6 week blitz starting tomorrow

[BasinHaircut]

I’m simply starting this thread for myself as a diary.

I’m hovering around 12st 1-3lbs ish. I’d like to hover at 11stones-something in 6 weeks time, so nothing major.

All I’m going to do is the following:

1. Stick to under 1600 calories per day
2. Walk for an hour each day
3. Resistance train 4 times per week

I should be able to do this easily but I need some accountability (with the food!) so here I am!

I have 4 social occasions during this time that may lead to not sticking to 1600 calories on those days but I am ok with that. I will just do my best on those days, accept what they are, and not let them lead to throwing in the towel altogether.

If anyone would like to join me they are very welcome!

@ClaraTheImpossibleGirl I used to run, I could do a 4mile circuit in an hour and get my 10,000 steps at the same time, but I broke my leg in October and my knee complains if I attempt to run now.

@Jammymare I am in awe of a 4 mile run

My friend had to give up running for the same reason - he was a very fit bloke and only mid-30s, but running aggravated his knees in a way that none of his other hobbies (cycling, climbing, hiking) did.

I just want to get to the end of C25K so I can finally graduate!!

My knees can’t cope with running either! Or Joe Wicks style jumping about HIIT stuff. I am genetically pre-disposed to arthritis though and already have it in my toe joints (which also rules out running/any high impact stuff).

I love running but can't do it anymore - prolapse. No jumping either. So I cycle, which I also like.

How is everyone doing today? I've had a really hectic few days at work so barely time to eat. I think I'll weigh tomorrow morning and see what's going on.

This week I've ditched Fast800 and am just calorie counting - max 1450. It's much easier for me to stick to.

I have a brunch out this weekend and the options are all weird - it's either pancakes with berries and yoghurt or very savoury stuff like burgers, macaroni cheese etc. I think it'll be pancakes and I'll see what I can persuade DS to eat off my plate.

I think I’m rolling at about maintenance calories (around 2000) the last couple of days.

I’ve just lost enthusiasm- I think because I know I’m out on Saturday drinking and it will all go to pot then. Then Sunday will be a write off too.

I’m still eating good foods though, getting my work outs and walks in so not all bad.

Think I need to back off my weight training a bit as it’s making me hungry. I’m still going to train but stop trying to up my weights to pre-lockdown/surgery levels and just concentrate on weight loss again.

Or stop trying to lose fat whilst I get my strength up. I don’t think I can do both.

Glad you have upped calories @olliepollie I think that’s a good idea.

I’ve been good up until today, we went to our wedding venue for dinner tonight, and I had three courses so don’t need to eat again until Monday.
@BasinHaircut I think you need to cut yourself some slack in that only eating 2,000 calories is still a lot better than going on a massive binge, I swear some days I could eat double that!

@BasinHaircut you've been doing so well, even maintenance calories for a while is a great achievement because you're still improving your diet while keeping your weight steady. I think eating at maintenance is harder than losing - it's a nut I've never cracked.

Back on the bike today and the scales say I'm down 2.5kg this week, hooray!

Initially they said I was down 7.5kg which would mean I'm no longer obese which was momentarily thrilling but just a blip 😂

Thanks @olliepollie and @Jammymare yeah I’m trying not to go backwards! If I aim for 1600 a day and then need more food, 400 more is plenty to get me through. It’s easy to see how you can go over my many many more though, if you aren’t counting.

@olliepollie that’s amazing!! Well done

2.5kg is brilliant @olliepollie! I'd be thrilled with 2.5lb

Not sure the scales will be moving downwards for me this week as I have a dreadful earache and zero motivation to cook, or indeed do anything that involves moving. I did w8r2 yesterday but couldn't face Shredding today

@BasinHaircut I try to add in a bit of weight training too as my DM suffers from arthritis and osteoporosis (also a reason why I'm desperate to lose weight!). But yes, definitely ease off if you feel it's too much.

I'm trying to plan out my summer holiday strategy to keep me and the DC active pretty much given up on DP and will be putting it all up on a wall planner soon... hopefully I can actually stick to it!

Thanks @BasinHaircut and @ClaraTheImpossibleGirl I am really happy with that! Perhaps totally unrealistic but hoping to lose 5 more by 10 September for a wedding, but slow and steady is fine.

DH is a foodie and has made a completely delicious supper tonight, and has opened a special wine. So that's easily 1,000 calories just on supper! 🤪 but I had about 600 in the day so not that much over.

What's your strategy @ClaraTheImpossibleGirl?

@olliepollie congratulations. That's a fab result.

Foodwise this week has been difficult. Being home with the kids makes it tricky to keep to my food plan. Have been keeping up with the workouts though and although the weight isn't shifting I got into a t shirt today that just 3 months ago would have made me feel yuck (I don't know if anyone else has this feeling of being of clothes being yuck if they don't fit properly. I'm a bit hypersensitive in that way).

My knees are hurting so will need to modify the HIIT a bit. Aging sucks.

Urgh. Just ate half a bar of fruit and nut to end the day on 1,884 calories. Needy over my head back in the game and meal plan this weekend.

That's great to know your clothes are fitting better @ManxRhyme, must feel good! I know what you mean about being sensitive about fit - I'm really funny about clothes being comfortable and can feel unite claustrophobic and panicky if clothes are tight.

Similarly, since I started cycling regularly my body shape has changed - slimmer in the middle - although I haven't til this week seen much scales progress.

@Jammymare having just half a bar is good though - better than a whole! I think all these small actions are what make for being slimmer long-term, it's always something that comes up on those 'I'm naturally thin and this is how I eat' threads.

Today I'm out all day and have a brunch with friends and a ready meal for supper when I get home so I'm going to try and not eat the world (often my way on an 'off plan' day - bit of a binger). I'll have to make sure my toddler doesn't dash into traffic or run around in the restaurant or generally have a meltdown so hopefully will be too busy to overeat.

Oh dear, this has turned into a bit of a three day binge, finishing today with an M&S meal deal and 2,300 calories. I hope everyone else is being good this weekend to make up for my dramatic fall from grace!

I was out drinking yesterday and food is definitely hangover-friendly and not calorie restricted today!

Ah @BasinHaircut, you've made me remember some happy pre-DC days when I could spend all day in a pub garden if I so wished

I know what you mean about the clothes @ManxRhyme - I have quite a few in my wardrobe that I'm still waiting to fit back into! For now I just recycle the same few old and skanky tops. I could probably squeeze into some others but want to wait till I can actually wear them more loosely and flatteringly!

No current strategy @olliepollie until my rotten earache has gone away! Luckily(?!) my DP never cooks so I can pretty much sort all the food myself. For me though a big part of it has been sorting out an exercise routine and finally sticking to it. It's made me feel much better even if it hasn't always translated to massive losses on the scales!

@ManxRhyme feeling more comfortable in your clothes makes such a big difference doesn't it? I saw some slim women wafting around town yesterday in very simple linen dresses and longed to be in a position to wear those - too much thigh rub at this weight! I'm with @ClaraTheImpossibleGirl with a few worn tops. I always feel a bit of a state.

It sounds like you've had a fun weekend @BasinHaircut! I do love the food on a hungover day.

@Jammymare we've all been there! How are you feeling about getting back on the horse tomorrow?

I've had an ok weekend - had people staying so yesterday was a write-off but today - although tempted - have had a small lunch and DH has just made a few falafel for supper. Too hot to eat much!

Sad isn't it @olliepollie? I did invest in a few tops rather than re-wearing my maternity ones all the time as it was a bit of a vicious circle; I'd feel crap so I'd want to wear something baggy that would cover me up, then I'd look like a sack of spuds and feel rubbish so I'd eat something to cheer myself up, then... you can see where this is going, can't you?! Even just a few cheap tops from ebay/ charity shops/ reduced in the sales made me feel a bit better. I just don't want to spend £££ when I'm determined to fit in my size 14 (or even size 12!!) tops again soon...

It is sad @ClaraTheImpossibleGirl, but also fairly pragmatic?! With a 2yo I often end up mucky so I need things that can be washed a LOT. I wear a lot of fairly tatty Breton tops and plain cotton t-shirts.

I have bought myself a linen dress for £12 from the H&M sale as I can't go out for my sister's 30th on Saturday to a v v fancy place in scuzzy drawstring trousers and a t-shirt. There's a line!

I have two vacuum bags full of beautiful size 10 clothes. I dream of getting back into them.

Pragmatic indeed @olliepollie... I have DTs, most of my clothes ended up filthy/ stained/ generally ruined it's partly why I only bought cheap replacements!

All my 'thin' clothes are boxed up in the loft so I don't look at them and sob to avoid any further damage, apart from a couple that I keep out to motivate me. I have a lovely size 14 dress which I'm aiming to be in by the end of September for a family christening but at the moment it's a bit unflattering, to say the least

I'd love to stick on a simple dress like this Sainsburys one but don't think it would be anywhere near flattering till I've lost quite a bit more weight!

I too bought some clothes in my fatter size because I have to go to work and my usual work clothes wouldn't zip up! I'm also in a lot of clothes from the last time I was this size which was post baby, and they are getting a bit tatty now.

It is so hot I only want to eat ice creams. And definitely not exert myself by exercising.

I love the day AFTER a hangover because I always feel great (in comparison to the day before)

Although my period has just turned up which I wasn’t expecting till the end of the week.

Want to get to the gym today, purely because it has air con!

Shopping was delivered yesterday so no excuses now. Fridge is stocked with healthy food and ready to go.

The urge to drink alcohol is also out of my system, probably for a good few weeks due to said hangover.

Sticking point this week will be the 2 BBQs I have to attend on Saturday. Yes, 2 in the same day.

God I’m in such a good mood!

But guys, buy the clothes you need now if you can afford it. You shouldn’t wait to be a certain size to feel good about yourself. You won’t get anywhere faster by punishing yourself. You’ll just feel shit and make it harder to stick to the diet. You can get some lovely bits in the supermarkets these days so in this weather a nice dress for £12-15.

So feel you on the exercise @ManxRhyme!

But I am on the bike as we speak because I'm quite grumpy and I want to be in a great mood like @BasinHaircut 😁

It's many years since I had a hangover @BasinHaircut but the joyfulness of it lifting does stick with me!! If I had an air conditioned gym to go to I would definitely be there at the moment...

1lb off for me this week, I think more due to my earache and coughing stopping me eating much than any fantastic food choices on my part. However, it puts me just under half way on my weight loss journey which is a milestone to be celebrated but probably best not with cake

Morning everyone!

I really didn’t want to step on the scales this morning. I think there is something in my mindset that is if I have a bad weigh in I might as well give up. I KNOW that I can fluctuate by 3lb overnight and I KNOW that this CANNOT be body fat, but I still have that little voice that tells me I should give up. Why do I think I’m not worth it? Why don’t I deserve to be kind to myself and my body? Why can I support and cheer for other people but not for myself?
Well right now I am telling that voice to shut the hell up, I do want this and I am going to work for it and I do deserve it. Woo Hoo!!

Start 161.5lbs
Week 1 159.5
Week 2 158.5
Week 3 158.75

The scales may be reading slightly heavier, but my total weight loss is still 2.75lbs, and that’s good progress so I need to knuckle down and get over myself and work for it. I know what I need to do, meal pan, move and stop with the self pity.

And actually, by weighing everyday I can definitely see the downwards trend, which is pretty cool.

Hope everyone else has had some success on the scales, let’s go smash our goals this week.