LOSE IT! November 2020

[TheRealHousewife]

Hello & Welcome

Roughly 8 weeks to Christmas 🎄. We all know it’s been a strange unsettling year. Unprecedented. Nonetheless we all deserve to feel the best we can, be the best we can and strive to be as fit and healthy as possible. Not only will you look great in your finery, you’ll be (to a degree) improving your immune system and your ability to fight infection should you get one. In addition, if we eat right, get outside, move more your mental health will heap the rewards. Better mental health = better choices. It becomes a self fulfilling prophecy.

Me personally? In the main it’s been a way of life for nearly 3 years and I’ve lost over 40lbs. I had a bit of blip at the start of C19. After all my hard work I just started eating with impunity. Before I knew it I was10lbs up in a few short weeks! I needed to get back on it and COVID proof myself 😬 I calorie count, log via MFP app, Intermittent fast, eat-low carb Mediterranean style aka Fast800 Plan and try to stay well hydrated. Due to some unfortunate circumstances in October I didn’t really lose but did maintain. I’m hoping November will see me firmly in the healthy BMI bracket.

There are so many enjoyable lifestyle options out there without the need to resort to extreme measures. Whatever way you choose, it needs to be enjoyable & sustainable for the long term. This is a long term commitment rather than a quick fix. I also rarely drink alcohol and keep sugar to a minimum. I exercise by doing walking vids & strength sessions with lite weighs.

As no one size fits all members need to follow their own way of eating. Nonetheless this thread aims to offer guidance, support and a bit of hand holding.

There is no shaming, competition or harsh words to be found on this thread. We are in this together.

Useful Links

How to lose weight

The Fast Diet

Mediterranean Diet

My Fitness Pal

Intermittent Fasting

Mindful Eating

Meal Planning

Drink Water

Nutrition & Mental Health

Jump right in! If you’re not too shy, post a bit about yourself 😊. How do you plan to do it? What do you want to achieve? What excites you about your future self? Together, we can create a whole new you!

You’ll be glad you got on board this time next month 😀.

Oh thank you for nice words. I do feel I've lost my way at the moment.

@Breathmiller, i was very young (about 21) when I lived there, so me saying a few years ago is a bit of a stretch! I think the main difference is that every meal is an event or a gathering.you don’t go to a fast food restaurant etc you sit down to a proper meal. Mind you, I gained a stone the year I was there so I can’t say it was healthier!

@lh1987
I don't know what age you are now but 1996 was 'only a few years ago' so surely you being 21 can be too.

It's been a week since I started logging my weight and calories and I have lost 5lbs!!

I am .2 of a lb off my first goal of 12 stone something.

The trick is not to do my usual Friday scoffing so tomorrow maybe I will see that 12 at the start of the scales.

I started this because last week i binged when i got home in the afternoon after a long and tiring week and decided to see out of interest what the binge was on MFP. It was 2700 calories. On lunch!!

But I am chuffed with how this week has gone. Onwards and....downwards

@Breathmiller I too do the Friday scoffing thing, resisted last week by shear will power, digging my heals in this week too.

I have planned a mini Christmas dinner for myself tonight to help, slice of turkey, slice of ham with mashed carrots and parsnips, so looking forward to it already will hold off on the roasties unit the real day comes.

Oh that's a good idea cloudofdreams
I think we're going to gave nachos which will be interesting how many tortilla chips i can fit in my calorie intake.
Might forego lunch so I can enjoy a normal plateful with all the trimmings. Or have a lighter lunch might be better as I am trying not to miss out meals.

Weighed in this morning and was at 12st 13lb, so lost 6lb so far in November. So excited to see that 12 number!

Well done on 5lb loss @Breathmiller!

My treat will be 2 glasses of red wine tonight! Got results of blood tests from doctor today which show I have low vitamin d levels. Will be interested to see if the prescribed supplements make me feel any better. Symptoms are anxiety, fatigue & hair loss, all of which I experience somewhat.

@Breathmiller I had a really quick, dirty version of nachos for my lunch yesterday as just had a real craving for them.

An individual bag of Doritos is 150 cals (30g serving)
Salsa is about 60 cals for 100g
Reduced fat cheddar about 80 cals for 30g

I just chucked it all in a bowl and blitzed it in the microwave to melt the cheese. Not the best nachos but met the need.

I would usually have been much more generous with the cheese and the nachos, and would happily have eaten more, I didn't actually weigh the salsa it was just around a third of a squeeze bottle.

Thanks fatgirlshrinking

I failed at the Friday afternoon not scoffing thing. And i was going to keep going destructively,
in for a penny in for a pound mentality . But..i pulled it back, a bit. I did still have my nachos but a pared back version.
So, I am way over my limit today but I'm actually okay with how much.

I do think I will stick to this longer if I allow Fridays to be a bit of an off day. Just not as off road as I usually am. I think it's because I'm not drinking. I feel if i can't have a glass of wine at the end of a long week then I can at least let go of watching calories.

Has anyone planned in a day off a week and still lost in the long run?

Oh and well done lh1987 at getting under 13. 👏

Its all going wrong for me. Lost my willpower and motivation. Havent got the energy to calorie count, just want to comfort eat. I have high blood sugar so am really not helping myself. Sorry to be down.

@Nosuchthingastoomuchcheese

Taking away weight loss as the focus, if you have high blood sugar there is a need to adjust your diet. So what foods do you like that you could buy in to help you avoid sugar.

I sometimes have snacky/comfort food days so have stuff in the cupboard that meets that need without filling me with sugar because sugar and me don't get on, and the more you have the more you want.

Beef jerky
Pepperami
Egg Mayo sandwiches or fried egg on toast
Peanut butter - have been known to just eat with a spoon
Bag of hazelnuts or peanuts (mmm KP salt n vinegar peanuts)
Pretzels
Cheese strings/babybel
Fibre one chocolate brownie bars
Options hot chocolate powder (choc orange is my fave)
Low fat rice pudding/custard

I also pretty much always have some leftover beef casserole in the freezer as an emergency comfort meal.

That's good ideas thank you. If I dont sort I'm going to end up with diabetes. Just dont feel emotionally in a good place but also I boredom and comfort eat!
I'm never sure if sweeteners are ok for me to have? I just need to not reach for food when I'm not even hungry!

Sweeteners aren't great for you and if you have a tendency to get migraines I'd avoid them, but they're better for you right now than lots of refined sugar your body can't break down.

Sometimes you just need a sweet thing and nothing but a taste of chocolate will do and that's why I have the fibre one brownies, they hit the spot. For people like us with PCOS and on the verge of or with diabetes, we need to be careful around sugar and try where possible to keep it low.

I do like the fibre one brownies. Its not so much sweet stuff today, just generally lost my way.

I could kick myself, but also a revelatory moment! DS2 birthday yesterday and I had a piece of birthday cake (over and above calories for the day but I felt I should join in). Despite everyone else saying how delicious it was (Sainsbury's and a favourite) it tasted overly sweet and I really didn't enjoy it. 4 weeks of very little sugar must have had an effect! Means I won't even be tempted, which is great. Now to be extra good all day to make up for a cake I didn't enjoy

I weighed myself today and put on 2lbs from my weekend not being careful.
I'm not beating myself up though. I am still 3lbs down overall feom this time last week.
I think i am much more likely to keep at this longterm if I allow myself the weekend's off. And maybe once I give myself that permission then I can do it in a better way. I tried too hard this weekend to still be within my limit so didn't plan for any extras. And then went off the rails completely. Whereas I think if i know that weekend's will be a bit freer I can do it a bit better.

Working all day today so it feels like the start of the working week so I know i can be a bit better. And back to the school walls tomorrow which always add in more exercise easily to my day.

Went a bit crazy yesterday too, just hungry all day, I think now some of the work stress is relieved my body is catching up on sleep and food that was missed over the last couple of weeks. I indulged yesterday but will reign it back in from today.

Really noticing the difference in my fitness level, it's great to be able to spontaneously go for a run around with DD or have a 45 minute crazy dance party and not feel like my whole body is about to give up.

I didn't want to just drop off the thread but it's been argh one hell of a week. Have gone from separation wobbles to saying "divorce" out loud to people in real life.
Haven't weighed myself but progress: the beautiful Reiss blazer I deliberately bought in a size 12 now fits me, and I managed to get my wedding ring off.

I think relaxing it at the weekends is a good idea. I really wish I were one of those people who didnt like food!!

Eggandsoldiers hope you are ok

blowthisforeggsandsoldiers
That sounds a lot of heavy thoughts to be dealing. I hope it all settles in a way thats right for you soon.

Hope everyone's ok

Have lost my way a bit!
Completely went off this weekend and ended up getting mcdonald's breakfast delivered 😩

Have decided to up my calories a little to 1700 a day as I just have no energy day to day and end up in a mental battle all day about whether to give in and have a snack of some kind. Then I will give myself a mental beating if I do give in or just feel miserable if I don't! Have also lost the motivation to do any exercise. As soon as the kids are in bed I just want to go to bed myself with a hot chocolate and a good book! Maybe the colder weather isn't helping.

MFP says 1700 a day means I will lose 0.5lbs per week so we shall see how we go.

It's such a shame as I took 6 week progress pics and the difference in even such a short amount of time is amazing! I would have thought that this would have spurred me on to continue but I have gone the opposite way last few days.

Need to get my mojo back!!!!

Hi all, just a quick check in.

It is scary saying that out loud @BlowThisForEggAndSoldiers been there done that got the Tshirt Hope you are OK.

Take it easy @FatGirlShrinking you needed to eat more, you've eaten more, it will calm down. Hope work is better this week.

Keep going all! I've got my period on it's way which is always difficult in terms of eating. Still at 10kg total loss so doing OK -ish.

Hi everyone

I had to go searching as this had fallen off my TIO .

Hope you are okay @BlowThisForEggAndSoldiers.

I went running today and decided to go aback to running twice down the same road and back, had to stop on the second run because of the rude dustbin lorry driver. I accidentally ran further than planned as I was counting the distance there and not on the way back so had run 8.3 when I thought it was going to be about five so I decided I might as well run 10km .

I'm up 0.8 since Wednesday but I'm fine. If I want some chocolate or a small bag of milk bottles I have them and if I go up I just tell myself I have lost over 1.5 stone and it is fine. I think I am getting to the point, if not already there, of not having food issues and I no longer hate myself if I want something off piste. This is such a big deal as I have had food issues for 30 years and hated myself for don't know how long when I ate for enjoyment when not hungry. Or comfort.

Please don't take this as me showing off or not understanding that some of you might be finding it hard or disheartening. Let me tell you, not that long ago I was stressing and upset as always seemed to be the only one not losing anything. I ran my 91st run today and if I can run and sort out eating and actually lose weight and keep it off, then anyone can and YOU can.

Take care everyone.