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Weight loss chat

A space to talk openly about weight loss journeys and challenges. Mumsnet hasn't checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. You may wish to speak to a medical professional before starting any diet.

Lose a stone by Easter- thread 2

998 replies

FireflyGirl · 15/11/2016 20:07

So, just over 2 weeks in. Thanks for starting this I'mabeardedlady.

Stats so far:
Imabeardedlady: S:10'6; 1:10'4
AdoraBell: S:65; 1:
AteRiri: S:87; 1:
Bibs2014: S:10'13; 1: 10'11; 2: 10'12 Loss to date: 1lb
CateGory8:
comeagainforbigfudge: S: 1: 2:12'12; Loss to date: 3lb 2oz
CrystalMcPistol:
FireflyGirl: S: 11'12.25; 1: 12'3(?); 2: 11'8.8 Loss to date: 3.5lb
FleshEmoji: S:8'13
Fortunate Piggy: S: 11'2; 1:
glenthebattleostrich:
GoodQueenWenchEatsLess: S:11'; 1:10'12.25; 2: 10'12 Loss to date: 2lb
happypoobum: S:12'13; 1:12'8; 2:12'5 Loss to date: 8lb
Ice3: S: 172; 1:168.6; 2:167.0 Loss to date: 5lb
Lapinlapin:
Lokisglowstickofdestiny:
Lostmyunicorn:
MillieMoodle: S:12'; 1:n/a ; 2:11'10 Loss to date: 4lb
Minimammoth:
Notsoskinnyminny: S:10'; 1: 9'9.75; 2:9'8.75; Loss to date: 5.25lb
OhTheRoses:
RandomBob: S:140.2; 1:138.6; 2:134.6; Loss to date: 5.6lb
R3ALLY: S:11; 1:
readyforsunshine: S:10'9; 1:11.05; 2: 10'7; Loss to date: 2lb
Scarzo: S:69; 1:68.2; 2:67.5 Loss to date: 1.5kg
ScuttlbuttHarpy: S: 1: Loss to date:4.5lb
SmellTheGlove: S: 1:+1; 2: - 3lb Loss to date: 2lb
SuperFlyHigh:
There'sAlwaysTimeForTea:
Upsy1981:
wejammin: S:9.7; 1:9'7
wonderwoo:
YouMeanYouForgotCranberriesToo: S: 1: 2: Loss to date: 7lb
Zizzi: S:12'8; 1:12'6 Loss to date: 2lb

OP posts:
Thread gallery
15
Wenchelda · 11/01/2017 14:42

Urgh, I feel lousy today. Had a disturbed night thanks to DS having a nightmare and me having a tickly/sore now I seem to be coming down with a cold. Nose is very congested, my head is banging, chest & back all achy and I just can't get warm Sad I did manage my 5k on the exercise bike this morning before my symptoms took hold but food has been mainly of the comfort variety today. Tea with peanut butter on seeded toast for breakfast, coffee and flapjack for a snack, chicken and pasta for lunch. Absolutely no idea what dinner will be yet. Desperately need to meal plan and learn to cook.

How is everyone else doing?

FireflyGirl · 11/01/2017 18:58

That's rubbish, Wench - well done on getting your exercise in even after a broken night. I take half an hour on a Sunday to meal plan for the week, then shop on Monday. I have a list of our regular breakfasts/lunches/teas and use those to make up the plan, with a new recipe thrown in now and then. I can type them up on here for you if it would help?

I decided after yesterday's lunch that I needed to be strict! So,

B: shreddies with almond milk and an apple
L : Chicken salad with feta and chips I made in the Actifry. They're free on Slimming World and I wanted them, dammit!
T : spaghetti bolognese with wholewheat spaghetti and half an orange. No courgetti this time; there seems to be a world shortage of courgettes at the moment, and they also didn't have celeriac, so only pasta. I would have quite liked some courgetti, if for no other reason than the calories saved would have gone towards Smarties!

I am under my MFP and Syns allowance, but trying to decide whether I want to use those calories or not in the hope that I get a bigger loss on Sunday. I'm getting impatient now, which is silly as I've still got a long way to go yet - at least 21lbs but I'm going to see how it goes! If I lose at the rate I have been, average of 1.5lb a week, I'm looking at least 4 more months. Or, to look at it another way I suppose, only 4 months until I'm back in my old clothes - just in time for summer. And my cousin is getting married in the middle of June, so I will be able to either get into my lovely old dresses, or else buy a new one - because I'm worth it! Grin

OP posts:
Wenchelda · 11/01/2017 19:43

firefly if it's not too much trouble, I'd love to see meal plan ideas. I did used to meal plan but seem to have got out of the habit and am definitely stuck in a rut with what to cook. Doesn't help that I have a fussy DS and a DH who won't eat several things. I really don't want to be cooking more than one meal per evening so it's hard finding things that everyone will happily eat. What we eat now is definitely very boring and uninspired.

I think I'm the same as you averaging about 1.5lb loss per week. I sometimes think I could be stricter with myself to lose quicker but realistically I know I wouldn't stick to anything stricter. I'm managing ok on the calorie allowance I have now because I know it lets me have little treats here and there. So yes it's slower going than I'd ideally like, but at least it's going in the right direction!

FireflyGirl · 11/01/2017 21:35

I've attached my most recent ones. I write them in my bullet journal, it helps me remember to take things out of the freezer! I will post my lists of meals and a few more plans tomorrow when I get my old journal out.

I don't stick to it rigidly - eg I swapped tea yesterday and today as I didn't have time to make spag bol yesterday. You might be able to just see the writing on the left - that's my list of things we're doing in the day, which I write first to work out whether I need eg a slow cooker meal or something I can throw together quickly in the evening.

Lose a stone by Easter- thread 2
Lose a stone by Easter- thread 2
OP posts:
MillieMoodle · 11/01/2017 21:54

Firefly you sound extremely organised. I think I need you in my life to come and organise me!

Wench sorry to hear you're not feeling well. I hope you're on the mend soon. And well done for getting your 5k in as well. I am yet to restart mine Blush

Breakfast today was actimel, tea and cornflakes. Lunch was beans on two slices of white toast. Dinner was sausage sandwiches. Snacks were 2 x festive bakewells and 2 x chocolate coins plus a handful of mini cheddars. At least the festive bakewells have all gone now. Over my calories today but not by much.

DH has been off work ill this week so my usual routine in the week has been a bit unsettled. It's been lovely having him around but I definitely eat more when he's home. He'll be back tomorrow, all being well, so hopefully I'll have a good day tomorrow! I need to rediscover my willpower, and fast!

FireflyGirl · 12/01/2017 08:22

Here are my 'master lists' of the meals we eat regularly. If I make something new and it gets the seal of approval then I'll add it to the list.

There's not a lot of variety at lunch, because I tend to have some form of salad most days and DS will often have leftovers.

I'll try to post more actual plans later.

Thanks Millie. I like to be organised, it helps me feel like I'm in control as DS rampages naked around the living room while I'm trying to get him ready to go out! Meal planning helps keep me on track with losing weight, along with recording everything on MFP.

Lose a stone by Easter- thread 2
Lose a stone by Easter- thread 2
Lose a stone by Easter- thread 2
OP posts:
Wenchelda · 12/01/2017 09:33

Oh wow firefly ... I am in awe of your organisation - not only of your meals but of your bullet journal too! I am seriously impressed that you meal plan breakfast and lunch too ... I've only ever planned dinner as I think I'd never know in advance what I'd fancy for brekkie/lunch. Plus how do you find the time to plan it all?! Thank you though ... those lists are very helpful and will give me lots of ideas Flowers

Wasn't going to do my 5k on the bike this morning but I forced myself and so glad I did. I definitely feel better for doing it. Breakfast was peanut butter on seeded toast again ... used too many calories for breakfast really but it's so yummy and I'm still feeling under the weather so needed something comforting first thing that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it. Lunch likely to be soup today and I've just put gammon in the slow cooker for dinner tonight.

Right off to get some housework done and hopefully squeeze in some meal planning!

FireflyGirl · 12/01/2017 11:41

It honestly only takes about half an hour, and I write the shopping list at the same time.

Re: planning breakfast and lunch, I'm at home with DS, and if I didn't plan he'd end up with porridge and cheese sandwiches every day and I'd probably not fancy anything then binge on carbs at 3pm!

It's 30 mins well spent for me, particularly as I'd probably spend at least 10 minutes a day trying to think what to have. I can now put that time to better use crocheting job hunting.

OP posts:
Wenchelda · 12/01/2017 11:49

Your lists inspired me to get out my recipe books and have a flick through. I used to do a variety of meals from them but for some reason, fussy children, I stopped and we've been stuck in a rut of eating the same boring meals week after week. I've now come up with a list of 12 different dinners that I know everyone likes, and another 12 that are either totally new but sound promising or that we've tried in past but kids weren't keen, but I'll test again now they are a bit older. I tend to do my shopping on a Wednesday so I'm going to make time on a Tuesday to plan meals for a week and write shopping list accordingly Grin

It doesn't help that DH works shifts so is regularly not here in the evenings and one or other of the dcs (sometimes both) have activities after school 4 days a week so often dinner ends up being whatever is quick and easy, which usually also means boring or not very healthy Blush

FireflyGirl · 12/01/2017 13:20

That was one of the main reasons I started meal planning - hectic lifestyle = complete lack of inspiration at teatime.

DH still jokes every time I make spag bol, 'must be Monday' Grin

I'm trying out more things in the slow cooker as well - preferably one-pot meals that we can just serve up whenever but I haven't found many of those yet.

OP posts:
Notsoskinnyminny · 12/01/2017 17:48

Hi ladies, sorry for going apologies but I've got the same lurgy as wench and have been going to bed extra early. The plus side is I was 1.5lb down this morning.

firefly I'm impressed with your meal planning. My shopping decisions are made based on what's on offer or better still got a yellow reduced sticker! DS is still fussy so I always have a bland pasta sauce ready for if he doesn't like what I'm cooking. DD would still exist on nuggets if I let her and probably does at uni Sometimes you've just got to accept that being a fussy water isn't the end of the world. I just wish I'd realised that when they were little.

FireflyGirl · 12/01/2017 19:06

I'very always been a fussy eater (I still don't particularly like sandwiches unless they're hula hoops), but I have got better as I've got older. Except tomatoes and onions - it's a texture thing! I blend the bejeezus out of them and once they're mush I'm happy to include them Grin

As you say, it isn't the end of the world. Get a few odd looks when ordering a curry though (the base is usually blended onions, so I really confuse them asking for no onions!) Grin

I buy offer/yellow sticker bits and freeze them, make a note in my journal then incorporate them into the next week's menu plan. I'm lucky, as I have a fridge-freezer in the kitchen and then a chest freezer in the garage outside, so I can batch cook and buy things on offer, and have room for everything.

OP posts:
MillieMoodle · 12/01/2017 19:14

Firefly I am feeling inspired by you! I have the same few meals I cook without fail but need to make a list so I can mix it up a bit week by week. I've not mastered my slow cooker yet. I've cooked a couple of things, both of which were a disaster, so it sits in the back of the cupboard.

Wench well done for getting on the bike. I still haven't BlushI will though. I will.

Notso I hope you're feeling better soon. And well done on the loss!

I've had an ok day. Breakfast was tea, actimel and porridge. Lunch was tomato soup and seeded bread. Dinner will be spag Bol. Snacks have been one tree chocolate, one chocolate coin, 6 dates and a square of granola.

DH is having some sort of moment of clarity or crisis, and has decided he wants to leave his job and either be a stay at home dad or retrain as a primary school teacher. I am Shock and Hmm and Confused. I have not drunk any wine. Yet.

Wenchelda · 13/01/2017 07:49

Brrr... I had a cold and snowy cycle to work this morning. It was pretty hard going cycling in the icy snow... hopefully that means I burnt a few extra calories!

I've had some seeded toast and tea so far, got hard boiled eggs, a tiny bit of leftover gammon and some grapes to snack on, then soup for lunch. Not sure what dinner will be yet.

My work trousers are feeling decidedly loose around my waist today too Grin

Bibs2014 · 13/01/2017 09:04

Sorry I've been awol but it was my birthday then DB's birthday! Back on it today but not expecting a loss this Sunday!

triangularchocolate · 13/01/2017 09:41

Just ate some fruit cake off-cuts (I'm making my wedding cake) but will try to do extra on the cross trainer today - the baby starts whinging after 15 mins normally so I might try and do it while he's napping. Apart from the cake I've stuck to cereal and soup or salad so hoping for a loss this week. Well done Wench for cycling in the snow - that's dedication!

FireflyGirl · 13/01/2017 12:17

I took DS to toddler group. A lovely uphill walk in the snow and ice. Came out 2 hours later - the pavements are clear Shock

My thighs are killing me, but I'm not sure if that's from the walk or metafit last night!

Millie some people cook everything in the slow cooker. It depends for me - I like doing meatballs in there as they cook really well and taste really nice. I did a chicken and it smelt funny, tasted fine but the gravy just wasn't as good without the 'roasted' taste. So, I'll stick with the oven for that.

What's prompted DH's midlife crisis? Has he looked into it, ie spoken to any primary teachers? From speaking to friends and reading threads on here, it's not a happy profession at the moment. Or is it just a case of he wants to leave where he is?

Well done on cycling in the snow, Wench! And yey on the loose trousers!

Happy belated birthday Bibs and miniBibs Flowers

That sounds like a hard week, triangular Hope it pays off for you on weigh day!

OP posts:
Notsoskinnyminny · 13/01/2017 18:52

Millie I disagree with firefly and only cook chicken in the slow cooker now - plonk it on a couple of ramekins, turn on low at 8am, come home to the lovely smell of chicken and eat at 7pm - every bit of meat comes off the carcass, the skin's gone crispy for DH and I easily get 2 meals for 4 of us out of a chicken whereas when I roast it we only manage 1. I don't use the juices for gravy as they're really greasy.

My other favourites are pork with paprika, cumin and chopped tomatoes or seasoned beef - just add a sprinkling of salt and lots of black pepper and leave all day. Bolognese tastes completely different when you cook it from scratch slowly. The trick is not to add too much liquid. I don't add any to chicken and might add a bit of red wine or cider to beef or gammon.

BTW your DH sounds like DS, he's fed up in work (legal exec) doing the same thing day in and day out and thinks he'll give school direct a try as his old primary is a teachng centre and the Head loved him so 'she won't turn me down' arrogant twerp but I've worked in schools for nearly 10 yrs as a business manager (secondary and now primary) and have seen the increase in paperwork, targets etc and know he's definitely not cut out for primary and don't think he'll qualify for a secondary placement with a law degree. I did remind him that he got bullied to death in school and the bullies can sense that vulnerability in teachers, more so than kids - I've seen a couple of secondary NQTs quit before their first term was out because they couldn't cope but if I'd had a say I wouldn't have appointed them. More importantly its a vocation and to me something you've always wanted to do, not something you fancy because you're bored - you get the gist of the arguments discussions going on here.

triangular I'm impressed with both your baking skills and willpower - by the time I'd finished quality controlling the cake I'd have to bake another Grin

wench well done on riding your bike in the snow - we didn't get any Sad

triangularchocolate · 13/01/2017 21:34

Notso I need to learn from my mistakes.. when I made my brother's wedding cake a couple of years ago, there was so much practicing and quality control that I had to buy a bigger dress the night before the wedding. Thankfully they got married on a Friday so it was late night shopping on Thursday! Must NOT do this again!! DP has finished the off-cuts now so back to it tomorrow!

MillieMoodle · 13/01/2017 22:36

Wench well done on cycling in the snow, very impressive! And well done on the loose trousers too!

Firefly and Notso DH is so fed up at work (accountant) and he's thought about teaching a few times over the years. My mum, auntie and grandmother were all teachers so I am under no illusions about how difficult it is and how dedicated you need to be. But he wants to work with children, he wants to get involved with sport at a primary school level and he wants to be able to make a difference to someone's life. He's looking in to maybe trying to get a teaching assistant role first to get a feel for it all, before he goes ahead and incurs the enormous cost of a degree, then teacher training. It would help with our work/life balance when I go back to work, as he'd be around for the DC more. He's still got 30 odd years left at work and he wants to be happy, even if it means a huge pay cut.

Notso it's interesting that your DS is a legal exec. What area does he do? I'm a lawyer and wouldn't advise anyone to get into the legal profession. The hours are long, the stress is enormous and the pay isn't as great as everyone thinks!

Anyway, drumroll please, I have managed 12,500 steps today! First time I've got over my 10,000 target since ds2 was born exactly 4 months ago! Breakfast was tea, actimel and cornflakes. Lunch was two slices of white toast with Nutella. Dinner was fish and chips. Snacks were 2 x shortbread biscuits, a piece of cheese and a chocolate coin. Not the healthiest of days but I came in under my allowed calories! Feeling like I'm properly back on it now!

FireflyGirl · 14/01/2017 07:17

Sounds as though he's not making a rash decision, Millie. And I get what you mean about spending the rest of your life the next 30 years doing a job you hate. I think you need qualifications to be a TA as well, though, although he may be able to do an evening class for those.

Has he thought about volunteering with a youth centre? Particularly one that works with under privileged children?

Notso I'm a Solicitor, and also wouldn't advise anyone to get into it. As Millie says, long hours and not great pay. And incredibly stressful. And a huge part of the industry is facing cuts that are making it worse! It's not a particularly family friendly career either - I know a lot of people who have left after having children.

I'm currently trying to find a job after having to leave when I had DS, as I didn't want to do 12-14 hour days 5 days a week and they wouldn't offer me part time. This was a small firm in West Yorkshire, so not even London, and there were times I'd work so many hours I wouldn't even be earning minimum wage. I had stress headaches at least once a month.

I really love the work, but if I had the chance to speak to 18 year old me, I would not recommend going into law.

OP posts:
lokisglowstickofdestiny1 · 14/01/2017 09:52

Morning all. Early weigh in for me today as I'm not going to be around to use my scales tomorrow - I do like to weigh on the same scales. Up 0.4kgs - not a surprised. Been laid up all week with back issue so not able to move around much and can't fast when I'm in the house, has given me plenty of time to Mumsnet but apparently that hardly burns any calories. So I'm 69.6kg. Feeling better though so will be back out for a good walk today.

Well done on your steps Millie and your jeans wench - I've a pair of jeans from the Gap that I use as my measure of how I'm doing away from the scales. When I started this I couldn't get them past mid thigh, can get them on now just can't do them up - yet!

Interesting what you say about Law firefly, we have an in-house legal team and all of them moved into this type of role and out of a law firm situation because of the hours, for most of them it was either do this or leave the profession all together.

happypoobum · 14/01/2017 10:32

Weighed in today. 11:11 which is what I was just before Christmas. Put on 3lbs over Christmas and it's taken two weeks to shift it Angry

Still, I feel back in the zone now. Am meeting friends for lunch but of course everyone is "dry" and trying to be healthy at the moment, so it should be easy to make good choices. There is even talk of a walk along the beach afterwards - YIKES!

Notsoskinnyminny · 14/01/2017 13:51

Millie and Firefly your comments about the legal profession ring true here. He could see the cuts comng when he was doing his degree but always wanted to work in the law and didn't look at other options although he wasn't proactive about legal jobs either. He was all set to do his LPC when he graduated but thankfully didn't as he'd done nothing about securing a training contract and did the legal exec course instead. He had a couple of jobs where he was a glorified postboy and is now doing landlord/tenant stuff and getting qualifying experience but is bored shitless and fed up with the long hours and crap pay compared to his pharmacist mates.

Wenchelda · 14/01/2017 16:00

Been at work today. Still full of cold; congested nose, headache and a really annoying tickly throat. Hardly no steps in as I've been sat down most of the day and no cycling either. I'm exhausted. And somehow only have 17 cals left for dinner Confused

Tomorrow morning weigh in will be interesting ...... Hmm