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

Wow our threads move quickly!!
New month starts tomorrow :), I’m always hopeful.

@TheRealHousewife thanks for the new thread

I'm a relative newbie and very keen for tips from those who've lost more than I have and kept it off.

I'm calorie counting, I believe in everything in moderation. I'm also vegetarian. I'm also trying to drink more water and I've not had a takeaway in over a year now.

I'm also trying to address other areas of health in an effort to have better health all round as op says

I'm disabled so most exercise is ruled out for me but I'm trying to be generally more active and doing exercise that is safe for me.

@youdoyoutoday I discovers that mfp and many of the other apps aren't accurate as pretty much anyone can update the databases they use so can be misleading. I work cals out for myself from labels info (which is regulated) or I look up for items which aren't labelled this way (eg fresh vegetables and fruit) and go with an average from reliable sites.

Didn't know the nhs had a cal checker that's handy

Sw 13 stone 12.5lbs (approx 83kg or 194.5lbs)

Cw 13 stone 2.75lbs (just under 83kg or 184.75lbs)

Tw 9 stone 10 lbs by end July next year

Happy to be a 🐢 as long as I get there in the end and stay there.

I'll check start September weight tomorrow, meant to weigh today and forgot as I usually weigh on a Thursday.

@gammyhip I'm 50 next year too so I'm hoping to be at a healthy weight by then.

I'm so glad I stumbled across this thread - Can I join please?
I've over indulged over the summer - lots of takeaways, meals out, treats like crisps, chocolate, ice cream, sweets.. plus a lack of exercise which has seen some weight gain which I now want to shift!

Weighed myself this morning and I'm 9 stone 9lbs.
Don't want to lose anything too radical but would like to get to 9 stone 4lbs which is what I was only a month or so ago...!

So, it's back to the healthy eating & regular runs for me from today :)

I'd like to join please! I love the fresh start feeling of September. I don't want to lose much weight - maybe 3kg that I haven't shifted since my first trimester of my first pregnancy (so, 4 years ago )

Mostly I just want to eat better and exercise more. I snack instead of eating meals, so I don't eat enough veg. So my plan is

• 4+ veg daily
• 3 real meals, 1 snack max
• Yoga twice a week
• Lots of water
• Outside every day, gardening/walking

Hello Shiny New September Thread 👋🏻
I forgot to finish off the month and post on the August thread, but I ended August with a 1lb gain 🙃 so not a great month, and in July I stayed the same - so I really need to keep my focus this month and actually make a loss. I have some extra motivation in that on 1st of October it will be exactly one year since I started trying to lose weight, so I feel like I should round my year off with a victory! 🤣

SW: 12 st 1 lb
CW: 9 st 12 lb
Goal Weight: 9 st

Well done @swampytiggaa for reaching goal weight on last thread 🎉

Welcome to all the newbies 😊

I’m starting the month on 78.4 kg and somehow my waist has shrunk to 32 inches over the last few days. Good luck everyone!

@Graphista i do generally check my own calories as this isn't my first rodeo I've been using noom since January and Im used to logging calories. MFP does have the barccode scanner too which I find useful. The NHS app wouldn't let me drop the calorie allowance below 1600 per day and I want to remain around 1200.

Anyway, stepped on the scales this morning and I'm really annoyed that I've gained 2lbs! 😒
I haven't been swimming for a couple of weeks and life won't be getting back to normal until next week when school is back so right now, I'm just concentrating on the food side of things.

On the plus side, I have still lost 1 stone 11lbs and maintained that, bouncing around on the same couple of lbs for a couple of weeks is not the end of the world even if I'm annoyed about it this morning.

Great seeing all the amazing progress people have made, it’s very motivating! My stats for the start of the month:

SW:87.7kg
CW:84.5kg
GW:70kg (my midway goal, would love to hit this by January)

Any top tips for staying on track when going out for drinks/meals with friends. Meeting up with a friend for the first time in months this weekend but don’t want to totally derail my progress!

Please can I join again? DC back to school tomorrow, we are having major building work done which means microwave meals only. Another week or so and then we should be able to start unpacking and I can really get on top of things.
Until then I need to increase my water intake, get my steps back to 15k daily as often as possible, and sleep better. And eat more fruit & veg!

Just done my September weigh-in and came in at 143lbs. That's about 3lbs heavier than I "feel" and feel I look, so I'm wondering if I'm holding onto a bit of water weight (I did do a tonne of garden work this weekend so wondering if that's it).

Anyway! At least it means I have further to go with my next loss so hopefully will get some fluff off my tummy!

My goal for October weigh-in is 140lbs (I'm right at the lowish end of my BMI so expecting a slower loss). If I can be there for October.

SW: 143 (1st September)
GW: 134 (1st April)

Going to keep focusing on diversity of plant-based foods, lots of water, and movement every day.

This weekend I'm away with a friend so that's not going to help matters.... But I cannot wait!

Keep on keeping on everyone!

1st weigh in today. 13 stone 2. So even worse than I thought. Even more reason for me to be here!

@TheRealHousewife

@swampytiggaa Congratulations 🥳👏🌟🥇. Job well done! Lovely that you’re staying as you will be inspiring to others. Please keep posting!

A warm welcome to our newcomers @Harnett11 @ButterflyOfFreedom @RunningKatie @LosetoHike @CalmConfident @gammyhip @Cathy31 Great to see so many new names.

@SunshineCake Although I share your frustration about being in the 🐢 club and agree it can be disheartening. (My stats are a similar pattern). I managed goal last year for about a zillionth of a second 😬. I flip my thinking and think of the alternative. I remind myself I’m disabled, unable to exercise properly and have multiple health conditions that do affect my weight and metabolism. I also remind myself that if I wasn’t mindful about what I eat and portion control I would be at least 4 stone heavier. Really I would. I’m not joking. So although I’m not at ‘goal’ I am far healthier (and happier) being where I am than where I would be without my lifestyle changes. YOU have made huge progress overall with your times/distance in running, your muscle to fat ratio, your general health & fitness …. All whilst dealing with some difficult stuff. You're awesome. Don’t forget that. 🌟👏❤️🥇

Calling @MrsJonesAndMe @HalfShrunkMoreToGo (I think this lady name changed) are you around, we miss you 😬

Welcome back @joysmoy66 👍

I’m like you @Cathy31, I like the freshness of autumn 🍂 and the changing colour of leaves 🍁.

I gained overall in August. Had a nice loss in the middle of the month and then bounced back up. I’ll keep being mindful and try to up activity although that isn’t always easy.

Menu

Meal 1 - Chickpea, quinoa, boiled egg salad.

Meal 2 - Chicken tray bake. Hazelnuts.

Enjoy your day!

I don’t know how on earth I tagged myself n previous post 😬

You’ll soon get into it @buzzofthebumblebee and see progress.

@TrueRefuge exercise can cause water weight gain as your muscles repair. Also if your holding water weight due to eating salty or processed foods drinking more water can help flush the salts out.

Just to add to TheRealHouseWife’s post, @SunshineCake, there’s scientific evidence that it’s really difficult to lose weight when your cortisol levels (stress hormone) are high. It doesn’t just wreak havoc with your appetite, but also programs your body to store fat. You’ve done incredibly well to be where you are now, with the amount of stress you’ve been having

www.healthline.com/nutrition/cortisol-and-weight-gain#bottom-line

Great link @Crazzzycat 👍 Explains a lot!

Came on to post Action for Happiness September Calendar attached 😬

I was going to post my meal plan for the day, but forgot! Anyway, here it is:

Lunch: spicy bean wrap, pickles, kiwi and a packet of twiglets

Dinner: bean & halloumi stew with bulgur, apple and may be a yoghurt

There’ll be some snacks too, as this lot only gets me to 1300 calories, which is nowhere near enough for me. I haven’t decided what though. May be some almonds and olives? 🤔

@Twounderfive83, if you’re struggling with 1400 calories, are you sure you are eating enough? I don’t know how tall you are, but if you’re fairly active, it may be that you just need more calories?

If you want to stick with 1400 calories, I’ve found intermittent fasting pretty good for keeping the calories low, without feeling like I was depriving myself too much. I’m also much less hungry if I eat foods like vegetables, fruit, whole grains, nuts etc. The second I eat a kitkat I’m starving!

@ButterflyOfFreedom welcome wish I had been sensible and shifted the weight when it first started going on

@Cathy31 welcome I tend to be a snacker too but veggies can be snacks. I snack on my "famous" seasoned carrot sticks, cherry tomatoes, cucumber and pepper cut into sticks

@CescaCesca it gets harder to lose the less you have to lose and you've already done so very well - any tips for the rest of us? That still have so far to go?

@Crazzzycat well done on the inch loss! It all counts

@RunningKatie welcome that's awkward for you. Soups and jacket potatoes can be done in the micro and they're low calorie. You can cook pretty much anything in the micro doesn't have to be ready meals

@TrueRefuge that couple of weeks I did the 30 plant based foods challenge I had losses so I think I need to fry that again. I think it does make your gut work better I think and I think also the wide variety of flavours and nutrients means your body feels more satisfied

@buzzofthebumblebee at least you know now what you're dealing with. Don't beat yourself up just focus on eating healthily, being more active and being healthier - put it this way you're still lighter than me!

I lost the HUGE amount of 1lb this month!  but hey it's still a loss and NOT a gain so onwards and inwards as we say here

@SunshineCake @Crazzzycat is right there's TONS of evidence that stress makes us fat in a number of ways, not just hormones although that is definitely a factor. I'm also wondering what if any meds you're on. I'm on 2 that are known to cause weight gain and not just by increasing appetite but by slowing metabolism down - steroids for asthma and my anti depressants. So I try to remind myself I've quite some obstacles there without using as excuses. Tricky

Thanks for the welcome!

So far today:
B: plain rice cereal with soya yoghurt, tangerine, 70ml smoothie choc
S: apple
L: 2 carrots, 1tbsp hummus, rice, 1sq dark chocTH

Plus two green teas, two coffees and lots of water.

Out for an early dinner tonight, to a chain restaurant so I can plan ahead, find the high veg, low calorie option. Then the plan is not to eat again this evening.

I don't think it's likely I'll do any exercise today though, feeling tired and a bit meh. I will try to get outside though.

Good luck everyone, some of you have done so great with weight loss already!

Thanks for the welcome @TheRealHousewife.
I have completed day one - so far so good managed 15k steps yesterday. Food wise was very good B: Porridge L: Ham Salad D: Steak Medallion with quinoa & peppers.

Good Luck Everyone!

To be honest @Crazzzycat I am also definitely greedy/a terrible snacker! I’m aiming for 1400 mainly because that’s the highest that any “plan” I’ve ever tried recommends, plus the NHS site too; also because it allows for a bit more flexibility for Saturday night treats. I used to do 1200 calories years ago and could stick to that, my appetite has crept up with my weight as my stomach has no doubt stretched.

Will post my weight Friday AM as that’s going to be weigh day for me.

Hiya, I was just thinking about this - the ‘school year to end of year sprint’

Can I join? Yoyo’d since childhood. Heaviest ever post ds but he is 20 month now! I’m 5’2 and 14st!! I’d love to be 12 by chrimbo

Woosh! Lots of posts! Haven’t got time to tag everyone and reply properly but welcome newbies and well done to those who have lost. To those who have gained or sts - it’s about the process and weight loss is never linear!

I weighed in this morning - first time for 2 weeks. 0.2lb loss - barely enough to register! Still - I had a great first two weeks or August before I injured my back so I am 5.8lb down over the month:

SW (1/8): 10st 1.8lb
CW (1:9): 9st 10.0lb
GW: 9st 4lb

I exercised for the first time today - a 40 min low impact strength workout. It felt good to be back. I’m joining a gym next week and am aiming to gain some muscle so my weight loss for September may be slow. Would like to be 9st 7lb by the end of the month though.

Jumping back into the new thread after a quiet month. Had my surgery (double mastectomy), kept to my calorie counting and have managed to lose a little weight, it's getting harder and slower to get rid of the excess me as I get closer to my target weight. Am getting more exercise walking with the pony these days, but still nowhere near the amount of some people on here who do so much!!

Starting weight: 134kg
Current weight: 77.8kg
Target weight: 75kg

Can I join please. I've been using Noom for 6 months with success but still another stone or so to go

SW 16st 1 20th Feb 2021
CW 12st 4
Target 11st 4

I'm 5ft 8 and 53. Been sticking to @1400kcals and exercising 3/4 times a week.

Tasty menus @Crazzzycat @Harnett11 @Cathy31 😋

@Graphista you are so right! Well done on your loss! I wish my overall result for August was a loss. Determined to make September count!

Award welcome @Marylou2 @Angliski 😊

Lovely to see you back at @Elle200. Wishing you a comfortable convalescence. Take care ❤️

@QueenMabby great loss. True about weight loss not being linear. I wish it wasn’t so stagnant though 😬

I had a menu change from the salad to a Mediterranean 2 egg Omelette.