Countdown to Easter

[ItRainsItPours]

All welcome!

Supportive thread for setting goals including self care and fasting, and chat in between.

Oh wow @StealthilyEmbraceTheSilkyBeans That's so inspiring to read - thank you for crediting my post, it means a lot. Especially after a rather low week for me emotionally, when I thought the only thing I had done well with was the eating - Bizarrely I'm unexpectedly up 3lbs from yesterday and from last week... just going to accept that is how it is and there is not always a clear reason.

Loving @StealthilyEmbraceTheSilkyBeans that you're doing 18:6 and motoring - Im cheering you on all the way and look forward to celebrating your fitting into those jeans by May 1. And if at any time you're happy to share more reflections on your emotional eating cues, I know there will be insights in there helpful to the rest of us. Like you, I no longer crave UPFs which feels like an amazing step forward.

My stats this week:
SW: 14.2
CW: 11.2 so up 3lbs from last week
GW: Was 11.2 ... now ready to say 10.12... and recognising that I've been moving around between 10.12 and 11.2 for the last few weeks, which is okay

It is good to think that even having put on 3lbs I am at goal weight, with all the pleasure of wearing clothes I love (yes, I even have trousers I look good in, which feels extraordinary) and of having a body that just moves easily, whether its bending down at an awkward angle to pick up something that's fallen behind the sofa or just striding down the street.

@IDareSay Congrats on the keeping on keeping on. That is a huge achievement without the additional motivation of weight loss to spur you on. I'm hoping you might have had a whoosh this week???

And if not...If you ever feel ready to try it, I know Gin Stephens is a big fan of doing something unexpected to surprise your body into letting go of the weight after a long plateau - such as a 24 hour fast or a couple of days of very short windows followed by longer ones, to just mix up the routine a bit.

@ItRainsItPours I am so sorry - that sounds very tough. Really great though that you're able to focus on exercise and building your body's health while you try to get to the bottom of your stomach issues. I'm hoping that you are not in too much pain....And well done on maintaining your weight loss: I think this is probably the most challenging thing, and a skill we all need to learn if we're going to be the shape we want for the rest of our lives.

How's the week been for you @Clearingaspace ?? I'm looking forward to hearing

ps @StealthilyEmbraceTheSilkyBeans that is seriously NOT a minimal achievement for year end - when you get there later this year, and look back on all you have achieved for your health in the last few years, including the shifts in mindset and increased understanding of yourself, you'll be able to celebrate something hugely significant. And then be able to enjoy staying in that zone, with pleasure and satisfaction.

pps I do have the goal of a 29inch waist again! I was there a few years ago - hopefully now post menopause it is possible again... it feels a tiny thing, but I know if will give me great pleasure and bring a secret smile to my face everytime I think of it!

Sorry to vanish.... feels very rude after I asked a question @StealthilyEmbraceTheSilkyBeans !

I loved reading your full post and imagining you eating carrot cake and drinking cappuccino so mindfully....I haven't managed that with a full portion yet (feels significant), but had real joy over Christmas eating smaller portions with deep pleasure.... Step by step we get there.

And your daughter! Such a precious moment...

Doing things consciously is definitely my equivalent of your mindfully - I realise how much of my life has been lead unconsciously, without thinking...

And WOW WOW WOW you are one lucky woman.... having a DH that is nuts about you has to be everyone's dream!! And very unusual after decades of marriage and children and life... What a gorgeous feeling to treasure and breathe in.

I'd truly enjoy reading about the ways he shows you he loves you throughout the day - just typing that brings a smile to my face - but this may be a step too far for you!

And the reason I've been incommunicado ... I spiralled down, both mentally and physically. And the more I spiral down, the more things fall apart - like my good sleep habits, and gentle exercise.

And yes, I overate... significantly. Interestingly, mainly healthy stuff just in large quantities - and I mean cheese, nuts and oatcakes not leaves!! But I didn't have those cravings for crisps, ice cream and pastries... the vague thought to go and get some from the cupboard popped into my head, but was easily batted away. Since you've talked about not craving UPFs/sugar after eating so healthily @StealthilyEmbraceTheSilkyBeans, Ive been noticing what food desires come up for me.

Chocolate is still clearly my downfall - I found myself scoffing a posh 65% croissant Easter egg and some crispy almond dark chocolate... and curiously, even while demolishing them, I was able to recognise that I was not enjoying them and get far more pleasure from my 90% choc. Though I did truly enjoy the Lindt reindeer left over from Christmas (and yes, some sweet little teddy bear tree decorations) - sweet, milk chocolatey - strangely very satisfying... or perhaps not, given all the childhood memories wrapped up in them and their astonishing mouth feel.

Today I feel a little stronger, and I am going to gently start reintroducing better habits ... like my sleep, and eating. But not ask too much of myself, focussing on staying on an even keel as I recover and hopefully rebuilding that wonderful upward spiral.

I learnt the blindingly obvious reading an article about sleep today - if you don't feel safe, sleep does not come naturally. No wonder I was still awake until 6 am, tightly wired, two days ago....

So FOOD... you wonderful people, this is where you come in. It's meant so much, whether at Christmas or other times, to be able to come on this thread and make myself accountable more publicly. I've so appreciated comments and emojis @ItRainsItPours @Clearingaspace @HarpQuartet

Tomorrow I will weigh myself and see the impact of these days of overeating ... and rebalance a little today by eating 600 calories in a one hour meal... something which has helped a lot in the past, a large meal of wonderfully healthy delicious stuff, reminding me of the joys and power of intermittent fasting and how easy it can be (when my head is in a good space).

Good luck with your weigh in and new start @loveyouradvice the most important thing is being honest with yourself. Tomorrow is a new day.
I am hanging in, keeping track of what I eat but unable to fast. Happy to be maintaining for now.

@ItRainsItPours I am going to congratulate you on maintaining! A big achievement and something we need to recognise more often.

@StealthilyEmbraceTheSilkyBeans Phew... big relief to hear that you're not the Waltons... and that your DD has a slightly more realistic model of what a great relationship can look like. Loving that your jeans are falling off and you are becoming a weight-lifting queen!!!

Croissant easter egg is just that - crispy crunchy bits of croissant in the dark chocolate... very expensive gift last easter... though as I say Im actually not that keen (and it is still in date)...Crispy almonds chocolate is more my style!

Interesting question @StealthilyEmbraceTheSilkyBeans ... I guess I'm lucky in enjoying 90% chocolate - a square of that, a couple of walnuts and 3 or 4 almonds is my deeply satisfying end of meal snack. I've found I even have it after breakfast! So yes, eating 20g of dark chocolate a day for health has been my most pleasurable New Years Resolution ever... well not quiet, I once resolved to have more sex, but I was in my 20s then so twas the dark ages....

I so agree about building a solid routine of go-to healthy habits... being able to eat as many olives, tangies and physalis as I wanted was what got me triumphantly through Christmas.... as well as luxuriating in the taste of a "tiny bit" of pudding alongside greek yogurt and having a large tub of that in the fridge (which I also eat with cooked seville oranges, my Paddington stash in the freeze, cooked without sugar).

How are you with fruit? A box of fresh raspberries in the fridge is my current go to treat - and it definitely feels like a treat at those prices! I've occasionally found soft-dried apricots or prunes (or even a date) with some unsalted roast almonds (M&S do great ones) or salted shelled roast pistachios (Waitrose) feels indulgent. For me, its been finding what I really like and splashing out a bit on quality, knowing how much I'm saving by not eating normal puds.

What thoughts have you had so far? What does appeal?

And yes, I am SO in the club of NEVER wanting to do the weight loss thing again.... it's already eaten up (!) too much of my life

Yum to frozen raspberries - totally agree

And I did go through a phase of eating just one Borders Chocolate Ginger biscuit which are divine - DH had to hide them as yes, I would have demolished them, but just one felt enough of a treat if I didn't know where the rest were!! Nice sensory crunch too....

@loveyouradvice and other friends here, thank you for keeping on keeping on, even if it feels lonely sometimes. @loveyouradvice you suggested that if people temporarily disappear from the thread that they might be having a rough time, and that's true.

Bingeing and shame have taken up residence and I could cry for how much weight I've put on.

However, I'm pretty good at sticking to things I pledge on here, so today I won't start eating until 12, and tomorrow I won't note my weight on here but I will make another pledge.

@StealthilyEmbraceTheSilkyBeans you wrote some time ago about your mother-in-law and it's been on my mind that if my son were to bring home a woman like you I would be taking him to one side and telling him not to mess this up because he should be so lucky to be with a goddess.

And one final thank you to @loveyouradvice , your honesty about your experiences is what finally made me break my silence and post today.

Haha, inspiring as always! I did a mini workout at home this morning, there's something in the air. My stomach is doing excellent Dolby surround sound rumbling, only another hour and a half to go and it feels perfectly manageable and not onerous.

PS yes to having this thread for years please

@HarpQuartet Welcome back! Really welcome back - and it's at times like this we need this thread most. We've all been there... it's a horrid feeling, and so much better once you're able to forgive yourself, and just say, it happened, I'm human.

Congrats on your workout - I love the sound system!! And do come on here and pledge something every day for as long as it is helpful - that's what we are all here for - to support each other through the tough phases, and celebrate the wins along the way

I feel like there needs to be a multi emoji option for posts as these all need a mix of claps, hearts, hugs, laughs - that sounds so cheesy but it’s true.

That’s excellent @HarpQuartet to tick off a mini workout

I 100 pc agree @StealthilyEmbraceTheSilkyBeans and if we were all hitting out targets and consistently losing weight week after week we likely wouldn’t need a support system anyway. Maintenance has always been where I fail - temporary weightloss I can do no problem.

@loveyouradvice it is very inspiring how you have come to savour healthy options! I don’t think you should worry about an occasional day of eating more healthy stuff - maybe it is good for your metabolism - it’s a major win that you are not eating the upf stuff that you previously were drawn to.

@ItRainsItPours thats is also a big achievement that you have maintained without fasting.

treats: when I am on track pecans, sometimes warmed up, really hit the spot - especially with some dark chocolate. I sometimes get fooled into buying dark chocolate with caramel and that never works as I eat it all in a day, but sainsburys 90 % is pretty good. Strawberries chopped up in thick yoghurt is also very good. I keep meaning to try heating an apple in the microwave and having that with yoghurt and some chopped pecans and cinnamon sprinkled on top.

i haven’t completed and more 800 days - I think I must have had Covid as the illness has continued and I am still so tired! Add to that I had my first period in three months. So my goal today is to hit the start fasting button on easy fast after dinner - even if I break it early tomorrow.

Loving the ninja image @StealthilyEmbraceTheSilkyBeans.. I'm going to use that next time I'm tempted

Yes, I have brilliant self-control.... when it is easy!!!! But that's not really self-control....

It's when it's tough and we have the ingenuity to change goals, or our environment, or our approach (and to forgive ourselves)... that is what I've not mastered yet, while knowing that it's crucial for long-term sustainable healthy bodies.

And the idea of cute young fit men strutting their stuff as I work out is both entertaining and enticing... Im hoping I'm well enough to sign up again for the gym before Easter

This feels like a school maths question....

Six days of overeating (while keeping thinking I was about to stop) + One day of eating well, not much in a short window

2lbs weight gain

What will my weight be in 3 days??

Actually 2lbs feels fair - I reckon I consumed around 1,000 extra calories a day for 6 days, sometimes more, sometimes less... though just 600 calories yesterday....

Getting back on track, slowly, gently.... See you all tomorrow...

Not sure why the format went do-la-ly like that... bizarre!

My apologies... I had written a sweet little equation with an equals sign... Ah well...

@loveyouradvice I loved it 😁 and @StealthilyEmbraceTheSilkyBeans 's dramatic interpretation 👏👏👏