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Weight loss chat

A space to talk openly about weight loss journeys and challenges. Mumsnet hasn't checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. You may wish to speak to a medical professional before starting any diet.

Lose 7lbs in August

999 replies

BustedDreams · 27/07/2019 12:07

Following on from the July thread for those who wish to carry on and for new joiners alike.

Ive been inspired by the ladies who posted on the July thread. There have been some awesome losses.

Not quite the end of the month and I’ve achieved my July goal of getting below the elusive 140lbs. As of this morning I was 139.6lbs, bmi 27.3. Down from 145.9lbs, bmi 28.5.

I’m doing a lower carb Mediterranean diet. Plenty of veg, some berries, salad, olive oil, butter, cream, fish, chicken and some red meat. Occasionally I will have whole grain rice and gluten free pasta (good for my micro biome). I rarely drink alcohol. Chocolate can be my downfall Grin. I naturally only want to eat twice a day. I’ve read that intermittent fasting can be beneficial in the battle of the bulge as well as keeping blood sugars in check.

How do you intend to lose?

Any tips you’d like to share?

My tips are drink plenty of water and be mindful of portion sizes.

Lose 7lbs in August
OP posts:
Thread gallery
43
doadeer · 08/08/2019 09:33

Owww that sounds painful! I'm still breastfeeding... Wonder if it will get better if I stop... But I really want to get to a year at least

Lovethetimeyouhave · 08/08/2019 09:50

I've done it! I'm 8lbs down, from 11st 12 and overweight to 11st 4 and average.

I've really watched portion sizes, small and enough to fill full then stop. I eat eggs and toast in the morning and that lasts me.

Yesterday I've started bouncing on the trampoline!

My goal is 9st 5 but, I'm breaking it down, I really wanted to see 11st 4 and I have, next goal is 10st 2!

MrsD0147 · 08/08/2019 10:16

Woke up today after binging on biscuits yesterday and feeling generally deflated all day, feeling much brighter today and werent hungry (which i am quite often not) so for once just thought well i don't need breakfast if im not hungry and just put a yoghurt in my bag just in case i am starving before lunch but this is a huge non scale victory for me as normally i would just eat the calories because it is breakfast time so i should Smile

MarvelMum3 · 08/08/2019 10:29

Warning: long post ahead, I think I managed to reply to everyone! Grin

@WeKnowFrogsGoShaLaLaLaLa I think it’s almost imperative you have seaside ice cream! And besides, if you deny yourself everything, you’ll never stick to it! Also pizza omelette sounds amazing!

@SunshineCake If three meals a day isn’t working for you, can you change it up? Plan in your snacks so you don’t pick up something you’re not supposed to eat? Or plan four meals? But yes, nuts are a dangerous snack unless measured out - I have done the same before!! Also congratulations on 1.5lbs, that’s fantastic! You should be super proud! And I bet you’re not the biggest here! And even if you are, at least you’re making steps in the right direction - unlike most people!

@doadeer I’m sorry that the picture upset you. However, you’re almost definitely not as big as you think you look in that photo! But I completely appreciate how hard it is to accept your new body after baby, it is something I’m struggling with too at the moment! I’ve always an hourglass figure regardless of my size but since having my LO I’ve noticed that I’m a lot wider in the waist than I used to be! Also you need to be kinder on yourself - suffering from PGP is awful and you’re doing amazing by walking and doing yoga! Can you get any treatment for it/do they know when it’s going to get better? And it frustrating not being able to do high intensity, I can’t wait for my 6 week check up to be cleared to do something a bit more vigorous than walking!

@crummyusername 1lb down is definitely encouraging! And please report back on Huel, I’ve been thinking about it too because having a baby sometimes means getting actual food down me is hard! But I totally understand what you mean about salads at work - I used to be the same and get hangry as the afternoon went on Blush

@chutneypig Good information about Huel - getting tempted to try it! And I totally understand where you are coming from with just finishing what is put down in front of you! My household growing up had a really strong emphasis on finishing your food, and it was only as I got older did I realise this meant that I was really prone to overeating and I didn’t actually realise when I was full. So now, I try to have a little pause halfway through my meal and just kind of double check that I’m still hungry, if that makes sense?

@FiveShelties New Zealand is a beautiful country - I really want to go there one day! And could you plan in a treat for Friday evening - so you indulge slightly but don’t feel like it’s all gone off track?

@galvantula Well done on hitting your target for three days - you rock! And pre-measured snacks in such a good tip, especially if you’re drinking. I think we’ve all been in the situation of eating a whole bag of something without realizing! Bonus points: hiding the rest of the bag somewhere you can’t reach. Currently, if I want chocolate I have to ask my OH to get it from the cupboard!

@Boscoismyspiritanimal A 6 mile run is fantastic!

@Cary2012 Congratulations on your loss - that’s fantastic. And you are 100% right about not being hard on ourselves, everyone is being awesome. We don’t have to be perfect, we just have to keep working at it! Flowers also thank you for the overnight all bran recipe, I have some in the fridge for lunch and I’m super excited!

@MrsJonesAndMe Great result! Hopefully some good motivation for you to focus on changing habits, it seems to be going really well for you!

@cheesenpickles Well done on the loss - you’ll be seeing the 11’s before you know it! And I love I’m not the only one picky when they go out! I’ve done a lot of training in coffee so it’s gotten to the point where I criticize the espresso everywhere we go - currently the worst part of maternity leave is not being able to drink espresso I’ve brewed…. Ha ha!

Today seems to be a little bit of an impromptu fast! Eating junk food yesterday has left my feeling very bloated and blah this morning. But like I said last night, good motivation to make some healthier choices today! I have some overnight all bran with raisins and bananas in the fridge for when I do fancy food though! At the moment just focusing on getting lots of water down me! And the OH has a pizza for his dinner tonight so I’m going to avoid that! But it is probably going to be chicken, a few chips and some vegetables of some sort!

Got a really good night’s sleep last night. Baby is normally really hard to settle at night even on days where she doesn’t feel poorly but last night she settled down really quickly and settled in her crib, rather than needing to be rocked for hours to sleep. So success! Definitely helpful in making healthy choices - less tempted to prop up my energy levels with sugar and caffeine! And might mean we get a little bit of exercise in today - whether that means a walk or some gentle plates whilst baby naps later I’m not 100% sure!

Hope everyone has awesome days!!!

cheesenpickles · 08/08/2019 10:40

@doadeer it should ease and it's worth pushing through. Also, watch out for certain exercises as the hormones can effect how joints etc behave. I got to 18 months with both of mine and I'm really pleased I was fortunate enough to but it was a tough slog!

MarvelMum3 · 08/08/2019 10:43

@doadeer This study suggests that stopping breastfeeding won't help your PGP and that the opposite may be true. Don't think I'm pressuring you to continue breastfeeding or anything if you don't want to (that would be ironic as I'm not but I know feeding your baby is a sensitive topic), I just wouldn't want you to stop doing something you want to do because the information is outdated?

BustedDreams · 08/08/2019 11:01

@Jollyholibobs how was it then? Good time I hope! There is plenty days left in August to shift 4lb, possible a little extra too. But don’t put pressure on yourself. Nonetheless holiday weight generally comes off as quick as it goes on ... having a big poo usually helps! Grin

@doadeer That’s a great loss. Skinny latte about 100 calls. Enjoy your baby 👶 and be kind to yourself. You’ll get there.

@Lovethetimeyouhave That is fabulous, well done 👏👏👏👏

@MrsD0147 well done on getting back on track so quickly! I definitely don’t eat unless hungry.

@MarvelMum3 great progress on baby settling and you getting your sleep!

Packing to go back home today so might not get back to thread until tonight or tomorrow morning so keep out of mischief you naughty lot Grin

OP posts:
suchsweetsorrow82 · 08/08/2019 11:41

Wow some absolutely amazing losses here everyone. Well done.

Still chugging away here on holiday. Have gained around 1-2lbs. Is fluctuating every day. Ran every day bar 1. On the whole food wise I have been good. It’s the alcohol! But trying to make wise choices like spirit + low calorie mixer.

Good luck everyone. Will be able to join the thread properly on my return

cheesenpickles · 08/08/2019 11:52

Everybody is doing so well. The one that gets me is mixers when I'm out. I can go 0 carb easily with gin and vodka etc but even slimline tonic isn't 0 carb and no place sells diet lemonade. What does everybody drink when they go out? I try and avoid wine and Prosecco as it makes me go a tad doolalley Blush

LemonBreeland · 08/08/2019 12:06

It's great to read all the success stories. We had a picnic treat at work yesterday, so I ate a massive scone, but went for a run when I got home to help. I think the important thing is to not let the blips get you down. I went out for a work dinner in my first week and still lost well, I think because I knuckled down the rest of the week.

I feel I have more energy when not eating loads of crap, and I am definitely full quicker.

SunshineCake · 08/08/2019 12:32

I thought I'd try the 16:8 way of eating as my dd thought it might help and I'm just completed my first 16 hour. It's not been too hard but I'm looking forward to something tasty to eat. I also think dh will be on board with more fish and salad based dinners. He's bothered I didn't eat breakfast and thinks it should be big with a smaller lunch then smaller again dinner. Evenings are tricky and I miss a pudding. But three times I've picked up sweets then put them back. If I don't buy them I can't eat them.

Well done MrsD0147.. I'm also trying to stop eating because the clock tells me too. Wait until I'm hungry.

doadeer · 08/08/2019 12:36

@MarvelMum3 Thanks that's really kind of you!

Though just to say my 6 week check went as follows:

  • are you okay?
  • yes I think so, do you want to see my c section scar?
  • do you want me to see your scar?
  • er no I think it's fine
  • okay then have a great day 😅😅😅

Thanks everyone for the kind words

And thanks for sharing the study - I won't stop BFing if it's not going to help! I'll go back and see the osteopath I think

MrsJonesAndMe · 08/08/2019 12:57

Skimmed it all, no time to reply to all - would be here all week - Wink but @doadeer my PGP took to nearly 1 year to go and I BF till cough 3! I did pilates which was immensely helpful. Just gentle floor/mat exercises not reformer/machine stuff.

doadeer · 08/08/2019 13:03

@MrsJonesAndMe thank you that's good to know! I do yoga and pilates 3 or so times a week though I do worry it makes it worse not better but im desperate to exercise

RiddleyW · 08/08/2019 16:08

I'm feeling a bit more positive today!

Also doing 16:8 and then two meals in the 8 hours - no snacks. It's not doing much to the scales yet but I am trying to take comfort that it is making me feel more in control of my eating. Honestly this time last month I was scaring myself - really bad binges.

cheesenpickles · 08/08/2019 16:21

Tad anxious as I can't grab any food before my exercise class. I feel ok but won't be finished till almost 9. I've done a few longer fasts but nothing will rigorous exercise in. I'm just going to play it by ear and see how I feel. Expecting to be quite out of puff for the first one anyway. I'll shove a protein bar in my bag just in case though.

Notopel · 08/08/2019 16:51

Been dieting properly since last Friday - calorie counting with Lifesum. Hadn’t managed to weigh myself until today. I knew I’d put on a LOT of weight as nothing fits, and I’ve just piled on weight since working at home in the last year.

Last time I weighed myself I was 7st 6 pounds. Today I’m 9st 6. Think I’m aiming to be at least 9st 2 by the the end of August.

So shocked to actually see how much weight it was.

dancingmom · 08/08/2019 17:19

Hello everyone - golly this thread moves fast! Sorry not to keep up with replies to all!

I'm keeping on keeping on. Today has been monumental DIY day and I feel tired and frustrated. 🤪 Also had the joy of watching an iPhone video my son took of me and honestly it has made me want to cry. I look utterly hideous. Nothing could motivate me more than not looking like this anymore ever. I literally look like my mother.

Foreverlexicon · 08/08/2019 19:37

Today has been a write off but I’ve given myself a talking go and back to my old plan tomorrow as that worked better for me. I won’t weigh this weekend as I know it won’t be good and it’ll dishearten me. Just need to keep plugging and accept it won’t always be easy!

Cary2012 · 08/08/2019 19:41

@dancingmom! You don't look hideous! Stop with this negativity lovely. You're a bit overweight - join the bloody club! But so what? It's a fraction of you, and you're addressing it. Things are progressing, you will get there. You're a mum, and that is amazing. Don't let the scales define you. Right, lecture over! Breakie: all bran yog pot. Lunch: left over grean veg with chicken. Dinner: More chicken (will sprout feathers and start to cluck soon) and tons of salad. Pretty happy with that. Eating no sugar really helps. My appetite is under control. Upwards and downwards x

MarvelMum3 · 08/08/2019 19:43

@suchsweetsorrow82 1-2lbs is a perfectly acceptable weight gain for holiday! I’ve put on half a stone before! And staying active on holiday is admirable! And some of that gain might be weight retention from the alcohol!

@cheesenpickles I drink a slimline g+t but I don’t track carbs. But I know what you mean about diet lemonade… I never drink sugary fizzy drinks and I saved all my caffeine for coffee when I was pregnant so couldn’t have diet coke! But instead of tonic - sparkling water and lots and lots of lime? Or just shots?? Grin And stay safe! Definitely end your fast early if you need to!

@LemonBreeland Life happens! And if we stop life happening for weight loss, we’ll never stick to it! And 1 ‘bad’ meal out of the 21 we have in a week isn’t bad! You can definitely still lose having the odd treat!

@SunshineCake Both ways of eating are perfectly fine! It just depend on what works for you. I used to 16:8 (and will again when baby’s night feeds are a bit more settled) and I lost weight like it, my OH eats probably half his calories when he wakes up and he also loses weight like that!

@doadeer Just seeing that makes me wants to ignore the 6 week rule and go for a run or something! I used to walk 12+ miles a day and do a stupid amount of lifting in my job and now… it’s like even going for an hour long walk isn’t enough. I just want to move and use my body a bit more. Although part of me hopes it’s a little like that - people keep telling me the doctor will want to check my tear is healing and seriously, I’ve had enough people down there that I’m good without that!

@Notopel Just think that you’re taking control of it now! How much worse would it have been if you’d waited another six months! And 4lbs this month is a really good goal and I’m sure you’ll get there!

@dancingmom Sorry that you’re feeling down about the video. Sending hugs Flowers

My day has been ok! Did end up fasting until 12-ish and felt good for it. Had my all bran, had a random piece of chicken we had cold in the fridge and had the dinner I had planned. No exercise as of yet, but I have an hour and a half before my OH goes to work so the plan is to do a 10 minute postpartum Pilates video and have a shower!

Cary2012 · 08/08/2019 19:52

@MarvelMum3, well done on doing a Pilates video with everything else you have to do. Well done on getting back on track, hope you enjoyed the allbran! x

doadeer · 08/08/2019 20:02

@MarvelMum3 Please still be careful I'm not a doctor!!!

Good day for me. Went for brunch but I had a veggie salad with lots of greens and a little hollumi, half hour walk with pram then a vigorous yoga I had sweat dripping on the mat 😳 then it was such a nice day I walked two miles home lots of uphill.

Tea was oven baked sea bass and cauliflower and a glass of wine... Needed a little treat plus a mini summer jelly!

Think I'll be a bit achy tomorrow!

No exercise class tomorrow so I'll try to do a routine at home I think. 15 mins better than nothing!

Well done to everyone!! We all have good days and bad days but let's not give up! 💪

dancingmom · 08/08/2019 20:20

Thanks @Cary2012 @MarvelMum3 bit of a reality check that's all. I think tired/period is not helping. Stuck to my macros so that's good. Hopefully mojo will return by the weekend!

DrDiva · 08/08/2019 20:22

Evening all! I am one pound down since rejoining you all 💃🏽💃🏽💃🏽

@fiveshelties we must have swapped places - I am a Kiwi in the UK. How long have you been over there? I last went back in 2017.

@Laura221 I always recommend foodandspice.com for veggie recipes, though they are more special occasion I think, given how long they take and how many ingredients. But utterly divine, and you could maybe batch cook some stuff?

The thread does move fast doesn’t it, @dancingmom! Thank you to everyone for your lovely posts - - and apologies for the lack of individual replies.