AIBU to want a gentler health/weight discussion

[argumentativefeminist]

Want to interact with others and get support/motivation for getting healthier and active, and in the process losing weight. But I absolutely don't want to hear any "diet culture", calorie counting or unhealthy disordered eating promotion. Surely I can't be the only one? Sometimes it seems like every thread I click on is just full of upsetting, unhelpful comments that sound like they could have been lifted from a thinspo website.

Pilates was great and the instructor was very chilled so no over zealous assaulting going on

Seriously though, your poor friend Camel Luckily, my experience wasn’t too bad - it was only painful for a brief time, but I didn’t go again for ages after that. Think I prefer Pilates anyway - really enjoyed all the controlled core exercises.

Completely with you all on the bralessness - I had to whip mine off as soon as I got home, it’s so bloody hot!

Af sounds like you’re having a great time!

af that sounds gorgeous, enjoy!

pixie glad it was good; I always feel like my spine is an inch longer when I finish!

Hi all, I have returned!

Thank you Verbena87 and PixieN

I have an introductory appointment next week then after that will have one to one sessions. I also have been worried about my performance at work so had a talk with my boss yesterday, told him about my issues and he was really supportive and understanding and didn't have any concerns about my work. it feels like a massive relief and I feel so much more positive now

Ooh Verbena87 you have reminded me that I have a bread maker, might dust it off and make some soon.

legolammb

How did you CBT go? I had that for my anxiety and helped a lot.

Hello all, and welcome back Tommy, glad to have you back amongst us. Good to hear your boss is supportive and happy with your work, that must be a weight off your shoulders.

I'm pottering along through life without anything spectacular to report. Have taken on too much work (am self-employed so say yes to everything) but the eating is still going OK. I'm not snacking at all, and eating two meals a day of whatever I like. I'm sure at some point I'll have to look at making those meals healthier, but just to be free of the cravings and the constant snacking is really feeling good.

Exercise-wise, the weeding has done something dastardly to my ham strings so I make an involuntary noise whenever I sit down.

Hey again Tommy and everyone else! It sounds like you're getting on really well Tommy, I love the feeling of getting a bit weight off your shoulders. That's a really good step Agatha - I'm also feeling less cravings for fried food and snacks which is good! Think being on holiday is helping in a way because there isn't much in, we just buy breakfast and dinner stuff as we go along, so nothing to snack on!

Had a major stress this morning with some uni admin stuff not being sorted properly, lots of phone calls made in a forest with not much signal - but all sorted now. Big sigh and a hot tub session needed 😂

Hello, I'm joining in. I've been lurking on this thread for while...

Every time I've tried to lose weight in the past it's been through a really unhealthy way. I developed bulimia when I was a teenager and have struggled through a spectrum of eating problems and behaviors around food ever since. I ballooned this past year but now I'm a few months in to what I hope will finally be a permanent, healthy, sustainable lifestyle change.

I want to join this thread so that I can remind myself that it's OK to take things slowly and eat normally and not get back into self-destructive habits.

I've only lost one stone in four months but I've toned up a lot through yoga. I've been too scared to try cardio for some reason. I think it's all the jiggling :( but being on this thread might help me pluck up the courage to do it .

Go for it Liquorice, jiggling is where it's at! My hula hooping makes the earth wobble on its axis.

What changes did you make to lose your stone? This time I want to keep my emotions calm whilst I make changes to my diet, which is why I'm on this thread.

Hi Liquorice!! I'm glad we help remind you of that very important message that it's okay to do things at your own pace and have set backs now and again. I totally understand being afraid of cardio, but you really don't need to be! I've found I do need to wear something to cover my thighs to prevent chafing/what I can only describe as painful thigh slapping 😂😂 but other than that I'm enjoying cardio, and pay no attention to my jiggling! Nobody else seems to pay attention either 💕💕

Lovely to hear you sounding so positive Tommy Sounds like things are looking up.

Hi Liquorice seriously don’t worry about jiggling. My wobbly belly bounces around whenever I’m doing dance arerobics, but I just don’t care anymore. I think everyone’s worried about their own jiggling to bother about anyone else’s anyway

Sounds like you’re doing really well Agatha I’ve not been so great on the no snacking front today as I went for a family picnic. It was very lovely though and we did lots of waking.

Ah liquorice cardio needn't be high impact. Walking, cycling or swimming aren't too jiggle inducing!
I jiggle like two pigs dancing under a duvet but I don't care 😂 , neither does anyone else. Put your earplugs in and blast some music, it distracts you from your thoughts.

Thanks all. One day at a time seems to work for me and clearly is helping people on this thread ☺
Keep up the good work folks 😁

tommy so glad to hear from you - been thinking of you. Brilliant that you’re following through on your good intentions and getting proper help, and it’s also great to hear about supportive bosses as I think there aren’t enough of them about. Anyway, well done and as you say, one day at a time.

agatha bit of yoga stretching for your weeding-addled hams? Or I find Epsom salts in the bath good for aches.

licquorice spinning is low impact and everyone is too busy sweating and gasping to look further than their own handlebars, if you like cardio. And definitely embrace the wobble - we’re not meant to be rigid plastic barbie dolls.

Verbena my favourite Barbie doll was always the one with the jibbly/gummy stomach - even though it was totally flat and in unrealistic proportions still, she was my fav. Possibly because she fitted the posh blonde girl look that I've now found is sort of my type 😂

Af I think I missed out. I never had a barbie doll with a jibbly/gummy stomach. I do remember one of my barbie’s heads falling off and getting cross with my granddad when he glued its head on the wrong way round. Even at a very young age, I knew the boobs weren’t supposed to be coming out of their back lol

No worries Koko! Hope you get a snazzy new haircut (?) though!

Hi lovelies! Just back from holidays - how are you all getting on? I'd be v. grateful for some healthy lunch inspiration to get me back in track this week!

HEY AF! Welcome home.
I am coming back to this now, I’ve had nearly two weeks without CrossFit or dieting and honestly I feel like shit for it.

I just feel so much less inclined to train when it’s baking hot, or when the kids are with me.

Anyway we are off to Lego land tomorrow (cannot wait)

For healthy lunches;

Chicken marinade breasts or strips from Waitrose (3 for a tenner)

With a spoonful of Waitrose lentils
And some sweet corn

Then a fruit salad medley and a yogurt pot mid afternoon

This will be a staple lunch for me

Plus smoothie for breakfast

A handful of nuts, or a protein bar or shake for mid morning snack

Then a decent dinner (jo Wickes)

And no late night snacking

Bring on September

Hi Af hope you’ve had a lovely holiday. I haven’t been brilliant food wise, but sticking to being mindful and not eating loads. Not losing any weight, but haven’t gained either.

When I’m focused, I have fruit, creamy Greek yoghurt with a bit of honey & grape nuts over the top for breakfast. For lunch, I have an omelette or salad with some protein & lots of veg. Usually with feta, salmon or prawn cocktail. For an evening meal, I tend to have what I fancy, but a smallish portion with lots of veg. It’s the snacking in the evenings I need to watch out for!

I’m still exercising - did a lovely long walk with DH yesterday and a dance aerobics class.

Have fun at Legoland Camel

The mindful attitude is the most important thing, I think, Pixie, the application of it can waver from time to time but at least you've changed your mindset for the better and have the motivation to enable yourself to be healthier. Dance aerobics is one of my favourite types of exercise - still hoping to join burlesque society at uni next year, though I have wobbles now and again because I'm not very conventionally pretty 😣

You've made me remember how much I love prawn cocktail! Camel - have an amazing day out, thank you for the food ideas 🌟

Urgh! I've come back from holiday and put back on most of the half stone I'd lost beforehand. I'd thought I was being reasonably healthy because we were in the Lake District and some days were going for 6 mile walks up and down hills. We were eating out quite a bit though and drinking more wine than usual. Now to get back to eating more sensibly. Kids go back to school next week so I can get to my exercise classes again.

Argumentativefeminist - I think you should just go for the burlesque classes. They sound great fun.

Apples - I think I will! It makes me feel good in my body and there's a lot of other diverse types of women doing the class too. I'm also starting to redo my wardrobe and make more of a personal style which is helping me feel good! Don't get down about your weight gain - holidays are for treats and having fun! Hopefully you'll get back into a routine in the next few weeks, let us know how you get on!

What are everyone's favourite types of exercise? I'm looking to diversify what I do each week.

I like doing fitsteps - it is a bit like Strictly Come Dancing but without the heels.