Ist May - Big fat fresh start anyone?

[Gemi33]

So over the last few months I have been messing around trying to lose weight and getting nowhere - I am actually heavier than ever. As some of you may have seen from another thread I thought that trying something different might help so I went to my first slimming world class yesterday - unfortunately I was not impressed and I don't think it's for me. So I am using a brand new month to motivate me and spending today planning are more positive May and my meals this week. Anyone else out there also struggling but feeling positive about the new month?

xxx

Good luck panda, I'm sure it will be positive
gemi I'm a lifelong yo yo dieter and everyday is a battle with food but it's the taking it day by day approach that is working.

Another day another dollar or in this case 1lb to add to my collection of lost lbs, which as far as I'm concerned can stay lost 13st 11lb a total loss of 23lb so far. Another 5lb and I'll reach my 2st goal...onwards and downwards.

How's everybody doing?

WOW panda! That is awesome going! 👏 You are really flying now, so great to hear!!

You didn't let me down panda! excellent, im hoping for at least a 1lb loss by next week too, this 1lb a week is a great motivator, I'm not stressing myself about losing x amount each week just a steady 1lb, this attitude stops me from binging.

Hi girls! How are we all doing? I'm another 1lb down today which I'm really pleased about, as hols are fast approaching. Tried on my swimming costumes and beachwear today and although not perfect, I look presentable and I've found some costumes that contain my big bum without cutting in halfway up my bottom as soon as I move/breathe So, I'm happy with that.
Gemi are you still here? Join in!

Brilliant Star another 1lb well done. A total of 11lb iirc I bet you look fantastic in those costumes, enjoy your holiday.

Ellie agree with 1lb a week being a great motivator. It's easily achievable and anything extra is always a bonus.

Well done on all the losses everyone!

This week is a strange one for me (and not a great one to start a new diet!) - my mum is in hospital and my routine is a bit topsy turvy. I am at least trying to get a bit more organised and get back into planning ahead. One thing that I'm struggling with is the best plan to follow. I have always just counted calories in the past and at times have been very successful but I have started to wonder if I would be more successful if I followed more of a 'plan' and/or joined a class. It's so easy just to give up when it's just down to me but if I was being weighed in I think that might help. The problem is I have tried Slimming World and didn't like it, it didn't suit me. That leaves Weightwatchers - I don't really know much about the plan but I'm worried that working out points could be a bit faffy whereas at least most things have calories on them.

I'd love to hear what you guys are doing, what you've done before, what has worked and what hasn't!

xx

Hi gemi,
Sorry to hear about your mum, hope she makes a speedy recovery.

We are all using the app my fitness pal, I've tried slimming world a few times and just can't get on with it, weight watchers was brilliant years ago, I actually lost over 4st on the old points plan, but since they've changed it to smart points it's gone downhill.

My fitness pal is free and we do our weekly weigh in here for free

I must admit the last 2 days have been difficult, it's been hectic so I used that excuse to snack on crap, however I still count the calories each day, I've gone over my allowance but at least I'm aware.
I find sticking to the same or limited breakfast and lunch choices helps, cereal such as weetabix, porridge, special k for breakfast, lunch a sandwich or roll with various fillings, that way my evening meal is something to look forward to. I allow 200cals for evening snacks too, my worst time is once kids in bed, I want to snack or binge! By allowing a few hundred calories for this I can control it.
3 meals a day plus my 200 calorie evening "treats" seems to be working. I've had good days, bad days, bad weeks etc but still sticking with it and losing slowly.

Afternoon :) hope everyone is well.

Gemi sorry meant to answer your post sooner but work and the procrastinator in me won out. I've never tried WW so can't comment on that. I did try SW, years ago when they did red/green days, and didn't really get on with it, mainly because I'm not very good at being told what to do unless I'm being paid for it then that's different Seriously though I just didn't get on with all the rules they had.

MFP is good for me because there are no rules as such, I can eat what I want so long as I eat within my calorie allowance, for instance I had half a pepperoni pizza for my tea last night. It's also helping me to eat more healthily because I can see the number of calories in a portion of veg compared to half a pizza. For example my tea tonight which is sea bass with new potatoes and veg comes in at less calories than yesterday's pizza, even if I include a marinade for the fish and toss the potatoes in garlic and butter. This will either help me to eat less calories overall or include a treat if I so wish.

Morning all - how's everyone?
4 weeks until dd goes back to school not that im counting
Been a patchy week, one good day followed by one not so good day, had a pub lunch yesterday and didn't choose the healthier option
Still.... 1.5 off
I've discovered a ryvita spread with Nutella tastes a bit like a ferero rochce (not sure how to spell it), must try to stick to just eating one though!

1.5lb off, especially on a patchy week is very good Ellie well done you

Think I'll need to avoid the ryvita spread though. I love Ferrero Rocher (I checked spelling ), my mum gets me a box every christmas. I'm not sure I'd be able to restrict myself to just eating one. I used to do the counting down of holidays too when mine were school age

I'm feeling crap atm. I'm full of a cold, have been since last Tuesday, and it seems to have got worse the last couple of days since I stopped the cold/flu tabs I'd been shovelling down all week. I swear they don't stop the cold, only delay it until you stop using them. On the bright side I'm on annual leave this week so can suffer on the settee at home.

My good news is I weighed in this morning and I've lost another 4lbs so I'm now down to 13st 7lb, just 1lb more to go to hit the 2st loss .

Star is on holiday now isn't she? Hope she's having a good time.

Designer hope you're surviving the holidays. We'll look forward to seeing you again, ready to restart, at the end.

Gemi hope you're still back with us.

Panda! Well done that's a great big fat loss!
By Christmas you will be worrying what dress to ware rather than what will fit
I bet your really starting to notice in clothes now?
Ok day for me, bit bored with cooking at the moment so eating a lot more ready prepared stuff, I like m&s count on us meals, I must start some keep fit though as I've not done any since before my holiday.
Hope everyone is doing good? Wish the sun would come out more as I find it's a good motivator to sticking to eating healthy!

Hope you feel better soon panda!

Hello all! Still here, not managing to check in much as on holidays at the moment! Having a lovely time but trying hard to make good food choices where I can - I'm not being harsh on myself but I'm not going crazy either

Ellie - 1.5 off is brilliant! especially with Nutella in the house! Must try that ryvita trick. I love Ferrero rocher (or any of its friends) keep going, you've that 40th coming up which you will look amazing for!

Panda - sorry you're poorly I hope you feel better soon. Well done on the 1lb off, can't wait for your 2st announcement! Which won't be long I'm sure!

Gemi - how are you getting on? x

Hello :)

Hope everybody is well. My cold is improving now and I had the best sleep last night that I've had all week. Went to the doctors yesterday thinking I possibly had a chest infection because I woke up wheezing. Doctor said it wasn't, still just a viral infection, but she gave me a short course of steroids because it was affecting my asthma to the extent that I couldn't lie down and breathe properly at the same time which does present a few problems when you want to sleep Took the first dose yesterday morning and was able to lie down and breathe at the same time, even fell asleep for an hour on the settee which helped. Hopefully by the time I've finished the course the cold will be completely gone and things can get back to normal.

I've made the decision to have take out for my tea tonight. I've been craving some sort of southern fried chicken and chips for a couple of weeks now and have decided tonight I'm going to have them. It'll take me above my daily calorie allowance but my calorie intake for the week, starting Monday, is around 700 calories under my daily allowance due to not eating much the last few days. I've also got just under 900 calories left today so hopefully will still come in under for the week.

Ellie nothing wrong with a few ready meals especially if you choose wisely, they can help you stay on track when life is busy. I too need to start some exercise regime, it's been a while since I've done anything and I would like to tone up as well as lose weight. Maybe when I'm completely better and you're a little less busy we can spur each other on.

Star hope you're enjoying your holiday. Don't worry too much about the food choices just enjoy while you can.

Gemi hope everything is okay.

Hi all - been enjoying this lovely weather and walking loads with dog, it's paid off as 3.5 down this week in now FINALLY in the 11's!!!! Only just though 11.13.5 I'll take that though as just to see the 11's means I'm on track to get back into fitted waisted trousers!

Taking my eldest to the seaside this Friday for 2 nights with friends, I'm being super strict so I can have fish and chips Friday night and our and mash Saturday
How is everyone? It's difficult to post in the holidays but hope we can all continue to support each other.

3.5lbs!!!!!!!! Woohoooo well done you! That's brilliant 🌟🏆🏅🏅 The 11s are the 11s no matter what other numbers accompany it.

Hope you enjoy your weekend and your well deserved fish'n'chips. I'm generally around, my youngest being 23 means I'm not affected by the summer holidays I find it useful and helpful to keep posting here though even if it's only me posting because it helps keep me on track.

My own WI today 2lb loss. Total weigbt 13st 5lb, total weightloss 2st 1lb

Whoop whoop over 2st loss in 3 months - that's amazing

Go treat yourself not food treats

Back at work today. Hair and eyebrows both need doing so will book in for them someday next week I think.

Sounds perfect, I wish I had enough eyebrows to pluck- mine are blonde and I need to dye them

Signing in :)

M&S used to do a Maple bacon and mushroom pizza which was gorgeous. Now they've changed it to smokey bacon and mushroom, not quite as good but still nice. I worked out that I had enough calories to have 3/4s of one and still come under my calorie allowance so I decided to treat myself. I did enjoy it but not as much as I used to and I had a bit of stomach ache after. Last week I had chicken strips and fries takeout and again although I enjoyed it it was not as much as usual and I found myself stuffed once I'd ate it even though I'd never had problems finishing it in the past.

Not much point to this post other than me musing that my stomach must be shrinking and possibly my tastes changing, although I doubt I'll ever completely give up takeout, maybe just the number of times I have it and what I have. It's interesting to see how things change in a comparatively short amount of time. I'm also trying, and enjoying, new things that I haven't tried before, discovering new flavours. This healthy lifestyle has more advantages than just weightloss.

Hi panda, totally agree. I get cravings for the things I think I really love (cake)! Only now I can stop at having one large slice, where as before I'd scoff it until I felt uncomfortable. It's like now I'm learning to not over eat.
I still have greedy days, but nothing compared to 3 months ago!
beyond. star hope your both getting on ok?

Hi girls! Typed out a long post and lost it so this is #2! Huge congratulations on your losses this week, Ellie and Panda! you've both done so well! It's great, looking back & seeing how far we've come since May, losing weight and staying on track through the tough bits!

I'm back from hols now, 2.5lb on which is no surprise considering all the ice creams but like Ellie I'm hoping I can get that off quickly and more besides! Got to really buckle down, an event is coming up in the next fortnight which I want to look my best for, I have a dress ready which I'm happy with, but it would benefit from a few more pounds off!!

and Panda - did you get your eyebrows etc done? I love beautifying, I haven't got much time to spend on appearance but I always feel so much better after I've made the effort!

Afternoon

Nice to see you Star and glad you enjoyed your holiday. That 2.5lb will come off in no time. Maybe a few short workouts to tone up might help too? I'm sure you'll look fantastic in your dress.

I haven't done my hair/eyebrows yet, I'm a terrible procrastinator and haven't even made the appointments yet. I will do though, will probably have to be the week after next as I've got stuff on the two days off I've got next week. Completely off topic but will tie in with the treating myself I've finally found some bedding that I like. I've been looking for ages and couldn't see anything I liked enough to want to buy, not helped by the fact I wasn't even sure what I wanted iyswim. Yesterday I popped into B&M, on my way to work, and saw two sets of bedding that I really like I just need to decide which to buy now, maybe both. I worked loads of overtime in July so possibly both.

Anyway back on topic I did 30DS this morning. I first did it at the beginning of May and couldn't do it without stopping, did it a couple of times afterwards then decided to do c25k instead. This time wasn't quite as bad, probably helped by the fact I'm over 2st lighter this time. I have realised that I'll probably never complete it as a 30 day thing though. I'd get bored with it so will look on You Tube for other workouts in order to mix it up. The good thing is I've made a start with the exercise again.