Countdown to the day in December that we're not allowed to mention (but it begins with C)

[DownWithThisTypeOfThing]

I've loved being on the Summer thread as I think having smaller, interim goals has helped. On that basis, I'm setting myself my next target of 24 lb by Christmas (i think that's 1.5lb per week for 16 weeks).

All welcome to join. Same "rules" as the Summer thread - update once a week, any method of weight loss welcome, don't have to state start or target weight.

Also "non-scale victories" (NSVs) where you've been pleasantly suprised by a change (could be dress size, compliments etc) welcome for motivation.

Who's in?

For info I lost c23lb on the Summer thread which averaged at 1.5lb per week but for the last month I've been delighted just to maintain as I've had a lot of parties and an all inclusive holiday!

Morning all .

Weekend was awful eating-wise but am feeling renewed motivation for the start of the week.

Really bad eating from me here, my excuse is that we were Glamping in Bell Tents and had rubbish weather, and ate crap all weekend. It's a new day tomorrow.

Well tomorrow is the start for me (again [hhm])

I weighed myself this morning for the first time in a while and the scales have tipped over into the 12s again. 12st 1.4lbs. A year ago I was a little heavier and found it hard to get into the 11s, but I did get down to 11st 10, just to throw it away.

I have no motivation for exercise (I know exercise only helps, but doesn't really have a big impact on weight loss), but do feel confident about making the right food decisions. Although not today. The weather is crap and Im tired after a busy weekend. But from tomorrow its back to work and I have good things to take to eat. Hopefully after a good nights sleep and a good rest this evening I should be feeling a lot more positive. Plus I find it so much easier to drink my water at work than at home.

Right so I can do this, I know I can. By the big day I will be 11st 7lbs or lower. Yes I will!!!!!!!

Now Ive said it I have to make it happen.

Me please.

I'm back on the 5:2 bandwagon. I'd like to lose 7lb by mid Oct (going to CP on the 12th, so lots of hours in a swimsuit) and another 7lb by Christmas Eve.

I went from 12s4 to 11s0 on 5:2, and was at 11s3 this morning.

I do lots of fast walking, but have a stupid workload for the next 2 weeks.

Tomorrow is start day for me! My dh feeder spent £30 in the cadburys shop today, so I'm going to have to be really really controlled and stay away from the cupboard. I'm going to ask him to bag it all up and take it work with him which he won't as he likes me bigger

Hello, can I join in please?

I want to loose at least 1 stone by Christmas. I enjoy low carb but also love crisps and chocolate and wine and gin. I plan 2 weeks very low carb then very low carb Mon to Fri, with a little easing up at weekends to allow for gin

I started today. Does anyone mind if I post menus?

Aargh weighed myself at my mum and dads, 1lb on.

2lb on over the weekend

So a nice round 12st 0.6lb for me. On the plus size side not much to lose before I'm in the next stone bracket.

glen I'm always happy to see other peoples menus, as I get stuck in a rut doing the same things otherwise.

I haven't had breakfast yet, really not hungry so think I'll have a brunch of boiled eggs with seeded brown bread shortly instead. Dinner will be poached haddock with boiled potatoes and veg.

Can I join in please?
I'm going to try to stick to a slimming world plan. I'm not going to a group but I know what I need to do.
Basically, cut out bread or only one slice of whole meal a day. No other wheat.
Lots of veg(third of the plate), lean protein and carbs like potato, rice, pasta and couscous made without fat.
One treat a day which can be anything as long as it's around 100 cals a day.
I find this easier as I can't be bothered to keep counting calories or points etc and I cannot stick to a low carb plan.
I've ordered Jillians yoga DVD so I'll give that a go and try to do 10000 steps a day. I love walking and it makes me feel good so there's no reason why I can't stick to that.

That's such an easy plan, right?
A new two stone lighter me here I come! I'm picturing myself looking nice in skirts and boots this winter

Dinner today is chicken thigh casserole made with 7 chicken thigh fillets, 1 small red onion, 1/2 tin tomatoes, 1/2 tin chicken consommé, to be served with a variety of veg and white rice. No dessert for grown ups. Banana or apple for snack. Above dinner will be for four of us, with a portion for my lunch tomorrow. Already had two slices white toast and marmite and a 'treat' of hot chocolate for breakfast, one soft boiled egg with a slice of toast for lunch, as my DS2 hijacked my other egg.

I'm annoyed. A friend at work has a protein shake at work some days. I decided that it was a good idea to get some myself instead of the usual crisps and chocolate that I would have for snacks. Anyway I mentioned this to her today and she pointed out that without training I would just put on weight. Google seems to suggest the same. Why didn't I do a bit of research before spending£50 on some shakes? Now I'm going to have to get up 30 minutes earlier to do some exercise. I was just looking for a better option than chocolate and other crap.

How long will it take me to get used to getting up at 6? Plus there's the dog I need to put somewhere otherwise he just gets under my feet.

And I thought it would be a good idea. Something less than 100 calories to fill me up.

I'm feeling deflated now.

Day one complete here! I didn't have the dinner I planned but the main thing is I avoided any snacking and ultimatly didn't give in to my sugar craving, even when my feeder threw an open bar of Yorkie at me trying to get me to cave and eat some. Feeling so pleased with myself as there were a few points today where I could easily have fallen face first into a slab of choccie.

How have you guys been today?

Abysmal eating, that's how I've done today! garlic bread for lunch, pizza for tea, chocolate liquer this evening (fruit as well) and no exercise. Fitbit says I've done Bout 5k steps today, proper lazy!

Must try harder tomorrow. Harleen getting up early for the exercise is tough, but it gives me a great start to the day and I'm buzzing when I actually get round to it. I swear exercising first thing burns more fat, and helps me make better food choices during the rest of the day! Give it a go for a week and see what you think. Your friend is right about the protein shakes I think.

I'm looking forward to my blender cup arriving at the end of the week - my sister has kindly given me her spare blender base, so celery, spinach and carrot shakes here we come

Anyway, none of you should be reading this tonight cos hopefully you'll all be asleep! lack of sleep seems to make it harder to lose weight, in my experience.

Had a really good day yesterday, ate properly with lots of fluid.

Today I have terrible munchies.

Had my yogurt for breakfast and already had a big snack. Can't stop thinking about food. Logically I know I just need to get to Friday and I won't want to snack as much but I just want to eat all my birthday chocolate NOW.

I also forgot to cancel my wine delivery so I have 13 bottles of wine (to add to the 5 bottles of gin (I sound like an alcoholic)) sat in my garage. I'm not drinking this month so having 4 bottles of my favourite wines, amongst others, is going to be very difficult! At least I'll have nice ones in for my wedding anniversary.

Better day today so far, and managed to stay on track for calories for the first time too.

Am struggling. Restraining myself but am raging with cravings.

Day 2 is so hard. I've picked and snacked all day, staying low carb though so hopefully not too much damage.

I've not had tea yet, need to decide what to have before bake off

Day 2 and I've been pretty good. My snacks have been healthy. Dinner wasn't ideal as I ate the kids left over cheesy pasta, luckily there wasn't much of it. I was just too tired and hungry to make anything else. To my credit, I turned down my favourite take away tonight so I'm chuffed with myself.

Made carluccios ragu recipe for dinner tomorrow, I won't be having much of it as it's not the healthiest but looking forward to it!

I've managed to avoid snacking most of the day. Was hard though and I gave up at quarter to 5 and gave in to a 61 calorie bag of crisps. So for lunch I had ham, cheese, egg and home made coleslaw. I had a small pack of crisps then enchiladas for tea. So while not brilliant, was still better than before. Hopefully tomorrow will be the same if not better.

I have tried on numerous occasions to get into green tea and really want to enjoy it, but I just can't. Last attempt went on for 5 weeks before I finally admitted defeat and stopped drinking it.

1.1kg down already and no added sugar has crossed my lips since Sunday. This is what I've been doing so far:

• Lots of fresh food, eggs, cheese, yoghurts (full fat).
• Carbs only with my evening meal (pasta, potato, rice etc)
• Snacks are fruit, yoghurt, seeds.

Feeling very good, got a bit of a craving for chocolate last night but just ignored it! :)

How's everyone doing?

Pretty much sticking to my calorie allowance. Haven't snacked since the weekend. Will check weight on Fri!

Another day of no snacking done. Just finished my tea so no more food until tomorrow, but then again I feel too full to even think about it anyway.

Ive also made myself some rules. Nothing too heavy just no snacking Mon-Thurs, will allow myself a small treat on Fri. Weekends are a bit more lenient, but more mindful eating. If I think I want something then I will question that, have a drink and wait 15 - 20 mins, then if Im still hungry I can eat.

Also I am making a real effort to drink plenty of water.

I need to add exercise onto this though, but working FT with a family and looking to start a course in a couple of weeks Im not sure where I can fit too much in.

Day 3 has gone quite well, 3 meals, no snacks and a walk with the children :)

I'm really missing sweet things but just need to persevere a couple more days and I know I'll break the cravings.

Dr, have you looked at the 30 day yoga challenge, they are quite short videos and Jillian Michaels does some videos which are about 25 minutes.

glen Ive got 30 day shred DVD, but its just the dog. He gets under my feet when I try something like that at home.

Just been looking at the gym classes Im a member of. Going to go back Tues and Thurs evenings. There are some good classes on.

Im going to start next week. I used to go then, so why not now? Im sure I'll get into it again. Someone did say to me I need to see the gym like work. Its not an option, but somewhere I have to go. If I say right Im going to go then and start to see it as something where I have to go then its easier.

I read this today "A craving is just a feeling" One tip is to count to 100 as this gives the mind something else to think about.