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

Oh no @Rewis, that sounds awful. I hope you recover soon

@73kittycat73 and @Graphista, I can’t imagine how exhausting it must be to live with agoraphobia. Well done on continuing to push yourselves. That must be so hard.

Well, I had a pretty bad weekend food wise. I was exhausted yesterday after my second COVID jab, but I’m not sure what today’s excuse for eating crap was 😂 Oh well, I guess tomorrow is another day and I will just try again!

Thank you TheRealHousewife and those yorkshires...drool

Sorry Graphista just saw your update. Should have refreshed before posting!

Thanks Crazzzycat.
Sorry to hear you too have had crap 'help' SunshineCake. I remember once I had a student therapist come out and see me. She wanted me to go out (I was so not ready then.) but, wouldn't come into mine before I put the cat in another room as she had a phobia of them! She didn't seem to get that my fear was as bad as hers, and she wasn't facing her fear either! [confuesed]

@SunshineCake thank you, what's really frustrating is when the people supposed to be helping you think I'm not trying hard enough when EVERYTHING I do is a battle against the ocd.

How did you find a good therapist? Current one is ok but not terribly proactive. I am considering private even just short term but would have no idea how to assess quality of a practitioner.

Hope you sleep well tonight.

@Crazzzycat thanks. Just draw a line under the wobble and start as you mean to go on.

I was told if I didn't take the meds they were offering it meant I didn't want to get better so I wouldn't have their help.

This has been my experience with this cmht but I've had 2 others who did not take this approach at all.

I'm so sorry you've had crap care too - it's all too common!

As for students! Urgh don't get me started! Whole other level of inappropriate behaviour and comments!

I have messed up with my groceries.

Panicked and I've now had 3 deliveries in a week! Insane!

And most of it chilled, so I've just had to spend HOURS, sitting and working out a meal plan for the week, taking into account expiry dates and also the "once opened use within 8 hours" crap (yes one actually says within 8 hours!)

I'm crap at meal planning but I feel I really need to get to grips with it. I also need to ensure I don't mess up NEXT weeks order!

I will check the fridge thu (delivery Friday) and note what I already have and not order those things or the items I use in the same way if that makes sense?

Any meal planners on here?
I tend to order pretty much the same thing every week which is both boring, and means I find it hard to plan some variety in and keep cals under control.

Any tips?

Also I think I need to figure out a way to alternate using Tesco and Asda but struggling to get my head around how.

I found mine via another appointment where that person had used the therapy years before. Pure fluke really.

I meal plan a lot and it does make life easier but I don't do it 100% of the time. Quite often I get a recipe book, I have over 80, and just go through it noting what I can make with the food we have in. We have so much it is ridiculous.

I don't meal plan either. I also get my shopping delivered. Usually go to Sainsburys as their fresh food is the best. I like to go to Asda occasionally. This week I have discovered Ocado and they have loads of new veggie food in I've never tried before. Looking forward to that delivery. Hopefully Saturday.

I posted once, and then life went a bit mad.
So, we have a meal plan for this week - and now we also have one dc at home self-isolating, so that's going to be good for me snacking randomly. I shall be setting a good example and snacking on apples or carrots!
It's 9.45pm and I'm 1500 steps down on last week, the competitive side of me thinks I'm going to have to take the dog out for his last wee walk!
I've not been using mfp this week but back on it tomorrow. I have 2 lbs to lose to get into the next stone and I really want to do it in the next week.

@SunshineCake ah ok. Great for you doesn't really help me though 

I may start a thread on it in mh

The impetus to mix Tesco and Asda is cos there's a non food item I really want that Tesco have stopped selling which is really annoying. But also they sell just different food items to Tesco and I think it'll be good for me to mix it up a bit

I don't even really know where to start with meal planning I'm not a recipe book type person I'm more a looks in the fridge and cooks whatever I can be arsed to person.

In actuality I've only been back to proper cooking a little over the year.

I was previously living on pot noodles, takeaways, sandwiches, breakfast, cereal and ready to eat stuff (pasties, pies, quiche, sausage rolls...picnic stuff!)

Lockdown led to difficulties getting these and I had no choice but to start cooking again. Even takeaways became impossible as the demand went nuts and deliveries were getting badly messed up.

Plus with the ocd I can't cope with doorstep deliveries I wouldn't eat food delivered that way.

At this point I haven't had a takeaway since I think feb last year?

@RunningKatie you've reminded me I've forgotten to work out my targets! Off to do that now will post when I've worked em out (maths is not my strong suit...I may be some time)

So this is my projected hopes :

Aiming for 1lb a week as an average as that's most achievable, I know the more I lose the harder it will get. I am hoping to progress with the mh side alongside so that I'm able to incorporate more exercise too. If I can get to a point where I am able to go for swims that will really help.

Target 1 - lose 5% of start weight

This is 10lbs so 13 stone 2.5lbs.

By 19/8/21 - 13 stone 2.5lbs

Target 2 - below 13 stone
By 9/9/21

Target 3 - below 12.5 stone by 28/10/21

Target 4 - below 12 stone by 16/12/22

Target 5 - no longer obese - 11 stone 9 by 13/1/22

Target 6 - below 11.5 stone by 3/2/22

Target 7 - below 11 stone by 24/3/22

Target 8 - below 10.5 stone by 12/5/22

Target 9 - below 10 stone by 30/6/22

Target 10 - healthy bmi 9 stone 10lbs by 28/7/22

I think? Is my maths roughly right?

@graphista, that looks pretty similar to my start and goal points. We can do it!

@TheRealHousewife can I come to yours for Sunday dinner next week please?

Sorry @Graphista.

Good Morning Everyone

I’ve been reading that missing breakfast affects sleep and circadian rhythms! Who knew. Although I feel intermittent fasting suits me as I don’t naturally don’t have an appetite in the morning I am going to try for a week eating something when I first get up. Anything to increase the 💤. One article i found interesting is this one. It does make sense. I’ve also read that poor sleep is linked to increase abdominal fat (visceral fat), which I have and find it’s impossible to get rid off. Will still have 2 meals a day except today will 3. In the scheme of things I think it’s worth a try.

@Crazzzycat today’s another day. We all have days like that, it’s human. Joe Wicks even has off days where in his words he ‘eats crap’ 😬

@veryblearyeyed I’ll set a place for you … 😊

Welcome back @RunningKatie … life can get like that. You’ll soon be back on it, I’m sure 👍

For me meal planning is key although I understand why people don’t do it. For me it’s reduces food waste, I know (generally) what I’m having each day. I do build flexibility in such as buying a medley of vegetables so I can have stir fry or salad with a protein source most days for lunch.

Today’s Menu

Meal 1 = Home made muesli of oats, chopped pecans, chopped dates, 1/2 banana and semi skimmed milk.

Meal 2 = large salad with salmon and avocado oil dressing.

Meal 3 - roast beef dinner sans potatoes & yorkies (left overs from yesterday.

Let’s have a great on point week. This time next week we could have Lost 1 - 2lbs 👍

I’ve just logged the start of my eating window on my Zero app. They have several fast goals you can use. I was using 18:6 TRF. They actually have a Circadian Rhythm TRF! I’ve altered to this setting for my trial.

12 stone 12lbs
Aiming to lose 1lb a week
Goal 11 stone 7 lb
Please May I join?
Sensible eating calorie counted around 1200 a day, 1500 at weekends.
No alcohol in the week
Gentle activity - but lots of it
Increase the amount of water I drink.

Ps started this regime in June but didn’t give up a glass of wine every evening- big mistake! No weight loss but no gain either.

A bit more discipline in July!

Thanks @TheRealHousewife and @Graphista, I’m not too worried about being off plan for a few days. As long as it doesn’t turn into weeks, I’m sure the damage will be limited. After four months of dieting, I’m more surprised that it hasn’t happened more often!

I’m weighing in at 83.9 this morning, which is a loss of exactly a kg over the week. I have a suspicion that last week’s weight was unusually high though. So in reality, the loss this week is probably a bit smaller, but the most important thing is that the scales are going down!

Have a good week everyone!

A warm welcome @WhataMissMap, pleased to have you join us. Your plan looks sensible and doable. I can’t emphasis enough about the importance of getting the water in. I’m notoriously bad at getting it in and I notice my lose stalls or goes in reverse when I’m dehydrated. It really does help the bodily functions and assists in keeping you feeling fuller.

Great loss @Crazzzycat … every little bit counts 👍👏🌟

Another Link about benefits on intermittent fasting & sleep 💤. I think it’s benefit comes with the shorter fasts. 13:11 rather than 18:6 iyswim. Also it’s about what you eat in your eating window. Not so much processed food and focus on made from scratch meals.

TheRealHousewife
I’m coeliac too.
I think it helps in a way, eg not being tempted by the family’s treats. All the gf ready made food seems to be loaded with sugar and that doesn’t appeal to me either.
I do like my own home made cakes though!
I also enjoy M&S Oaty gf bread. Filling but calorific. I’m limiting myself to two slices a day. Unfortunately that means it’s going mouldy before I finish a loaf. It’s expensive too. I’ve tried freezing it but it goes a bit soggy and needs toasting.
Onwards and upwards!

@WhataMissMap I agree being coeliac helps with declining tempting treats. I quite like the Schlar range. Their flour is great for a Victoria Sponge and their bread products are the best I’ve tried so far although I can’t compare to the M&S loaf you mentioned as I’ve not tried that yet. I’ve not found a gf bread recipe that hits the spot, still working on that!

Welcome @WhataMissMap.

I had a better nights sleep though the dog woke us twice but I'm not running three hours every day just to try and sleep. Will look at the sleep fasting thingy making @TheRealHousewife.

I've just made potato salad but just with olive oil, mustard and white wine vinegar dressing as it doesn't need the Mayo. My spring onions aren't quite big enough yet so I'm chucking in a big handful of home grown parsley instead.

Very emotional again today. So sick of it. Suggested to dh I just get medicated again so I'm better to be around but I'd be in a fog and he said no. DS1 is going to make me some cookies later. He's such a good boy and baker and they will be worth the calories.

Have a good afternoon everyone.

Welcome @WhataMissMap

that looks pretty similar to my start and goal points. We can do it!

I hope so!

@SunshineCake ahh it's fine don't worry. Glad you found good therapy. Does the meds have to be zombifying ones? Can it be something milder? Perhaps something you can discuss with dr

Today's meal plan :

Meal 1 crudites and reduced fat houmous, smashed avocado on toast

Meal 2 - pasta with Quorn rashers and veg in home made tomato sauce

Meal 3 falafel and salad

Many thanks to @73kittycat73 I had a look at fabulous50's last night and I think it will work for me or at least I can adapt some of the exercises to suit me. Gonna dig out my trainers and have a go starting today.

I'm also increasing how many days I do major chores to spread them out across the week (which wasn't initially anything to do with weight loss but for the mh side of things), I'd got myself in a position where I was doing most chores on one day a week - and completely knackering myself! So from today it's one big (to me) chore a day (on weekdays) weekends are "down time" as it allows me to have something approaching a normal schedule and also stops me from beating myself up about not doing chores "it's fine it's the weekend"

So eg today is a general tidy, sort rubbish, clean kitchen and mop the kitchen floor (I'm weirdly happy about new mops!)

Was playing with ops calculators last night which meant doing some measurements - nsv over an inch off belly!

I’m notoriously bad at getting it in

Water - yes I'm the same! Trying to remind myself every 10/20 mins "have a drink!"

@Graphista well done on your nsv! Inch off is awesome 👏👍🌟. I share you’re love of house keeping tools! I love my bissell spinwave. Rather than use the built in spray (which you fill with bissell product) I mix washing up liquid, Zoflora and water and use that as I go. Kitchen smells so fresh after using it.

Hi everyone! Back from holidays! I didn't weigh on Thursday as I was still on holiday, not looking forward to this Thursday as although I didn't go mad on holiday I had a good, few meals out, delicious fish and chips and a divine ice cream everyday. Enjoyed every mouthful. Oh, and one cream scone. I kept remembering ' It's just food'!
I was body boarding twice, swimming and walking, so hope some of this has negated the delicious food. Back on plan as of today and onwards I go!

Great news on the nsv, @graphista (had to google what an nsv was, now I feel like one of the in-crowd )

Had boiled eggs and shop-bought kombucha for breakfast (not at the same time!)
Lunch: chickpea flour waffles (love my waffle maker) with salad.
Dinner: no idea yet.