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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.

Original poster

Lent starts tomorrow (Wednesday)

63 replies

Elasticwoman · 21/02/2007 00:00

Who's giving up chocolate?
Who's giving up crisps?
Who's giving up alcohol?
It's called fasting for 40 days. Good for the soul and may have slimming side effects.

OP posts:
Original poster
Elasticwoman · 25/02/2007 19:36

I had chocolate icecream and a glass of something a bit stronger. But no guilt, it's Sunday. Back to the grindstone tomorrow.

OP posts:
Catbabymummy · 26/02/2007 12:56

Absolutely! I had a nice roast turkey dinner, with skinny cow ice cream to follow, it was lovely.
Today have turned down chocolate and digestive biscuits.
We need an angel emoticon...

Original poster
Elasticwoman · 26/02/2007 16:39

I need a devil emoticon. Was doing v well until accidentally ate Smartie type sweeties hidden in the bottom of the pop corn at the cinema today! How did they get there?

OP posts:
Catbabymummy · 26/02/2007 18:37

Noooooo!!! The devil is conspiring against you!
Don't lose heart though, for as Scarlett O'Hara said, tomorrow is another day!
Off to bible meeting today, with lots of biscuits & crisps to resist....

Original poster
Elasticwoman · 26/02/2007 22:43

You were supposed to give me absolution Catmb.

Sugar snap peas (raw) make a great snack for those off crisps/biscuits etc.

OP posts:
Catbabymummy · 27/02/2007 13:17

I failed miserably last night but I prayed a lot too. There was so few of us last night (a lot of the students are no-shows because of assignments they have to finish).
However, I received an order for some equipment for my work place, and in the box with my order was a packet of chocolate biscuits. The devil is very cunning
But since a couple of other people are giving up chocolate for Lent as well, I said I would stash them in my drawer for after Easter.

Original poster
Elasticwoman · 27/02/2007 18:24

I've always thought stashing for after Easter is cheating. But well done for not eating it straight away.

OP posts:
Catbabymummy · 27/02/2007 19:32

It's only cheating if you bought it yourself!
How are you doing anyway?
Nearly a week done now!

Catbabymummy · 28/02/2007 07:11

Weighted myself this morning - I've lost 2lb!!! Woohoo!!

Original poster
Elasticwoman · 28/02/2007 17:05

Good news, Catmb.

(Replies quickly before Catmb melts away and disappears down nearest drain!) Well I haven't eaten any chocolate, crisps or alcohol today. Went shopping for clothes, which I found less depressing than usual. I must say steering clear of chocolate makes me snack less.

OP posts:
Catbabymummy · 28/02/2007 20:42

Well that's good! Did you buy anything nice?
Not been very good today, as had to give a presentation and lunch was put on. I had a couple of sandwiches and an apple pie! But I didn't touch the crisps.

Original poster
Elasticwoman · 01/03/2007 10:35

Catmb - you have to eat something, you can't give everything up at once. I think giving up crisps helps your palate to appreciate real food better.

I bought a lovely Italian linen suit from Per Una M & S; also 2 tops and a pair of gloves, boots and a handbag. And a few pairs of tights for dd1. Well you did ask. We are going to a family celebration this weekend and I am trying to look less scruffy than usual.

A wine company salesman came round to our house last night so there was my no alcohol resolution out of the window. I had forgotten about it when he made the arrangement to come and then felt it would be rude to refuse to taste.

OP posts:
Catbabymummy · 01/03/2007 18:57

Well yes, it would seem strange if you haven't!
Sounds like you had a successful shopping trip!
Well today I caved in and had a hobnob. It was yum!
Yes I am finding it tough but because I'm not actively dieting it's easier. I will be relaxing things this weekend, as it is my dss's birthday, so there will be cake and fun

Original poster
Elasticwoman · 01/03/2007 20:10

Back on straight and narrow today. I think JC said something about when you fast, wash your face and don't let on that you are fasting. But it is so much easier to keep to it if you have support from fellow fasters.

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Catbabymummy · 02/03/2007 07:24

I agree, though I do try not to make a big thing about it.
Though I hope He understand that although I am partly doing it to honour Him, I'm also doing it to lose weight - though not for cosmetic reasons, I'm trying to be more healthy as I'm actively TTCing.

Original poster
Elasticwoman · 02/03/2007 08:08

Your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit so don't apologise for looking after it.

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Catbabymummy · 02/03/2007 21:15

Hmm, never thought of it that way!
How have you been today, btw?

Original poster
Elasticwoman · 04/03/2007 18:55

Well it's Sunday so I'm forgetting Lenten resolutions till tomorrow. Have just driven about 500 miles over the weekend and thankful to be back in one piece.

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Catbabymummy · 05/03/2007 07:05

I was sooooo bad at the weekend... but it was dss's birthday. I prayed lots at church yesterday for extra willpower (and a baby too!)
New resolve today!

Original poster
Elasticwoman · 06/03/2007 18:37

The hardest time is at social occasions - but if it was Sunday, or Saturday evening I think you were justified.

Look on the positive side: food is great stuff, and of (almost) infinite variety. If you have given up x y and z, it gives you a great opportunity to try a b and c. Almost all foodstuffs have a substitute.

As they say in the adverts, try something new today!

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Catbabymummy · 07/03/2007 07:22

Well I didn't get my extra willpower, as I've been snacking on chocolate biscuits! I still lost over a pound, but I think if i hadn't been so greedy, then I might have lost more. But it's a new week, so must try harder.
I've at least avoided takeaways (apart from on Sunday so doesn't count) and crisps. And I have been eating pretty healthily. And I still haven't had any bread except at the weekend. And I only said I would cut down.

Original poster
Elasticwoman · 07/03/2007 13:29

What do you mean by eating healthily? I think bread is healthy (unless you have a wheat intolerance).

Why do you think you crave chocolate biscuits? Is it because you want something crunchy? (Try oatcakes) Or because you want something sweet? (Try fruit, fresh or dried.)

I do the food shopping in our house, so I'm just not buying any chocolate. Therefore the only temptation is when I'm out and about or when some one offers me some. And a help to will power against eating junk is to be full up from eating proper food. Not that all chocolate is junk - high quality in small quantities is good because it contains useful minerals and other nutrients. But giving it up for Lent helps to break the habit.

OP posts:
Catbabymummy · 08/03/2007 07:21

Yes, it is helping the healthy eating. I'm making an effort to cook healthy foods which can be prepared quickly, and some that I can freeze, because I work quite long hours at time, and the temptation is there to just get a pizza from Asda.
I do eat lots of fruit and veg, but I always seem to be hungry especially in the evenings, despite having lots of fruit during the day.
I find bread makes me bloat.

Original poster
Elasticwoman · 08/03/2007 16:48

Have you tried anything to substitute for bread, eg rice cakes, Ryvita, rye bread, oatcakes?

One thing you could do is make a large brown rice salad and keep it in the fridge so you can snack on it all week. My version includes toasted seeds, nuts, chick peas from a can, fresh celery, red pepper, cucumber, radishes, cherry toms and fresh parsley, dressed with an oil and vinegar dressing and soy sauce (so no need for salt.)

OP posts:
Catbabymummy · 08/03/2007 21:49

Ooh that sounds good! I do snack on Ryvita, they are quite good!

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