July Jumping Down the Scales

[Octopus37]

Hi, here is a new thread, Excuse the ultra unoriginal title. Weighed in at 9st0.5, this morning, aim (as it has been for every month since March) is to get under 9st. Cannot believe we are in the second half of this year.

Hounds - yeah I think when they talk about shredding and lifting they’re talking about way more extreme versions of both than most of us need to worry about. Don’t think their muscles would look good on me and I’d probably die at 15% body fat or die trying to get there

I don’t tend to share what I eat as it’s so dull usually or I’m fasting and worry about those who think fasting is dangerous and might give me a lecture on eating more or the importance of breakfast. I like that I don’t really have to worry about that on this thread though.

I’m over 14st ffs. Hardly anorexic

@Hangoverstruggles I am building muscle alongside gradually trying to reduce body fat. I have been training with heavier weight 4 x week and training with a PT for almost a year and my body shape is much more athletic and I can see some muscle definition and shape that I have never had before. It's been slow and gradual and I probably haven't added much more than 1kg of muscle but I look so much more shapely.

I figure that, because I train consistently and lift heavy even when I am not so focused on my diet, I hopefully fuel some muscle growth that I can see after a fat burning phase like the one I have been in during July! Not sure if there is any science to support that but that's my theory!

Thanks MonsteraCheeseplant I've used the TDEE and I have a BMI of 26.6 and I need 1797 calories per day. I've never done calorie counting before but that seems like a lot?

I've added up what I had yesterday and it's not even 1000

Maybe try 1200 for a few weeks? It would give you a deficit of over 500 a day with a bit of slip up room. Plus it seems to be the magic number on this thread 😆

It seems like a lot until you start counting the calories in alcohol and cheese .

I did find that I had a bit of a learning curve when I first started counting. Uncooked vs cooked weights and stuff. I'd say to aim for 1200 a day (it really is a magic number it seems ) for a while and see how you go.

My TDEE is between 1633 and 1905 depending on my usual activity levels so it sounds about right to me. The sad thing is that the more weight you lose, the lower your TDEE gets (unless you put muscle on and do more exercise. Think that's called reverse dieting).

Oh and can I just lament how my favourite Nando's Fino Pitta is 813 calories WITHOUT THE CHIPS. What right has any chicken meal to be that much?? Apparently their portion of chips is around 380 calories. So basically 1200 for one meal. Ouch.

What right has any chicken meal to be that much??

I have gone with a bought chow mein which it says is 54cal per 100g, is that possible?! I have also treated myself to premade spicy chickpeas and feta, mint bean salad and bulgur wheat and bean salad. Bit of a tasty boost for next few days' lunches. I can't get over how good it feels to get the exercise in early and also how hungry it makes me feel! I've hit the 10k so on track for my 12k steps.
B: 2 weetabix
L: wholewheat wrap with chicken, peppers and salad w/mayo and pesto
D:chicken chow mein.
S: small apple, hummus and carrot sticks

Nothing today but am about to cook fish, a little rice and a lot of broccoli and pour myself a drink.

TheHoneyBadger that seems very unfair alright re the effect of surgery, hope it was a success nonetheless. You definitely don't have to worry about anyone on this thread re judgement. I'm logged at just under 1000 but as I can't believe chow mein so low I am adding another few hundred in my head.

I don't know if any of you follow Joe Wicks on Instagram but in his stories today he has been showing how bloated he's looking after 5 days on holiday eating and drinking whatever he's liked and doing no exercise. Even he says that he knows not to weigh himself for a few days as the water retention, carb bloat would make it seem like he's put on weight. So, I think we should feel better about our weekends off. If it's good enough for The Body Coach...

I respect his input in the lockdown fitness, but lord I find him so annoying. I can't watch him.

I'm the same honeysuckle.

Wensleydale

@Heygirlheyboy I need to know more about this miraculous chow mein you've eaten.

Think I came in around 1410 today.
B: Yoghurt, honey on toast
L: Lamb soup
D: Macaroni and cauliflower cheese
S: Fibre one cake bar, brownie from local pretentious grocery store

Went for our usual 6 mile walk this evening too.

Oh stop monster, does it seem completely wrong? Apparently it was bean sprouts and not noodles tho I didn't notice any difference and perhaps that made the difference.. But 57cals?! I get this lovely homemade dinners sometimes, and the salads mentioned above, from a local independent store, quality vg etc. I checked cals on all other meals and they looked right, which is why I didn't get the lovely smoky bacon and chicken creamy pasta! I have queried a cal count before and they got back and confirmed it ie their labelling was right so who knows. Don't want to be the crazy who queries again! Ingredients were chow mein base, broth, bean sprouts, chicken etc.

Girl, I have no idea but it sounds great! I adore beansprouts. I fill my chicken noodle soup with them. If there were no noodles then I can definitely believe it.

To me they were like noodles, does that seem right? I am going to check the packaging again, I was so hungry and it was so delicious I didn't pause for long!

I love noodles too though. This conversation is giving me cravings

No definitely no noodles on ingredients.. Obviously I had 300g and not 100g. It was delicious and now I have all the ingredients I can surely make my own. As well as my salads I bought a nice quinoa crunch with pecan and cranberry for sprinkling on yoghurt, salads etc.

I'm googling for a recipe as we speak. However, I would actually buy some of those low calories noodles. mmm.

Hello! I'm back off my holidays

Oops posted too soon, I stuck to a high step count of 10-16000 each day and had a couple of freezing cold swims in the sea, but food wise it was all to pot.
Today's food
B. Porridge, berries, nuts, coffee
L. Lentil and mozzarella salad
D. Chicken leg, salad, homemade oven chips
S. Crunchy nut cornflakes, small dark choc bar
Total calories 1500

Hi all!

Adding bean sprouts to my shopping list to make low cal chow mien at next opportunity! Sounds bloody lush.

@TheHoundsofLove your approach great! I've dabbled with 16:8 and really like it, but find if exercising first thing I'm desperate to eat earlier.

@everycowandagain great that you can see a difference. Does you PT advise on diet / calorie level for lifting?

@RaraRachael if your tdee calculation is 1797 that means eating that you'll stay the same, so you need to eat 1300 to lose 1lb a week. Aiming for 1200 is a good target and you will see results. Bit track everything as it's easy to go over. Things like oil in cooking adds loads to recipes. Tea & coffee add up if you have milk etc.

Welcome back @Igglepigglesgrubbyblanket!

My day....

B weetabix protein with milk, raspberries and sunflower seeds, coffee
L Seeded flatbread with a chickpea filling from the new Deliciously Ella book (yum!)
D Kids & DH had fish & chips whilst out 😩 I picked at their chips. Bowl of weetabix & banana when we got home
S mini marshmallows, 20g chocolate, apricots

Hard to know for sure because of the chips but think 1350. Also managed a fairly pathetic run, and a few reps lifting some of DHs weights for a laugh 😁

@Hangoverstruggles for non-fatloss phases she doesn't suggest more than maintenance although DH's PT was telling him to eat a 500 cal excess on training days for muscle gain. Although he is 6 foot 4!!

For me I would rather stick to maintenance in hard training phases and then do a short strict fat loss phase for 4-6 weeks before holidays etc. That way I never have crazy amounts to lose and I don't feel like I am dieting all the time.

Must admit I have found that lower general activity levels at the moment have meant I had to cut the calories to 1300 rather than 1500 to see good progress.