LOSE IT! July 2021

[TheRealHousewife]

Hello and a warm welcome to new & established members. July already! Lockdown easing and an end in sight! Hallelujah! Let’s embrace the summer and extending freedoms feeling like our best selves.

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 reap the rewards. Better mental health = better choices. It becomes a healthy cycle.

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. Personally, I rarely drink alcohol and keep sugar to a minimum. I try to not overload on carbs etc, include a protein source with most meals and aim to glug enough water. 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. We generally have WOW (weigh on Wednesday) day each week. However post and share your progress as often or as little as you prefer. I’ve weighed daily at times and weekly at other times. Do what works for you.

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

June 2021 Thread

NHS 12 Wk Weight Loss Plan

Fast800 Recipes Free Content

Benefits of Water to aid Weight Loss

MyFitnessPal

Evidence Based Weight Loss Tips

The Psychology of Weight Loss

Well done puff! Welcome to queenmabby and loseitloseitthat's great about your skin and hair graphista. Maintaining is always good cesca

Morning everyone!

@LoseItLoseIt I’m currently working on avoiding crisps and biscuits totally limiting chocolate and drinking more water and doing a minimum of 15k steps every day. It seems to be slowly getting rid of my last few pounds I want to shed 😊 and it’s very easy to maintain.

I don’t drink at home but when I go out all bets are off 😂😂 plus my nights out always end with cheesy chips for the walk home 👍

Morning everyone, and welcome @QueenMabby and @LoseItLoseIt! Well done on the losses and sts to everyone that has weighed.

I’ve just weighed and I am 2.5lbs lighter this week. I am quite surprised because although I’ve mostly stuck to my calorie allowance it hasn’t been particularly healthy food, all quite beige and bland comfort food as I’m still feeling very unwell. I’m now back down to my pre- holiday / birthday weight so I’m happy with that and now have 7lbs until my goal.

Going to do some meal planning today. Trying to use up random stuff I’ve got in my cupboards as I’m hopefully moving house soon, god knows when though as the solicitors for the people at the bottom of our chain are being terrible and not responding to anyone and taking an age to do anything

Hope you enjoy your meals out @Puffalicious and @queenmabby!

Thank you for that Crazzzycat, I shall look the book up.
Very nice NSV Puffalicious. It's always nice when someone see/comments on our hard work!
Well done on losing 2.8lbs joysmoy66!
Hi QueenMabby.
After my “good” day yesterday I have to resist (a) getting on the scales to see if that one day has magically lost me half a stone 🙄 and (b) totally undoing it all by treating myself with food because I was so good yesterday! 🤣
Oh, I know this so well! I totally understand about the middle path too. I slipped up again last night. I seem I'm either really strict, then get to a point and think, 'Just one...' Then go totally mad! I need to find that middle ground and stick with it too.
Hi LoseItLoseIt I have your other thread open in another window and am just going to take a look. Good luck on your journey.

Thanks 73kittycat73I'm the same with being really good or going mad. I'm trying now to just be good in the week and not worry to much at weekends. Easier said than done as i overeat and stress about it but I'm working on it

@joysmoy66 your post gives me hope. Even though I only lost 3.5lbs last month and only 1lb so far this month it's all in the right direction

@QueenMabby cutting back/cutting out from your diet is just one part. If you replace what you're cutting with healthier/lower cal options you won't feel as hungry and will be less tempted to fall off the wagon.

I mentioned on previous thread that my "thing" is crisps/savoury snacks. Instead of those I have my own thing I do with carrot sticks - handful or 2 in a food bag, add lots of garlic grinder/herbs/spices, hold the bag at the top and shake - sort of like salt n shake crisps except healthier. You can do similar with all kinds of crudites type veg or even cherry tomatoes halved. I've also discovered veggie fridge raiders (less than 150 cals a pack) though admittedly they're more a lunch than a snack

For sweet treats I have a tunnocks tea cake (106 cals each), or a low cal cereal bar or a muller light choc fix layers dessert (69 cals each) or a meringue nest (52 cals) with fruit and maybe a little granulated sweetener.

@LoseItLoseIt welcome. For starters don't think of it as a diet - it's a new healthier way of eating/living. You could post what you normally eat inc how much and we can make suggestions? If you're a natural grazer then only eating at meal times may prove difficult. You could work out how many cals you need to be at for weight loss and spread the cals across meals and snacks.

@CescaCesca you're welcome. I find it fascinating the science behind food and nutrition - just find it difficult to put that knowledge into practice!

I've worn my hair down today for first time in ages! Felt good. Skin looking better again, even skin on body starting to improve. It's a cliché but I've started when I'm tempted (I think mostly boredom) into hitting the treat drawer I've started doing things like painting my nails or trying different hairstyles and make up looks. Cross stitching helping too.

@MarmaladeToastAndAMarmaladeCat well done on the loss! Great stuff

Small nsv to report 1" off bust! Waist and hips sts which is not a loss but at least not a gain

The main thing is you keep going graphista. I stayed the same for weeks on end but it's suddenly decided to shift. 3.5 lbs in a month is great and 1lb is still a loss so it's going in the right direction

Yea I'm terrible for getting impatient/disheartened that is the thing I need to resist.

Also for not drinking enough. It's very hot and sticky here today so if I'm to avoid my usual dehydration headache alone I need to be drinking!

Good Afternoon Everyone

A warm welcome @LoseItLoseIt to a new way of life. Increasing protein and decreasing carbs (not all together as we need the fibre) is a good start. If you’ve time prepping meals from scratch and ditching processed always reaps rewards. Although I appreciate not everyone can spare the time. With prepping, shopping lists and meal plans it is doable. There are some online plans (paid such as Fast800) and loads of free recipes for inspiration. You can do this! This time next week, next month and next year you’ll be glad you did!

I second @Graphista salt & pepper carrot sticks (or whatever seasoning takes your fancy)

@MarmaladeToastAndAMarmaladeCat Well done on your loss! 👏👍🌟. The house sale must be so nerve racking! I hope you’re sorted soon! We are hoping to go on market in the next year or so and with the state the markets in I’m not looking forward to it. It’s such a cut throat, underhand, smokes and mirrors business atm. Nonetheless it’s a means to and end.

Well done on the nsv @Puffalicious! It’s so nice when people notice and are complimentary about it.

@CescaCesca well done on getting younger! That’s awesome. Do your scales tell you that?

Menu

Meal 1 = Salad and chicken fillets.

Meal 2 = Omelette & stir fry mixed peppers.pear, pecans, sunflower seeds.

Right I’m off for shower number 3 … so very hot 🥵.

Enjoy your evenings

I'm same graphista,really impatient but I've seen since September that if I just persevere it will come off all be it slowly. Keep going

@TheRealHousewife the carrot sticks done that way are yummy aren't they?

Meals today -

I actually had breakfast again! (I know wonders will never cease eg?! )

2 weetabix (well Tesco knock off)
150 ml skimmed milk
Granulated sweetener
Small carton apple juice
80g grapes

Meal 2 - falafel and salad and the carrot sticks with a sauce/dip made from low fat creme fraiche and garlic grinder/herbs/maybe some smoked paprika

Meal 3 - needs to be something to use up a 1/2 pouch of rice and quinoa - could be stir fry again but I'm also open to suggestions I might make this:

https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/smoky-spiced-veggie-rice

The annoying thing is I'm very persevering in other aspects of life! One of my uni lecturers nicknamed me "tenacious G in the pick of longevity" (except the G was my actual initial)

At 15 I wanted a particular treat for that summer holidays, dad said I could get it IF I contributed half the cost. I went straight out and got myself 2 more jobs on top of my Saturday gig and did as much babysitting as I could and a bit of dog walking and in 4 weeks into the holidays I'd hit my goal and to be fair to him although he didn't expect me to do it he kept the deal.

I need to apply that same determination to weight loss.

Ooh, that recipe looks lovely @Graphista. I wonder if it would work without onions (I can’t eat those unfortunately 😔). I might give it a try next week!

Congrats on your wins on and off the scales too @Graphista. You may not feel like you’re making much progress, but an inch off your chest is amazing!

Well done everyone else on your losses and STS too! And well done on your non scale victory @Puffalicious!
I feel like there’s a lot of positives on the thread today!

I’m still plodding on with my 30 plant foods a week challenge. Today I’m having leftovers, so wasn’t expecting to add much to the tally, but…DH has just come in with a massive bowl of homegrown strawberries, raspberries, Tayberries and loganberries. That’s 4 new fruits to add to the list. We’ll just have to ignore that I’m planning to have them with a big scoop of chocolate ice cream 😄

I'm ok with cooked onions but raw ones make me get serious indigestion and even an upset tummy so I don't use loads in cooking even

If I do that recipe I won't be following it to the letter.

Eg it says serves 6 but I'll probably divide by 4 as seems easier and several ingredients I don't have so ill either sub (eg I'm gonna use butter beans rather than kidney beans), mild chilli powder instead of the chipotle paste and no spring onions as I've none in. I'm a fairly confident cook, ill taste and adjust as I go along - which knowing me will more than likely mean more garlic and paprika!

I've no cashews in either, I'm debating trying pistachios?

Actually if I make 2 portions of the mixture except the rice, reckon I can freeze one?

Not sure what's going on but last, few days I've been saintly ALL day, then after 7 (my IF time to stop eating) I'm hitting my usual bad habits: ice-cream or bread and butter!

Had delicious aubergine bake and plenty cals left so had a rare scone with jam. Was divine with a cuppa. Therefore, I should have had no craving for carbs at all. 9:30pm the white, crusty bread and butter beckons to me and I give in, undoing all my good work. Last night it was ice cream. WTF?

I've had 2 tough days with DC3 (ASD/ ADHD) but usually I don't eat my feelings. I'm sooooo annoyed with myself as I now feel sickened and carby!

I also had 3 Percy Pigs

@Puffalicious don’t be too hard on yourself. Sounds like life is tough at the moment. I find if I have simple carbs like bread etc it just opens the flood gates and I want more. It’s the blood sugar rush then the inevitable crash = increased cravings.

Put it behind you and embrace a brand new day tomorrow. You’re doing your best!

Thanks TheRealHousewife that does make me feel so much better. You might just be onto something- I wonder if the scone (simple carbs) kicked off the craving for the crusty bread, then the sweets? I hadn't even thought of that.

Funnily enough, was visiting my best friend a week or so ago and she had baked scones. I had kept plenty cals and really enjoyed it but it took me all my strength to not scoff square after square of chocolate half an hour later! Jeez, it makes sense.

@Puffalicious I'm guessing the ice cream is cos of the heat? I have ice poles and mini milks in which are a bit better, plus they're fiddly to open which slows me down

But yea go easy on yourself

I've got tablet winking at me in the treat drawer! It's in cubes so in theory I could have just one but that's like having one Pringle!

The jambalaya a bit spicier than I normally like but those of you who like spicy food will probably love it.

I used the following (cals in brackets) :

2 sticks celery (12)
100g red onion (frozen sliced) (41)
100g carrots diced (43)
1 sweet pepper sliced (55)
3 tap lazy garlic (12)
1tbsp Cajun seasoning (84)
2 tbsp smoked paprika (2)
1 tbsp mild chilli powder (34)
3 tbsp tomato purée (39)
1/2 can butter beans (104)
1/2 small tin sweetcorn (65)
20 sprays fry light (20)

So a total of 511 cals

Which is a lot but with hindsight I think I should have made it do 2 meals but I wasn't sure about storing safely.

Definitely filling!

One cube of tablet- there's no way!!! I have realised over the years where many friends can have one cube/ 2 Maltesers/ 2 squares of chocolate I can't. I'm much better having nothing as opposed to a small piece/ portion as that then turns into the whole bar/bag. I'm not even a binger normally, but with sweet things/ bread once I start...

Definitely avoiding the tubs of ice cream and having my individual lollies (Aldi's specially selected coconut lollies are awesome and 68 cals). Will buy the flavours I don't like but the kids do - mint choc chip mainly, they'll be sick of it by end of summer!

Puffalicious I’m the same with chocolate and biscuits and things. I just can’t stop once I start! My mum can just have a biscuit with a cup of tea and that’s it. I start with one then go back for two more and then give up and eat them in sixes! 😳 It’s easier now for me to just not have any. I buy Oreos and Jammy Dodgers for the dc because I don’t like those.

I’ve been planning to do IF and had done a few days of 7pm - 10am but DH scuppered that this morning by bringing me hot buttered toast with marmite and a cup of coffee in bed at 745! I’ve been trying not to eat toast for breakfast as although I love it I do find that I’m starving a couple of hours later. It was delicious this morning though and much appreciated as I’d been awake since 5am so was feeling a bit gritty eyed.

I think that one of the best things about 16:8 @QueenMabby. It can be as flexible as you need it to be! Having the occasional shorter, or longer eating window is unlikely to make much difference, as long as you don’t go too crazy with the calories.

I haven’t stuck to IF today either, but actually had my first breakfast in about 4 years! I’ve recently added some 20-30 minute “weight-lifting” sessions to my exercise regime, mainly to build up my arm muscles. I don’t think it’d a good idea to not eat after that, as my poor arms are really trembling afterwards. So that’s where this morning’s breakfast came in!

Inspired by this thread, I made overnight oats with banana and spiced pumpkin seed butter. I can’t remember who was talking about overnight oats a few weeks ago, but I can confirm that it is indeed delicious! 😋

I'm not even a "sweet tooth" person as I've said my downfall is usually cheese, crisps etc but tablet... sooo hard to resist

Will buy the flavours I don't like but the kids do

While the washer was going yesterday I was reorganising things. I've put the biscuits in a plastic tub in an awkward to get them from place in an effort to deter myself!

When dd lived at home I used to get her to put stuff on top of the cupboards as I can't reach even with a ladder! (She's tall) there's still crisps up there from before she moved out 2 years ago! I must get her to fetch them down to throw out next time she visits

Overnight oats - aren't they just cold porridge? I hate porridge!

I have frozen strawberries and mixed berries in that I used in smoothies before, haven't dared do a smoothie yet while trying to lose weight. Any ideas how I can use them?

If you defrost some they’re very nice stirred into yoghurt with granola for breakfast Graphista.

How long do they take to defrost. I'm not known for my forward planning!