Optimistic October

[Octopus37]

Says she, thought I would start a new thread. After yesterday's triumph, I ended up eating rubbish yesterday (lack of time and planning) and weight out for a Toby (bar snacks) last night to get my Dad out of the house to give DS1 space. Weigh 9st2 this morning, but confident that I didn't eat the 8,000 calories needed to gain over 2 pounds. Aim for the end of October is 8st13.5 (rather than .75 which was my new low yesterday), the sky is the limit

@IDontMindMarmite How do you manage that with cooking for the family though? My 3yo daughter eats most things, but husband and 6yo son are both very fussy.

Anyway, I checked the packet and 2 sausages are 250 calories, and I just put the numbers in and the batter will work out 168 calories, so I'll just do it with some veg and it'll come under 500.

@Monochrome4 At the moment I manage it by not having any pesky dependents . Sorry that's not very helpful! Sounds like you got it sorted anyway

Very grey and wet here. This morning 64.3 which is only 200g less than last week. Bit disappointed but not surprising after the Saturday feast.
Preparing some quince paste for the holidays so no snacks today to compensate the sugar ingested when tasting it.
B: toast and tea
L: salad, ham, soy egg, cup a soup
D: tofu fried rice

@monochrome4 I cook for the boyfriend and toddler here as well, but they are not fussy.
I tend to put more vegetables /salad in my plate and a smaller portion of the main.
So pasta, will have a smaller portion of pasta and salad on the side. Probably not garlic bread.
Steak and wedges and big salad/roasted veggies /grilled mushrooms on the side. Also part of my steak will go to the toddler as she would not eat much meat.
Or try to do things I can adapt, having maybe one burrito (with the tortilla) and then some extra filling on the side.
I tend not to fry things but I was doing that before
Also I will buy prepackaged snacks, so if I want some choc/biscuits I will pick one only

@lalanbaba Thanks, that's useful.

Does anyone else have any pearls of wisdom when it comes to family cooking? Favourite recipe books? Even when I'm not trying to lose weight, I find it so hard to plan weeks of interesting meals when my 6yo son is a fussy eater, and so, to a certain extent, is my husband. I end up cooking a few trusted meals I know that everyone will eat.

(My 3yo daughter will try most things.)

I try to cook for the whole family most of the time, but sometimes we do separate kids' dinner so that husband and I can have something spicy, or eat once they're in bed.

I tend to give ds more carbs and me more veg. So for example tonight we had our regular fish, rice and veg and ds has the lions share of the rice whilst I have more green veg.

Ds also tends to eat with me and then make himself a second meal later. So if I make a tortilla we'll have that with salad for dinner but he'll end up making some instant noodles a couple of hours later for dinner no.2. He's 13 now so not as picky as before but ravenous 24/7.

Have just remembered I used to make my version of bubble and squeak years ago and he liked that. I will reintroduce that when I've got bacon and leftover veg. Hard to have leftovers when you're cooking for 1 adult and one child so I'll need to remember to cook extra and put it in the fridge.

When ds was little and really picky it really took any joy out of cooking. Thankfully they improve over time.

Another one with picky kids, only way is to keep things very simple. 8st13.5 here but v stressed. My Dad was going to go into the home his partner is in to try to reconnect with her, but the home and his social worker have said no, he is really upset, awful. He is meant to be moving to my Sisters (she is in the North West) at the weekend, and it was with a view to having a test done and going into the home for a month. Problem is the covid numbers are loads higher there (think one of the highest numbers nationally, whereas here the number is the lowest out of all the London Boroughs. My youngest DS is very unhappy with his Grandad here, feels as if he's a stranger, wants him to go. Part of me just wants to put my DS first (we are sharing his room at the moment), but feel as if I am almost throwing my Dad on the fire if I let him go up. We have go to discuss the next steps re sheltered accommodation, but there could be a big stop gap at my Sisters for him ( here) whilst we sort things out, especially if there is a national lockdown over half term. So torn. My DH thinks my Dad should stay here and its not even his Dad. One way or another I'm going to let someone down.

Yay for

My Sister does have a bit more space than us, he would be able to have his own room. He isn't working or using public transport. That said, she is a teacher and has two teenage Sons. Need to talk to my Dad this morning and try and make a decision. HoneyBadger sounds as if you are doing really well, can certainly relate to the busy at all ends bit. Know I couldn't fast at the moment.

Oh octopus that is all very complex. I think you can reassure yourself you will put your ds first but that doesn't mean immediately. This is a short term thing and there is a plan for your dad. I agree re his move if he is moved straight there etc but I appreciate the risk with sister and family. However it all has to be weighed up against the other not insignificant risks and I would imagine sister and family greatly reducing contact anyway so all they can do is best. It's not a straightforward situation especially at the moment. Great you're under the 9 again.

No move for me on 8st 10.25 so I'm a bit annoyed with myself for weekend, I should be heading south of 8st8 now. I didn't walk last night and instead slept for maybe 9-10 hours. I had hit a wall. Youngest now home with a cough so oldest home too and awaiting call back.
B: porridge and banana
L: mushroom soup with soda bread and chicken
D: something unknown is defrosting in the fridge.
Some online purchases arriving today and I have to stop ordering then!!!

Thinking of you @Octopus37. That's so hard him not being allowed to go into the home. Is it because of Coronavirus? Or other reasons? So hard being torn in different directions.

Hey everyone, just dropping in to remind you to drink lots of water!

64.7kg for me today and I'm very pleased to be back down below 65. Next goal is 64kg as that's half way there. 63.5 is another useful goal as that's 10 stone.

Well done monochrome!

Idontmindmarmite I can't drink enough at the moment, splitting headache if I don't get litres in each day, I wonder what could be causing that. It is headachy weather I suppose.

I've had more headaches than usual over the last week as well Heygirl. My water drinking has been more variable. It's on weekends when I don't always have easy access to toilets that I don't drink as much which might contribute to it.

Morning everyone,
Slow day today, feel freezing despite wearing a thousand layers.
B: toasts and tea
L: chicken soup
D: chicken curry

Swab needed here, no walking possible which I'm annoyed about but what can you do. Hopefully test will be negative and quick!

Spent the whole of my unpaid day working today. Takes a lot to keep my head above water at the minute. Not sure if I'm going to make it to the gym or not as the friend I go with has gotten held up.

Long busy day tomorrow so could quite happily stay home and chill tonight. Miserable weather isn't very inspiring

Heygirlheyboy Fingers crossed for a negative result!

HoneyBadger Sorry you had a crap day. I hope you feel better tomorrow, despite the busy day.

Heygirl hope the result is positive. 9st0.25 this morning, ate loads of chocolate yesterday. Dad is staying with us for a bit longer, then maybe going into some residential care which is just down the road from us for a couple of weeks, cause it is safer for him down here. We are going to look at the place today and also have the social services meeting. Hopefully the couple more weeks he is down here plus his time there will give us enough time to find suitable sheltered accommodation. Things have got to get easier at some stage. Hope everyone has a good day

Sorry Heygirl I meant negative, not a morning person

Thanks Octopus. You sound like you have a good sounding plan in place for your dad.
8st9.5 this AM, wow those splurge set you back but need to calm down and just keep going, I might be a week behind but so what really. I don't feel good in myself tho after the sugar.. Headaches low energy etc need to recap on my Allen Carr again. I will try do a workout of some sort any recommendations appreciated not a massive Joe wicks fan. Would love some old fashioned aerobics if there's such a thing!!
B: porridge with blueberries cooked in and banana
L: omelette with mushrooms, tomatoes and avocado
D: meat, veg and carb of some sort!
1434 cal budget as so few steps.

Morning morning, i have struggled to comment on your situation Octopus. My Dad is in early stages of a degenerative condition and to be honest, future care isn't something I want to think about. I hope that you are ok. It sounds really difficult.

My weight is back to within 1lb of my lowest. However, i'm going away to a hot country tomorrow!!!!! I am very excited. I seem to lose all restraint on holiday. I'm trying a Jordan Syat rule of 1. 1 plate of food per meal. 1 ice cream. 1 dessert. etc. I intend to walk a lot. Any other bright ideas for enjoying myself but not jumping head first off the wagon?

64.3kg this morning - a new low woohoo! I just need to keep going.

Octopus37 It sounds as though things are looking up a bit with your dad. At least your son can have you to himself again now. I hope your dad adjusts ok.

HeyGirlHeyBoy Are you able to get outside while it's sunny? I'm trying to go out on my bike every day that I can at the moment, and I am noticing the hills getting easier. Work is quiet for me due to Corona (boo hoo) but at least it means I can concentrate on getting in shape.

Am I allowed out monochrome?! I think while waiting for results we must stay in unfortunately. I am going to do some yoga now.
Idontmindmarmite my Dad has also got a degenerative condition, and my mum before him. It's a very tough station.