LOSE IT! December 2020

[TheRealHousewife]

Hello & Welcome

Roughly 4 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. In October/November I didn’t really lose but did maintain. I’m hoping to see a loss this month which would 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

MFP

Intermittent Fasting

Mindful Eating

Drink Water

Meal Planning

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 😬

@TheRealHousewife 22nd December 😊🎄💍💒

@Puffalicious
We only booked it about 6 weeks ago - it's a last minute lockdown wedding 😬
We are TOTALLY using Covid as an excuse for a small wedding haha!
It's literally just a ceremony, followed by a meal at the same venue, a champagne toast and then go home to put kids to bed 🤣 still I'm very excited!!

Oh @CescaNicole I managed the miss your update. Congratulations!

DH and I ran away and got married in Vegas just the 2 of us 14 and a half years ago, it was perfect!

How exciting for you, and glad COVID has given you the excuse to have it how you want it!

Placemarking but might not be back for a few days. Life getting in the way a bit. . .

Hope all are well

:) found my tribe!
weigh in this am shows the damage at 6 lbs up and starting december at 146.1
as usual i'm not too worried i know i'm closing in on my goal (135) and it's a long slow journey for me.

That's a win still @fallfallfall, an emotional or mental one. Well done.

So exciting CescaNicole and exactly the way it should be done! It sounds just perfect and the kids will just love it too. A very lovely Christmas for you!!!

That sounds amazing @fatgirlshrinking 😊 I do love the idea of a Vegas wedding!!!

Thankyou @Puffalicious 🤗

Morning all, thanks for the warm welcome 😁

Got off to a great start yesterday - got held back at work so my planned dinner went out the window, my tracker watch decided to die on me AND it was 9pm by the time we say down last night so I didn't do my exercise video...

BUT I did do lots of walking, decorated the Christmas tree and logged all my food/drink on MFP coming in under 1200 Cals (I set it to 1500) so it was fine in the end!

Love the idea of a hot choc advent - I may do a belated one to myself 🎅

Start of this weight loss journey was 233lb, BMI 35.4

25/11/2020 - 192lb, BMI 29.2
02/12/2020 - 190lb, BMI 28.9

Loss this week - 2lb
Loss this month - 2 lb
Total loss since starting - 43 lb

Good Morning WOWsers (for those who Weigh on Wednesday)

I’ve gained second week on a row. I’m due for blood tests for thyroid. I think my dose might need adjusting. Diet is really healthy and portion controlled. No alcohol, no sugar etc. I’m not going to stress about it.

@SunshineCake hope all goes ok at the GPs with your DD. It’s a step in the right direction ❤️

@Puffalicious yes totally keep chipping away at it. You’ll get there!

@CescaNicole 22nd ... 3 weeks yesterday. How exciting! On the countdown now!

@FatGirlShrinking the hot choc calendar is such a good idea! I love the romance of your LV wedding 💒. Great reduction in your BMI! Well done 👍

@Trisolaris. Hope you’re ok and hope to see you soon back on thread soon.

@fallfallfall. You’ll get there. You’ve had down time due to your injury. Under the circumstances you are doing great!

@PinGwyn. You did great under the circumstances. I bet the tree looks lush! I’m planning on getting mine up this weekend 🎄

Menu
Hot spicy chicken soup for lunch. Portobello mushroom pizzas & salad for evening meal. Water, water, water 💦 I use to love water but struggling to get it in.

Have a great day 😬

I have weighed today just to keep track and keep up habit - I'm 10st 12. So a 2 lb loss. Nice to see the 10s for the first time.

I have changed my MFP goal to maintain for now, which is weird to have some extra calories. Messes with my mind a bit!!

Dress fitting today! X

Ooooh dress fitting CescaNicole I'll bet you look and feel phenomenal.

I'm stealing the Options hot choc calendar- off to buy some after work! My boys love indulgent hot choc (complete with mallows and squirt cream) so I can join in!!!!

Hi, could I still join please if it's not too late? I'm on another thread but need the accountability. I'd really like to lose 4 pounds in December which will take me to 10 stone and the top of my healthy weight (I'm 5 foot 3) - I know it's a small goal but I've been trying since March?! Would be the best ever Christmas present!

I'm in awe of everyone's achievement, well done to you all

Great job FatGirlShrinking, you must feel great 😁

That's so frustrating TheRealHousewife hopefully you'll get your meds sorted and things will even out soon. Btw hot and spicy chicken soup sounds amazing, do you use a recipe or just throw it in?

CescaNicole well done on the 10's 🎉 so exciting that you get to see all your hard work in what I'm sure will be a gorgeous dress!

Welcome from a fellow newcomer @RebeccaNoodles, try not get too hung up on the numbers and be proud of what you've done for your body and health so far! I'm also 5ft 3 and 11st seems to be my default weight, healthy BMI is just not for me 😂

Anyway, been a better day today!

47 cals over but I managed a 30 minute cardio session and 10871 steps so I treated myself to an unplanned banana 🤦‍♀️😂

Just checking in, I was late the the last thread. Managed a 3lb loss in November taking me to 10.1/75. I'd love to be in the 9s for Christmas..but Christmas goodies are starting to come in and I'm finding it tough!

Hi everyone and welcome to our lovely newbies.

Today I had less time so ran almost 5.5km. It was my 99th run since May.

My stats Oct 2018 - 196lbs
May - 177lbs
Today - 153lbs

Feeling hormonal and tearful, late with my period either a week or a day depending on how I read my app and count but nothing matters because DS IS COMING HOME TOMORROW!!!

Good Morning All

@CescaNicole Congrats on seeing the 10s. It’s a nice feeling. Anchor it down. One to remember when we reach out to boredom or emotional snack.

@RebeccaNoodles A warm welcome. I love your user name.

@PinGwyn well done on your step count, awesome. Bananas are full of goodness, potassium and fibre. Fabulous choice if hungry 😋

Well done on your November loss @Heartbeats0708 👏

@SunshineCake you are doing fabulous! Well done on your awesome progress 👏⭐️🥇 . This ❤️ is for today. Promise to not eat him up, there’s a lot of calories in boys 😬

Today is my Fast800 day. Red pepper & mushroom omelette for lunch and chicken & vegetable traybake later. Keeping busy helps. Pre Christmas trim deep clean next couple of days prior to putting trees & trimmings up at the weekend.

Have fun!

Oooohhh ya bugger, it's proper wet and cold today in Leicester. Highs of 4 degrees and raining cats and dogs.

Trying to psych myself up for the school run, nothing quite as fun as standing in a soggy playground waiting for the teachers to throw open the doors and beckon the kids in.

I've been good the last few days, have managed to stick to my calories despite being on my period and craving meat and chocolate.

Exercise has fallen away a bit though so I need to get my butt into gear and do a video at lunch or I won't hit my activity target this week.

How's everyone doing?

I’ve managed to get my steps and water in and to stick to my calories for two out of three days despite going for lunch with my daughter so I’m quite happy.

If the ‘thing’ on the thread is to WOW then I’ll try to resist the temptation to get on the scales til then

Raining in Kent today and a lot of work on.

Good luck everyone

@FatGirlShrinking Dark & murky here too. I’m supposed to be cleaning today but my left side won’t cooperate, so frustrating! In quite a bit of pain too. Best laid plans and all that ...

@HostessTrolley some of us do do WOW but in all honestly each person can choose how they want to measure progress. Some post daily, some weekly etc. Myself as I’m sticking/yo-yoing (thyroid related) I only post weight when I see a new positive change if that makes sense. I still weight on Wednesday but don’t always post the outcome. Do what works for you 😊

Has anyone got snow? I’ve heard high north have a sprinkling. I know it can be disruptive but I love a blanket of fresh laid snow ❄️ The garden looks tidier & prettier with a sprinkling 😬

Hello, I did actually WOW but am here adding a better late than never WOT. .

I was 56.6kg today , so another half pound or so since last week's 56.9. I have been doing well at the not snacking this week- normally when i had a few days off work like this it was a bit of a cue for treats to eat, a few beers and general overindulgence. (and later being annoyed at myself!)

(overall stats:
started MFP November 2014 @ 77.1kg/12 st 2/170lb

Joined this thread August 2019 @ 62.0 kg/9st10.5/137lb
Now @ 56.6kg/8st13/125lb )

Hope the dress fitting went well cesca.

It's icy here @TheRealHousewife, forecast is for maybe a few flakes in this area. (East Scotland). (and thanks for the reminder to drink more water)

Great progress fatgirlshrinking :) :)

Yay for your progress too sunshine and DS coming home!

Well done hearts and pingwyn I am loving your 'unplanned banana'

Must go finsh doing Santa's shopping...

Morning from a -1 Glasgow. The walk to school was a scream today- I was like bambi on ice with DS holding on to me ' My shoes are grippier mummy!". Black ice everywhere and very pretty frost which looked like snow to DS. Day off, thank goodness, so I'm home to have a cuppa under my new heated blanket (bloody amazing, thank you Aldi!) before working off calories with housework!

I'm over the moon today- i weigh on a Thur as it's day off- 3lbs off! I had to weigh myself 5 times to make sure as I was convinced I'd have put on with birthday treats last week. 11lbs so far- a real boost as I can see that first stone beckoning to me and being overweight rather than obese. I'm so grateful to all on here for keeping me focused.

Enjoying this thread!
Snow in Edinburgh. Beautiful.

Had a horrid cold this week but still managed 5:2 quite well. I'm doing 16:8 on the other days, but after two days of fasting have sort of forgotten how to eat - SO weird haha.

Weigh in tomorrow, so really hope for a loss.

Well done to everyone for keeping going!

Hi @PinGwyn I missed your request for hot and spicy chicken soup. I generally do my own recipe to whatever I have in but here’s the bones of it:-

HOT & SPICY CHICKEN SOUP

Ingredients

• Chilli oil 1 - 2 tablespoons
• 1 - 1/2 litre Chicken stock either from cube or carcass.
• Roast Chicken left overs.
• Garlic chopped or paste.
• Grated fresh ginger (keep in freezer and grate as needed)
• Red chilli chopped small. (Keep in freezer, can be used from frozen)
• Red pepper chopped small.
• 1Red onion chopped small.
• Spring onion, sliced thinly.
• 1 or 2 stalks of celery chopped small.
• 1 or 2 carrots chopped small.
• Frozen or tinned sweet corn.
• 1/2 teaspoon miso paste.
• 1 teaspoon red Thai curry paste.
• 1 teaspoon lemongrass paste.
• Salt & pepper to taste.
• Optional extra depending on calorie allowance & if making a light lunch or evening meal = lentils or soup dried pulse mix.

Most of the above I already have in as they are ingredients & seasoning we use a lot of. You can use as much or as little of any ingredient as you like to taste to your own preference.

1. Oil in large pan on medium.
2. Make cube stock or have chicken stock to hand
3. Add chopped onion, carrot, celery, spring onion, chilli & red pepper. Sauté until softened, stirring now and then.
4. Add garlic, ginger, miso paste, lemongrass paste, red Thai curry paste. Stir in to coat softened veg. If too dry add a small amount of water to aid mixing & coating.
5. Add stock and bring to a light simmer (I don’t recommend boiling home made soup as it compromises the flavour).
6. Add frozen sweet corn & pre cooked chicken (and pre cooked mixed beans or lentils if using) and continue to heat through until it reaches a soft simmer and sweet corn and chicken are at temperature.

Also if calories aren’t a concern reduce the amount of stock youre using by 400ml and add a tin of coconut milk ... delish 😋

There are so many variations you can do.

Ladle into pre warmed dishes and enjoy.