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?

Omg - all I had to do was check the lights and plugs before he left (under his instruction.) I'd mustered some dignity and mentioned I was starting a deep clean now schools are back - when I got my jumper caught on hook and got stuck in my own kitchen doorway.

inky 😂

We're going to have to make an episode of Miranda from this thread. SUCH FUN!

Is the reservoir the one where the rock climbing place is?

I finished the book. It’s very good, with lots of lovely Japandi interiors, and photos of Dr C leading by example in a nice t shirt and jeans. You’ll all be pleased to know that Rangan - Rang when we’re chatting together on his beautiful blue sofa (of course that’s his actual house, how dare you suggest he has used a location hire for the photos) - suggests that killing ourselves with exercise isn’t a good thing. We should be walking, lifting the occasional kettle bell and doing the occasional bit of dancing.

The basic ideas are: eating real food (ideally fewer than 5 ingredients), getting plenty (and good) sleep, improving our spirits by reducing stress and increasing human contact, and eating at the best time. Movement should make us feel nice and not stress us out.

He’d be very welcome on our thread, there’s hardly any blathering on about calories and there are no dreaded meal plans.

Haha - yes! We've got all the slapstick and more.

I'm obviously not now wondering if the clean jobs actually made me look like more of a slob. 😅

At least I've found my motivation for the scheduled big clear out.

The reservoir is the West Reservoir centre in Hackney (by the Castle Climbing Centre, yes) which has always been a sailing/canoeing club with the occasional open water swimming session but during lockdown has turned into a year-round open water swimming venue. I've got really into it and can't wait for it to reopen on the 29th. It was on Landscape Artist of the Year.

Annoyingly I feel I pretty much follow Rang's tips already (or would do if lockdown hadn't closed my reservoir and stopped me having human contact), so why aren't I thin goddammit?

I very much feel at home on this thread - clumsiness, rodent infestations, black books. Like a mirror held up to my soul.

Do you actually own it, Long? I can’t imagine owning a reservoir! You’re like a more urban version of Xenia with her island.

Hmm, I don’t follow the words of the Blessed Rang, by quite a long way. I imagine there are about 73 ingredients in a chocolate hobnob. However, I like his slow and steady no pressure approach, and how encouraging he is.

Hmm sadly no. Only as one taxpayer of many!

Oh dear

Did my deadpan reservoir/ghost chicken skit fall flat?

No, I’m just a bear of very little brain.

Friday! The sun is out and I feel like I have worked my hours already so although I still have a bit to do I'm going to go for a run AFTER school drop rather than before and have a lunchtime stroll with a pal. Sticking with the Turkish theme I am going to introduce her to gozleme and lahmecun which she claims never to have tried, in a revelation almost as shocking as Acorn's kebab fact.

Still not doing brilliantly re diet. Pesky chocolates. Exercise going well though so not going to beat myself up too much. Small win, I am having healthier breakfasts. I had got into the habit of honey on porridge or granola on yoghurt and have ditched both.

Also drinking more water and slightly less coffee. Won't help my weight but might help my overall health. I had a load of blood tests and though my blood sugars were fine my kidney function was a bit borderline

Nice to see the sun!

Rang wouldn't approve of me, yesterday's workout was like beating myself up. I had forgotten hammer curls existed.

I have a feeling I'm in muscles retaining water stage - my jeans are not t

Oops

Tight...though still four sizes too big. The number on the scales is likely to be false this week.

Today I'm not doing more weights but lunchtime walks aren't easy because the streets are full of kids. I look forward to clocks going forward.

I didn’t weigh in this week. Full of cold and period bloat!

Loving all the chat, I need to catch up on the thread!

Sorry to rake over old ground, but can someone please clarify... if Long doesn't own the reservoir, did she or did she not paint the picture of it that was in the competition? I don't know why, but I feel I need to get to the bottom of this.

I'm going to slink off work at lunchtime today and go for a walk in the sunshine. There is gardening planned for the weekend! Hoorah!

Well done on the jeans, Acorn, I'm afraid mine are v tight indeed.

Gwen, long goes to the reservoir for activities.

The painting was painted by Ophelia Redpath. I loved her work before I saw her on TV! Her website doesn't seem to have much of her work on it at the mo.

opheliaredpath.com/

Last night I saw the programme with her Snowdonia commission - wonderful.

I don't believe you Acorn I think long does own the reservoir and you are head honcho security (with a bit of MI5 work when time allows).

Gwen I was going to make a cheesecake today and since it contains under five ingredients I am going to tuck in.

Inky I'm sorry you have suffered so. Years ago we did a self-move and one of my BIL's came to help us. He still makes the odd comment about my lack of cleaning. I get proper angst at people coming into my house. We have a trade coming on Monday and I'm trying to arrange it so I'm out and dh has to deal with the shame.

You lot are the best group of people ever

I'm with you, Bob. I want Long to own the reservoir. And to have painted it and be in a competition and everything. And I want Acorn to be on midnight manoeuvres in full camo with bits of twig in her hat. Why is life so unfair?!

My house is a doer upper, so the bits we haven't done yet look like a shit tip even when they're clean (which they're often not).

This is Acorn at work.

And after too many workouts.

@GwendolineWindowlene

I'm with you, Bob. I want Long to own the reservoir. And to have painted it and be in a competition and everything. And I want Acorn to be on midnight manoeuvres in full camo with bits of twig in her hat. Why is life so unfair?!

My house is a doer upper, so the bits we haven't done yet look like a shit tip even when they're clean (which they're often not).

To misquote Bob Ross

This is our world and we can make it any way we want.

I was like that post workout yesterday!!

Loving the photos! I have not seen Landscape Artist of the Year but my understanding is it's a bit like Bake Off or Masterchef or something and they had a few professional artists and a few amateurs all painting the same reservoir and then judging? And people at home are also encouraged to give it a go? Unfortunately I am terrible at art so have not attempted any painting at all but am going for a stroll there now post Gozleme-buying, so might manage a photo.

Morning all. All go here, more decorating completed (for those new to the thread, I’m on a decorating marathon, painting lots of woodwork, everything needs 3 coats and sanding and it’s a Sisyphean enterprise) and am about to give the lawn its first mow of the year. I’m feeling very industrious.

Those pics confirm my suspicions Gwen.

Good luck today, surely 3 coats equates to a cakes-worth of calories?

Long what is 'Gozleme-buying'?

I have a zit on the side of my nose. I am not weighting myself today because I'm sure it will add a pound or two.