MFP Thread 7

[Not2bObvious]

Continued chat for those using MFP as a weight loss tool

The tracker gadgets sound good. I've heard they track sleep too, not relevant for weight loss I suppose, although I do find I eat more when I've slept less so potentially interesting in that respect.

Need I am in awe at your active lifestyle and healthy meals, and you having lost weight over Christmas! Amazing.

Loli your image change sounds exciting. Good idea to choose the new glasses after your new hairstyle.

Thanks for the tracker info, guys. Very helpful to hear your thoughts. I totally agree that this is more about calories than exercise, but I do find it motivating to be aware of how much I'm moving each day. It spurs me on to get my fat arse off the sofa, which of course is never a bad thing.

Stepped on the scales this morning. Since 1st Jan I'm 5lbs down and very pleased, although I have a long way to go (need to take three stone off in total). Did my 60 min walk with the buggy today and 20 mins on the treadmill this evening.

loli The image change sounds great! Enjoy some pampering.

dawhead Well done on the lack of Xmas gain

need You are so active. And 2lb loss over Xmas is incredible.

Hope everyone is having a relaxing evening. I'm about to indulge in my TV guilty pleasure - Teen Mom 2

That's brilliant to have only gained 1kg over Christmas dawg, esp as you say looking at previous years. My official post holiday weigh in is set for Saturday, I was 11.4.2 on Christmas Eve - and up to 11.6.8 on NYE's. So that'll be interesting! Hope to end Jan around 11 stone even. We shall see 😉

2lbs is 'nowt Daw, hardly anything to worry about, especially in healthy January, it will be gone in no time. And wow compared to last year!

5lb loss is amazing since the start of NY Cheddar Well done! That's a brilliant start.

Loli EVERYONE I know has been glad they went darker. I'm naturally dark but had a blonde period. I now realise, looking at old photos how drained I looked. Good luck for the radical change. at your DH's comments but look how far you have come then!

Mumble They do track sleep but I take mine off at night ha!

I did my run with the club, and ate my minestrone soup, which was more like a meal in a bowl tbh! Having a lovely glass or 2 of red and chilling now.

I might be the exception re exercise. I can't get my head round it NOT making a difference, although that's just for me. I think there's only been a couple of days I have actually eaten less than or on the limit of my recommended consumption, I'm always over! I wouldn't be able to sustain any loss in any event just on diet alone, I'd crack for sure. If I've time to MN, then I've time to exercise. I'm a weirdo though and you are all fab and we all get there in our different ways!

Mumble my Fitbit tracks sleep. It tells me I'm restless and wake lots. That's the price of having a toddler I suppose!

Cheddar well done on exercise.

I don't find exercise adds much to weight loss, but it's really good at keeping me on track with diet.

Finished up on 1380cals (had an apple as well as my meals). Walked 15k steps and did a 25minute HIIT workout from fitness blender.

Trying to convince myself to go make my lunch for tomorrow now!

Stupid illness ruining my already rubbish sleep pattern - g'ah! Oh well since I'm awake I'll witter on some. In your case need if exercise didn't make a difference it would be a crime! You're running and walking loads nearly every day, plus PT - you must be burning 1000's of extra calories over a week. If you lost over Christmas you might find you'll need to up your calories to maintain weight going forward. As you've said before you have goals with regard to fitness/stamina & you really don't need to lose anymore weight.
I'm so eager to get back to some exercise, I've shiny new runners I bought in place of barbie workout gear & new bottoms that I hope will help me get a new bottom😉

I agree with not on the 80/20 thing, seems to be working for me - I've lost 4lb since the 2nd Jan so am very pleased. I feel like I've been eating well too. I love my fit bit, I think it keeps me on track for a bit of excercise but the calorie counter is rubbish, I just use MFP for that. I was sincing the two but but I don't bother now.

Dont well done on the 4lb loss that's fab!
Not lol at your new bottom 😁
Scales this morning tell me I've lost another 1.5lbs since yesterday, taking me down to 10.7, which is 5lbs lighter than New Years Day!
I had an Epsom Salts bath last night (i'm also doing Dry January and it was recommended on that thread as a good way to help your body detox) and then went straight to bed. I slept like a log and by some miracle my toddler did too, until 5.30 (which is when I get up anyway). So, no wine, good nights sleep, WHY ON EARTH DID I WAKE UP WITH A ROTTEN HEADACHE?!?! Sigh. 🙄

Not I really need new runners, my current ones are very comfy but very old and I think not offering good support. Next months purchase I think!

Dont well done on the weight loss so far, that's very impressive at your weight. Jonty I hope your headache settles, nothing worse than waking up with one. Have you cut carbs significantly? I always get a headache if I do that.

I had a bad nights sleep, 4 hours according to Fitbit. DD woke looking for toilet and then came into our bed and kicked me all night. What age do they start taking themselves to the loo at night?!

Plan for today- work in house this morning (meetings) then from home in afternoon.

Breakfast: Had Greek yoghurt with an apple and 10g pistachios. Still hungry which bodes badly! (192cals)
Lunch: I've made a sweet potato bacon and gherkin salad. (259cals)
Dinner: quinoa pilaf with veg And pistachio, with a plain chicken breast. (470cals).

That's all less than 1000 so I'll pick a nice snack or add some extra protein to the lunch which isn't a large portion. Being lazy I'm having exactly the same tomorrow.

My goodness, you're all dropping pounds to beat the band! Well done all. I must try an Epsom salts bath jonty, I badly need a decent sleep, it would aid recovery greatly. Maybe you're dehydrated, that's a common cause of headaches. If Epsom salts do "draw" out impurities maybe they take some fluid too? I'm just finished my breakfast, had to go to do some food shopping as the fridge was looking sad & I was going stir crazy! In keeping with people sharing food plans:
B: Brown bread, cheese, tomatoes with basil, probiotic drink & to top that feast off...a Jaffa cake.
L: Wrap with leftover oven baked sf chicken, with a little cheese, tomato, taco sauce
D: Meatballs with homemade tomato style sauce and some wholewheat pasta
No idea on cals, best crank up mfp to see how that looks. Have developed a nice dry cough and lots of sneezing which with strep is a joy as you can imagine. Trying to keep the kids a bit active today, they're struggling with cabin fever too and my smaller one is missing mummy's cuddles - been keeping my distance in case of them catching this

at the new bottom. Mines definitely been replaced these last few months.

Sorry you have a headache Jonty, runners use epsom salt baths to relax sore muscles, I'm not sure of the detox thing.

Boo to the lack of sleep Sugar. Not good.

Don't. More weight loss, brilliant, well done.

Not. Lack of sleep is utterly awful. I agree, it aids recovery more than anything. Look forward to you trying the new runners. I changed my calories to maintenance ages ago. I think I'm moderately active on MFP. I've looked at my averages and it's got to be the exercise as I've been over my weekly calorie goal for ever ha ha!! My diet is varied and rich, so I'm going to keep an eye on it, you think that's okay?

I have both dog walks today and a session with the personal trainer, which is hard, but great and focused on strength and flexibility as cardio is covered.

Breakfast - porridge with coconut milk, pile of blueberries.
Lunch - Avo and egg on toast, lots of cherry tomatoes, some cheese, mango.
Dinner - Omelette or bacon and eggs and salad, it's our 'rush' night due to activities.

I remembered I had some lemon and lime slices from NYE that were not used in a tub in the fridge and have had hot water and sliced lemon/lime x 2 pints so far this morning. It's very refreshing actually! Supposed to be good for you too!

Need I think you qualify as active enough to be "very active" on mfp!

I would also like a new bottom in 2017! I know objectively that I must look slimmer after losing 4 stone but I don't feel that I look very different. Should have taken progress photos I think!

I think your diet sounds delicious need and nicely varied. I would say you're very active, not moderate which would explain the weighloss, especially as you're saying you've been over - I'm know you're not worried about it but to be so light & still losing weight does point to a decent calorie deficit - especially over the worst time of year for excess. Might be worth asking the PT's opinion? He/she would probably have good advice on what you should be getting in to fuel you. Although I think you must be on rocket fuel to do what you do!

I only share food plans as I think it helps me to stay accountable! I love looking at everyone's for ideas! My meetings finished up early so I'm on my way home to mark assignments for the afternoon. Think I'll a quarter avocado to my salad to bulk it up a bit. DD loves it so she can have avocado on toast then for her supper.

Oh, while I remember, the Jamie Oliver magazine for this month has some amazing recipes, totally healthy and nutritionally broken down.

Thanks, I've changed MFP to very active, and that's given me nearly 1900 calories a day to play with. Lets see what happens.

Good idea too re the PT, his wife is a nutritionist. I suspect more of the same diet essentially. I can't do low carb, that makes me feel awful and quite ill. Runs of over an hour take their energy in a different way too, after glycogen stores are depleted. Might have made a difference too.

Off to see said PT now. Sorry for the me, me and me post.

Oh keep sharing sugar, I love seeing what everyone else is eating - gives me some ideas!
Low carb would be disastrous for you need with the running. I've gone far off it since doing bsd, everything in moderation (including moderation!) Enjoy your session, just back from leisurely read snail pace walk to the chemist/shops with the kids. Absolutely knackered now, lie down then lunch in an hour

There are some seriously impressive weight losses on here, guys. Amazing. I'm really glad I joined as I'm finding this all very motivational.

Agree that's it's great to see what others are eating; it gives me ideas!

need I can't do lo carb either. I once did it for three days then ate an entire bag of Haribo.

not Hang on in there, you will be back on your feet soon. I rme we what I ate when I had strep (basically loads of shite) and it sounds like you're still being really healthy.

Refused a massive piece of cake at a friend's house today. Go me.

Food so far:
Oatcakes and tea for breakfast
Tomato soup for lunch
Dinner will be chicken with veg and something else.

That sounds fairly meagre but I drink a lot of tea with sugar so that eats up quite a lot of my calories unless I'm careful. I would try to cut down but I really do love it. Anyone have anything else that they should cut back on but just can't?

Do you find you stick to MFP seven days a week? I'm finding it really enjoyable but I would like an afternoon / evening once a week where I don't count every single calorie that's going in my face. Is that a really bad idea? I'm not thinking of pigging out and falling off the wagon, just a gin or two and some crisps 😬

(That should read 'I remember what I ate')

Probably best to log every day, that doesn't mean you can't have gin (around 60 cals a measure) or a few crisps. The problem can be you're (not you specifically of course) are good as gold Monday-Thursday,"relax" Friday to Sunday. And if you're so good during the week the tendency to lose the plot a bit on weekends can be strong. And memory is poor and ain't no one better to lie to us, than us! At least if you track, good or bad, there'll be something to refer to if losses aren't what we think they should be. And this is where I repeat my v boring weightloss isn't linear speech. It didn't go on overnight, it won't come off overnight. Scales doesn't care you've been good or that it's been 4 days of being good, it's still processing the kebab & chips you had last weekend. Consistency & patience
So long story long, yes I'm pretty sure we all track 7 days😂

Ok so I may have a few treats but will still log them all. Good plan. Thanks.

Low carb looks impossible. I love bread so much.
Well done on refusing cake. I have no will power when it comes to things like that. Could you switch to sweetener in your tea? Or how about gradually reducing the sugar until you've got none. So do a week with half teaspoon less and see how it goes.
The Pilates woman I follow says she does a cheat meal (not a cheat day) but she plans ahead so that she really enjoys it. So many times I treat myslef to something I don't even enjoy that much and then just think it wasn't worth it.
I'm on track today but aren't I always at this time. Hoping to do some Pilates and get rid of my mum tum.

Wine Cheddar. Not in the slightest bit interested in cake, or chocolate or crisps or pastry. I ADORE my glass of wine in the evening, and would increase my exercise further if needed, rather than give it up

Does sweetener work in tea? I am not a tea drinker, sorry.

Well Not, are your my PT I wonder?

Long chat (when I could!!) during my session, which was excellent btw, arms and abs today, press ups balancing on a ball instead of the floor anyone?!..

Totally not a fan of low carb at all, and of diets in general, unless they completely change a persons eating habits. Hears a lot of 'I just put weight on again when I eat normally', so no re-education of what is good to eat.

Very much 'everything in moderation' Eat as much fresh, wholesome produce as you possibly can, mediterranean (sp) type diet etc. MFP good for understanding how many calories food does contain, but not to be used to the point of obsession.

Agrees with the 80/20 diet exercise for the majority of folk, as a lot folks diet is pretty poor, so changes in diet far more important than one or two exercise sessions a week. Lines are blurred a little for folk such as me, as our diets are usually excellent or very good, therefore exercise makes more of a difference to calorie deficit. As you say Not

Wasn't too fussed about my weight, in the same sense that a marathon runner would technically be underweight, or a rugby player overweight, obviously within reason etc.

Like I say, just like you say Not All very reasonable and moderate!!

Emotional eating is harder to understand (PT works with full on athletes, 80 year old people, folk just wanting to tone up, folk with eating disorders). Reckons being significantly overweight isn't really a choice, more a reaction to negatives, low self esteem, depression, anxiety, complex life experiences, and much harder to crack. Comfort eating etc.

Very interesting.

Sorry, I've bored you all today.

Hello! Loads going on here today!! Fab it's so busy. I track everything I eat on MFP and have probably become a bit obsessed if I'm perfectly honest. I've also cut down carbs loads so no bread, pasta or rice. It's worked for me but I know it's not for everyone. I don't get bloated anymore which is great.
Spin tonight. It was always going to hurt as it's the first one back but I have a huge bruise from my knee up to my thigh (apparently drunken middle aged women shouldn't dance on bar stools on New Years Eve, who knew?) which won't help.
Oh and slow cooker beef stew for tea after, yum!!

I'm not bored at all need, very interesting to his POV as someone who sees many people trying to improve their fitness and/or shape. Nice to see a pt that doesn't extole the virtues of lo-carb to the exclusion of everything else and recognises that not everyone will lose their weight through exercise - that for many, if not most, overeating is a symptom of bigger issues. Or lack of understanding/education about what's good for you - or the finance to afford it! Sh*t food is dirty cheap. Honestly the comments I used to get from workmates when there'd be talk of exercise & I'd talk about running or boot camp sessions - they'd be like "I don't know how you do it" while inhaling a footlong roll filled with breaded chicken/Mayo/cheese with a bag of crisps washed down with a can of coke (€3 in the local shop!) And I'd thinking how you getting away with that, while eating my homemade lunch. Or trying to figure how many points were in a light chocolate mousse or scarfing down muller lights instead of having a bit of chocolate at the end of the day and enjoying it.
Now I'm on another witter, if anyone's a bore it's me, sorry folks

Evening all.
Not glad you've managed an amble to the shops and back. Re: headache I can't be dehydrated, I've been drinking two litres of water a day, every day since New Years - I'm more likely to spring a leak at the moment! It cleared over the day, so hopefully it's gone for now.
I'm definitely going to use some of the flavoured water ideas you all have at the weekend, it's not really possible at work.
I've wanted to eat and eat today, really hungry rumbly tum despite eating my standard breakfast that normally keeps me really full (egg and spinach on toast). Ended up eating a bag of Quavers and a little Graze box as extra snacks. I'm 15 calories over daily target as a result but I'm fine with that. I'm not expecting to lose any more weight until about next Tuesday now, think I've probably hit the 'initial offload' limit now - that's when your r solve gets tested, when you don't see any man cement for a few days...I find it helpful to tell myself when I think I'll next see a loss, then I'm not hoping for it on days inbetween! I still weigh myself every day regardless as it mentally sets me up for being on track for the day.
Pan fried salmon with herby cubes potatoes, carrots and peas for dinner!