A weight loss thread with no boring diet info

[AcornAutumn]

Hi all
I really need to lose a total of about 4 stone.

I'm not keen on the usual weight loss type chats with methods and foods etc discussed in detail.

So I was trying to think how it could be more interesting.

This might be a crap idea but I know I do better when I have interesting things to do. Today I've done my workout, some drawing and keyboard practice. I've also read a couple of chapters of Women Who Kill (!) and watched The Crown, I'm on Season 2.

It was those things that made snacking on a boiled egg less of a shock 😂

So I was thinking, what about a support thread where we don't talk about the details of our methods, but just check in for support, and tell each other something interesting we've done that day, even just a film we've watched.

Is it a bonkers idea?

Morning. Just back from the coldest ever run/walk of my life. I had knee length joggers on over my running leggings so my silhouette looked I was wearing plus fours. Got off to a great start, as I left the house the first track shuffle found on my playlist was Donna Summer’s ‘I’m Coming Out’. So it was the coldest and campest exercise I’ve ever done.

Just about to get in a hot bath and then contemplate the working day.

Ha Gwen, what a lovely image you've painted, I can see you whizzing past me (i've added dayglo pink to your look - hope you dont mind). Well done for getting out.

Acorn, did you take the night off?

I'm soooooo hungry. I'm eating enough, think its hormones and will pass in a few days.

Bless you, InJest, that you think I might whizz anywhere. I’m 50 and need to lose 4 stone. In my head I’m whizzing but to the casual observer it looks very like trudging.

Gwen "So it was the coldest and campest exercise I’ve ever done."

This made me lol so hard! Good for you getting out there though. 4 stone is the same amount as i need to lose. So I am hoping the loss picks up. Though permanent loss is better than fast loss.

Jest that's annoying. Distraction gets me through, as you know!

Yes, I spared myself the chores, they have to be done today though. So that's after work, then my workout.

Evening all - well done on the exercise @AcornAutumn and @GwendolineWindowlene you are my thin-spiration!

The physio gave me some exercises on Monday and I just need to start. I might put on some Run Dmc to get me in the mood.

That is a great lyric @AcornAutumn. My other favourite is from "It's Like That" which is "Next time someone's teaching why don't you get taught."

I watched a documentary about Run DMC a few nights ago and they are/were AWESOME!

I am a bit droopy today because we got turned down for something that has been a long time in the planning and was a bit of a dream for me. I am trying to distract myself and am focusing on sewing. Signed up to a free course to build my own website - am trying to persuade ds13 to do it with me because I need all the help I can get!

Mrs that sounds good, the course. I hope it goes well.

I will look up more Run DMC.

Looking at the calendar, I've now done my hard workouts 8 days out of 10 this February. I am pondering whether I need a night off as I am shattered. But, the timings in winter always confuse me, I might perk up again at 8pm.

How's everyone?

I didn't do a workout last night. Going to do it now. As per MrsBob, imma listen to some Run DMC while I put my gear on...

Sitting under a blanket listening to the wind whistling outside. No exercise today, it was just Too Bloody Cold.

Gwen, I can't contemplate exercising outdoors even when it's warmer.

I had to pop out at lunchtime today and was distracted so forgot my hat and gloves. I was literally just popping out for a couple of things so didn't bother going back in... but...bloody hell!

PS I stupidly went on another weight loss thread and turned out to be chatting to a poster who is...four pounds overweight.

I'll stay here.

Tomorrow's keyboard practice is meant to include Abba "Take A Chance on Me". Already thinking, that sounds very fast.

4lb is all I’ve lost this year!

Gwen

Same here. It's not bad though. It was surreal talking to someone wondering why she hadn't lost more and then hearing that.

Me again

I'm having an odd day and just thought I'd offload

Is it dieting and exercise, just adjusting? I couldn't concentrate on keyboard practice, but did a ton of cleaning and seem to be alternating between being hyper and thinking I need a nap. Weird.

And things on MN are making me laugh like a drain when they aren't even that funny!

Thinking to watch Red Joan tonight, anyone seen it?

If you are exercising regularly @AcornAutumn maybe your body was keeping itself on the go? DH exercises regularly and I've noticed that I am far better at slobbing than him 😂

I have also only lost 4lb but I've been making a massive effort to gradually change the way I eat long term and feel I've made a lot of progress with that. DH is being very strict with himself and even he admits it is a miserable way to live.

It's addictive for some people I think. I've had addictions in the past but sadly never exercise or dieting!!!

I sold a day bed sofa which I only finished on Friday so am really happy about that. I am transforming our hallway from a grim, unloved place into something we actually want to step into.

MrsBob good that you sold the sofa.

What are you doing with the hallway?

I think yesterday was more likely to be medication related. I notice Sing hasn't been around, I hope she's doing all right with hers.

Yes, the long term progress thing is good. I think different things suit different people but nothing drastic for me.

We are the 4lb club! I too am aiming for gradual change. I’m working on the assumption that if I’m eating less than I want to, then I’ll make progress.

Well done on your sofa sale, Bob. I too want to hear about your hall. I’m decorating ours over the course of several weeks, there are quite a few doors, plus I’m doing the banister and all the spindles. I’m not sure I’ve been bold enough with colour, I find primary brights a bit scary and there doesn’t seem much middle ground between those and a Scandi whiteout or the F&B sludgey tones.

Sounds like you're doing a great job @GwendolineWindowlene - there is a lot of painting work to be done in a hallway, pesky spindles!

I have taken out the two ugly shoe storage boxes which no one ever bothers and moved a vintage shelving unit in its place and put a lamp on top. Have bought some Orla Kiely bits to decorate the top. Also purchased some 60s coat hooks and will mount them up on a long plank of wood which I'll paint yellow.

Will hang a 60s mirror and reupholster a vintage footstool Orla Kiely 'Acorns' fabric so we have somewhere to sit while putting on shoes.

I bought a 60s stool with a vinyl top and will put a nice leafy plant on top. And I think that's all I can reasonable fit as it's a small hall .

I have been watching a programme hosted by Alan Carr where all these talented people interior design space - I'm not a natural at the sort of stuff and I love it for all the ideas. Also Pinterest is great to work out what style/colours you like.

Sounds fabulous!

Sounds lovely Bob, share pictures when you're finished (if not outing).

I've lost another 1lb over the past two weeks. I've decided the slow and steady train is ok.

Managed to get out for a walk this morning. Only 15 minutes or so, but i'm really proud of myself because leaving the house has become such a challenge.

Well done on sticking with the workouts Acorn. Can you feel yourself making improvements in strength and flexibity etc...

Another pound gone.

Jest um, I don't know tbh. I think it's hard to tell because I haven't been in a situation to test it. Also, my bulk interferes with flexibility generally so it might be that weight loss ends up making more of a difference. I was much better at any flexibility exercise before I got fat.

I also don't want to lift heavier weights because those workouts make me too hungry. I did find yesterday's "hard" workout much easier though so I must be getting benefits.

Another pound is good but I will be trying to eat less this week and try to speed it up now.

Good going @InJest and @AcornAutumn I think a pound a week is awesome and you will really start to feel the difference. I have decided to log my foods but stop weighing myself every week because I find it makes me unhappy and obsessed.

I will definitely post pics of the hallway when it's done, I love sharing. It is my goal this year to learn how to build my own website so I can start an upholstery/crochet blog and give people some tips on how to make cushions etc and where they can find vintage fabric.

My best friend's Mum just dropped off a bag of curtains and off cut fabrics and they are really beautiful. I hang onto fabric until the right project comes along. I love making things and get very over-excited about it all

Mrs
I completely understand re fabrics. I've got some bits of fabric stored at mum's house from old curtains and such like. I would like to learn basic sewing at some point.

I can say this without judgement here I hope...I had a bit of surprise yesterday. I bumped into someone I've not seen for a couple of years. She was average weight when I knew her but now looks about the same size as me, I have four stone to lose, minus the five pounds lost since starting this thread.

She's very similar to me in height, build, the way she dresses. So seeing her was like a moment of clarity in looking at myself. It was not good.

Occasionally I think I see glimpses of my former face in the mirror but at this weight, it can only be my imagination or memory.

So that was thought provoking.

Today has not been a good day work wise, very scatty brain, had to redo something and was lucky it didn't take long.

Happily I am now about to workout, when previously I would have dealt with that stress by eating. A big step for Acorn!

Well done @AcornAutumn that is honestly a fab response to stress, look how far you've come with the exercise.

Self-image is a weird thing...I struggle to see myself as overweight when I look in the mirror, I can only see it in photos. It's easy to feel a bit buried by weight because it changes our faces as well as our bodies. Only difference is you can't put a black baggy top over a face to hide!

The last couple of days I've been working on an armchair so thought I'd share a before and after. I am working in the matching sofa tomorrow.

Thanks MrsBob

I think it's been a strange conundrum for me because on the one hand, I like that I'm not too fussy how I look but on the other hand, if I had been fussier I would not have gained so much weight.

Chair looks great. I think it must be lovely to have work where you can see your achievement so clearly. How do you attach the fabric? Do you go to people's houses to work sometimes?