrels, deer and lambs in the fields. Nearly 8 miles covered and my hip is fine so I hope that’s the last of the pain. Hope your ankle behaves too @BrimfulOfBaba

Tonight’s dinner is leftover cauliflower curry. It’s a bit of a mean portion so I’m going to make some aloo tiki with leftover mash. I love leftovers!