We want to lose 10lbs *NEW THREAD*

[loopity]

A nice new thread for us all and for anyone else who wants to join in our 10lb challenge

hi all, well not that brill over the weekend, did have a big fruit salad and ate 2 bowls each day, but also choccy, toast and red wine, oops that always happens to me, do really well, get near target and tend to relax too much
right starting tomorrow, will start the plank every day and aim for 50 situps a day,and ditch the choccy.

Well I started off ok today, mushroom omelette for breakfast, soup for lunch...and then had stressful afternoon and ate two pieces of toast with a cup of tea plus some biscuits. So I went wheat-free for a total of about 6 hours, great willpower, eh !

Am also going to have a small glass or two of wine now before bed (might as well now!), and try a bit harder from tomorrow instead. Am going to do some exercise tomorrow even if it's just walking.

Good idea costababe, I will do 50 situps tomorrow as part of my exercise and maybe attempt the plank too

Just been watching Paul McKenna on gmtv, he talks a lot of sense, so read the website, going to try and put what he says into practice. Just go to www.gm.tv it might help

Morning all
I bought his book when it came out, Mrs Fish - the "I Can Make You Thin" one. I'll re-read it again and have a look at the gmtv site.

When I followed his rules I did lose a few lbs quite easily over a few weeks. Unfortunately fell back into bad snack habit once I relaxed them again! The snacking really is my downfall - since taking a career break from work my eating habits have really changed. At work I was one of the healthy eaters - a healthy lunch and lots of fruit. Now that I'm at home I tend to pick through the day often without realising it, a little bit of toast here and there or a biscuit or two with my tea. Paul McKenna's approach is really good for controlling that type of eating because it makes you stop and think before you actually eat anything. Definitely worth a try!

Snacking is my major problem too.

Well ds only woke up at 9:50 amazing! just had his brekkie and I managed not to eat the toast he left, but I did eat the last mouthful of weetabix

Going for a walk soon, once I tidy up the house a bit. It's one of those lovely bright, wintry mornings here. Big pot of lentil soup made as well to make sure I have a healthy lunch. Can't decide what to make for dinner tonight. Anyone any ideas for a nice low-fat casserole (vegie or meat) that we could have with brown rice?

I have a pheasant casserole in the aga for tea tonight.

That sounds lovely, Mrs Fish!

Off out now for our walk. Pretty hilly round where we live, so even a 30 minute walk can feel like a workout especially when pushing the pram. Will have to wrap up really warm, have just taken some recycling outside and my car is still really iced up.

Its miserable and peeing it down here

Hi Loopity and Mrs Fish. Lentil soup & pheasant casserole sound lovely. Why is this hard when I LOVE healthy food, fish, fruit, veg etc (actually all food - may be that's it ) Re casseroles, I've made loads for ds which seem to be meat+veg+herbs+veg stock, they must be pretty low fat? Maybe make chicken one 4 tonight. Mrs Fish, we moved in July and I really miss my aga

btw, how'd it go with the pt? I've got an appointment tomorrow...

Loopity - PLEASE don't do the wraps. I did them in Spain and it was a huge waste of money. They seemed very professional etc but really never scientifically proven that anything you wrap around your body in a gorgeous spa atmosphere can make a difference. Too bad I fell for it.

Scale still broken at gym - will have to wait 'til next week for weigh-in; not too excited to see it since have been sick. Last meeting with personal trainer - while she was telling me to get to the gym more often & I was tellng her I always do but have been ill lately - I had 38.3 degree fever (unbeknown to me). Then, I worked out (not good). I'm not someone whom anyone has to hound to get them to exercise; far from it! But I'm sure she thinks I am. Bottom line, when you're ill, it's stupid to work out - and I have been fighting something off 4 of every 7 days for the last month.

Tht reminds me, I think I'm going to start a new thread (when there's time) about inconsiderate/condescending things said b/c of overweight. The other one I've got is, from a nutritionist, "Remember, Thanksgiving is only ONE day!" Like I'm going to be stuffing my face for an entire week, simply b/c I'm currently trying to lose weight.

Hi everyone
How are you all getting on today?
Had a nice walk with ds2 this morning. Then 2 big bowls of soup and bread when we got home so cancelled out any cals burned!

Marls, thanks for advice re:wraps, had half-considered booking one but will save my money instead

Hope you feeling better soon by the way x

Personal training session went very well. I have booked up for 8 sessions, so should get me well on my way. Popped on the scales this morning and had a pleasant surprise, if I carry on being good for the next two days I should have a loss this week

That would be great mrs fish
I had a sneaky weigh this morning too but was still same as last week but hoping a couple of days of sensible eating and exercise may produce even a small loss

Did my 50 situps this morning as well, would be good if I could turn this into a daily thing as it only takes a minute or two!

Have been doing the situps this week regularly and a couple of attempts of the plank, and dorsal raises which i was advised to do to balance out the plank?
Am heading out to walk the dog shortly...wish me luck, they are the worst behaved dogs on leads you can imagine, but i have been watching the dog whisperer and i will try to project calm onto them, some hope

Hi costabebe, it's online trainer here!!
Dorsal raises are for strengthening mid/upper back (be careful how far you raise if you have a back problem). The plank strengthens the core, lower back and shoulders.

It is good to work opposing sides, abdominals and back or biceps and triceps to even things out!

To all you beautiful people out there......
Sometimes it's good to use imagery to help you get into a move properly.

For the plank, you could imagine a large egg under your hip bones (dependant which level plank you are attempting.

For the Dorsal raise imagine a fagile egg under your tummy or a malteaser that you don't wan to crush/melt. This helps you to remember to keep the belly button 30% towards the spine so protecting the lower back and working the tummy flat!

For both you can imagine you have a string at the crown of your head lengthening your body.

For any abdominal exercise, even ab curls (sit ups)to avoid a lovely (not) dome pot belly shape appearing. Ensure your belly button is 30% towards the spine before you start the exercise. If you don't know what I'm talking about then just get me to explain!!

It is great to strengthen and tone your abdominal area, but please take into account you can't spot-reduce fat so walking (to get your heart rate up) is fab!!

Hope this helps. Please tell me to butt out if I'm not being useful!!!

I think you're all doing really well. You've got me thinking about what I'm eating at the moment...!!

Thanks Lorns, your info is really useful
Do you mind explaining the 30% belly button/spine thingy as I better make sure I'm doing them properly if I'm doing them on a daily basis. Or any other advice about ab curls/situps would be great.

I've offered to run a leg of our local marathon as well this year so need to get as fit as possible and increase my stamina. I only started runnung last year so will be a challenge! Will probably be running anything between 4 to 7 miles on the day.

Good luck with the dogs, costababe

Loopity - here goes with the 30% belly button thingy!!! Transversus Abdominis Activiation (TVA)

This is 1 of 4 ab muscles that make up the ab wall. It's the deepest. It creates a muscular corsette and is 1 of 3 muslces that assist in stabilising the spine. Together with YES the pelvic floor they create a strong core/centre.

Science over - now engaging the TVA.

Standing or lying - imagine you have a wide belt around your middle. Tighten to the 10th notch by pulling the belly button tight towards the spine. It should feel uncomfortable and hard to breathe. This is engagement at 100%. Let this go. Pull in again 100% and let out to 50% (the 5th notch). Now let it off 2 more notches and maintain this feeling. This is 30%. In time you can just pull in 2 the 3rd notch without the rest!!

Ideally you should engage the pelvic floor before the TVA. To do this imagine a lift. Pull up from the back, middle and front to 10th floor (100%). Let out to 5th and then 3rd for 30% on the Pelvic floor. NB The pelvic floor muscle will ease, but the TVA shouldn't.

REMEMBER DOING PELVIC FLOOR EXERCISES REGULARLY IS ALSO GOOD FOR YOUR SEX LIFE (but children arn't)!!!

Before doing any exercise it's also important to think about the shoulders. This is also part of the core and helps with postural alignment. Inhale and shrug shoulders towards the ears. Exhale and slide shoulder blades down the back and in towards the spine in a "V" shape. Imainge you have stones on top of your shoulders pulling your shoulders aways from your ears.

Setting up your shoulders and abs is a daily/lifestyle thing. Use when your seated, standing,carrying your child(ren) anyway to help protect your back and aid great posture.

On the running front check out www.netfit.co.uk/marathon-cornwall.htm This is very useable - adapt to suit you!!

Well I'm done and my childrens' tea/activites are calling.....