Let's Get FEBulous! Lose 7lbs in a Month Thread

[BitOutOfPractice]

We've powered through January. Now let's keep losing the Lindas through the shortest month

January thread here

Kiki So sorry. I don't think I can improve on Hairspray's excellent post! What I like to do is have a couple of old-favourite books to hand. In my case it's always Harry Potter or Ballet Shoes, or other Noel Streatfeild books I know there's nothing demanding in them and I know they'll absorb me completely for an hour or so like nothing else will.

Similarly, do you have a favourite Audiobook or podcast? Plugging into that and going for a walk does wonders, even if you don't remotely feel like it. Particularly if you can go somewhere really peaceful like a park (rather than walking along the pavement). I can bequeath you mine: have you ever listened to the Cabin Pressure series? It's light-hearted, hilariously funny and very distracting. I guarantee it'll put a smile on your face and after a walk listening to them you'll feel a bit calmer.

I'm really liking the advice on this thread. Well rounded and practical. My 16:8 has felt easy this week so far but I've got Thursday and Friday off with DC so things may quickly go awry. I'm one pound less this morning than I was on Monday so that is encouraging. With weekend looming I need to remain focused and avoid over indulgence of wine which leads to over indulgence of bad carbs and potentially tiredness eating the following day. It's good to know your weaknesses but addressing them is another thing entirely

Hairspray I barely got out of bed on Monday, I am very impressed with you making it through the first day! As I said DH was a complete zombie yesterday and very dazed this morning. If it makes you feel better I am much more human today so a day in bed should sort you out

Ordered a new swim suit yesterday as I'm refocusing my efforts more away from running back to swimming. Running is good for mental space but swimming reaps more rewards in body shape - I seriously need to focus on my mid riff middle age spread. Just hope it fits well!

Where did you get your swimming costume from Millie? I have a really long body and I struggle to get them to fit without them looking like a Jane Fonda leotard.

Here's a dieting psychology question for you all. Why is it, when I was so delighted with my weight this morning, that my first thought was that I could sneak some chocolate biscuits? Instead of thinking, "how great, let's keep going", I immediately think I can afford to slacken off. I'm with myself.

Arsey I ordered a speedo suit from Wiggle. £40- most I've ever spent on a swim suit so it'd better be good. Apparently it 'supports' you more, which I think can only be a good thing!
In terms of choc biscuits - an involuntary reward reaction to being good?? Wine is normally my go to reward. But on the other end of the spectrum when I'm feeling down about weight I can eat and drink too much! I need to maintain that happy, healthy balance that people often refer to!

Arsey I don't have an especially long body and I have never found a swimming costume that doesn't but me in half from the fanjo upwards

I'm at the gym. Again. Now all I need to do is go inside and actually exercise

I swear by the boy short swimming costumes to avoid the Jane Fonda look, but you'd definitely need to try them on to avoid camel toe!

I probably shouldn't swim until I can breathe properly I think... I've just had a double Day Nurse dose and it's made me feel like I'm going to be sick Bleurgh, I can't win!

Arsey same here. I think it's just that the psychology we're all in is secretly "I can't wait until this stupid diet's over so I can start eating chocolate again soon" - I have no idea how to change it! That's partly why I allow it to myself on the weekends, I think "no carbs / booze / chocolate etc. during the week" is a more sustainable rule for me.

Maybe next time you find yourself thinking that you could say "Mmm, chocolate biscuits would be lovely, I'll be allowed one on Saturday" or similar? Retrain your brain to expect deferred satisfaction? I bet you won't even really want them come Saturday...

Oh God I am too ill to make sense - sorry, I think I'm posting nonsense!

Quim, that's what I'm doing -no carbs/chocolate/sweets during the week. I can eat anything I want at wkends. That way a feast of chocolate and biscuits is never far away -and once the wkend is here, the cravings have generally passed anyway. I too am hoping it will be a way of maintaining... I've even wondered if weekends and maybe Wednesdays could become chocolate and carbs days. I suspect a lot of us don't trust ourselves around food and I find the rules help.

Arsey and Boop, I solve the swimming costume problem by wearing short board shorts and a tankini top. Means if you need a wee you only have to pull the shorts down too... Plus no maintenance of bikini line is necessary.

Had my first weight lifting session (lots of water retention, still sore) yesterday and pms week means I don't think I will be weighing this week. I can't imagine the numbers would be very encouraging.

Oh I am trying the 5:2 as in 5 good days then treats at the weekend

I am picking up hairsprays excellent post and going to try and use it tonight to NOT SNACK.

I have also worked out gym nights as DH gets home on Friday and I'm going to vanish and let him deal.

No long swimming costume advice. I got one recently from Sainsbos and I had to get a 12 as the 16, then 14 were rather substantial. I was so NSV happy!

How much exercise would you think is too much?

for you Kiki. Hairspray and Quim's suggestions are fantastic, I use many of them myself. And I would definitely reiterate the being kind to yourself one.

I also use board shorts and a tankini - it proved impossible to find a swimsuit with a large enough cup size for me. And shorts mean no tidying up needed.

I think it depends on the person Niki, and how hard you are pushing yourself. You don't want injuries, and you don't want to get bored.

I avoid the too short costume problem by not going swimming. I loathe it

Oh I am back. BACK I tell ya! Golden day so far and a 7km run under my belt. Yes you read that right. SEVEN! The fat middle aged bird ran for 7km. My knees may never recover but I did it.

I have also stepped on the gym scales which were a little kinder than I had anticipated. I am now 3.7lbs down for the month, pretty much bang on target for a half stone and no excuses to go off piste for the foreseeable until my team plays their biggest match for years on Saturday and I pop down the pub to watch

I'm struggling. Been golden and stuck with to plan and been to the gym 5 times in the last week but just can't seem to shift it
I can see the target before I go away with Boop slipping away and I'd built in 2 weeks wiggle room. So pissed off. And I've come on a week early, thanks peri menopause
Gahhhh......

Well that probably explains why you're not losing Chard. I bet you'll have a whoosh in the next few days. Hang on in there

Stick in there Chard, the whoosh will come. Tank down water too, I really feel that helps.

Great to hear you are back in the zone BOOP. Go you!

I go to the gym every day. Sometimes yoga. Sometimes circuits, body pump, rpm etc

Stuck to my golden day like glue today. Hoping for some movement on the scale. And another golden day tomorrow as I'll be out for dinner on firday

Thanks Quim - I'm already a big fan of walks with lighthearted podcasts. Sometimes I treat myself to a podcast-free walk just to see what original thoughts turn up in my brain without electronic aids, haha. I do have quite a few stress relievers under my belt it seems though, I just have to remember to activate them rather than stare at the internet when I'm on edge.

Well done to those who reclaimed their mojo today. I have not done too badly (fitbit is very pleased with me) though I baked some sausage rolls that needed attending to. I am craving sugar like a mad thing though. I need to get myself back off it - saying I am no-sugar on weekdays is currently a big fat lie . I will have a low cal hot choc which usually does the trick to stop the cravings - I don't approve of 'low cal' type foods but needs must!

KOKO I have a 1200 a day mfp allowance and it's worked very well for me. The trick is sticking to it. I don't eat my exercise calories

I HAVE NOT SNACKED.

I am going to bed after that declaration. Not via the kitchen.