Anyone else want to make a real effort from tomorrow - 4 weeks of exercise and eating well?

[amiboverd]

I have been trying on and off to lose weight for the past year but now planning to really exercise 3 times a week if I can and cut down on the sugary crap I eat. A but part of it is the habit of wanting something sweet after dinner when I don't even really want it.

@Gymmum82 That's frustrating but it's better 2 great weeks and 2 not so great weeks is better than 4 crap weeks!

@CupOfTia Definitely not too late! I plan to continue as long as I can as it's going to take me a while to lose a few more lbs. I do find with the chocolate it becomes a habit and you can get out of the habit but for me I sometimes need a crutch like a a few squares of dark chocolate a day but I've mostly weaned myself of needing that every single day

I weighed myself this morning and I've lost a lb!

Its frustrating as I can see over time my weight has gone up and down even in the last year or two so I've weighed less than I do now even since having DC2!

Sorry, I have not checked in for a while! But, I have been continuing to diet and have lost 12lb since 10th September. Would love to make it a stone in a month but trying not to put too much pressure on. It's been tough!

That's fantastic! @helpmebe

Wow that's amazing @helpmebe, well done.

I've been very quiet on hear, need to make more of an effort, I think accountability really helps, so I should post more.

3 weeks of exercise and healthy eating and I'm 5lbs down, not quite as much as I wanted but not terrible.

Had a set back with getting covid in the second week, felt less hungry and it was actually my best week for loosing weight, but it meant I found it really hard not to snack last week as I was getting better.

I'm happy with my exercise, 4 workouts a week and 2 walks. I'm happy with my meals. Just really need to work on cutting out snacking/making better snack choices.

I'm still here as is my weight 🤣🤣 menopause is not my friend when it comes to shifting some excess pounds 😊

Still adjusting to my new job and struggling to fit exercise in... new job is more mental than physical which is a change for me.

And today I am meeting a friend for a birthday breakfast then another 2 for coffee and cake... and tomorrow it's a trip to my moms which will mean junk food unfortunately.

I am trying... just need to try harder 😫

Hello everyone, you are all doing amazing! Am I too late to join? I only just restarted to healthy eating and exercise at the weekend.

My story is, I lost a huge amount of weight after becoming seriously unwell with covid in 2020. I lost about 7 stone or so (actually, I think I had lost some of it before covid, I cannot really remember tbh). Maintained it really well with lots of exercise. Then earlier this year, I got a new job and was exhausted and working at home in the evenings etc and exercise and healthy eating fell to the wayside.

I haven't weighed myself as I don't care what I weigh, I am focussing on measurements. I would guess I have about 3 inches to lose roughly, from both my waist and hips. I want to build back up my muscle so weighing myself is pointless. I am more focussed on my clothes fitting properly again!

Good luck everyone, looking forward to hearing about everyone's progress!

That's good too @EnglishRose1320 !

@HouseofHolbein i feel like that too. I definitely find it harder to lose weight than I did ten years ago and before I had kids!

on the plus side the new dress I ordered for a party I have coming up has arrived and I really liked it and feel inspired to maybe eat less for a few days although I'm hungry now and thinking about what to have for lunch!

welcome @FUPAgirl 👋

I think I posted on this thread near the beginning but haven't really been following it since, so forgive me if I'm suggesting something you may have already tried...

The key to losing weight is cutting out UPF, refined carbs and above all SUGAR. All these foods literally assault your taste buds, with the result that the much more subtle - but delicious!! - flavours of vegetables don't seem enough.

UPF is full of sugar. You body rapidly converts refined carbs to sugar. If you are able to wean yourself off these foods and sugar in all its forms, healthy eating becomes so much easier. Whether you go cold turkey or eliminate sugar gradually is up to you - but it is the key to a healthy life.

Dr Becky Gillaspy has lots of useful and succinct talks on YouTube. The Sugar Solution by Dr Mark Hyman is very informative and extremely interesting.

To lose weight, get into the habit of intermittent fasting and portion control, and cut out snacking. Eat mostly vegetables, approximately 20-25% lean protein and small amounts of complex carbs, dairy and healthy fats. That's it!!

Hope everyone is ok!

I was planning to do a workout on Tuesday or Wednesday but felt unwell so didn't do it and today my little one was unwell so haven't done one again!

If I can finish work a bit early I'll do a workout before nursery pick up as I'm working from home. I still don't feel great though so we'll see!

I've been listening to this. Just an entertaining, easy listen.

https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-secret-world-of-slimming-clubs/id1463962857

Just popping back in. Still going here and know I need to carry on past Wednesday, which will be 4 weeks since I started this. Anyone else up for carrying on?

Is the wedding this weekend AmI?

I've lost almost 2kg which I'm pleased with. I weigh the least I've weighed in 13 months. I know I can do it now, although it's boring having so few treats. I took almost 2 minutes off my recent 5k time on Thursday and I've been back in the sea too, which is good for my well-being.

How's the weekend going for you all? How are things looking at the almost 4 week stage?

Enjoy your party @amiboverd

@BaffledOnceAgain i lost approx 5-8lbs but haven’t lost anything in the past week - 10 days. I really need to carry on as I need/want to lose approx 55lbs (that would get me in the top end of healthy on bmi). Well done on 2kg lost and reducing your 5k time is fantastic.

welcome @FUPAgirl sorry to hear you were so unwell during Covid. Great that you are using measurements to judge how you are doing - I am pretty sure that’s the healthiest way to do it. i am too motivated by the scales though which is great when they go down but demoralising when they don’t!

I tried to sign up for a free trial on les mills and spent ages (at least an hour) trying to get it to work on my tv and doing updates etc. Grr. Going to have to try again directly on les mills website I think but first I need to check if I have any Clubcard points and will use those if I can

I did actually take a couple of measurements when I started last month and apparently my hips have gone down 2 cm. My waist is the same but possibly I measured where my waist is thinnest rather than my belly button- if so I have lost 11 cm but I genuinely have no clue! Bit gutting if I have lost from my hips but not my waist as that means i became even more of an apple shape!! I am perimenopausal so I guess it’s possible.

@BaffledOnceAgain Gosh it's been 4 weeks?! Yes was yesterday! I loved my dress and felt good in it but still feel I need to lose a few lbs. I didn't actually eat that much yesterday but I'm going to relax a bit today and if I want cake I'll have some but then I'm going to carry on and try to lose half a stone if I can!

I should have weighed myself this morning. I think I've lost a couple of pounds over which isn't loads but I also think I've done well in cutting down on sweets as much as I have and it's become less of a habit and that should benefit me in some way.

I need to try to exercise more as it makes me feel good and I can tell a difference in my stomach especially (I had ab separation but it's much better). I haven't managed much this week with being unwell and the DC being unwell and family stuff to do!

@Burntumber there are some Les mills workouts on YouTube too. If you've lost a some cm that's good. I'd be happy to lose it from anywhere 😄

Hello. I started going to the gym about 2 years ago. I enjoyed the training, I could go every day because it gave me pleasure. Unfortunately, I have been struggling with a huge lack of motivation for several months. It's hard for me to get going and do even the shortest training. Do you have any tips for finding your footing in sports again? I will be grateful for even the smallest help.

It really depends on your current fitness level and what you enjoy doing, @valerie22 .

If you are a beginner, Lucy Wyndham Read is very good. I particularly like her Thighs & Glutes workout.

If you are ready for something more challenging, try Rebecca Louise, Heather Robertson, Jake Dupree, Cindy Cummings. Rebecca Louise's Best Abs, Best Arms and Bingo Wings workouts are very effective.

A strong core really helps. Do the Bowflex 3-minute plank every day and you'll see what I mean.

If you like HIIT, look at Growingannanas.

If you want to work out with weights/dumbbells, there is no one better than Caroline Girvan. She is my go-too trainer. After working out with her for 3 years I'm fitter than I would ever have thought possible!

@valerie22 could there be something going on like vitamin deficiency, or something medical? When I have no energy to do things supplanting vitamin d seems to help. Good to take it at lunchtime. For me getting exercise out of the way and getting up early normally works but I haven’t been disciplined enough to do this this time round - I need to get my sleep pattern better first though as I stay up too late watching tv. Another idea for you might be some kind of challenge to give a fresh focus like a half marathon/ event or possibly workingout a buddy from your friend group OR sign up to a paid subscription and workout from home so it’s less time consuming but you have invested so need to get value from it? Good luck

@amiboverd thanks I will check that out on YouTube!

weight up today but I worked out I ate about 3000 calories yesterday so not exactly surprising!!

@valerie22 I think we're all different when it comes to motivation so you'll need to find what works for you but I also think it goes up and down for most people.

I can think of some things I've found helpful - find an exercise you actually enjoy (for me it's Les Mills Body Combat - I recommend the Body Combat Invincible course on YouTube), something to work towards helps like a wedding or a holiday, putting things on a planner or diary helps me as does early morning workouts, setting achievable goals such as 2 workouts a week even if I'd rather do 3 as I know I'll be more motivated if I keep to my goals.

@Burntumber I don't think it's a good idea to weigh myself as I've had a few days off the diet and exercise due to family wedding but I did 12K steps today (much of it carrying a toddler) and I'm exhausted. My view is the odd day or few days are not a big deal though if generally you're going in the right direction. I know I'm eating a lot less sugary stuff generally but I need to keep it up.

I'd like to get back on track until Christmas but let myself have a few treats at Christmas without overindulging 😬 Is that even possible at Christmas?! Should I be even thinking of Christmas in October? 🤷‍♀️

Well done everyone for making it this far even if it's not perfect 👏🏻

Is it too late to join 👋🏻 I work from home and need to lose weight after piling it on by being so sedentary. I’ve joined the local health club and aiming to swim three times a week and gym twice. I’m on week two so far, it’s just the food that I’m struggling with I definitely find i eat more when I’m at home and then want snacks in the evening. So far I haven’t given in but thinking I should get some healthy snacks in.

@HOL2024 Welcome 👋

@HOL2024 welcome! I am finding I have to really focus on getting protein in as it fills me up - seems to make a big difference to staying on track and losing weight. I hate cottage cheese (dh loves it so we have it in) but have made a quite good protein desert using about 60g low fat cottage cheese mixed with a half teaspoon of maple syrup and vanilla extract then stir in a tablespoon of almond butter and about 8 g of pea protein powder - then add a square of 90% dark choc chopped up small. It was stuff we have in the house already so maybe not worth it unless you like that kind of stuff

hope you enjoyed the wedding @amiboverd - think your right sometimes it’s more important just to enjoy social time and have a few days off

Glad you felt good in your dress AmIBovered. Makes the last month worthwhile.

Until today, I've carried on being much better at my eating. As another pp has said, I've been eating more protein and less carbs, whilst still exercising loads. I swam today in a pool for the first time in 5 years! I'm looking much better than I was, but I don't think I'll ever get rid of my stomach - I can remember it looking like this when I was 14. I have good abdo muscles so people aren't aware of it, but I could be 4 months pregnant, especially at night and after any bread items.

Anyone else fancy staying on here until the end of the year? I did have a bad eating day today, for the first time really, but the plan is to get back on it tomorrow rather than just go back to my old habits. I'm not dieting as such, just choosing Body Coach meals more often than not. I don't weigh stuff and I do have extra snacks, but I've lost the 2kg so far and toned up so I'll stick with it.

Morning everyone!

where are you all in your journeys to lose a bit of weight / get fitter? Are you carrying on?

@BaffledOnceAgain I want to carry on!

I have put on 2lb in a week which is not ideal but it was a bit of a one off week and now I'm going to really try to cut down again. I want to lose a few pounds by Christmas!

I used to feel like that with my stomach and now have ab separation although that had definitely improved with the exercise I've done over the last month or so.

Thanks @Burntumber it has been lovely

I have gained last week as not been on it with logging food. have been decorating the kitchen over the weekend which means I haven’t really wanted to do much fussy cooking so toast has been eaten a lot more than usual. I did 3 spin workouts at home earlier in the week - only 20 mins or do but was quite fun.

I have a lot to lose - could probably still be on here in a year tbh!

@Burntumber If you can jeep going for a year that's great even if you have breaks in between!

I'm getting back on track this week or trying to. I had some Chocolate today more than once