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

Dh is home. Feel an idiot now but I actually got properly scared. His phone showed no data so he got none of my messages or calls and now my phone keeps dropping the Wi-Fi off too.

Thanks for the pep-talk @SunshineCake1 - really helpful. I've managed to only have a few biscuits and chocolates so far :)

Also glad your DH is home!

I'm expecting DH today - flight was cancelled, but he got another one. Haven't heard anything since a text saying his covid test was negative, so I assume all has gone well and he is in/near Europe by now.

Sorry to hear your struggles, @TheRealHousewife - I really appreciate this thread, so thanks very much for it!!

Met quite a few deadlines at work, a few more to go this week. Might almost be looking doable, depending on how much I manage to finish today. I'm realising I don't have many nights I can work late - not tonight, because DH will return and we celebrate Soltice, then not Thu because that's my half day and not Fri because it's Xmas eve! So only Wednesday to push hard. I woke up early this morning - might have to get in extra hours that way. Or not take my half day. But I'd rather not do that and feel back Xmas week!

I went for another wintery walk today. The weather wasn’t quite as crisp as it was a few days ago, but still really good for December, so we decided to go to the beach this time. We watched the sun set while 1000s of birds were flying around. It wasn’t the most physically demanding walk, but definitely cleared my head!

When we came back I did a 2 km row and 30 minutes on the exercise bike. I think I lost my exercise mojo a bit between September and November, but it’s slowly coming back again. Still hate the exercise bike though. It’s SO dull! If anyone has any tips for making it more interesting, I’m all ears.

Anyway, I hope everyone is slowly but surely starting to feel like they’re getting on top of their X-mas prep? My DH has declared that his plan is to lose weight over the holidays. That’s right, not maintain, but actually shift weight! You’ve got to love the optimism. At least it’s made my catering plans a hell of a lot easier, as I’m not keen on a massive meal either and the kids have said they’d be more than happy with an X-mas buffet consisting entirely of M&S sides and starters. Sounds good to me 😂

Good Morning All

Thank you all for your lovely comments 🥰. @SunshineCake1 you’re always welcome to message/WhatsApp ❤️ Hope all goes well with your bloods/appointments!

I’m pleased to say some joy & happiness is creeping back. Yesterday I set a target to finish writing cards (and post) and wrap gifts 🎁 Job done ✅ . Rest of checklist is cleaning upstairs today and the rest of downstairs tomorrow. Food prep Christmas Eve. Then the fella in Red arrives 🎅🏼 🎄🎁.

@Youdoyoutoday I hope your dd soon recovers! Bless her.

@Crazzzycat that’s a great chunk of exercise you did there! Well done 👏

@murmuration here’s hoping your work runs smoothly. Great to hear dh is on his way ✈️

I second missing the regulars @fallfallfall @puffalicious @MrsJonesandMe that other lady … @swampyiga or something … sorry forgotten how to spell it. Lovely lady who ran and was doing really well. ❤️

Menu
Meal 1 - Chicken stir fry
Meal 2 - ? Appetite still not brill so although I ensure I eat 2 hearty meals a day I can’t always think what I’ll want later iyswim.

Enjoy your day!

Thanks @TheRealHousewife
She seems to be on the mend, no vomiting today so fingers crossed she's OK.

I feel guilty I didn't go to bootcamp this morning but it is freezing and I wimped out but I'm feeling overwhelmed with Xmas, present wrapping and all mental load that comes with it!! It's not santa that sorts this crap, it's us mums!!

Dad has just rang to say he thinks he now has covid because his face is hot but he can't figure out how to do the lateral flow test apparently the step by step illustrated booklet is too much!! And he was meant to go shopping today for his Xmas day with my uncles. I know this sounds mean but I could scream at him sometimes for being so reluctant to help himself!! I can't do everything for him with 2 kids in tow especially 1 that's been ill!

My DS was meant to be going off to his dads today but it's now tomorrow so that's scuppered my plans of doing a load of stuff tomorrow!! It's never ending!!

Right, I'm off to make a coffee, have a sit down then write a to do list and make my way through it as best as I can today!!

Glad you're feeling better @TheRealHousewife

@swampytigga!!!

Well I went out before half seven for my bloods and the sky was beautifully red in places. Very frosty for the dog walk. Blood didn't come out so had to use my other arm. Nurse kindly looked at my last results and I had been told all was fine. I then discovered one wasn't the following day when I rang to check the appointment time and today I have been told my infection markers are up. I had been told they showed no infection. Trying not to worry as she said don't, but with the hospital tomorrow and the GP concerned about a mass/cancer I can't deny I'm not worried. Been feeling sick in the mornings and have had on and off stomach ache like I've been hit a lot there.

@Crazzzycat dh has set up a tv in the garage to watch while I use the exercise bike so I can only suggest that or a DVD player.

Last shop done this morning. Picked up a couple of extra bits for DD to make it more equal and extra cat food as they keep running out of the big box I normally get.

Tomorrow is hospital then we are in. Christmas lunch at home then to PIL for afternoon and buffet tea. Might run Christmas Eve as can't do my usual trip to the shopping centre to see the trees and lights.

Oh no @Youdoyoutoday. Do your list. Sort what you can. Let go what you can't.

Don't worry I'm just having a moan as nothing has gone to plan this year with illness in the house so I'm not as organised as I'd like to be! If I'm honest I bet no one else even notices these things that I stress about!!

Good luck with the hospital stuff, I'm thinking of you and wishing you well ❤

@Youdoyoutoday that sounds a nightmare about your dad suspecting covid. I hope he isn’t too I’ll! I wouldn’t worry about boot camp at the moment, you sound frazzled and stressed. I’m hoping you find some peace ❤️ PS lists are fab! They are nearly as fab as pockets. Me loves a pocket 👍🤩

@SunshineCake1 that’s it! @swampytigga TY 👍 I hope swampy is ok.

A dress with a pocket is heavenly 😍

I'm checking in. I'm snacking a bit here and there, but having the kids home is stressful!

I think I've got a few presents that need wrapping.

I've baked two small cakes, I'll ice them and if they're nice I'll have some!

I think we'll have some steak on the bbq for Xmas day. Im looking at the weather forecast and we've got a wet day tomorrow and then a cloudy Christmas day, but it'll be warm I think. So we might be able to get outside. Then it's forecast rain for days on end!

Are they big kids Down? My DD back from uni. love her to bits but finding it stressful too ; ) Plus the snacking has started for me too. Up 1.5 lbs from last week, and I think it's only the start. But it is Christmas, and it's been off before, it can come off again.

Not too much left to do here, thankfully, but about to do a covid test as feeling below par. Hope you got through your big workload murmaration and that your DH got home safe.

Glad you are feeling a bit better now TheRealHousewife and all the best at the hospital today Sunshine. Big hello to everyone else. Love catching up on your posts!

Thinking of you today @SunshineCake1 ❤❤

Thanks for all the thoughts :)

Thinking of you today sunshine. Hope your dad is okay, youdoyou. My DH texted from his trip as he forgot how to read the LFT and didn't know if it was negative or positive! (after rejecting the instructions when I suggested he pack them...) He was negative.

DH made it home! And now he's off on getting a Day 2 test, because the one he'd arranged at the airport was missed due to the cancelled flight and the one he got sent to the house never arrived (we now suspect a scam site - this is so tough!).

I've broken down and had more snacks than I should, but still weighed in yesterday at 13 stone 2, down from what I was before (I've lost track, actually, I just know that's less). So pleased with that!

Trying to remember to do things like I did in the start: drink a full glass of water before a meal, so I feel more satisfied; enjoy treats of tea, not chocolate; stay away from evening snacks!!!

Starting to see the end of work, but think I will work through today and not take a half-day. I'd rather work late today than on Christmas eve!

Dad is fine, no covid, thank god! Im glad he won't be on his own for Xmas again.

Hurray You - what a relief. My test is negative (only lateral flow, but I'd convinced myself I had omicron!) which means my dad won't be on his own either! And you have your DH home murm.

It’s nice to see all this positive news on the thread!

I’m thinking of you today @SunshineCake1. I hope it all goes well.

I’ve decided to give up calorie counting for the week. I actually think counting calories has resulted in me overreacting. Over the past few days, I’ve opened packets of nice crackers or chocolate and had a few -which would have been within my calorie allowance - but then felt like I need to eat the rest as well, as I may not have the calories for it the next day and I don’t want it to go off 🤦🏻‍♀️ It’s silly logic!

Also I’m still working and have been given the most impossible job to do. My manager has a habit of saving difficult areas of work for me…he’s even told me he does this deliberately because he trusts me to come up with some “thinking outside of the box” solution. That’s all well and good, but i don’t magic this stuff out of thin air. It takes so much mental energy to come up with that shit. I actually felt like my head was completely broken at the end of yesterday and wouldn’t be surprised if that too contributed to me overeating. Grrr 😡 Sorry to bring the happy tone of this thread down! I’m off next week, so should be more cheerful then!

Enjoy your steak @DownUdderer and good luck with your cakes. I can't imagine a sunny Christmas. I sunk when we don't have ❄️ ⛄️.

Glad you are negative @buzzofthebumblebee. My DD is home and while I am loving having all the kids here I am finding the new dynamic something to get used to.

Thank you @Youdoyoutoday. Pleased your dad is negative.

Glad your dh is home and hope he stays negative @murmuration. Doesn't matter what you eat as long as you enjoy it. No point eating all the biscuits if you don't enjoy them.

Thank you @Crazzzycatm tbh I think we all should just relax for the next few days with eating. We shouldn't fall into the trap of food equals love but the fact is food is supposed to be enjoyable! Most of us will go up a bit but we have all lost something so we know we can do it and this is a time to just enjoy different and special meals. Regarding work, talk to your boss. Manage his expectations and take all the time you need.

Hello @TheRealHousewife. How are you doing?

Hi to @fallfallfall @swampytigga @puffalicious

So, hospital didn't go too well so I have to go back. They couldn't give me the all clear. I had had swabs done and have to go back for more investigations and a biopsy . Said will be in 3-4 weeks. They thought I had already had a scan so that is frustrating as the surgery said I had when they said not to as the hospital would do it . I was worrying when I only had to wait a few days. Goodness knows how I will manage waiting nearly a month.

I just did a cheeky weigh in and I'm down to 13.10!!

I hit my 3 stone loss today!! Really pleased with that so that's my motivation to not completely over indulge over the next few days!

That said, I have really bought that much food like I did last year where you always end up with snacks lasting way in to mid January!!

Sorry read your update @SunshineCake1 sending you virtual hugs!

Sorry to read.... that should say

Huge congratulations @Youdoyoutoday. I am so pleased for you!

More update. Hospital rang and I have been put in the urgent list so in tomorrow to check I'm okay to have sedation then back for covid test and then procedure on the 31st

Wow!! @SunshineCake1 that's good news you are being treated so quickly, I'm sure it scary but must be preferable to waiting around for a month!!
I have everything crossed for you

And thank you! Xx

Morning all. Have been totally rubbish at keeping up with thread as been so busy! Sorry you are unwell sunshine but good news they are treating so quick well done youdoyou that's amazing!hi real housewife and everyone else
Well,did my last weigh in of the year-9st 8! Very happy with this. Will have a week off for Christmas but still try and be a bit mindful and do some workouts etc. will look out for the January thread as dare say I will be heavier and need to get back on track then😬merry Christmas everyone