Half a stone off (or 3kg) in May

[VivaFrida]

A fresh slate for May!

Carrying over from the April thread but new joiners are welcome.

Please join this thread - all plans are included (calorie counters, weight watchers, citizens of slimming world, intermittent fasters, no-carbers, eating-only-blue-food eaters).

We are here to support each other and aim to lose 7 pounds, or 3 kgs.

Official start: tomorrow, May 1st.

My starting weight for May is 60.0 kgs and getting to 57-ish kg or just under by the end of the month would be great.

Who is in?

Hi all! Hoping I can join in here, very late... starting weight 83.4 kg, a couple of months later I'm down to 78.3kg. Been doing MFP and 30 day shred, have lost most of that weight in the last month since doing the shred. Goal weight is 72kg, which I've been before and was content with that. So I'm approaching half way! Let's see if I can reach my goal in time for summer holidays.

I have a question about exercise, especially for any runners here.

When I started losing weight, my FitBit estimated my fitness level to be pretty abysmal. So, I’ve been going for 30-45 min walks every day since then, sometimes two walks a day. FitBit now thinks my fitness level is excellent!

I kind of feel like I should be doing more though, so I’ve been thinking of running. But I’m really not sure that’s a good idea as I’m still a bit overweight and the terrain around here would mean that there’d be a lot of running downhill (and we’re talking steep descents here, not gentle hills! )

Are there any other chubby runners here? And how do you find the strain on your joints? Am I better off waiting until I’ve lost another stone?

Or does anyone have any other suggestions for exercise?

Sorry that’s a lot of questions 🙈 All suggestions welcome!

Oh and I don’t have access to a gym, but do have a cross trainer that I never use. Would that be a good intermediate solution, or is that totally different to running?

Ugh, I really sound like I know absolutely nothing about exercise 😂

@crazzzycat I’m a chubby runner! I live somewhere very flat though so I don’t struggle with that. It is hard on my joints though, particularly my ankles. I can run now which is great but I am spectacularly slow and anything slightly uphill or downhill destroys me. I think a cross trainer is a good inbetween actually, you’d probably get the same level of cardio but the impact would be significantly lower. If you’ve got it there, I’d say use it!

I’m having a very stressful afternoon and trying not to think about taking a trip to the work cafe to buy a scone. I hit 81.7kg today which I am trying to keep in mind, I’m so close to hitting 80kg for this month. Today’s food is:
B: Berry muesli and yoghurt
L: a TINY chicken breast with salad (misjudged the size of the breast before cooking)
D: Salmon, sweet potato and salad.
Snacks: Banana, maltesers, hot chocolate and a latte earlier.
Brings me to around 1300 which is fine for today!

Hope everyone is having a good day, keep it up, we got this!

Oh, forgot to add what I’m eating today... I’m sticking to 1450 calories, which is sustainable for me. Also doing 16:8 fasting as it fits with my schedule.

L: avocado and cucumber sushi, red peppers and cucumber with houmous
Snack: strawberry jelly, crackers
D: Chickpea and maftoul salad with peppers, spring onions, tomatoes, radishes, cucumber and baked feta.
Snack: Dime bar

Hello all!

Been a bit busy the last couple of days so no time to update!

I'm keeping on target, Tuesday was 1,666 cals and Wednesday was 1,686. Not too bad. MFP tells me I need to eat 1,850 in order to loose 0.8kg a week and I'm mostly well under that so fingers crossed I can keep this up.

I'm in the process of cutting right back on processed food, I was having a meat free 'burger' everyday and it's just empty calories really so I'm swapping that out for chicken. I really want to eat things that I know what they are and where they came from.

My day to day diet is still a work in process but it's getting better as I find I'm not as obsessed with junk food and takeaways, I still want them but I can resist them now. I think about the money I'm saving and how much better I feel and I don't want to spoil that. I can feel my attitude towards food changing and I like it.

Well done Funky that's a cracking loss!

It's Eurovision tonight so I need to make sure I've got all my jobs done before that starts! I aim to be sitting down for my tea when it starts. My cals are looking like they'll clock in at 1,474 today as I'm skipping the veggie burger and bread and having a chicken breast instead.

Just checking in and seeing what methods you're all using for weightloss at the moment?
I'm trying to find more natural methods that address nutrition but also overall health. I've found Stella Ralfini's website to be helpful. She talks a lot about beauty and wellness as well as health and weight loss so I'm actually feeling good and positive about my body at the moment which makes a nice change!

@helencurrier I’m just calorie counting, I like to focus on numbers and found calorie counting worked well for me a couple of years ago. I use my Fitbit to count calories out, I try to do proper exercise 3 times a week and then I walk everywhere so almost always get my steps. I aim to burn 1000 more calories than I consume each day, to ensure a 2lb loss a week.

It means I’ve got more control over what I choose to “spend” calories on. I tend to eat a lot of salad and low carb stuff, so I can save room each day for a sweet treat so I don’t feel as though I miss out.

I do think it’s down to trial and error, you will find what works for you!

@DeadButDelicious I flipping love Eurovision! Recording tonight's semi final though as we are out at the rugby tonight. I'm pretty sure France will win this year but I also love Malta's entry. Iceland could shock everyone and do very well too.

@FunkyBarnYardBroom job is going well thanks :) my brain hurts a little from taking in all the new systems and processes though! Still haven't used my free gym membership!

Forgotten who asked now but I'm following ww online and tracking all my food on the app. I've also switched to a vegetarian diet (vegan 3-4 days a week) but focusing on vegetables and plant based protein rather than meat substitutes, I've noticed much better losses since cutting out meat.

Thanks for that LookingForPizza. That’s really helpful!

Right I will make a start on the cross trainer and take it from there. I’m actually quite excited about this

I hope you managed to resist that scone!

@helencurrier I’m calorie counting and roughly following 16:8.

But most importantly I’m trying to use the majority of the calories I eat on good, nutritious food.

I honestly believe that, for me, that’s the reason why I’ve managed to stick to this for almost 5 months now.

It’s made such a difference to my energy levels, IBS symptoms and my mental health etc. And, for me, that’s a lot more motivating than seeing the numbers on the scales go down not that I would object to losing another stone or so

I have gone into a funk and I need to shake myself out of it. I'm having a day where I'm pitying myself for having to diet I should be happy I've lost weight since I started 3 weeks ago!

To answer your question, HelenCurrier, I am also calorie counting for the same reasons. I get satisfaction from keeping below my target and I like saving the bulk of my calories for the evening - it gives me something to look forward to and reduces the risk of going over. I've decided against excluding any food types as when I've reached my goal weight I basically want to carry on eating the same but freer with quantities or treats. I don't think I could sustain long term exclusions as a lifestyle choice, so I'd be more likely to fall off the wagon, if that makes sense.

Off the back of the exercise discussion, anyone recommend a fun YouTube workout for a committed sports-dodger, who is abysmally unfit? I do Pilates once a week but have a dodgy back and knees so can't do anything like running easily. Would like to go back to swimming but hard to find time around looking after DC, so thinking a work out at home a few times a week would be great.

Hello! Welcome all to (the afternoon of)

DAY 16

Late check in for me as I am working only 1/2 day today and tomorrow and took this opportunity to do some more activities! Went running early in the am (8.5km, 5 something miles - delighted as I have been running up the steep hill near my house today - ha!!), then did my 1/2 day work (after getting washed, changed and breakfasted of course) and when I finished I walked to the pool and went swimming, then back home for a late lunch! I feel a million dollar, exercise is so good for my moods, sleep, etc.

Anyway, yes.. I weighed myself today and I am 59.7kg... was yesterday's 60.3kg some form of bloatage bloatesse?

Hmmm... m-m-m-maybe, but fact is that, even at 59.7kg this weight loss is going nowhere (down 0.3kg since the beginning of the month)... so, as per yesterday (as you know), started counting calories and using myfitnesspal instead of an old ww propoints app. (and thank you for your kind words and encouragement Startoftheyear2019)

Wellthatwastricky kindly asked me how I am finding it! Well... I like it!

Calories counting is a bit of a faff but I am enjoying the more 'exact' quality of it compared to points that sometimes have the air of voodoo about them (mango is full of sugar and it's "free" whereas peas have points - ???) - It is good also because it has clarified one thing once and for all: I have been wondering if perhaps I was eating too much fruits veg and now that I am measuring them I can tell that ... nope, it's not them! Turns out that I do not eat that many cals in fruits and veg. About 300-350kcals/day and, frankly, I am not going to cut on those.

I am also enjoying that I can connect my fitness pal with my Garmin Vivofit and it syncs calories used exercising, etc.

Right, 'nuff said about me!!

funky congrats also from me for the awesome weight loss.

crazykat another vote for the x-trainer - I use it for the days when I am not running and it's a very similar movement. With appropriate resistance you can work a good sweat on it.

Lookingforpizza - good loss!! You are fully on track for the 7 pounds loss!!

Welcome Hotpinkparade and HelenCurrier!

And friendly hello to 'old chums' shoelace88, cricketmum84, ImpossibleNovelty, murmuration, DeadButDelicious & to all who post/read the thread!

Can we do this? YAAAAAS we can!!

Helencurrier, I calorie count. I have an allowance every day and I try to stay within that. I eat a lot of vegetables and get my protein from chicken, I'm also making a real effort to get my carbs from 'good' places like veg etc rather than from cake and crisps. The only thing I absolutely do not have is fizzy drinks. I'd much rather eat my calories than drink them , I'm not a big fan of sugar free coke and I don't like tea or coffee so pretty much all I drink is water. Everything else is fair game as long as it's in moderation.

I flipping love Eurovision! Recording tonight's semi final though as we are out at the rugby tonight. I'm pretty sure France will win this year but I also love Malta's entry. Iceland could shock everyone and do very well too.

@cricketmum84 Eurovision is my favourite! I've nailed my colours to the mast early this year, I really want Iceland to win. They are right up my street! I think Australia will do very well this year.

Hello everyone. This week has been crazy, so I didn’t have time to update you. This morning I was wouaah! -2,2 pounds 🥳 . So happy. This diet works quite well on me. I read a lot of things about being tired, in a bad mood, but I feel nothing of this. Hunger during the day reduces , even if I still appreciate my mid afternoon snack. The products are good, even if I didnt like the banana shake. But only because it taste like the sweets. I hope everything is ok for all of you.

I’m starting to get to the point where my cravings for junk food are diminishing which is nice. Hoping I can keep this up for a few months until I reach ultimate goal weight.

I’ve also noticed that my mood is generally better and I don’t get that awful “too full” feeling I used to get. I do have a bit of a dicky tummy tonight so I’ve saved 200 cals as I’ve forgone my usual chocolate and hot chocolate treat tonight. However, this puts me at just over 1000 cals for today so I feel like that is a touch too low. Hoping I haven’t caught some sort of bug but just going to get an early night and see how I feel.

Weigh day tomorrow; early shift with work today so too tight a schedule to get out of the house to dig the scales out today!

Not sure whether feeling rough is due to being good with food again after the holiday, having picked up a cold from the plane, or being back doing earlies rather than lates!

Still not feeling very well today so going to take it easy. I’ve already made breakfast and lunch, and opting for an easy low cal tea to help. Today’s food:
B: Berry muesli and yoghurt
L: Chicken salad
D: M&S count on us chicken and mushroom pie
Snacks: Latte, chocolate and hot chocolate.

But even all that brings me to 900 cals and that really isn’t enough, so I’ll have to shove a snack in somewhere.

No idea why I feel so drained and sick today, I can only think that maybe the reduction in carbs and sugar has hit me but that seems unlikely as I haven’t gone completely carb or sugar free whatsoever

Hope everyone has a fab Friday! Keep up the good work

Sorry to hear you’re not feeling very well LookingForPizza and sazzle27. That must make sticking to the plan so much harder.

I ignored the fact that I’m totally not a morning person and started today on the cross-trainer. I’m planning to follow some kind of interval training, but no idea what speed or intensity I should be aiming for. It was definitely more challenging than my usual walks, so I guess I got it roughly right

I’m hoping to break through the 80kg barrier sometime this weekend...just like I did last weekend 😂 I’ve now lost all of the weight I “gained” earlier this week, but am stuck on 80.1kg. So close...

Just a quick check in to say I now weigh 16st 6.5 lbs, which means I've lost 7.5lbs in May already and met my goal!

So my new goal for May will be: 16st 3lbs
Goal for Summer holiday: 15st 3lbs
Xmas Goal: 14st

Hello, omg it's already

day 17

And I weighed at 59.2kg this morning - it's like last week again trying to break the 59kg barrier... and then I put 1kg on!! Just like you Crazzzycat!

My first 'big goal' was to be under 59kg at my work do next Tuesday. And I am so close!! 0.2 kg close.

DeadButDelicious cricket and all other Eurovision fans! I am rooting for Iceland and DH for Australia!

Congrats for your loss Ladyyoyo and snooksmcgee :) and healing vibes to sazzle and LookingForPizza!

I did x-trainer and indoor bike this morning, then breakfast, 1.2 day of work, lunch and now chillaxing a bit with mumsnet before going out for a walk. it was only 1/2 day of work this morning but was brutal!! Lots of problem solving and had to finish my presentation for the work do next Tuesday. And I had to finish a written piece too.

So now I want tea and cake - gosh, 'head hunger' the one that comes from stress is the worst. But I will be kind to myself and have a cup of tea and some fresh air instead. Cake is not really needed!!

KOKO friends!!

Good morning y'all!

I'm on a little bit of a time crunch, but I read everyone's comments! Each and every one of y'all are so strong and inspiring. Keep up the hard work, it will be rewarded! I promise.

@Funky, 25lbs is so ducking awesome‼ Congratulations! 💐💪🤗

@crazy, you got this! I know absolutely nothing about running or x-training, but you'll get stronger the more you safely use those muscles. I was dealing with knee and back pain for what seemed like no reason. I've now noticed that since I've been working out, the pain has just kinda disappeared. I get sore from working out instead of because I'm not using the muscles. Does that make sense?

@lady, congratulations! 💐

@helen, I'm not counting calories. I'm just focusing on healthy choices and exercise. I'm only losing a lb a week, but I'm cool with that. Lol

@sazzle and @pizza, hope y'all feel better.

Sorry if I miss anyone, I must run to my daughter's school, I'm helping out for water day.

Breakfast: go lean cereal
Lunch: salad
Dinner:shrimp lettuce boats
Snack: TBD
Workout: fitness blender = done

Yesterday was my husband's birthday and I had a half of a burger and fries. Didn't go wild tho.

Have a fantastic day everyone!

Cheers guys..
Definitely erring on the side of 🤒 with a raging sore throat.. hopefully nothing further though!
Although I'm fairly certain the monthly (can i even call it that?) is on the horizon which will not help either 😂

It is tough to fight the cravings today.. I can think of so many things I want that are NOT good for me, whilst not being overly hungry... choccie bourbons, pizza, yumyums, cheese with a dash of pasta...

(Ignoring the fact I've already broken it by having a delicious m and s sandwich and pork pie... akewed all my MFP data and ruined dinner for tonight..)

Can I join even though I'm massively late to the party?!

I started my plan on 1st May. I had quite a lot of batch cooked stuff in the fridge to finish off so it was carb heavy for the first few days but I've done something more aligned to LCHF/fast 800 since then. I've had two meals out in that time, one of which included a dessert buffet that necessitated not one but TWO visits . I've been making an effort to get to the gym more often and have no excuses since I live in an apartment and the gym is literally downstairs. I am fasting anything from 18 hours to 24. I had a mega headache at the beginning of the week but have really upped my fluids and that has helped.

I weighed in at 60.3kg on May 1st (which meant my waist and tummy were way bigger than the waistband of most of my work clothes) and so far I'm down to 57.1kg. My goal is 5kg by Eid which is probably on June 4 as we are going away for four nights then. I seem to be on track. I'd like to lose a further 3kg too by the time the new school year starts.

It's really inspiring reading all of your stories. I know that I have comparatively little weight to lose but also that I am still over 3kg heavier than I was in July last year. On a small frame it really shows. I have been using MFP for years and can see a weight range of over 13kg on there since 2014, yikes!