LOSE IT! September 2021

[TheRealHousewife]

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

Well I could have just stuck with the 1 glass I had whilst eating, I don't think I really needed the 2 extra wines and 2 gins. I stopped drinking as I was drinking way too much so I'm not going to berate myself for last night. But the way I feel this morning is enough to make me realise that actually, I don't really like this feeling so why put myself through it if you know what I mean.

Went swimming, did an extra 10 minutes to help burn off the wine

Morning all! I’m about to head off for a city break. I’ll try to be sensible, but am not planning to be too strict. We’re planning to go to a Lebanese restaurant (or two! - I love Middle Eastern food 😋). They’re usually pretty good for healthier veggie choices.

I’m with you all on the alcohol. Last weekend I had a single gin & tonic, so not enough for a hangover, but my goodness I felt SO tired the next day. I only drink a few times a year though, so may be I feel the impact a bit more because my body is just not used to it?

That sound nice!! Enjoy your break

Morning! Went back to work today after a weekend of doing nothing 😊 on 15k steps already.

Weight is up as I expected due to no movement and lots of comfort eating over the last few days but it’ll come back off 😊

Good luck everyone with the end of the month push!

@Youdoyoutoday I love swimming! It’s an exercise that really benefits me as the water supports my achy joints and muscles. I need to make more of an effort when the pandemic settles down.

@Crazzzycat have a great time. Enjoy the food!

@swampytiggaa you must be feeling better if you’ve gone back to work. I’m impressed with your step count so far! 👏👍

@Graphista How are you today? Are you feeling any better?

@SunshineCake1 How are you? I know recovery from GF can be slow going.

Well done on getting back out this morning You to go swimming. It was pretty miserable wasn't it? I got soaked doing a cardio sesh. But glad I did it. Not sure I have burnt-off enough calories from my impromptu dinner out last night, but better than nothing.

Enjoy your break Crazzzy - how nice to have a change of scene. Not quite the empty nest yet TheReal - but feels like it ; )

Hope you feel okay about your dd and uni today @buzzofthebumblebee. It's such a difficult time. I've often thought how there are tonnes of books about pregnancy and early childhood but little about older children and the difficult times like starting secondary, going to uni etc. One day I might write it I'm a published writer. Well done on your loss.

I've given up weighing until day one of being able to run again.

Well done on going swimming @Youdoyoutoday.

@Crazzzycat don't be too good. This sounds like a one off, or at least a rare trip, so daft to not make the best of it!

Hurray for being back at work @swampytiggaa. I hope this means you are feeling better and aren't rushing back?

Still in bed struggling @TheRealHousewife. Had a phone appointment with the doctor today which was very helpful and reassuring. I have to go next week and have blood tests and he says he is going to follow up and keep an eye on me for some other stuff as well.

I'm finding it hard as worried I'll take ages to be better. Doctor said it could take six months for me to get over this .

I’m much better @SunshineCake1 thank you 😊 not sure how I’ll be tomorrow as I start at 4am 😱

I think I either had a bug/chill or I was a bit run down. Tbh I think some of it is menapause related as I am getting hot flushes/night sweats starting about 8pm every day going on until the early hours. It’s quite wearing. Have a phone appointment with my doctor next Monday where I’ll beg for something (anything!) to help

Hope you can start feeling better soon 💕

Cheers @SunshineCake1

Glad to hear the doctor is giving you some care and attention. It's so important for you to rest now so you can get better quicker

@swampytiggaa Glad to hear you're better too

Early night for me tonight, my DD hasn't slept well the past few nights but after a day at nursery, I'm hoping she'll pass out for the whole night so I can sleep. Also need my energy for doing C25k tomorrow and finishing the housework I shamelessly ignored today because I couldn't be arsed to do it.

X

Ok spoke too soon spent last night throwing up so off work again. Think it was something I ate. Just debating a cup of tea…

Good Morning Everyone

@swampytiggaa sorry to read that. Hope it doesn’t develop into a full blown illness.

@SunshineCake1 Great to read that the doctors are keeping an eye on you. Baby steps ❤️

Hope you’re ok @Graphista ❤️

Menu

Meal 1 - Spicy Thai Inspired Chicken Soup < one of my favourites

Meal 2 - Halloumi & Butterbeans Kale stir fry < also one of my favourites 😋

Great to see you back on here @SunshineCake1! I imagine it must be hard knowing it’s going to be a slow recovery.

@Crazzzycat I definitely second what @SunshineCake1 said, it’s not worth being really strict on your holiday away, but don’t go crazy either 😂

I was up 0.8kg yesterday again from Fridays weigh in to 83.4kg from my weekend indulging!😭 I must say that I feel like I’ve got better at enjoying the foods/alcohol in moderation and the weight gain is nowhere near as it used to be after a weekend visiting my parents!

My friend who was due to visit next weekend cancelled and I feel awful because I’m actually relieved. Im still losing weight each week but it’s about half what it should be due to my weekends! The pressure is on to get to 70kg by January…to get there I’ll need to average 0.9kg loss a week which is a good bit more than my current weekly average of 0.65kg. I joined the gym yesterday and am going to start running again so hoping that will give me a boost!

Tuesday weekly weigh in!
SW: 87.7kg
Last week: 83.9kg
CW: 83.1kg
GW Jan 2022: 70kg

I’ve two more days until the end of the month so hoping to get down to 82.5kg for 2kg loss for the month!

Oh nom@swampytiggaa. Hope you feel better soon.

@Puffalicious 🐢🐢🐢🐢

How are you @Graphista?

My youngest is off school today. No temp, negative covid but looks pale and has a sore throat.

I did weigh as nearly end of month and I thought it was Wednesday (WOW). I am a pound and a half down this week so I'll take that.

Still really tired. Emotionally struggling.

Hope everyone is well. So many I miss.

@half
@MrsJonesAndMe - thank you for your PM the other week.

Thank you @LosetoHike.

Gym & running sounds like a good boost to weight loss @LosetoHike. I'd love to get down to 70kg too. Even 75 would be good ...

Really sorry you are still so low @SunshineCake1. It sounded like the GP actually listened, which is a plus, but shame they can't magic you better. Don't be too hard on yourself - especially if struggling emotionally. Hope your DC perks up soon. There is a bug going around - mine was off school last week too, 3 x negative covid tests. Thanks for kind words about DD going off to uni. Yes yes yes to writing about it! Some days I've never felt so alone - hardly bump into other mum's to compare notes with now there's no school run or clubs to drop them off to.

Your menu sounds delicious, again @TheRealHousewife !!

What does "OMAD" mean?

I've only just got appetite back and still can only eat certain foods so not back to cal counting yet.

I very rarely drink alcohol these days, just don't see the appeal

@TheRealHousewife I'm in recovery mode now. Not sick as such but utterly exhausted and still sleeping a hell of a lot and even when I'm awake don't have the energy to do anything! Hoping that will soon ease off

Glad @SunshineCake1 and @swampytiggaa are doing a little better

Gf takes a long time to recover from but it's a gradual thing so this time next week you'll feel better than you are now you just don't necessarily notice it v much

@swampytiggaa sorry you're sick again

It's really all I can manage to eat something resembling meals at the moment!

Had jacket potato and cottage cheese last night glad to be able to enjoy savoury foods again!

I think tonight will be half tin Mac cheese with some sweetcorn as I am still needing soft foods really

@Graphista OMAD is One Meal A Day 😊

I haven’t been sick again so it was definitely what I ate yesterday. Today I’ve eaten some toast and some digestive biscuits and that’s about it. Going to have an early night then will attempt breakfast before work tomorrow 😊

Hope you start to feel a bit better soon @Graphista 💕 it’s miserable being ill 💕

Ahh well I'm ahead of the trend then! I was doing that for years and back doing it again now! Doesn't work for me weight loss wise though makes me hold on to weight even if I'm hardly having any cals!

Mac cheese heating up.

Anyone else get this at the end of a period of being ill? Restlessness cos mentally you're bored and ready to do more but physically you're not up to it?

Place is a tip and I'm desperate to sort it BUT I know if I try my usual "blitz" approach I'll scupper myself! So I know it's a bad idea but it's driving me nuts!!

Wish I could wave a magic wand!

Evening Everyone

Great to ‘see’ you @Graphista. If I lived near I’d pop in and make you a cuppa ☕️. Covid takes time to overcome, don’t push yourself to do more than you body can physically handle or you’ll set your recovery back. < I realise you know this 😊

@swampytiggaa fingers crossed your breakfast stays down tomorrow 😬 pleased to read you’re not poorly poorly 😷

Anyone else watching GBBO? It’s quite good and isn’t giving me munchies so far 😬

Definitely not doing better. Pain increased and happens more but I have almost accepted it will be a while.

i know everyone is doing their best to stay healthy. all i can say is take care of yourselves :(
yes @TheRealHousewife, i'm watching and enjoying past seasons of gbbo (what is available to me with my limited tv package). and baking wise i've recently discovered making "flax eggs" and if i have this right it make a significant difference to calorie count in baked goods.
i'm stressing about my upcoming trip...the testing where and when and getting the results in time for flights etc.
plus dd and family have announced they are coming here for xmas then dh invited my mom!! she never says yes and this time she's coming...we're in a small small home...lots on my mind as always hoping my portion sizes are okay.

Good Morning All

@fallfallfall please do tell me more about Flax Eggs. Never heard of those. Are they eggs from chickens fed on flax? GBBO from last night was good. I won’t spill who was voted off so as not to spoil it for you. I really like the artwork by Tom Bovey (think that’s his name) of all the bakes too.

@SunshineCake1 Where’s your pain? Is your throat still hurting? Are you taking anything? Hope you have a better day ❤️

WOW - weigh on Wednesday. 0.8lb down on last week. 👍

Menu

Meal 1 - Spicy Thai Inspired Chicken Soup (left overs)

Meal 2 - Soufflé cheese omelette served with garden peas, sweet corn & carrots

I’ve been the reading the thread debating the cico method for weigh loss. Interesting. However I still strongly believe weigh loss isn’t a one size fits all and it has many many variables which do seem to increase in number as we get older < Age, hormones, illness, medications, muscle/fat ratio, activity levels, sleep quality, gut biome, alcohol intake, mental health, stress levels, hydration levels and off course diet (what we ultimately choose to eat day-to-day). I’ve never advocated for a one size fits all and for myself personally I need to take a multi faceted approached to lose/maintain. It’s about long term lifestyle choices.

September has 2 days left … I don’t know about anyone else but I’m not yet ready for October 😬.

The pain is where my liver is though I also had two sharp pains in my lower tummy and I have had pain in my side where I now know my spleen is.