The 2019 Bunch (Thread 3): Lightly Springing into Summer!

[TheHoundsofLove]

As our old thread was almost full, here's a shiny new thread.
If there are any lurkers about, please do come and join us - we are a friendly, relaxed bunch. Although, hopefully not too relaxed as we need to see results
Summer is just around the corner, so let's do this...!

I keep meaning to post but have no real news. I had a terrible week with food and put on 3lbs but I know that next week I'll go back to the diet and it'll come off.

Fiontar that's lovely to hear that you have something to look forward to in the short term. Let us know how the dress hunting is going.

hounds I restrict carbs a bit just because I don't think they fill me up but I agree it would be impossible to do it in the long term.

I think we've all got to the stage where we're happy with results, want more, but also can relax when we screw up and start again. for any lurkers or people who were on the thread that fell off the wagon. You can start again at any time.

You’re right Stealth though I need to watch because this is dangerous slippery slope territory for me. I’m happier than I was and have lost 2 stone but I have a long way still to go. It does feel good to have lost that 2 stone though!

Stealth That's what I'm going to do too - just restrict carbs for some meals.
When I feel the same. It could very easily become a slippery slope for me too.
I feel like I'm now back on track, though. I've counted my calories today and have planned meals for the week! Let's get back on with it!

hounds I don't see it as restricting because that would make me want them more but these days I rarely eat pasta or pizza as they're not filling, I avoid bread as I can eat a tonne of it before I'm full. Tonight I'll be having another salad as there are carbs in things like onions with cheese. and maybe an egg. I also like jacket potatoes but because they fill me up. My big weakness is things like crisps and biscuits because they have no nutritional value and don't fill you up. If I need a snack I try to have an apple or banana (have no idea if that's carby but it fills me up).

I have lost about 1/2 lb of the 3 I put on. So I feel like I'm back on it.

Back on it here too. Well, day 1 anyway 😂

I eat high carb, but low-fat/ unprocessed food. So a lot of porridge, rice, corn and potatoes.

If they aren't processed and don't have fat added in cooking, I don't find them as appealing to overeat

Well done Stealth and Fiontar - we're firmly back in the saddle now!
I do actually like low carb / high fat as a way of eating, but it's just too unforgiving! I definitely can't live without occasional pasta, pizza or really good chocolate. There are also 3 really lovely Italian gelato shops within walking distance of my house and I can't envisage them not featuring in my summer! So, calorie counting it is! And at least the 'if every day were like today you'd be a waif in 5 weeks time' thing on MFP spurs me on!

Day 2 again!

Hope you all get good results if you are weighing in...

I am back at 14s 6lb today
I have yo-yo'd these 2lbs for weeks now 🤐

I really thought it would be more today - I literally ate rubbish all of last week - so I am happy with the number, but I really want to see the elusive 13st!

In other news, I have been awake lots during the night due to DH snoring. So today I will be fuelled by irrational rage and tea, because I will not eat junk!

I hope you're staying strong -Fiontar !

I am Hounds - DH is suitably contrite too 😂

I am just finished work for the evening, so my food prep is a lifesaver! Giving the kitchen a quick wipe down while dinner warms through

Hello everyone, not been posting much at all. Looks like I've put on 3lbs in April... there's been a holiday, Easter chocolate, and I'm training for half marathon. I feel a bit deflated, especially as I'm coming down with a cod too.

I'll try and cut out all the biscuits and revoke my license to eat everything in sight just because I'm training. It's been a very long slog...

Sorry about the moan 😬

Cold, not cod!

Moan away Carrot ! 3lbs isn't too bad in the scheme of things - you'll soon be back on track. I don't always eat back my running calories, but I do if I feel I need to. I do my long run on a Sunday and it earns me about an extra 1250 calories, which are handy to have to play with! I agree that it's a hard balancing act though...
I've lost my Easter gain! So am back to 10st 11.5 - just need to lose 2lbs more to get to 1 and a half stones. It's a minor miracle as we had another bank holiday yesterday, so I had my husband and son cramping my style again! 😂

Hi Carrot - good to see you! I really admire you guys that run. I still haven't tried!

Work being insane is actually helping this week - I am either working or sleeping it seems.

Might have a sneaky W/I tomorrow before our Bank Holiday weekend starts... It is too soon after Easter!

Right I’m back. I’ve eaten a load of rubbish over the past week but the essay is now out of the way and work has calmed down a bit too. I weighed this morning and it’s not encouraging - time for a new day one tomorrow! Hello carrot and a huge well done on keeping going with training. I haven’t run in at least three weeks and so am bracing myself as I prepare to start again.

I hope that everyone has had a good week. I know that this is a bank holiday weekend for you all..but let's get this show back on the road! maybe it'll have to be from Tuesday? I think I'm going to be realistic and aim for 4lbs off this month. Then, I'm going to aim for half a stone in June!

Morning Hounds
We have no plans for the weekend, I have a bit of work to do, so apart from that we'll probably be lazing around the house. Looking forward to it- Easter was busy!

I think I will pop to shops early this morning, and get in food for the next few days... nicer than our normal weekday grub, but not as calorific as calling for pizzas later 🙈

Are you up to anything nice?

That sounds like a good plan Fiontar . You sound like you work really hard and deserve a bit of time lazing round! Unlike me, who is somewhat of a slacker.
It isn't a bank holiday for us on Monday - we had ours on Wednesday, which I still think is really weird! We also have weird bank holiday Thursdays and Saturdays too!
We're not doing much today, but are going out with some friends for dinner tomorrow - I think we'll try and cycle there and I'm planning my normal Sunday morning run, so will hopefully burn it off... I really feel like I need to get my act together and stop dithering!

Sounds like good plans Hounds and Fiontar. I’ve been to the gym for the first time in ages and am off to a wedding later today. Not much else happening over the weekend though.

Thanks for all the encouragement. I guess because the loss has been so slow, it just feels like I'm not moving anywhere.

However, after having some pizza and doughnuts at work on Friday, the scales finally shifted 2lbs down this morning! Maybe I should have them more often 😂

But in all honesty, I've been pretty good for most of the week, and we went to family BBQ today and I didn't overindulge there either,," so giving myself a nice pat on the back today.

Fiontar you’ll get to 13 soon. You’re close now well kind of 6lbs away

Hounds I hope you’ve made 1 1/2 stones. That would be an awesome achievement.

carrot that was a good result to go down 2lbs. But more importantly you have learnt how to go to a family meal and not go mad.

Incidentally I understand that 1 1/2 stone might not feel like much. It bloody is! I have been feeling fat which is just ridiculous. It's like I've got used to my weight and I'm still not happy. So I went clothes shopping on Thursday and bought a size 8 dress (vanity sizing) but held it next to a size 18 dress which is what I was years ago. The difference was vast. Even next to a size 12 dress which I was in November there was a difference. So next time you try clothes on compare your sizes - and if you feel aspirational look at the next size down. Honestly we'll get there.

whencan I hope your new ‘day 1’ went well.

I weighed myself this morning and have stayed the same since Tuesday. Think it is something like 136.7 so not my lowest but given I haven’t really tried I’m pleased. I’ve had a really busy and stressful time this week and ended up eating a massive Easter egg on Friday but it’s the last one so I won’t be tempted again.

The positive side is I am still going to the gym and enjoying it. Yesterday I attempted an abdominal weights machine and found it really hard so will add that to my routine. My abs are definitely my weak spot now but I don’t want to get a bad back or injury so will go slowly.

Stealth I have not made 1 and a half stones! But, I am determined to do it this month. You are right, though - we should be prouder of what we have achieved. You've done really well to get down from a a size 18 - how much more do you want to lose?
I've spent some time this weekend really thinking about how I'm going to get to goal. It's hard finding a balance between being strict enough to see results and still being able to partake in normal family life isn't it? With that in mind, I'm going to give the 5:2 another go. I have tried it before and found it hard to fit in with exercise and easy for it all to go to pot at the weekend. But, I'm really interested in the health benefits and it's a WOE that so easily runs into maintenance. I think it's worth another go for me, mostly because my general eating habits have really changed over the past few months and I always now run on an empty stomach anyway. There's no way that I can see myself counting calories for the rest of my life, so I would like to find something that fits more naturally with maintenance. It's proving to be such a slog - there's no bloody way that I'm putting this weight back on!
How about everyone else? How are you all planning to get to goal and then stay there?

houndsoflove I'm not sure how much I want to lose any more.

I am in a weird place physically between 140lbs and 134lbs where I swear that entire 6lbs goes on my stomach and I hate it at the upper end. I always thought I would 'stop' at 125lbs because that's where I was in 2012 but maybe that's unobtainable. I think I should take each week as it comes and see if the abs machine works at the gym.

That sounds like a good idea Stealth . Abs are notoriously difficult to tone aren't they? Mostly, I think, because most women have to be so lean to really see results. I listen to a few fitness podcasts and they all seem to agree with the old saying that 'abs are built in the kitchen and not the gym'. Not sure if that's good or bad news, really.... I definitely think that core exercises are helpful - planking/v-sits/leg raises etc.

Well, my first fast day is nearly complete - I've found it pretty easy, really. Although, I'm definitely looking forward to my breakfast tomorrow! I hope that everyone's had a good bank holiday.

Well done Hounds

I had the opposite of a fast day! I didn't stop eating. It's back to soup and salads for the rest of the week.

I don't know if my abs will ever be visible under my fat / loose skin. I don't remember being conscious of my mumtum when I was 125lbs. Anyway it's something to aim for even if I don't quite ever reach it.