Lose in December ...

[BustedDreams]

Yes really, you CAN

This thread is carrying on from the previous threads. This is November’s Thread.

Same as previous threads, I’ve omitted goal specifics of a certain number of lbs because as we’ve seen we are losing at different rates or maintaining. We need to create our own eating plan that is sustainable, enjoyable and provides all the nutrients we need to be healthy. It isn’t about extremes.

These threads are becoming quite holistic in nature and offer support to enable everyone to build & maintain emotional resilience and good mental health which underpins healthy eating habits and a healthy lifestyle.

That said, we mustn’t forget we are human and with that comes fallibility ..... It’s at those times the support on these threads is second to none. The support I’ve seen on these threads (and personally benefitted from 🙏) is awesome. I’ve not once seen any unkind or harsh posts. You’ve all been awesome

Useful Links:-

November’s Thread

Low Carb

Intermittent Fasting

Understanding Calories

Mindful Eating

Meal Planning

Water Intake & Weight Loss

Nutrition & Mental Health

Healthy Christmas Recipes If such a thing exists [Grin]

With planning and self care we can enjoy ourselves as well as maintain or even lose in December. I think we all agree that the main thing is to enjoy the festivities 🥳 without beating ourselves up if we end up throwing caution to the wind.

Hi all, just a quick check in to say still alive, but at 3PM on Sunday as I was trying to get all the washing dry, the heating went It really was all too much. DS much improved and now we have heaters sorted and the boiler's been looked at. They will be back to fix it...phew

I'm just sending good wishes to all who are struggling. I'm not doing too great, but I did some yoga and took my vitamins/tablets, so getting through the day is a win as far as I'm concerned!

Well done MrsJones!!

oh sunshine, that is very frustrating. i get confused when i try converting stones and lbs. i know i over think the conversion. tomorrow is a new day and a hopefully accurate weigh in.
mrs jones, it's easy to get overwhelmed with day to day life and not have the resolve to fight off the easy calorie dense foods.
be good to yourself, forever. reaching your comfort zone by christmas is not far off at all....omg i better get busy on my christmas card list!
busted and confused, i've spent the morning in the kitchen not wasting food and cutting back the calorie count on my chicken pot pie.
just switching from 6-8 servings, cutting the butter in half, substituting whole milk for cream and cutting the pastry portion in half i'm well into 500 calories per serving vs the initial 826!!
i search out recipes that provide the nutritional info, it makes some things easier.
off to the track!

@BustedDreams my DP and DTS1 are lactose intolerant so we have a lot of lactose/ cows milk free products in the house instead of the 'normal' versions - I don't think it's that (although could be wrong, DP didn't have a clue what it was before he was diagnosed!). I spoke to Allergy UK today to ask where I could have private testing done but they told me there is no proper test for an intolerance - allergy yes, intolerance no. They've suggested going to a private dietitian first to try to work out what the issue is and how to control it, then going to my GP if necessary. My GP surgery is very very busy at the moment so it makes more sense to do something privately first (as long as it isn't £££!), they are two doctors down and I wouldn't count this as an emergency, IYSWIM.

I've also been in denial about my weight gain ignored/ turned a blind eye to it for ages, told myself it didn't matter anyway as the DC don't care and that's who I spent most time with..... but it has contributed to my lack of self confidence and made me embarrassed on the (rare) social occasions that I do attend. Plus I have a family member who has a serious illness and I may be asked to donate bone marrow; the fitter I am for that the better, which includes a normal BMI if possible.

@MrsJonesAndMe the boiler engineer is currently due back to carry out his sixth repair on our boiler. Thankfully it's under warranty but seriously..... I was hoping that the house being frequently freezing would help me burn off a few extra calories but sadly not!

@Foreverlexicon what a lovely surprise!

@SunshineCake is the floor level, did you have a cuppa or any food in between weigh ins?

@MrsJonesAndMe you’ve had quite a time of it. Glad ds is improved and heating fixed. It’s Baltic at the moment.

@fallfallfall you sound like me in as I’m always tweeting recipes to max the nutrients but cut the calories.

@RubySlippers77 I hope you get sorted! It’s so difficult to identify intolerances because like your GP said there arnt any definitive tests. It could be anything from food, environmental (dust, pet hair, hair freshers etc) or drinks. In regards to weight and confidence I can identify with that. Try to visualise how you’d feel at the weight you aim to be. See it in your minds eye, feel the feelings, notice how you’d carry yourself differently etc. Now act that way now, feel more confident. It will help you develop a confidence/self esteem feed back loop. The better you feel, the more you’ll self care and eat healthy, the more weight you’ll lose, the better you’ll feel .... and so on. You can do this! Sorry to hear about your family members serious illness.

I closed the kitchen at 19:00 after my evening meal. Today has been 18/6. Ate 1060 cals today. I think I need to go to 800 for a few days. I know it’s not much less but it is harder to feel satiated on that amount. Also my sleep suffers if I go too low. But I need the scales to start moving again. I lost 4lb of the 7lb gain but now I’m stuck and have been for a couple of days.

I’ve had my parents visiting for three weeks, they are traveling back today. I’m feeling a bit sad. I’m eating my emotions a little bit. I’ll have a healthy dinner tonight. I’m happy with my weight and I weigh daily so I hope that I’ll make my next meal healthy!

We’ve got our trees up, I might buy another one though!

Thanks for the welcome and encouragement everyone. I stepped on the scales this morning. I would normally weigh every day but haven’t recently as I knew I would not like what I see. Weight up 2lbs since Sunday. Put on 10lbs in 2 months. Have been eating to deal with stress I think. New job which I am loving but pushing me out of my comfort zone. 14lbs heavier than this time last year but most of it in the last 2months. I am hoping that reading this thread will help me to get back to eating healthily. Clothes are a problem now. Hoping what went on fast can come off fast.

@RubySlippers77 I've had private intolerance testing

No food in between. Or drink. I may have done my asthma inhaler, @BustedDreams [ confused].

I've been stuck for about six weeks !.

Afternoon All

@SunshineCake it’s puzzling when we do what worked for us only to find the scales won’t budge! I agree, totally frustrating! Just keep going and push through.

@Jollyholibobs you’ve faced your demons and made a start 👍. What’s your plan?

@DownUdderer Hug 🤗. It’s difficult when people leave, especially if you’re close.

Had soup for lunch. Gluten free breaded cod and veg later. Greek yoghurt and honey.

Keep going everyone’s.... we need to make room for the festive feasts

I've had a rough few days with Christmas meals and the like so I'm doing what I can to damage control but ultimately not stressing about it. I've far too much else to stress about instead.

I am going to rugby training for the first time in 8 years tomorrow night and I have signed up for kickboxing classes. In the new year I'll be joining the gym and starting horse riding lessons.

I also need to arrange piano classes (physio for a damaged hand) and driving lessons in the new year.

My friend is stressing me out an insane amount currently so I'm expending a lot of energy dealing with that.

DH and I went out for lunch today as we were given a voucher last Christmas and I thought we better spend it . I had chicken liver pâté with onion chutney and watercress with two tiny slices of sourdough followed by duck leg with fancy potatoes and spinach which was amazing and as we need to spend all the money we also had a pudding which was chocolate fondant with vanilla ice cream. Service was appalling food was lovely so I am not worrying about calories because it was an enjoyable time as we don't often get time together.

What is worse for me is if the weight keeps going back on so I have to get really strict and Not eat anything I am intolerant to as even though tummy issues seem okay I can't afford the weight gain

@ConfusedAndStressed95 what is so special about this friend that makes them worthy of friend status as with respect they haven't shown anything but abuse and confusion from what you've told us ?

sunshine that sounds like a very fancy meal, and an enjoyable outing.
that's a lot of activity to schedule in confused.
weight down two days in a row (thankfully) but i remain cautiously optimistic.
yesterday at the track i did my walking with weights (little 2lb ones in each hand), the old knees sure could feel it!
meanwhile i enjoyed seeing how diverse the people are: one gal was very inspiring, one super athletic, along with people in splints of all sorts, not unusual to see people with walkers on the track even oxygen tanks. truly a lovely facility. the ones jumping rope really have caught my eye...and those throwing weighted balls (small medicine balls).

@BustedDreams that's a great idea about 'closing the kitchen'. Sadly I am usually still in it till late - clearing up after the kids, prepping meals etc - but maybe if I tell myself that the actual cooking side is closed then that would help?!

@ConfusedAndStressed95 your exercise plan sounds amazing I would love to rejoin the gym, miss it so much, but just can't afford it/ find the time. I hope it helps you deal with your friend too, exercise is a great stress buster.

Did you find the tests useful @SunshineCake? Did they provide any answers? I am getting a bit desperate now but think that wheat is most likely the culprit; I'm going to start a food diary and see if that will help. It might all go very wrong over Christmas though!

@SunshineCake, he is genuinely lovely and sweet to me. If I'm stressed or worried or upset he will drop what he's doing and come check I'm ok. He has literally ran three miles after a full day of work across town to see me for 20 mins despite the fact he'd seen me first thing in the morning. We get on really well and I know if I need him he'd be there for me regardless. But our friendship is weird and strange enough to make others uncomfortable and I don't think we should live together and I need to talk to him about why and what he actually wants from our friendship because half the time I think he wants more half the time it's clear he just want's to be friends.

@RubySlippers77, it's not something that I can really afford either but I'm considering an investment in myself instead. I want to be healthy and live a long time and the only way I can do this is by spending my money on making myself healthy now.

I’ve had a healthy breakfast. I’m going to have egg for lunch. I’m trying to have a low carb day today, when my carbs increase I really don’t feel great.

It’s so smoky today. It’s been smoky for so many many weeks now. Some days are better than others, then the weather changes and the smoke returns. We just hope every week for rain.

still ongoing fires obviously, when does the rain usually hit that area?
we had two summers of epic fires in this area. health advisories to stay in etc.
stay safe (even if just your lungs).
starting the day on the right foot helps.
it's nearly the end of the day here, i got in my steps with the weights.
confused and ruby what are prices like in your area for gyms etc?
although we have one in town for $10 a month (planet fitness) the university center is better value $40 for pool and track and every piece of equipment imaginable.
my dad's poor self care (and eventual demise) is part of the reason i'm improving my fitness.
living room upgrades nearly complete, christmas decor by tomorrow eve i presume.

Hi can I join please? I'm not sure how it works, but I'm 5'8" and yesterday I weighed 13 st 3lbs. BMI of 28. My clothes are tight and I feel stressed getting dressed every day. Ive a huge arse and after 2 sections my weight is adding to my overhang.

I'm going to do MFP 1200 calories a day, although 1000 gets best results. Now I'm post 40 my body doesn't seem to need calories. I do run 3 times a week.

I'm stressed, anxious and uptight. I also suffer from painful bloating and early waking .

Please be my support and accountability!!!

@BustedDreams thanks for asking what my plan is. Useful to put it in writing and be accountable. My plan is to do a modified 5:2. 2days a week on 800 cals and the rest on 1100. Track on MFP. Gym as much as work and family commitments allows aiming for 3x per week. Yesterday was a good start.

Total calories 892 not too much over the 800.
Gym in the evening
This morning weight is down 3lbs on previous days scary peak.

Have a lovely day everyone.

Welcome @Ruraldream we all seem to follow our own regimes, and come here for support or advice! A couple of us, including me, eat low carb. I feel that I’m happiest when I don’t feel hungry all the time and after eating carbs I end up feeling hungry again in no time.

Hi @Ruraldream, I've been doing Intermittent fasting with an 8 hour window and eating more carefully. Lost 12kg from 1 August to 1 November and then managing to keep on top of it at the moment.

Hope you're doing OK @SunshineCake thinking of you

Thanks for all who have thought of me and commented. Still mad here, but weighed at 12.5kg this morning - first weigh in of December...so clearly not doing too badly.

I'm hoping the weekend may give me a bit of time to recharge. Just about to clean out the house which has been very neglected over the last few days.

Morning Campers

@SunshineCake sounds like you had a lovely meal with your dh. Good for the soul 😊

@fallfallfall it’s great when the scales show a loss.

@ConfusedAndStressef95 sounds like you’ve got a lot on and so much stuff planned. Hope you’re ok.

@RubySlippers77 yes it does help psychologically to ‘close’ the kitchen. After we’ve had our evening meal I do a clean and tidy up. Wipe all sides etc. The desire to not mess my counters up again is usually greater than my want (not need) of food

@DownUdderer I’m the same with carbs. When I’m lower carb I feel great! Then my soul craves them, I succumb then following day I feel pants. Why do we do it to ourselves 🤦‍♀️🤷‍♀️

@Ruraldream welcome, you’ve come to the right place. Great ladies on here, very supportive, no competition, no harsh words. We all help you to help yourself. You will know what works. And if you fall of the wagon, just dust yourself down and get back on

@Jollyholibobs your plan is similar to mine. I only lose if I dip below a 1000 cals. I’m petite, post meno, limited mobility. But I have heaps of enthusiasm to be healthy as I can be.

This post might cross post as I first started typing it this morning and If I refreshed before finishing it I’d lose it.