Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Weight loss chat

A space to talk openly about weight loss journeys and challenges. Mumsnet hasn't checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. You may wish to speak to a medical professional before starting any diet.

LOSE IT! June 2021

549 replies

TheRealHousewife · 31/05/2021 19:08

Hello & Welcome 😊 WOW 😯 June already! What a start to meteorological Summer; stunning weather and easing of Lockdown.

Firstly a massive Thank You to @SunshineCake who has done a stellar job in taking charge of May’s thread 🙏🌟❤️. I was happy for sunshine to carry on but she kindly invited me back to start the new month, so we agreed to make it a joint effort. (I’m still battling ill health and will post when I can).

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 & Articles

NHS Free 12 Week Plan

MFP

Water & Weight Loss

LOSE IT! June 2021
OP posts:
Thread gallery
36
Crazzzycat · 14/06/2021 08:23

Morning all. Weekly weigh in for me and I’ve lost 1.5 kg.

It’s another puzzling loss as I haven’t been sticking to plan much. In fact my average calories for the week came to almost 1900 kcal a day, thanks to some late evening crisp eating sessions 🙈

I have been very active though (almost 15k steps a day and more than 1000 active minutes for the week, according to my FitBit). I guess that explains both the urge to have more calories and the weightloss in spite of stuffing my face?!

Have a good week everyone!

swampytiggaa · 14/06/2021 11:19

Well done @Crazzzycat! When I first had a Fitbit I lost over a stone really quickly just by hitting 10-15k steps every single day. I thought I was active but there were 3/4 days a week when I wasn’t but didn’t realise iyswim… on my feet all day without much movement.

Sadly I need to put a lot more effort in these days 😂😂

TheRealHousewife · 14/06/2021 11:28

Good Morning All

I was up around nine then had to go back to bed. Back totally seized up and vv tired. Feel a little bit rubbish tbh. Anyways seeing friends yesterday was absolutely lovely 🥰.

@swampytiggaa. Hahaha, you must really prefer Morrison’s to not use your Tesco discount. I hate shopping too! 99% online these days. I always eat better when I meal plan, it’s a good strategy for diets as well as reducing food waste 👍

@Puffalicious Wear your Scotland shirt with pride and I hope you get the result you want!

@Crazzzycat well done on your loss! 👍👏🌟

I’ve not weighed … totally bloated from pain meds I took so not much point. Trying to go without this week as my ascites is quite bad. I’m due an appointment at the Gastrology (sp) department so will give them a ring.

In other news … We’ll done England on their 1 - 0 win ⚽️

LOSE IT! June 2021
OP posts:
swampytiggaa · 14/06/2021 11:34

@TheRealHousewife I get discount from Morrisons and Tesco 👍 I work in Morrisons husband works at Tesco and my main shop comes from Tesco each week. I have delivery saver and pay for it with Clubcard points. Plus it would be weird to risk doing my own shopping 😂😂

SunshineCake · 14/06/2021 14:32

Well done @Crazzzycat. You've lost just under half my baby son's weight Grin. Takes credit for saying sometimes we need to eat more to lose weight Smile.

Sorry to hear you feel rubbish @TheRealHousewife. Hope you get some rest today and feel better very soon.

I surprised myself today with my running so felt very pleased. Did 13km so will try for half a km increase next time. Have lasagne for dinner as ds2 favourite and I'm extending his birthday celebrations.

Watching football but not paying enough attention really.

Graphista · 14/06/2021 20:30

@swampytiggaa I was wasting my Clubcard points and vouchers and coupons then I called up and got it all sorted! Got money off my mobile bill (I'm with Tesco mobile) my shopping AND a delivery pass for essentially free! So glad I did wish I sorted it earlier - I'm normally a "savvy shopper" but I was lazy on this

Ok

It's been a weird week, but I hope I'm getting back on track.

Went to make dinner last night and was like...eurgh...stir fry or pasta AGAIN I'm in such a rut!

I keep doing that!

Now I did a thread a while back re rut but the weight loss idea didn't factor in so...

What kinda things do you guys have for dinner while losing weight?

I'm veggie but don't feel you have to only post veggie ideas as I'm pretty good at adapting or taking inspiration - just bad at maintaining the motivation!

Before the weight loss it was like:

Sun - roast (I don't know how to calorie count potatoes and stuffing accurately)

Mon - pasta

Tue - something freezer to oven, usually sausages or grills with oven chips and baked beans

Wed - pasta again (to finish the pack of fresh pasta in time)

Thu - something quick, busy day for me, usually something tinned (curry or ravioli) or even a...pot noodle Blush

Fri - stir fry

Sat - takeaway style (I don't get actual takeaways for a number of reasons) - pizza, kebab (since quorn brought out kebab flavour), gyoza and rice, spring rolls and chips... you get the idea Blush

So...what does your menu look like? Any tips?

Graphista · 14/06/2021 20:38

Sorry meant to say I didn't have pasta or stir fry last night I had a chilli made with quorn mince, celery, onions, garlic, spices (I have to be careful with spices as I can't tolerate spicy food these days), tinned tomatoes, tomato purée. Served it with cous cous instead of rice for a change (forgot I had cous cous in! It's easier to portion than rice I think) and a little sour cream topping.

I had a bad night the night before last so I'd slept most of day and this was only meal I had, that's a habit I was in start of last year (only one meal a day) and I really want to avoid ending up back there again

Today I've had for lunch -

Celery and small pot reduced fat houmous

Cucumber and plastic cheese sandwiches with a little Mayo

Handful grapes

Kinder milk slice

Fat free actimel

1 Sugar free tango & water to drink.

Prob gonna have stir fry for dinner (yea I know it's late that's normal for me) as got quorn pieces need using (no room in freezer, freezer is full of less healthy items which I'm now very annoyed at myself about!)

SunshineCake · 14/06/2021 20:39

We've cut red meat pretty much out since dh had his heart attack so tonight's lasagne was a treat for DS2. Tomorrow we are having chicken thighs roasted with cubed potatoes, carrots and lots of veg.
Fish with new potatoes with veg.
Fajitas
Enchiladas
Roast dinner
Curry and rice, popadoms, naan though I'd only have the curry and small spoon of rice.
Sweet and sour chicken and rice.
Fish pie.

No real set pattern. No one else needs to lose weight so I just make "normal" dinners and then dh will have fish if he doesn't want what the kids and I are having and I will add more veg and salad to my plate.

swampytiggaa · 14/06/2021 20:40

I hate cooking tbh so probably not the best person to answer. I made ratatouille today which me and the husband had with sea bass and the veggie daughter had with cheese. Smallest had a fishfinger sandwich and the boychild and his girlfriend had pizza.

This week I am planning burgers - beef for meat eaters bean for the veggie and anyone who wants to try them. Fajitas are on the cards. Something eggy. Chips. Dunno 😂😂

Graphista · 14/06/2021 20:50

@SunshineCake any tips for calorie counting potatoes? I really struggle with this

Ratatouille - good call! That even works for my "tinned Thursdays" could have with cous cous or even just bread on the side thanks guys

HalfShrunkMoreToGo · 14/06/2021 21:09

@Graphista is it that you struggle with only eating a small portion of potatoes (understandable as delicious in every form) or tracking amount/calories in the amount you're having?

I tend to do potato and .... dishes now so I can still have potatoes but a smaller quantity stretches further. For example, I'll cut the potatoes into small cubes, add seasoning, a small amount of oil, then cut up pepper and onion into chunks and roast the lot together. The onion and peppers are much lower calories so a big portion as a side still gives the potato hit but with less potato.

This works really well as a one pan meal too if you throw in some reduced fat sausages (sainsburys good for you cumberlands are nice) or some chicken breast/ turkey thigh with a seasoning/rub that you like on it.

Mix potato with swede, celeriac or carrot to reduce the calories in mash potato.

That kind of thing.

Graphista · 14/06/2021 21:19

Tracking the number of cals halfshrunk

More than happy having smaller portion/bulking out with other veg

I must admit I tend to have smash too which is a bugger to count

HalfShrunkMoreToGo · 14/06/2021 21:20

@Graphista sorry just read back through the thread. Easiest way to figure out the calories in potato's is to weigh them when peeled and raw, then log by weight 77cals per 100g. Then log any oil you use separately.

Other ideas for quick easy meals that I like which are nicely balanced macro wise and low calorie

  • whatever veg I have in the fridge, usually a combo of baby corn, green beans, asparagus, mushrooms, sugar snap peas. Put in a microwaveable bowl with a little bit of water and cover with cling film. 3 minutes in the microwave, drain, add a teaspoon of real butter, salt, pepper and any other seasoning you like then a sliced boiled egg (I have wafer thin chicken or ham but saw you're veggie). Warm refreshing salad and you can have loads because the veggies are all low calorie, low carb ones.
  • I make a bolognaise soup from BBC website basically all the stuff you'd put into a bolognaise, small portion of the meat/quorn and with extra veg stock to make it runny, I add lots of carrot, mushrooms and green beans so it's filling. I'll eat one portion on the day, stick one in the fridge then freeze the others for when I want them.
  • poached or boiled egg with asparagus
  • scrambled egg with peppers, chilli, spring onions and a bit of hot sauce. I'll have that with a wholewheat wrap or a slice of granary toast.
  • omelette with mushrooms, peppers, onions, green beans and I'll add bacon or chicken too but you can do without.
Graphista · 14/06/2021 21:21

It's the "as prepared" nonsense does my head in! I want to know the unprepared cals as I don't make it up the same as they suggest - it's too watery/thin how they do it!

Not just smash applies to other products that have the nutrition info "as prepared" NO just say what the cals are per 100g/ml much easier!

Graphista · 14/06/2021 21:23

Was trying to think what the other thing was that bugs me over this - breakfast cereal! "Includes milk" well what if I'm not using same amount of milk? It's bloody confusing!

Crazzzycat · 14/06/2021 21:30

@Graphista, I make this a lot, but I add 1 tbsp of harissa instead of the 3 tbsp of pesto this recipe uses. It’s a bit healthier and a lot tastier in my opinion. I also add half a bag of spinach and split it into 4 portions and serve with bulgur wheat. I’m sure couscous, rice, or bread would all work fine too.

www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/bean-halloumi-stew/amp

This is a great, tasty recipe too. I like to add some more seasoning to mine (hot chilli powder and smoked paprika) and a bit more cheese and they still come in at less than 450 calories:

www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/vegetable-recipes/cool-mexican-bean-wraps/

And finally, DH says this is tasty. I wouldn’t know as I can’t stand mushrooms 😂 Joking aside, the Jamie Oliver website is surprisingly good for healthy, easy veggie meals. Worth having a look if you’re seeking inspiration:

www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/mushroom-recipes/garlic-mushroom-pasta/

SunshineCake · 14/06/2021 22:10

I'm definitely not in anyway claiming to know about calories etc but when I do baby new potatoes I bake them in the oven with a couple of tbsp of olive oil and garlic or herb salt and they taste amazing but don't feel too high in calories. I have no idea though.

Graphista · 14/06/2021 23:09

I've saved the bean and halloumi stew recipe thanks that's right up my street. Minus the chilli, love smoked paprika though (it's on my shopping list as I've run out using it in chilli yesterday)

The bean wraps I'll admit don't really appeal, seems a bit...plain/dry? Especially as I can't have the spice

Garlic mushroom pasta is something I cook fairly regularly already. Not the JO recipe I've been making it for DECADES

Mine goes

(Not sure of amounts as I usually go by eye/taste but now for weight loss I'll watch the amounts of pasta, cheese and creme fraiche)

Stick pasta on

Sauté onions and garlic

Add diced mushrooms, season with garlic grinder (can never have too much garlic imo )

Turn heat down and add some diced fresh mozzarella

Turn heat off (residual heat is enough) drain and add pasta to mushroom mixture and stir in and then add creme fraiche last

Where I am struggling with pasta now is I can no longer manage the usual draining from pan into colander over sink (I can't reliably grip pan OR colander certainly not both one handed!) so I've adapted how I deal with pasta so I choose pasta that I can serve/drain with a slotted spoon and then the pan gets emptied once the waters cooled down (so not likely to scald myself) I've just bought tongs thinking that will allow me to have spaghetti/linguine/tagliatelle and I can get it out the pan with the tongs is the plan!

I know that all sounds a faff but I'm having to find workarounds to manage my lack of grip these days. I have tools to make opening bottles and jars and tins easier cos even the ring pull tins are hard for me to do.

I also begrudge using more than one pan as it's just me! Prefer to save on the washing up where I can, especially as managing soapy/slippery pans is tricky. Last summer I caved and got rid of old heavy pans and got new lightweight ones which are a bit easier to manage.

I also bought enamel pie tins which I rarely use for pies I use them for making one person portions of casserole type dishes or even baked eggs that kinda thing.

@SunshineCake is that 2 tbsp oil for like a family though? Cos that would be ok, be a bit much just for me Grin

I have switched back to fry light. I got a THREE LITRE thing of sunflower oil at start of lockdown as a sub which I couldn't return and been slowly making my way through that. Had to decant into jars as I can barely lift the thing! Had to position jar on worktop and kinda lean the thing over? Bloody awkward and it's taken up half a cupboard till recently!

Much prefer fry light

I find it hard to calculate cals in potatoes and especially potato products.

And as I say don't get me started on cereals or indeed anything else where the nutrition info is "as prepared to instructions"

At this point you'd think it would be law they have to say what the actual nutrition information is in the product with nothing added

Eg the vitamin and mineral info on cereals is sometimes based on the portion of milk you're adding!

False advertising

SunshineCake · 15/06/2021 06:21

Yes 2 tbsp is for all of us.

I have a colander with feet so I only have to hold the pan for draining.

fat13 · 15/06/2021 07:47

Hi, been signposted here.

So I’m 12’7 as of this morning. I was 16 stone exactly back in February although I’ve actually lost more than that but taking that as my starting point.

My target for the end of June is to get to 12’0 or below as then I’ll be overweight or obese!

Crazzzycat · 15/06/2021 08:12

@Graphista, I wonder if the book “The Green Roasting Tin” would be worth looking at for you? I don’t have it, by calorie-conscious DS swears by it. As I understand it, all recipes are of the “put everything in an dish and bung it in the oven” variety. If you type “green roasting tin” into Google, you can probably find some sample recipes.

Welcome @fat13. Sounds like you’ve made some excellent progress so far! Are you following any particular plan?

fat13 · 15/06/2021 09:18

I’m doing exante, it’s worked pretty well but I do want to have a bit of a normal life, have family dinners and picnics and so on! So quite keen to get to my target which is 9 stone 10lbs.

I have to say it’s changed my life, I feel better about myself than I thought it was possible to.

SunshineCake · 15/06/2021 10:22

Yay @fat13. Great that you've joined us. There are loads of Lose It! Threads as we start a new one each month so feel free to read our old ones.

I'm posting this as a reminder. I Can Not Have Any Fresh Or Tiger Bread! I had two slices for lunch and one after dinner and then the scales are saying a ridiculous amount compared to last Tuesday. History tells me it is the bread aka eating something I'm intolerant to. I know it isn't a genuine weight gain but even so, enough now.

Just ran 11.5km and I was planning a day off tomorrow with the aim to try and do 14 on Thursday but I might have to rethink that now Grin.

Have a good day everyone. Do an extra 100 steps, have an extra portion of fruit and veg, drink plenty of water, especially as it is hot again and take half an hour for something for just you.

fat13 · 15/06/2021 10:24

All good advice!

Crazzzycat · 15/06/2021 11:38

Step away from that bread @SunshineCake!

I have severe IBS. As much as it’s a pain (literally) to be suffering from it, I am quite lucky that most of the foods that people usually binge on are completely out of the question for me. No bread (unless I make it myself), potatoes, creamy rich foods...the list goes on and on.

Whenever I crave any of that stuff, all I have to do is remind myself of what I felt like the last time I had some. So I’d suggest making a mental note of how it made you feel and may be next time you too will find it easier to resist?

Although saying that...it’s worth noting that it is apparently quite common to have strong cravings for foods that you’re intolerant to. It’s something to do with the way your body initially reacts to the food. I don’t remember the exact detail, as I was told this by a dietician when I was about 15, but if I remember correctly if can cause a spike in adrenaline, which gives you an almost unbearable craving to have more of the food that makes you ill. It’s got to be the least helpful physical response ever 😂

Swipe left for the next trending thread