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 😬

Thank you @TheRealHousewife. No results yet but I do feel better and I went running early before anyone else sane was out. Still have chest and back discomfort but I've had that nearly every day since April. Feeling very tired now and emotional as mother sent me a card and another letter. Wish she would leave me alone.

@SunshineCake great news you’re feeling better. Don’t overdo it and tax your immune system ... whatever ailed you might come back. Hopefully it won’t, you’re doing so well! Sorry to hear you’ve been triggered. I hope your anxiety isn’t ramped up. Deep breaths .... and perhaps a little bonfire 🔥😉

You’re welcome @FatGirlShrinking ... your consistent progress is very inspiring ans warrants being front cover 😊👏

Have you taken before & afters? Visuals are so powerful.

I won't bonfire this one as need it for evidence this time. Just want dh to come home. Fell like crying. Just been horrible on another thread and should really go to bed.

@TheRealHousewife I have taken photos, I've been taking full body and face photos at the beginning of each month. I would never inflict the body pictures on any other human being but this is the face difference

photos.app.goo.gl/hCe8aTDDAjvnqHhe7

Thank you all for the positive comments and vibes about bloody hormones. You are all so bloody lovely. At least this explains why I was ready to stab teen DS2 the other night and had to walk out the room to breathe away from DS3 (ASN)!!!

Day off today and I napped on the sofa in my new Oodie (best thing I've ever bought!) watched a costume drama, then had great chats with DS1 who came in from his last prelim (Scotland so he's doing his Highers, equivalent of A levels.) He's such a good kid and has turned into a funny, clever, kind and very cool lad. Made me forget about scales and hormones and remember that this strong body grew and nourished 3 great boys. I've bashed those hormones Realhousewife.

Thank goodness you're feeling a touch better Sunshinecake. You look phenomenal Fatgirlshrinking what a difference!

@FatGirlShrinking My blummin goodness you are blummin lovely and what a transformation .... nice to meet you btw 😊

@Puffalicious you’re welcome lovie. The walking away is an excellent strategy too. Hope you’re feeling more settled today!

@SunshineCake how are you today? Feeling more yourself or still wobbly. All things considered you’re having a bad week, bless ya ❤️

I’ve just realised it’s one week to Christmas ...

Thank you @TheRealHousewife and @Puffalicious

I have an 8 hour external audit via teams today as my last day before the Xmas holiday. Yay,

@FatGirlShrinking you look amazing, unrecognizable, and so much younger too, fab job!

Wow wow wow! Just sen your photos @FatGirlShrinking. Much as you look really lovely you just look so much more confident!

My news is that my test was negative so I can take dd shopping tomorrow as she's been in for ten days.

Dh is retiring today so life will get easier.

I've not done many chores today. Went for a run then a two hour walk with my friend and her dogs. Had the best talk we've had in ages and I feel 99% happier re my mother than I did yesterday. Look out for fire about six o'clock .

Only downer is I still have chest aches.

Good news on the test @SunshineCake and happy retirement Mr SunshineCake!

Audit went well today which is good and I am now officially on annual leave till 7th January!!!!!

I do feel more confident @SunshineCake, it's nice knowing that I can walk into a standard clothes shop and they'll have something that fits me, even stuff I can't do at the moment because of Covid, like go on a ride at a theme park or sit in a plane seat, I don't have that fear that I'll be too fat and turned away or shamed in front of the queue. It's quite liberating.

Off for a bit of Xmas light spotting and a mcdonalds in the car with the hubby and DD now.

Hope you had a nice time @FatGirlShrinking

Good Morning Everyone

@SunshineCake happy retirement for Mr SunshineCake! Anything planned (or would have if it wasn’t for Covid)? Hope your chest settles !

@FatGirlShrinking did you enjoy your trip out? I’ve only been to a bank and internally I was feeling increasingly panicky. They have a system where it’s one out, one in. So queuing outside, which I felt was the safest way. Staff instruct me to go in. There are 3 service window, 2 busy with customers and staff. I was the middle one. The cashier left the window and said she’d be back in a minute. 10 minutes later she returned. All the while I’m in a very small branch, no ventilation and at least 7 people at any one time (they were also letting people in to use 2 cash machines). No staff wearing masks and a couple of customers weren’t either😷 😳. I was very anxious by the end and can’t help thinking if one of them had it I’m doomed 🤒.

Menu

Lunch - Kefir yoghurt with chia.
Evening meal - tray bake roasted veg & chicken. Small piece of gluten free Christmas cake.

Water, water, water. It just won’t go in. I used to be so good and I enjoyed water. Now I’m really forcing myself.

Have a great day!

Morning @TheRealHousewife. It was the heart attack dh had that has made him want to retire now. He doesn't want another one, he said. There are plenty of jobs about the house for him to do and he has lots of hobbies so he will be occupied.

I can't drink our tap water so I buy still and sparkling water. I prefer sparkling but alternate the bottles. What about a slice of lemon or even putting some cordial in it?

Try not to worry about the bank situation and keep an eye on your temp etc.

My chest is painful at times but I was stressed yesterday and think some of it is anxiety but when it hurts in my back I think it is long covid. Thankfully I had a negative test yesterday.

Struggling with DD. She is so different from the boys, they are easy. Dh had a lovely upbringing and is non hormonal. I had an abusive one and are menopausal and more emotional. So it doesn't always work well. We've had a chat today and he does see my points and will think about things. Shortly I'll be getting up to take dd to do her Christmas shopping and I'm hoping it won't be busy. She has had to stay in for ten days and off school and would have been doing her shopping after school if not for this.

Just popping in amidst the general chaos. I only have 2 days left at work and am really needing a break. 😣

With work being stupidly busy, trying to keep up with 3 X kids school stuff and trying to get a million Christmas presents online I'm feeling a bit burnt out. Even with the medication I've been feeling a bit all over the place. We've had crappy news about a relative's illness returning as well, it sucks not being able to offer support in the normal ways. :(

I had a crappy week of not much sleep and the evening snacking was starting to creep back in - so much that a pound appeared back on. I seen to have turned it back around this week though and am now only 0.4 kg from my goal.

I'm not sure how it will go over Christmas, but I'm definitely better at the skill of balancing treats in a day with healthier meals. So hoping the overall average won't end up too high.

As usual away to catch up on what I've missed. Hoping to be able to check in a bit more over the holidays.

Just got sent a load of old photos by my stepmom and can't believe how much bigger I looked at 18 years old than I do now at 37!!

photos.app.goo.gl/LEUyjhgf9NGB4Umw8

Well done on almost reaching your goal @Galvantula . but I am so sorry to hear about your relatives illness . Make sure you take time for yourself otherwise you won't be able to enjoy Christmas Day.

I have no clue how to work out my goal but at the moment it needs to be not being overweight anymore. Can't wait until Monday when I can run again who'd have thought it back in May!!

I can report a lovely time with DD this morning getting her shopping but now she is 💔as she can't see her boyfriend due to us going into tier four and she hasn't seen him in months . I will need to get some chocolate for her.

Thanks Sunshine. It's my mum's only surviving sibling and we don't know yet how long they're likely to be around. :(

I guess we could technically have been in a "bubble" with my parents as she is a carer to my father, but we've been really careful as it seems more risky to be around them all the time. The kids have been round a few times, but mostly we meet outside. I just want to be able to help, really. My parents are close so we'll see them a little even under restrictions.

Hope the chocolate helps a bit! 😏

Thank you @Galvantula.

Glad your test was negative @SunshineCake, hope you feel better soon

Hope everyone else is doing OK!

Wedding cancelled - tier 4 😅

So instead of maintain for the dress I'm going to try my best to finish the month with hopefully another 2lb off.
Although I do feel like face planting the quality street 😂🙈

Blimey what a year!!!

Oh bollocks @CescaNicole what a disappointment, don't think anyone would blame you for the quality street!

Somewhat amazed that we didn't get bumped up to tier 4, think that's the first time Leicester hasn't ended up in the worst restrictions. We had already made the decision to make no plans for Xmas so no change for us really, will just be me, DH and DD at home.

Glad you had a good day shopping with your DD @SunshineCake, if you post your height I can tell you what your healthy BMI weight is if you like.

Sorry to hear about your relative @Galvantula

Oh Cescanicole I opened up the thread with a heavy heart this morning. What a horrid, horrid disappointment. I'm really feeling for you. It's so crap!!!! So close too.

fatshrinkinggirl you look beautiful in both photographs, just different. I was sent some photos on FB of us all at 21. My size 8, tanned self looks awesome, but my DH reminds me everyday I still look.awesome and I'm still his cool chick (he's a catch).

Scotland so our tier system different: we're in tier 3 until boxing day then back into tier 4 (non essential shops/ gyms closed, stay within your council area) for 3 weeks. DH really upset as we've not seen his brother since March and they had arranged a hill climb on the 27th ( they're Munro baggers). If he doesn't get out in the wilds soon he'll explode! We got up to the Highlands in Oct but it feels a long time ago.

Thank you @FatGirlShrinking. I've spent most of my adult life thinking I am five foot six but measurements at the hospital gave a five four. No way am I four inches shorter than dh so I've gone with five five.

So sorry about your wedding @CescaNicole. DH cousin was due to marry this year but had to cancel. No idea what their plans are now.

We are now tier 4.