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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! September 2021

465 replies

TheRealHousewife · 31/08/2021 07:18

Hello & Welcome

September has come around so quickly; children getting ready to return to school and Christmas around the corner (116 days). A time when summer is starting to fade and an autumn chill is in the air. Changing seasons is a natural transition that we echo in our day to day live’s. I for one look forward to cosy nights by the fire and mentally prepping for the coming festive season.

A part of my Christmas prep also includes dropping a few extra lbs ‘to make room’ for a little foody extravagance… and a Baileys or two 😬

Carrying on from August’s Thread this is a space 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

NHS Free 12 Week Weight Loss Plan

On-Line Plan

Water Intake & Weight Loss

Tips

The Psychology of Maintaining Weight Loss

LOSE IT! September 2021
OP posts:
Thread gallery
23
Youdoyoutoday · 14/09/2021 09:35

Morning ladies,

Sorry I didn't post yesterday but was trying very hard to stay off my phone and be more productive and move more.

Finally made a breakthrough!

sw 16.12
cw 14.10

Feeling very good about that as breaking through the 14.11 barrier has taken far too long!

I went swimming yesterday and also beat my personal best which I was pleased with. I'm not fast at all and usually manage 14 laps of 50m in 40 minutes and yesterday I did 15!! So that really put a spring in my step for the rest of the day.

I'm still off the booze, day 11 today. Had a little wobble on Sunday and really fancied a glass of wine but my DP told me no and I'm glad he did! I'm finally beginning to feel the benefits after feeling so horrible last week.

@Graphista sorry to hear you're feeling unwell! Hope you feel better soon!

@swampytiggaa if you could bottle your energy, I'd be buying it Grin

Hope the rest of you are OK xx

Crazzzycat · 14/09/2021 10:24

It’s the fourth week of no loss for me. It’s a little frustrating, but I’m keeping my fingers crossed that if I just keep doing what I’ve been doing so far, things will get shifting again.

One thing I am planning to do is take a critical look at my exercise regime, as that’s where the biggest change has been over the last few weeks. It’s not that I got lazy. It’s just that there’s not enough hours of daylight in the day to go for the long walks that I used to do over the Summer.

I don’t think that’s the whole reason for not shifting weight, but it’s a healthier starting point for me than cutting calories further at this point.

I hope everyone is doing ok? I hope you feel better soon @Graphista and @SunshineCake. I’m struggling with the change in the seasons too @TheRealHousewife. Even though I love autumn, I just don’t like saying goodbye to summer!
Well done on your loss @Youdoyoutoday!

Youdoyoutoday · 14/09/2021 10:56

Thank you @Crazzzycat

It's so annoying to get to a plateau when trying hard, I really do feel your pain as I've been there so many times this year. I was stuck at 14.12 for ages, then dipped down to 14.11 last week then went up to 15!! But I'm writing last week off as that was first week of the alcohol for months so I think my body was in shock!

Also know what you mean about letting go of summer, I really want to start couch to 5k and it's all yucky and drizzly outside but I'm going to get brave and get my running gear on (yes I actually bought running gear.... all the gear and no idea 🤣)!!
I've also booked to go swimming at 6.30am, yes AM, tomorrow!!

Why oh why didn't I start all this at the beginning of summer??? Silly me!!

buzzofthebumblebee · 14/09/2021 11:16

To have lost as much as you have done, and not put on is a major achievement in itself crazzzy? Means you are on-it with your food & exercise, and have the will-power to not resort to old habits. But saying that I would be gutted to be on a plateau, so I'm a fine one to talk!

And well done You for no alcohol, new PB swim & 1lb loss. Good luck with Couch to 5k. By the time spring comes around again next year you will have cracked it, running regularly, and the wedding dress will fit better (maybe even need taking in!!!). Nothing to loose. Only downside to running in the rain is you get wet. As I found out this morning ; )

Hungry after my run so I've just had chopped melon, big spoon natural yoghurt & seeds. Feeling bloated (happens when I reduce carbs - whole digestive system seems to slow down) so I need to up my fibre and drink even more water I guess. Annoying.

LosetoHike · 14/09/2021 11:31

Hope you are both on the road to recover @Graphista and @SunshineCake. Well done on the loss and the alcohol @Youdoyoutoday! I also love melon as a nice snac @buzzofthebumblebee!

Had a lovely weekend away with my OH and was really happy that I stuck to my plan of healthier breakfast and lunch and then not as strict with dinners. But my body really punished me for eating a small bit off plan (carbs and wine really are not my friends) 😭😭 Up 1.4kg from Friday 😩. New plan is only weekly weigh in on Tuesday to try and reduce my emotional up/down based on the number on the scale every morning.

SW:87.7kg
CW:84.7kg
GW Jan 2022: 70kg
Up 1.4kg since Friday but only 0.3kg since last Tuesday’s weigh in.

Youdoyoutoday · 14/09/2021 12:13

Thanks ladies,

And yes, I completely forget to mention that a plateau is frustrating but its a big thing to MAINTAIN what you have lost so far!! Can't stress this enough!! Please be proud of that @Crazzzycat and anyone else who hits a plateau.

So I took the first leap and did my first C25K!! I cheated slightly in that I did it in the living room because, as I open the front door, the heavens opened. But I did keep moving on the spot for the whole 1st 'run'. I know its not quite the same but I did it and warm down stretches so I've just proved to myself that I can. Next one will be Friday so I'll venture off to the park as I'm swimming for the next 2 days.

Off for a well earned shower!

SunshineCake · 14/09/2021 13:00

🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢
It's all ok..

Crazzzycat · 14/09/2021 15:53

Thanks @Youdoyoutoday and @buzzofthebumblebee. From what I can gather, I’m incredibly lucky to not have hit a weightloss plateau until I lost more than 20% of my body weight. So I’m not allowing myself to feel too sorry for myself! I’m sure that if this continues for a few more weeks or months, it will get harder to deal with, but for now I’m just reminding myself of how much better I feel than I did 6 months ago. I may not be quite where I want to be, but I’m in a much better place 😇

My meals for today:

Breakfast - Overnight oats with raspberries and a teaspoon of homemade salted pecan & chocolate spread

Lunch -Spicy bean wrap, with a kiwi & a satsuma

Dinner -Roasted vegetables & halloumi with bulgur

For exercise, I’ve already done an hour on the cross trainer and am planning to do some weights later 💪 I struggle a bit with staying motivated to do weights. It’s so boring! I need to find a way to make that a little bit more exciting

ButterflyOfFreedom · 15/09/2021 06:33

Thanks losetohike and buzzofthebumblebee, you're right. One blip doesn't mean the end of it all! I think I was just frustrated with myself as I could have chosen to have something else other than sweets but at the time I wanted them and every one deserves a treat right??

Anyway, that was last Thursday.. then I went out for a meal Saturday night... then another on Monday!!
So I really wasn't looking forward to stepping on the scales this morning!
But I did and was VERY pleasantly surprised that I've lost another pound!! How I don't know!?! I certainly don't look / feel it. In fact, I thought I would have gained.
I'm sure hormones massively play a part for me...

So:
SW 9 stone 9 lbs
CW 9 stone 7 lbs
GW 9 stone 4 lbs

DayToNight · 15/09/2021 07:34

Last week I was 63.4 kg and this week 62.7 kg. Thanks for the motivation guys. Have tried to cut down on the wine and chocolate, and did the first podcast of couch to 5 k yesterday @Youdoyoutoday - snap! It was better than I thought it would be. Hope you’re feeling better @Graphista

buzzofthebumblebee · 15/09/2021 08:04

Great losses Butterfly and Day, and great restraint on your weekend away LosetoHike ! How are you Graphista?

Week 2 - 3lbs down. SW 13 2, CW 12 10.

Think a lot is down to water loss having cut out sugar, reduced carbs, and no wine. Feel less puffy. Just need to keep it up now!

Youdoyoutoday · 15/09/2021 09:37

Morning,

Thanks @DayToNight, I surprised myself with managing c25k but my back ached last night and early this morning so I didn't go swimming as planned but will do tomorrow and do the second run on Friday.

Weigh in this morning was disappointing, 1lb on so back up to 14.12 but considering this time last week I was back up to 15 stone, I'm not going to get overly annoyed! But I'm used to this, it's like my body let's go of a lb then panics and demands it back for another few days!!

QueenMabby · 15/09/2021 10:49

Hi all. Sorry I’ve been AWOL (again!). Back to school has really kicked my arse - dc are soooo busy there seems like no time!

Small loss for me this week: 0.6lb but as I’m at that time of the month it’s still a win!

SW: 10st 1.8lb (1/8)
CW: 9st 8.4lb (15/9)
GW: somewhere between 9st and 9st 4lb

I’ve started a new pt programme at the gym and am lifting weights 3x a week so am expecting weight loss to slow a little over the next few weeks although I’m still hoping to get leaner. 🤞🏻

@Graphista - so sorry you’re poorly. Definitely agree to not counting calories during this time - your body needs energy to heal.

@SunshineCake - so glad you’re home. I know it’s hard, but take the rest and let your family care for you. You can’t pour from an empty cup and your body needs rest and nourishment to heal.

Well done to all those with losses, sts and nsvs. Also well done if you’ve gained a bit and not given up - that’s harder in many ways!

@swampytiggaa - well done on your race.

Crazzzycat · 15/09/2021 11:12

Well done on those losses everyone!

@Youdoyoutoday, it’s not uncommon for the body to hold on to more water after exercise, especially when you’ve exercised so much that muscles are hurting. I always weigh more after a long session on the cross-trainer

Not sure what bugs are going around this thread, but I too woke up with a very sore throat this morning 😣 Fingers crossed it will pass soon. Until then, it’ll be liquorice tea for me. It’s the best thing for sore throats, if you can handle the taste. I love it personally!

My plan for today:

Overnight oats with raspberries & nectarine and a teaspoon of pecan chocolate spread

Spicy bean wrap with pickles

Pasta e fagioli (a.k.a bean & pasta soup)

Not sure about doing any exercise. We’ll see how I feel later…

Graphista · 15/09/2021 12:53

Hi all thanks for kind comments. Still really rough. Eating whatever appeals and I can swallow which isn't much but is calorific and yet...

2.5lb loss!

Finally cracked the 13 stone barrier and lost a full stone from start weight now.

Feeling lousy, thinking I may well regain but that's not my focus at the moment. Just doing what I can to get through just now.

So tired so very sore

Hibossbabe · 15/09/2021 20:11

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Graphista · 16/09/2021 00:06

Not clicking and reported as spam! Go away!

buzzofthebumblebee · 16/09/2021 08:28

Not the best way for you to loose weight @Graphista. Hope you are on the mend very soon.

My menu today - chicken and salad for lunch, and fish & roast veggies for dinner, with pasta for the family. I'll probably cave & have some pasta, but a little is better than a lot !

CescaCesca · 16/09/2021 09:48

Hello All

I am also joining the Poorly Club as our household has been hit by Norovirus which was just utterly grim. Have lost and so far kept off 2 lbs from it. 9 st 9 lb.Today is first day since Sunday I feel somewhat normal!

Hope everyone feels better soon!

TheRealHousewife · 16/09/2021 10:25

Good Morning All

Well done @Graphista that’s a significant milestone! You carried on when it got tough! That’s not always easy. 🥇👍👏

For all you ladies on plateau, I share your frustration. I’ve bobbed up and down the same couple of lbs for months. I know in my case not being able to exercise is massively slowing down my loss now. However, doing what I’m doing is stopping me gaining. I know I’d be far heavier and several sizes bigger if I didn’t follow my healthy eating regime. For that I’m thankful 😊.

@CescaCesca hope you all feel better soon!

Menu
Meal 1 - Riced Spicy Cauliflower stir fry. With egg & soya sauce chucked in.

Meal 2 - Chicken Curry

OP posts:
SunshineCake · 16/09/2021 13:05

Hi everyone

So sorry to not be joining in. I'm struggling to read much never mind reply but you are all doing great as you are all still trying.

Today's plan was for me to go downstairs. I did manage this, put towels on to wash then came back to sleep exhausted. After a couple of hours I fell asleep. Dh told me off as the plan for only for me to go downstairs and sit on the sofa. I'm feeling a bit fed up as it seems like GF takes ages to get over and I've already lost nearly four weeks being in bed, hospital then bed again.

Youdoyoutoday · 16/09/2021 14:23

@SunshineCake you have to let yourself get better or you'll just drag it out, be kind to yourself. ❤

I'm down again to 14.10, went swimming as well and beat my laps from the other day so now I'm exhausted.

Graphista · 16/09/2021 16:01

@thanks for all the kind words and thoughts.

Did an lft and have sent a pcr off via courier. Lft positive 

Defo have a cough now, trying not to stress as that will make things worse but I have asthma and a history of various lung infections and damage so I'm understandably concerned.

Totally knackered! Keep nodding off.

Weight wise another 0.5lb lost overnight but yea this isn't the ideal way to lose weight!

@SunshineCake - time spent taking care of yourself, recovering from illness is NOT a waste! Our society has massively denigrated rest generally and recuperation in particular.

When I was nurse training it was at the start of lots of changes occurring in health and hospital policy - much of which was to save money rather than what was best for patients health. Loss of protected visiting hours, loss of protected rest periods (yes we used to have those! At least 2 hours of an afternoon where patients could nap, no tv or music allowed on, no obs, no tea rounds etc. Lights out, curtains/blinds closed and rest strongly encouraged), loss of regular routines, loss of noise control regs...

These along with things like no longer employing specialised cleaning staff, changing beds daily (and doing proper hospital corners!), not allowing visitors to sit on beds, limiting number of visitors, monitoring nutritional and fluid intake as a matter of course...

The nurses training me said at the time that these changes would lead to increased morbidity and mortality rates for patients and wouldn't actually save money as people would either be in hospital for longer - cos they'd get hospital acquired infections! Or they'd take longer to recover due to poor nutrition and not enough/good quality rest - or they'd be returning after being discharged for same reasons.

They were absolutely right! Those of you of an age to remember this era (early 90's) will remember thats when we got the HUGE spike and scandalous news stories of outbreaks of mrsa and c diff etc - which btw those issues didn't go away they just became so common they're no longer considered newsworthy!

The amount of work your body does when you're resting and even more when you're asleep would astonish you.

Cell growth and repair people generally know about, but there's also directing white blood cells where needed, cytokines (mainly released while sleeping) regulate and control the immune system responses, they're like the general managers of the immune system and assess what's wrong where and send various responses to the right areas, the energy you're saving by being asleep is repurposed to healing and metabolising less healthy hormones etc so they can be eliminated (this is why we often pee and poop more when poorly, although that is also because we're usually drinking more and perhaps having meds with laxative effects too - i'm having fun with that at the moment!), nutritional absorption is also more efficient/regulated when you're asleep.

Sleep is vital and should be much more appreciated.

It's also of course absolutely vital for mh and when we're poorly that can take a hit too. Im watching celebrity masterchef and just cried at a daft comment a contestant made! Was crying at Stephs packed lunch earlier! It's like being bloody postnatal again!

you have to let yourself get better or you'll just drag it out

Absolutely correct, could also mean you don't recover fully which is a risk with gf

Tuirseach · 16/09/2021 16:16

Hi there, can I please join!? I've decided today is the day I need to get myself in gear! I have 4 -5 stone to lose unfortunately and I am aiming for 2lbs per week which means I'm at this for the next 6 months at least, I'm hoping keeping up with this thread will help motivate me! Looking forward to reading everyone elses stories and progress.

SunshineCake · 16/09/2021 17:05

Thank you so much @Graphista. I was surprised how many obs I did get in hospital but at night they left us alone and the lights were turned out early enough. Bed changed every day. I'm struggling with feeling like a failure. Today I put a wash on and have put one top away. That's it and I'm tired. I fell asleep at 11. Dh is doing everything and I know he's saying it is okay but he is tired and he has to take dd to uni at the weekend. He's doing two drop offs and pick ups every day and walking the dog at least once and sometimes twice. He had a heart attack early 2020 so I'm worried about him.

Emotionally I'm struggling as I'm not happy. I wanted to go "home" to see an old friend for some love and guidance and now I don't know when that will happen. I felt today I wanted to just leave but was too exhausted.

I feel like so much is going on and I can't work out if it is because of XYZ or ABC and that's not helping. I'm scared about everything.

Welcome @Tuirseach. normally I'm a lot happier, more useful and supportive. Everyone else will get you going.

Hi @Puffalicious.