Anyone else just eating healthier/less and moving more?

[KnickKnome]

I've tried every diet known to man (and done quite well on some- I was down 50 lbs before Christmas, though dreading seeing the damage an all inclusive holiday and Christmas has done!)

I've had enough of counting calories/points/syns or whatever. I'm fed up of following plans or drinking shakes. What I really want to do, after years of yo yo dieting, is to eat healthy stuff (not low fat stuff though) that excites me, in slightly smaller portions and do exercise that I enjoy. I want to cut down/out fizzy drinks (already cut these out), sugary foods, chocolate, processed stuff etc.

I not only want to lose weight, I want to lose it (and enjoy it whilst doing it) and maintain it. Yes it's a cliche, but I don't want to diet, I want a lifestyle change. I want to be able to go out to a restaurant for special occasions and not worry over how many syns/points etc the food will 'cost' me, but be able to enjoy it. I don't even know if this makes sense, but after spending so long on different plans, I'm so excited to just eat stuff that's not dictated to me, but stuff I think I should be eating.

I've just done a meal plan for next week, and an online food shop which has got me really excited to start (yes, I'm weird! )

I still need to lose at least another 50 lbs. Does anyone want to join me?

Woo Hoo, I can see a 10 on my scales!!

Am 10st 13lbs!

So, progress so far is:
29th Dec 11.11
5th Jan 11.7
12th Jan 11.4
19th Jan 11.3
26th Jan 11.1
2nd Feb 11.0
9th Feb 10.13

Nearly a stone gone!!!

Am really pleased with myself and quite surprised as I haven't been exercising at all partly due to the weather (we had lots of snow!), illness (had a rubbish cold), and a bad back!
Hoping to get back on track from today though as the sun is shining and I've got supplies of ibuprofen to get me through the day so will be going for a nice long walk pushing my DD in the pram to burn some calories!

Eating wise I've generally been doing ok though have had some bad days involving cake!! But am finding MFP a big help to keep me in check!

And well done nevergoogle, you must be proud of yourself!
How is everyone else doing?

Well, seeing as I was 9st 11lbs at one point last week and this morning I'm 10st 1lbs I do feel a bit like going back to bed for a week/enquiring about getting my jaws wired.

However, UC flare up is better so I can get out on long walks again (Meeting walking group for the first time tonight!) and my period started yesterday afternoon and I'm retaining fluid (I know because I get heavy achy thighs and bottom for the first day or two. Anyone else get this?) so a lb or so will be down to that.

Very well done on your 5K run NeverGoogle! That really is fantastic. Getting into the 11st bracket is fab too - you are an inspiration!

10st bracket Butterfly! That's great! Very well done. Seeing a new number really helps to spur you on as it shows that whatever you're doing is working.

LowCrab - Sorry to hear you're not feeling great. If you do fancy a curry the skinny shrimp curry I linked to up the thread is fab. Easy to make and full of good stuff. Swap the shrimps for something else (Vets seem to be a popular choice nowadays) if you don't fancy seafood.

Silver - I read that wine (I think it was red wine but not sure) is now being hailed as the dieter's friend as it raises your metabolism.
Smiled when I read that you thought you were running at a good pace while your dog was just strolling. If I'm out with just the female Mastiff and we're on a quiet street I'll sometimes break into a little run (I can manage about half a min). I'm going full whack while she's having a gentle stroll. Dogs must think we're pathetic - I know mine do.

Butterfly you have done so well! Congratulations

Aimlessly I will scroll back through the thread for that curry recipe.

I made such a fuss about hitting the one stone mark last week and I've gone and put 2lbs back on. But I'm hoping I can shift it by the end of the week.

I feel like I've been premenstrual for about 5 years now and wish this period would just start already!

Butterfly - way to go! Excellent progress, take a bow!

Aimlessly I gain around my period and around ovulation...it's a total pain and the reason why I didn't weigh myself this morning....I couldn't face the gain.

Meg don't give up....remember this is for your health, do some exercise like a walk or something that will help you feel more positive and committed.

Hopefully am off the wine till Friday, I get a cash bonus for every week I manage 4 alcohol free nights....so no excuses on the sugar front.

say what now? a cash bonus?

I am having trouser issues.

My 18's were switched for 16's. Now my 16's are baggy. I tried on 14's and they were too tight.

So it's a saggy crotch and baggy bum for me for a while longer.

(not complaining though)

where do i get my cash bonus though?

NeverGoogle - Maybe jeggings are the answer?

They're great when you're between sizes as they're stretchy. I like them because they're comfy if you suffer with "end of day bloat" or if you put on a couple of lbs.

Exactly 10st this morning. Still a couple of weeks away from my birthday so could lose 5lbs if I set my mind to it. Ordered a gorgeous emerald green coat which arrived today and it doesn't do up around my boobs so I'm feeling very grumpy.

Haven't eaten anything yet and not feeling terribly food inspired.

What's everyone else having for dinner today?

maybe its jeggings that are the problem as that's what I live in?

I might have to go with dresses for a few weeks until I can get into the 14s.

10st sounds amazing btw. well done. I'm assuming that's a healthy bmi for you now?

Oh, I'd have thought jeggings would be great if you're between sizes.

Ah well, dresses are the answer.

I do like a knitted jumper dress with wooly tights I can pull right up over my tummy to keep it warm.

Cash bonus - is the saving I make by not drinking, it get's credited to me for fun money....my hopes of earning a lot through this method are not high.

Dinner this evening will be a bit of an Indian feast - creamy chicken and fig curry with Green beans, mustard seeds and ginger and Roasted cauliflower with cumin, tumeric and lemon, maybe some rice too.

NeverGoogle - I think it probably is a healthy BMI (I'm 5'4") but I've managed to pretty much keep my weight between 9st (Summer weight) and 9st 7lbs (Winter weight) for over a decade so 10st isn't really a good weight for me.

I lost five and a half stone so I don't want it to creep back on.

Your dinner sounds gorgeous!

Have you tried cauliflower rice yet?

aimlessly, I can imagine the fear once you reach your target weight. in truth though we should have learned new habits in that time and fingers crossed don't put it all back on.

Does anyone have sugar cravings just before their period is due?
I'm struggling tonight and have had a few bits of flapjack.

i am ravenous before and during my period. absolutley nothign satisfies.

Me too. I think I'll just give in,I don't think I can bear not to!
Hormones

i think you are supposed to eat iron.

i find beef. brocoli and cashew nuts do the trick. (not that I'm advocating a takeaway )

I read something recently that the need to eat around your period has to do with falling serotonin levels and that you should have a small amount of potato to increase your levels. Whatever it is, I struggle with hunger, cravings, bloating...... the whole enchilada. It's no fun!

Morning everyone.

I agree periods are awful and the ruiners of good eating habits!

That said, i seem to be back on the wagon again. And the protein powder I ordered is doing a stand up job as a substitute breakfast on days when I'm just not organised enough to sort a proper one out.

My hand has recovered enough for weight lifting and skating again too. So I was lifting a bit last night and am off skating tonight.

I need to thank you lot for keeping me on thebstraight and narrow recently though. I suspect without this thread I would have sunk head first into a pile of pizzas pizzas, never to.be seen again.

So thanks and we'll done to all of us for being so damn awesome

Well done low Crab good news about your wrist!
I turned down a glass of wine last night - that's almost unheard of and it wasn't even willpower driven - I genuinely didn't want it.
Still working through my sugar issues - seems that giving up sugar might not be helping....in fact it might be the root cause, I suspect I'm periodically breaking free/rebelling from the controls I've imposed on myself.

Been relatively good this week had a moment of weakness with some home made shortbread (1). Hoping for a good weight friday. Physio on monday and hoping then I will be allowed on the rowing machine again.

well done everyone.

I have arse crack chaffing.

not that you asked.

I had chocolate for breakfast and then went for a little run. odd behavior.

Hello all, can I join please?

In the past 3 ish years I've lost over 7 stone. Was a tight size 22 and now a size 12. I really would like to lose another 5 lbs but have just maintained for the past year and this year have taken my eye off the ball and put on 3 lbs. I really need to keep this under control. Haven't followed any specific plan other than gradually eaten less and moved more, but every lb for the past stone has taken me so long to get off it's so hard.

ATM I'm doing body pump 2 - 3 times a week and try to do at least one cardio work out a week too. Don't drink alcohol or eat any foods with added sugar or sweetener and try to eat healthily. Gosh I sound like a barrel of laughs