Louise Parker Method - Lean for Lifers Support Thread

[PushingElephantsUpStairs]

Anyone following the Louise Parker Method?

I am restarting the transform phase again from next week and could really do with some support to get me through the 6 weeks!

I managed three weeks in November but gave up due to Christmas drinking and eating. I feel more motivated this time and felt great when I followed it properly. I love the food too but found it too easy to slip into bad habits.

Please share your stories (good and bad!) and hopefully we can support each other through the journey.

Desert I have a 45 minute alert on my fitness band. It works quite well, although more often than not I'm in a meeting so bit tricky to start walking around the room without looking g a bit strange!

That's ok Pushing - this isn't about guilt, and rules regarding what we're allowed/not allowed to eat. Stepping out the circle is necessary, and part of the 80/20 idea. I'd be cautious of giving yourself a dedicated "night off" though - this isn't a diet, so be careful not to turn it into one...

Thought I'd share my delicious brunch from earlier - recipe from the LP app (the older version)

What's everyone's food and exercise plans for today? Not sure what dinner will be but lunch will likely be the roast tomato and pepper soup (again from the old app). Exercise is difficult as DH away but will definitely include a good walk around the park.

How's everyone finding the new recipe book? I have to say I'm not as excited about these recipes as I am about the ones in the first book. Also I like the fact that most of the previous ones were single serving. What does everyone else think?

Brunch!

Pushing I've toyed with the idea of one night off a week and since my birthday is coming up at the end of the month I'm going to stick firm until then. Going forward I'll probably have a cocktail on a Friday night 🍸

Made oat bran porridge today for the first time. Would be tastier with sweeter apples but it thickened up nicely. I used quantities from the cookbook: 40g oat bran & 250ml milk.

Looks yummy Desert

You're right MrsDI want this to become a habit and it'll be hard to do that when I go completely mad once a week. Think i need to look at what's causing me to need to eat like that (work stress etc.) and what I can do to reduce it. Also it's interesting what LP says in her book about finding other ways to reward/treat yourself than food and drink. Need to do a bit of thinking ...

Brunch and porridge look really yummy. I love poached eggs.

I had porridge as well, with strawberries. For lunch I'm having leftover double bean balls with salad and hummus. Dinner will probably be Goan fish curry - from Joe Wick's book. Doing exercise tonight so will allow myself a small amount of rice.

I quite like the dinners in the cookbook MrsD. I quite like cooking 4 portions and not having to think about dinner for a few nights.

Your brunch looks fantastic! Is the recipe app only? Or is it in either of the books? I'm not big on poached eggs but if there's avocado involved I'd make an exception.

Does this recipe, minus sugar, look suitable for the Method? www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/531628/mexican-chicken-stew

The most useful piece of wisdom I took from the book was the point about making a poor choice and then sacking the diet off for the rest of the day/week - she says if you got sunburnt one day you wouldn't then cover yourself in olive oil and sit in the sun the next day going " well it's spoiled now,so there's no point trying". That really resonated with me.

Walrus that is exactly what I do! I read that in the book too and thought, that's really good advice. But can see myself easily doing it. Aargh it's so hard!!!!

Yes pushing it's essentially eating mindfully, isn't it? If we're feeling stressed then it's all so easy to reach out for comfort in food - I do it all the time, that why I'm heavier than I should be! I'm trying slowly to be more mindful and reflective on how my emotions influence my eating habits, by like getting to grips with this program, I think it's going to be slow progress. But progress nonetheless! As LP says "start once and don't stop" - for me, stopping isn't one bad meal, as long as you pick yourself up at your next meal then you're still heading in the right direction.

By the way I'm no saint! Last night I definitely had my fair share of wine! But I know that if this is going to be a success for me then I'll have to reign it in...I'm slowly getting round to it!

Desert the recipe is in her first app, essentially 1 slice wholeneal toast topped with 1/2 avocado mashed with a squeeze of lemon, S&P and two poached eggs on top. It's so yummy! You've made a good point about making 4 portions and not having to think about dinners...I do get bored eating the same things on consecutive days though, but I'm sure a lot can be chucked in the fridge for a day or two or freezed...
Yes I'd say that meal looks on Merhid - very yummy! As you say LP would probably replace the sugar with stevia. Suppose you'd need to be careful what you'd serve it with?

Love that sunburn analogy walrus!

For dinner i think I'll do a hairy bikers curry - not sure which one yet, and will leave out the rice.

Sorry this is so long!

Oh and chilli flakes Desert - mustn't forget those! LP also puts chopped coriander on top but I forgot that bit

Agree mrsD It is eating mindfully and reflecting on how your mood and emotions impact how you're eating. I think I expect to be able to do everything all at once and beat myself up when I can't achieve my goals. It's work in progress at the moment, I need to celebrate the little victories!

Here is my lunch for today:

Ooh that looks so good pushing! I'm
Loving the foodie inspiration on this thread!

Yes let's all start celebrating little victories! We can note them down here

I'm loving the extra recipe inspiration! I've just had the squid salad (but no squid in the shop so replaced with prawns instead - anyone sense a theme to my cooking?!)

I have to say I am loving eating so much fresh food. I have been eating terribly for the last 18 months, very reliant on ready meals and sugar with little fruit and veg. I think I was ready to start taking care of myself rather than reaching for the easy option and came across LP at the right time - its been a huge wake up call about how much more good stuff I should be eating.

Pushing, that lunch looks awesome! And satisfyingly huge, too. I am sitting down to a late lunch of Louise's lovely lentils which are indeed lovely.

My boys are having pizza. My resolve is really being tested!!

Have to say I'm struggling with the time to spend on food prep/cooking. Whilst it's great to have loads of fresh ingredients I don't usually follow recipes!! I'm going to make the cauli paneer thing to last for a few lunches. Can anyone recommend which recipes from the books are super simple/quick?

Re the PT and time...I have an hour twice a week, one evening and Sat morning. I have piled on so much weight in the last year I had to do something. I thought if I commit to this (and pay for it) I will have to find the time otherwise it just ends up as work and children. So far so good but early days. I'm a single parent so no back up here (and no one to take over the cooking!).

The cauli paneer thing is nice but I'd add a little tomato purée next time as the sauce was too thin for my liking. Use a big pan!!

Louise's lovely lentils is relatively quick and could be made in bulk. Only a little chopping for the broccoli & cherry tomatoes. I just randomly tear the herbs in to it. If you pre-cooked the prosciutto the bistro salad could be pre-made, dressing in a tub, and add avocado on the day...

I am going to have stir fry for a couple of dinners as I reckon a pack of stirfry veg & some meat is pretty on Method.

Stir-frys are perfect for being quick and on Method. On that note, the black pepper sty-fry is super quick to make Phwooar. Also do remember that frittatas are quick and can be made ahead and frozen.

Today I had a big smoothie for brunch, then lunch was a mixed bean salad, snack has been an apple with almond butter (yum!). Tonight we are celebrating some good news so I've got some fillet steaks in and will serve it with fried mushrooms, green beans and cauliflower mash. Some fizz may also be consumed! oops!

Congratulations on the news that warrant the fizz, MrsD!

Phwoooar - the PT - I guess that makes perfect sense - to make best use of your little bit of spare time.

So other than the fizz last night I have had a week now of sticking religiously to the plan, at least with the food. I'm really pleased with my little milestone.

I made the grilled mushrooms and goats cheese with salad this evening, and that was pretty quick. I also made a tuna nicoise for lunch, and just doubled the bowls I was throwing things into, so lunch tomorrow is covered. I have meal planned for the next few days and have supplies in so at least I'm not scrabbling around for things to eat.

The exercises I need to think through a bit more - I am v sporadic with my steps, and I go to yoga around twice a week but am really bad at motivating myself to do exercise at home. Maybe next week's challenge is to work on that a bit more?

Thank you tomato! The good news was bittersweet really because (without going into too much detail) although it is a Big Deal for my career, it wasn't sufficient for me to bag an interrview for a job I recently applied for. I'm trying to not be bitter about that, and rejoice in my achievement - but I am finding it hard! I kind of sucked the joy out of my good news a bit - do you know what I mean?

Sounds like you've had a solid week foodwise and by planning your next few means you'll succeed there too - that's half the battle isn't it?

I know what you mean about fitting in exercise, if you want I'll join you on making it a challenge for this week, what do you reckon? Try for the 10,000 steps a day and at least 15 minutes of something ?? Anyone else want to log their exercises here?

Are we weighing in tomorrow morning?

If its meant to be, it will happen MrsD - and I'm sure that your achievements will have opened the door to something else thats just around the corner.

Ok - you're on. 10,000 steps plus exercise (except for Tuesday when I have plans). I've only done 3,500 steps today but I did go to yoga,

Weigh in day tomorrow. Eek.

You're so right, tomato, thank you - I might lose sight of the bigger picture

In the meantime, I'm going to lose sight of my massive fat belly! And stay on Method and commit to 10K steps plus daily exercise except for one day this week

Weigh in tomorrow yes! I'd quite like to see a lb off iff I can't manage it, I'm not expecting any more given my booze consumption