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?

I’m feeling a bit contemplative about all this too today. I stumbled on a ‘wellness journey’ thread yesterday that had a positive vibe to it. I like the idea of this being gradual self improvement. I also like the ‘year of health’ idea that Rebel Wilson was talking about.
So, I’m doubling down on the idea of doing good for myself and building good habits. I’ve downloaded the Done app to log three good habits. Mine are drinking water five times a day, running or walking 3K every day, and stopping sweet junk snacks.

Interesting about what you observed in your friend, Acorn, I’m certain that people I’ve not seen for a while notice the change in me. I’ve never been smaller than a 14 as an adult but I’ve become more apple shaped since having DD, and am a lot heavier.

Gwen I hope that helps you.

I realised as well that certain balances in yoga have got harder for me, not because
I don't do it often, but because with a 4 stone gain, my centre of gravity has altered.

The lady I met was sort of waddling and I probably do too but didn't realise it. It was a shock but a necessary one. I have had people try to hide their look of shock at my weight gain but my life was a lot harder when I gained it so I didn't think much of it.

Hope we all have a nice distracting day today!

I think I get what you mean @AcornAutumn. A few years ago someone who I considered to be much bigger than me mentioned "us bigger girls" and I was really shocked as I didn't realise I was bigger and certainly not the same size as her. It was really depressing.

@GwendolineWindowlene I am making an effort to be more conscious when I am eating. I think (many years ago) I did used to think about when/what I snacked on but it has been a while

I relate as well. I didnt feel very big, but photos showed me the truth. And people I thought of as bigger than me, were not.

In good news, I'm now into the next stone bracket, which feels like a bigger weight drop than it really is, but has put big smile on my face.

Jest how exciting!

MrsBob yes, it's shocking when something like that happens.

I can't believe I got this big without really feeling the difference but that's the nature of a busy life I guess.

How are people finding this thread btw?

I want to speed up my weight loss but I can't face boring diet talk.

Perhaps I am at a point where diet talk would help? I don't know.

Happy to mix up regular chat with some diet talk. Give it a try?

Let’s mix and match (as opposed to pick’n’mix!). We can talk about making changes to our eating without those stats about starting weight and number of calories in a spring onion.

Well done InJest, that is exciting!

The spring onion thing really made me lol!

It's weird. I just really want the weight to shift faster but the only way that will happen is less food. I could cut back on the exercise to see if it makes less food more feasible but I don't think it will.

So best to just get on with things. It's sunny today which has been very nice

This thread is great, very non-competitive and supportive - we can accommodate a bit of dieting talk without loosing our heads!

I have appointed myself head of the anti-diet nut case squad and if any of you begin to talk about macros or only eating soup and rice cakes, I will have to step in .

I forced myself on the scales today and have also lost a bit which was a nice surprise after a couple of weeks of putting weight on.

I am basically eating all the foods I enjoy but less of them. Portion control has been a revelation!!

Glad you think the thread is great, I've done something useful then.

I might also be feeling a bit blah as far too much to do this week and not had time for much fun stuff.

It just seems like other people who are really overweight report losing a few pounds a week in the early days so I'm annoyed that's not happening to me.

I know for me to shift a significant amount at speed I have to run every day and also completely stop snacks.

But, the reason I always put weight back on that I’ve lost that way is because I can’t sustain the feeling of deprivation.

I’m hoping to speed up a bit, but I don’t want to be miserable!

I'm the same as Gwen, can lose weight fairly quickly if I'm strict on calories and walk alot, but eventually I rebel against the depravation by eating without any limits at all until i'm right back where I started.

I deperately want the weight off quicker too (date is still coming up and I really like him), but I remind myself that I rarely feel deprived this time round, so maybe this time it will stick for exactly that reason. I've had only 2 binges since January, and got straight back on track the next day without the superhuman effort it usally takes.

Gwen fair enough.

I thought that I had done enough to lose more than a pound a week though.

What a great thread. Can I join op? I need to lose 5 stone. I tried on some clothes yesterday and was horrified by how big I looked. Slowly creeped up on me, it's terrible!!! Such a sweet tooth now, little one is 4 and sleep deprivation and busyness has left me relying on sugary rubbish for energy, and to relieve boredom.
I've signed up for some free classes on future learning, and have a few books lined up on my kindle, so
I have something nice and not food oriented to do in my free time once kids are in bed.

Jest cross post

Good that you aren't feeling deprived. Neither am I. In spite of being very bored.

I have the "busy with boring work" thing going on at the mo which makes me irritable.

@Missushbb

What a great thread. Can I join op? I need to lose 5 stone. I tried on some clothes yesterday and was horrified by how big I looked. Slowly creeped up on me, it's terrible!!! Such a sweet tooth now, little one is 4 and sleep deprivation and busyness has left me relying on sugary rubbish for energy, and to relieve boredom. I've signed up for some free classes on future learning, and have a few books lined up on my kindle, so I have something nice and not food oriented to do in my free time once kids are in bed.

Welcome along!

Yes, there's everything from budgies to upholstery to my terrible keyboard learning....which I must do tonight....to running in camp outfits..

Last night I watched a film called "Late Night" with Emma Thompson, about a late night talk show host. It was well paced, bit cliche but still good in a lot of ways. I used to work in NY so like to see things set there.

Hugh Dancy, who I've not seen forever, is gorgeous.

I'm going to rewatch Emily In Paris and then cancel Netflix. My friend who worked in Paris refuses to watch it as she said it will be so unreal...I'm sure it is but it's so much fun. I don't know Paris though.

Hello Missushbb, great to have you with us. This is a great thread. We're dieting in a Secret Squirrel type way and spending much more time nattering.

I'm working my way through Normal People at the moment. It feels like there's a mid-season lull happening but by and large I'm enjoying it.

Very exciting, you working in NY, Acorn. I'm imagining you as Emily Blunt in The Devil Wears Prada.

@GwendolineWindowlene

Hello Missushbb, great to have you with us. This is a great thread. We're dieting in a Secret Squirrel type way and spending much more time nattering.

I'm working my way through Normal People at the moment. It feels like there's a mid-season lull happening but by and large I'm enjoying it.

Very exciting, you working in NY, Acorn. I'm imagining you as Emily Blunt in The Devil Wears Prada.

Brilliant days. But no, I was never that thin! And work culture was good.

The past is another planet isn't it.

There's a saying I was trying to remember ...something about how nothing happens for ages and then all life comes crowding into an hour or some such?

Missushbb Futurelearn have some good courses.

Hi @Missushbb nice to have your company!

I wish we had badges with 'Secret Squirrel club' on @GwendolineWindowlene

I have signed up for a ballet class via Zoom. I am a carer and Carers UK are offering some fabulous courses. I start my one to learn how to build a website in March too so that will keep me busy.

@AcornAutumn I know what you mean about busy with boring work. I am trying to get some chairs reupholstered which are really dull and it gives me the rage!

MrsBob

I feel like I am stuck to a computer all day for work

So curious to know what courses they have, are they free?

Sorry it it seems lazy to ask, just can't face signing up to another site and I can't seem to see without a login.

Ironically caring for mum limits my free time....

I'm going to rewatch The Little Stranger. I saw it at the cinema when it came out but couldn't concentrate. It's probably my top favourite book but I have to see them as separate entities IYSWIM.

Both courses are through Carers UK. I am signed up for their emailed newsletter and I think ever area has its own local branch.

Nine years ago Carers UK paid for me to do an upholstery course. At the time I regretted not choosing a spa day(!) but it came in handy later when I had to leave my career to care for my disabled child. I have a source of income and a career because I didn't choose a spa day 

Definitely look them up @AcornAutumn. Also make sure your Mum is getting all the help she is eligible for. We have just got respite care for my child which is life-changing for our family.

Thanks MrsBob

I am not a registered carer and mum isn't entitled to anything, are the courses only for registered carers?

Sorry for all the questions. It's great that you got such a lovely career instead of a spa day!

Still haven't settled down with film as neighbours are making a racket, can't work out which ones...

I wasn't claiming carers allowance when I did the course. I think the only criteria is that you are someone's carer, definitely worth giving it a go.

Who knows, I might end up a ballet dancer after this next one 😂 We could duet @AcornAutumn!!!!

Thanks MrsBob

I can't even contemplate doing ballet! Hope you enjoy the class.

Busy caring today! But rumours abound of a sunny day tomorrow.