LOSE IT! November 2021

[TheRealHousewife]

Hello & Welcome

October has flown by and now November is upon us! The outside temperature is actually warmer than this time last month, so feels quite unseasonal. Still have bumble bees and lady birds in the garden 😮. I for one do look forward to cosy nights by the fire and prepping for the coming festive season.

With just 59 days until Christmas there's still time to svelte up for the Christmas holidays. A part of my Christmas prep includes dropping a few extra lbs ‘to make room’ for a little foody extravagance… and a Baileys or two 😬

Carrying on from October’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. The important thing is not to think of it as a diet (based on deprivation and unsustainable) but more a way of life (sustainable & enjoyable).

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

Blood Sugar Diet based on Mediterranean Recipes

Intermittent Fasting

MFP App also available.

25 Tips to lose weight & improve health

The Science behind sleep & weight gain

Holistic approaches to Eat Sleep Move Be

The Importance of Fibre

The Importance of Water for Weight Loss

Hi, hoping to join you all (only a day late!) I've been making some big changes since 9th August.
SW - 11st2
CW - 9st9
GW - 8st13 (just to be in the 8st bracket!)
So 21lb down and 10lb to go!

Main changes were signing up with a PT for zoom workouts and motivation, calorie counting at first and now I've realised I was snacking too much and my portions were massive so now I'm just much more careful with portions etc rather than actively calorie counting and also workouts/running a few times a week. Also increased my water intake and try to hit 10ksteps a day!
Hoping this thread will keep me motivated!

@dixiebloom I started off on thu and switched to wed to time in with others on thread it's helping I think

@Kitfish welcome - I agree with op it may be worth considering a potential health issue being part of why you've gained that fast. If only to rule it out.

@Youdoyoutoday very well said at 0952

Biggest thing for me was also drink related - but soft drinks. I was having 3-5 cans of soda a day full sugar ones, I knew it was a bad idea but kept on until I had my weight loss "epiphany" at the start of June that one change alone is saving me around 200-400 cals a day!

Love this thread - positive, supportive, non competitive, nobody bangs on that they know how to lose weight best just respects everyone has what works for them

@amorningperson welcome (we are total opposites right there I'm a night owl!)

1. Dressing nicely each day (this helps me feel better about myself and stops me eating crap somehow).

I can totally relate to this

@jellyrolly welcome I'm definitely finding it harder now I'm older big 5-0 next year for me and I'm planning to be a healthy weight by then (I still have around 3 stone to lose) I have endo and I'm on noriday continuously so I'm not even sure if I'm in meno! Daren't come off the noriday to find out cos of the endo

@swampytiggaa yes biscuits are now on my "can't be trusted with them in the house" list after the weekend I had!

@bluesky45 21lbs in 7 weeks is amazing! Tips?!

16lbs in 16 weeks approx here

Very much in the 🐢 club!

I'm disabled so ltd on exercise but I cal count and have cut out/right down on snacks and portion sizes and continue to do so.

Here's to a successful November all!

Hi. Can I join? Somewhat tentatively! Reading through this thread has been really encouraging.

I can't find the post now but like someone else I had a baby at the start of the year too and very much need to lose all the baby weight (and a couple of pounds more!)

This was baby number 4 and I definitely hadn't lost all the weight the last time around. I feel huge and horrid and unhealthy and really want to change but am stuck in a rut of eating all the rubbish unhealthy food, and eating all the time. Doesn't help that DH is very unwell and I am knackered looking after everyone and eating sugar gives me something to do and helps in the short term a little (tho not really as I never feel emotionally better for long!)

I want to make better food choices and exercise more. But not sure I have the motivation or will power.

Hi, hoping I can join too

I actually started dieting on the 29th august after finding out my weight had risen to a shocking 17 stone 4 ! I could not believe the scales at the time last Saturday I weighed in at 15:3 sadly past few days I have ended up on a binge fest and feel terrible I am now also freightened to step on the scales however today I have reigned it in and am now in bed knowing I’ve stayed on track I have also done just over 10k steps. My plan is to get back on track now and weigh my self in two weeks time. In seven weeks time I’d like to be 14:6 for a Xmas do but don’t think il do it.

Either way the one thing I am determined to do is not go into the new year feeing terrible!!!! So I have to get back on track and keep going !

Wow @Elle200 that’s amazing! I need to lose 38kg. Any advice?

Hello! I'd love to join. I'm in Australia. We've just come out of lockdown and I ate so much from stress. I've not weighed myself. I'll try and have a good week then I'll think about weighing myself.

I had lost weight and then I've put most of it back on.

I'm 40, are just some weight loss will be good.

Good luck everyone.

@Angliski, hi, I just calorie count, am strict and stick to below 1400cal a day. I only weigh once a month as anything more, for me, becomes disheartening if there was no loss or even a gain.

There is plenty support from some exceptional people, we all have our own demons to cage and trials to overcome, but you'll always find a listening ear on this thread. Good luck!!

Out of isolation today still no sense of taste and smell though and fatigue/aches😞9st 9 this morning. Got lots on this month but if I can end month on 9st 10 I would be happy. Welcome to all the newcomers! This is an amazing supportive thread and has really helped me stay on track.

Out of isolation today still no sense of taste and smell though and fatigue/aches😞9st 9 this morning. Got lots on this month but if I can end month on 9st 10 I would be happy. Welcome to all the newcomers! This is an amazing supportive thread and has really helped me stay on track.

Good Morning All

A warm welcome @bluesky45 Congratulations on your progress to date. Controlling portions is sensible, especially if cc. I’m often surprised at how small most recommended portion sizes are. Especially with processed foods. For me fresh is best and it defo helps me to keep within cc.

@Herewegoagainx4 you’re very welcome to join us. Mum of 4 and looking after an ill dh. You’re a super hero in my eyes 🦸‍♀️. Knowing where to start … try to have protein/fat with each meal as this will help satiate you and keep you fuller for longer. Be mindful of portion sizes, added sugar & alcohol. Those 3 elements could totally sabotage your efforts. I understand how busy you are and at times you’ll just need to eat and will need to grab the nearest thing. If you have time you could meal plan and shop accordingly, that could help with getting in good nutritious food. Sorry that was longer than anticipated and is not said in a preachy way 😊

Welcome @Yoyo2021 you know what works for you as you’ve made progress in the recent past. Not always easy to put into practice. Hopefully this thread will inspire, motivate and support you. Regularly checking in might help.

Welcome @DownUdderer, although I think you could be sleeping now. How do you intend to do it? What changes are you making?

Welcome back @joysmoy66 sorry to hear about your lack of taste/smell. I bet that really impacts on your enjoyment of food/drinks. Your weight remains nice and steady 👍

Scale this morning showed a .3lb loss since last Wednesday weigh in. This is the problem. I’m down a bit, up a bit, repeat. I feel I can’t reduce cals much more as 2 days 800 and 5 days 1200 max. Hardly any alcohol. No added sugar. Most meals made from scratch. Pesky thyroid coupled with disability. Enough moaning as I realise that if I didn’t do what I do I’d be increasing week on week.

Menu
Meal 1 - Porridge
Meal 2 - Chicken stir fry. Apple, strawberries.
Water, tea with milk, black coffee.

Have a great day Everyone

Thanks therealhousewife. Yes it really impacts my enjoyment of food which sucks as I love my food 😞hoping it comes back soon as I have a few things on that involve eating out. Well done on your loss-mine did the same with the up a bit down a bit but would then jump down suddenly-it's a win if overall it's not going up. The thyroid issue and disability must make it challenging! Sounds like you are doing all the right things though.

Thank you @joysmoy66. I do what I can. Fingers crossed 🤞 for your senses to return!

@graphista it's been 12 weeks, not 7 so don't feel bad! 21lb in 12 weeks. But the only thing I can recommend is exercise/getting steps in as much as possible and just being super strict on the calories!

Thank you so much @Graphista. I was too exhausted to message but really appreciate your kind offer.

@TheRealHousewife it took a couple of days but your positive thoughts must have helped. Thank you. Have you solved the freezer mystery?

Welcome @Kitfish. @buzzofthebumblebee is right. You have to want to make the change. IME your head has to be in the right space for you to be able to make the necessary changes. Good luck. We are all with you.

Thank you for your lovely kind messages @buzzofthebumblebee @swampytiggaa and @joysmoy66. They really made me feel cared for.

Welcome @amorningperson and what a lovely reason to want to lose weight. What dog do you have? I have a golden retriever and I utterly adore her.

Hello @jellyrolly. I'm also menopausal. It's fun, isn't it ! Good luck in your endeavours.

Hi @swampytiggaa. Dh has some weights. Would they be good for me?

@bluesky45 welcome. I am a fellow runner and have started C25km for the second time after glandular fever wiped me out and I haven't run for 10+ weeks. Tomorrow is day three. I used to be able to run 15+km..

I used to have too much coke and lemonade @Graphista but now just have sparkling water with lemonade once or month or less. When I have had coke it has been awful and I doubt I'll ever drink it again. I'm even finding lemonade a bit too sweet. I'm 50 next year too.

Welcome @Herewegoagainx4. You have a lot on your plate so don't try and cut everything out and change too much at once. Make a couple of easy changes that will give you a boost and encourage you to keep going.

Hi @Yoyo2021. You've come to the right place and we are all here for you.

Welcome @DownUdderer and what wonderful news that little Cleo has been found. I think starting and then weighing in a few days is a good plan.

Don't fret too much @joysmoy66. I lost my sense of smell but it has come back albeit not always working fully. I'm not over long covid never mind the glandular fever so are constantly tired and aching. Last night I slept 2-3 hours. Just take rest breaks where you can. Just a thought, while you can't taste fully why not add chilli flakes to your food. Apparently they are good for getting metabolism going. I am so not the science person but in my head I'm thinking worth a try?

@TheRealHousewife a loss is a loss remember . It's a win and as you said if you weren't careful you would be bigger. I consistently have to lose the same few pounds numerous times!

Run 3 for me tomorrow for the second go at C25km. Had my exam and mammogram no lump and nothing sinister to pleased about that plus dh and I are going to be okay 🤞

@Graphista I was 50 last year, I don't feel it at all, just need to tell that to my hormones. I have found eating clean makes a massive difference to menopause symptoms. It's hard to know what is going on when you are taking the pill.

@SunshineCake1 I'm finding menopause anxiety is quite challenging. Most of the other symptoms I can keep under control with diet and exercise. I had awful rosacea which made me very self conscious but sorted that out with Grahams face cream. The weight gain is of course most unwelcome though. I have about a stone to lose.

Ooh good thinking on the chilli sunshine! Will give it a go. You poor thing with the long Covid and glandular fever! No wonder you are tired! How long did your taste /smell take to come back? And you are most definitely cared for-we are all here for you

@SunshineCake1 if you have hand weights look up HASfit on YouTube. I’m doing the beginner whole body workout which takes about 15 minutes and is basically a 5 minute routine repeated 3 times. Each exercise lasts for 30 seconds. So it’s easy to do as much as you can manage. There are lots of other videos as well but I’m sticking with this one for now.

My anxiety is a relatively new thing, @jellyrolly . A couple of years or three maybe. DH and I went through a really tough time and I thought the consequence was anxiety, but now I'm wondering if it is the menopause.

No idea about the timeline @joysmoy66. I had covid April 2020 and by Christmas was still tired etc and when I got GF I still don't think I was more than 90% better. I have read today though that some women are thinking they had long covid when it is actually menopause so I'm confused now.

Thanks you @swampytiggaa. I'll get dh to have a look for me.

@SunshineCake1 yes same here, I have never experienced anxiety really, it took a while to figure out that was what was going on. I can see why people think they are going mad during menopause. I have a close friend who has been in the psych ward for nearly a year now, doctors have never considered menopause, it makes me really angry. Well, everything makes a 51 year old woman angry, to be fair .

Gosh you have had a tough time sunshine!

I'm also 50 next year. Was expecting to have been through the menopause by now as my mum had hers late 40s but no such luck. However my great granny had her youngest child at 49, hopefully not following her either!

Little update from me. I did an hours exercise on Monday, only half an hour yesterday (but I did a little bit of running - well jogging really) however I do feel much better for it.

I've also weighed myself and I've lost 6lb. I suspect at least 2lb of that is the weight I was expecting to lose last week. So that's a stone in a month (however bear in mind I am VERY fat still and still have 5st to lose).

Bit of a stressful work day today, my usual would be to turn to chocolate but I shall resist! Fruit instead.

@TheRealHousewife May I ask you do you only have two meals a day? I’m having three meals a day and a snack at some point and not sure if perhaps I would loose more doing just two meals a day. Here is what I kept to today:

A piece of melon for breakfast
Lunch was a chicken salad
Dinner was 2 chicken sausages which accounted to just 114 calories some root mash and a side salad

I have had tea, Diet Coke but not enough water I have done 10k steps again which I’m pleased about considering I’m in a seat office job pretty much 9 - 5 😨

Just took my running group out for a 5k run 😊 was lovely! Need a shower now before bed. I’ll try to do my weights again before work 😊

Tomorrow I’m having my chakras balanced. Not entirely sure what that means 😂😂

What a lovely chatty thread! It's made me smile, especially after a v v long day.

Do report back on the balancing of your chakras Swampy - sounds very intriguing.

fatlump - just love your username!!!!! I'm another turning 50 next year. Anxiety is really volatile, has been v bad this year (but not sure how much to do with grief & other stuff) but I use oestrogel & think it does help ... Your poor poor friend jelly - hope she is being well supported.

TheReal - not sure how much you have lost / have to loose, but regardless I think you rock with such a positive attitude to food, given your health issues & disability. Thank you for your vibes.

Sunshine - wow - so lovely for you to be so chatty! Think you are getting better. And you have the best dog - snap ; ) You'll be running again soon I hope.

I didn't weigh-in today on account of forgetting it was Wednesday, and had drunk pint water and cup of tea before thinking of the scales ; )