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

[Octopus37]

Well done Monster that's fab, well done everyone else. Agree about incorporating chocolate. I was 9st0.75 this morning, seem to have a lot of fluctuations at the moment. Like most people, finding it hard not to comfort eat cause everything is so stressful at the moment. Onwards and downwards. Know its aiming very low, but would be delighted with 8st13.75 by the end of April.

[Igglepigglesgrubbyblanket]

Yay! Well done @MonsteraCheeseplant!

I weighed in today and I've lost 2lb since last week as well so I'm happy.

Total loss is 10lbs now. My next goal is another 8lbs, which will get me back to what I used to consider a too high weight 😳. Then I can start going for healthy BMI!

[MonsteraCheeseplant]

Yay! Well done Igglepiggle!
Octopus, you've done really well to hover around 9 stone so closely. I don't think i could get close to that and prob wouldn't look healthy if I did, it's an achievement in itself.

[EndlessUserName]

Well done @MonsteraCheeseplant and @Igglepigglesgrubbyblanket that's brilliant!

@Octopus37 I think that's very achievable, fingers crossed! (Remember if period due though that can look like weight gain so maybe consider that?)

Re: secret eating. I'm so comforted that I'm not alone in that but also sorry that others do it too. I do exactly the same, it's a reward for me or a way to relax. I think I need a new 'habit' to replace it. I think for some people my secret chocolate eating would be others' smoking or drinking, I think it's the same sort of thing. So a new healthy habit to replace would be good. But I've never managed to come up with one! (And I don't want to start smoking again or drinking during the day hah!) So any ideas anyone?? Would need to be something quick ish I think

[EndlessUserName]

A reward, a relax and also forgot to say a way to deal with stress. I had some corona related work news yesterday (bit vague!) And instantly ate 4 creme eggs. Definitely need a new habit for times like that

[Igglepigglesgrubbyblanket]

Hang on, mini creme eggs are what!!

I've come back on to share my meal plan for the day, to help myself stuck to it (mildly hungover so I'm trying to allow for that)
B. Beans, bacon, toast, coffee no messing(600)
L. Peri peri marinaded chicken thigh, lots of roasted vegetables (300)
D. Diet ready meal cottage pie & peas (350)
S. Homemade iced coffees with agave syrup (200), mini twister (45)
Total about 1500
Will also try to do 10,000 steps

[Igglepigglesgrubbyblanket]

On secret eating, I used to do that a lot. These days it only really happens when I go to stay with my mum (I'm 40!).
A few things (sometimes) work for me when avoiding behaviours like this that are basically self comforting. One is replace with another behaviour, very short yoga routines are good, I like alternate nostril breathing for calm, a walk is very good for me, just out the door, round the block whenever I need it and I'm back to me (a massive part of my anxiety about lock down is having this removed), basically it needs to be short, easy and always available for it to help me out.
The other thing is having a nice stable set up otherwise, for me that's a good bloke and kids that are at relatively easy stages of their lives. That's harder and not as in your control especially at the moment.
Good luck with it x

[Octopus37]

Nice of you to say that Monster, but I'm no particularly thin at this weight. I'm 5ft5 and quite a small build, really don't carry weight well, still a size 12. Weighed between 8 and 8st7 for years, don't think I could get that low now as I am a lot older, 45. Everyone sounds as if they are doing well. Think its important to remember that in times of stress, the body's natural reaction is to reach for serotonin to get the feel good feeling, easiest way to get that is chocolate or similar.

[EndlessUserName]

@Octopus37 Yes you're right about the times of stress.

I've had a think and ordered some options hot chocolate and very dark chocolate, so I can still get my fix but I know I won't overdo it with these. I will also order some nice bars but I will let DP know that I've ordered these so that we can share them in the evening and I know he won't let me overdo it. Will see how that goes

[MonsteraCheeseplant]

I hoe everyone is enjoying their quarantined Easter bank holiday. We had a BBQ again today and were in the garden refurbishing a dilapidated table.

B: Honey on toast x 2
L: Homemade chicken Miso noodle soup
D: 2 sausages and bap plus a portabello mushroom with Boursin.
Mini creme egg and Aero mousse. YUM.

[Octopus37]

Happy Easter all, 9sr0.25 this morning. Hope everyone manages to de-stress a bit today and enjoy some chocolate.

[MonsteraCheeseplant]

Do you weigh yourselves every day? I don't think I could cope with the fluctuations.

[Octopus37]

Yes, I find it easier to reign myself in a bit that way, I have phases where I don't fluctuate very much, but have fluctuated more recently. I know it sounds a bit obsessive, but I decided not to weigh myself for about a month in September and the results were really not good, I have to keep an eye on it so that if I go up I can deal with it quickly. I have lost weight a few times, started putting it back on, have thought a pound or two doesn't matter and it has completely escalated, so have accepted that I do need to weigh every day. Know it seems a bit mad though.

[winterisstillcoming]

I'm the same octopus, I weigh everyday although the same number for 2 weeks is seriously testing my resolve.

I do tend to look at the graph as well though which shows the trend.

I STILL have PMS 🙄 so I'm just going do my best at keeping on track. Was 200 over yesterday but well within TDEE. Hopefully I get a run on today.

[Igglepigglesgrubbyblanket]

Morning all, Happy Easter!
@MonsteraCheeseplant that menu sounds yum. I think I might buy some mushrooms next time I go to the shops. I weigh myself once a week. Every day feels a bit much and I do fluctuate. Not sure how I'll deal with maintenance when I get there though.
@winterisstillcoming PMT is shit, hope it shifts soon
I've decided I'm allowed a small (but still proper) smarties Easter egg and I'll have it over the week, but try to come in around 100 under normal calorie allowance otherwise.
Today's food:
B. Hot cross bun& butter, coffee (370)
L. Tortilla and salad (300)
D. Linda McCartney burger in a bun with lots of salad & fried onions etc... Pineapple and blueberries for pudding (600)
S. Easter chocolates (total over the week will be about 600)

[MonsteraCheeseplant]

No I do understand Octopus. I too, decided not to weigh myself at all around Christmas of all times and it basically meant I could pretend I wasn't eating all the chocolate etc.
But I have a really weak will to continue calorie counting if I don't think that it's going to work so if I see an increase or stay the same for two weeks I'm in real danger of just saying "fuck it, it's not working, what's the point"... I wish I had better mettle but communities like this have helped encourage me in the past.

[Octopus37]

Winters agree about the PMT, not fun, although these days due to my age I'm never sure if I have PMT or if it just my general mood. Monster agree about these communities helping, this time round it has really helped me as I have been accountable, even though I have had a couple of days when I have had to force myself to go to the thread. In the past I have taken part in weight loss threads and I have been slated cause I'm not actually a very healthy eater. This thread is great cause everyone is supportive of each other and not aggressive.

[EndlessUserName]

Yep totally @octopus this thread is so special. I've never stuck to anything like this for more than a few days. Even though I've had some time off from it all, as others have too, I know we're all still here for when we're ready to get back on track

[winterisstillcoming]

Agree @Octopus37, I'm finding the support here perfect. Can't stand the competitiveness on some of the threads. The fact that we are winning -even though it doesn't feel like it sometimes - means that I am finding inspiration in everybody's individual journey. So a big thank you from me!

[Heygirlheyboy]

Hi all and Happy Easter! I am notwell winning by a long shot Dontfundhate but I'm going to hang in here and hopefully get some non-chocolate covered inspiration!!

[TheHoundsofLove]

Happy Easter, Ladies! I hope that you're all having a pleasant day. And not eating too much chocolate!
I'm still staying the same, which I'm genuinely really pleased with as it seems that I can pretty easily maintain the weight I've lost so far. I tried on 'the' size 8 jeans yesterday and they do fit pretty well now - they're definitely wearable but I would prefer a little more wiggle room. Rather than weight per se, another inch off of my waist would be ideal! I think that after the Easter 'holidays' I'm going to have a no sugary snacks, no alcohol May and hope that does the trick. If I could reach my end goal for the beginning of June, I would be delighted!
With regards to fluctuating weights being derailing, I would really recommend measuring yourself if you don't already. I've noticed before that I can fluctuate by 3 or 4 pounds but the inches stay exactly the same so I don't care. It's also really motivating to count inches lost!
I, too, really appreciate this thread - I think that, because we're all taking different approaches, there's a nice balanced level of support.
Stay safe, Comrades!

[rockinmum]

Can I join you all?
Currently weighing in at 21st 8lbs, an a size 20-22. Hoping to be able to fit into some beautiful size 14 clothes in October.

[EndlessUserName]

Welcome @rockinmum we are a friendly bunch here. Have you got a plan for weight loss?

@TheHoundsofLove ooh yes measurements! That's fantastic news about your jeans.

I will do more measurements soon. Though I haven't lost weight for ages I have definitely toned up as I've kept up the exercise.

Anyone else have a Fitbit? They are doing a 90 day free premium trial. Thinking of trying it.

Happy Easter everyone x

[MonsteraCheeseplant]

I'm really reluctant to measure myself. I think it's pathological but I hate my stomach that much I can't bring myself to.

[Igglepigglesgrubbyblanket]

Hi @rockinmum nice to meet you! I'm currently aiming for a 14 too (a really good size for me!) I've lost 10lbs and got another 20 to go. I'm doing calorie counting. Is that what you're doing too?