Help, I need to get into my jeans - anyone want to join me for a September challenge?

[thatsnotmyfruitshoot]

Just put all my loose linen summer numbers in the loft and realised I'm bulging out of all the lovely jeans I planned to wear this autumn. Going away for half term so it would be great to be a size smaller by then.

I'm 5ft 7 and need to lose about 20lbs to be at my most comfortable, so not drastic, but enough that I'm feeling really lardy, and need to do something before I gain any more.

My plan is to eat healthily (using food focus website to keep me on straight and narrow..) - boiled egg and slice of toast with grilled mushrooms for breakfast (totally fills me up), then soup for lunch and something with veg for dinner. One treat meal at the weekend. 30 mins exercise a day (either running or exercise dvd)

Please come and join me, I'm hopeless when left to my own devices..!!

Morning everyone. I weighed in and have lost a lb! I'm displeased with that but I think I need to fight a bit harder!

Knickers do tell your mum not to bake cakes. Maybe she can make you some healthy goodies?
I'd love to do that deal with you but I can't as I have a huge family get together on Friday and I have no say on what food will be there. But I can stick to it for the other 6 days. Can I still be in?

Why is my house always so messy? I was chatting to a lovely mum after the school run this morning and we stopped and chatted outside for nearly an hr. I was too embarassed to invite her in! After a couple of days at work, my place looks like a bombsite and I've been to her house and it is immaculate.

I am off to clean.

Sorry meant to say I'm NOT displeased with that!

Thats ounds very healthy HMC, porridge is meant to be very good slow release energy. I might try some afetr the next supermarket shop instead of weetabix as I'm always starving mid morning.

I walked the dog briskly for an hour this morning and by the time I finish its almost like I can feel my sugar levels dropping or something, I was quite shaky by the time I got home.

Anyway I've been really naughty 10 minutes ago and ordered some Alli. I just want a kick start as I'm going on holiday in 5.5 weeks and I need to lose weight before getting there as I'm bound to put it on while I'm there. I've been to the GP before and he wouldn't prescribe me and even though my BMI was 30, BMI is likely to be more now as I'm about 7lbs heavier than when I went to see him. Oh well, will see how it goes, just got the 42 pack.

Well done Shaxx, that's really good.

Well done shaxx! See you soon, specialknickers.

Great improvement on the drinks front here - only 2 caffeinated drinks so far today, and lots of water. Normally I'd be on cup of coffee no 5 by now..!

Did a Davina workout and then had something to post so ran up to post office and back. Am hoping that mixing up a bit of strength training and cardio will get things moving.

Day 8 of this challenge - we're all doing really well and I haven't felt tempted to stray so far. It's saving me a fair bit in food bills too

fruity same here - when I pruned my Asda favourites list online I was extra motivated by how much money I'd been wasting on processed crap! and I've never been one for loads of ready meals etc, but it's amazing how the little things add up - getting rid of stuff like cheestrings has really reduced the bill and it's better for the kids too.

viva - please be careful on the Alli. you must absolutely stick to the diet plan or apparently the side effects are pretty nasty. we will keep you on track :) also, with the shaky feeling - I get that too if I go too long without eating (often around lunchtime) - you may need to eat more often, even if it's just extra fruit.

so ladies, my dad is taking me to the supermarket tomorrow so I can top up the fridge with yummy healthy stuff - any suggestions?

Algebra, get some Marmite rice cakes!!!!! (obsessed much?)

And jacket potatoes, pitta breads, lots of ingredients for soups. Low fat philadelphia, this is making me hungry..!

Having pasta with pesto and lots of green veg for dinner. And more water.. I am sloshing!

Are marmite rice cakes tasty? I'm not keen on rice cakes in general, just find them a bit bland. I love marmite though.

I do plan on being very careful on the Alli. No more than 20g of fat per meal.

Hi All - what a busy day here! Sorry, haven't been checking in today at all!!!

Have kept to the straight and narrow though. And have done a 90 minute walk this afternoon (and that after braving the perils of Brent Cross)

Everyone seems to be on track! We are all going great guns aren't we?

Shaxx - well done on your loss. I know sometimes 1lb doesn't seem like a great return for the effort wee put in but think about it - it means you ave created a 3500 calorie deficit over the last week!! That is amazing

Viva - good luck with the Alli. I have heard both good and bad about it but, as Bra says - stick to the plan or things could get ... mmmm.... messy

I am loving my ryvita at the mo --- after Oatcake-gate . And I love my feta so I have two ryvita, feta and a chopped up apple for lunch...it is lovely! Beef, baked potato and brocc/corn tonight

Am beginning to find my appetite is behaving itself a bit more now. I don't get ravenous, merely hungry

How are we all tonight? How have your day's been?

Oh, oh, oh! I just got a job . I applied for a part time position at my local dr's surgery...and I got it!! I am so pleased. I have been a SAHM for 10 years and just wanted to do a few hours outside the home. I used to work in the City (BC: Before Child) but didn't want to go back to those hours etc. This is sooooooo what I wanted. Local (I can walk to and from), 3 mornings and one afternoon (so I can be around for DS). Am happy, happy, happy tonight.

Oh, forgot: knickers - one trick that was suggested at SW years ago - develop an 'allergy' to those things that are too high fat etc. In a way we are allergic - we swell when we eat them

Failing that you could just sit down with your DMum and say that your health is important to you and you need to make changes and could she help you by using her wonderful baking gift to devise some low fat/healthy cake/treat options?

Good going Shaxx - well done.

Algebra - salmon always make me feel virtuous , lots of leafy veg, nice cheese, healthy nibbles like seeds and nuts.
Yum - is it dinner time yet?
Tonight, Matthew, I'm going to have salmon chilli ramen, wagamama style.

Right, am off to Zumba or Shred (or both) whilst the fish is marinating.

Quibbler - enjoy your class. Your dinner sounds lovely...do you fancy another person at the table

What is Zumba btw? Is is a dance class?

Quibbler yummy I want to come for dinner too.

Viva good luck with the alli. I have heard about the side effects too so take care!

Timba Yay!!!! Congratulations. That sounds like agreat job. Brilliant hrs. Where did you work before? (only asking as I'm a City chick too)

Today has been a bit rubbish with food. I didn't plan enough and have been out and about and have got over hungry etc and have been eating mostly crackers with hoummus, cream cheese and normal cheese.
I've only just realised that I was probably thirsty more than hungry as I've only had one drink today!

I really must remember to drink more to reduce what I think is hunger when its thirst! Gah!

A glass of water every hr tomoorrow, it is then.

Oh well done on the job Timba!! Great news.

Marmite rice cakes are indeed yummy.

Unfortunately, so is Marmite cheese, which is partly how I got in this mess in the first place. Stay clear of that one

I think my six large glasses of water have stopped me feeling headachey today. It's quite addictive. Running, and then meeting friend for coffee at Costa tomorrow lunchtime. Resist the cakes, resist the cakes..

euwwww marmite

I do like twiglets though

thanks for the suggestions folks - good news, DH has finally been signed off work for a few weeks, so hopefully things'll get a bit calmer here.

Congratulations Timba! That's fab news - it sounds great.

Pull up a chair at the table, guys - the more the merrier (it was delish as well.

Zumba is just a dance thingy - you can do classes or there's a DVD. A bit of latin, salsa, shaking your thing. It's fun, but I've only done it a couple of times. I love Davina, but sometimes need to ring the changes. Does anyone have any recommendations for exercise DVD's that they like?

How can you not like marmite, Algebra? Glad to hear that a bit of respite is on the way for you.

ah yes and congratulations timba :o awesome about being able to walk there too! I'm so glad DD is at nursery every day now, that's 20 lots of 15-20 min walks (often with DS in buggy!) a week, I can already feel it getting easier.

Evening all

Well done Shaxx on the weight loss. I always feel really impatient at the start of a diet to lose all the weight straight away but it just doesnt happen like that. You have made some healthy changes to your diet that are working already, you should be very pleased with yourself!

I have had a very hectic day but managed to stay on track with my diet apart from licking the spoon after baking a chocolate cake for my brothers birthday tomorrow. Does that count?

Also managed a brisk walk with buggy across the park. My back has definitely been feeling better recently and I am getting hopeful that I can start some proper exercise soon.

My brother is arriving tomorrow and staying with us for a few days so I will probably not be posting until after my weigh in on Friday. Am going to try very hard to stay on track tomorrow and only allow myself one slice of birthday cake and one glass of wine.Honest!

I haven't had a very good afternoon, was snacking out of boredom... and we had a chinese this evening but I just had boiled rice, chicken and mange tout, no sauce. really nice actually! ate too much though

but I was wandering round the co-op today and the chocolate was calling me... so I went next door to Boots and got a slim fast bar instead.

Morning Everyone, thank you all for your congrats. I am so chuffed since it is 10 years + since I was last working . I am panicking a bit as we have the Year 7 transfer thing hasppening at the mo - when we have to go visit all the schools we are considerig for DS and I will have to delegate to DH for some of them and try and do alternative dates etc. Ugh. Nothing ever runs smooth does it .

Shaxx - I was at Chase Manhattan Bank at London Wall. I loved it there - really busy, high pressure etc. I stopped when I had my DS and don't miss it now - what about you?

Bra - well done. Good choice on the bar rather than the chocolate.

Quibbler - I might see if I can get a DVD of Zumba, sounds fun. I like Wii Fit!

Oh - and on the marmite debate ... I LOVE it (so does DS but DH LOATHES it)

Morning

a boak for marmite here too but DD and DH love it.

I am on self destruct cannot get out of the bad habits. Yesterday I had sausage and mash at the ha ha bar and then 3 homemade biscuits and a bar of chocolate. I used to be so good but the last 6mths I have been so crap.

I have taken up running again so hoping that will help.

Congrats Timba

Well done Shaxx

Morning sweety (for that is what I christen you) - don't get down on yourself.

You have taken a big step by joining this thread. That alone says that you are self aware (a stat, I think many of us refuse to enter into in an effort to avoid our weight issues). You have made a commitment to run - a great form of exercise and one proven to reduce weight.

Food is something we cannot avoid. We have to eat. Your current habits are purely that - habit. And like all habits it/they can be changed. Take each day as it comes: try to move more and try to eat better. If you make poor choices for one meal or three try to make better choices at the next one. Things will change. Remember that changes made slowly and carefully are often the ones most likely to stick with you forever.

Good luck today. Yesterday was just one day. Today is a new one.

xx

state, not stat!

Sorry, only on my first cup of coffee

Ahh thanks Timba and sweety is lovely :)

Like you say today is a new day and have started with porridge, lets hope I don't fall today :o

Morning all.

Belated well done to Timba on landing a cracking home/life compatible job!

Viva - what is alli? (feels thick)

Sweety - I know how you feel! However, just by signing on here everyday I have found that I am inspired to try harder; because I don't want to have to post that I messed up. Are you able to do a food plan or what you intend to eat for the day? I find I stick to it much better when I have it all worked out in advance...

Have decided to do my official weigh in on Friday mornings so tomorrow is the day and I am cautiously optimistic. Will really make sure I don't stray today.

Good to see everyone doing so much exercise. I've not been able to do any this week - completely bogged down in a deadline for an essay on how total war created the preconditions for genocide . Still that'll be finished by tomorrow, so next week I am hitting the gym with avengeance