January 2025 Starters - Maintenance, Progressing and Avoiding Traumatic 💩

[meatyryvita]

Hit me up losers!

Fabulous loss @Grecianrainbow , more or less the same as my loss. It does add up. We are all clearly fabulous!

I was shocked when I looked at my total in lbs last week.

Are you planning on losing much more?

In my head I had 10st as a dream target initially, but now I’m thinking more of how my body feels than a specific number. So maybe another half to a stone but I’m running and going to the gym too so happy to put muscle on as well. I never thought I would get to that point tbh!

@BreezyPeer congratulations!

@Grecianrainbow yes absolutely, even if the slow plodding is annoying, it all adds up to a big, huge weight loss.

We will be only family this Xmas, parents and sister's family, and we all like to cook, so not much stress.
Will see DHs family for pre-christmas apero tomorrow and look at this cute Buche de Noel I just picked up - not really into sweets, but looking forward to this one.

ah picture didnt' upload

Very cute! @HeidiLite

@Thelittlestranger hope your run has gone well!

I have DF, DBs and DSis coming over later for a pre Xmas dinner, have put an 8 hour slow cook pork ragu on and baking a pecan pie.

Will have a late breakfast, tidy the house, wrap the last of the pressies and then I have a PT session just before they arrive. Haven’t done any exercise this week as I’ve been getting up late and wfh, so am overdue some movement. Not feeling guilty about it though, I think I know my body well enough to rest when it wants to rest.

Might ask DH to pick up some more Xmas treats as we have nothing other than the stocking chocs which we won’t see for a few more days - like the sound of German biscuits @PenelopesProteinPackedParty and a Yule log. I think I need to make a few more chia seed balls too for a sweet but not too sugary nibble - the orange, choc and coconut ones I did before were really tasty.

Haven’t weighed all week, will do so tomorrow and make a call on whether to jab 2.5 or a little bit less.

What's the recipe for the seed ball @DGonMJ ?

Back from my run - we managed 13 miles !! Longest run this year has been 6.5 miles. Longest run ever 9 miles (12 years ago!!) We stopped and shared a coffee about 5 miles on, but otherwise just plodded round. It was beautiful, and we chatted all the way, and I am so chuffed with myself. Got home and had bacon and eggs and now in the bath.

@HeidiLite my new years resolution is upper body and an unassisted pull up. I'm not far off as I gave it a go with my PT on Friday for the first time since losing the weight and I managed two on this smallest band. Figure it's a good thing to aim for.

@Grecianrainbow bravo on your loss!!

Happy Saturday all!
I’m back in the UK, frantically scrambling to get stuff sorted for Christmas. DH did bugger all while I was away, the house is an absolute tip. I’m pretty cross about that - if I can manage to keep stuff reasonably functional while still working and looking after the kids when he’s away (and he goes away far more often than me), then why can’t he? Maybe I should go away more often…
Currently sitting outside an escape room, listening to 7 very excited 10-year-olds trying to solve clues. Dear God. They are shouting so much my head hurts, and I’m not even in the room with them!

First time back in the gym last night after a week of no exercise, and today I hurt! Didn’t help I was the only one booked in, so I gut a gruelling 1-2-1 PT session 😝
Weightloss-wise, I’m still plateauing, it’s literally up and down from week to week. Not sure whether to do… Wondering if I should go back to 10 mg with my next pen. How did people get over plateaus, any tips?

I’ve half a day of work left on Monday, then I’m finally done. The last few weeks have been crazy busy, very demanding project with crazy timelines and a very demanding client. But we got to where we wanted to be yesterday, so at least the client is happy! But I’m not feeling Christmassy in the least, just stressed. Bring on Monday lunchtime…

@Polkadotdashsorry you are feeling low! Everyone loses at a different rate, and I think that expectations for MJ are very high. I thought I would reach my goal by August, and I’m still not there. Looking at my tracking sheet, I have lost less than half a kilo per week, and my loss has slowed down massively after about 4 months, and now it’s glacial. And don’t forget you had surgery mid-way through, that alone can play havoc with your body, on top of everything else!

Whooo @Thelittlestranger a HM (with coffee as a bonus)! Sounds like a lovely morning. My ambition is currently to do a press-up without looking like a banana, a proper straight one. Pull-ups also on the list.

Real resolution for 2026 is to sort out my sleep and organization (I do think they will go together). I'm really pleased with progress on healthy eating, losing weight and gym in 2025, so sleep and stress is next.

@Thelittlestranger that's a half marathon you crazy woman!
And yes, an unassisted pull up is a great goal! I love a good fitness goal, I'm thinking about building up to 100 press ups in a row? Wide ones though, couldn't do the triceps ones.

@cloudjumper I'd be cross too, it's not like the hoover is a single-sex appliance.

I have another thing I want to do, go to gym in just a sports bra/crop top (with leggings, just to avoid any misunderstandings). Totally get that you can wear whatever you want in any size, but I personally would not have felt comfortable. Not even when I was fit in between chubby periods. But now, I think I just might be.

@Thelittlestranger

🥥 Chia & Coconut Chocolate Bites – Base Mix

Ingredients (for ~36 bites, before flavour split):
• 1 ½ cups desiccated coconut (120g)
• 1 ½ cups chia seeds (240g)
• 1 ½ cups ground almonds (150g)
• 6 tbsp nut butter (96g, almond or peanut)
• 6 tbsp seeds (pumpkin/sunflower, ~60g)
• 6 tbsp cocoa powder (36g)
• 6 tbsp butter or coconut oil, melted (90g)
• 3–6 tbsp maple syrup/honey (to taste)
• Pinch salt

⸻

👩‍🍳 Method
1. Mix everything together in a large bowl until evenly combined.
2. Divide the mixture evenly into 3 bowls (about one-third each).
3. Add the flavour twist to each bowl (see below).
4. Roll each flavour batch into ~12 balls (36 total).
5. Chill in fridge at least 1 hour before serving.

⸻

🌟 Flavour Twists

🍊 Orange Chocolate (12 bites)
• Add zest of 1 orange + ½ tsp orange extract (optional).
• Roll in cocoa + a little extra zest if desired.

☕ Mocha (12 bites)
• Add 1 tbsp instant coffee dissolved in 1 tsp hot water.
• Roll in cocoa or cocoa + finely ground coffee mix.

🍂 Spiced Chai (12 bites)
• Add 1 tsp spice mix:
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• ¼ tsp ginger
• ¼ tsp cardamom
• Pinch nutmeg & clove
• Roll in desiccated coconut + cinnamon blend.

⸻

⚖️ Nutrition per bite (approx):
• Calories: ~120–125 kcal
• Protein: ~5 g
• Carbs: ~4 g
• Fat: ~9–10 g
• Fibre: ~6 g

@DGonMJ yum! I'm going to make some of them, thank you.

@HeidiLite I know! So chuffed! 100 press ups is seriously impressive. I like the idea of having a goal like that for next year - makes a change from 'must lose weight.'

@Polkadotdash be kind to yourself.. huge surgery, and still managing to lose weight is a win win.

@cloudjumper better outside than inside for sure!

So, my OH has been laid up after his hip op and has managed to lose half a stone. It feels very unfair - there is no way I would lose weight doing f all on the sofa.

@Thelittlestranger , my XH was like that, well, he ate like a horse at all times and never gained an ounce. He was extremely fit (as was I at the time - on a coastal rowing team), I just presumed it was a combo of muscle and genetics but I never benefited in the same way.

Lovely day planned here, I am cooking - a lamb tagine after being led by what looked good at the butchers, sewing some fabric into Christmas sacks for gift giving, might even do a bit of appliqué. Present wrapping and a bit of wardrobe sorting. I've got a few party dresses that I could put on vinted if I get round to it, thinking they might be snapped up for NYE. Oh and I need to tack the alterations on my silk dress and see if I can alter it.

I seem to have gone a bit mad in the last 24 hours and have got five next day delivery orders coming 😅tomorrow or Tuesday. I had planned to rein in my gift giving - I always go a bit mad - but actually, I really enjoy giving my kids and family lovely gifts so thought what the heck. You only live once.

@PenelopesProteinPackedParty same here! DH eats whatever he wants and in huge quantities, and is built like a beanpole. So is DS. Extremely annoying when DH finally started getting some middle age spread, then cut down just a tiiiiniest bit, like ate one pastry less than usual per day, and dropped kilos immediately.
But then again they have the hardest time building muscle, while I just look at weights and get bulging biceps.

Annoying @HeidiLite.

I forgot to ask you what is in your Buche de Noel, it looks like it is made of velvet!

It's almond bisquit with rasperry mousse and compote of red berries.
i also got a dark chocolate one that also looks very good.

off to gym now. Getting the second gym membership was a brilliant idea, as my regular is closed for holidays.

Morning all! Off to do the traditional festive visit to MIL then we’ll potter home slowly. Things are vaguely on target which is pretty good for this time of year.

Felt hungrier on this bumped up dose than I did on the lower one. Weird. Day six tomorrow so I’ll be jabbing but not sure what dose yet. Every six days is working ok for me at the moment. I’ve decided to keep on a fairly high dose until my MJ anniversary on Jan 10.

Last minute food shopping planned for tomorrow. Absolute last minute shopping planned for DS2s last shift before Xmas when the shop closes. Should be plenty of yellow stickers

Morning all. Yesterday’s 8 hour pork ragu was a success, and so easy to prep. As was the pecan pie traybake. I was worried there wouldn’t be enough, for hungry men, but we have some leftovers. I ate a small bowl, it was delicious and it was enough. Bloody love MJ.

Weighed in today and have gained a little this week. Back up to 58.8kg, which feels about right as I’m tipping into my luteal phase. So have kept the dose at 2.5mg. It’s with a 2.5 pen, feels strange to be dosing a full dose!

I feel lucky to have found a good maintenance dose where I don’t feel deprived, don’t overeat but can still enjoy tasty food and treats. Especially in time for Christmas.

I suppose it’s the mindless eating of chocolate, biscuits and cheese in between the big shared family meals that I’ve cut down on. I have been craving sweet things, but finding just a small amount satisfies that craving.

Today, my main task is to finish present wrapping. Didn’t do any of that yesterday. One more day of work tomorrow, then I can relax.

DH starts MJ next weekend. Will be so interesting to see how he responds to it.

Will have to start thinking about new 2026 fitness goals. Definitely aiming for an unassisted pull up, have started on the bands. Will try for 90kg Sumo deadlift. Would like to hit 100 eventually, but I’m not in a rush, maybe by my 50th in 2028.

I went out for a three course dinner last night with a group of friends. I managed about half of first two courses and 3/4 of dessert, and I felt incredibly full, almost nauseous. All washed down with loads of wine! Didn’t weigh myself this morning and will moderate today and tomorrow to compensate.

I am not sure whether to jab tonight or not. It was quite sad not being able to eat all my turkey and roast potatoes.

My plan is to enjoy this week and if I gain 2lbs - it will come off easily.

its part of navigating long term?

Do some of you track food? I am currently using MyFitnessPal, it’s not bad and has got better over time as I’ve saved foods myself, but I’ve heard that Nutracheck is better especially for UK users? I’m mainly interested in protein, fibre and calories, although the other measures are nice to have (I’m not always confident that they are accurate). I may not bother switching myself, but a relative could benefit from tracking so wondering which to recommend they try?

@Aimingdown i use my Fitbit. I don’t track all the time - by bike I know what’s in grilled chicken 😀

I use nutracheck @Aimingdown and have done since pre MJ. It is great imo. You can scan a lot of uk bar codes which makes it easy and it even has things like Dishoom's chicken berry biriyani pre-loaded from the restaurant menu. When I cook it from the cookbook I just put in half the quantity. Brilliant app for £25 a year or whatever it is.

@Zempy I was going to jab today but feel a bit nauseous so I'll leave it until tomorrow and just have 7.5mg. I had 8.33mg last week which is my highest dose, hopefully I'll make it to 10mg in the new year.

I used Foodvisor religiously but have stopped now. If I start gaining, will go back to tracking

I use nutracheck. Every day tbh - as much to monitor my protein as anything else as I still find it tricky to get enough without major effort.

I went for a ‘run’ today. Day 1 week 1 of couch 2 5 k, first run in over 5 years and it was fun!