Reverse Lent: starting a diet on Easter Monday

[whimsicalname]

Right, I had a baby 3 months ago. I need to lose 2 stone. I've eaten quite enough chocolate today. Tomorrow I'm starting a diet. Who's with me?

Normally I would do this as 'Sober October', but this year it's Reverse Lent. I'll eschew alcohol, eat lots of fruit and veg and try to get back into exercising. I don't anticipate losing both stone in 40 days, but I'd like to get a good head wind behind me for the rest of it.

I'll start by weighing myself tomorrow (Monday) morning, and weigh in each Monday after.

I'd really appreciate a bit of company with this. 40 days should be manageable, it's got a good (biblical) ring to it and by the time we're finished, it'll be well into spring and we can wear some nice clothes.

What more could we want?

[Beccadugs]

Thanks so much for your advice eagle! I hadn't thought of that, so am now aiming for 78 to be well within the limits. As and when I do get PG, I think I'll need consultant led care as I've got an under active thyroid, so the less complications the better!

Walking 2.5 miles each way is going well, but v slow, as takes me nearly an hour!!

How's everyone else getting on?!

[Rockchick1984]

I've still not started the diet Am thinking about doing 5:2, but the threads are just way too long - does anyone on here do it or has tried it? I've managed to dig out a load of old exercise DVDs so will give them a try when DS goes down for his nap, see if they help to motivate me a bit.

[Beccadugs]

The is a great sounding version of it by someone called Michelle Harvie. I've got the book coming from amazon (at the delivery office booo!) so will report back once I've had a wee read!

[whimsicalname]

I'm quite interested in the 5.2 diet, but I'm breast feeding and know it would turn me into a harridan.

Someone asked about US portion sizing. Yep, huge. But we mostly eat at home so less of an issue.

[Rockchick1984]

Thanks Becca hope you lose loads of weight with it :)

Whim the advice I've read is to eat 500cals extra if dieting while exclusively breastfeeding, so I think if you did it you could have 2x500cal meals on fast days rather than just the one.

[whimsicalname]

rock that's still about a quarter of the calories I want in a day!

[whimsicalname]

Right, how's everyone been this week? I've survived my husband being away most of the week and have done a reasonable amount of exercise. After last week's disappointing lack of loss, I'm hoping to have shifted at least a couple of pounds. We'll see in the morning!

[Rockchick1984]

I'm not very good at this dieting malarkey - just hopped on the scales and I'm heavier than I was last week

10st 13.5 - this week I'm actually going to stick to it, so at least I know my starting point Have discussed with DH who also wants to lose a bit, and we are definitely going to give 5:2 a try, Tuesday will be our first fast day. Will try to cut down on chocolate/crisps/cake on non fast days too!

[eagleray]

Morning - I've just jumped on scales and lost 0.5kg. Not huge, but it's in the right direction, and brings total so far to 2.1kg (just under 5lb.) I certainly wasn't losing 5lb before I started dieting!

[eagleray]

Good luck whimsical and sorry you haven't lost rock - dieting with your DH sounds like a good idea as you can support each other

[Beccadugs]

Morning all! 1kg down at weigh in last night! Getting the other half on board is half the battle. Then you can clear the naughty stuff! Our rule is that he can eat WHATEVER at lunch time and them is heathy with me on the evenings... It works for us!!

[whimsicalname]

That's what we do too becca, with the sub clause that he can't tell me!

156 for me today, so feel less bad about last week. 5lbs in 2 weeks is ok.

Well done everyone else. Half way now I think. I'm hoping to get in under 11st nextweek. Hopefully then some summer clothes will fit!

[Beccadugs]

Glad it's not just me whimsical! Today I am feeling v disheartened with the whole thing... I've already had a lit Kat and its not even 11am. Willpower, where have you gone?!

[Rockchick1984]

Hello all, well done on losses!

I did first fast day on 5:2 yesterday and it wasn't as bad as I expected. I've realised where I tend to go wrong though - I am constantly picking, grazing, snacking on whatever I notice throughout the day. I must be eating so many more cals than I realised - just silly things like I got DS a bag of crisps and automatically got myself one. I picked up a biscuit to eat while the kettle boiled for a brew. I was about to finish DS's leftovers after his tea. I must do these things so automatically as I've never realise it before!

[whimsicalname]

We're clearly partners in crime becca and rock as I'm standing by the kettle eating my toddlers discarded toast while I read through. I've pretty much written today off as I have toddler group this morning which includes compulsory biscuits and then book club tonight, which will involve banoffee pie. My favourite and best!

[Beccadugs]

Banoffee pie is my fave too! The sun was shingling when I went for a walk at lunch time and I seem to have eaten a white magnum...

I'm a grazer too! Trying to have lots of fruit and veggies around for grazing as this helps!!

[whimsicalname]

Oh dear, we disappeared for a bit then... Perhaps along with my resolve. I think we must be 2/3 done by now. Heads down for the home straight!

[whimsicalname]

Is it just me left? Oh dear I guess I'm talking to myself. Well, I've actually gained weight this week, proving that just because you're breastfeeding doesn't mean you can go to baskin robin's with impunity, even with the rationale that there's no calories in coffee, therefore coffee ice cream should be fine.

So, weighed it at 157. I'd really hoped to come in under 11 stone this week. Best have a bagel to cheer myself up.

[Beccadugs]

I'm here too! 500g loss last night! Currently waitin for a twain and eating a cinnamon pretzel... Oops!

Althought technically it's lunch!!

[whimsicalname]

Well done on 500g becca. Hope you enjoyed your pretzel.

[eagleray]

Well done Becca I'm sure you've well and truly overtaken me now! How's the walking to work going?

Oh poo Whimsical for me certainly, the breastfeeding/weight loss thing is a myth. Having said that, I've only had to make a few tweaks to my existing diet in order to keep within the WW limits. I think I'm finding that I can eat well and plentifully, but the really 'bad' foods have to be strictly limited. If it's any consolation for you (and I'm sure it's not) I would feel my life was complete if I was 11 stone again. There, no consolation whatsoever. Anyway, onwards and upwards, and I'll keep my fingers crossed for you for next week.

My weigh-in is tomorrow. Not entirely optimistic as I had to write off the weekend as lost track of logging what I ate and think I went well over my limit. However, back on the wagon today and also managed my first bit of 'proper' exercise last night for nearly a year - did a 2 hour cycle ride! It was knackering towards the end and the baby got awful separation anxiety, but think I burned about 1000 calories!

[whimsicalname]

Good for you eagle. I've overdone the running and hurt my knees which is annoying. And thank you for your kind words about 11st. I'm pretty short though...

[eagleray]

Sorry for late update - I lost 0.5kg this week! Not as much as I was hoping, but was still a loss nevertheless (and I possibly wasn't trying as hard as had been previously).

Are your knees any better Whimsical?

Becca are we still neck and neck?

Off on holiday in 2 days - hopefully we will be on very quiet beaches so that I don't scare anyone with my 'bikini body'

[Beccadugs]

Yes Eagle we are! I however have had a disastrous few day including some doughnuts, and chocolate digestives for breakfast! Not looking forward to the next weigh in!

Bad luck on the knee front whimsical! My walks have been parred back as I hurt my calf and have had to have deep tissue massage at the Physio and a referral to the foot doctor for my flat feet!!

[whimsicalname]

Morning all. Stuck on 156 still here, but after a difficult week. Looks like we're in for another couple of tricky ones as my husband is going to have to go back to the UK to go to a funeral and deal with some legal stuff. So I'm giving up! No doubt I'll be back in a month or so to shift the last stone. Good luck y'all.