Not going to be fat and 50!

[MrsMigginsCat]

Every year I say I'm going to do it, but this year I'm determined that I have to lose it. I've got my 50th birthday in May and a once in a lifetime trip in October. I don't want to be fat for either.

I've ordered a treadmill. I like walking, but don't like going out before or after work when it's dark so I thought this would get me back into being more active. Eating wise I'm going to follow Fast800 for a boost at the beginning. I'm the kind of dieter that needs to see results quickly otherwise I'm in danger of giving up so I'm hoping this will give me a decent loss at the start and spur me on.

Anyone want to join me in an accountability thread?

I am genuinely not hungry... so how long will it be until my mind catches up? I've spent the last couple of hours thinking about food I would enjoy eating. Thankfully I go to bed early so I don't have much longer to deal with it. But it's such a strange phenomenon, I don't have it in the morning. My last meal of the day is usually around 4 or 5pm and I wake at 6:45 and can often easily, comfortably wait until 10/10:30 before having breakfast. But once I do have breakfast it seems to kick start this incessant longing for food. I keep focusing in on my stomach, it isn't hungry!!!! I've been doing this for three days. I'd hoped to be in the swing of it by now. Any tips?

Oof @unicornsarereal72
Well done @Roominmyhouse
That’s great @dudsville re appetite and 16/8. I’m feeling v inspired this week with eating well and exercise 👍🏻☺️. I hope it lasts 😬. Genuinely don’t feel like scoffing junk or over-eating at all . Apart from a blip lasting just over a week I’ve been eating much smaller amounts and exercising more for around 6 weeks now. Maybe it’s becoming a habit 🤞

Well done @frosties24!!!

@frosties24 that is great news. Well done.

Hi everyone, I need to join you please if you’ll have me 😀. 53 four stone to lose, just finished chemo and ready to get moving again.

I’m thinking of 5:2 ‘til the end of March and then upping it to alternate days.

I’ve got the paid version of nutracheck which recognises 5:2 type diets.

I started using it a couple of months ago because I didn’t think I ate enough to keep putting weight on. I don’t! An average day was coming in at 1000-1400 calories.

Weight gain is listed as a side effect of two of the long release medications I’m on - but they’ll wear off in about four weeks (I think!). Currently in a chemically induced menopause, no idea where I’ll be in the grand scheme of things once everything is out of my system.

So 5:2 and moving more is my plan. For the last two months I have swam and done Pilates classes, gentle class x 2 and 40 lengths x 2. No difference at all to my weight. It’s going to be a long slog 😂.

NFD today as I’m meeting friends later on.

Welcome @BlueSpeckledEgg 👋

Hi @BlueSpeckledEgg, wow, the context around your situation sounds really hard to manage. I actually read your post this morning and thought of you later on in the day as I have just started weighing my food in order to try to be more accurate. You have such a narrow margin and you have my respect! May I ask how tall you are? I'm 5'7" and my diet levels are your ordinary intake levels.

Thanks for the welcome 😊, yes it is rubbish dudsville.

I've never had a huge appetite and never had to worry about my weight.

Nutracheck was to demonstrate how little I ate to my consultant so we could look at other options. I'm having six months of no drugs, just monthly blood tests and have got an appointment in a few months.

I'm 5'8.

I didn't eat out today in the end as my plans changed so today's nutracheck stands at 975 cals (plus a couple of G&Ts later, slimline tonic, I use a measure so three gins and two little cans of slimline).

The calories aren't limited because I am thinking about it, that is just where my appetite is. Other side effects include facial hair and insomnia 😑.

Today I have had three M&S thin buttermilk pikelets (50cal each), scrape of butter, 145g (I weighed it into the bowl as I am new to measuring) of leftover M&S cauliflower cheese with breadcrumbs/truffle oil, apple, orange, roast salmon fillet with roasted asparagus, cherry tomatoes and new potatoes (counted the oil), three cups of coffee and a cup of tea, all with a splash of milk.

It doesn't seem to be as simple as calories in where these drugs are concerned. I've also walked four miles today.

It is really disheartening. I am going to give up processed carbs 😩 and see whether that makes a difference. I'd never go low carb-high fat, creamy coffee and all that sort of stuff, I couldn't stomach it.

That sounds like a lot to have to navigate. Do you have a goal date or just seeing how you get on without the meds and with improving health?

Your meal sounds delicious. Personally I've logged on to say "Arghh!!!". My OH is hosting a boys night and I'm stuck up in the bedroom with all the delicious food and drink smells. I've got the windows open to ease things for myself! It took all my control not to pop down just for a "little bit". My calories have wavered a bit daily as in the end I didn't stick to the same exact food each day, but they all stayed at or below what the tdee calculator said I needed to lose weight, the weekly total come Sunday eve should result in a loss. Fingers crossed!

I've just finalised the food shop to be delivered tomorrow and chose smoked salmon and kalo rice cakes as something to look forward to. I bet I dream of food tonight. My stomach is actually gurgling, though thanfully I'm still not actually hungry!

What low calorie things do you enjoy eating?

That sounds difficult @BlueSpeckledEgg! you sound mega- motivated 💪🏼👍🏻
@dudsville That sounds tempting to itch the cooking smells drifting up 😬 - I sometimes allow a bit of space in the Cals in case I’m v hungry before bed, then I’ll have a big bowl of fruit n fibre cereal and skimmed milk. If i have none spare and feel need for the cereal I’ll just take it off next days allowance

*Itch? Autocorrect

I thought it was you just being creative @frosties24!

So I tried the rice/corn cakes with cottage cheese and smoked salmon. OMG, I'm in love and it will be a new favourite! Still, I am very curious to hear about your low calorie tasty things if you have any.

I got out for a long walk today after a very long break from exercising. It was sunny and felt so healthy. Going to try to get out again tomorrrow.

Personally hate rice cakes but ryvita cottage cheese and picked onions is 👌
With salmon would be delicious too but haven’t tried yet 😋. I like houmous low fat crisps and carrot batons. Also an apple with a decaf coffee (I know that one’s weird)

I like ryvita but I am enjoying the corn version of rice cake, smells like popcorn! I should get some hummus, that's a good idea.

After a blip for a couple of weeks 😏 I lost 1 and a quarter pounds this week so I’m back on track 👍🏻

Woohoo @frosties24!!!

I started calorie counting on Monday so I'm going to check in the morning, but there was a drop already when I just measured out of curioosity mid week. Glad to be getting some shift again. I'm down about 10 pounds since starting mid December but aside from the 16:8 I only just started dieting. I should have just enough time to make it, or nearly make it, to my goal by my birthday. Out of curiosity I looked at what the calorie intake would be to maintain my goal weight and it feels manageable (It's more than i'm eating now!).

I know a lot of us are talking about lifestyle changes, I'm going to stick with the 16:8. I'd be curious to hear what yours are. I remember a tip from a MNer years ago, she would weigh in after a holiday and diet straight away to get any excess off so that it was a very manageale way of dealing with minor blips, so I hope to start doing this regularly after weight loss. What other ideas do you all have about maintiaining weight loss?

@dudsville that’s great re 10 lbs so far.
I agree re longer term maintenance will be the key. In the old days after finishing a “diet” I’d just go back to eating everything but that would be pointless after all the hard work. Mindful eating in the long run and staying on track without needing to b quite as strict as now (as you said catching it early if it creeps up eg after a holiday ). Lol 😝 to me talking as if I’m already at my goal , still got 2 stone to go but I’m in a positive mindset that I will do it and maintain it at the mo

I'm now at a healthy BMI but could do with losing a few more pounds, however the mission now is to ensure that I don't put back weight on before I turn 50 later in the year. I think I've trained myself not to eat crisps and chocolate so they won't be coming back. I think I'll also weigh myself regularly just to nip anything in the bud.

I've also got in a pretty good exercise routine, after suffering a blip post covid/injury. I've got some dumbbells and I go running about 3-4 times a week. Did a parkrun on sat and 8.5 miles today. My aim is to improve my 5k/parkrun time though I still feel very puffed out at the end, so some work to do but being lighter helps. Less bulk to carry around!

I think it's great that we're as focused on maintaining our goal weights as we are on the process of weight loss. And yes, exercise is going to have to be a part of this. I've not really thought about it. The NHS recommends 150 min a week, which a lot of us on here are doing if not more so. 150 is doable.

Drumroll please... I've lost 12 pounds! I'm thrilled. One stone to go. I've got some new things only purchased very early on in the pandemic that I'm really looking forward to wearing again soon!

@dudsville yay!! 🥳#goals.
It’s such a good feeling getting into smaller clothes again. I’m looking forward to that - I’ve got quite a few clothes that would look great in this lovely weather - that’s my motivation

@shamoola - great that you’re v close to goal and maintenance! 👍🏻

Ugh. I've but been able to sleep the past two nights. I managed to keep calories reasonably low yesterday but today has been a struggle. My window is closed but I've just made a salad. I probably will benefit from the extra veg, but how annoying.

How are you all getting on today?

I'd forgotten that I'd started this thread.

I'm still calorie counting and it's very slow progress. Not even hit half a stone since January. Admittedly I have a couple of 'fuck it' weeks, but I'm back on it again now. Being menopausal definitely doesn't help!