Aspiring August

[Octopus37]

Here's our new thread.. 9st0.75 this morning, had some pub tapas last night and a couple of pints, was truly delicious. Will be having a couple of days when I'm away, going to my Sister's for a couple of days either today or tomorrow. I'm sure nobody can guess what my aim is for this month lol

‘As someone who used to be able to stay up from Friday till Tuesday partying and still scape a 1st’ doesn’t have the same ring to it. I also find it hard to identify with, ‘as someone who still wants to lose 4 stone’. 4 stone?! How the hell do you accumulate over 4 stone of fat?

I kind of love the emotional/mental reality of being in my 40’s but pretty horrified by other aspects lol

Sounds like a good day Badger! Are you back on the first?

Dinner was cauliflower, garlic, pearl barley, almonds and capers, in a lemon and chilli dressing. I had it with some flaked mackerel. Very nice. Lots of flavours going on!

Yes. Really early start this year.

I bought and tried pearl barley in a stew but found it a bit... slimy? It now lives in the cupboard till I can find someone who wants it unless there’s a way to make it nicer?

I have a bag of pearl barley that I've yet to use in anything so if anyone has any re pies that would be great.

I'm struggling a little the last few days. Missing dinner and then my rule was not a good thing mentally even without dd stress and then I've not been too keen to eat much since. Ds likes to slap my upper arm to make it wobble. Dd commented that my bum wobbled when I wash my hands. And then there was the comment about why I'd needed surgery to see what was wrong with my stomach as just looking at it should have given it away. Not said or done with any malice at all, just being silly, but I'm feeling sensitive at the moment so it hurt and I didn't want to eat dinner. I had yogurt, muesli, lentil chips and a fab in the end. All light stuff compared to the lasagne I had planned. I didn't make that though as we are saving it for tomorrow when the weather is due to be vile. We are planning a day of movies, games, popcorn, sweets and maybe pizza for lunch. They will be back at school a week on Wednesday and I'm going to find that quite emotional after having them with me 24/7 since the middle of March. I'll be glad of time to myself though.

Sorry for moping!

How is everyone doing?

Lots going on with you all today! 50 laps is absolutely amazing, I wish I could do that. I have a friend who lost two stone and she thanks her 30 length swimming habit! I ended up getting 17k steps in on day out and also a pizza dinner out. Really nice and I avoided garlic bread and dessert with a herbal tea, a good balance hopefully. Many of us and our dc back to school next week so, it almost feels like the complete unknown at this stage, we'll be exhausted that first week and so will they! Run for me in the morning.

Well done Heygirl, you are doing amazing.

Bercows, hope you are ok. I know what you mean about being sensitive to comments, my DS went through a phase of telling me I was fat etc and both boys have taken the piss out of my upper arms cause I've got no muscle there really. I'm sure you look much better than you think. Hard with teenagers, but glad things have settled down. TBH I'm relieved about my two going back to school, know that sounds horrible, but I really need some peace and quiet as I work from home. and I want to change some of the work I'm doing.

Pearl barley is best only just cooked. I use it in risotto sometimes too. Today I soaked it for 30 mins in cold water, then rinsed and bought to boil for 35 mins ish. Meanwhile roasted cauliflower and garlic for 20 mins, then added almonds and capers for 10 mins or so whilst they browned. Then tossed cooked pearl barley over for 5 mins whilst I made a dressing with lemon juice, chilli flakes and parsley. Then just mix it all together.

Ooh you're a good cool Honeysuckle!

I have seen a recipe for pearl barley with roast veggies stirred through and marinated steak. Mean to try it.

9st this morning, Horrible day here, not sure how much exercise I'm going to manage. Hope it isn't raining everywhere else.

9st though octopus! That’s good.

I am 13st13.4!! I made it to 13 something world at last

Have set next goal for 13st7. TMI but was definitely the need of a bm that was masking the results of a good fast.

Seeing a new stone feels good though I might see 14 for a few fluctuations I have lost a stone and a half. It’s slow but it’s going.

Morning ladies,
It's pouring here so no walk today.
I mindlessly eat half a croissant this morning meanwhile making breakfast for the little one. I didn't even realised! Probably the reason that I put weight on in first place.
B: Greek yogurt and peach. Tea. (half croissant )
L: houmous, veggies, I may roast the veggies and put it on a wrap
D: chicken shawarma

I dream of 9st! 9lbs to go before I get there. My next goal is 9st 7lb. I'm not setting time limits on anything just being happy when I get to each goal. Next week sees the school run restart and a minimum 5 miles per day of walking up big hills. If I go through the woods it's more distance. And I'll be able to get out on my bike again. I used to do 11/12 miles each time and loved it. It will help with my anxiety over the dc going back to school.

I know what you mean re targets bercows, important to have the right mentality around it. I'm trying to keep it small in my head and be patient. So I'm now aiming for 9st2. Off for my run I to, wet and windy.

So just had first weigh in - started dieting again last Tuesday after falling off the wagon in February/March. I had previously lost nearly 2.5 stone but had put on a stone and a half again. Can you believe it?? So stupid. I blame lockdown. Anyway, this week I have lost just under 7lbs. I know some of that is water weight etc but you can definitely see that my stomach has gone down and I got my period yesterday so I am pleased with the results.

Only exercised twice this week. One long walk on Tuesday and then half an hour of yoga and 10 mins of high impact exercise at the weekend.

Have only had one pitta bread all week - otherwise no bread at all. Bread makes such a huge difference to my results. I have had rice and pasta though - I just don't have them too late in the day. Lots of veg and beans and eggs. Got back into porridge. No wine - but have had whiskey/dry ginger (diet) and gin and tonic (diet).

I know results are likely not to be as good next week but think I can still manage another three pounds.

Wow, that's fantastic and food sounds great

Today I will be hitting my 11k target, drinking 2L+ water and keeping within my very reasonable cal limit (1434).
B: berries and Greek yoghurt and coffee
L: wrap with red pepper pesto, ham, chickpeas and tomatoes.
D: roast chicken with potatoes and veg
6k steps done at this stage.

I'm having a day off to show the dc I'm normal we have eaten toffees, popcorn, minstrels. They have also had crisps, lemonade and chocolate. I've found now that chocolate doesn't hold the same appeal as months ago. I find it cloying in my throat as though I have a lump there. Same with ice cream.

I am hoping that I get out of the habit of chocolate daily. I often want something sweet after my supper.

If it's just something sweet and that's it, I think it's nice to enjoy in moderation. I was emotional overeating so I'm done with it completely now.

I am also an emotional eater. I have also noticed over the last couple of years that sometimes I am better having none of some things rather than just a little bit. I find that once the flood gates have opened and I have had a taste then I can't stop.

Well that's it exactly and for me I kept increasing the amount... I recommend ALLEN carr

Well movie day resulted in an extra 386 calories but my weekly average is still 1207 a day so I'm not worrying about it. I enjoyed the pizza, chips, toffees, popcorn, minstrels and sweets. No one had lunch due to the movie feasting going on but made up for it with dinner. No sweets tomorrow because there's none left and I've said I'm not buying any more next week as ds tends to be challenging after sweets and/or fizzy drinks. It seems to be the drinks more than anything and happens every time so it's rare he has them. So rare I forget the effects until he starts acting up again 🙄 I used to live on Diet Coke in my 20s and early 30s. I can't stand the stuff now and last had some in 2014. I might have the odd coke but I find fizzy drinks give me hiccups and I don't enjoy them as much as I thought I would. The exception on taste would be lemonade and lime with lots of ice but I still get the damned hiccups. I prefer iced water and my skin thanks me for it. I'm trying to get dd to drink more water to help clear her skin.

I'm definitely making the lasagne tomorrow. Spinach, ricotta and mushroom. Homemade soup and freshly baked rolls for lunch.

Glad you enjoyed your movie night Bercows, sounds good. Dalecooper 7 pounds in a week is fantastic, brilliant start. Personally I think life's too short for no chocolate, but know everyone's different and that I could/am probably a bit over emotional about food. 9st0.75 this morning, had chips for tea though last night. Haven't got much inclination to eat healthily at the moment cause a lot going on, but aiming to do a bit better today. HoneyBadger, went for a pint after finishing some of my work yesterday, it was awesome. Its actually not raining this morning, which gives the day a better start.

I agree completely with that philosophy octopus but it's frightening to feel out of control/dependent on it and to feel headaches, low energy and weight gain. It's a negative thing for me unfortunately and instead of picking me up leaves me very down. Off to get hair done finally this morning!!

9st2 for me, it teetered on 1.75 but stopped on 2 Delighted.

Morning ladies,
Applying for jobs this morning, wish me luck.
B: porridge with cinnamon and apple. Tea
L: Fritata and salad
D: turkey meatballs with pasta