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

Morning all. @SunshineCake - hope you get your mri today so that you can go home. So sorry your dd is also poorly.

Weigh in day for me and a pound off over the week! Am very pleased.

SW (1/8): 10st 1.8lb
CW (8/9): 9st 9.0lb
GW: 9st 4lb (probably -maybe 9st if I’m going well!)

@SunshineCake, ummm timing and symptoms. I’d be surprised if your daughter doesn’t have mono as well. Positive thoughts both of you feel better soon.
Market day for me, sales and shopping.

I think DD had GF when she had tonsillitis years ago. The blood tests were inconclusive but they said no point putting her through another blood draw when there's no cure. Ds says you can only get GF once. Is that right?

Well done on your losses @buzzofthebumblebee and @QueenMabby! You are both off to a great start to September .

I’m back on track after my indulgence at the weekend which has tended to be an issue previously! I need to be good during the week as I’m off on a weekend away with my OH this weekend so I’m sure dinners will be calorific! Planning on having healthy breakfasts, light lunches and reducing my alcohol intake to hopefully say somewhat on track! My social life seems to have taken off after months of lockdowns just as I’m finally putting my head down trying to lose this weight 😂

Tuesday is my usual weigh in day but weighed in again today and down 0.4kg from yesterday which I’m delighted about! Unsure about whether weighing in everyday is a good idea or not…I feel it keep me motivated during the day to eat well etc but maybe I’m focusing on it too much!

SW(10:8/21): 87.7
CW: 84
GW (Jan 22): 70

Weigh day for me and I'm pleased I'm down a pound!

SW 9 stone 9 lbs
CW 9 stone 8 lbs
GW 9 stone 4 lbs

I would have been gutted if I hadn't lost anything as I've been so good this past week! Nice to see it's paid off :)

Well done on the other losses - keep going!

Well done @LosetoHike and @ButterflyOfFreedom.

I was due to have my MRI early as they cancelled someone but no one came as they had to check if I could have it with having GF and now they are 45 minutes late picking me up for my original time so I've no clue what is happening. Worried I'll be sent home without having it and have to come back as an outpatient for it.

Well done @ButterflyOfFreedom! You’ll get to your goal in no time ☺️

So sorry to hear all the trouble you’re having @SunshineCake. Fingers crossed you’ll get the MRI before heading home.

Hi ladies - well done on your losses. I'm only down 0.1kg which is appalling. Been healthy with my meals but I had 2 bad days - 1. had a birthday party at the weekend where I had a slice of cake, and 2. The next evening when we were watching TV... DH gave me chocolate and I stupidly took it.
Really have to be better this week

@SunshineCake - sorry that's so frustrating. Hope they manage to do the MRI x

Still here for another night.

A loss is a loss @Coffeehouse22! As long as you enjoyed the cake and chocolate it doesn't matter. I've just had my first not very nice hospital meal so I will be enjoying the wispy dh packed in the clothes he brought me as compensation!

Well done on all those losses everyone! I can understand it’s frustrating to only see a small loss @Coffeehouse22, but I’m with SunshineCake that a loss is a loss and it’s better than a gain! If you can lose while going off plan, just imagine what you can do when you stick to it!

Weightloss wise, there’s not much to report here. I stepped on the scales this morning and they showed the same weight that they did on the 1st of the month. That’s ok though. I’m determined to get out of my “must lose weight fast” mindset, so the scales not moving actually helps with that 😂

I went on a fantastic walk earlier today. It was only supposed to be 30 minutes, but I got distracted by all the wildlife I was seeing. I’m a bit of a bird geek, but even “normal” people were stopping to stare at all the unusual birds they were seeing on the beach. It was quite a spectacle!

Been awol as had a busy few days with one thing and another.

I started writing a post last night and fell asleep without sending!

@SunshineCake sorry you're still so unwell. Wishing you a full recovery ASAP but unfortunately it tends to be a long road with g fever

@buzzofthebumblebee glad to have helped - need to take my own advice more often!

Forgot to weigh earlier will do it later and post happy to post weight keeps me honest 

I'm now generally on 3 meals a day, having a light breakfast, just one sandwich for lunch and a much smaller portion for dinner than before I started all this! Kinda shocks me now how much I was eating!

@LosetoHike I learned about Pringles the hard way! Was living overseas and they were crazy cheap where we were and I reached a point I was having a large tube every 2 days without even thinking about it! Just mindless nibbling in front of the telly! Clothes got tighter and I was like "whoa! That's bad" so at that point I was sensible and just stopped buying them. They're genuinely designed to be very moreish!

I need to sort the exercise side of things no excuse now I have comfy gym shoes!

Stress is a major factor with g fever prior to getting it I was in a horrible situation work wise where I was being bullied and I always felt that contributed.

@SunshineCake if dd has sore throat etc it's possible she's caught it too and either gave it you or you gave it her. It's a stubborn wee virus

Well done! To those with losses great going

@Coffeehouse22 - a loss is a loss is a loss - take it and run! It's better than a gain and it's in the right direction

Hello everyone. I'm feeling quite proud of myself today. Weighed this morning and I was 12 St 12 1/2 oz. I've been wavering between 12st 13, and 13st 2 for weeks now and just have never managed to break passed the 12st 13. I know it's a tiny tiny victory but it gave me a little hope that I can do this if I really put my mind to it.

Also managed to go a run last night. It may have been half 9, and I was knackered because I had a really busy day, but I was determined I was going 🤣. I certainly didn't run far, and I have to stop A LOT! But it felt really good. Also went a fast walk today (day off) at the beach with baby dd in her carrier and the dog. It was really nice, even if I was dripping with sweat after!

@Coffeehouse22, you can't deprive yourself of everything. You need a treat sometimes. You still lost weight. You should be proud of that.

We all understand how huge your tiny victory is @Thatsplentyjack well done.

Didn't have a great nights sleep. Woke up to see bed number 3 lady walking past my bed and wondered how I'd gone back in time only for bed number two tell me she's back! I could literally feel my heart rate going up when I heard her on the phone complaining to her mum, and lying quite frankly about her care, and just now when she's sniffing.

I've had double pain relief even though I asked for just the paracetamol as took the nurses advice. I'm feeling hot, out of it, fretful. I must be the only person happy that I didn't get to go home yesterday. Two of us were meant to and neither did. Today three of us should so we will see. I'm supposed to get my MRI and I can't go until I've had it and the results are checked. If it isn't okay they won't let me go.

The doctor who diagnosed GF said I can't run for six weeks but I forgot to ask him about walking the dog, housework, going out etc though I can't imagine doing anything at the moment. Poor dh.

@SunshineCake sorry to hear you're still in hospital! Wishing you home soon!

I've had a huge step back on the scales this morning, I've gone up to 15 stone! So that 3lbs on this week!! I'm annoyed with myself as I know I have been the best behaved. I've felt really crappy this week and snacked more than I should have even though my main meals have been healthy.

So much for giving up the booze, after 5 days dry, I had hopes of the weight falling off and I'd be Kate Moss like by Friday 🤣🤣

Oh well onwards and downwards on the scales!!!

Thanks @SunshineCake. Hope you manage to get your MRI today. Being stuck in the hospital is shit.

Haven't been the best behaved

So much for giving up the booze, after 5 days dry, I had hopes of the weight falling off and I'd be Kate Moss like by Friday Me too @Youdoyoutoday !! I was sure my face wasn't so round yesterday, and there was a glimpse of a cheekbone. Yea right on 3lbs loss ; ) Sadly its going to take much longer and much more effort. Easier for me to quit snacking altogether, as well as mid-week drinking. The just-the-one always leads to more.

I read something on another thread which resonated for me. Can't remember who wrote it, or which thread, but it was brilliant: You have to love yourself and want a new you so much that you resist food.

Well done on making it down to 12 12 1/2 @Thatsplentyjack , and on your exercise last night. You can do it !

It's not Friday yet @Youdoyoutoday!

Bed three lady came back last night. My heart is constantly racing whenever she starts complaining again. I have spoken to a nurse as she's lying about stuff and it isn't right.

No news on when I'm having my MRI done..

@buzzofthebumblebee thank you, and a big well done to you on the 3lbs loss. I don't think I've ever lost that much in a week. Well maybe when I was a teenager and had tremendous will power 🤣. Now, not so much.

@Coffeehouse22 I know it can be really difficult seeing a small loss but what I try to tell myself is that it is so much better than a gain which you have to put extra work into losing the same weight again!

@Thatsplentyjack congrats on escaping 12 13! Such dedication going for a run after 9pm!!

@buzzofthebumblebee I laughed so much at your Kate Moss example. I eat healthy for a day and drink my 3 litres of water and I expect the wake up in the morning and be a size 8 🤣🤣🤣

That quote is so true @buzzofthebumblebee. If you don’t love yourself enough, it is so much harder to motivate yourself to do something about your weight and/or health in general. It’s pretty clear to me from reading a few of these threads how strong the correlation is between mental health problems and weight issues. It might not be the reason why all of us have put on weight, but it appears to be a big factor for a fair few of us. I really think that’s something that needs to be given a lot more attention.

Well done on your losses @Thatsplentyjack and @buzzofthebumblebee 👏

@SunshineCake, do you have some noise cancelling headphones? Or know someone who will let you borrow theirs? Having to listen to someone complain all the time and making up stuff sounds like absolute torture 😣

@SunshineCake that's true, I could wake up fabulously skinny in the morning after swimming today 🤞🤣

Dh is bringing headphones.

I spoke to the doctor and they are aware.

Confirmed I have GF. Deciding now whether to keep me here until I get the MRI or whether I am safe to go home. It is annoying when a consultant thinks I need something and another doctor comes along and decides they know better.

@Thatsplentyjack it may be a tiny victory in terms of amount but we absolutely get how it's a huge one in terms of your weight loss journey well done!

For me -

Yesterday 13 stone 1.25 lbs which represents a 0.5 lb gain roughly over the week except it was me weighing a day "early" as I'm shifting to a wednesday weigh in.

Today 13 stone 0.25 lbs which represents a loss of 0.5 lb over a full week.

So a sort of sts?

Wanting to crack that 13 stone barrier. Not been under 13 stone in many years. I think almost 10? Was 12 stone 10lbs for 40th birthday I remember that.

Bad day yesterday as I was out I am finding the eating out thing really hard to manage. It's definitely psychological as I'm finding myself thinking if I'm paying eating out prices I'm not having a sandwich or a salad - which is stupid of course! Any tips on this gratefully received!

Awaiting a delivery at the moment but once that's been plan is to do a fabulous50's exercise routine just a gentle one. See how I get on.

6000+ steps yesterday which may not seem a lot but seeing as my daily average last year was 25 is pretty good I think. I have to stop a lot but I get there eventually.

@SunshineCake glad you're getting and taking hopefully decent pain relief. Check with a dr before starting running again it can be very dodgy with gfever and you'll find you need to gradually build up to where you were. You might be best off starting with walking and then power walking at first. Hope the mri is sorted for you soon

@Youdoyoutoday don't beat yourself up, honestly it serves no purpose and there's a wealth of research that it impedes weight loss. Instead draw a line under it and start again. In a positive way try and come up with ways to make you feel better when you're having a crappy day.

For me it's:

Having a chat with someone who makes me laugh
Watching or listening to some stand up comedy
Having a "pamper session" (face mask, long hot bath, shave, deep condition hair, moisturise well after bath, do hair in a different style - I just bought some bendy rollers to try something with mine, it's naturally wavy but weirdly using rollers tames it somewhat so I have a more defined less wild style, paint nails, try a new make up look...) I have my favourite radio on or Spotify playlist (I have a "singalong" one which is loads of my favourite lyrically strong songs to sing along to.
Singing is good for you - it burns calories [yes really], strengthens lungs, releases "feel good" hormones and boosts immunity - which with covid around is all good stuff) so sometimes I sing without the bath too
Do some puzzle books (I like crosswords, sudoku and logic problems if I'm tired/stressed word searches are easy but distracting)
Play daft games on phone (used to play castle story and reached top level then got bored. Now on FarmVille country escape and tropic escape. Tropic escape is set on a tropical island. I have the annoying music turned off but the sounds are soothing - waves crashing on beach etc) solitaire, Tetris
Cross stitch - I've recently got back into doing this. Almost finished my second kit. I chose bright sunny designs

Everyone has their own thing they like doing so figure out what makes you feel happier/more positive and do that rather than eating?

I can also relate to the disappointment of a day full of salads and water and the next day I am not the svelte 25 year old I am in my head! I was discussing with mum recently the challenges of dressing my age now cos in my head that's who I am but if I dressed like I did back then I'd look ridiculous! I'd also be bloody freezing! cos back then it was all mini skirts and crop tops and strappy heels! Ahh the confidence of youth!

It’s pretty clear to me from reading a few of these threads how strong the correlation is between mental health problems and weight issues.

Totally agree! I'd add trauma and weight gain too. I was shocked when attending ww just how many of the other members had also had abusive childhoods, or abusive relationships or had been through something like a major illness (like cancer) or accident resulting in major injury/long recovery time. I remember mentioning my shock to the leader (leaders are former members who've lost and kept it off) and she had been involved with them almost 20 years at this point and she sort of smiled and was like it didn't at all surprise her any more. She had also done a lot of research into this herself just for her own curiosity. She was a dv survivor herself too. She was of the opinion that when gps/practice nurses deal with overweight patients instead of berating/shaming/guilting them they should bear this in mind and instead identify the trauma and help patients with that. But of course mental health services are woefully underfunded and mismanaged even for those of us with severe mental illness. This was quite early on in me going to ww and I quickly realised that essentially meetings while superficially about weight loss and weight loss tips, were also sort of group therapy sessions. Then I got speaking to various friends and family about the weight loss groups they attended and I learned it wasn't just ww and not just this leader that approached things in this way. They seem to know/understand that most of their members have some kind of trauma or sadness behind their weight gain. Certainly my leader was very hot on telling members to treat themselves kindly, not beat themselves up but instead focus on what they liked about themselves and view eating healthily as treating ourselves well. Wasn't what I had expected at all and I'd avoided weight loss classes for years thinking it would be all finger wagging and telling you what to eat and berating you if you gained.