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..!!

Hi Specialknickers

I am in a very similar position to you. DS is nearly 5 months old and I have to lose just over a stone to get back to my pre pregnancy weight.

I was a keen runner before I got pregnant but during my pregnancy I suffered from SPD. I thought it has gone away after I gave birth but I had a very acute exacerbation when DS was 12 weeks old. It was probably brought on by the fact I had started exercising again.

Over the last couple of months I have been in a lot of pain, not able to get out and do any exercise and as a consequence I have been comfort eating.

I have actually been advised not to swim as I do breast stroke and that can also exacerbate the problem.

I made a firm resolve this week to try and lose the weight and have started WW online. My back is feeling pretty good so have started going for walks again with DD and DS. I am planning to start pilates again this week.

I have also been to see an osteopath which has really helped. I am hoping to start running again in the next month or so if my back continues to improve and tolerates the pilates.

I have felt so much happier in the last couple of days knowing that I doing something about the weight and I have been finding it easier than I thought to cut out the unhealthy snacks at night. I am going to unpack my pre pregnancy jeans this afternoon to use as a motivating tool when I feel temptation!

Special Kickers
Just reread my post and realised I forgot to add my helpful tips (I am going to blame that 5am breast feed).

I have always found that you need to make a definite decision to lose the weight and I think joining this thread will be a start.

Dont fall into the trap if you give in to a craving and eat a treat of thinking that it is now a "bad" day and you may as well eat whatever you like. No food is bad, just make healthier choices the rest of the day.

Freeze some small treat size bags of chocolate which can give a chocolate fix but are low in calories.

If you are feeling a craving, read these threads to give yourself motivation to keep going.

I hope this helps, I know how miserable it feels to be unable to fit into your favourite clothes.

Thank you so much everyone. I think unloading a bit has helped... I just had a few hours off, escaped to a cafe and DIDN'T have a cake. That's big news. I didn't eat the chocolate DH just put in front of me either - small things I know, but they add up.

Imiss - do you have the same problem as me? I had SPD when I was pregnant, went back to the physio and she's sent me on to an osteopath, who's diagnosed a pelvic torsion (amongst other more muscular problems). It's a long road back to exercise (no swimming either unfortunately) isn't it? I find that running keeps the glums at bay too, so it's a double whammy when you can't get out there and burn off some energy.

Timba - thanks for your support, but in the interests of full disclosure I ought to add that after the birth I was 10 and a half stone. I've GAINED weight since then ...

Thanks for all the tips. I do feel a bit better for the sharing.

bad day for me today , sunday dinner with lashings of gravy and yorkshires and roasties at mils, couldnt resist
also trifle and chocs ...
BACK ON DIET TOMORROW [GRIN]

walkersmum - 2lbs is tops and not to be sniffed at!

IMissMyJeans - I too used to run 3x per week, 3-6 miles each time. Had to can it because my back was really suffering and the weight has piled on accordingly! Have found that gentle running on a treadmill seems not to aggravate my back too much though (rather than pounding the pavements) - also, keep meaning to cycle a bit more

thisIsWhatALuv -i think weekends are tricky, at the back of your mind is the feeling that you should be kicking back and relaxing, including your diet!

Well I have been hopeless today - 2 small cakes were somehow eaten! How crap is that, am supposed to be enthused and committed at the start of a diet. It isn't helping that I am sitting on my arse in my study working on an assignment....

Hey I'm just reading back through the thread and it occurred to me I could share some of my own tips, just in case they help anyone.

I've yoyo'd my whole life - and been everything from 9 and a half stone to 13 and a half stone as a result. I've tried pretty much everything to loose weight over the past quarter of a century (I am old), with varying success.

Here's what's worked and what hasn't:

Going to weightwatchers and staying for the meeting. Somehow it didn't work if I didn't. The point system is great and very flexible, but it's the support that keeps you going. If I lived in the UK (I don't at the moment) I'd be back there like a shot.

The cabbage soup diet. Vile. I nearly fainted, stunk my house out so badly that no one visited for a week, but I lost half a stone. Which reappeared immediately. Waste of time.

Slimfast. Have you tried that stuff? Nuff said.

Various other fad diets: no good. You stick to them, loose a bit of weight, feel great, have a bad day, then crack. You feel bad, eat more cause you've broken the diet anyway, and you're HUNGRY AS HELL. and before you know it you're back to square one. Plus some.

Running. Having never done any exercise in my life I started running almost by accident a few years ago. A friend did the Race for Life and I joined her. At first I couldn't run for more than 5 minutes, but then I got hooked. I ran the marathon 18 months later! The weight just fell off, and I wasn't even trying. Obviously,t it's not for everyone, but just getting out into a park to burn of some energy a couple of times a week really makes a difference.

Walking every day. Many years ago I dropped about a stone just going for a big walk every night with my walkman on (a real one, with a cassette and everything! Imagine. I told you I am a bit old). It made me feel great, got the blood pumping and helped me avoid the danger time - for me that period after tea but before bed. Biscuit hour!

.... Reading this back I'm seeing a pattern. Healthy eating and a bit of exercise is the way forward, for me anyway.

Easier said than done though, so well done to everyone who's sticking with it! Especially over the weekend (thinks back to takeaway, the bottle of wine, full on BBQ and enormous bar of Cadburys Caramel that I packed away since Friday... Oh dear

Oh special, I remember the old walkmans...I had one! , one of the first ones too...I too am from the dark ages (so my DS delights in telling me)

I think you are so right with the healthy eating and exercise strategy - it works pretty much every time.

You are very honest, with the full disclosure. But you are doing the right thing now, joining this thread and taking charge.

To all who think they have slipped today (or the weekend in general) - you are stars. You are eating responsibly 90% of the time. The weekends are a god-awful time to be trying to be careful with food. When I was at SW I remember the leader saying that food/eating was something we HAD to do, we had to eat to live so if your relationship with food was difficult there was just no escape! The biggest battle is the mental adjustment.

I think you are all brill. Keep up the good work everyone...we shall be dazzling them all on the beach next summer

Specialknickers
I think it does sound as though we have the same problem. I have found it torture watching all the lucky (thin) runners out and about our neighbourhood all summer while I have been hobbling about like an old woman. My osteopath does think that I can get back running at some point, I am hoping it is sooner rather than later.

I have also struggled with my weight over the years and basically I have learnt in order to lose weight I need to set goals, cut down on alcohol and exercise.

Hmc I used to use a treadmill but stopped my gym membership when I had DD as I didnt have the time to go.

Spent this afternoon unpacking my pre pregnancy trousers from the loft. Tried on my favourite jeans and at least I was able to get into them. Now I just need to lose the weight so I can breathe when I am wearing them!

Exercise more I mean!

I'm so pleased to see so much going on this thread. Its brill

Special, thanks for your post. Its good to know that we're going about it the right way by healthy eating and exercise.

Timba, thanks for thinking we're all brill. As long as we're eating well 90% of the time we WILL be dazzling by next summer.

I have been soooo good today. I've had mostly fruit and yoghurt and have my chicken and veg soup on the go so its ready for an early dinner.

I have an apple cake baking in the oven as I wanted to use some of our apples. I'm not going to have any and I don't fancy it either after all that food yesterday! Its mostly for my in laws so I won't have much in the house.

O.M.G.
I am really recommending this recipe. It is really tasty. And less than 200cals!

www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/10388/thai-chicken-and-mushroom-broth

Thank for the recommendation Shaxx - I have printed it out and will make it this week

That looks good for a lunch option, thanks for that Shaxx

A bit late but can I jump in too. I really,really need to lose the weight. Ds is nearly 6 years now so I can't keep saying its baby weight. DH is not very supportive as he loves my cooking and feeds me with wine and biscuits. He is a slim PE teacher and I he loves me for my joy de vive but theres no joy when I look in the mirror. I'm 5'6 weight 76 kgs approx 11st 10. Hate my muff top and would like to be wearing a pencil skirt by November with a trim tummy! Haven't got a clue how to get there and still keep the family happy with there dinners! P.S I work 3 days a week and cooking is a family hobby!

Hi nutty, welcome aboard. Good to have you here.

I know what it is like to be the cook in the family - I love cooking and my DS and DH love to eat. I think the thing that could/may work for you would be to cook the same but decrease your portion size. You could bulk your meals out with veggies etc? If you combine it with exercise you should see the weight start to shift.

Don't know your job or how close to home it is but could you walk all/part way? Either there or back or both? If you drive then maybe a lunchtime activity - walking/swimming?

Good to have you here - you'll soon start losing

Thank you Timbachick I also love my cooking and find it hard to say no to myself!!! walk Ds to Breakfast club then to station! Couldn't swim but could walk if the area wasn't so ugly. Wish the office would move into a nicer spot but Hey! I will go to the gym on Tuesday and stop being so anal about housework that I don't do exercise until its done which then means pick-up time! Must force myself to stop making excuses not to exercise, reduce portions. Hope you all can help? had to much wine going to join DH on the sofa! Will do better tomorrow!

Hi Nutty.
Usually in most peoples diets, meals are fine (though you meay need to control portion size) and its the snacking and alcohol that puts you over your recommended calorie allowance. Carry on enjoying your cooking, increase your exercise , reduce your wine and bin those biscuits and you'll be on your way to slenderville

How did your day go Timba?

I'm going to have my herbal tea and watch a bit of tv. Its back to school/work/nursey tomorrow in the Shaxx household

Hi everyone, hope you all had a good weekend! Just back from a weekend away so checking in quickly before I get the dc's bags sorted for school tomorrow.

Have managed to stick to my calories pretty much all weekend (and the Thai meal out was yummy!), and even if I haven't lost any weight, I feel better already. Am wearing a quite fitted tunic top over jeans today and don't feel as bulgy as I did last week. Food Focus is really keeping me going.

Welcome to everyone new, am glad the thread took off!!

I am really recommending boiled egg, grilled mushrooms and toast for breakfast - it is totally staving off any mid morning pangs of hunger for me, and is less than 300 cals. Am also making lots of soups - carrot and sweet potato is really tasty and filling.

Back tomorrow

Hey Shaxx - my day was good thank .

Did a walk, some sit ups/press ups and then had to hoist (a) a MASSIVE boiler outside with DH and (b) shift 300+kg of sandstone slabs so did a bit of weight training as well .

Food good. I make this really nice apple and pear oaty crumble thing which is lovely for dessert and you can eat lots of as it has oats (good for you), almonds (good for you in small amounts) and a bit of sugar (not good for you but as least not fat).

Am currently slumped in front of the tv and laptop drinking herbal tea and fighting off sleep . Watching The God Delusion with Richard Dawkins --- you've got to accept the scientific explanation but he seem's sooooooo angry that anyone could have any faith whatsoever ... But that is a whole different thread!!

Walking again tomorrow with some extra bits of exercise and then I really do need to do the ironing ...urgh!

Have you had a good day too?

Hi fruity - was wondering where you were. Glad you had a good weekend and enjoyed the meal out.

Would you post your soup recipes please? Soup is a great stop-gap and is quite filling. Would be good to have a few more on hand.

Hi Fruity (think I'll adopt that name for you too ). Well done for staying on track.

Timba, I had a good day thanks. I stuck to my plan for the day mostly except I didn't end up going for a run because my friend cancelled and I got busy anyway (I had done an exercise dvd first thing so I wasn't too bothered) and I had a couple of extras like a cracker and a taste of cake but it wasn't major seeing as I'd only eaten fruit and yoghurt for most of the day.

Ds1 starts year 1 tomorrow and the poor thing is really nervous about it. I keep reminding him that all his friends will be there etc but he's still anxious. I just hope he sleeps well!

Hope you all have a good day tomorrow.

Shaxx - wishing you DS a wonderful first day in Y1 today.

He will have a great time, no doubt.

Let us know how it goes. Sending you as well

morning all :)

I had a fairly good weekend - resisted some of the treats that are still on top of the fridge! and there they shall stay until next weekend at least!

exercise is still my sticking point though :( having been BFing for a year now, I have become accustomed to sitting on my arse all day! I am horrendously unfit. but DD hopefully is going to nursery every day from now on so that's lots of walking. I've promised myself I will only bus it IF IT RAINS!!! it's murder walking back home with the buggy - it's uphill, but man do I feel good when I get home and quaff a load of water. I know it'll get easier, and then I just need to add in some DVDs, wii fit etc.

"well they're not really "treats" are they? Just a way of postponing what I want to achieve."

that is fantastic. very wise! it shall be my mantra!

anyway, thanks all for the advice re slimfast - TBH I'm relieved that you've recommended against it! I don't really want to get into the whole meal-replacement thing (plus, I hate milkshakes!) - I love cooking and planning healthy meals, but I have bought a few of the 95kcal snacks to try.

I'm going to make more soup and make sure I always have plenty of salad stuff in. I can top up at Asda which means more walking! Mum was asking how I cope without dressing (my family, inc me, are all mad on vinaigrettes!) - but I that having something creamy like avocado chopped up in the salad means you really don't need one - I made a salad for lunch and they agreed I was right! :o

soup recipe - my mum taught me a method that works with pretty much any veg.

• teeny tiny bit of butter to soften some onion or leek.
• add all your chopped up veg, preferably inc potato (the starch thickens the soup so no need for flour) - I like carrot, courgette, cauliflower, leek, broccoli... anything that needs to be used up!
• virtually cover with water and some veg stock, and if possible put a lid on.
• cook on medium until all the veg is soft, stir frequently.
• take out all the solids and whizz up in a food processor, then gradually add the leftover liquid. if it is still too thick add a bit of milk.

yum :)

sorry for the essay - I should really put that effort into my assignment now

Hi ladies, thanks so much for listening yesterday (and hi Bra, thanks for the soup recipe I'm going to try that one this evening. Thinking if I make it with unsalted stock I could get a serving of veg puree for DS out of it before I put the liquid in? Two meals for the effort of one! I like it).

I have joined foodfocus and it is as you say, great indeed. Yesterday, with minimal effort, came in just around the right amount of calories (with an allowance for BFing). I feel better already.

Which is good, because being totally adverse to buying new fatlady trousers, I actually dug my maternity jeans back out from the suitcase under the bed this morning... . Couple o longish tops and who's gonna know, right? .

Only you will know my dark secret...

Mwwwaahhhahhhahha [evil ruler of the world who's just cracked the secret of life face]

I'm on track today too. Come on, size 12 (non maternity) trousers - let's be having you!

Good luck today everyone

Morning all,
Here's wishing everyone a good week.

Shaxx is right - it's fab to see so much going on in this thread. Very motivating.

Back at work today and brought my lunch in; spinach, chorizo and chicken - yummy - got my bottle of water on the go, and am good to go. Can't do the gym today, so will have to do an exercise vid tonight.

Glad you like that thought bra - half of succeding in this dieting lark is down to what's going on in one's head. At least that's what I've found