LOSE IT! January 2022

[TheRealHousewife]

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2022 🍾 🎊 🎉 🍾

Fresh new year, fresh new start, fresh new habits. Jump right in to reset & refresh to become a healthier version of yourself.

As no one size fits all, members need to follow their own way of eating. 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. 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).

I calorie count based on a lower carb Mediterranean diet. I intermittent fasting and eat twice a day.

Are you in😊 What food plan will you be following? What do you want to change and why?

Useful Link - more to follow

Reset After Over Eating

I've done our dinner plans for the week and my soulful food one pots arrive tomorrow so that's meals sorted for the week.

Going to do a 30 min spin followed by 20 mins strength and then hopefully go for a walk if it stays dry. School run starts again tomorrow so that always helps get my steps up.

Good luck to everyone starting today I'm going to follow @TheRealHousewife lead and post my meals for the day to keep me accountable

Meal 1: sweet potato curry one pot
Meal 2: veggie shepherd's pie
Snacks: apple, McCoy's salt and vinegar

Thanks @TheRealHousewife ... Mediterranean food is our go to as well. DD is a fairly fussy eater so pasta and fish are staples for her, which means they are for us as well! Snacking has been my down fall so I have deliberately only put good snacks on the food shop.

It's so nice to get the decorations down and hoover properly. It all begins to get a bit claustrophobic. I've kept the tree and crib up(superstitious/traditional here also)but everything else is gone and it's so nice.

Not too bad a day yesterday, I ended up having a small slice of cake out. Someone bought it for me, so I couldn't be rude! I did adjust my other meals to take into account so fingers crossed. I also had a small walk.

Today Meal 1: fruit and fibre 30g and 100ml milk
Meal 2: BLT on slim bagel, fat taken off bacon.
Meal 3 :spaghetti bolognese with pasta
Snack if needed: banana and skinny whip bar OR low cal crisps.

A good bit of carbs there but have tracked on my fitness pal app and I'm within my daily goal. Hoping to get out for a walk also.
Keep going everyone

@scottishnurse
I lost nearly 5st a few years back over the course of a year. I was eating well and exercising a lot (gym 4-5 times a week). I got nearly to goal weight and then developed chronic back pain so all fell apart a bit. my back got fixed after about 18 months but my weight loss derailed and I'm pretty much back at the start. with similar weight and height to you

it seems a LOT to shift... but im think to try to focus on getting into a routine and not getting too focused on the scales.
Best of luck!

Hello, can I join please?
I need to be in a group to be accountable, it worked on here 10yrs ago when I lost 21lb on Dukan.
I need to get back into a routine and loose some weight after 3 weeks off work (and nibbling a lot before that!)
My plan is to low carb as before and get back into the gym. I used to go 4 times a week and not so much

16/8 sounds good.....are you allowed tea/coffee during fasting? Not sure I could manage without coffee and I hate it black

Checking in! Weighed and took measurements yesterday morning and planning to do same each Sunday morning to create routine.

Walked the dog decent walks every day and downloaded a steps/pedometer app thing to keep an eye on movement. Maybe need to treat self to a Fitbit type thing for birthday in Spring as don’t have phone with me all the time. Ordered new phone as current one doesn’t support a lot of apps on its old IOS system.

2nd Dry day yesterday which was tough as fancied just a glass of red with my meal but stuck it out. Didn’t have dessert either (last bit of my lovingly made tiramisu 😭) This morning I’m trying to feel proud of these baby steps to take back some control.

Also remembered it helps to write down everything I eat - I think that’s what some fitness apps offer but I’m a bit technophobe and like the written page. Old notebook looks tatty so need a new shiny one for motivation.

Felt a bit low last night at the thought of January stretching ahead with possible covid issues ongoing, potentially bad weather to make a lot of fresh air more difficult, being hungry and no alcohol. And back to work which I do enjoy but that involves 2 full days sat on my bottom at a desk.

Taking decs down today and doing a good hoover might energise and rid me of the ‘poor me’ for a bit…

I’d love to hear how other people manage themselves through the low times. I do emotionally eat and drink to an extent and often just go for a lie down to ‘avoid feeling’ so any tips appreciated. Even to just hear I’m not alone with these issues I guess.

Going to panto on Friday night with friends we haven’t seen in ages which should be a good giggle but yesterday both shows were cancelled due to cast with Covid, it’s the gift that keeps on giving eh?!

Thank you for reading - won’t always do long post - but it’s SO helpful to be accountable somewhere and I love reading others’ stories and being part of a supportive community. @TheRealHousewife Thank you for your motivation (and @SunshineCake1 are you her no.2? ❤️)

So much of your post resonates @SavedbytheShaktimat ... January is supposed to be a feel-good fresh start, but it is a long month, dark, with little fun planned. And dry too - well done on Day 2. I almost caved last night as well !!! I'm a big emotional eater, and I'm struggling having been stuck in with whole family for Xmas & NY (covid). I do better in myself when Uni / school / work routines are underway.

Panto sounds fun. Maybe I need to book some fun things. Or at least fun things that don't revolve around food, which seem to happen in my household. Last night's treat was chinese takeaway. Last thing I needed. I started restrained.

My 20 mins 22 secs yesterday of ME time entailed me listening to some Calm app. It was blissful. Day before was reading a book. Today I'm going to haul myself out for a run, but mindful I've been poorly, so will take it easy. Need to get back into it somehow.

Food delivery yesterday - I've got loads of veggies and fish for tray-bakes. monday today but doesn't feel like it. I was going to weigh-in, but thought better of it after chinese.

Have a good day everyone! Sending around energy and positive vibes to resist snacking, and to make good food choices!

Hi can i join please, have put in a stone and a half since early 2020. Need to reverse the damage.

@DryWhiteagainW I'm doing 16:8 and most of what I've read says a tiny splash of milk in hot drinks outside of your fast won't be likely to affect your weight loss but does technically break your fast so you may not get the other health benefits. Personally I've gone for zero calorie drinks only during my fast time which means I've switched to black coffee.... previously I had a latte every morning! It's tough as I'm not a massive fan of black coffee but I've told myself I'll get used to it. I also walked to the shops yesterday (3 mile round trip) and picked up some different types of tea and coffee to try. So far finding an instant decaf coffee is not too bad and that I actually quite like earl grey tea without milk and with a slice of lemon in it instead.

Morning all! I had a good day yesterday...mainly because all the nice NYE food had already been eaten the day before! 😋

I hear you all on the January blues. I honestly think Christmas is at the wrong time of the year. It makes the months that come after it feel so much more dreary than they need to be.

I’m planning to use my Monday posts to keep track of my 2022 km in 2022 challenge. I made a good start, if I do say so myself! Think it will be much harder to keep this up once I’m back at work:

Walking: 10.22 km
Cycling: 12.54 km
Rowing: 5.35 km
X-trainer: 0 km

Total: 28.11 km

Well done on your walk @Sunshinecake1 and on your twenty minutes of exercise @TheRealHouseWife. 20 minutes of time for you sounds blissful too @buzzofthebumblebee. I can’t remember if anyone else is joining in (this thread moves so fast!), so apologies if I’ve missed anyone.

@ShoppingBasket getting in 30g fibre is said to be really beneficial. 👍I keep meaning to change my settings on MFP to monitor fibre rather than one of the macros.

A warm welcome @Surlyburd. How are you going to do it/what’s your plan? Failure to plan is planning to fail.

A warm welcome @SavedbytheShaktimat (sorry I can’t remember if I’ve welcomed you or not), make you posts as long as you wish. Getting stuff of your chest will be therapeutic. This thread is supportive and no judgements made 😊 On a positive the nights are now drawing out making the days a bit longer each day, birds chirping every morning in the garden and spring won’t be too long arriving ⛅️. Trying to get outside even for 10 minutes will help. Connecting with nature, a walk around your garden (if you have one) or local community. Saying ‘morning’ with a smile to who ever you pass generates good mood vibes and spreads the love. You can do this! @SunshineCake1 is a founding member and an active supporter of these threads and is very inspiring ❤️

@buzzofthebumblebee great bit of self care with the Calm app 👍

@DryWhiteagainW welcome to the thread. When I do my IF of 17/7 I still have tea & coffee with milk. The hard core peeps advocate for only black drinks. As I don’t chase getting into ketosis how I do things suits me fine.

For those at home and interested Dr Michael Mosley is due to appear on Jeremy Vine on 5 this morning. Probably plugging his new book (pre ordered last year and it arrived last week) and sharing weight loss tips. Will watch.

As you were …

Wow @Crazzzycat well done 👏 28km 😮. That seems a very good idea! I could count my minutes in a running total but wouldn’t make much sense as my challenge is a total time (rather than distance) per day to be at least 20 mins 22 secs (blew that out of the water yesterday with an hour … looks proud).

Hi all, I'd like to join you too. I am doing Slimming World after several failed attempts - so far it's been successful apart from a gain over Christmas. I'd like to lose 7lb in January.

I've also lost weight before with Second Nature app but it came to a full stop. I like my Slimming World group (I've hated them in the past!) it's mainly the support keeping me going there, I've met some friendly people.

I piled on the weight through comfort eating, so difficult to resist. I just snacked and snacked between meals mainly on chocolate.

I weigh in on Saturday at 7.30am; early but it doesn't interfere with my week as it's first thing in the morning.

For exercise at the moment I have joined a virtual walking challenge 75km throughout January. I need to kick my ass back to the gym and I'd like to take on a challenge such as a 26 mile hike (my running days are over!) and the gym will have with strengthening.

TheRealHousewife I feel more positive now the days are drawing in. It's one definite in life - it gets lighter every year

Morning everyone! Good luck to those who are starting today. I've weighed in at 154lb and I'm 5ft 2 so ultimately I'd like to lose 40lbs (about 3st) but my first goal will be 1st. I have to keep reminding myself, even on day 1, that it's going to be a marathon and not a race and it took time to put on the weight so it'll take time to lose it. Of course, aunt flow is due any time now, the wee bugger, so that'll make it harder but probably best now while willpower is at its highest. I also deciced to bin some junk food last night reciting "I am not a bin" so that was fun!

Morning all

Day 2 - Mon 3rd Jan - 9s 8 & 1/4 lb = 1lb loss

That's not a real overnight loss, it's a combination of going from stuffing my face to eating dramatically less plus the loss of water retained following Chinese takeaway at New Year

Just had lemon curd on toast and my single daily permitted hot chocolate. It tasted like nectar!

I've been reading what others are saying about exercise and think I might have to find a way to do more, to keep my heart healthy as much as to lose weight. I've never been a gym/exercise class person and never will be, I love walking so might have to try doing more of that. I spent years power-pramming (large gap between my kids so I seemed to be pushing a pram daily for a decade) and that kept me fit. I'm a single mum who likes a clean and organised house so I'm always busy sorting and tidying and often feel physically tired as a result, which means it's tricky to find the momentum to get out and do actual exercise. But being indoors all day can't be good for me. I have the only dog in the world who hates walks, but she might have to get her momentum going on that front too

Hi all

Over here we've decided to start on the twelfth night as we have various family functions over this next week so no point in disappointing myself so early on!!

We have however just realised that we have no 'proper' food in the house at all so dinner will be interesting!

Well I said I would start on 1st Jan but we had too many nice things to eat and wine left so I am officially trying to be a more healthier me as from today. We have some port left which I don’t like much so dry January here we come. I made the mistake of hopping on the scales yesterday to see that I had put on a bit more from when I weighed myself a few days ago. Cheese and crackers have been my down fall in the last few days. However I have started with small steps. Have cut down on bread which is another weakness of mine and have started with some exercise, 30 days with Adrianne yoga and have started couch to 5k. Really looking forward to doing the Yoga later on today and hiding away for 30 mins. Not going to weigh myself until the end of the month as I have a habit of doing this daily and getting disappointed so that’s why I am going to do monthly instead.

I also have a splash of milk in my tea while doing 16:8 drywhiteagainw

You definitely get used to drinking black coffee though, never had it before starting to low carb and it’s my coffee of choice now.

I’m really enjoying reading about self care, giving me lots of ideas. I like the sound of that app buzz. Nice sunny day here so might have a walk later while DD swims.

Mini goals are a fab idea marmilade92, the overall target can feel really daunting.

Morning/afternoon
So I've been lurking awhile but decided I would love to join the group.
This week is a bit hectic, with school and nursery closures etc. So am going to aim to do 10K steps a day, log my food and start cutting down on carbs and starting 16:8.
Have also signed up to couch to 5k which I love and build from there

[quote onwardsandupwards22]@Purplepeopleeaterz wow that's amazing! Can you please share a bit more about what weights you did and how long it took?[/quote]
@onwardsandupwards22 It took around 3 months & I use dumbbells & kettlebells at home, I’m not sure it matters what exercises you do with them? I downloaded the Jefit app and built an exercise plan where you can add reps & rest time to each exercise. I don’t use it now and do 3 sets of 8 reps for each exercise with a 15-30 second rest between & it only takes a maximum of 30 minutes every other day,

Alongside the weights I use the Fitness boxing 2 game most days for 20 minutes which also focuses on your core as well. I’m no expert but it worked for me, I like (& eat too often) all the high calorie foods so didn’t lose a single lb throughout but I enjoy weights (hate cardio) & the boxing game is fun to follow.

Oh and I worked up from 5 kg to 10kg dumbbells and 6 to 12kg kettlebell in this time.

@GettinTrimmer welcome to the thread. I’m the same in that my running days are over too 😬. I get very pleased with myself when I manage a walk; talking of which I’ve been out today for a 30 minute walk although my Apple Watch only registered 11 minutes of that due to lack of oomph 😬. It has counted my steps though = 3340.

@Rshard if I’m honest black coffee of the instant kind I can take without milk although I find ground coffee too harsh. So I could go with black instant and just have a splash in tea 🤔

@Midnightstar76 I’m doing dry January too although to be honest I’m dry most of the year. As I’ve got older I don’t enjoy the after effects, even with just one glass sometimes. I don’t know if it’s the alcohol, tannin or sulphites 🤷‍♀️

@ShelbyLimitedCo that sounds sensible if you’ve still got food gatherings going on.

@8stone13 I’d definitely being getting your dog on a lead, it could get to love it!

Good morning @marmilade92 well done on binning the surplus 👍. Removing temptation will definitely make life easier!

@Akitamum it will come but it is very important that dogs are allowed to stop and sniff when they want to. It is all about brain enrichment. It's only ever me stood for a minute or more as SunshineDog decides she needs a really long sniff of this tree, that leaf, this bit of grass. Often a dog has done a wee there and she is reading and answering the message .

Welcome @Firstworlddilemma. I used to be 5 foot six but I'm only 5 4 now. I have another two stone to lose I think.

Welcome @ginsparkles and I am sorry for the loss of your father .

Those baby steps are actually really big ones @SavedbytheShaktimat and they will become second nature in no time. Well done. When I'm struggling mentally I go for a run or walk the dog. Before I was ill I was running 5 times a week more or less each week but I think I need a few more days off after my surgery in New Years Eve. I did walk 5km with the dog this morning which was lovely and I have two entries on my 2022km in 2022 chart now. I wouldn't flatter myself to think I am @TheRealHousewife number 2 but I like to try and post as much as I can if I have the relevant suggestions or answer.

@Graphista also loves a long post too. Come back Graph!

My 👂 is always open to you @buzzofthebumblebee if you need it. It is a good idea to plan fun things that aren't all about meals but make sure food isn't just fuel. It has to be tasty and enjoyable too otherwise we would all struggle to not dive into the chocolate box. Hope you enjoyed your run and took it easy.

Welcome @Surlyburd. Your weight to lose is doable. Good luck.

You have made a good start @Crazzzycat! I felt a bit rubbish as only logged 2.83km and 5.05km on two walks but I will be back running next week if not before.

I have had to learn I am not a bin too @marmilade92 and it comes from not being fed as a child but it is so freeing once it is accepted. I really hate food waste so struggle but dh is very firm about no, I don't need to eat it. Let it go. It's pennies.

I was never an exercise person either @8stone13 but five years ago I got my dog and in May 2020 I started running and I have discovered I love it. It is all for weight loss but after dh had a heart attack, and I come from a family of fat women, it needs to be for heart and bone health too. Once you find something you enjoy it becomes about time for you and not a chore to get over with.

Lovely to have you delurk @supertedious. Welcome. I'm another graduate of couch 25km. Enjoy !

Dh was making a roast dinner and I asked him to do all the vegetables in the freezer and he actually listened. I had one thin slice of gammon, three roast potatoes, mash, carrots, parsnips, broccoli, sweet corn, red cabbage and peas. It feels good to have had lots of veg. My only complaint was I was full and would have liked more as it was so nice! We are having fresh bread and pate for tonight as don't want to throw it and it is use by tomorrow but I won't be buying anymore Christmas type treats.

Back to school tomorrow for my youngest then dh and I will take the tree down and make a plan for the jobs around the house we want to do.

Thank you for the replies. I’ll try black coffee but will need milk with tea.
Day 3 dry.....eek.

Thanks @SunshineCake1 ... it's was awfully sudden. Feels very strange without him.