MFP Thread 8

[Not2bObvious]

New thread for those using mfp to lose/maintain weight

Morning all. Glad you enjoyed your classes need, and glad you're enjoying mfp diemme. I tried calorie/point counting various ways too but I love the mfp - just clicked. Hope you enjoyed the carvery.
Oh me and that scales are having a hate/hate relationship this week. Was 11.4 last Friday, 11.5.2 yesterday and 11.5.6 today. On one hand the daily weighes help cause you see it can vary but on the other when you're eating well (choccie biccies aside) it's discouraging to see undeserved/bogus gains. I know I know they aren't real but my weighloss, when it happens, is v slow. Of course it could be past sims back to revisit but I "think" I've had a couple of good enough weeks. Anyway pity party over, maybe Friday the scales gods will take pity and take me to 11.3'ish...maybe

Update to my diatribe, having checked back
through my notes (yes I am the saddo that makes a note of every WI) I appear to have a gain every Wednesday. Now the trick is not to weigh again until Friday.

That made me smile Not - but you are doing everything right, and made Zumba. You deserve to be 11 3 on friday. And no - not harsh yesterday. Was what I needed to hear.

Stir fry here last night - cooked by my DH, OMG. I had had such a long day, and for the 1st time in ages he was home 1st, had bought stir fry stuff, and cooked dinner. Small things like that go a long way!

Well, its water, water and more water for me today. I'm feeling - and looking - like an overweight puffa fish. The sugar is taking its toll, plus hormones from new mirena. Temp has gone up, my boobs are like melons. I know it will all settle. I'll do a soup at lunch, and prob roast salmon & veg / rice for dinner.

Make it a lean day everyone !

You're sounding a bit better bath, and you've also given me a little shake - I'm having one of those days where I already feel like pigging out. Going off to down a glass of water, I have a good bowl of porridge on board so no reason to be a picky knickers (little pickers wear big knickers don't ya know)

Having another "a ha" moment! bath it would sound like you're being hit pretty hard by coil hormones, this could be what's set you off course?

No don't pig-out not. Stop, and refocus. It's not worth it. You are doing SO well. Keep chipping away and the recent low of 11 4 will soon be 11 3.5, and then 11 3 etc.

Yes, the mirena is one of the causes I'm sure, as is a tricky work situation, & the fact that DH is due to go far away on business trip (& missing my bday). Plenty of excuses if I needed them, but it just boils down to the fact that I need to get a grip. Pure and simple. Munching a whole bag of kettle chips with a 2nd 3rd glass of wine is not going to solve anything. Or actually make me feel any better! Jeez, it's quite frightening really what I do to myself really.

You are always so spot on with your words not, & said exactly what I needed to hear yesterday, thank you. Yes, I had the hump with myself, and took it out on some well-overdue pruning of an overgrown bush (the tree kind, not my own, that is another matter, and at least 1lb worth too ). 4 hours later I finished. Sore arms today.

I think we're running a support tag team bath I just finished cleaning the floor and now having a coffee, my lunch is in the fridge which I can't get to and apart from that it's too early, but there's a big box of choccie biccies in the drawer. I was thinking of having 1 3 but I'm not now thanks to you!
You have to hoick up the big girls pants sometimes, have a word with yourself & just get on with it...eyes on the prize or in my case right dress lol

Cant that porridge breakfast sounds amazing! How many cals does it come to? I have porridge 6 days out of 7 but it's incredibly boring - skimmed milk and splenda for 190. I'd love a change if I could afford it. Also it sounds v exciting to be retraining (although study is v tough I can well imagine).

Not that is quite funny (in an awful way) about your Wednesday WIs. Your exercise levels and willpower have been fantastic, so it's definitely not deserved or fair when the scales don't show it. Our bodies and weight can be so strange. Well done on resisting the biccies today and on the Zumba class on Monday!

Jonty I was thinking about your coffees - do you have full fat milk in them? I really don't log coffee itself as it's got so few calories, but I do allow for 60ml of extra skimmed milk a day for drinks. Just thinking out loud in case you could save some cals for use elsewhere.

Need I do love eggs! It must be fabulous to have fresh ones. And so inspiring again that the boot camp yesterday perked you up.

Bath you do sound better - I'm so glad. Sorry I wasn't around to help but you and Not are doing great for each other. I really think the mirena must be having a big, bad impact. Look at what TOTM does to so many of us. I love that you took it out on your (non-lady ) garden, I would have been suggesting a walk otherwise, as it seemed to kick start good stuff for you last week.

Diemme it's great that MFP is working for you and soup is definitely brilliant for saving calories - I'll have to start back on it myself.

Finished Monday on 1160 which wasn't too bad, but I did have 2 sweets and an Options Hot Choc which added over 100 on. Then I couldn't resist pizza yesterday so it was me that suggested it to H. It wasn't so much that I was hungry, but I just needed to get out of the house and a change of scenery. Anyway I did my sums in advance and my weekly average was coming to 1500 exactly so I thought that was ok.

Anyway, WI today and I'm up 1kg - gutted. I guess I haven't been trying very hard, but if I'm gaining 1kg on an average of 1500, then I'm done for when (if) I get to maintenance. I'm really hoping it's just bloat from the (2 slices) of pizza, so I'm going to weigh-in again tomorrow.

I did get very good news at work today - I've been offered some new responsibilities that means I get to move away from a lot of the difficult stuff that's been going on. And the awful thing is that I feel like celebrating with food. Loads of chocolate or junk food or something else equally calorie-laden. It still proves I'm not a healthy place with food yet - not sure I'll ever be, sigh.

Daw that porridge was a calorific one by my standards at 364- however I put all sorts in, and having more cals at breakfast means I'm not tempted to snack in the afternoon. I tend to have 200-300 cals depending on what else I've got planned that day.

I always use 30g oats, sweetener and water as a base, and I also put 50g egg whites in for protein which is a basic of 135 cals. Favourite flavour combos are:

Peanut butter and jam- 5g peanut flour, frozen raspberries, 15g low sugar raspberry jam and 15g peanut butter (290 cals total- if needs be I have without the peanut butter which takes it back to 200 cals)

Raspberry (or cherry) and almond- a couple of drops of almond flavouring, frozen raspberries or cherries, low sugar jam as above- 200 cals

Chocolate orange- cocoa powder, tinned mandarins, 5g cacao nibs and 10g dark choc chips- 250 cals

I absolutely love my porridge, and sad as it is, coming up with new porridge ideas, ha. I look forward to it every morning

Something to bear in mind for when we're struggling

Very true Not. If I'm having a less good day, I try to remember that I never even imagined I could get this far!

Good idea Not. I was wondering if we could have a motivational quote of the day? Nothing majorly naff, just something to keep us going? I'll start it tomorrow if you like?

Well I should be around a bit more now. My working week is over. Always a bit mental Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

Not You are doing all the right things. Keep going. All the exercise will be changing your shape for the better, even if the scales, which mean little, do not show it. Plus, the exercise will be doing brilliant things for your health, as will eating well. Really, that's more important than anything else. We forget that sometimes.

Bath. I have the Mirena, have done since DD was born, 15 years. I always feel a bit funny when it's changed. I have bleeds for the first 2 or 3 months, then everything settles. I'm not making excuses. Keep going.

Bloody hell Daw, don't worry about the weight gain. Mines gone up too, and we haven't even eating out or anything. It's a strange thing. I'm pleased the work situation is better for you. But you will be in a better place with food. Keep reading, posting. Keep going Daw.

Had a normal day. Work. Managed to grab the dogs and head off for a 3 mile walk this afternoon. Met my friend early and we did a total of 9.8 miles including the club run. Easy pace. Lovely.

B - egg and toast.
L - Gammon and salad bagel, banana. small chocolate.
D - Spag bol.
Snack pre run - gel, graze box, some olives.

Hooray, day off tomorrow.

I love me a god motivational quote need, so yes pls.
Despite my earlier resolve, it all went to pot belly Witgout making excuses or boring anyone let's just say today was a write off. But no alcohol so that's something right??? Back to earth tomorrow.

Good not god, although if god could help why not!

I like that quote, **Not!
I've had three days at around 1500
cals which is over my target but I'm happy with that as it did include some "naughty" things like someone's birthday cake, and some chips. I have been counting all exercise though - have seen on these threads that people generally don't, so not sure if it's cheating a bit. Also not sure what day is best to do weigh ins - I used to do Friday but found I tended to undo it all at the weekend by "celebrating" if I had lost weight. So maybe twice a week say thursday and Monday is best...

Today's quote is not a sticky sweet one about loving yourself (sure there will be lots of these coming!) but a practical one, based on some of the posts these last few days.

Discipline is just choosing what you want now and what you want the most.

Okay, walked the dogs in storm Doris.

Dropped the car off for a service and walked the mile back in storm Doris.

Going to my PT session at 10am in storm Doris!

Can't I had porridge today in your honour. Used almond milk. Added a small block of 100% cocoa dark chocolate. Added mango and blueberries. Pretty calorific but don't care, was delicious and healthy too.

Anyone see the reports today that eating 10 portions of fruit and veg a day can significantly cut the incidence of cancer and heart disease. and prevent nearly 8 million premature deaths a year worldwide. We really to be focusing on this rather than what the scales say no? I reckon most of us would drop weight anyway using this approach. Win win.

Also the 2lb I mysteriously gained on Monday has mysteriously disappeared today. Just shows you doesn't it?!

Where are you all, I miss you!

PT session was brill, tons of abs and then tons of boxing for upper body.

B - Porridge as above.
L - big green salad, falafals, chia seeds, cheese. Yoghurt, few berries.
D - enchiladas.
S -wine.

Really interesting chat re calories intake. PT very up on nutrition, his wife is a nutritionist. Even being a FT PT and teaching 3 classes a week, a kids sports group etc, he only consumes circa 1800/2000 a day. He's pretty small height wise, slim but not skinny, great physique obviously but that's enough for him to maintain. Gosh, just shows you doesn't it?

Sorry for radio silence, kids on midterm so no opportunity for gym and too much munching going on. Anyway, will go to the gym in the morning as I'll have someone to watch the kids in the morning. Company for dinner so some vino in my future.
That's sobering need, so someone how I'm sure is pretty damn active still only maintains on those numbers - that is a bummer. Having slow cooker green curry but it's a bit too hot, bah! Disappointing

Cant those porridges sound absolutely amazing. I know I probably have it all wrong, but I definitely back-end my calories to lunch and dinner instead of brekkie. I will have to try one of them though - maybe on a soup day.

Not that quote you posted is brilliant. Don't be hard on yourself - it's very hard to keep on top of things when we're out of our routine - well done on resisting the yesterday and at least it means you have room for it tonight.

Need that is a timely quote too about discipline. At the end of they day, everything we do is a choice of some kind. And woohoo on the 2lbs being gone - you are giving me hope. Well done on braving the storm so much today. I agree with Not that is kind of depressing about your PT. It's so unfair that the more we lose the less we can eat.

Also, that 10 portions of fruit and veg news has freaked me out. I only eat about 2 as-is - I'm a disaster. I would literally have no idea how to squeeze that in.

Peach I know I have no right to preach this week, but would definitely exercise caution (pardon the pun ) about using exercise calories long term. They do tend to be vastly over-estimated in MFP/Fitbit etc. Glad you've had a few good days though - including the birthday celebrations - was it yours? Lots of us WI on different days, I use Wednesdays but based on Not's research I might be changing that .

Finished yesterday on 1410 - did have some biccies and 2 choccies at bedtime. But I've given myself a good talking to again, and I'm on course for 1220 today. Will do my best to resist choccies - when H opens them I'll just distract myself and maybe indulge in a 1/2 cup of milk if I have to. Scales were still the same today so that extra 1kg/2lbs must be true. Maybe I just had a blip down last week that I didn't know about . Anyway, I can't have 2 bad weeks in a row so I need to come in at around 1300 this week.

Also, forgot to tell you all but I finally have something to look forward to. H is going to the UK with work for 2 weeks in March (that's not it specifically haha) but I am going to travel over the weekend he's there for a mini-break. Yay! It's only 2 weeks from now so I hope I can shift this kg and maybe a bit more by then.
Anyway, embarrassing confession time (maybe) but I have wanted a Barbour jacket for years. So much so, that I have the money saved in an envelope for it for about 3 years, but I've never bought it because I was overweight. So I might finally buy it when I'm there . Is it sad to be this excited about buying a jacket .

Go you with the Barbour jacket daw. It's totally not sad to be excited, you have totally waited until the right time. I bet if you buy the jacket it will be a great incentive to maintain too. Enjoy the trip.

Half term here too Not. Hope it's going well.

ooh dawg I think a nice Barbour jacket with lovely slim jeans is tres classy, sounds like a lovely ambition and a lovely treat to celebrate your losses. From my last job we were taught to celebrate success & I fully agree with that.
Only 2 day midterm (TG!) need and we've done a trip to IKEA for meatballs (and may have brought home more marabou chocs than necessary) Might do a country jaunt in the next day or so, newbridge sale maybe (dawg & sugar I think you'll get this?)

Glad to hear you enjoyed a good porridge today Need, can't beat a good chocolate hit with it! The darker the better really, though I once made the mistake of trying to eat some 100% stuff as is- that was NOT pleasant.

Daw I never used to eat breakfast at all, but it's my favourite meal now. I don't think it matters much when you eat your calories overall, but I do think having a nice breakfast makes it easier to drag my arse out of bed

I'm only at 1100 as not had my supper yet- been so busy all day, didn't do my workout till late and only just had a bath. Might finish up with a bagel with peanut butter and a cuppa.

Had a really nice tea tonight- chicken breast with a maple and mustard glaze, sweet potato and butternut squash mash, and some steamed broccoli. Really really nice, came in at 415 cals and that included butter in the mash, which is basically the law.

Motto for the day (more of a tip for the weekend temptations)

If you feel a binge coming on, count to 100, taking a sip of water between each number.

Can't I can see me and you getting on very well recipe-wise, as your tea sounds lovely. I love my cooking. DS made the mistake of trying some of the chocolate too....!