Bad time of year to do this but I'm the fattest ever - join me in becoming strong, healthy and thin(ner)

[Archduke]

After a bit of a shit year, I seem to have eaten my feelings and put on about a stone. I'm currently 10stone 11lbs (almost) which on my small frame (5ft 3in) is properly FAT.

I would dearly love to lose 2 stone and get back to my fighting weight of 8st 11ish - I was last that weight when my kids were small, approx 9 years ago.

I can't do this alone and need someone to bore senseless with talk of vegetables, c25k or other mad diet schemes.

Anyone fancy joining me. I reckon I can loose 2 stone in about 10 years 4 months if I'm really hardcore.

Merry Christmas to yooooouuuuuuu

It's 10pm here, I am stuffed and slightly squiffy - not a bad way to be really. Have had a lovely day (mostly), just get a bit homesick sometimes - all my family are in the UK, but all good really.

Eat, drink, be merry, tomorrow (well in a few days) we DIET.

Glad you had a good time Archduke! I don't see my family at Christmas either (although they are 'only' 200 miles away!), which also makes me a bit sad.

OH offered to buy me a fitness watch as a present which I was very tempted by - but balanced against us having to go to the shops on Christmas Eve to get it AND him then being able to moan about how much it cost, I said no. And then later he moaned about the cost of baby food, so I think I made the right decision!

Does anyone here use My Fitness Pal? It looks really useful but I can't get it to link with my Fitbit

JESUS somebody stop me eating . . .

It's NYE and I think I will have a few drinkees tonight and then go HARDCORE for Jan along with everyone else.

I did ParkRun this morning, for the first time in a couple of weeks - got 37 mins and ran the whole way (almost) which isn't bad after having a buggered back for 2 weeks.

Ruby I did start to use My Fitness Pal but found it massively time consuming and annoying inputting all my food. The kids got fitbits for Xmas which I am hugely jealous of. I'm hoping they'll get sick of them soon and then I can "borrow" one.

So far today I've eaten a banana, we are heading to friends this eve for NYE celebrations (YAWN) so will make that my last hurrah for 2016 and start in earnest tomorrow.

How is hardcore January going for everyone?

Must admit I haven't started properly, cut down but haven't made an effort to start Slimming World meals again or anything. Partly because there was still loads to eat in the house after Christmas, and partly because things with OH are so uncertain, meaning that I find it hard to commit to anything. Yesterday he was absolutely fine and suggested we look at new cars, today an unexpected credit card bill sent him into a foul mood and caused lots of "I'm not getting into debt for you" shouting... (for a family car, not just for me!). And no, I hadn't run up the credit card bill either, and it definitely wasn't on my (non-existent) Christmas presents

Which Fitbits did your kids get Archduke? I have an old Flex which I do like, but would love a Charge. I got a £20 Amazon voucher for Xmas but they are £110, can't really justify the extra £90!

Interesting to hear the MFP feedback, I think I'd get fed up with that too. I know someone who enjoys doing that but then he enjoys completing spreadsheets too...!

OK I'm here and I'm not doing well. Why do I have so much chocolate in my house? I did go for a 5 mile walk on Monday so that counts.. Right?

Hi Ruby and Raiseyourglass26 Happy New Year!

Raise a 5 mile walk is excellent. TBH if I was you I'd get rid of the chocs - too tempting to have them in the house. If you have a dh and kids can you force feed them or get dh to take them elsewhere? Mind you there is a flake and some 70% dark choc in our pantry which I haven't touched , I kind of think it's just not worth it.

I do think that going cold turkey on sugar has really helped me quit the choc cravings. I am a bit of a choc addict, once I start I can eat chocolate for days pretty much exclusively. So having NONE AT ALL is most helpful for me.

Ruby the dds got Fitbit Alta's, which they love. I would really like one too but can easily just get an app for my phone to count steps. Weirdly (as everything is Australia is wildly expensive) they seem to be cheaper here than on Amazon.

I'm sorry to hear your dh is still being so difficult. It does sound miserable I do get why it's hard to commit to doing fitness and diet at the moment. I wish you could come here and get some sun and have a chance to relax and be healthier. Take care of yourself.

Yesterday I did my 5km run, walked 4km and swam with the kids at the local open air pool. The pool was full of revolting children all bombing each other and chucking balls around so I was unable to do much swimming without bumping into horrible children (including my own).

But I did have a lovely sleep after all that exercise. Today will be stinking hot but dd2 is determined to make me rearrange her bedroom furniture - so better get on with that before it reaches 39 degrees.

How's the hot weather Archduke? We are predicted snow this week

Still no update from me, and things aren't any less confusing with OH. I'm eating a bit better but can't commit to any exercise/ Slimming World classes as I just don't have the money! He moaned that I'd spent £1100 in a month from our account - when I looked into it it was actually £900 over two months - around £100 per week for all the food shopping, playgroups for the boys and some Christmas bits. I didnt think that was too bad?!

Anyhow, I've cut down on sugar a lot but don't think it's going to be enough - I have a hospital appointment tomorrow and am fully expecting to be told off over my weight!!

Hope everyone else's New Year is going a bit better...

Hi Ruby!

Thankfully the weather is much cooler now after a boiling hot w/end.

In order for your dh to stop moaning about your spending can you work out a budget together? He sounds like my dad who has no conception at all of how how much things cost these days so thinks that any spend at all is horrifying. If you both sit down and you say we spend x on food shopping, y on activities for the boys, z on bills, would he then come to realise that actually $1100 for 2 month isn't unusual. And if that's not affordable and he's worried about money then you can negotiate what cuts are made. It does seem very unfair that he freaks out all the time unless you are getting into debt.
There is a company here called My Budget which has helped heaps of people. It also stops the stress and arguing about money as someone else is responsible.

Hope the appointment goes well Ruby, and well done on reducing sugar. All little steps are brilliant!

I am plodding on. I went for a run last night and managed 28 mins non stop which I was really pleased with. I do seem to have strained my thigh though so may have to stop for a bit . I've got to that point with exercise when if I don't do it I feel crap! ME! The once laziest person on earth.