Who's in for healthy weight loss in 2012?

[TartyMcFalalalalalalalalarty]

I'm sat here piling on the pounds over Christmas, not quite having lost those I gained last year!

It's got to the point where it's now or never - DH and I are TTC #2, so I have to get to a healthy weight to give us the best possible chance, which is motivation in itself. I need to lose about half a stone to get into my healthy weight range, but ideally would like to lose another stone on top of that.

I've half-arsedly tried Weight Watchers and Paul McKenna over the last year, and if I gave it a decent shot, either of those would help. The main thing I'm going to do to kick start the weight loss though, is make a new year's resolution to cut right back on junk food, which is my weakness. Basically, if it's not something nutritious, or if there's a healthier alternative, I'm going to try to give it a miss!

Having cancelled my gym membership last year, I joined a running club instead and will be going out with them once a week, and once with my DM. I have a kettlebell and DVD at home, http://www.amazon.co.uk/Kettlercise-Just-Women-PLUS-Kettlebell/dp/B0053YNSDY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1325074972&sr=8-1 this one, and will continue to use that twice a week. I'll also be going to a PAYG spinning class once a week, and maybe the odd Kettlercise class to vary the routine on the DVD a bit.

So, anybody interested in joining me? I'm not sure whether to go for it immediately from 1st January, or to wait until the 3rd (I have parties to go to on Sunday and Monday, so might be setting myself up for failure). That said, it would be a real buzz to manage a couple of social occasions straight away - they're usually another downfall for me!

Thanks/ I know TalkinPeace you're right but I'm an emotional eater. I do need more self control.

Hat,
which emotion do you avoid by eating? Could you write it down (on a private piece of paper) express your concerns in an analytical way rather than by expensive and weight gain inducing snacking?
Think of the positives from grabbing even a little bit of control and build on them ...
a while back we suggested that Faz did a mood / food diary. THat might help you as well - especially in narrowing down your worries and symptoms.

Its always stress TalkinPeace.
I avoid thinking about stressful situation by putting food in my mouth. It makes it worse by the fact that I'm a natural worrier.
I know this but still can't address it. When I have nothing to worry about, I exercise and lose weight. As soon as I have anything to worry about - work, row with dh, whatever, i just turn to food.

but then you GET stressed because you have put on weight so it is a spiral

in yoga we have been doing a lot of work on mindfulness
I have found it very useful (I don't get stressed, I'm much more on the psycho stress causing end of the behaviour spectrum!!)
you may find it useful

the core principle is
live in the now
three minutes ago is gone (as is everything before it)
three minutes into the future has not happened yet (and your scenario building may not be right)
if you cannot deal with something in the next 24 hours, STOP worrying about it
you cannot change other people's behaviour, concentrate on changing your own

ye gods, I sound like a shrink
BUT
weight loss and gain starts in the mind - you have to get your mind working right to get your body working right.

get a pen and write down what is bugging you
sorted into blocks of when it will be done and dusted .....
it might help

(and is a general tool for all readers / lurkers)

Hope it goes ok at docs Hat
I know what u mean by emotional eater, its a comfort thing, I'm the same. When your ill ppl always say oh u must try and eat something etc so is it any wonder when u feel ill emotionally we turn to food too.

Cup that is fantastic, well done! hope you are okay hathall, stick around!

Ok, so he's suggested we go for a meal tomorrow, its his turn to pay anyway.
It's valentines day, we've only been seeing each other a couple of wks or so.
Do I get a card or something or what?

ooh Flojo I have no idea what you should get. It's been a long time since I was dating. Hmmm, I think you should probably get something to mark the occasion . . . maybe? I'm no help at all, hopefully someone more sensible will be along in a minute .

This week lost half a pound again so I will count this one as 'maintaining', I think.

Hat please try not to worry too much about eating (I know that's easier said than done) but you have enough to deal with at the moment. It's not a great idea to turn to food but it will take time to change your habitual responses to stress. Maybe just try to limit the amount you eat, or make more healthy choices. Alpen light bars are only 70 calories. Hot chocolate gives you the chocolately taste without all the extra calories. Of course, a brisk walk is always good for you, body and soul .

The mindfulness that TP was talking about sounds like a really good de-stress technique. I will try that at work when I need it. Just look after yourself and let us know how you get on x

Flojo
-Get him a card, but don't get anything to soppy or romantic, go for the lighthearted one's.

-DO NOT give it to him until he has given you yours! (Hide it in your bag until necessary.)

-Don't get a pressie. (Sounds tight but most men think its a waste of time and stupid)

-Have a great time! And good luck....and we must have a update!

Well done Fairenuff!

Had scrambled egg on toast for breakfast, stuck in all day again waiting for my light to be fixed (everything is breaking at the moment!) , luckily the cupboards are empty so no picking for me today!

So what are everyone else's plan for Valentines? [hopeless romantic emotion]

Dh and I have decided not to do it this year (it will be our first year since we got together 8yrs ago) , hes a grouch never really been into it anyway but does it because of me. Normally I get a big bunch of roses and some pink champagne, feel a bit sad to be honest, like our relationship has taken the 'I can't really be bothered' step. :(

-Will just have to make him feel extra guilty on the day--

Flojo you could get him a card (along the lines of I fancy you rather than I luuuurve you) and maybe a very small pressie (eg some heart shaped chocs?) but nothing bigger than that!

Hathall I'm very sorry to hear about your health problems, hope all is OK. I'm an emotional eater too, you could try to use this as a way of breaking out of that cycle but don't be too hard on yourself. Would it help to think to yourself "logically, there is no way eating this will make me feel any better"?

DH and I had a meal out a week ago (for babysitting reasons) so won't be doing anything (except exchange cards - I hope!!) tomorrow night.

Still feeling hungover / knackered her after the wedding. It takes me a few days to recover from a big night these days!!

Ds is nagging me to take him to the shops so he can get a card for his girlfriend. He's already got her a rose and little light up thing he thought she might like. So thoughtful (but he's only 12 eeek!). I suppose I could get a card for DH whilst I'm there .

I don't want chocolate or champagne or a meal out for Valentines Day. I do find it a bit forced when you've been with someone for years and years. We do a lot for each other anyway. I think being kind and loving on a day to day basis is more important.

Nothing to do with dieting, just thought I'd share

we are having a NOT Valentines party tonight with loads of friends.
Wednesday DH has to leave at 5am to go to work
so tuesday night will be quiet
after nearly 30 years together, the most fun is making home made cards and sneaking them onto the breakfast table

that and seeing what the kids get / give now they are teen ....

Fairenuff - get him to make one. MUCH more meaningful.

So, I bought some more scales .
Its WI day and I didn't think that getting on the ones I bought last week knowing they were 4lb up on my old ones was going to keep me very motivated.

Got some electronic salter body analyser scales from Asda £15.

Good news-
They show me to be the same weight as my old ones did last Monday :) , so I have had a maintaining week (time of the month so I expected it!). I knew the bastard things were faulty

Bad news-
It told me my body fat % (I didn't ask for it, it just flashed up after and I got curious) 46.3%. Now I didn't know what this meant so I looked it up in the little book they give you. My optimal range should be 21.1 - 32.9 anything above 39 is considered high .
I cried! :( In theory almost half my fat body is fat! I dread to think what it would have said just after christmas

I have now recovered and consider it a HUGE wake up call! I thought I was just a bit chubby not obese! No more slip ups or days when I'm not quite as strict, I am damn well going to get healthy!!!!!! [determined emotion]

They are horrible bastard things but if anyone hasn't got a analyser I would say go get one! Given me a right kick up the arse because now I know everything. Its not just my weight that's important!

Incidently does anyone know about water % mine was 39.7%. Is this good or bad I couldn't suss it from the book.

Wow sorry that was a bit of a essay!
Just needed to get it off my chest. To embarrassed to say to dh! :(

Aww Sparky dont be too disheartened, I checked my BMI and was shocked to be bordering on obese, I used it as an extra kick up the arse behind and remind myself of it when i get tempted.
I'm thinking i might need to buy these scales tho, they sound good. I've got WW digital ones, doesnt do anything fancy just tells me my weigh, but tbh depending which floorboard i put it on i can put on or take off 2lbs! Hence my weekly WW meetings, tho I've decided to cancel my membership as it clashes with gym class which would be much more useful in helping lose weight!
Gonna weigh in at the gym instead if i can without being seen!

My ww ones do give lots of information but I don't bother reading it anymore. I know that I am just into the obese BMI. I will be very excited when I get down to plain old overweight, how mad is that?

Don't worry about it Sparky, you are doing everything you can to get where you want to be .

Btw, we are running out of space on this thread. Does anyone (technologically gifted) feel up to starting a new one and putting a link to it on this one?

Haven't seen Tarty around for a bit . . .

Thanks. I am ok just fat .

I'm happy to do a linky to a new thread if anyone feels its needed :)

Thanks Sparky

Btw I love your mn hair. I cut mine as well yesterday. Looks ok. That was a great thread, I loved all the live action hair cutting. You are so pretty .

Aww thanks Fairnuff .
I didn't realise you were on the hair thread, I would have waved!
I was quite impressed with how well it turned out, even dh has noticed!

Right, new thread coming up....

WE HAVE A NEW THREAD

WE HAVE A NEW THREAD

WE HAVE A NEW THREAD

WE HAVE A NEW THREAD

WE HAVE A NEW THREAD

NEW THREAD

Well done Sparky it works. See you all over on the new one