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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.

Moving down in May

416 replies

Octopus37 · 30/04/2020 07:56

So here's the new thread for tomorrow, excuse the boring title. Unless a miracle happens by tomorrow, I will be starting the month heavier than I started April. Weigh 9st1.5. Aiming for 8st13. Hopefully things might start to change in May. even if its only slightly, which will lift our spirits.

OP posts:
Igglepigglesgrubbyblanket · 25/05/2020 09:25

Well done @stopfundinghate that's brill!
Your menu sounds lovely @Hangoverstruggles (love the name btw)
I've started today well with porridge and berries with a coffee. Not sure what I'll do for the rest of the day. There's a mountain of work and housework to get through and everyone else is still in bed. I'm enjoying the peace.

MonsteraCheeseplant · 25/05/2020 10:13

Congratulations @stopfundinghate! Your hard work is paying off!

Happy to share my recipes. I do like to make everything from scratch so this one seems labour intensive, however the fajita seasoning keeps forever, the salsa etc all freeze and it's not so much really.

4 servings, about 300 cals each (although i didn't calorie count the seasoning)

100g black beans
1 red pepper
1 red onion
200g chicken breast (i used leftovers from a roast)
Season with a couple of tbsps of fajita seasoning and dry fry or oven bake them all.

Serve with salsa, 85g cheese, 80g Pearl Barley in the Sainsbury's (free from range) Sweet potato wraps. Instead of Sour cream I used Tzaziki 'cos i'm a big fan and it goes in really nicely.

Fajita seasoning
4 tsp chili powder
2 tsp salt
2 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp ground black pepper
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp oregano powder
1 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp Cayenne pepper

Tomato Salsa
4-6 medium tomatoes (I used a tin of chopped)
1 tbsp white wine vinegar
1 tsp garlic puree
Squeeze lime juice
1/2 red onion (if you like raw onion in your salsa)

Tzatziki Sauce (I made a quarter of this recipe)
1 large cucumber, shredded
2 cups greek yogurt
1 tablespoon garlic, minced
¼ cup lemon juice
2 tablespoons fresh dill, finely chopped
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
Salt and pepper to taste

We couldn't really fit all the ingredients into the wraps tbh!

EndlessUserName · 25/05/2020 11:04

Wow thanks so much for the recipe, it sounds so nice, very summery. I'll have a go at making this soon :)

Mimilondon39 · 25/05/2020 13:16

Wow it sounds like you have all been doing so well. Congratulations!!! I’m already fed up with the new WW system - it’s not for me - seven points for a glass of wine! Seems to be for people who just want to eat massive plates of food. Whereas I am a bit of a picker that prefers to spend cals on Malbec and Lindt balls! Going to start MFP tomorrow and see how I get on with that. Quick question for anyone on 1,200 cals - do you save some up for weekend wine or takeaway or do you just ramp up your exercise then? X ps So glad it’s half-term!

TheHoneyBadger · 25/05/2020 13:54

I have a cracking headache due to waking up to no coffee in the house.

I’ve eaten oats and ham and cheese toasties which is a lot by this time for me.

Fasting was hard yesterday and I was hungry this morning and I’m super tired today. Not time of the month Confused

Off for a walk and to go and buy coffee. Tempted to have something sugary.

MonsteraCheeseplant · 25/05/2020 14:15

You're welcome, enjoy, you get a lot of food for your calories!

Hi Mimilondon. Unless you're running a marathon, don't eat your exercise calories so I've been told. In order to have take away on a weekend I did ration my days calories to 'afford' it, however I noticed that even though I didn't exceed 1200, I didn't lose any weight. I would always plateau the following week. When I cut out the take away, I lost weight again. Sad but true. I guess it's probably the salt content causing water retention.

B: Toast and honey
L: soup
D: BBQ with (socially distanced) parents in law. I'm making all the food so should be able to count calories ok. I'll probably have a couple of chipolatas (only 100 for 2!) in a bun, Portobello mushroom stuffed with Boursin and potato salad. Strawberries and low fat squirty cream and a toasted marshmallow. I hope that all fits into my remaining 770 calories.

MonsteraCheeseplant · 25/05/2020 14:22

Honey I got that the other week. I wasn't fasting but was starving despite eating my usual and was sleepy tired. I couldn't work out why either. Could it just be our bodies adjusting?

Mimilondon39 · 25/05/2020 14:26

Thanks for the advice. I’m definitely not running a marathon - more a v slow jog! I’ll see how I go this week - what I might try is just to eat a small portion of a takeaway once a week. I just get fed up of cooking all the time and look forward to a night off x ps I found fasting all day really hard especially as I am on my feet a lot and (normally) walk everywhere but fasting until lunchtime really works for me. Could you try that instead Honey? I know lots of people who just have two meals a day and it works pretty well...

EndlessUserName · 25/05/2020 14:33

Hi @mimi I always have a takeaway every week and always lose weight if I've calorie counted properly and saved up over the week. Im a big believer in not changing my life loads, little changes so that once I'm going to.maintain weight it should be easier as I won't need to adjust

Also yes don't eat exercise calories. @wellerr taught me that! Hope you're doing ok!

EndlessUserName · 25/05/2020 14:34

@wellerrr Smile

Mimilondon39 · 25/05/2020 15:02

Great thanks Stop. Yes think keeping treats is important - especially in these tough times! A while ago I cut out bread/wine/chocolate Mon-Fri which worked really well (I lost half a stone in a week!) especially because I didn’t have to think about it too much but I found it so restrictive that I could only stick to it for a week or so. Like the idea of everything being allowed (in small quantities of course)! X

MonsteraCheeseplant · 25/05/2020 15:31

Yes, everything being allowed is just liberating frankly. I feel like I could do this forever. I tried low carb boot camp and couldn’t hack it long term. A life without pasta is no life at all grin

I’ll be giving take away another go, maybe I was optimistic in my calorie estimation...

EndlessUserName · 25/05/2020 16:45

Haha no I could never ever live without pasta! I'm getting the pasta grannies book soon, I can't wait!

Today's menu
B - mango lassie (made with yog)
L - steamed salmon, veg, yogurt dip, oatcakes
D - jacket, naice ham, salad, cream cheese
S - lindor choc ball

MonsteraCheeseplant · 25/05/2020 16:56

Pasta grannies? Never heard of it?

TheHoneyBadger · 25/05/2020 21:30

Agree. It’s only sustainable if you can still enjoy your life and take part in birthday celebrations. Imagine living another 30 years never having a slice of cake or a Chinese takeaway?

Have definitely had an eating and drinking day today.

Monster yes-I lost more than expected this week and then struggled and suffered a bit. May well be adjustment.

Hangoverstruggles · 25/05/2020 22:30

@Mimilondon39 We're planning a takeaway tomorrow night so will let you know how that affects weight loss (if any!)

We've picked tomorrow because I record my weigh on MFP on a Tuesday so figured I've got another 7 days of good eating to recover it!

Well done on your weigh in @stopfundinghate!

@TheHoney I have really hungry days and have decided to eat more when my body is telling me. It's a slow and steady process. I've found eating a couple of weetabix as a snack or in the evening helps as it's filling, but not terribly exciting that I'd keep wanting more.

Today's food

B overnight oats with pear & blueberries, white coffee (300)
L jacket potato, beans and salad. Fruit salad. Reece's peanut butter cup (450)
D Left over tagine, broccoli and asparagus. Didn't have any cous cous as pretty full from lunch (290)
S about 4 apricots, Reece's cup, tea

Total 1150 & zero exercise as at work all day

sparklyglitterball · 26/05/2020 06:40

Morning all, great to catch up on the thread. I've had a busy couple of weeks, and was being very lax with the calorie counting, but continuing to run four times per week. I've been logging everything again on mfp and have shifted another 0.5 kg.

Yesterday B - poached eggs on brown toasted thins, L - Moroccan stew (ready meal 300 calories) D- quorn and chickpea curry, a small amount of rice and broccoli. Chocolate mousse and G&T Smile

The best way for me is to cut down/have smaller portions of carbs, and replace with a bit more veg. Once my tummy adjusts to less carbs my appetite reduces a little.

I always forget about this approach though and have to remind myself every time I'm trying to lose weight!

Well done to everyone who has lost and maintaining Smile

MonsteraCheeseplant · 26/05/2020 08:46

Good work sparkly!

I weighed myself this morning and am still 10.8. Same as Wednesday last week which is fine and not unexpected. I've been feeling really bloated recently. Would love to drop a lb by Saturday but I might struggle if I can't exert myself a bit more on my evening walks. I went for a short, slow walk yesterday and the shin splints are still there but were somewhat improved. Can't wait for them to disappear.

MonsteraCheeseplant · 26/05/2020 09:06

I shouldn't struggle actually if my calorie counting is accurate...I always struggle to believe it will actually work though!

EndlessUserName · 26/05/2020 09:26

Well done sparkly! I agree with portion control, I always weigh my carbs now which has helped so much and is so simple to do. I leave my scales in sight to remind me, it's just a habit now

Well done @monstera too you're doing so well

Octopus37 · 26/05/2020 11:00

Well done everyone. Cake and take away for me today cause its my DS's Birthday, I am now the Mother of a teenager. Weighed 9st1 this morning.

OP posts:
MonsteraCheeseplant · 26/05/2020 11:15

Happy birthday to your son!

TheHoneyBadger · 26/05/2020 11:34

Welcome to mother of teen world octopus. My ds turned 13 in March and recently I feel like we’re definitely entering new territory.

Scales are back to xst10 after going a bit mad yesterday. The good news is that my old low was xst11 only a week or two ago and now xst10 is my new high end of fluctuation which I see as having ‘banked’ my weight loss. If that makes any sense to anyone?

My new low is xst9. I’m using x because it depresses me focusing on the number

EndlessUserName · 26/05/2020 12:25

Happy birthday to your son! Hope you enjoy today

I know what you mean @honey. Is there a range you're aiming for? I like the idea of a range as it seems much more like real life to me, taking into account normal fluctuations

I'm still reading tiny habits which isn't about weight loss but any habit, however I'm using it to make new healthy habits (fruit or veg with every meal being one) and I'm just starting the chapter on breaking habits. It's all really interesting

You should definitely look up pasta grannies! @MonsteraCheeseplant but I can't guarantee weight loss with it! It's basically old fashioned pasta recipes from grannies! Italy is my favourite place so I can't wait to get this!

Igglepigglesgrubbyblanket · 26/05/2020 13:41

Hello all,
There was an incident with some gin some lockdown ennui and a tub of ice-cream yesterday. I'm hoping I'll still have lost weight when I weigh myself tomorrow!
I know exactly what you mean @TheHoneyBadger! I weigh myself in kgs and then convert to lbs, then only focus on the total number of lbs lost (all to not know the dreaded number of stones I am!)
Today's food so far:
B. Toast peanut butter banana coffee (500)
L. Smoked salmon salad (350)
I'll try to keep dinner down to 500 and maybe have a snack of of about 50.