LOSE IT! December 2021

[TheRealHousewife]

Hello & Welcome

WOW 😯 This year has passed far too quickly and December and the festive season is all of a sudden upon us with about a 4wk countdown to 2022. Don’t panic, this isn’t a quick fix promotion; it’s more a slow & sustained way of eating. 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.

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.

I for one want to start the brand New Year feeling fit, healthy & vibrant with hope that we are all in for a better year! Eating right, getting outside, moving more will all aid in bolstering up your immune system and promote positive mental health.

I’m not one to be a Ba Humbug about festive treats and mulled wine but I do remain mindful about my choices without undue deprivation. Life’s for living and we’ve had too much of that taken away over the last 2 years not to embrace the family & friends celebrations.

Come and join us. On these threads I find members are supportive and inspiring in equal measures. We offer guidance, support and a bit of handholding. Share as much or as little as you want.

Official weigh day is Wednesday aka WOW but it’s not compulsory. Currently I weigh a couple of times a week but at others I’ve weighed daily. Do whatever suits you.

Jump on board, this time next week/month/year you’ll be glad you did. What are you going to change? What are your goals? How do you intend to do it?

Useful Links
LOSE IT November 2021
The Blood Sugar Diet
The Importance of Fibre
The Importance of Water for Weight Loss
Intermittent Fasting
MFP
Healthy Christmas Recipes

Here I am chiming in and also feeling a bit glum for some reason @Youdoyoutoday :
Day: Must be about 300!
SW:151
CW:133.75
GW:132
So 1.75lbs to go.
Sadly it is what I eat not what exercise I do so if I want to continue losing or even maintain I will have to keep an eye on food intake for the next 40 years (if I last that long!)
Onwards and inwards we trudge and it is an uphill trudge.

Good Afternoon All

You are right @MyAnacondaMight. Sometimes I get too excited by the number on the scale and I’m trying to put some focus on NSV too. Such as feeling more energised by eating healthier. Hahaha I like your analogy of treats/games 🤣. Actually it’s true!

@Youdoyoutoday ⭐️👏 Good plan in regards to weighing. You’re doing so well. I so admire your dedication. Was Bitterley cold & sleeting here today. OH stated we are not going walking in this and told me to put another log on the fire … I didn’t argue 😬. Will try harder!

@132orbust Bless ya’ you do sound down which is unlike you. I do think the change in seasons and weather coupled with Omicron is enough to make anyone feel glum. In regards to feeling despondent about how you feel you need to eat to maintain/lose, it’s all a balancing act. To be eating enjoyable food enough to be satiated and not overdo it. I’ve heard that sometimes having a break from it all and trying to eat intuitively before going back to your preferred way of eating can trigger weigh loss (I don’t think I’ve explained that well so will look for a link). & 🍹 (calorie free) to cheer you up.

Some really good losses there. Well done gang. I'll try not to carry on letting the side down.

Sorry you are feeling down @132orbust. Hope you settle soon.

I've been awake since 3.50 when my phone decided to reset and vibrate. Normally I would put it on silent. I have tried to sleep but not happening then I really needed to ask Google something and now I'm doing this.

Hoping to see two friends today. One doesn't know I'm home. Knowing my luck she'll be out!

Have a good day everyone.

Good Morning All

Doing some festive baking today (not tempted as it contains gluten which I cant have) and the kitchen smells lovely 😊 In between I’m putting a few Christmas bits up too. Although this year my enthusiasm is on the wane. First year I felt ‘disinterested’ to this degree. I think it’s all tied up with loss along with covid.

Menu
Spicy veg soup with mixed beans (I made a batch of stock base at the beginning of the week to last for all lunches his week. Each day I take some stock base and add differing ingredients so not have same soup every day)
Menu - Chilli with cauli rice.
Apple, tea, coffee, water, pecans.

Have a great day everyone and @SunshineCake1 Fingers crossed your friends are in!

Thanks for the new thread therealhousewife congrats on the baby mummytogg! Hope you enjoy your break sunshine. Well done everyone on the losses/exercise achievements! I'm starting the month at 9st 9 and hoping to be no more than 9 10 by Christmas Eve 😬posting for accountability!

Oh I'd love to bake more but my hips wouldn't love me for it @TheRealHousewife

Enjoy your break @SunshineCake1

Walked to the swimming pool today and finally reached my target of 32 lengths in 40 minutes. When I used to go to the 50m pool I could do 16 in 40 minutes and that been my bench mark to measure myself on. Since going to the 25m pool, it's just not as nice as the 50m during the day because it's so disruptive with lessons, having to change lanes and I got put off going during the day due to a couple of pervy blokes. I didn't do a couple of mornings but I'm just so tired to do that every Tuesday and Thursday. Today was good though as I got there a bit later so less disruptions so I could concentrate on my swimming and I felt really good about that.
Think I'll go Tuesdays 6am then Thursdays late morning like 10am as it was much quieter today.

Been q bit lazy since getting home so time to get the hoover out and then mop this bloody floor!! It must be done today!!

Toodles x

Just short message as on my phone. Didn't think I would miss my ipad but it is easier than my phone. Managed to see both friends. Had a lovely time but after my second friend said goodbye I felt tearful later. It's odd. I've had a walk and everything feels familiar but has changed. I feel this is where I belong but can't move here . Did a fast from 7pm until 4pm.

Great to see you @joysmoy66 😊 👍

@Youdoyoutoday if I could eat it I’d be the same 😬. Being celiac does have its uses! Congratulations on reaching your swim target. I love swimming but I am always ravenous after.

@SunshineCake1 great to hear you’ve had a good day seeing your friends 😊

Enjoy your evenings x

Thanks therealhousewife great to see all of you to😁this thread is great support and fab for accountability

I’m glad you managed to see both your friends @SunshineCake1. It’s a weird feeling when you go back to a place you consider home and find that things have moved on without you. I moved countries in my early twenties, so I know that feeling well. It’s hard, but at the same time I appreciate having had the experience of living in different places

I like the sound of your Christmas baking @TheRealHousewife. I love baking, but since starting to sort out my diet, I’ve mainly been baking bread. I can’t really eat bread, so I never have to worry about the calories!

Well done on hitting your goal @Youdoyoutoday! I love a good exercise goal. Today I managed to do more than 2km on the X-trainer for the first time since I started (back in April). That felt pretty good too 💪

Brief hello from me - busy day. Well done everyone on various achievements - swimming, baking, X trainer, catching up with friends. Made me smile - as lots of positives! I had a bit of karma pay back on a work thing today which was very welcome. Sending warm happy vibes back to you all

Evening All

You’re very welcome @joysmoy66 😊

Home made bread smells divine. I use a bread machine for OHs bread 🍞. Like you I can’t have it 😬

Hi @buzzofthebumblebee high five for your karma moment. ✋

@therealhousewife i am the same with gluten! It actually helps a lot as i make or buy my family treats containing gluten so i am not tempted.

My mum recently sent us a huge box of uk goodies,. Lots of gluten free biscuits, cereal, chocolate etc. I saw a local british friend yesterday and gave her a good amount of chocolate just to get it out of the house 😅

We have chilli tonight, roast chicken tomorrow (Saturday) and on sunday my husband is going to help do some meal prep for next week. The baby is happy in the carrier but im still cautious being around too many hot things while wearing him

The last couple of days I've started feeling blurgh about what to eat. I need to have a good think about what I'll enjoy eating next week, I think I've got in a rutt.

Hi again. I posted at the beginning of the last thread but the high care demands of life with 4 littles and a seriously unwell husband mean a lack of time and emotional energy for posting. I have read bits now and again tho and been encouraged so thanks all. Sorry to have just been coasting along tho! Life currently makes it hard to exercise, I can't get out for a run, and I am often reaching for emotional fix food and a quick energy boost, not healthy patterns of eating.

SW: 13 st
CW: 12 st 6.25
TW: 11 st 7

I wasn't really weighing the last couple of months so not sure exactly how much I lost in November but think around 4 pounds. I's gone with an initial target goal of my weight when I fell pregnant with baby number 3, I'll still have more to lose but wanted the mental boost of aiming for that first.

My heart would like me to see 11st on the scales by Christmas, not least with seeing the in laws, but I think that is very unrealistic especially as I haven't got much of a plan. Although I have yet to buy and therefore eat any mince pies, christmas cake or christmas treats which is encouraging Am hoping to get back to intermittent fasting consistently and am aiming to do a couple of exercise videos in the next week. I also need to up my water intake, I was much better but have slipped in the last few months and I know I will feel so much better for it.

Hello Here - congrats on November loss which is amazing given 4 small DC and sick DH to look after. No wise words - am sure you know what to do (and what not to eat!) - but just wanted to give you my encouragement.

Come and get stuck in @Herewegoagainx4 . Agree that 7 pounds is a tough ask for Christmas - I would treat any loss at this time of year as an achievement.

I just ran for 20 minutes! It felt surprisingly OK. I’m not expecting a loss on the scales tomorrow - I’m all pre-menstrual and bloated - so considering this my win for week 4.

Hi Everyone

I don’t know where today has gone! One minute I’m clearing up after lunch and pottering doing stuff to find it’s 5:00pm. Absolutely flown by.

@Mummytogg you sound so organised and it’s always a help to have future meals planned. I get what you mean about holding your baby and handling hot stuff not being compatible! Good plan gifting your calorie laden goods 👍

@DownUdderer I get the blurghs about menus especially if I’ve allowed them to become repetitive. At times like that I look at my recipe books and have a good nosy online.

@Herewegoagainx4 you must be run ragged looking after 4 little ones and a poorly husband. You poor thing. I think you’re awesome 👏 You’re still making progress towards your goals which is a miracle considering how busy you are. I struggle getting water in too. I try to get in the habit of having a glass after the loo and before meals.

@MyAnacondaMight well done on getting out for your run 🏃‍♀️ 👏👍

@Herewegoagainx4 welcome!
My advice is don't buy the Xmas sugar!! If its not in the house, you can't eat it!! That said, I do buy chocolate for the kids and DP but it's milk chocolate which I find too sweet these days so I have a small bar of dark chocolate when I fancy it it, the moser roth range from aldi hits the spot. The calories alone on the stuff for DP puts me off eating it, I can literally have a whole lunch for some of it!!

@Mummytogg welcome and yes, meal planning is great because then you know what you're having and when! Last year, I would get ravenous, graze in the fridge then still make lunch or dinner and eat that too 🤦‍♀️! What I would like to do is get to the point of being able to at least prepare lunch in the morning as I normally have a chicken salad these days but the faff of weighing each item is really getting tedious. I want to do it in the morning so when that hunger hits at lunch time, my salad is done and I won't pick!

Had a full on strop this morning! I had an awful night's sleep again last night even after all my walking and swimming so when my alarm went off, I switched off and said "I'm not going bootcamp, I'm not doing it!! I'm tired, I don't want to!!" I even got up, went to the loo and got back in to bed! Then I knew I'd never get to sleep again so I got up, got dressed and went to bootcamp!! I told one of my coaches this and he laughed saying "ha you've got the routine!!" in a kind of well done way!!

I'm pleased I went and I'm proud I did too!!

Was also meant to go out tonight but just plain old can't be arsed! I'm tired, I don't want the hangover, blackout memory loss, travelling about London in the cold!! So I've treated myself to a bottle of red tonight 🙃 technically naughty but I think I've earned it!!

Enjoy Friday!! X

Also, does anyone have a good way of cooking courgetti??

I followed a recipe the other day, nice but I think the courgetti made it a bit too watery for my liking.

Recipe I followed www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/courgetti-bolognese

@Youdoyoutoday - wow, good job for going! I literally cannot imagine getting up and going somewhere first thing in this cold.

Not a main dish, but I really like courgette muffins. Um, recipe? I’m afraid I’m not the best at following them, but it was a basic fruit muffin recipe, except I cut the sugar down to 1 tsp (although it wasn’t much anyway), used wholemeal instead of white, and grated courgette instead of fruit. So more like courgette bread. Hmm. Now I wonder if I can make some of that for next week…

Thank you!

I was looking for a recipe for courgetti to replace pasta, so spiralised courgette rather than courgette recipes, sorry if I didn't make that clear.

Also, I like cake but to be fair, I'd rather just go without these days as unless it's beautifully baked and fresh, I just find it a huge disappointment and a waste of calories 🤷‍♀️

God I hope my wedding cake is good 🤣🤣

I'm a pound down this morning. I'm planning a baked potato for lunch.

With the courgetti, it’s going from hot to cool that seems to trigger it to release all its water. So cook it (lightly) 5 mins ahead, leave it in a cold bowl to release all its water - then drain and reheat to serve (on hot plates). Salt will also help it release some water at the pre heat stage, rather than on your plate.

It sounds

Hey all!

@TheRealHousewife thanks for shiny new thread

I've been really low mood wise (despite vit d I really think I need to look into a SAD lamp!, think I may be anaemic also so gonna get iron supplements - it's not like me)

So I've not been tracking I've been eating poorly and sleeping LOTS! So fed up of feeling like this.

Might even warrant a phone call to dr actually as I'm having some worrying symptoms too. Mainly hair loss

Since last check in around 3? Weeks ago when I weighed on wed I'd lost 1.25lbs, which is bloody amazing considering all the sweet stuff I've been eating and drinking!

Today I'm at 12 stone 7.25 lbs which is frustratingly close to breaking that next half stone barrier!

I'm torn between...

1 I'm kinda fed up of CONSTANT weighing and measuring and think I have a FAIRLY good handle on what to eat and portion sizes etc now

2 weighing and measuring and diarising HAS been working for me so far so...if it ain't broke don't fix it?

I'm thinking to maybe take December as...experimental? Try and see what not weighing and measuring does (though still wow to keep an eye on things so they don't get out of control?) and not be fastidious BUT continue eating pretty much as I have been and see if I can still lose without watching every calorie

Thoughts?

Also any of you that have already lost significant amount of weight what the hell do you do about the loose skin?! I'm ltd on exercise and can't afford the plastic surgery

It's especially noticeable with tummy as I also have c section overhang that's never really looked right!