Aiding Affirming April

[Octopus37]

Hi, here is the new thread. Without stating the obvious, think that in such difficult times, the emphasis is going to be on staying on an even keel as best we can and supporting each other. I weighed in at 9st0.5 this morning, I'm the first to admit that all I want to eat is carbs at the moment but I'm finding the accountability good. I'm aiming for 8st12.5 this month. Take care all

You are so right!

Yes @Igglepigglesgrubbyblanket and @MonsteraCheeseplant it's in the mind. I've figured out that people who love me or judge me because of how I look are not worth knowing. My answer to comments about how much weight I've put on have been: 'Yes but I'm happy, and I actually don't care what I look like.' That frame of mind has actually stopped me from losing weight (not a bad thing) and it was the nhs telling me that I was at higher risk, and the fact that I can't be arsed curating another fabulous wardrobe that have made me change my mind.

True love whether it's family, friends, soon goes beyond that. I would much rather be admired for other qualities such as integrity, kindness, and being a good friend or good company.

I think I will actually look too thin and probably older when or if I get to BMI 23 and my clothes probably won't fit well either so I'm going to watch the next few pounds closely. I think I'll have to introduce some weight training into my regime to keep some volume to my body and boost my metabolism.

My relationship with my body is now a positive one as I fell out with myself big time after we lost our first son (stillborn) and several miscarriages.

Finally after 2 children and all the changes to my body, I have accepted it and I'm now in a position where I value it and want to do the right thing. For me it's about self respect, which has been sadly lacking until relatively recently. It took me years to figure out why I was being self destructive. I'm now more concerned about what I think of my body rather than what other people think. And also how much my fancy clothes cost and that I should be wearing them loud and proud.

Welcome back @TheHoundsofLove, routine helps for me too and glad you've maintained through this madness!

Ended up having Dominos tonight, but ate just over half of a medium pizza and one piece of garlic bread, still too much but less than normal. I know I need to work on liking my body more, I find it difficult to let go of the fact that I used to be thinner before a few years ago. It hadn't always been plain sailing before that but I think I associate being thinner with happier times. Think I might need to accept that April is a stay the same month, but I don't want to give up hope of seeing an 8 at some point. I think those of you who appreciate your bodies are amazing and know I need to work towards that.

The funny thing with me is the times I didn't care about my body so much was when it looked its best, go figure. The more I think about it and lament the pounds ive gained in the last few years, the more I focus in on food and eat! Very annoying. I believe my 'true self' without the comfort eating is about 8.5stone... that's my frame.

Hi can I join
Weight 11st BMI 26.5
Goal weight 9:10 (pre pregnancy weight)

Daily calories as per MFP:1500 and low carb, high protein.

B: Smoked salmon on brown bread no butter
Lunch: 2x Heck chick sausage
Snack:2x ryvitta and Samir butter
Dinner: chicken breast, asperges and brown rice
Snack: 1 square dark choc

I'm also trying to do an hour of cardio, HIT training, running/walking.

I've given up more times than I care to remember. So hoping this group will make me more accountable

winter your body is amazing... sorry you've been through those losses. I was on an IV of sugar after I had a miscarriage.. that's just where I turn and I know I'm not alone. Octopus Domino's sounds fab.

Hey @winterisstillcoming so sorry to hear about your losses (((hugs))). Women go through so much, and often so silently. Glad to hear you feel better about your body and yourself in general now though. Yes, I'm loosing weight to get to healthy too. Weights sound like a great idea. My lovely OH does a lot of weight training and it helps him

Winter Your losses must have been so traumatic.
Hope you enjoyed your Dominoes Octopus . Seeing as we can't actually go out for dinner, we've been getting a weekly takeaway pizza from our favourite Italian restaurant.

I'm so sorry to hear about your losses Winter. You have done amazingly with your weight loss and health is the most important thing. Heygirl I can relate to what you're saying about focusing on having gained weight making you feel worse and eat more, I'm a bit like that but I know its not constructive. Without stating the obvious our minds are probably working overtime about everything at the moment which doesn't help. Weighed 9st1.75 this morning, predicted Dominos weight gain.

Hugs to all. Our relationships with our bodies are so complex. Congratulations to anyone for being kind to yourself.

Yesterday's food
B. Porridge blueberries almonds jam coffee (260)
L. Jacket cheese BBQ sauce
D. Chicken breast broccoli carrots rice
S. Apples halo top
Total slightly over the 1500 aim

Yesterday and today's food
B: Yoghurt
L: Chicken stew (recipe above)
D: Lasagne
S: Yesterday McVitie's thin biccie and a Aero choccie mousse but that's my last one so dunno about today.
Was at 1270 yesterday

Just done the Joe Wickes PE work out which feels quite positive

I love PE with Joe and am doing it every morning with my son. I'm also going for a run most days (only really having Saturdays off) as it just makes me feel so much more positive for the rest of the day.

Morning all
Thanks for the hugs, and apologies for unpacking my brain!

Another day on track yesterday so hopefully Tuesday was a blip. I'm bloated today but that will have something to do with the big bowl of noodles I had yesterday.

I'm still a little wiped out from that period but determined to hit 10k steps today.

I didn't manage it yesterday despite going for a walk. Work days really do sabotage things. If I'm organised I'll take a packed lunch and then go for a walk instead of coming home.

I currently have a personal trainer - my youngest! He's a reluctant learner so I said I'll do something I don't like as well. So now every time he gets a maths question right I have to do a push up or a burpee or something. He's loving watching me suffer but he's getting his maths done!

Well done on the workouts. I wish I could 'get' joe wicks. He's just too smiley and perfect for me. I need someone a bit sweary I think.

These online workouts.. I'm not sure they're for me. I respond better to setting my own goals and going at my own pace.

So my lasagne turned out to be 600 calories per portion. It just about fits in my daily allowance. Any ideas how to reduce the calories? It's the ONLY meal that I use store bought white sauce for (God that stuff is delicious), I use cheese and wine....It's tasty...

@MonsteraCheeseplant make your own microwave sauce with skimmed milk. It's so easy.

Melt a knob of butter in a large Pyrex bowl, add flour and beat it in. Pop in the mic for 60-90 secs,

Add milk.

Mic for 2 mins and 2 mins. Whisk in between each mic session. When you think you are reaching boiling point get it down to 1 minute then 30 seconds. Keep an eye, this is where it can go wrong.

As soon as it's boiling, hit stop, take it out and grate cheese. Use extra mature for more taste per calorie. Add pepper and you're done.

I'm not sure when you would add wine and you might want to YouTube it as well but it's dead easy. No smell of burning milk stuck to the pan as I used to have.

I use wine in the meat sauce

Thanks for the White sauce recipe, I'll check the calorie comparison between the two.

I was going to do Joe Wickes today but I ache like hell to be honest, quite scary shows how unfit I must be despite doing quite a lot of walking. I will do it again tomorrow as I did enjoy it. 9st1 this morning, A bit annoyed with myself this month, cause unless a miracle happens I'm not going to be 8st13 by the start of May, ie next Friday. Will keep going though, even if its half a pound off so I'm the same as at the beginning of the month that's something. Need to get in a more positive frame of mind instead of just wanting to eat chocolate.

It's not lack of fitness I don't think.Octopus it's complete stiffness from the particular exercises! I couldn't walk for 3 days!! Off out for my run, have a good day all!

Morning all.

@Heygirlheyboy
Hope you enjoyed the run. I've weighed in at the same despite doing well overall this week. I'm stumped. Also eaten my breakfast early and had some crackers so it's going to take some effort to salvage today.

@Octopus37 it's going to take a miracle as well for me to be at my revised goal on Thursday. A friend is doing 16:8 and I'm considering doing that for a couple of days with her to mix things up a bit. We have to remind ourselves that this is just part of the journey and it's the hard and boring bit so we need to be kind to ourselves.
Hot baths help me with the aches. At least you did something though. I need to get myself some motivation.

Hey, I agree with everyone re body image issues..........as women in western society it's almost impossible to avoid being sucked into feeling inadequate at times.

Getting older has taught me to appreciate my body for having carried and birthed three dc, and being grateful for having good health etc. But would still like to make the best of what I've got, without being too strict.........like my food and wine too much

Know what you mean Sparkly. I love food and drink, but still want to look my best. Not easy but I guess it’s trying to find a realistic best that you can maintain

Hi everyone, well done on your good days. I ate so much yesterday that it would take too long to list it, but it involved a whole bottle of red wine and there's hangover eating today, which I will at least try to make balanced and not too carby. I suspect I'll see a gain when I weigh in tomorrow