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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! July 2021

556 replies

TheRealHousewife · 30/06/2021 18:47

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

LOSE IT! July 2021
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41
QueenMabby · 17/07/2021 22:26

An hour maybe? You could always defrost in the microwave - then it will be about a minute or two!!

Graphista · 17/07/2021 23:34

Don't have a micro no room for one

Graphista · 17/07/2021 23:37

I also have half a tin of butter beans to use. I'm gonna have a google/check on bbc good food but any ideas most welcome.

Today

Meal 1 - salad with mozzarella pearls and Sundried tomatoes and a few cheese thins

Melon slices for after

Meal 2 - sandwiches with pastrami, my now infamous Grinseasoned carrot sticks, fruit, apple juice and a milk slice

Backofthenet20 · 18/07/2021 04:42

SW 243 lb, CW 206.2, GW 145. Have yo-yo for some time & have a lot of bad habits. Either on a diet & losing well or off it & gaining. Need to find something that I can keep doing forever. I am currently using MFP and cooking from scratch. I am looking forward to read everyone’s progress & see a lot of ideas

QueenMabby · 18/07/2021 08:54

Graphista maybe look up a recipe for white bean dip for your butter beans? It’s usually made with cannellini beans but I’m sure the sub would work - you could dip in your famous carrots!

Hi Backofthenet20 - I’m new here too - it’s a lovely friendly thread! Well done on your losses so far!

Crazzzycat · 18/07/2021 10:52

I was going to suggest some kind of bean dip too @Graphista. A bit of garlic, some herbs (smoked paprika, oregano or basil would all be nice) and seasoning and maybe some of those sun dried tomatoes too. A touch of olive oil is optional. Whizz it all up in a blender or food processor, or if you don’t have one of those butter beans are soft enough to mash with a fork too. Serve with crackers and/ or vegetable sticks. Something like that should keep in the fridge for two to three days.

Welcome @Backofthenet20. It’s hard to change habits, but it can be done! Sounds like you made some good progress already.

How’s everyone doing in this heat? I think so far we’ve been relatively lucky where I live. Most of my town has been covered in sea fog every morning this week, which certainly helps to cool things down! But even here the afternoons and evenings are starting to feel very hot 🥵

73kittycat73 · 18/07/2021 12:02

Another pig out for me last night. Sad I was immediately disappointed in myself. Really disappointed. Weigh in tomorrow and we'll see how much I've gained. Sad

swampytiggaa · 18/07/2021 14:34

Been feeling a bit off the last few days nearly had to come home early from work. Been craving kettle crisps so bought a bag and ate them all 👍 really enjoyed them. Wonder if I needed the salt?

Anyway early night tonight and day off tomorrow with an early run planned and lunch out with friends 😊 hopefully that will reset me until I get my week off in August

Puffalicious · 18/07/2021 15:05

Had a delicious meal out last night- King prawn fajitas- and resisted dessert and the various nibbles at my friend's afterwards. I don't drink so that bit's easy. Was very, very late home so I have a bit of a non-alcoholic hangover: I amaze myself at how much wild clubbing I used to do and shrug it off!

Hope I won't reach for the hangover food! Just fruit so far.

Welcome backofthenet lovely to see you. You've done so, so well so far. We'll get you through the next bit. Some wonderful folks on here that will help you form good habits for life.

QueenMabby · 18/07/2021 16:25

Bit of a random eating day for me today - we’re off on holiday tomorrow so we’re trying to eat up what’s in the fridge and finish off things like bread etc.
B: Toast and marmite with coffee (in bed again thanks to dh ☺️)
L: Tuna sweetcorn mayo wrap made with less mayo that normal and topped up with natural yoghurt to make it less stodgy
D: will be hot dogs in baguettes. Will try not to overdo the bread as I’ve already had more today than in the last few days combined!

On holiday I want to enjoy myself but not go silly as I know I’ll be gutted if I come home having put on loads of weight. My plans are:

Concentrate on yoghurt/fruit/eggs etc for breakfast rather than pastries and pancakes etc.

Try and order fish, salads and lighter options and avoid the bread.

Stick to glasses of wine and g&ts rather than creamy cocktails.

Any other tips?

QueenMabby · 18/07/2021 16:26

Big question is - do I weigh tomorrow before we leave? Last weighed on Thursday…

swampytiggaa · 18/07/2021 19:03

I had chippy chips for tea. Feel overfull now.

Graphista · 18/07/2021 19:27

Welcome @Backofthenet20 you need to not look at it as "a diet" are you being too restrictive perhaps? What does "diet" v "non diet" look like?

You guys are stars! Bean dip perfect! Just made it.

1/2 tin butter beans
66g creme fraiche (was too thick to blend otherwise)
Teaspoon lazy garlic
2 squeezes lemon juice
Smoked paprika

That comes out to 150 cals all in for 145g of dip

Will go perfectly with the carrots and fridge raiders I'm just having

@73kittycat73 what's triggering the binges? Do you think?

Not hot here but 90% humidity!

@QueenMabby - veggie options tend to be lower cal if you choose wisely. Especially Quorn based. Keep hydrated - being dehydrated makes you not only crave food generally but salty foods in particular

QueenMabby · 18/07/2021 19:51

Graphista - yes! All the water. Must remember that. Veg too. Can’t eat Quorn as it gives me a seriously dodgy stomach 🤢 but will definitely try some of the more veg heavy choices.

Backofthenet20 · 19/07/2021 03:54

I think you are right. Appreciate all your support words. When I do not diet. I seem to eat mainly the same meals but have an out of control snacking habit with family sized bags of jelly sweets or chocolate or bread & butter. I know this is very destructive & unhealthy. I am trying to allow myself anything that I want but once I track eating less seems to make me more accountable. Hoping to keep losing with an interim goal of 175lb which is just overweight instead of obese.

swampytiggaa · 19/07/2021 07:35

@Backofthenet20 I have worked really hard to cut my biscuit habit. I really think it’s helping me. I’m just trying to lose some vanity pounds really so I think I’m eating now how I need to eat long term if that makes sense?

I’ve upped my water intake
Do minimum 15k steps every day
I’ve upped my salad/veg intake
Cut out biscuits
Cut down on chocolate although that is my Achilles heel tbh
No alcohol at home

Weight is coming off very slowly but steadily and more importantly weight isn’t going on. I’m 51 and peri or actually menopausal (not sure have the mirena coil so no periods) and my weight had been steadily increasing.

Good luck!

CarolinaWeeper · 19/07/2021 08:11

Could I please join? I have just weighed myself this morning and am aghast. I'm 14st 5lbs so officially 2st heavier than I was at the start of the first lockdown....when I wanted to lose weight anyway!

My plan is to eliminate snacking which I'm terrible for, or to have a piece of fruit if I'm really hungry. The rest will just be good old watching the calories I think whilst trying to up my vegetable intake.

Can I just say thank you so much for the 1 mile indoor pilates walk video at the top of the thread? I can't do high impact exercise or weight bearing exercise due to a medical issue which does limit me but I find instead of embracing what I can do, I just don't bother doing anything! I looked at that video this morning then just got up and did it and it's perfect for me, quick enough to mean I actually start it but low-impact and achievable. I felt great afterwards....my DC were watching me with bemusement but I figure it's good for them to see mum exercising.

Crazzzycat · 19/07/2021 08:21

Welcome to the thread @CarolinaWeeper!

I’m avoiding the scales at the moment, so no weigh in from me this week. But I can report that I’ve hit all the exercise & nutrition targets I set myself for the week.

I also met my goal to eat at least 30 different plant based foods in a week. It’s already had an impact on how/ what I’m eating, and taken the focus of the scales. I’m definitely planning to continue that!

Have a good week everyone!

P.S. how are you doing @SunshineCake? I hope you’re doing ok

CarolinaWeeper · 19/07/2021 08:50

Thank you 😊. I re-read my post and wanted to say sorry to anyone about the "being aghast at my weight" comment if others are on different journeys, I am aware that for others on here weighing less than me I'd love to be in their position but we are all different aren't we?

I've just this minute had a veg box delivery.... I've started it as really need to up my intake of fresh fruit and veg. I've got broad beans and beetroot this week, does anyone have any ideas of how I could use them?

CescaCesca · 19/07/2021 09:09

@therealhousewife yeah my scales tell me all that stuff! I have no real idea what it means though 🙈 but in January this year, metabolic age was 3 years above my real age! So has improved a good amount 😊

I had my 2nd covid Jab on Saturday and felt like I've been hit by a bus yesterday. Feeling better today, did a bit of a workout this morning. Some of it was v half arsed... 😅
I gave up trying to meal plan with 30 veg/fruit, my brain couldn't cope with figuring out the recipes!!

Welcome to all newbies 🎉
Also caught up on thread and wondered if @SunshineCake was doing OK?

73kittycat73 · 19/07/2021 11:09

I think I figured out one trigger last night Graphista, but it's the first bite that gets me. Once I've started I don't stop until I feel full. I'm going to clear out all the chocolate again tonight as I obviously can't be trusted with it. I've had one week off...and I've gained 5lb! I'm now 11st 8.2lb. Blush Back on it today. Not going to yoga tonight though, too hot.
Hi CarolinaWeeper The ladies on here are very friendly and supportive, so welcome aboard. Smile
Well done on hitting your goals, and well done on the 30 veg challenge Crazzzycat! Star How did you find it?

TheLastStark · 19/07/2021 12:30

Hi all, here to start my journey. Between having a baby and lockdown I'm at my heaviest at 91kg. Would love to get back down to the 69-75kg region.

Definitely taking the slowly but surely method as I've done the crash diet and put it all (and more) back on.

Let me know if you'd prefer if I've use stones I've been taken over by DH's scales and measurements Grin

Crazzzycat · 19/07/2021 13:22

Welcome @TheLastStark. I use kilos too (or at least I do when I actually weight myself!). I’d say go with whatever makes most sense to you.

No need to apologise @CarolinaWeeper! Like you say, we’re all on different journeys so I never would have assumed that your comment related to anything more than how you feel about your own weight, not anyone else’s! I’m sorry you feel that way though. Hopefully you’ll soon start feeling a bit happier about your weight.

@73kittycat73 sometimes when I feel the urge to eat lots of food, especially if it’s emotional eating, it really helps me to go for a short walk, or just spend some time outside for a few minutes. Somehow that helps to reset my head. Sometimes I’ll still have that bar of chocolate, but more often than not I’ll be able to just have a small amount.

I’m really enjoying the 30 plant foods a week challenge. Last week, I’d already done my weekly shop when I decided to do this challenge, so to some extent it was a snapshot of what I’d normally do. But towards the end of the week, I was raiding the freezer and cupboards to find other foods to add to the tally 😂

@CescaCesca, I wouldn’t like to meal plan for 30 plant based foods either, but may be you can start with just keeping a list of which ones you’re eating this week. That’d give you an idea of how well you’re doing, and might also give you some ideas for things that’s be easy to improve? E.g. I realised last week that I keep eating the same fruit over and over again, so this week I also ordered some kiwis, a melon and grapes. I also realised that I could easily add some seeds and nuts to some of the meals I’m having. It all adds up

Graphista · 19/07/2021 15:16

@QueenMabby that's a shame about the quorn.

My bean dip is gonna have to go unfortunately as its had same effect on me! Horrific diarrhoea today  last thing I needed this week. Although no doubt it will contribute to a loss as indeed the world has fallen out my arse!

Not saying it wouldn't be ok for others just it's affected me this way.

@Backofthenet20 good to have small goals to head for along the way.

My 1st goal is to lose 10% of start weight I've still got 5.5lbs to go there. Then next target is into next stone category and so on and so forth. Been very slow for me but there's a few of us 🐢 on here as long as it's headed in right direction that's the main thing. I'm going on just losing a lb a week which is very slow but hopefully will get me there.

@swampytiggaa I'm 49 now and suspect also peri/menopausal but similar to you I'm on noriday for endo so no periods so hard to tell. Have certain symptoms which I think mean possibly even post menopausal. But I'm really reluctant to come off the noriday "to see" cause the endo is awful.

Will chat it over with gp at some point but when I'm doing better mentally.

When my hormones aren't under control my mh is much worse too, anxiety pre-menstrually was through the roof so that's another reason I'm very wary.

@CarolinaWeeper welcome!
I personally would say it's a mistake to think you can change what kind of eater you are in terms of if you're a grazer/snacker trying to stick just to meals - or the reverse actually - is setting yourself up to fail. Cut out/down the less healthy snacks BUT replace them with something else. This fills the hunger both psychologically and physically. That's what I've found anyway. Remember too veggies are better than fruit for snacking. I get in carrot sticks, celery, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, peppers and mushrooms as veggies I can use in cooking AND for snacking on (yea I know a lot of people don't like raw mushrooms or mushrooms at all but I love them and will happily sit and munch away)

but I find instead of embracing what I can do, I just don't bother doing anything!

I'm disabled and this was me too. I'm not managing it this week as got a lot on but once it's out the way I'm gonna do the fabulous50's (have I got that right?) YouTube videos that the link was posted for

You haven't written anything offensive as far as I'm concerned

LOVE beetroot but have to eat it cautiously, broad beans I'm not a fan I'll admit. Re ideas though you could do a bean and sausage casserole could include the beets in that, Have them with pesto pasta, or with a roast...
@Crazzzycat well done on the veggies! Be interesting to know if your no scale method works. A friend of mine does this (but she's not overweight she just has a preferred weight and when her clothes start to feel a bit tight she reins herself in - wish I'd done that!)

Also wondering about @SunshineCake

@73kittycat73 hope ok to ask what was the trigger? Maybe we can give you tools to deal with it?

@TheLastStark welcome! I'm a stones and lbs person but it's easy enough to use a converter. This is a lovely thread. Plenty of we 🐢 on here so slow and steady is fine

I'm not doing the 30 plant challenge but I try to do a variety.

This week I have in

Fresh:

Carrot barons
Celery
Peppers
Mushrooms
Cherry tomatoes
Baby corn
Cucumber
Salad leaves

Always in freezer/cupboards:

Baked beans
Sweetcorn
Diced onions
Carrots
Potatoes
Tinned tomatoes
Ratatouille
Veg curry
Veg chilli
Lentil ragu
Olives
Sundried tomatoes
Passata
Bamboo shoots
Water chestnuts

Fruit:

Fresh

Apples
Bananas
Nectarines
Strawberries
I had melon it's now been eaten (I just buy the small snack packs as I couldn't get through a whole melon myself)
Grapes

Need to check but I usually have in Tinned :

Pineapple
Peaches

I have pistachios there but they're very high cal for a small amount so I struggle to fit them in but I need to really. Ditto dried apricots which are a good source of iron.

TheRealHousewife · 19/07/2021 15:25

Good Afternoon All

@Puffalicious I’m pleased I could help 😊

@Graphista your jambalaya recipe looks rather tasty 😋 I add butter beans to stir fry 😊. Sorry the advice is late!

@joysmoy66 congratulations 👏👍🌟👊

@Crazzzycat sounds sensible. Weights are so good to build muscle and tone up. More muscle, faster metabolism… win/win 👍👏 the bean dip recipe you suggested for butter beans sounds tasty, I think I will try it.

@Backofthenet20 I can’t remember if I’ve welcomed you or not so I’ll just say a Warm Welcome. You’ve made great progress to date, well done! 👏👍

@73kittycat73 don’t be hard on yourself. Have you anything on your mind, are you self soothing/comfort eating. Hope your ok.

@swampytiggaa you perhaps did need the salt. It’s been so hot 🥵 we lose a lot through perspiration. Hope you feel better.

@QueenMabby top husband you have there! Water, water & more water. Portion control rather than deny. You could weigh before you go and a couple of days after you return. Exercise, swim, walk, dance, s* 😬etc.Enjoy your holiday!!!

A warm welcome @CarolinaWeeper @TheLastStark … you can do this!. Get in the right head space, frame of mind. Prepare, plan, ‘know your why’, eat in a sustainable way, no deprivation. Read through the links at the start of threads for inspiration. This time next week/next month etc you’ll be glad you started.

Calling @SunshineCake, calling @SunshineCake, do you copy 😬. Come back we miss you ❤️

Menu
Meal 1 - butter bean & tofu stir fry (pic attached)

Meal 2 - chicken stir fry. Pears, pecans, sunflower seeds.

LOSE IT! July 2021
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