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

That's a good idea @crazzzycat, I will start there 😊 thanks!!!

Thank you all for the warm welcome, what a lovely thread!

First change done: a goats cheese, apple and walnut salad for dinner. I'm a weirdo with food textures so never have the dressing so it's all lettuce with fruit and cheese.

Baby is also beginning solids in a few weeks so it'll be another good way to get some fruit and veg in to make sure it doesn't go to waste😊

Thanks therealhousewife-just need to keep it off! Will set a new goal soon. Welcome to all the newcomers!

Welcome to all our newbies. The rest of the gang have done a smashing job so I won't repeat everything but you are all welcome. There a few of us in the 🐢🐢gang and it is an okay place to be.

I suppose I should explain myself.

I went away for a couple of days, couldn't get internet, then when I came back I couldn't just drop back in. I kind of lost my feeling I belonged but it was also that mentally I have a lot going on and I'm struggling. I'm all over the place, feel sad, panicky, lost, alone.

I've been running as usual, had a couple of days when I barely ate anything and therefore did a long fast and feel terrible emotionally at times but on it for the food/lose weight/get fitter plan. Weight wise I had to weigh on Friday and I'm 3lbs down since the last weigh in which was 9 days before.

DD is home. For good. Well, until uni I hope. Will go tomorrow to get all her stuff so I won't be able to post.

My stats for the newbies

SW Oct 2019 - 14 stone
Started running - May 2020 - 12 stone 9
Last weight in - 10 stone 10.6.
GW - interim in 10 stone 7. Weight I was when I met dh in 1996.

Thank you to all of you who missed me. . Hope I'm forgiven and allowed back

I think I'm off butter beans for now. 

@TheLastStark - let baby play with leftovers so you don't eat them! seriously though good luck with the weaning. My dd is 20 so I barely remember that stage

@SunshineCake you've been struggling mentally for a while now have you spoken to dr? I'm having a rough week anxiety wise too. Maybe we can keep each other on an even keel?

Nothing to forgive btw

But please get the help you so clearly need.

My list so far (yesterday being Day 1)

1. Cucumber
2. Strawberries
3. Carrot
4. Spring Onions
5. Coriander
6. Bell Peppers
7. Green Beans
8. Onion
9. Cauliflower

10. Blueberries 11. Avocado 12. Banana 13. Kiwi 14. Chia Seeds 15. Dates

Does Cumin count? Sorry if that's a stupid question 😳
If so I'm at 16, which has surprised me and I'm thinking actually I can maybe do this challenge 😊

@thelaststark I'm currently weaning my youngest whose 10months old! Such a fun but oh so messy stage 🤣 I need to hose my DD down 3 x a day.
Definitely a good way to get a few extra fruit or veg in through the leftovers 🙂

Welcome Back @SunshineCake, hope you're OK! You always belong on this thread 💕

Eek 😬 I feel partially responsible for your bean dip disaster after suggesting it @Graphista. I hope you feel better soon!

That’s a great start @CescaCesca. Herbs and spices also count. Last week I only counted the ones I ate a lot of (garlic and ginger). Bearing in mind that many spices have a positive effect on digestion, I guess there probably isn’t a minimum amount you need to consume before it counts 🤔

What (if anything!) is everyone doing for exercise in this heat? I‘ve been for a brisk walk first thing this morning, but not sure I can manage much more. I’ll probably try though…

Good to see you back @SunshineCake! I get what you’re saying about feeling nervous to come back and post on this thread, but I echo what others are saying. You absolutely belong here! When you feel ready to post, we’ll be here.

Welcome back sunshinecake

Thank you for the tip on not overeating Crazzzycat, and I'm glad you enjoyed you fruit/veg challenge. I'm not doing any exercise this week so far, too hot! Also, I need a few days of 'good' eating. I have type 2 diabetes and eating crap makes me feel like crap! It takes a few days for that to go and get my energy back.
Graphista, the trigger I figured out the other day was, I'm always future tripping. Like, 'I have to do x, x, and x, and x tomorrow.' Then I get all stressed about when I'm going to do it, will I have enough energy, can I fit it all in, in time? Then feel really stressed out and binge to calm down.
Aww SunshineCake, there's nothing to be forgiven for, and a HUGE welcome back. You are doing so well to still keep at it with the weight loss with all you have going on. Be kind to yourself, when you can, and good luck for your trip tomorrow. I hope you have air conditioning in the car?!
Hi TheRealHousewife. How are you coping in the heat? It's supposed to be thunder storms here Friday, Saturday and Sunday. We might get it, we might not apparently! lol
Well, day 1 of 16:8 and calorie counting done. I was so hungry before breakfast at 11am today! lol I'm sure I'll get used to it again.

@crazzzycat
OK I have counted Coriander and Cumin but I will use them a lot throughout the week anyway 😊

I have been doing my normal workouts on the Fiit app but I have to do them first thing in morning with all the fans on and windows open, before it gets any warmer! 🥵

Thank you @Graphista. I hope you have had a better day. I can't face the GP right now. I'm hoping my new herbal tablets, on top of what I already take, plus running will get me through.

@CescaCesca thank you lovely, you are very kind.

Thank you to you too @Crazzzycat. Your list is very impressive!

Hi @joysmoy66. Thank you.

We do have air con @73kittycat73 and the drive wasn't too bad. Sore bum towards the end then we were hit with a terrifying heavy rain storm where I could only see about three metres in front on me.

Food wise I had four Pringles and some milk bottle sweets for lunch. Sorted out dd a proper meal but didn't bother for me. Dh had cooked when we got back so I have had a meal and will be having a snack later. Currently laid on the bed watching half an hour of tv before I go down stairs. Hope to run tomorrow but have to ring at eight for dd so might have to wait until after which is a nuisance but better than not running.

Have a good evening everyone.

I ended up working 5-4:30 today 😭😭 done 23k steps just working and drunk 5 litres of water. I’m hot and shattered and have another picking shift tomorrow followed by a driving shift in the afternoon.

I’ve eaten 2 donuts and a chocolate shortbread as well as a salad for tea. I’m not weighing myself again until the weather cools because I think I’m retaining water and the scales aren’t my friend at the moment. I’ll leave it until the end of the month I think.

Well done on all the fruit and veg people are managing! I’m impressed!

@SunshineCake look after yourself 💕 you have a lot of friends on here who worry when you don’t check in. I’m always here if you fancy a chat 😊

Good Evening All

It’s hot hot hot 🥵

Welcome back @SunshineCake, no apologies needed, it’s nice to have you back!

@CescaCesca great progress on the veg front! Keep it up.

@Crazzzycat I don’t exercise anytime 😬. Disability rather than laziness.

@swampytiggaa 22.5 hour shift … is that even legal? Well done 👏 … but make sure you take some time for self!

@TheRealHousewife it was 5am to 4:30pm so 11.5 hours. I had an hours break to water the plants in the garden centre which was fun! Off to bed now alarm set for 4am 🥱

Hi all - just checking in from hols. Things are going so-so.
Wins: lots of water drunk, fruit and yoghurt for breakfast, salads and fish eaten instead of steak & chips etc.

Losses (not the good weight related kind!): Hotel has a happy hour. With free nibbles. Am limiting myself to one cocktail but can’t resist the nibbles. DC are quicker to raid them than I am though which is helping!
Graphista - sorry about the bean dip!
swampytiggaa that’s an impressive step count! I’m at just over 22k for today and I’m on my knees!

@73kittycat73, I found what you wrote about future tripping so recognisable. Have you ever tried mindfulness/ meditation? I’ve had some really good results with that, in spite of being highly sceptical at first. Over time, it’s made it much easier for me to accept those thoughts and a little bit easier to switch off from them. I can recommend the Headspace app. It’s not free, but there’s tonnes of content on it, including meditation courses for anxiety, depression, mindful eating and so on.

Also, this might be stating the bloody obvious, but I find it really helpful to make lists. I keep lists for absolutely everything, I find that when I write something down it’s no longer in my head and it stops draining my energy.

In weightloss related news, I managed to do an hour long session on the cross trainer today. Don’t ask me how, as it really was incredibly hot and I needed about an hour afterwards to recover, but somehow I did it 💪

It sounds to me like you’re doing really well @QueenMabby. Holidays are hard when you’re trying to lose weight, but it sounds like you’re striking a sensible balance.

Thank you for the warm welcome.

It's only been two days for me but so far, so good. I've been having under my calories and healthy dinners with all the family. So far have had a cup of tea or a slimline tonic water with lemon in the evening to kid myself I'm having a G&T and that's helped keep the snacking at bay. I'm aware it's feeling easy so far but will probably feel harder when it's next week, next month etc and still at it.

I know my issue is that I equate food with emotions. It's a comfort to me, when I'm stressed I eat, when I'm celebrating I eat, it's all focussed around food. A good friend has invited me out on Friday night and this is something I really struggle with.....what to eat out as I don't equate having a lower calorie option with having a good time. Similar to last night, I made a roast vegetable cous cous for dinner but really didn't enjoy it and felt disappointed. I need to somehow switch my mindset to thinking it doesn't matter if I don't love it and instead appreciate that it's healthy and nutritious and will do my body some good. I just don't know how to make that mental shift.

I'm creeping back in as well as like @SunshineCake 👋🏻👋🏻👋🏻 I have also been away, work has been crazy and I have given myself two weeks 'off' which means I have enjoyed every morsel I have eaten but not gone mad. We are having lots of barbeques and if I want a roll or two I have it - it will probably be pouring rain in a week so might as well while I can!
Tons happening here too - most too outing to post as I am sure anyone I know in real life would know already from my multiple posts on threads who I am as I make no effort to change details as it's too confusing
I have nothing to hide really.
Glad your DD is home pre-uni @SunshineCake - it's a mad world for our DC at the moment and mine are just desperately trying to make this year count despite this sodding pandemic - may God give them the physical and mental strength to cope with it and us the insight to be the parents they need.
The sun is shining, I'm drinking tea and in this moment all is well in the world.🙃

Adding to my list:
16. Cumin 17. Red Chilli Pepper 18. Lettuce 19. Gherkin 20. Sweet Potato 21. Sunflower Seeds

No workout today but have done an early walk around town with the kids and a tip run, 8k steps by 1pm not too shabby. It's too hot to do anything else though!

Hope everyone is enjoying the sunshine. Welcome back @132orbust too 👋🏻

@Crazzzycat and @QueenMabby

Don't worry about the bean dip - totally unpredictable never had a problem eating butter beans before but increasingly there are foods that I used to be fine with that now upset my stomach very frustrating

queenmabby you're doing well on the holiday, hope you're enjoying it

@73kittycat73 so you're a stress eater? Are there other things that you can to assuage the feelings of stress?

2nd day in a row having breakfast!

@SunshineCake I have very stressful days today and tomorrow. Hopefully after tomorrow things will be calmer. Is your gp not supportive?

22°c here and I'm melting! Active week but not formal exercise

@CarolinaWeeper eating out veggie options are usually lower cal and are generally pretty good these days. Alternatively have a very low cal day otherwise and then you've more calories to play with?

Welcome @CarolinaWeeper. Be careful not to under eat your calories too much or too often as you might not lose consistently by doing that. Plenty of us eat our feelings and use food in ways we know now isn't the best thing to do. But we are all in this together and are finding our way. Your vegetable cous cous sounded lovely. Could you poach a piece of fish or chicken to go with it next time, or add a sauce to make it more exciting for you as you start this new way of eating ?

Lovely to see you again @132orbust. DD isn't well but she has spoken to the doctor, is having tests, will see the doctor next week and is having a chat with a paramedic this afternoon .

Hope not too many people are enjoying me @CescaCesca .

I ran this morning but only had time to do 11km as needed to get back. I then walked the dog. Weight is the same as the other day but I'm sure it will be down in a couple of days as I barely ate anything yesterday. Just about to go out and see my friend for a drink and catch up for the first time in 16 months plus!

@CarolinaWeeper, for me personally healthy eating got a lot easier over time, possibly because the impact of eating junk food became much clearer. It takes time to reprogram your brain though.

You’re doing brilliantly on your plant foods @CescaCesca! Can I ask how you’re using those sunflower seeds? I think I could do with eating a few more seeds, but never quite know how to use them.

Today, I’m adding to my list:

• sour cherries
• raspberries (both homegrown! I get a ridiculous amount of enjoyment out of growing my own fruit. If I had my way, I’d get rid of all the pretty flowers my DH loves and replace it all with something more useful 😂)
• sugar snap peas
• ginger
• sweet corn
• cashews

I went for a walk first thing this morning and did 20 minutes of weights. More than enough for a hot day like this 🥵

@crazzzycat I topped my smoothie bowl with them, yesterday I topped with Chia seeds. Could add either of them into the smoothie too but I like the bit of crunch lol.

I am running out of things in the house to add but I am looking at what I have planned to eat and how I could maybe add some more into each dish 🤔 which is good for future!!

Love home grown berries 😋

Hey all!

Keeping up with eating well, so I'm pleased with that.

Today was a Bank Holiday here and I didn't go completely wild during the BBQ. Definitely could have stopped earlier, but life is for the living and all that. I'm still breastfeeding so didn't add extra calories by having a drink so it all counts.

Sunday is also a bbq at a friend's but I won't go wild, just planning to try a few of the speciality things he's bought in

That's a good tip about the vegetarian option @Graphista I hadn't thought of that and I usually like most veggie options so I'll look at the menu beforehand and try to decide what I'm having before I go.

@SunshineCake thank you for the kind words. I think it's because usually I use the spiced cous cous blends from Ainsley Harriot (sp?) Or similar which I really like. This one I used plain cous cous and added my own herbs and spices but I don't think I added enough as it was pretty bland. You're right though a sauce or something else would have helped.