LOSE IT! April 2021

[TheRealHousewife]

Hello & Welcome 😊 WOW 😯 April came around so fast. The sunny Spring weather and easing of Lockdown brings so much joy and promise for the coming year.

This thread is for those of us who enjoy healthy eating, exercising and feeling motivated to reach (or maintain) a healthy weight/bmi. The members of these threads are inspirational, supportive and happy to share their progress (the ups and the downs).

We all know that 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.

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 rarely drink alcohol and keep sugar to a minimum. I exercise by doing walking vids & strength sessions with light 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 these threads. We are in this together.

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 😊

Useful Links

Useful Tips For Lockdown Weight Loss

Free Recipes

Free NHS 12 Week Plan

MFP

How drinking more water helps you lose weight

1/2 inch off thigh since last weigh. Tummy appears to be up or one inch down. Need to check.

Thank you so much @HalfShrunkMoreToGo @ShakerMakerGirl @Arbadacarba. I have reread all your posts and feel calmer and like I understand better what has gone on. I always drink a lot of water every day, and not really anything else apart from a lemonade once or twice a week, but I will make sure I am really on it today. I had a bonus run so that is good. It has been over a week since I did two consecutive days and while it was hard in places it was also great in others. Thank you. You are all great and didn't let me fall off the cliff even though I probably felt like I was headed that way !

Hello, I would like to join you. I have 34 lbs to lose. My waist is 37 inches (as in my narrowest part, belly button measurement is 44 inches) and I would like to get that down to 31 inches. I am early 50s and have been slim most of my life, but it’s all gone to pot the last couple of years.

I plan to eat twice a day and reduce carbs. I have the Fast800 book and will try to follow that. I feel too fat to run but will try to start the C25K when I have lost a few pounds.

Welcome @Wiebsa - it sounds like you've got a good plan in place there!

I mean this in the nicest possible way @SunshineCake, but I think you need to relax a little. I totally understand how frustrating it is to go up in weight, but it just happens. It could be eating too much junk food, salt, being stressed, too much exercise. The list goes on and on.

I find maths a very useful tool for reassuring myself (yes, I am that sad!) Here’s the sum I would do:

You need to eat an excess of 3500 calories to gain a pound. So to gain 3 pounds of fat, that means you would have needed to eat 10500 excess calories this month. That’s the same as 500 excess calories each day, every single day of the month so far.

Did you do that? Based on your posts, I’d hazard a guess that the answer to that question is an emphatic NO! So, you might be looking at an increase in water or muscle mass, but it’s not going to be fat.

I hope you take this in the way it’s intended. I just worry when I see anyone become demotivated by the number on the scales, but especially someone who is as kind and supportive to everyone else on this thread as you are 🤗

Welcome @Wiebsa. Good call to join us. We are a good bunch.

I was a bit scared when I saw the start of your post in TIO @Crazzzycat . Part of the problem is I put 2-3 stone on and didn't notice so I feel I need to keep an eye on what is going on. What you said does make sense as it reminds me of when the scales said I'd lost nothing but the tape measure disagreed. I am delighted with a further half an inch off my thigh today and pleased I ran again. I'll try not to weigh again and will run Friday, Sunday, Tuesday and maybe Wednesday then will get on the scales.

Dh is trying to persuade me to buy new clothes. My zip up fleeces are three sizes too big and while they are wearable he said they do make me look bigger. Feels a waste to just buy the same again in a smaller size and as I said on that neglect thread, where someone was a bitch to me, I can't replace everything in a smaller size as they aren't available anymore.

Thanks gang. You're the best.

ignoring kind comment as will blub]

That’s the spirit Sunshine

I think if you can, I’d replace may be one or two items to start with. I get where you’re coming from in term of feeling it’s a bit of a waste etc. My start in life unfortunately wasn’t too dissimilar to yours, so I know how that can affect feelings of self-worth. But to quote a famous advert “you ARE worth it” and I can almost guarantee that it will give you such a boost to see yourself in some new, better fitting clothes.

And welcome @Wiebsa! It sounds like you have a good plan in place. Good luck!

Thank you for the welcomes, I am weirdly nervous but need to do this.

SunshineCake I need to go back and read April’s thread but I am really impressed with your running. Strength, fitness and toning much more important than a number on the scales.

Busy making grocery lists and meal planning here. Today is chicken and salad for lunch and dinner. Almonds for snacking on.

Hello, random check in. Still on maintaining at around the same weight. Happy with that though, normally with lots going on I'd be comfort eating like mad. Feels like logging had got me back thinking about whether I really want to eat that thing.

Sometimes it's yes mind you. 😄

Thanks @Crazzzycat. I don't know whether to just put aside anything I put on that is too big as I go and only replace if necessary. I have a lot of clothes. Or just visually work out what it too big in one go. I was thinking just keep wearing everything until it wears out but that is silly as well as probably won't happen. A while ago I did put some jeans in the charity tub that I never liked from day one of buying them and were a bit big even then. Felt happy to get them gone and dh wasn't fussed at all. Also, I don't know what to do with the clothes. Most are still wearable.

Thank you @Wiebsa. If you want a laugh read the threads from a few months ago. I'm the one having the tantrums .

Hi @Galvantula. Nice to see you and hear you are doing well.

@SunshineCake I ditched everything, just chucked it all in bags and took it to a charity bin. I currently operate with a very limited wardrobe while I'm losing, so have 3 pairs of trousers, a pair of shorts, a dress and a handful of tops.

Hoodies I like baggy so have kept some of my 18s but I'm now comfortably a 16 with one pair of size 14 jeans so all my size 18/20/22 trousers, skirts, dresses etc were just too big to wear.

I'm aiming for size 12 and when I get there will get an all new wardrobe so I've been saving vouchers I got for Xmas to splurge on that.

I've discovered my favourite four fleeces are all size 18 and another is a 14. I would need a 12 I think. It feels such a waste to get rid of perfectly good clothes but maybe I need to do this. My new coat is also too big [sob].

Where are @fallfallfall and @MrsJones?

@MrsJonesAndMe

Hope you are okay.

fall fall fall is alive and well. but not behaving (not weighing in, not following the low cal low carb diet i signed up for :( ).
i am however exercising (biking and hiking, not so much indoor fitness now that the weather is better).
i try to be careful but before i know it my willpower is broken and i'm nibbling and once i start i have a hard time stopping. although nothing after supper.
my downfall is 3-5pm while supper is cooking and i'm in the thick of things (pantry and fridge).
i have however had what is my final breast ultrasound for the foreseeable future. i've been discharged from the breast clinic but should attend regular breast mammo's.
first shot for me and dh on the 26th!!
hey do tell me those of you who've had the shot, should i stock up on easy comfort foods for a couple days? i'd hate to ruin my perfect month of exercise and hope i can do that?

@fallfallfall I had the Pfizer and didn't feel ill at all, arm was sore for 24 hrs and I was more tired for about 3 days but not so much that I couldn't do everything as normal.

thanks, we're suppose to get pfizer or moderna so fingers crossed i don't miss a fitness day (550 calories of fitness, and 45 minutes of exercise). aiming for a perfect month on my apple watch ;).

Glad to see you @fallfallfall. My danger time was 3pm and that was when I would have something like sweets or chocolate. Then on Monday I was gardening and Missed My Snack but didn't miss it so now I only have something if I really need it as opposed to because if is three o'clock.

I had the AZ and felt awful the second it went in and for nearly four days after. No need for comfort foods though. Just ate as I normally do. DH had the same jab and initially was okay then seven hours later had the shivers and felt yuk for about a day. My arm was sore for about five days. I'm now wondering if the afternoon tiredness like I had after I was ill has come back because of the jab.

Great news you have been discharged!

To the tune of O Christmas tree:
Oh tiger bread, oh tiger bread, why did I ever buy thee???
I'll leave it there...

@132orbust ohhhhhh many a SW visit been wrecked by tiger bread - real butter - banana or cheese and tomato ( hey tomato is good )
Absolutely love the stuff but now tell myself I am allergic as it has made my whole body swell up

@132orbust haha I love tiger bread 😍

I wanted to say thank you to everyone on the thread who encouraged me to try 16.8 fasting as at the moment it seems to be working pretty well for me alongside calorie counting. I have actually been weighing myself daily rather than weekly which is what I was going to do (might not last) but it has been really encouraging and this morning I am at 11st 13.4 which is down over 3lbs since last week! Enjoying seeing the 11 there
Not expecting to be able to maintain that rate of loss but I have been trying really hard this week.
Work has been mad for me and DH this week though which means I'm not getting my steps in or managing to be v active. Annoying as I was improving in the easter hols but just finding it really hard to fit in at the moment.

Thanks for your solidarity chum - off out for a 2 hours walk. Bin day but I didn’t lob it out, too frugal...

@fallfallfall I had the Pfizer jab a week ago and the only side effect I had was not being to raise my arm for two days, because it was too sore. I was totally prepared to have a duvet day or two, but woke up the next day completely refreshed and with more energy than usual! Obviously everyone is different, but for me there was no need to take a break from exercise

Hey everyone,

Bit down today- weigh day and I'm 2lbs up . This bloody 2 stone mark is eluding me constantly- I was within 1lb last week and now I'm no closer than at the start of the month. Perhaps the Easter choc nibbling is catching up- I tend to show behaviour a few weeks after onnthe scales. I'm feeling a bit pre-menstrual too, so maybe a factor.

Reading all your inspiring replies to Sunshine has bucked me up and I just need to try and put it to the side and forge on. I have little time for exercise, so that needs to be a focus. I think I don't create the time- I'd rather have 30 mins sitting reading my book for me time, as I'm pretty exhausted most days with work/ 3 DC/ ASN child. Once the pool opens back up ill be more motivated as swimming is my thing.

Anyhoo, onwards and upwards.