New Mums: Pre-diet we had pride, now we want new bodies!

[SolitudeSometimesIs]

Here we go again!

Ok it's the magic thread where we find inspiration, motivation and actually see the results we want and manage to hold on to them once we get them.

No more excuses (unless they are hilarious or necessary).

Welcome all!

Yay on the 6 lbs Green but sorry to hear about your dodgy stomach.

I think you were right to order both dresses, at least it gives you options. And there's something nice about trying on dresses at home so you can try accessories and shoes.

I think you did well when out for lunch, you have to make whatever small changes you can without spoiling the day for yourself.

I've definitely changed my eating habits too. We went out for dinner to a friends house on Saturday and I had the meal - a sweet potato dahl - with no rice, one poppadom with none of the dips. I had some of the aubergine curry side order and that was it. I was drooling over the different breads and dips but I decided against it.

And when we were out for lunch with the kids on Sunday I just had coffee and no food. I'm making better choices and retraining myself.

A pillow of fatness. That sounds super comfy!

Did you miss the rice which the Dahl? I stopped having rice after my first Exante experience and I found I enjoyed the curry much more. It is interesting to find out what you are capable of. I love breads and dips, that's good will power. Well done on just having coffee too.

My next challenge is tomorrow night. We have to go out for a takeaway and birthday cake. I am determined not to have any! (I thought the Sunday lunch was the persons Birthday meal, but no they have to have 2!)

A pillow of fatness is only comfy for the person resting on you. (Chinese proverb I just made up)

Oh Green you are very wise, I love your Chinese proverb

I didn't miss the rice at all. Or the feeling that I might burst because I was so bloated. And I really did enjoy it and didn't feel like I was going without.

What sort of takeaway are you getting tomorrow? Can you look at the menu today and choose something low carb? I don't really like cake too much so that wouldn't bother me.

It's Cantonese and it's always really 'gloopy' (nice but gloopy, full of MSG) There isn't much on the menu that is plain (I've spent years and years studying this menu) . It's enjoyable while you eat it, but you regret it at 2am when you wake up needing 2 pints of water. Then you gain 5lb overnight.
I'm just going to have Exante before we go and try to avoid it altogether. I'm not bothered about cake either.

I could make up loads of dieting proverbs, then sell them on fridge magnets. I'll be like a diet Yoda.

You're not selling the meal to be honest. Can you get a side order of veg and a prawn/ chicken with veg meal? Try to pick the vegetables and meat out of the sauce so it's not too gloopy? Maybe just a chicken/fish starter if you aren't too hungry?

Don't forget to drink tons of water.

Do you drink alcohol when you are on Exante? I haven't been able to give up my glass in the evening.

Loving Diet Yoda!

Very wise, you are.

I might get some bean sprouts. Good thinking.

I can never stop at just one glass (if it's wine) So I didn't drink before Christmas for about 10 weeks!
If it works for you and helps keep you on track keep on drinking!

I've rediscovered my love of gin so I might start having the occasional G&T.

I have 2 half glasses of wine, so one proper glass. I can have just one, I genuinely love the taste of wine so I like to have it. I suppose it's a bit like someone who HAS to have chocolate every day.

I haven't had G&T in years. It's very low carb I think, so you're probably fine. I need a grown up drink every once in a while (daily).

Vegetable side orders are a must, I always get mixed veg and cashew nuts, it's soooo good.

Finding week 3 a bit tough. I've been stuck at 13 stone for days. Need to get in to the 12's. It's a huge hurdle for me.

Could you up your protein Sol? Maybe try eating a bit more?

I haven't really been dieting, back on it now.

Hope you've both had a good week.

Are cheese puffs protein? Coz they're on the menu for this evening

How's your week been Beyond?

It's been busy here. Lots of illness and an ant invasion.

I had 3 bars of chocolate on Monday....

puffs not ouffs.

Hope the illness has gone.

Mmmm Chocolate...

Not been a stellar weight loss wise for me. I've plateau-ed. Cheese puffs are delish.

Had a very OTT cry on the phone to my best mate about how I feel like a humongous chub-monster, then she told me her inlaws have evicted them from the house they rent off them so -BAM!- I got a big hit of reality.

I've had a few reality checks too, tough week at work.

Sorry you felt down, on the whole we are making good progress though :)

I was being a bit self-indulgent

I went to see my doctor about my scar tissue around my c-section scar but I was told I'd need cosmetic surgery to fix it. I priced the surgery, it was 11,000 euro. So, y'know, that's not going to happen.

We are making good progress. And no matter what the scales say, we are lovely!

On week and 5 days to the wedding.

Officially getting my shit together and back on Exante after the cheese puff mayhem that occured over the weekend. There was also wine...a lot of wine...and garlic mushrooms!

Had some shakes over the weekend, the chocolate one and the chocolate one with coffee added. They aren't very nice but are very filling so I am torn on them. I will be finishing out all of my food before I order more. I really like a lot of stuff so I'll have to be more careful in my ordering.

How's everyone else getting on?

Sorry for disappearing. I survived the Chinese meal but gave up on the Exante on Wednesday.
I felt so run down and low last week. Starting to feel better now and I've started on 5:2 today.
I might try Exante again in a couple of weeks. There's too many Birthdays in the next few weeks to do it properly.

Have you tried the vanilla shakes? I like those the best.

hello Green - well done on the chinese. Good luck with 5:2

Good luck for the week Sol.

I did a fast day today. Probably 600 calls...

How did the 5:2 go Green?

I tried the vanilla shakes, they were nicer, a bit like a blended custard cream. How are you feeling this week? Do you think it's Exante related?

How was your fast day Beyond? Are you doing 5:2 as well? Well done on 600 cals.

All went ok today. I tried the apple and custard dessert, it was a bit like baby food but I still ate it

Going to use up all my Exante food and then try the 5:2 or maybe calorie counting, definitely going low carb. I weighed myself after the weekends pig out and only put on 1 lb so all of my dieting work hasn't been undone. I have to say I'm liking the mindless eating of Exante - pick 3 packs, eat 3 packs, no cooking, no thinking. I added some grated cheese to the bolognaise (sp?) and it was really nice with some extra garlic. I was reading a few of BIWI's posts on the low carb thread in chat and she was saying to up fat to ensure fat burning continues.

I tried the Slim Noodles, Jesus Green you weren't kidding when you said they were awful, it was like eating maggots.

Well done on your fast day Beyond. How many per week are you aiming for? I'd like to fit 3 in but I'll be happy at 2.

I had around 800 calories on Monday. I was starving all day so I think I did okay. It was better than giving up and eating loads. I'm aiming for under 600 calories today.
I'm going to try my best with 5:2 for the next few weeks. I might go back to Exante as a last effort before going to the wedding in June (5 weeks on Saturday).
I was wondering about the apple and custard meals. I'm torn between buying more Exante and using it all up and saying 'never again'. SIL did a 10 day diet and bought some Exante coconut shakes to have at work. ( to help keep the weight off after) She says they are horrible.

I got the Oasis dress. The 16 actually zipped up! It's really lovely but it is too tight around my bust and rib cage. So it does not feel very comfortable. I think I'd have to lose a stone for it to fit properly. John Lewis has a 90 day returns policy so I'll hold onto it for another month incase a miracle occurs (thinks back fondly to the time I got food poisoning from eggs)
House of Fraser has a sale starting tonight so I'm going to try to get the Mint velvet dress ( I hate paying full price!)
I bought a nice dress from Asda yesterday and a couple of Oasis dresses (which do fit) lasts week. I want to get some stuff from H&M too.
Oh and I got some yellow shoes from Clarks.

Oh and I'm feeling much better thanks. It could have been diet related. I always seem to feel quite 'down' this time of year. I used to think it was because it was a busy time at work. But now I don't have that excuse.

Eating properly and more sleep has helped. Plus I forced myself to tackle some big jobs at the weekend so I felt more positive. DH did loads too, but now he's back to working late.

Sorry to hear you have been feeling down Green. Taking care of yourself is essential, screw the dieting, you need to be well. I hope you feel more positive soon, I get like this in the Autumn but I think it's to do with the lack of sunlight.

That's great that your Oasis dress zipped up. I bet even 7 lbs will make a difference to how the dress fits, weight always goes from the bust first. Definitely hold on to it for a bit longer. You sound like you are getting together a nice Summer wardrobe.

I had a day off Exante today. I fancied some crisps, so I had some. Back on the diet train tomorrow though.

I was speaking to a friend who has been following weight watchers for 4 weeks and has lost 5 lbs. She had a bottle of wine and 2 easter eggs at the weekend and has put on 4 lbs, she is not a happy bunny.

I think we all go off a strict eating plan at some point, I just need to make it one day off plan rather than two in a row.