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..!!

Hope return to school for ds went well Shaxx? Both mine went back last Thursday, they love school so it always goes smoothly...

Timbachick impressed at your activity levels over the weekend!

Excellent base for a soup recipe Algebra - that's really helpful because generally I don't have the confidence not to follow a recipe, but your basic recipe and chuck in any veg handy method, sounds really versatile

Having a mini dilemma atm. Have got into habit of a biscuit / small cake with mid morning coffee (and same mid afternoon). Now can't decide whether to break the habit entirely, or whether I should go with it but substitute in something low cal like a jaffa cake....

Feeling peckish currently, despite a bowl of porridge at 7.15. Suppose I had better eat an apple!!

Had an apple - still hungry! Repeating the mantra 'only half an hour until lunch time'

hmc I tried one of the slim fast snacks (95kcal) and it was quite nice, maybe you could try that? although TBH if you have the willpower to just have one (I don't usually) - something like a jaffa cake or chocolate finger would probably be lower kcal?

or maybe something like a ryvita or rice cake, it's not sweet but at least you'd get the carbs which may still satisfy the craving.

That's a good idea, a ryvita would be more satisfying, perhaps with a scraping of low fat soft cheese - thanks

Morning all

I can sense that today is going to be a difficult day to stay on track. DS decided to wake at 5am for the 2nd day running for a feed. Feeling quite sleep deprived and have a little niggling voice in my head wondering whether my starting a diet could in any way be related.

I will have to work hard to resist the chocolate when I hit that late afternoon slump.

Specialknickers - I also have that dilemna of not wanting to buy trousers in a larger size but worried about what I am going to wear when it gets colder in the next couple of weeks. That is my main motivation tbh to lose the weight, I dont really care what I weigh as long as I can fit into at least some of my old wardrobe.

Don't do the chocolate as a remedy for the slump - the sugar will only temporarily perk you up and then the increase in insulin will make you feel sleepier after that!

(Don't mean to sound bossy - just don't want you eating chocolate )

same here jeans - I'm not holding too much sway by weight loss, in the short term at least (got a holiday at half term) I just want to not be so flabby!

also, I find that having a vaguely set time for snacks is helping. if you get peckish before then at least you know it's not long until you have a snack. and don't leave it until you're famished as then it's harder to make sensible choices! decide in advance what your next healthy snack is and don't stray from it. while my kids have their dinner I'll be having hummus, sugar snap peas and baby corn :o

well the walking to/from preschool didn't work out as we were running late and it's pouring with rain

off to do my maths now. I'm afraid I gave in to the lure of coke zero though - need the caffeine hit to get me through the assignment!

Hi All - so good to see so much activity on the thread and so much support.

You are right to be focussed on the increase in fitness/health and decrease in size rather than the figures on the scales. I find goals such as: getting into that pair jeans, then that skirt etc etc works quite well. My DSis never used scales - she goes by how her clothes fit her. If they start getting snug she ups her activity/manages her food a little more closely.

For when those moments hit us and we think that only chocolate/biscuits/cake will do - first of all have a large glass of water. If, after 20 mins you are still craving, try raw carrots/celery/tomatoes/boiler eggs. They are filling without the sat fats/trans fats/sugar in cakes etc.

Am feeling good today but wish me luck tomorrow - have to go to the hospital for a barium meal - then have photos taken as it travels around my digestive system . Yuk. Knowing my luck it will be full of sugar

Was fairly good yesterday, went for a run in the morning - 20mins again. Legs are aching today.

Had weetabix for breakfast, salad for lunch and pad thai for dinner. Was a bit naughty and had 3 cereal bars as snacks. Also had apple, grapes and a muller light yoghurt.

Weighed myself this morning and haven't lost anything yet. I suppose I was a bit silly to be hoping I may have done - its only been 2 days.

Hi everyone

Haven't been around all weekend as was DH birthday and got completely off track. I did start the couch to 5k yesterday. Very good and I ache today.

Everyone is doing so well. Keep up the good work :o

Very sensible advice on healthy snacks which I am going to try and follow (tomorrow!)

Decided that the best way to cope today with a gumpy teething baby and hyperactive 3 yr old was to head out to the zoo. DD got to run about and work off all that excess energy, DS slept in the buggy and I got lots of exercise pushing the buggy up all those hills.

Am sure that I burnt off enough calories to justify the slice of homemade banana loaf that I am enjoying with my cup of tea

I've been a bit naughty for dinner. My mum came round for dinner unexpectedly so rather than having left over home made beef noodly thingy we shared a pizza. At least I only had half of it and not all of it.

Hope it didn't rain on you at the zoo imissmyjeans.

Viva, like you said you only ate half the pizza - if you hadn't been on this thread perhaps you would have eaten all of it!

I've been pretty good today, but currently fighting the urge to drink a glass of red wine (because with me, if I start - it is never just the one!)

hmc - the rain is apparently going to hit us tomorrow so I thought I would make the most of the dry weather while it lasts.

I am exactly the same when it comes to a glass of red wine, only with me it also leads to bowls of crisps as well. What I have been doing since I started my diet is to ask myself what would I prefer - a glass of wine or to put on my favourite jeans. Works every time

Nooo don't drink wine! Its empty calories. Its only postponing what you want to achieve! [recites mantra]

Timba Good luck for tomorrow. Are you ok?

Ds1 had a good first day at school today. He said to me 'it was just a normal day mummy! why do you keep asking me?'

I had an eventful day at work with lots of meetings and drama going on and the kids decided to get into our bed at 5.30 this morning! I am shattered.

Today I had an apple and yoghurt for breakfast, an apple as a mid am snack (better than the cakes someone had bought in!), tuna salad for lunch, some lamb curry for dinner then some ben and jerry's!
I'm so annoyed I gave in after a good day. Although it was frozen yoghurt rather than icecream [hoping it makes a huuuge difference and desparately hoping it's actually only a tenth of the calories]

I promise to not stray tomorrow.
Off to bed. Have a good day tomorrow everyone.

Morning Everyone, how are we today?

Shaxx - thank you for your concern. I am ok, I have a digestive 'issue'. Years of IBS then I got a hiatus hernia which dumps excess stomach acid at intervals which gives me incredible heartburn and gastritis!! I am being given a barium meal which you drink then they take pictures as it travel around your gut!!! It shows any blocks, problems etc.

However, I weighed this morning as I didn't want to do it tomorrow as I read in the instructions that "barium meal is a heavy material" and I thought, no way am I weighing after that!!!

Drum roll please: 92.6kg! So, 2kg down since last weigh in. Am soooooo pleased .

Shaxx - don't stress the dessert. As you say, it was frozen yog not ice cream so that is a better option. And, we are allowed these things, we just need to log it!

Also, glad your DS had a great first day. They are so blase about it all whilst we are chewing our nails down to the nub

Here's to a good day

Well done on that 2kg Timba... boo to the stomach problems though. When I'm in pain or in discomfort I always seem to eat more, is that the same for you? Maybe if the docs sort out your problem you'll have a whole new kick to your diet? I hope so.

After sticking to my diet for just two days, I've lost 4 lbs!!! Yay!!! Now, to be fair, that's probably because I got my period last night (first one since February last year) and most of that was retained water, but I do feel much better for it.

Only one and a half stones to go now. I'm feeling pretty positive, despite the rain. How's everyone else doing?

Great tip re: jeans vs wine, Jeans. I shall never look at a glass of innocent cab sauv in the same way again. Naughty cab sauv!

Good luck today everyone. Think yourself slim!

Well done timbachick!

...and SpecialKnickers, in 2 days that is incredible.

Shaxx your food diary for yesterday sounds pretty good to me - even with the yoghurt based Ben and Jerrys! I did have that glass of wine, but only the one. No wine left in house now(dh polished the rest - it was only half a bottle having been opened previously) so significantly less temptation. I also had a large bowl of muesli last night which wasn't in my plan for the day, reckon I am going to be the weakest link. Hopefully everyone's impressive willpower will spur me on

morning everyone :)
am peeved with myself as I got the late night munchies. I had loads to eat after dinner (wonder if it's because I had pasta? that never fills me up for long), healthyish snacks, but still too much. :( anyone have any cures for evening hunger?

decided that I must now weigh pasta before I cook it, I always guess and if I do too much I still eat it

anyway, glad I did stay up as I have now finally finished my maths assignment. but only have 10 days to do the next one after that, no more coursework but lots of revision.

still, DH seeing GP on Friday, hoping to get signed off work for a week or so - he's got an awful back injury but has been struggling on as he's the manager. he's in agony - obviously it's worst for him, but it's put strain on me too TBH as he can't do anything. it'll be a relief if he's at home, at least he can watch the kids and rest while I get on with stuff (burning calories by doing housework for a start!)

Timba and specialknickers - well done to both of you, that's excellent.

Glad that DS1 had a good first day at school, Shaxx. I'm dreading it - don't know why, he'll be fine, it's me that will be in pieces.

I did an exercise video last night - tried Zumba - has anyone else done it? It's just latin dancing but it's fun and gets your heart rate up. It's not enough on its own, I don't think to make a real difference in the long run; I combine it with some resistance stuff.

Bloody tube strike here today, so had to walk halfway to work. Would have helped if I had remembered my trainers, rather than stumbling along on 3 inch heels.

Hope everyone has a good day.

Hello (thanks Algebra).

Right, here I am from my chocoholic thread and being brief because I need to do some work today. 82kg yesterday. These work trousers need to fit better - I only bought them in May! I will read all your top tips and get thinking and more importantly, doing.

Well done timba and special on the weight loss. I am getting quite excited about my weigh in on Friday. It is such a good feeling when you realise the scales are heading in the right direction.

Algebra I also get bad evening munchies. I have found that healthy snacks dont get rid of my chocolate cravings so I find it much better to plan to have a small amount of chocolate. I have a cup of tea and a funsize chocolate bar and eat it very very slowly.

Having been a virtual social recluse since DS was born I have no less than 4 nights out in the next 2 weeks! Two birthdays (including my own), one hen night and a catch up with work colleagues. Fortunately from the diet point of view, I have a curfew imposed by my "bottle refusing, only will breast feed" DS and also the fact I am BFing him when I get home, will help keep the alcohol limited to one glass of wine. Going to try and make healthier food choices too.

This is where I really miss running. After a big night out, I used to just go for an extra long run the next day to cancel out the excess calories.

Hi All, well done special -fab weight loss. Well done you!

Hello pumpkin - welcome from your choc thread.

My hospital appointment is now over. Thankfully. Nothing wrong found so will need to look further as to why I have thes eproblems and why my foloate is so low that the dr has had to prescribe folate for me!!! Tbh, I don't understand this as I eat raw spinach fgs! And beef, and eggs!!!! . We shall see.

Anyway, am happy to be home again.

Glad to see so much activity on this thread.

How is today going for everyone?

I miss running too Jeans, makes all the difference if you're prone to overeating. I just wish I'd found out about it in my 20s when I was the size of a house, instead of just before having a baby, but hey ho!

Bra after supper I'm always STARVING. I'm always STARVING, but after dinner it's worse... What I do if the munchies are really bugging me and I'm not feeling strong enough to resist (apart from give in, of course) is to call it quits on the day and to have a really long bath with a good book instead. I never perfected the art of eating in the bath, thankfully, so it cuts down on chow time!

Quibbler - think of all the calories you're burning walking to work! Hurray! Hurrah! Hmmmm . Oh dear. Does it help to know that as an ex Londoner I almost sort of miss the tube strike days? I do. Great excuse to be a bit late to work and to knock off a bit early... or was that just me?