2018 - Thread 2 of Help Me Mumsnet I have 4 stone to lose and 10k debt to pay off

[ChickenVindaloo2]

Hi everyone,

It's the day after the day after Boxing Day, Thursday 28 December 2017!

Just over a year ago, on Boxing Day 2016, I was 14 stone exactly (My highest weight ever was 14st 5, I'm 5 foot 2 ish). So I needed to lose 4 stone just to get to a healthy weight. After a false start, I lost 3 stone, getting down to a low of 11 stone exactly through stopping binge-eating. I also went to (private) CBT therapy and started going to the gym. I had popped back up to 11st3-4 in the run up to Christmas, mainly as a result of complacency and dropping the gym visits due to the dark evenings.Having eaten more than usual and some salty foods over Christmas itself, as of this morning, I'm 11st 5. I need to lose at least 2 stone really to be a healthy weight and perhaps 2.5-3 to achieve peak gorgeousness!

(I also had £10k worth of debt, mainly on credit cards. I re-mortgaged and I now have £5k on a 0% credit card for 2 years. I've worked out I need to pay it off at £200/month)

In terms of weight loss, the general rules are to err on the side of low carb, unprocessed food. I need to get in more salad/veg and restart the gym sessions. I also need to watch portion sizes and ditch the snacks, treats and extras.

Rowgtcfc has been an amazing help throughout and I hope she will join me on this shiny new thread! Would also be delighted to see new comrades of any size, shape or "diet" plans!

I've attached a pic of me at my heaviest plus one at the end of last year.

Thread 1: www.mumsnet.com/Talk/weight_loss_chat/2811974-Help-me-MN-I-have-4-stone-to-lose-and-10k-debt-to-pay-off?pg=1

Some of my best tips which I hope help!

• every day is every thing. it's what you do every day over the course of a year which makes a difference. In a year, what will you wish you did today?
• it's ok to just not eat crisps/chocolate/sweets/cakes/biscuits, easier, even, than trying to moderate
• eggs for breakfast
• salad and veg are your friends
• low sugar but good fats is anti-ageing too!
• You need less food than you think. You won't die from hunger.
• The secret is: there is no secret. Most slim folk have to prioritise it and work at it.
• Practice being slim. Act like you're slim.
• Do what suits you, find your own path. Eg don't assume breakfast is vital for you.

Kite - it's no failing on your part. Alcohol is addictive, it's a drug, its tendency is to make you want more and more, not less and less.
I found this book by Alan Carr really helpful:
www.amazon.co.uk/Allen-Carrs-Easy-Control-Alcohol-ebook/dp/B004AHKC3O/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=alan+carr+alcohol&tag=mumsnetforum-21&ie=UTF8&qid=1514817869&sr=8-1

A v similar message here (Jason Vale):
www.amazon.co.uk/Kick-Drink-Easily-Jason-Vale-ebook/dp/B004S0T5I6/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&keywords=jason+vale+alcohol&tag=mumsnetforum-21&ie=UTF8&qid=1514817898&sr=1-1

Quitting alcohol made a much bigger difference to my life than losing weight tbh.

Chicken scanned your 2017 thread-impressive results! I need to drop around 2 Stone & also tackle some debt. I think food & spending over-indulgence are related, so that by tackling the psychology underlying one can help with the other.
Being skint means that I cannot “entertain” myself by shopping without incurring debt; sort of like the entertainment I get from eating which results in weight gain.
I have just started on the “James Duncan” diet ( it is really like other, similar diets) after usual Christmas over-indulgence. Quite strict, but should kick start things. I was low-carbing before Christmas, but this wasn’t as effective as I would like.
So far, day 1, stomach grumbling, I will take a bath, have my salad, eggs &grapefruit at 8 pm, then herb tea later. I can do this.
The trick is to be grateful, which I am, for many good things in my life.

Hold -Just saw your post & something you said caught my eye. Can you perhaps, especially during a dry January, substitute something else as a “wind down” release? A cup of tea perhaps?
I think using booze as a way to release stress is risky (I know from experience.) Find other, special reasons to celebrate with a glass of vino.
Just a thought....

Thanks for the advice, I've just come to realise that my life has been ever so slowly slipping in the wrong direction over the last couple of years and now I barely recognise myself!
Chicken - I used the Alan Carr easy way book to stop smoking. It was good, kind of like self hypnosis iykwim. I have heard good reports about the Jason Vale book - will give it a look, Thanks!
Moan - went shopping earlier and stocked up on some nice decaf tea & coffee - I'm a bit of a coffee addict too! So the decaf should mean I can drink it in the evening.
Also bought a load of fresh fruit & veg. Just prepped a load for a slow cooker chicken casserole for tomorrow. It's my first day back at work since 22nd Dec so I wanted to make sure I get something healthy on the go and save me reaching for the takeaway menus!
Day 1 down and so far so good!

Hi Moanranger and welcome! Look forward to hearing about the James Duncan plan, not one I'm familiar with.

Everyone sounds like they're making a great start!

I was hoping to find a thread like this I'm where you started, OP - 14st exactly on Christmas Day, about 3st less than I weighed at the start of the summer. I'm taller than you at 5'5, and want to lose 3 or 4 stone more. I have a big build, so am relatively lean at 11st. I kicked off the summer with a private hypnotherapy session, and that seems to have done the trick. I'm also working out, eating 3 sensible meals a day, with LOADS of veg. I switched from wine to spirit and soda and increased dry days to 5 a week, from 2.

But it's all fallen apart over the holidays. I've gone to the gym every day it's been open, but have over eaten every single day. And drunk all the drinks.

Planning to get back on track when the schools go back - hope I haven't gained too much

Welcome DoAsYouWouldBeMumBy!

We are glad to have answered your wish!

Well done on the 3stone loss and here's to the next 3 (or 4!)

All the best for the first weigh in. Might be best to start being sensible asap - don't wait til next week!

Yes, good point! I've made a good start today, with a pot of porridge on the stove. I feel really seedy with too much sugar, it doesn't feel like a treat any more.

Re the diet, if you scroll down the Weight Loss Chat Topic, you will come across it. Similar to Sacsdale, v strict, one week only, lots of grapefruit, eggs, salad, lean meat & fruit. I actually rejoiced going on this, sick of rich Xmas food.
Right up to before Xmas, I was low carbing & have knocked my sugar cravings on the head, so makes this a lot easier. My plan is to do this regime every two to three weeks, & low carb in between. If I think I have only a week on it, much easier to bear, tho TBH, a lot of the meals aren’’t bad. Yesterday’s breakfast was broiled tomatoes on toast, which I quite liked(tho no olive oil or butter allowed). Today’s breakfast a bit grim: grapefruit and a boiled egg.
On spending front, I had a NSD yesterday, would like one today, but need to buy a tire and some fruit, so may do that today.

Welcome Do. Wow! You've also had an amazing year. Well done. Hope this year goes well .

Ha ha Moan - that does sound a bit grim. Very virtuous of you though! I had a cereal bar for breakfast, so tasty but with absolutely zero nutrition .

I'm 13 stone 6 today, so am sort of on track. If things go to plan, I'm having my baby in just over 6 weeks, so if I can not go over 14 stone by that point I'll be happy! I did about 9,500 steps yesterday which I'm happy with. I'm obviously not going to be called up to compete in the olympics any time soon, but I'm pleased I've managed to keep moving (something that can get incredibly painful right now!).

Lentil soup, a small yoghurt and a tangerine for lunch. I'm going to try my hardest to keep to a modest dinner tnt, then back to the gym in the morning. Cycled a few miles this morning, so feeling so much better 

Hi all

I'm a little sore after my step class yesterday but that's good!

I made a low-carb chocolate mousse last night and slightly burned the chocolate so it wasn't that nice but I ate it anyway and then regretted it! Not worth the calories. But I took an alli tablet (Fat magnet) so some of the fat went down the toilet early this morning anyway!

I've been to Lidl and stocked up on meat, fruit and veg. Got stuff in for juicing and for slow cooker. Was also at work for a couple of hours.

I've made a chart for recording what I eat every day. It also has a column in it to record what exercise I've done. I'm going to aim to have something in that box every day. So either gym, exercise class or just some exercise at home. Quite simple to have the chart and it focuses the mind on not going too long without getting active.

Hello again! It's been nice to read some of your stories and bear about you some more. My head probably like others is still in Christmas mode as we have been busy with friends and visitors. It's taking a while to get my head properly on track. I have done a couple of days now changing my food choices over, restocking the cupboards and trying new healthy meals, with a few little treats thrown in. I have also now just thrown some tempting foods out to help with this process. Yesterday I managed a 30 min run so I think I can say I'm getting back on track. It's nice to join you all thanks for having me.
Ps are you measuring/monitoring weekly weight change/measurements here, or just talking about food choices, exercise and money?

Hi Fire,

I log my weight most days on my fitbit graph and take body measurements with a tape measure on the 1st of each month. I don't post them all online, just from time to time.

Well done on throwing out the crap. I love throwing out old stuff and embracing the new, clean, tidy new year!

A 30 min run is amazing! I doubt I could run that long.

But feel free to do what suits you!

I also want to exercise daily. Did a 10 mile walk yesterday and a Pilate's class today. Hadn't thought of writing it down. Might record it in my nice new shiny diary.

Thanks Chicken. I will probably write down my measurements. That is something I have met done but I know I have changed physically when I haven't lost weight. I keep track of weight on MFP maybe I need to add some other measurements. Oh and running I don't run far. I have really slowed down but yes I can run longer than a minute. That's how I started. I did a couch to 5k in September so now I can do "some" running . Wow Wrong a ten mile walk is impressive!! And a step class Chicken, see I don't think I could to that, but I'm very impressed wirh your efforts too

I meant *havent not have met

Morning all!

Will post some measurements later.

Two days in and still being good, cut down food, back to biking ten miles a day for work. Going to try a little run later as I usually drop Dd at karate by bike but will run while we scoots. Could be interesting

Wow, sounds like everyone is doing well on the exercise front. Impressive stuff! I can't wait to get back into proper exercise. Pre-depression/fertility issues/pregnancy/recovery etc I would go to the gym at least 4 times a week and would regularly run 5-10k before work. I really miss that! I also weighed around 10stone (give or take a few pounds each way as my weight fluctuated) and I thought I was "so fat". Bonkers now!

Firefries - I'll probably just chat generally and add some stats if anything noteworthy happens. If you'd like to post stats every week (or whenever) I'm more than happy to read and support you!

Chicken - I think your chart is a good idea. Hope it helps keep you on track!

Excellent work, Wrong, a v long walk and then exercising the next day too! Impressive. Definitely keep a record of your exercise as you will be able to see yourself progressively able to do harder workouts.

Fire - Well done on Couch to 5k! I don't get on too well with running because I hate the feeling of my tits bouncing and the impact on my knees! I prefer stepping and the elliptical trainer.

Hey Row, another 10 miler! Yeah, I quite like the recline bike in the gym. If I put the setting up a bit, I can really feel my arse and thighs working!

Hey Coffee, you have indeed been through a lot but I reckon you're right that you will enjoy getting active again. Yeah, I remember thinking 10 stone was basically morbidly obese when I was in my early 20s and (just about) staying around 7-8-9 stone. On the other hand it is too much for someone of my height (5'2 ish) - funny how perceptions matter. I reckon one does have to pick an achievable and maintainable weight. yoyo dieting is a killer for the metabolism and also bad for giving you wrinkles when you balloon up and then shrink down!!

It was my first proper day back at work today and all was fine. Got up in time for breakfast at home (wholegrain porridge & cinnamon & almond milk) and took my lunch with me (ham & mustard, 2 babybels, raspberries). I did eat 2 celebrations that were in the box lurking in the kitchen! Then for dinner, had some beef and microwaved wholegrain rice, and apple and some of my chocolate mousse that I've been experimenting with making at home.

I am making an effort to get to bed at nights no more fucking about on the internet until midnight and then not being able to sleep because I get a 2nd wind!!

Morning

Jogged/walked yesterday and paying for it today but boy did I feel smug while i was doing it,

Cooked sausage and mash for tea for me and the ninja (wee a chicken nugget family usually)

Can't find the tape measure but will look later.

Would love to try couch to 5k with the ninja kid. Is it doable? Do I really need three days a week? Aiming for a parkrun this year dodgy knee permitting.

Hi Row, yes you could do it easily. I think three times a week is reasonable. It's very easily started and builds up quite slowly imo. Anyways as I tell people if I can do a couch to 5k anyone can. I truly mean that. And yes aim for a parkrun that's a great idea.
Great work Chicken, it sounds sounds like you've organized yourself well to get back to work with your preparation. I have to do that next week. I think your earlier to bed routine is a good plan too, I don't do well during the day anymore if I don't get much sleep and I really don't like being up during the night and unable to sleep. I think Ill follow suit....thx for the reminder.

Typing this from the bike at the gym
Stopped midway through the chocolate and brandy I was having last night - admittedly after DH pointed out I was undoing my gym work. Was annoyed with him, went to bed and slept 11 hours So I think I was just really tired.

My first proper day back at work is on the 11th, so aiming to be back at 14st by that day, and for the scales go to say 13st something by the end of Jan. Small goals, achievable, and if I do better, then I'll feel amazing.

Argh have been on holiday (last night tonight) and put on 4 pounds need to get back to the gym!
chicken I go back to work on Monday and need to get sorted with food and also do some preparation over the weekend.
I have the goal of exercising 6 days per week in 2018, I’ve signed up for loads of exercises classes at the gym to try different things out as currently I just run. I have barre class tomorrow which I’m excited for.