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!

Those cookies look delicious @PurpleDaisies! Biscuits and cookies are generally safe with me, but oaty cookies are in a different league. If I made those cookies, they’d gone in a few hours, so probably best if I don’t go there 😳

I had a good weekend overall. Plenty of exercise, but somehow my meal with the carrot keftedes ended up being a mind blowing 900+ calories. I didn’t see that one coming at all, so it just goes to show how easy it is to eat too much without realising. It wasn’t even particularly nice, so I will not be repeating that! 😬

I like to set myself a little challenge at the start of the week. This week I’m going to try and avoid crisps (or anything that can be found in the crisp isle) during the week. I’ve found that I tend to fill any calorie deficits with PopChips! So, it’s definitely time to try a few more nutritious alternatives. I’m currently munching some tiny sourdough crackers with a thin layer of homemade feta & jalapeño spread. Luscious 😋

Like the idea of a challenge, @Crazzzycat! Crisp aisle snacks are my kryptonite. Wishing you luck! That spread sounds delicious.

My period totally wiped me out yesterday, DP took pity and bought me an Indian takeaway. I feel much better today and will be working out either this lunchtime or after work, and I'm actually looking forward to my healthy planned meals. Usual brekkie, lunch will be a big squeaky bean bbq pieces salad, and dinner will be the last of the sweet potatoes with cottage cheese and broccoli :)

I haven’t tried those bbq pieces yet. Waiting for them to be on offer. I got more pastrami reduced yesterday.

Period has wiped me out too. I had a whole meal muffin, guacamole and a shed load of painkillers for breakfast. Lunch is a catered thing for a friend’s birthday which I’m very much looking forward to. Dinner will be quorn meatballs with pasta and roasted aubergine/random fridge veg. Can’t wait for bedtime...

Oh no! It sounds like general malaise has hit this thread. I hope you both feel better soon

I tried that Squeaky Bean Pastrami the other day @PurpleDaisies. It was a bit too convincing for me and reminded me of horse meat. I grew up in a country where eating horse meat is fairly normal, so I can confirm that they did a wonderful job on recreating the texture & flavour!

Speaking of food recommendations, was it one of you who recommended Tonychocolonely chocolate? If so, I love and hate you in equal measures. It’s lovely stuff and I’m trying very hard not to use it as a crisp replacement. It’s a struggle! 😋

My plan for today:

Veggie burger wrap with salad. I’m really enjoying the Linda McC. pulled pork burgers at the moment.

Dinner will be orzo with dill, feta and some veggie meatballs.

I’ll no doubt have some more of those sourdough crackers and feta spread too.

For exercise I’m planning a 30 minute session on the exercise bike and may be a walk later, unless it starts pouring down again

Can I join please?
Decided to calorie count enough is enough I am getting out of control i won't be weighing as I know as soon as I see that number I will judge myself and feel awful!
So I won't be weighin but giving myself 1400 calories a day and upping my water intake! Xx

Welcome to the thread @rikakno! That sounds like a solid plan to me. We’re a friendly bunch and I promise we’re not always trying to get each other off track with talk of delicious food! 😄

It took me 6 weeks before I first hopped onto the scales. I didn’t like the figure I saw, but at least I could reassure myself at that point that I was already doing something about it and had developed better habits. At that point, knowing how bad things were spurred me on. I think that if I’d weighed myself at the start I would have just given up as soon as I saw the numbers. What I’m trying to say (in a very long winded way) is that I think you doing the right thing by not weighing now 💪

Welcome @rikakno! Sounds like a great plan :)

@Crazzzycat I think @PurpleDaisies and I are partly to blame for the Tony's Chocolonely suggestion, but really it's Tony's fault for making such gorgeous chocolate. I love the dark choc with salted almond flavour - dark enough that I won't scoff it all in one go but so delicious!

Purple, I'm not sure I'd recommend the BBQ flavour. Would definitely recommend the tikka flavour! I am more intrigued than ever about the pastrami slices now...

I've had a couple of Thornton's brownie squares and am trying to liven myself up to go and exercise now...!

I definitely have to take some responsibility for the chocoloney issue. It’s a regular Friday treat here. I buy small bars knowing full well they’re worse value got money but I like having built in portion control!

I’ve been feeling rubbish all day. Lunch was amazing (hazelnut kale pesto rice salad and courgette and quinoa fritters are two things I’m definitely going to copy) and there was so much I just had more for dinner. There was cake too. I’m having to eat regularly to stop being sick so I’m not thinking about calories today. Survival all the way. At lunch with friends someone remarked that they thought I’d lost weight which was nice to hear.

Interesting views on thd squeaky bean flavours. I liked the tikka but not as much as the pastrami one. I absolutely agree that it’s very meaty tasting which is probably why I like it so much! I’ll have an open mind re the bbq one. I wasn’t keen on a chinese rib one I tried recently.

Welcome @rikakno and hope everyone’s had a good day.

I see, you’re both to blame for the chocolate recommendation @BrimfulOfBaba and @PurpleDaisies! You are forgiven! 😄

Silly question, but what do you do with those Tikka pieces? Do you put them in a wrap, or a salad, or use them as part of a bigger meal?

My plan for today is:

Orzo leftovers for lunch
Bean & halloumi stew with bulgur wheat for dinner

I’ve been having quite a few calories over the last few days (I blame the chocolate!), so will try to reduce that a bit over the next few days.

I have a session on the cross trainer planned for later today. After @PurpleDaisies successfully persuaded me to not go for a more intensive programme at the end of last week, I still haven’t cranked up the resistance. It’s going to happen today! 👊

@PurpleDaisies calorie counting + periods isn't worth it! That lunch sounds gorgeous.

@Crazzzycat I put the squeaky bean pieces in salads and can see them working nicely in wraps. I just got hungry now pre-lunch and had half a pack mixed with cottage cheese.

There's finally a new Arla Skyr flavour in a big tub - raspberry! So that was for brekkie along with granola and an apple. Lunch was going to be a pretend chicken salad but I'll prob just have toast as I've eaten all the best bits of the salad now. Dinner is going to be a Jamie Oliver recipe! Greek style cauliflower stew. And a glass of wine as DP and I had a stressful night and are going to be tired/run down all day.

I did a deadly lower body circuit yesterday and my first 30 mins on the crosstrainer in about a week - keen to fit in a bit more today.

Yes @Crazzzycat you can do it!!

Raspberry Skyr sounds lovely @BrimfulOfBaba. My fridge is well stocked with Skyr, after I was inspired by this thread to get some. My DH hates it so much, he finds it difficult to even see it in the fridge. At least that means it’s not going to get eaten by anyone else 😄

I did my more intensive session on the cross trainer and was surprised by how manageable it was. It was definitely much harder and my muscles are still aching today, but I feel that if I’d had to do another 10 or 15 minutes, I probably could have. Today I’ll be aiming for a 30 minute session on the exercise bike. I like alternating the two, but not sure if I should do more on my upper body 🤔

Today’s plan is veggie burger wrap for lunch and aubergine lasagna for dinner

I’m also expecting a delivery of Tonychocolonely. It’s not easy to get where I live, so I’ve ordered more online. That will be a real test to see if I have indeed become a well balanced healthy eater who can eat chocolate in moderation, or if I’m still a little piggy 🐷🐷🐷

Almost the weekend 🥳

I’ve lasted the week without eating any crisps, so that’s worthy of a celebration. The no-crisp rule does not apply to the weekend so it will be interesting to see how many cravings I get for crisps.

How are you getting on @rikakno?

Hi everyone. I’ve had a pretty rubbish week with period pain and codeine related side effects. I’ve got yet another covid test booked today (thank you Zoe app) but I’m not expecting it to be positive. I’ve been out for a walk everyday but that’s about it and food hasn’t been the best. Feel like a bloated whale at the moment which i know is the codeine/period but I’ll be pleased when all that’s finished. At least I managed to get my hair cut and coloured and it looks about a million times better.

Enjoy that well earned chocolate/crisps @Crazzzycat
I tried some carrot cake overnight oats and they were amazing-thank you @BrimfulOfBaba. Finally I have a change for breakfast!
Happy nearly-the-weekend everyone!

That's 100% worth celebrating @Crazzzycat, I am in awe!! And maybe a little inspired to get a Tony Chocolonely delivery...! Amazing on the more intense cross-training session, too. I am too wussy to move up a level!

Ahh sorry it's been a rubbish week @PurpleDaisies - glad you've had some self care via getting your hair done! Did you get the oat pantry oats? They really are delicious!

I have had a shocker of a week. Terrible eating. No exercise since the last time I reported in. Wedding stress, extra-painful period, work being absolutely insane has taken its toll. But, I have a friend visiting tomorrow and I've had lots of lovely quality time with my partner (even if it was over takeaways and gin) so I'm counting my blessings and focusing on an active and healthy weekend to freshen up :)

I wish you all lovely weekends!

Happy Monday! I ended up having a lovely weekend. If you’re at a pizza express I can highly recommend their vegan mezze pizza with lunchtime cocktails. The leggara version isn’t too bad for calories either. Harissa, aubergine, houmous...all our thread favourites! I met my sister there which was just fantastic (first time with no kids so actual proper catch up). The rest of the weekend involved a fair bit of walking and a fair bit of general eating. I’ve sneaked a cheeky weigh in and all’s well there. Not the lowest but definitely well in the happy range.

Today I’ve done HIIT (awful!) and sorted out a meal plan. Breakfast was toast and houmous, lunch a jacket and beans and dinner will be pasta with pests and roasted veg.

@BrimfulOfBaba I found a recipe for carrot cake oats which was lovely. I’m looking for the ready made ones next time I’m at the supermarket. Hope it was a relaxed weekend for you. It’s so nice seeing friends. How was your weekend @Crazzzycat? Hoping you enjoyed your delivery of chocolate!

Pesto!!! Pest pasta I don’t think is veggie...

That sounds like you had a really rough time @PurpleDaisies. I hope you feel a bit better now? I think when you’re that ill, it’s good to listen to your body and give it the calories it needs. I’m sure it won’t have damaged the diet!

I hope you had a lovely weekend @BrimfulOfBaba! I’m sure the pressure of your upcoming wedding must be increasing by now?

I had a pretty good weekend food wise. I didn’t actually eat any crisps and had only a small nibble of chocolate. Not sure what’s happened to me!

I’m planning to continue with my “no crisps during the week”- rule. I really want to build habits that are sustainable in the long run and that one sounds like quite a sensible one.

This week I’m setting myself the challenge of reducing my caffeine consumption. That’s going to be a tough one as I absolutely love tea (and drink a lot of it as a result!). I’m aiming to maybe reduce that in half. If anyone happens to have any recommendations for nice herbal teas, I’m all ears.

My plan for today is bean wraps for lunch and chana masala & carrot biryani for dinner. I’m also planning to hit the cross trainer for 30 minutes, or may be even a 45 minute session if I feel I have the energy.

I think I cross posted with you there @PurpleDaisies! Glad you’re feeling better and OMG that mezze pizza sounds like it’s right up our streets. I live a long way from a Pizza Express, but do have a trip to Birmingham coming up soon. I will bear that recommendation in mind 😋

Much better thanks @Crazzzycat, although I’ve got my covid jab booked this week so I’m braced for a couple more days of feeling rubbish (it will definitely be worth it though). Dh also has his this week so the Purple household might be on freezer food depending on how we’re both doing.

I’m also a crisp monster and basically do the same with eating them just on weekends or in coffee shops (often prefer them to cake). I particularly like a packet of salt and vinegar kettle chips with Saturday kitchen and a posh coffee! Knowing I’ve got one coming really helps with not craving them all the time.

Good luck with the caffeine reduction. It’s hard at first. I tend to try and alternate caff and decaf now. Not a huge lover of herbal teas (just plain peppermint or raspberry here) but Yorkshire decaf actual tea bags are nice and decaf coffee is excellent these days. I used to be a snob about it but now can’t really tell the difference.

Hi everyone! Glad you're feeling better @PurpleDaisies and hope the jab goes well.

I did thanks @Crazzzycat, I hope you did too! Pressure is definitely ramping up, however last week was a write-off in terms of weight loss. I'm definitely not stepping on the scales for a while! My body has that achey feeling of needing exercise so I'll be doing a lovely intense circuit tonight :)

How's the caffeine reduction going? I agree with PurpleDaisies, the decaf Yorkshire tea is pretty good. I also quite like turmeric tea - the Turmeric Active blend by Pukka is lovely. I also love rooibos, really hits the spot!

Trying to get back to eating sensibly today - I was unwell yesterday and my lunch was a family bag of crisps and a pink lady apple...!

Brekkie today was marmite on buttery toast, lunch will be squeaky bean tikka salad, dinner will be something easy like pre-made ravioli so I can get a workout in :)

I broke my no crisps during the week rule. I blame the big bag of PopChips that mysteriously showed up in my online shop delivery. At least I shared the bag with DH and they were PopChips, so half a bag only came to around 200 kcal. It could have been worse.

I’m not doing so well on my caffeine reduction either. I managed 2 cups of herbal tea yesterday (and 8 normal ones 😳), so there’s some room for improvement there! I think it will be easier once DH stops making me normal tea, because once it’s put in front of me, I just can’t resist!

My plan for today is spicy bean wraps for lunch and bean & halloumi stew for dinner. I feel like I’m eating a lot of the same meals at the moment, after going through a phase of trying out lots of new recipes. The weight is coming off though, which is the main thing I guess. I bought some new jeans yesterday, which are a size smaller than my usual size. That was a pretty good feeling ☺️

Have a great day everyone!

Sharing a bag of Popchips is great restraint so I'd still say your experiment has been a success @Crazzzycat :)

Went off plan for dinner yesterday as DP wanted a pizza and I'm very suggestible. However I still ended up in a calorie deficit as I'd walked loads and had to give in to my body's deep desire for a workout- ended up doing my circuit at 9pm!

And I felt so much better for it. It feels nice to know I didn't workout that late out of worry for how I'll look at my wedding- it was because I needed it to feel better in my body and mind. Yay! I'm finally becoming an insufferable 'exercise fixes everything' person!

Today I had the squeaky bean pastrami (thanks for the recommendation) in wholemeal bread with mustard for brekkie. And a coffee with semi skimmed milk. Lunch will be squeaky bean tikka salad, dinner will be portobello mushrooms with tomatoes, sage and cheddar - another Jamie recipe. Probably with new potatoes.

I'm also finding I'm having less variety in my meals since starting this - but the lbs do come off accordingly! Great news about the jeans size @crazzzycat, you've been smashing it!

I agree-half a bag of any crisps is a serious achievement. My serving size is the bag regardless of how big the bag is...even if dh is supposed to be sharing! It must feel so nice to buy that smaller size @Crazzzycat, mega well done.

I had some treats post jab yesterday but it’s back to normal today. It was such a well organised process and so far I’ve been lucky and only have a sore arm. A very good result. I did hiit this morning with no arms so now my legs are aching from extra squats and lunges! Totally agree on how brilliant exercise is @BrimfulOfBaba-I’m getting itchy if I can’t work out or go for a walk nowadays.

Food today has been toast and cheese for breakfast (woke up starving), leftover dal pita with half a tin of butter beans and a handful of spinach stirred in (much nicer than it sounds). It’s jackets for dinner on the meal plan but I’m not particularly taken with the idea. I might do a chilli or tagine instead.

Glad the jab went well @PurpleDaisies! The additions to the dal sound delicious.

I did a HIIT session yesterday and my legs are absolute agony in the best way today! Will be making a date with the foam roller as soon as my working day is done.

Brekkie was the raspberry skyr with granola, I've had 2 coffees with semi skimmed milk to get me through the first tranche of meetings today. I'm having lunch now - a squeaky bean tikka salad. Keeping it light as dinner is a pre-made caramelised onion and goat cheese quiche :)

The mushroom dish last night was delicious. However when halving the recipe to serve just me I forgot to halve the garlic - I'll be keeping away vampires for the rest of the week!