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.

@BeKindOrBeQuiet thank you, it was hard work the last half a stone but it fell off at the start. Good work on your healthy salad!

Signing up please! I have a lot to lose but aiming just to get to overweight rather than obese!

Aim to do 10k steps a day & eat healthy with the odd homemade pizza & keeping alcohol to the weekend. After an indulgent week last week I couldn't start well yesterday as planned as I was too hungover!

I hate exercise too but love gardening & enjoy walking & listening to audiobooks.

Will have more time now I'm winding down homeschooling so need to do some more moving. Might try something with 5kg weights. Off to look into Dukan - not good with restricting myself & am quite fussy. I'll more or less follow slimming world style.

I love the skinny whip bars for a treat

@buckeejit what service do you use to listen to audiobooks? I’ve been recommended audible before, is it any good?

@BeKindOrBeQuiet I like my salads onion heavy too, lucky that my hub does too!

Afternoon walk completed. I hate walking in this heat though! I’m all red and gross now.
We have decided to pop over to the beach and go surfing tonight.
The boards are still attached to the car from the weekend, so nice and easy. We’ll get there at 7pm and probably surf for a few hours. If the surf isn’t great, we’ll probably bodyboard instead.

That’s the exercise sorted for later!

I'll join too please.
At 53 the perfect storm of menopausal hormonal havoc and Covid inactivity have meant a 10kg weight increase in six months.
Nothing fits.
I have no jaw definition, and out of control belly fat.
14 days ago, after accidentally catching sight of myself in the mirror (before I had taken off my glasses), I immediately gave up all alcohol, sugar, evening snacks, and large portions.
And I started daily running again.
Before the menopause I could drop pounds overnight.
Now it's another thing entirely, and today, after two weeks of serious upping my diet and activity game, no cheating, the scales have registered a whole whopping exact 1kg of weight loss.
I could cry.
I mean it's good, it's a loss, and I am definitely trying.
Trying to channel some of that same determination that keeps me running when every wobbly bit of me is saying stop, into sticking with the plan.
But the loss at this age is soooo slow compared to how It used to be.

Breakfast: small bowl of Greek yogurt and a banana
Lunch: baked fish (basa fillets) with pan fried broccoli and salad
Already dying for a bit of pudding or something carby!

I'll join too please! I'm 3stone over a healthy weight and it's been creeping up slowly for the past 10yrs. I'm 44 now so desperate to get myself back in shape before I hid the midpoint of my 40s. I've tried the gym, tried a PT, tried low carb, tried IF, tried SW, tried WW...each time I end up a couple of pounds heavier. My aim is now to stop focusing so much on food restriction and punishing exercise and start to focus on quality of food and healthy enjoyable exercise. I'm not going to ban chocolate to end up gorging on it 2days in. I'm going to allow myself a piece of the most luxurious chocolate I can find and enjoy it. Same for meals. I'm going to put more effort into creating tasty healthy food rather than giving in to a big bowl of pasta because it's easy and filling. Reading through these posts has given me such a boost already. I'm hoping this time my mindset is actually ready to change for the better

@EggsRoyale really hard to not eat certain foods isn't it. I definitely want them more if I tell myself I can't have something. I'm trying to no carb (preferably) but I've told myself if I absolutely crave a piece of bread or a couple of spoons of pasta I'm going to have it, but just a bit.

Otherwise I'd be dribbling at the thought of cheesy pasta 😂
Decided on Chinese chicken kebabs with salad tonight, I'm doing some rice for the kids to have with it as well but I'm going to try and avoid it. See what happens.

How's your day gone folks??

Hope you don't mind me popping in.

I lost over 2 stones whilst eating 1400 calories, including carbs. If I cut back on anything, it was refined carbs like cake and biscuits. If you eat a portion of rice from a microwave pack for two, have one. I did low fat but not completely fat free. I exercised the NHS minimum of half an hour a day, although I often walk an hour. I also had to relearn portion sizes. This helps, from the British Dietetic Association (Nhs dietitians)

www.bda.uk.com/resource/food-facts-portion-sizes.html

I’m in! I’ve got from size 8/10 to 12/14 - don’t have any scales but I’m definitely overweight for my short arse height of 5ft2! I don’t recognise myself either and have started to really hate my body. I’m fine until my mental health dips and then I eat and drink my feelings. Particularly hormonal times.
I’m thinking mfp which says 1400 a day and a mix of Pilates weights and cardio. I want to be back in a 10 by the end of August. Every time I feel bad I’ll post here instead of eating!!!

Oh @WannabeJolie I totally hear ya on the huge boobs! Mine are so frikkin heavy! I just CAN'T go up another cup size 🙈🙈🙈

Someone else mentioned evenings snacking which I suffer with. My trigger hour is 7.30-9.30. I could happily eat a massive bag of crisps every night. Instead I'm enjoying some dulse, (seaweed - delicious this time of year) & will try to go to bed for 10pmish.

Sadly we don't have hot weather here atm but I find it easier to get up about 7.30 & a walk done to set me up for the day.

For books on audio, the library have some titles but I've been a member of audible for 5+ years & love it. I have hundreds of audio books & would never have the time to get through most of them. It makes dead time-walking, cooking, cleaning etc useful. I use the 24 titles a year subscription which works out better value than the monthly credit. I also use the bogofs & daily deals sometimes too.

@buckeejit evenings are difficult for me too. I have to keep busy or I'll eat out of boredom. So I've mowed 2 gardens this evening, swept the drive, done laundry then sat in the garden with a coffee to watch the bats 😁

Got my steps in at least!

Hope you've all had a good day

I need to lose four stone. The thing that has stopped me achieving it in the past is the thought of how LONG it’s going to take. I decided today to think that every pound off is going to make me look a tiny bit better. More importantly, it’s going to make me a tiny bit healthier and have more energy. Thinking like that is helping so far.
I am using MFP and re-educating myself about portion sizes. I have lost control of how many calories I’m eating. I am not a sugar addict and don’t like unhealthy food on the whole. I just eat too much generally and don’t do enough exercise.
I’m thinking in terms of incremental goals. Half a stone, a stone etc. If I think about how much I need to lose, it destroys my will to love.

Live

@DontLookTwice I'm with you with the small goals. I've always weighed myself in stones and pounds but I've decided I'm going to just be happy with 1kg at a time.
Concentrate on getting to the next kg below and just do it that way. If I think to myself I have 3 stones to lose it's seem like a huge battle ahead

Following for tips, I was always a size 8 and now I'm 12 bottom 14 top and over 11 stone. The only time I was this big was when I was pregnant 🙈 Trying the 16/8 diet now. Lockdown seriously doesn't help though!!

I would like to join
Have 2-3 stone to lose and started 16:8 yesterday

It’s been ok, my biggest problem is also snacking at night so hoping this helps to control that

I really need to join you ladies! I'm 45 started peri menopause nonsense last two years and started to fill out. Then my GP suggested depo injection to help with heavy and prolonged periods. Absolutely brilliant! Worked a treat..... but I gained a stone!! After three months 😭 I was already two stone over weight 😫 so I'm 5ft 1 and 12stone 8!!!! Wasn't even this heavy pregnant!! My hubby is 50 and has a fantastic body! He is a fitness fanatic and I feel awful although he says I am sexy ( bless him )
So I really want to feel sexy! So this week I've started eating "clean" no processed food, no sugar, limited bread to two small slices of whole meal if I want it, making minor changes but really need to move more. Gone from being able to run 13 miles no problem to getting out of breath walking 😱

I am praying that by December when I turn 46 I look and feel a whole lots better x

I really need to join you ladies! I'm 45 started peri menopause nonsense last two years and started to fill out. Then my GP suggested depo injection to help with heavy and prolonged periods. Absolutely brilliant! Worked a treat..... but I gained a stone!! After three months 😭 I was already two stone over weight 😫 so I'm 5ft 1 and 12stone 8!!!! Wasn't even this heavy pregnant!! My hubby is 50 and has a fantastic body! He is a fitness fanatic and I feel awful although he says I am sexy ( bless him )
So I really want to feel sexy! So this week I've started eating "clean" no processed food, no sugar, limited bread to two small slices of whole meal if I want it, making minor changes but really need to move more. Gone from being able to run 13 miles no problem to getting out of breath walking 😱

I am praying that by December when I turn 46 I look and feel a whole lots better x

Good luck @NaePies and @Welshmamma !

@Timewastingbutfun are you me? i have exactly the same issue. I hate having to diet but i don;t think my metabolism is the same now i'm over 40 - well hello perimenopause...

Its great reading everyones progress, its really helping my motivation! I'm going to take the dog round the blocks for a walk before it gets too hot weather wise, then will come back, have a coffee and a stretch with yoga. Not sure what food for today (I know it won't be the salted caramel lindt balls as I finished them last night ) but am pleased as no wine again last night!

I went in hard and fast aged 45 5 ft 6 was 76 kg now 61 kg so lost 2 stone.

16 8
No biscuits crisps cake or tiny ate at weekends tho
Meals on small plate reduced portion size
Booze weekends only (broadly)
1 hour turbo a day and weights

Lost 2 stone in 3 months now maintaining

I have read weighing yourself daily should be done as it makes you accountable for your actions

Anyone weigh themselves everyday?