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

So far it's just been about the fasts/shorter eating windows and trying to eat better and avoid bingeing on crap in the evenings. Plus being more active and increasing my bmr and tdee.

That's seen off over a stone and a half and recently I've added gym or swim at least 3 times a week.

I hate counting calories and tend to just feel obsessed with food and hungry psychologically when I try that approach.

Previously I was throwing in an extended fast of 36hrs plus about once a month but haven't managed that since going back to work in September. That's probably what has seen me somewhat stalled.

Mental health wasn't in a great place and the high sugar only exacerbated it, eating really well and feeling well as a result had paid dividends and is an investment in myself and my mental health and physical. And the simple lesson learned also is í was probably hitting maybe 6k steps some days during those months while taking in such high cal food. I know now that physical activity makes a massive difference for me and I can still enjoy plenty of nice food.

I love this thread as no one is ridiculous with grapefruit diets or lose a stone in a week mentality, it makes me smile to see us encouraging one another to eat more and try fit in as much as we can while keeping on track. Hats off to us!

Honeybadger A stone and a half is no mean feat! You're doing so well. Really interesting to find out where people started, because it means I can see what's possible. I know what you mean about calorie counting. I'm doing it this time for the first time, having always been against it in the past, and I'm fine with it right now, but I can see how it can send one round the bend.

Heygirlheyboy Yes I agree everyone's sensible on here and watching out for each other.

It's interesting finding out what different levels of sugar and different levels of activity do. I know that I feel better doing plenty of cycling, which was easy pre-children and living in London when I just cycled absolutely everywhere instead of getting the tube. Now work is scarce (boo hoo) I am trying to get out every day, and being further out of London there are lovely off-road routes to explore. I've always had a really sweet tooth and can quite happily spend all day sneaking in chocolate and whatever sweet things I can get my hands on. It took me a while to get used to the lower sugar intake but I do feel as though my body is adjusting its expectations. My teeth will surely thank me too.

Calorie counting is for sure the best guaranteed to lose weight if you stick to it method but it's just not for me at this time.

I think being generally more active made a huge difference when I started (I was 15st7 after gaining exponentially when I'll and even before that when I moved into a house round the corner from work so wasn't walking far) so basically any activity burned calories because being so fat makes it hard work on the body.

My goal when I got my Fitbit was to improve my bmr which I have done. People forget the bmr is the lions share of your tdee and exercise a fairly small part. Once I've lost a lot more fat I want to start building muscle for that reason.

I went to the gym about 20hrs into fasting on Friday and had so much more energy and better heart rate and the pleasure of knowing that all of the energy being used was from my fat stores. If I can do that weekly I'm sure it will have an impact 🤞

Well done HB! What is BMR is that the absolutely lowest cals you burn?

Regarding the cold water intake I do find boiled water and lemon and herbal teas good.

It's what you would burn tomorrow if you just laid in bed all day.

OK gotcha. Today I am making cookingonabootstrap.com/2019/11/19/peanut-butter-banana-muffins-recipe/ without the sugar and choc. Made them before they're an evening snack option.

Also this thehappyfoodie.co.uk/recipes/beetroot-chickpea-and-coconut-curry I love my DS8 for saying yum when he saw me making it. I didn't have chickpeas so I've thrown in mixed beans... Hopefully will be half decent. The green roasting tin have some nice looking one pot recipes.

This is on this week's midweek dinners list www.google.com/amp/s/cookpad.com/uk/amp/recipes/6800584-one-dish-sticky-rice-broccoli-squash-and-sweet-potato-with-chilli-and-ginger-dressing

Monochrome I am the exact same re sugar but perhaps more extreme.. Not good. Honeybadger I often think not only what I've lost in reality but how much I've also lost by not having gained it iyswim, if I wasn't doing what I'm now doing I'd have kept on gaining... I find that pretty frightening.

Already over calories for the day, but very stuffed.
Have done a trial test of an old Christmas recipe. Really nice and lots of leftovers for tomorrow.
That on itself not that bad but we went to the pub and we order some snacks as well as drinks.
Oh Monday is scales day for me, let's see

Lalanbaba meant to say congratulations on your job. Sorry to hear about your Mum Heygirl, you have done amazingly. My starting point was a bit similar to yours, 9st11.25, was just over 10st at the end of both pregnancies, so was quite shocked. Interesting also to hear that you're a similar shape, I never understand it when people say they are an overweight BMI but then say they are a size 10. Not sure if I will get much further but will keep plodding along if only to stop myself going backwards. Hope everyone has managed to have a good weekend.

Exactly the avoiding going backwards is a big loss (/gain!) of sorts. Those banana peanut butter muffins were delish! Two might have pushed me over cals but I don't mind, going to aim for that all important flexibility! Well done Lalanbaba, sorry I missed that too!

Hey guys, I'm on holiday, eating everything and feeling so guilty and worried about putting on loads of weight.

Enjoy your holiday I dont mind marmite, I'm sure any weight will come off quickly after you get back. 9st1.75 this morning, made a bit effort to drink more water yesterday but my steps weren't that good.Aiming to be less by the end of the week

Morning I'm 13st12 something. No idea of the something as my scales only show that much until you log into the app and it tells you the .? if that makes sense. Can't do that because my phone went for a swim in the bath yesterday and is hopefully recovering in a bag full of rice.

The alarm went off on it this morning but doesn't respond to the on button or show anything on screen yet - fingers crossed.

Work today but one of my quieter days. Will be attempting to fast and then go to the gym this evening before breaking my fast.

Have a good day everyone - sorry Lala I managed to miss the new job - congratulations.

Thanks everyone!
@IDontMindMarmite don't stress about the food, you are in holidays enjoy the rest, don't go about eating everything in an eat-all-you-can-buffet but the weight will go back to where it was once you are back to normal.
B: blueberries, toast, tea
L: probably grilled mushrooms, poached eggs, pork chop.
D: leftover stuffed chicken from yesterday

Found you! Omg, September was a total write off. I got on be scales this morning and nearly cried - 14,11

So, that's one giant kick up the bum. I will not regain all the weight I lost. I refuse. Clearly my metabolism is a pile of shit and I'll be tracking food forever more, but I am more willing to do that than I am to become a morbidly obese lump again.

So. Started a walking club at school - we go after school run every morning. At least 2.5km (I volunteer on Tuesdays and don't have much time), up to 8km (planned for Friday). Start the day right! Did 4km route today with lots of hills. (School is very rural)

B sausage omelette
L quinoa, tomato and courgette salad (Much More Veg recipe)
D roast squash and peanut noodles (Much More Veg again)
S rocky road

Good woman Honeysuckle, good to see you back and my phone still remembers your name so you're not gone too long. Lovely menu for you today! Would love those recipes. My beetroot curry was delicious and v filling.
B: ONO deluxe with coffee
L: beetroot curry, brown rice and a mandarin
D: roast chicken dinner with potatoes and veg
12k step count by bedtime

I have to laugh, the beetroot curry is very high cal tho tbf filling so maybe not my best recommendation Going by the portion suggested, it worked out as nearly 600 cals before rice But anyway it fitted fine with my 1454 cals today, had a smaller than half portion as it seemed massive and it kept me very full until now. Hope you all had a good day.

Welcome back honey. We're still here. What did you weigh before you gained some back?

I'm home from the gym. Really pleased with how my heart rate during exercise and recovery time is improving. Obviously I want to lose weight by going to the gym but actually improving my health is, as it should be, the important bit.

I'm also really proud of myself and my friend that we keep going even after a hard day at work or feeling knackered. It is becoming a habit and a positive one for once.

Hello everyone. Just checking in! In reverse order...

Good to hear you in good spirits Honeybadger. Well done for making the gym while knackered.

Beetroot curry sounds yummy HeyGirlHeyBoy.

Welcome back Honeysucklejasmine. I've not met you before. Well done for organising the walking club.

I agree re holidays Lalanbaba and Octopus37. Have a nice time Marmite.

I've been in a really snackish mood today, so I'm pleased I haven't gone too far over my budget. It's scary quite how easily the snacking addiction comes back though. I'll just try and get a good night's sleep because I reach for the snacks more when I'm tired. Checking in here helps! Thanks everyone.

64.3kg this morning which I was very pleased with. I'm edging towards 64.0 which will be my half way point as I started at 68 and aiming for 60. (68 is 10st10lb and 60 is 9st6lb)

Brilliant monochrome!

Good on you Honeybadger, I'm feeling proud of you myself That's some turn around. Talk about keep on keeping on! Signing off at 16k steps after my walk and feeling the benefit of it now before I tackle a quick few jobs here before bed. Night night!

Welcome back Honeysuckle. Honeybadger you've done really well. 9st0.75 this morning so sort of on my way back down.

It's nice of you all to say but sadly no real progress with weight for about a month. Scales say 13st13 today so I know I'm up but with a drowned phone and no access to the app I can't find out how much it is up by.

Definitely on your way back down octopus and a perfectly good weight. Stay positive.