New Mums still seeking new bodies - this time we'll do it.

[SolitudeSometimesIs]

So a new thread, a new more motivated state of mind.

We will be skinny. No more excuses.

Post of shame from me: I had an Indian takeaway. It was delish.

However, it was the only nice thing I had and I spent an hour in the freezing cold running around the park with the kids this afternoon.

I did a grocery shop and bought lots of veg and protein so I intend on having a very strict week and making sure I stay in the 180's. I was thinking of taking up exercise for lent this year, I can't give up anything else. But I really don't want to exercise, I'm so lazy.

Anyone else up for exercise?

I don't think a curry will have done much harm, especially as you'd been good all day. Glad you enjoyed it.

That's a good plan for the rest of the week too. I'm doing Exante properly from now on. I'll have a Valentines meal as a reward to look forward too.
I really want to be back into the 180's too. I was before Christmas so that will be my first target.

I had a very naughty weekend, but the weigh in wasn't too bad this morning.
We were at a Christening yesterday and the party was at an Italian restaurant. It was buffet and I was starving so had pasta, pizza, potato skins (all the carbs).
Then we were at the in-laws for their anniversary and I drank too much Champagne and ate lots of yummy food. So a good day really (but not for dieting!)

I feel the same about exercise. I am really lazy. I've been having a think though. My first thought is start walking to nursery to pick up DD1. (We will never manage the drop off). I've been using the excuse that the weather is bad.
Great idea about Lent though. I might make a star chart (then I can buy myself something if I get enough stars!)
I'm also going to have to start making DD1 go out more. She's gotten lazy since nursery and is a real homebody. She loves playing in the garden and going to the park but the weather has been putting her off! I'll be strict and start making her go out on an afternoon.
I have that Mutu programme for the stomach and i must start doing that again. After all the food yesterday my stomach was massive, so I really want to strengthen the muscles.
I'll have to make more time for exercise. I seem to spend my time at home, tidying, cleaning and cooking. Think I'll just start clearing a space on the floor and get on with it. Don't think I'll get much done on an evening so I won't plan to do anything then.

I'm onto day 4 now. I just need to keep it together at the weekend (if I survive today of course). I've been in to much of a rush on a morning to weigh myself, but I'll try to get round to it on Saturday.
How are you both doing?

Hi,

not a bad week for me (skipping past a little carb splurge on Tues) but I have found it hard to low carb when I am so cold. It's snowing here and my body is crying out for a curry and rice, so I had the curry but skipped the rice. I've been keeping myself occupied during the day by de-cluttering the house and generally tidying up.

Did you survive today Green? Are you sticking 100% to Exante?

I ended up eating some of the children's leftovers last night. But apart from that I'm doing okay. I haven't managed to do Exante 100% though. Like you said it's too cold and I just want nice things. I've just been having low carb stuff (apart from the leftover bread) so I think I'm doing okay.

I've went for afew extra walks this week, but it is very cold and DD2 wasn't too happy about it!

I'm promising myself some sort of Indian feast for valentines if I'm back down to 13stone 5 lb by then. I'll make it myself though. Takeaway always takes ages on special occasions. I'm dreaming of saag paneer and tandoori chicken.

I need to stop mainlining coffee too.

I'm 13 stone 5 lbs but not in the 180's properly, am I doing something wrong with my maths?

Well done on just eating the bread, I'm a dreadful leftover picker, it's such a bad habit.

What's your saag paneer recipe? I love saag paneer and was going to make it last week but the shop had no paneer (typical). The recipe I saw had a lot of butter in it, do you have a low fat one?

That's really good. I worked it out at 187?

I've failed again tonight. We won't discuss it.

I was just looking at recipes online. The one I was going to try was from the Guardian, it has 2tbsp of ghee. It could be reduced I suppose? I better see if I can get some paneer.

I'm not sure if this Exante diet is going to work for me again. I'll get back on the low carb tomorrow, but I'm going to have a big think about it all.

You have not failed Green, eating well isn't a test. You may have had a slip up but let's face it, we all have since Christmas. Would you think of a different type of diet? A quick fix diet to get yourself back on track. If Exante is too much would you think about 5:2? Or maybe giving yourself one day off per week if you are going hardcore, it is impossible for you to be 100% committed all the time.

I will admit to scarfing quite a bit of the kids pasta today, I made pasta bake and it was delicious. I have chopped up some veg and made hummous and baba ganoush for tomorrow. I bought stuff to make vegetable soup and salads for next week. I also learned how to make caramelised onions (thank you internet) for the top of my hummous, they are flippin gorgeous and I know I will be chucking them on top of everything - I love them with goats cheese.

Had an ok weekend, did have some crisps though.

I've had soup, quorn and nuts today, so not very exciting. But it's only 2 weeks until Valentine's Day and I can get a takeaway then. I think mushroom and aubergine curry are on the menu for tomorrow.

How are you getting on Green?

All that food you mentioned sounds lovely Sol.

I've had a stomach bug since Saturday night so I've only been able to face tea and toast for the last 2 days. I'm feeling back to normal now though.(poor DH has it now). Doesn't seem to have caused much weight loss!

You're right, I'm not being tested. I'm only 3 or 4lb heavier since my lightest weight before Christmas. It's not like I've gained the 2stone back on. I'm going to low carb for the rest of the week and maybe try the Exante again in a week or 2 (I must use those vile meal packs up!).
I'm just annoyed at myself for giving in.
I either want to get back in Ketosis properly and start adding in some lovely low carb meals (ideally with goats cheese now you mention it). Or if that fails I will try to do the 5:2 again.

No exercise yet. When does Lent begin ? About 2 weeks?

I hope you're feeling better Green, stomach bugs are awful.

Maybe have yourself the rest of the week off to make sure your body has recovered from the bug. You need to get your energy back up and get healthy.

Maybe use the Exante meals as your 2 low cal meals on the 5:2? Then at least you don't have to spend your time working out calories.

My week goes ok foodwise, feel like crap though. And I have spent the evening dress shopping for the weddings I'm going to in the summer. I found one dress I love, it's a black and cream full length leonora dress by Phase Eight in Debenhams. It might look like shite on me. It's also fierce expensive but I might go and try it on. And then fall in love...and then have my heart broken by a dress (when I fall in love with fashion, I fall hard).

I have to get myself in gear. My little wobbles with food, where I don't stick to the diet, are getting out of hand. I am more time off the diet than on it. I'm not sure why I'm so un-motivated, I really want to look better, I want to feel better, I want to wear better clothes. But my ability to get my shit together is getting embarrassing. I have had way too much wine this week for no other reason that I really wanted some. I'm so bad at this eating properly malarky.

I am committing to work out for lent though. I want to at least tone up, I have bingo wings that could safely fly me and my family on a holiday. I'm thinking a quick 20 minute act of torture/work out might speed up my metabolism and help burn off the crap I'm eating.

How is everyone else getting on?

I'm feeling much better thanks. I'm having a week much like yours. G&T on Wednesday night and wine last night. So silly.
I'm the same with eating. It's all or nothing. No middle ground. Yet I could probably gain a degree in nutrition with everything I know. It's just putting it into practise that I find difficult (why? I was raised on a well balanced diet).

I've actually had lots of people noticing my weight loss in the last 3 weeks. I bought some smaller tops so I think that's why. You'd think that would be a good motivation to continue.

I'll definitely join you with the exercise. My arms aren't bad (I've always had weirdly thin arms) but I have back fat and too much round my middle. Plus I'd like to lose a chin. I've been reading up on the fast exercise thing and it says fast bursts of exercise are just as good as a long work out. Plus much easier to fit in. I'm going to see what workouts are on YouTube.

Diet wise. Hmm. I can't face Exante again (not for afew weeks anyway). Going to try a Slimming World/ Weight watchers approach next week. I'll do some planning over the weekend and sort meals out. I'll still try to avoid too many carbs. Although I've had much more energy this week and have needed less sleep. I'm wondering if it's because of the carbs or just the extra daylight?
I might move onto the 5:2 for Lent.

That dress is absolutely stunning. You have to try it on. Are you tall? I could never carry it off (short arse). But bloody hell, I didn't think Phase Eight was that expensive. Does Debenhams in Ireland have the constant discount events like it does in the UK? There is a 20% code in my magazine for Phase Eight if you'd like it.
I gave two weddings to go to. I need to start looking at dresses. Or at least lose more weight as I have a lot of nice dresses in a 14/16.

Maybe we should take our measurements and some before pictures this weekend. Then have a proper restart on Monday? There's 8 weeks till Easter. 8 week challenge?

Quick post re dress while kids are watching Frozen. I'm going to try it on this weekend. If it fits I might order it from the UK and get in Parcel Motel-ed over here. Very bloody expensive but I have 2 weddings this summer and I could wear it to both.

I'm 5 foot 7 but I can lash on a huge pair of heels and trot around in them no problem. I wonder does anywhere else have a similar style of dress? Like a Marks and Spencers rip off or something.

Oh God the kids are wrestling, will post again later.

What's parcel Motel? Debenhams have free international delivery and JohnLewis is £7.50 to Europe. You could always get it cleaned afterwards and Ebay it?
I'd be scared to spend that much on a dress, but if it looks good on and you love it just go for it! You're the perfect height and if you already have black or nude accessories you won't need to buy any shoes etc. So that will work out pretty cost effective.

No idea about rip offs unfortunately. Unless you know a kind soul who will make something similar for you?

Parcel Motel is a service you pay 4.00 euro and they will deliver your parcel from the UK through their series of business addresses. It sounds a bit dodge written like that, but it's all above board. To get things delivered from the UK to here can cost nearly twice the amount of the thing you've bought. It makes it all quite expensive. My friend bought a suit for her son to wear to a wedding on Amazon, it cost her 15 euro to buy and 32.95 euro to be delivered.

Debenhams here don't stock Phase Eight so I couldn't try it on. Pain in the arse. I won't buy it at full price, I'll keep an eye out on the website for a Blue Cross reduction, thanks for the tip.

That's great that people are noticing your weight loss, I'm sure you look lovely. I'm thinking I will do The Shred during lent and hopefully will look a bit more toned. What sort of workout do you have in mind? What were you reading about quick exercise? I like the sound of doing very little.

Also, just out of interest, because there has been so much about it on Mumsnet so far this week: Are any of you going to see the 50 shades of Grey movie? My lovely friend was trying to convince me to go with her, as was her DH as he doesn't want to go. I know nothing about it, any clue if it's good? I mean, I'm fairly sure it's not.

The parcel motel sounds like a good idea. It must be a real pain having to pay a fortune for delivery all the time. House of Fraser sell Phase eight too and they often have good sales.

I'll write about the exercise tomorrow. My iPad is being a pain.

I won't be going to see 50 shades. I thought the book was terrible. I might if a friend really wanted me too, just to get out the house!

Here's a link about the exercise en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High-intensity_interval_training . Just because I'll never explain well enough. I read Michael Mosley's book about it. I've tried to start today but only managed about 3 bursts of exercise. Mainly because I needed to find a sports bra!

I feel like I've had a good re-start day. I found my Fitbit and have worn it today, but I only managed 8,000 steps.
I've decided to count calories and I'm going to try using My fitness Pal. I'm aiming at 1500 per day. But to complicate things further I'm going to try 5:2 again too. So today I've had homemade soup and an Exante bar and managed to stick to around 500 calories.
I've also planned my meals till the weekend and did the shopping.

Is anyone else looking really forward to spring? It was so nice and sunny this morning although bloody freezing. I'm looking forward to pottering round the garden when it warms up. I also want to do a massive de clutter. I've sorted 3 bags of my clothes and DD2 foe charity so it's a good start.

Oh thanks. I'll have a read of that. You sound like you are doing every diet going, I like your method. I made veggie soup today too, the weather being so cold makes me crave it.

I did the de-clutter. Six black bags filled and dumped, toys and baby stuff we don't use have been sent off to people who will use them, it's very satisfying. I think it has a positive impact on my mental health to clear stuff out, I like tidy!

Is a FitBit any good? I was looking at the Garmin ones today in Halfords but Tiny DS had other plans than to let me read about them and I had to chase him around the place - he's walking now. How does the FitBit work?

I have to admit that I thought the 50 shades books were terrible but Jamie Dornan looks very similar to my DH (imagine him a little heavier and with grey hair) so I have a soft spot for him.

Ha, I like to make my dieting complicated. I'm too scared just to do healthy eating, I need a gimmick!

Well done on getting rid of baby stuff. I still need to bite the bullet. We really don't fancy number 3 but a small part of me is hanging on to stuff. I'm getting better at getting rid of clothes though.

I like the Fitbit. I have the Fitbit one. It's basically a pedometer. It counts steps and active minutes. It works with an app so it keeps updating steps done, floors climbed, active minutes, calories burned and consumed. You can track your sleep too. Then using the app you can record weight and set targets. It gives you a calorie allowance for the day and you can track what you've ate. You can also record water drank.
You can now link it to My fitness pal and apparently it works with the Weight Watchers website too. I like the model I have but it falls off my waistband too much so I put it on my bra instead. I would have got a wristband version but I heard it's not accurate if you're pushing a buggy. It's probably good for chasing toddlers though!

I'm off to google James Dornan now.

I googled James Dornan and got a shock. Then I realised it was Jamie! Very nice.

DH keeps getting told he looks like James Sturgess, but I can't see it myself.

That Fitbit sounds pretty cool. I might get one for my birthday.

I've been eating mostly soup today, with the odd bar of chocolate and some crisps thrown in. I have full on PMT and I'm swinging between wanting to be left alone to being a big needy idiot.

I plan to Shred my way through Lent and lose 10 lbs. That's my plan and I will stick to it. I think it might be a kick start that I need. Have you decided whether you're going to exercise or not? How did your diet go today?

The Fitbit is pretty cool. I think it's interesting to see how active you are.
I made an effort to go for a longer walk on Monday but must have sat down more at home. I didn't do many more steps than today or yesterday when I was just pottering on round the house.

Did okay on the diet yesterday. I think I had about 1700 calories which was more than planned, but I've done another fast today so it will even out (if I don't go mad for the rest of the week).

I am going to do more exercise for lent but still haven't decided exactly what.

I bought the Marks and Spencer's Valentine's meal for Saturday. so much for my home cooked Indian.

DD1 got sent home with Chicken Pox today. I'm hoping she doesn't get too ill so we can still go out and about next week. I was hoping to get some long walks in. DD2 seems to be coming down with something too. It could be her teeth again though.

Oh no, not chicken pox. It's the time of year for it really isn't it. Have you got Pox Relief cream there? It's great for relieving the itchiness especially at night. My niece spent about 10 days covered in the stuff. Do you think the baby is coming down with it too? I'd say you will be able to get out if she's feeling ok, just not around crowds or anything.

How are you finding your diet? Is it 1700 calories on regular days and then 500 cals on the other days? Do you mind me asking what your menu is like for a day? I eat a lot of soup but it has no impact on the scales really and I'm a bit stuck for inspiration.

What did you get in the Valentines meal deal? I love M&S food...drool...We have to get 2 separate meals because I'm veggie and DH isn't, it ends up costing us a fortune (and I can't be trusted in M&S not to buy a ton of food).

I think I might invest in one of the Ftibits, they sound great. I used to have a pedometer and got weirdly competitive about doing extra steps if I had a lazy day. It got lost in the end and I never replaced it which brought to an end my exercising ways. I'm starting the shred tonight. DH is going to take the kids upstairs so I can prance around with Jillian shouting at me. My exercising is not a spectator sport.

Did you see the Katie Hopkins show about her gaining and losing weight? Some of it was a bit crap, but some of it was quite interesting - she returned to exercise when she was overweight and found it such a struggle but to see her improve was quite inspirational. As a fatty myself I know that I give up because I feel crap and it hurts and I'm lazy, but I think she may have spurred me on to keep going. Who'd have thought Katie Hopkins could be somewhat inspirational?!