I don’t even recognise myself

[Bookaholic73]

In the past year (since getting married) I’ve gained about 3 stone.
I know exactly why, we went from being quite active to sitting in front of the TV most evenings and weekends, eating shit (chocolate etc).

We went out to a friends post wedding garden party this weekend (Social distanced) and when I looked at photos on Facebook I was MORTIFIED.

I know I’ve gained weight, but how did I not know I looked like that??
I didn’t even recognise myself!

So, today is Day 1 of ‘Bookaholic Gets Buff’ and I’m looking for support, advice, fellow ‘Buffers’ who would like to join in etc

I am quite active, although you wouldn’t believe it by looking at me. So it’s mainly diet I need to improve.

I’m 13st and a size 18
I’m aiming for 10st.

I am back on board after basically clearing the junk cupboard by eating everything myself!

Would you recommend the Joe Wicks cookbook? Which one? I follow him on Ista and his meals look good and quite family orientated for one fussy DC but are they really? Can anyone recommend any specific one of his books or does he have only one? Are any of his recipes online so I can try before I buy?

@Sittingontheveranda I bought one of the Joe Wicks books a few years ago. It's called lean in 15, I find most recipes take about 25 mins.

I signed up to his 90 day programme and these recipes are a bit complicated. I'm ploughing my way through though!

Thanks @SierraOscar I’ll have to try it.

Since cutting out all junk food, I’ve already noticed that my stomach is less bloated!

Ok complicated is out. I know myself I will end up spending more on ingredients for food that takes a long time to prepare and won’t be eaten.
Would you recommend Lean in Fifteen? What does the Fifteen represent? Weeks? (She says hopefully) 😀

The fast800 recipe book has loads of great high protein, low carb recipes that are super quick to make and you could always add a carb with them for more cals. I really rate them. Some recent meals!

Thanks Plancina. Does anyone have his new book? His Istagram shows shows sesame chicken and some tasty looking food.

@Sittingontheveranda the 15 is minutes. That's how long each recipe takes to cook and it has some 15 minute work outs in it too.

I've eaten 4 Jaffa cakes today - fail 😭

Does anyone else struggle to meet their carbs macro on mfp?

Don’t faff about with new fancy recipes just eat normal healthy ish diet you ate before but on a smaller plate. Was hungry at first but adapted now good simple portion control

Don’t faff about with new fancy recipes just eat normal healthy ish diet you ate before but on a smaller plate. Was hungry at first but adapted now good simple portion control
Towards the end of losing weight with WW last year, this is exactly what I did and I still continued to lose weight. I had forgotten about that.

81.2 today

Lost 2 stone doing that and intermittent fasting and upping exercise. No new cook books or weird ingredients necessary!

80.4 today. No idea what’s going on. I feel a bit thinner round the middle altho I suspect that’s wishful thinking, should’ve done a waist measurement.

I am a member of an online bootcamp community. It's BRILLIANT. I lost 1 st 1lb in the first 6 weeks just following the delicious meal plans AND it's reduced my shopping bill considerably.
There's online meal plans for both veggie and meat eaters, online (live and recorded) work out sessions, meditations and the opportunity to go on retreats. There is also a really friendly Facebook support group.
It's currently £8.99/month.
I have no connection with the company other than being a very satisfied customer!!

bit.ly/fggf-bootcamp

@Blueuggboots - thank you for the link

I've done well this week so far, had a piece of (homemade bread) toast today with sac ramblers eggs for lunch. Am hungry now but cba cooking. I have a big vat of soup I made last night to portion out & freeze so may have a big bowl of that & suck up leftovers in fridge of roast veg with a couple of oven chips

Really want some wine right now though

80
I’m fully anticipating that the whole lot will go back on over the weekend, but we’ll see.

I went to bed early last night. I’m wondering if that should be my new norm as I eat a pack of biscuits when I sit down to browse MN or watch tv at 10pm. Does anyone else go to bed early to avoid junk?

@Sittingontheveranda I always intend to go to bed early to avoid it but currently binging on below deck so it's hard! Last night I bought 2 packets of maize snack crisps at the shop & enjoyed one then cracked open the other! And it wasn't even the weekend. If I've done well then I want to treat myself with food.

I think I need to do what they used to rec on SW which is to allocate the budget of snacks for the evening or weekend before it starts & put them in a box & that way I might stick to it a bit better. I might start to cut up some fruit & veg & put out pickled onions & beetroot for my weekend evening indulgence & try to go cold turkey in the week, which would put me to bed earlier!

It is catch 22. I’m tired and look forward to having some time to chill out. When I sit down I eat rubbish and lots of it. That gives me energy and I stay up later than I intend to and I’m tired in the morning. Its a cycle.

For me cold turkey works. I weighed myself this morning and am 1.5 stones heavier than I want to be. Since lockdown, I have eaten large share packs of crisps three times a week, numerous packets of biscuits, hundreds of crackers, I look such a state. Am disgusted with myself.

Don't be disgusted with yourself. I've done the same & over eaten rubbish & drunk too much for years. I read something recently - might have even been on this thread that the primary goal is to stop putting weight on! This resonates with me & im not beating myself up about the past as the present is a struggle enough.

Weight coming off so slowly, I have no choice but to be in this for the long haul! It's much easier to go to bed earlier in the winter too.

I've surprised myself by being relatively well behaved this week. My only real naughty points were eating 4 Jaffa cakes and having fish and chips last night.

My new go to snack if I feel peckish is apple and peanut butter. I will just have to be careful not to undo all the hard work this weekend.

I've surprised myself by being relatively well behaved this week. My only real naughty points were eating 4 Jaffa cakes and having fish and chips last night.

My new go to snack if I feel peckish is apple and peanut butter. I will just have to be careful not to undo all the hard work this weekend.

Been okay all week, but went mad on bread & jam this afternoon & have eaten lots else too. Not drinking enough water today.
As pp, am going to bed early tonight & going to do some sorting & tidying in my room.

How’s everyone? 80.4 today so with any luck will get below 80 this week.