I am going to lose this 2 stone, for good!!

[FlossyMcgrew]

I will be taking "after" pictures on July 1st.

I took before pictures yesterday and they are awful. I have at least 2 stone to lose. I have joined other threads here before, with some success. Then quit after getting halfway to my goal and gaining everything back in half the time it took me to lose it.

I am 5 foot 6, have been wavering around the 12 stone mark since having my 2 dc within 13 months. Youngest is now 2.

In my "before" pictures (which I won't post until I get to post them with my afters!). It is painfully obvious that nearly all of my weight is around my middle. This is particularly worrying as my family history is full of diabetes, heart problems, cancer, strokes- you name it.

My plan is this:

MFP to track my calories

30 day shred or alternate 30 min workout 5 times a week

More conscious eating. Re-reading Paul McKenna, "I Can Make You Thin."

Easy on the carbs. My current 2 slices of toast breakfast, 2 slice of bread sandwich and crisps lunch, and insert random carb heavy dinner here, is doing me and my middle no favours.

Drink more water. At least 4 pint glasses per day.

Chew gum instead of mindless snacking.

No baking. I can think up any excuse to bake, and then of course I have to test my product--no more!

And that is basically it.....

I am hoping that I can make all of these things my new way of life, rather than a diet.

I am tired of hating myself in every picture.

I am tired of refusing to buy new clothes in this size, and looking like a slob as all of my clothes are old and don't fit properly.

I want to be healthy and I want to be here for my kids for as long as possible.

I want to be a good example for my kids.

I would like to feel attractive again.

I am going to check in here at least once a week. Monday morning weigh in to keep me honest over the weekends. Please feel free to join me, or cheer me on.

I don't want to be a diet bore in real life so I am going to use this thread for my rambling instead.

So here goes......

Week 1
12 Stone 7

Brilliant quote Flossy -I am going to remember that one!

Evening all,

Anna the issues you mention are exactly why I am hesitant about the coil. Still debating.

Well done on the losses Bimble and Toowit!

Welcome Stockhausen. I worry that I look pregnant too, and I know that health wise it's the worst place to carry extra weight. (Not like there is a choice where to carry it...).
That is the worst part of my before pictures, I just look bloated and unhealthy. I took them in a bra and shorts, it's mortifying. I don't like to spend too much time looking in the mirror, but to have it in an actual picture, well there is no denying I need to make some changes.

But I am working on it!

I know a big part of my problem is patience. I like instant gratification. But I know to really have success this time and really change my mindset, my health and my body, I am going to have to be disciplined and patient. That's why I like that quite too Magenta!

There is a free app if you have an iPhone, called the Berry. It is basically random photo galleries. Some are funny, some are weird, but every day there is a gallery called daily Motivation, it's full of random healthy pictures, like workouts, smoothies, yoga moves, but also inspiring quotes. I like it, have also wasted lots of time on it, but the daily motivation is good!

One I liked today,
"You have to get up every morning and tell yourself 'I can do this'"

We can do this!! But I think we are going to have to be patient and positive, neither of which are my strong suit, but I'm working on it.

Good luck everyone!

Hello everyone,

Currently lounging instead of doing the shred, bit I am also not eating one of the brownies that are in my kitchen, so I figure that's a win.
Feeling a bit meh today, but managed to stick to my calorie goal. Have been a bit irritable too, so think I may be getting my period soon.

Going to draw a line under today and start fresh tomorrow.

Did read one good tip today, if you find yourself about to binge or eat mindlessly, count down from your current weight to your goal weight. I'm going to have to remember that one for next time I run out of gum!

Hope everyone else is doing well.

Just posting to say that I did NOT eat cake today! Might not sound like a massive achievement but as both DDs have a cold I have been getting very little sleep and DD1has been especially troublesome during that day as well. Anyway I knew I had to do shopping in town today and as I had to feed DD2 (and bribe DD1 to behave) I knew we would be going to a cafe. When DH left for work this morning I told him I was going to cake this afternoon to cheer myself up and that it didn't matter too much.

As I was standing in the queue however I looked at all the cakes and realised that being slimmer would make make me happier than having a cake so I just ordered a coffee and a cake for DD1.

I'm very proud of myself and thought I would share!!

I've been good this week, have eaten zero point soup today, to allow me a couple of light beers & have had some spicy broadbeans/beetroot crisps (2pp each on ww!) So feeling positively pissed due to lack of food saintly

Well done TooWit ! I think that is a big deal and you should definitely be proud. It's all the seemingly little changes like that, that will lead us all to the big changes we are working for. I went to a coffee morning this morning, and instead of having a millionaire shortbread, or one of the amazing looking pastries, I had one measly bourbon cream! I also felt proud, baby steps. :)

Stockhausen I like your style! I am planing on saving some calories this weekend to enjoy some light beers myself. But this us a big change for me, whereas in the past I would have light beers, whatever for dinner, snacks, pudding and probably bacon sandwiches the morning after--now I am really working on balance and moderation, hopefully making all of this more sustainable.

Hope everyone is doing well and enjoying some sunshine.

toowit not eating cake in those circumstances is amazing, well done.

stock it really is all in the planning isn't it?
That's where I failed yesterday - I hadn't thought about what I was having for dinner (DP was working late last night) and I also hadn't really planned the kids dinner so we all ended up having fish fingers chips and beans! Not my finest moment but we all really enjoyed it! But it did take me over my calories for the day - luckily I'd had to rush into town so had a few exercise calories to use up.

Not sure what to do for dinner tonight - the kids will eat at cm so it just the two of us - after a hell of a week for DP, I know he'll want a Chinese or something. So I'll either feel guilty for tucking in with him or feel bad not eating with him. It's a no win!

Really liked the tip about thinking how great you'd feel slim when you're facing a food choice - will have to do that too.

Happy Friday everyone - hope you all have a good one.

I had cake yesterday but i did a walk and went to the gym too. Not the best way to diet but by luck i didn't go over the mfp after counting exercise calories.

Going to shred today, might try it whilst kids are up. They may join in, or just get it the way

We normally have a friday night takeaway, not sure whether to avoid altogether or try and be healthy. It's chips usually so not ideal.

Gosh we are doing well aren't we, I hope this is reflected in the weigh in on Monday (fingers crossed!).

I am cooking a curry today for dinner tonight. I had a some left over lamb curry from a few weeks ago that I put in the freezer and I'm making a veggie curry today. I've also got prepackaged poppadoms and if I have time I'll get DD1 to help me make naan (very quick and should be an activity this afternoon). It is not going to be the healthiest meal but I am hoping that it will be a compromise for DH who wants an Indian takeaway. We normally have a pudding on the weekend as well so this week I've bought those individual desserts that come in a pack of two so DH can have one and DD1 can have the other. That way there won't be any left for me so i won't be tempted.

Small achieveable changes that I can sustain - that is what I'm aiming for. I don't feel like I have the energy for anything more extreme.

Stay strong - the summer is coming and it is always easier to eat healthier and be active when the weather is nice.

I think it is all in the planning. The other day I ran out of my usual breakfast choices and ended up having my old standby of 2 pieces of buttered toast and coffee. Not terrible calorie wise, but I have been trying to have protein at breakfast and I think starting with carbs made me feel hungry all day.

My DH had to leave town unexpectedly for work and I am secretly really pleased, diet wise. I do all of the cooking and when he isn't here I don't feel obliged to provide as many carbs, or as much food in general really! Also, my SIL and her partner were supposed to come and stay over and I have cancelled that now too. Felt a bit rude, but also didn't fancy entertaining. I felt like I was going to have to provide a bunch if food that I didn't want to eat. And probably would have drank more than I should've too. I really dislike talking about being on a "diet" or watching what I eat in real life. I guess I feel like it sets me up for failure or something?

My SIL, while very nice, is also one of those people that constantly announces she's on a diet, or starting some new workout regime, and complaining that she's gained too much weight. I would be shocked if she's ever been more than 9 stone in her life!

Ok, trying to convince myself to get up and do the shred instead of having a glass of wine. Hope the rest of your Friday nights are going well, and if you did end up with takeaways you don't feel too bad and just balance it out tomorrow!

Good luck everyone.

Start date 25/2
Weight 73kg

Today 15/3
Weight 70.7kg

All I have done is cut down portion sizes. Actually ate breakfast every day. Cut out daft snacks from boredom. I eat around 1000-1200 calories a day now. But I eat 3 meals.

Poached egg and mushrooms or bran flakes every morning

Lunch is ryvita a bit of cheese. A slice of ham and pickled veggies and some salsa or homemade soup.

Tea is usually small portion of carbs. A load of veggies and a piece of meat or fish. Although last night I had Chinese as a treat to celebrate DP coming home from a business trip in Holland.

Everyone is doing so well! I have not even so good but in my defence i was away last weekend and work has been manic so all planning for food has gone out the window this week??
However today I'm feeling positive and back on track having been for a run and had healthy fruit for breakfast!
11-13 ... 23lbs to goal !

I feel perhaps I should try to move around a little more to see more loss! But I don't seem to actually have time. I do walk faster at work and take weird routes to use as many of the staircases as possible!!

If I'm on the empty corridor I do sprint down it. But that's cause I am childish!!

There are some BRILLIANT usernames on this thread.

I got DP to take before pics of me, but I ended up deleting them as they were just too depressing to look at.

Can I join too, please?
I'm just over 5ft and I weigh...and I can't believe I'm telling you this...12st 1 (and a half). And I really feel it, and I look awful. I hate it, I'm always the fat one in the group and it's really getting me down. I'm sick of not being able to wear the clothes I want and using anything I can to distract people from noticing how big I am. I'm a total binge eater, and while I eat mainly healthy stuff, I eat huge amounts of it.

My DC was born six months ago and I've basically just eaten non stop since he was born. I was really into running before I fell pregnant so I've just started C25K in the hope that I'll get into it again.

Phew, thanks for reading this epic post! I think I really need to hear some tough love, I need to be told I'm too fat and there's a lot of diabetics and strokes in my family, so I need to stop letting it roll on and on.

Way to go FunkyBarnYard and stc70 ! I saw an article the other day about Cameron Diaz's new book, she was saying something about how she sprints from trailer to set, and basically looks for opportunities to move more throughout the day. Will try and find a link.

MorrisZapp I haven't looked at my before pictures again since the day that I took them, trying to focus on where I'm headed not where I was! I would be really depressed if I kept looking at them.

Absolutely welcome TheMaw :) Congrats on your baby, 6 months is still very little. I don't know about the tough love approach. I see what you mean, but for me at least, one of my main reasons for wanting to make these changes is because since having DC I have a complete lack of confidence, and basically an identity crisis. I want to address lots of areas in my life , but I am hoping by getting a grip on my health first, that I will build some confidence and that will make dealing with all of my other areas more manageable, does that make sense? Anyhow, for me this time, I am going with extreme positivity! My inner dialogue can be horribly mean to myself,and I am trying to change that.

Good luck everyone

hopefully Cameron Diaz link

Hey all
Could I join you?
I'm also 5ft 2, well a bit less.
I've just weighed in at 10 st 9 with clothes on. That's a bit depressing as I cut out chocolate and cakes a few weeks ago, so was hoping for a bit lighter.
Am not sure which plan to follow. Am currently exercising quite a bit, roller skating, Pilates, gardening and occasional Zumba. Have cut out cakes, sugar and chocolate. I am a bit more toned, but feel and look too heavy. It's rather be around the 9 st mark.
I think I need to have some kind of meal plan so I don't get bored, and reduce portions, but I get so confused with the low carb or calorie counting. I also don't want to get too obsessed with it.
Any advice welcome....

Hi Flossy, thanks for your reply! Sorry to hear about your inner dialogue, it's really awful when you're your own biggest critic. I think by tough love I meant, I'm surrounded by really lovely people who are quick to tell me (lie) that I look great, not to worry (I hope that doesn't sound vain, I know they aren't telling me the truth) and I know that I need someone to say 'Look, you are too big, it's not healthy, don't eat six Reece's Peanut Butter Cups in one go'. Otherwise I give up too easily.

Thanks for the Cameron Diaz link, looks brilliant!

Please do, oolaroola certainly sounds as though you are very active! For me, using mfp honestly has been a real eye opener. I have used it in the past with a very approximate approach and a lot of guessing. Now I know that I was just lying to myself and cheating myself. This time I am being a lot more precise. Weighing, scanning measuring etc. I am hoping that by being a bit obsessed for the next few months and really trying to reset my whole approach to eating and health, that I won't have to spend the rest if my life being obsessed, that it will just come naturally--good choices, balance etc.

TheMaw I know what you mean. I sometimes thought my gp might mention something, of course I would've been mortified, but an acknowledgement from an outside source that weight is an issue makes it more real maybe?

I read a tip on another thread here I think, that was something like, if you find yourself about to have something you shouldn't or more than you should say NO! To yourself out loud. ( May get you some looks at a restaurant ) but I have been trying this at home, if I find myself mindlessly wandering over to the biscuits or accidentally with my hand in a packet of crisps, I say no or, stop out loud. Something about it is a little empowering, like I'm telling that weak part of my mind, hey ! I am in control now, so stop it!

I haven't had reeses peanut butter cups in ages though..... StOp it flossy, no!!!
See? :)

Good luck everyone!

My first attempt at posting a picture...

You're right Flossy, getting a bit obsessed to start with might stand me in good stead to reset portion control, which I reckon has got too large.
I'm definitely aiming for long term balance so that I don't have to think about it later on.
Think am gonna do portion control, calorie counting, keep up with exercise and continue cutting out the sugar.
So without clothes (tmi!) this morn my starting point is 10st 6. Aiming for 9st 7 to start with.

Am gonna line up some non food related rewards for something to look forward to.

Good luck eith the rest of the weekend everyone.

I am yet again trying to lose this 2 stone, I can lose it, will stay off for about a year then I gain it all back. Lying in bed last night I counted since I started at 9, yes 9 years off age dieting: I have gained at lost 2 stone 9 times (I am 39). I would love to enter my 40's and not do this anymore.
I am reluctant to even try again because I feel that by xmas next year I will have to do it again. How do people maintain a healthy normal weight?? Will follow with interest

I'm doing ok today, didn't do C25K because I did it yesterday, so did a DVD instead. I'm using MyFitnessPal to monitor what I'm eating but I'm worried it's making me a bit paranoid. It also adds extra calories to your food allowance if you excercise, and I can't work out of that means I'll lose weight or just maintain it. Trying to keep my hands busy in the evenings because that's when I most want to eat. But I'm feeling quite positive just now, long may it last!

FeelingDizzy how long until your 40th birthday? Is that maybe a good target to lose it and adapt a new mindset? It's so hard though, I feel like I just go backwards and forwards with the same gain/loss and it's soul destroying. I also started dieting when I was nine and I often think I should go and speak to someone about my relationship with food, for me it's always been a treat, I've never seen it as fuel. And nine is very young to be aware of your weight.

I love that picture Flossy

I am mildly obsessed with mfp, I'm scanning away like I'm doing a wedding list at Debenhams again but I still have to guesstimate, particularly if we eat out. I figured that if I don't eat some but not all the extra calories earnt by exercise then it will hopefully balance out some of the guesses.

I am going to be forty next January and I am determined I will be two stone lighter. Hopefully we're off for a long weekend at Centre Parcs with the dc's so I will be spending the entire weekend looking fitter in my swimsuit.