1.5st off by September. Who is with me?

[Mondkind]

So the time has come when facing the scales means that I have given in to no longer fitting into my clothes, work or otherwise.

I'm about 2st over my ideal weight and, being a little height challenged, it shows. I now have the choice between losing weight or buying a whole new wardrobe full of clothes and I really cannot afford the latter.

My principle relies on eating less and moving more. I don't want to calorie count (bad obsession in the past), but just be more mindful. And post food plans and food swaps here.

Today I have replaced 30% of the potato for mash with carrots. Not amazing, but I'm officially starting tomorrow anyway.

[MyShinyWhiteTeeth]

Hi Rory786

We need a new target or new thread I think as we are in September now - or is it to the end of September?

It's been good to track my weight loss online. I've been keeping a closer eye on day to day variations in my weight and then posting my weight every week.

It's been weird how the relationship between how much I've stuck to the diet and how much I weigh is a bit variable. It feels like although diet is the main factor, other things like how much I've drunk, how hot the weather is, how active I've been etc also play a big role. I think that's why weighing everyday is a bit pointless.

Doing waist and hip measurements seems good too. I've noticed more of an initial change in my hips but that was the first few weeks when I wasn't measuring them.

[Rory786]

Myshinywhiteteeth, that is amazing

Can I join, I’m fed up because at least 3 people have asked if I was pregnant!
I’m 5ft 5 and 11 stone 8 which is heavier than when I was expecting with my last child. I will be so happy to see the scales saying 10 stone something, even if it is only 1 point away from 11 stone.
I soaked 2 scoops of porridge last night so it cooks quickly for breakfast, I will not have lunch because I want to save my calories. We are taking the kids out for an early dinner so I’d rather enjoy that meal.
Good luck everyone.

[MyShinyWhiteTeeth]

Weight today 10 stone 11. I started at 11 stone 7 so overall lost 10 lbs.

I seem to have stabilised around this weight and my waist and hip measurements haven't changed.

I need to do more exercise and have less calories to lose more weight. It's helped having this thread and given me more motivation I think.

[CurbsideProphet]

I go on holiday next week and haven't lost as much as I wanted, but I feel more comfortable with where I am now and like I'm improving my eating habits

[CurbsideProphet]

I really like the muller chocolate fix yogurts. They aren't too bad calorie wise etc and are quite rich

[MyShinyWhiteTeeth]

I think allowing myself just a few treats every day may help but I have no problems scoffing mountains of dark chocolate!

[CurbsideProphet]

Ah don't be hard on yourself. We're only human! I started my "weight loss journey" last year and I still have those days. I found that if I didn't have any chocolate or treats I would then crack after a week and eat tons of rubbish! I've trained myself to eat dark chocolate, as it's so rich I can't eat too much of it. Could that be an option for you?

[MyShinyWhiteTeeth]

I might try that. CurbsideProphet I feel so gutted to have been so resistant and tried so hard yet gained a lb. I've had a binge again tonight but tomorrow is anew day.

[CurbsideProphet]

MyShinyWhiteTeeth that's why I'm going on waist and hip measuring. Weight fluctuates depending on time of day / time of the month. I used the expensive scales at my gym and the kgs didn't even match up with the stones/lbs!

[MyShinyWhiteTeeth]

11 stone - I've put on 1 lbs.

I'm really hacked off. I'd put on 2 lbs the last time as well but had been binging a bit then. I've really pushed myself the last few days but put on 1 lb.

Since Thursday I've been eating small amounts and no snacking. Plenty of exercise. Could it be muscle?

[CurbsideProphet]

I think I've lost 0.5 inches from my waist which is positive. I go on hols in 3 weeks, so I'm not expecting miracles before then but I'm still logging everything on My Fitness Pal and that has inspired me to be more active. I'm also using Headspace and find that the less stressed and more positive I feel in myself the less likely I am to eat rubbish / not exercise. Small victories!

[Booie09]

Anybody thinking about doing the keto diet should give this a read.
www.express.co.uk/life-style/health/1001446/diabetes-type-2-diet-keto-plan-weight-loss

[Mondkind]

Thank you, CurbsideProphet. How is everyone else getting on?

So I've weighed myself this morning and am on 10st 9lbs Started my exercise regime again and did 20min cardio this morning. Aiming for just under 10st by the end of the holiday now and for the 2st to come off by Christmas instead.

I have, however, given in and will buy a new set of work clothes in my current size. There is just no way I can fit into decent ones by the end of the holiday.

Must resist my husband, who seems hell-bent on manipulating my every step in the dieting process by constantly wanting fast food and to go out for drinks. Any ideas on the drink side? What is pretty safe and low cal?

[CurbsideProphet]

Well done on kicking the energy drink habit Mondkind!

[Mondkind]

Hello all, I'm back from our big holiday.

Some good news on the diet front: I have finally kicked the energy drink habit. Went down to 1 a day over the holiday and now none at all. It was hard-going at first, but it should make a difference long-term as each can is just over 110kcal and at previously 3 a day that's almost a meal.

On the other hand there was food - a lot of it.

[MyShinyWhiteTeeth]

I'm 10 stone 13. I've put on 2 lbs so a bit disappointed.

I've kept up with the exercise but can't make myself believe the weight gain is muscle. This last week I've eaten less healthily and binged on biscuits, chocolate and crisps.

I've got 13lbs to lose.

[Aaronburrsumbrellawasstolen]

Count me in

[CurbsideProphet]

I cracked and bought a packet of Maryland cookies

[CurbsideProphet]

I follow Emily Skye, The Betty Rocker, and Jillian Michaels in Facebook. Even though they all have programmes you have to pay to access they all regularly put free videos up. Emily Skye and The Betty Rocker are especially good for creating vidoes that don't require any equipment.

I've got really bad period pain and just want to lie on the sofa with chocolate. I'm working at home and struggling to concentrate. Starving hungry even though I only had breakfast at 8.30am!

[CryHavoc]

Thanks.
No need for snacks with my massive meals. But all that changes today. Smaller portions, and the dog will be walked so far he won't know what's hit him.

Body combat sounds fun. I've signed up for a kickboxing class, but that doesn't start until September. I need something I can do at home until school starts again - I think I'll search for workouts on YouTube.

[CurbsideProphet]

Hi @CryHavoc I envy your lack of snacking
@MyShinyWhiteTeeth that's a really good tip!

I made it ro Body Combat today! Very pleased with myself! I find that the more often I go the more motivation I have to keep going. As soon as I'm out of the habit I really struggle to force myself to go. You would think paying monthly would be motivation enough

[CryHavoc]

Plan is more exercise, smaller portions, less wine. I already eat pretty well, and don't really snack, but my portions are huge and I am a bit of a wine bag.

[CryHavoc]

Can I join in this thread, please? Just back from having my blood pressure taken to get a repeat pill prescription and the nurse told me that I need to lose weight in order to stay on the pill.
Mortified.
I knew that some weight had crept on, but kept assuring myself that I could just sort it out next week/when the weather cools down/when BBQ season ended...
So I am 12 st 6lbs, and need to be a good half stone lighter by September (and then another two stone lighter eventually, but we'll cross that bridge when we come to it).

[MyShinyWhiteTeeth]

Last Tuesday I was 11st 2 lb and today I'm 10 st 11 lb so that's another 5lbs I've lost. It's been a lot harder this week and I've done too much walking.

It's difficult planning around what everyone else is eating and putting up with everyone's comments. I'm really pushing myself and I'm struggling with insensitive comments. Dieting is hard.

Another family member is also dieting yet I feel like it's a competition between us that I'm winning. It is not supportive at all.

Mondkind I found buying smaller plates made a huge difference with better portion control. My old dinner plates were ridiculous.

[Mondkind]

Down to 1 energy drink per day as of today. I'm dreading it; I didn't know just how addicted I was to the instant caffeine/ sugar hit until I tried going cold turkey at the start of the holidays and couldn't move off the sofa for being so tired.

Curbside, I'm definitely going for the lifestyle change, too. I've done the whole restrictive diet and then putting it all back on far too many times in my 20s to think it's worth it in the long term.

Portion sizes are getting better. I've managed not to have seconds at dinner time every day for the last week, which is a huge achievement for me. I'm sticking to smaller portions in general, too.

The next few weeks will involve quite a bit of eating out; that will be a big challenge as I naturally tend to go for the higher calorie options like skinny fries over chunky chips, ribs over lean steak, fried over grilled. This is where I need to make big changes as, realistically, we eat out quite a bit anyway.

Time to take up exercise again as well. Since I've stopped I have noticed my mood swings coming back and my skin being a disaster again. That should replace some of the energy I'll have lost from my daily caffeine hit, too.