Here we go…

[MrsHippopotamus]

I lost 10lb at the back end of last year… weighed myself this morning and I’ve put on just over 8lb over Christmas! I don’t even feel like I overate that much. I blame the baileys.

Anyway, today is a new start, going to get that weight back off and lose another stone on top.

MFP is my friend again and today shall be somewhat of a fasting day as I’ve got so much to do and feel horribly bloated.
Day 4 of no alcohol, going to keep that going for as long as possible as it’s empty calories and my evening wine was becoming far too much.

SW - 10st 8.8lb
GW - 9st

Goal weight for now is back to 10st.

Feel free to join or at least wish me luck 😬

Cross posted. You’re not a drag MrsH!

But if all the sickness has gone now, you should try and get back on it. Logging everything can be a bore, but I just have to do it. I don’t want portions to creep back up. The most helpful thing is planning the whole day in advance, I find. If I know I’m having a high cal dinner, I log it so I know what’s left for the day, and if that means skipping breakfast, then that’s fine. Most days I skip it now anyway, but if the dinner is extra healthy, then I know I can allow myself another coffee in the afternoon. What I don’t want to happen is logging at the end of the day once it’s too late to make any changes.

Oh yes, I absolutely agree with that Slinky
Definitely have to plan in advance, that’s what I did before when I was successful 😆 I have no idea how people manage when they log at the end of the day… that just doesn’t make sense to me 🤷‍♀️

I think I’ve just been struggling as before I’d eat what I’d like, but a smaller portion with loooads of salad. But what with having a cold and then the stomach bug, salad seems like the most unappealing thing in the world recently.

Will get some good stuff during the big shop. Maybe roast veg instead of salad for now 🤔 something low cal that I can fill up on

I love roasted veg, either hot or cold. One of my friends’ DH is a dietician, so whenever I see her, she gives me lots of tips on healthy foods. She got me to try quinoa, she said it’s really high protein, very low carb, and good fibre. You could mix that with roasted veg.

She also steers me away from certain brands if we’re in a supermarket, I’ve never been one for checking labels but she’s done it for so long, she knows exactly what to buy, so I just follow whatever she says. As an example, lots of granola brands had sugar as the second biggest ingredient, so she told me to stay away from those. But the ones she got me into use prune juice, so at least it’s natural, but way less calories than others. She also says to avoid anything ‘fat free’ because they’re almost always higher in sugar. So I just get full fat yoghurt or whatever.

I think my DC are a bit bored of my recipes this week so I’ve got a whole chicken in the slow cooker, I said I’d do chicken and chips for dinner tonight. I think they were relieved! I’ll just have a few chips, lots of chicken and some veg.

I was down to 9st 10 this morning, I’m hoping my efforts at the gym this week are paying off. I’ve been 4 times this week, I was aiming for 3 so I’m pleased with that, and I’ve been generally doing a 45 minute class, then 30-40 mins on machines and then a few weights too. I’m getting my money’s worth from the gym 😂

You are absolutely smashing it! And to think, only a few weeks ago you said you didn’t do any exercise… now look at you!
It’s a really good feeling when you get in to working out isn’t it? And it definitely makes you think twice about what you’re eating.

I honestly don’t eat too much processed food tbh. Being a coeliac really restricts what I buy/eat so it’s not like I can just grab something without thoroughly scrutinising the labels 😆
The only truly processed thing I have are the gf biscuits I have with tea. But I’ve stopped buying them so often as quite frankly gluten free food can get expensive!
I’m also not a fan of the ingredients in a lot of gluten free food so I tend to still to naturally gf stuff like eggs, chicken, rice, potatoes, veg etc.
I must start logging again on MFP because I’m clearly overeating somewhere 🤔

Never tried quinoa, must add it to the list… how do you cook it?

You rinse it (although note to self, I must buy a finer sieve because I lost some through mine 😆 )
Then it’s 3 times the amount of water to quinoa, which it absorbs like couscous does. Once it’s boiling, turn it down to a simmer for about 17-20 mins. It’s not got much flavour, but my recipe added lemon juice, dill (I used tarragon instead) and salt, plus whatever veggies you’re using, this one was frozen peas. My friend uses it for risotto though and it’s much healthier, she just cooks it separately, then mixes it in at the last minute.

Aww thank you both for your replies and advice.
I think maybe I do need to up my calories to allow for more fruit and veg. I just feel like my loss is happening because my tummy is so empty compared to actually loosing the weight. Maybe I'll do 1300 next week after half term madness and give myself an extra 100 went of fruit and veg and see how I get on!

If you’re getting hungry, then definitely up your vegetables and protein but be careful with fruit in case you’re just increasing your sugar.
You don’t want to get into the habit of allowing 100 extra, but using it on unhealthy extras or increasing overall portions.

I don’t think you’ll be seeing a difference on the scales from just an empty stomach (presumably you’re not skipping meals anyway). So there must be something else going on.

How much have you lost in total?

Managed to sneak in a spin class this morning before the wind picked up. I think I’m addicted to the gym 😂
It’s our half term next week so I’ll only manage 2 times max, when I can leave the kids with DH on his wfh days. Saying that, I might dig out an exercise dvd I used to enjoy.

Dinner out with friends tonight, so I’m assuming a horrible amount of calories, but it’s so rare I eat out, or even takeaways, so I’m just accepting it for what it is and planning to enjoy it! Not drinking as I’m driving, so at least there won’t be cocktail cals on top.
Will be straight back on it for the weekend, no treats. Hoping to get down to 9st9 next week.

Have a good weekend all! Stay safe in the storm!

Hi all sorry for going quiet.
I've had a busy half term and tbh I've just not been feeling it. I've eaten a load of crap all week and enjoyed half term with my boys. I don't feel bad for coming off plan and I'm not really bothered about what I've put on. Life comes and goes and I just felt I needed a break! For some reason I was just feeling abit mentally heavy and run down and needed my comfort indulges! That being said im extremely excited and motivated to be healthy again. Im going to do a Joe wicks work out in the morning and get back on track. I was gonna wait until Monday but feel I get a little head start starting tomorrow!
My goal for next week is eating healthy and DRINKING WATER!!!!!!

Glad you enjoyed the time with your boys Weds, sounds like you needed it. Great you’ve got the motivation back too.

I went out for dinner last night, didn’t go crazy with food but did have churros with chocolate dip for pudding. Divine.

Planned to reset today but kids wanted a baguette for lunch so I had a cheese baguette. Made up for it by having chicken salad for dinner, but then had a kitkat. So I’ve gone a few hundred cals over today as well.

DH is cooking a beef roast tomorrow so I’ll have a healthy breakfast and then skip lunch.

@SingaporeSlinky oh cheese baguette that sounds nice 😀♥️
Today I've had protein yogurt with strawberry blueberry and banana for breakfast
Stir fry with chicken and soy sauce for dinner
Chicken salad with boiled egg for tea.

So lots of protein today, not much carbs! I've had 1 litre of water during my Joe wicks work out, I want to have at least 3 today and every day this week!! So my goal this week is to stay on track and drink the water, not so much a weight loss goal ☺️

Hi all 👋 hope you’re having a good weekend!

Half term has just begun for us. Not sure what my plan is for the next week while the kids are off but I’ll try to be good! 😬
Been shopping and bought lots of high protein food, yoghurts, chicken eggs etc.
I’ve taken inspiration from slinky and got lots of seeds! Planning to mix them through yoghurt, porridge and salads. Not too much mind, they’re pretty high cal!

I watched a video the other day about the 5 things to eat every day.
Seeds, leafy green veg, animal protein, fermented food and herbs & spices. All to improve gut health and help with losing weight as it increases satiety.
So I can’t promise I’ll be calorie counting over half term but I’m definitely going to focus on filling myself with good things rather than grabbing a pack of crisps because I’ve skipped a meal 🙈

I plan to absolutely calorie count once the kids are back at school… I figured out it’s nearly 3 months till I get married… that is not a long time! So I don’t have time to mess around or I’ll regret it.
Hoping to get a few workouts done this week and go on the treadmill too

I think I'm not losing due to the puddings at my parents house. I think this will be another willpower challenge I need to conquer when I'm there.

@TalkToTheHand123 How often do you eat at your parents house? If it’s like once a week then I can’t see one pudding ruining your weight loss.

Bloody hell, I’ve put on 2lb!! How?!!

@MrsHippopotamus oh noooo!!! Sometimes those pounds just creep up completely unprovoked and unannounced! I strongly feel in a Couple days they will settle and it'll no doubt be hormones or water. I bet you felt so annoyed this morning though :(
Hope you're ok lovely xx

Oh no MrsH! Amazing it goes on so quickly but takes forever to get it off again 🤨

Did a class at the gym today, followed by my usual yoghurt, strawberries and granola. Made a lovely dinner of salmon, topped with pesto, parmesan and breadcrumbs. Served with chargrilled tenderstem broccoli and a quinoa salad. It had diced mango, avocado, pepper, butterbeans, pomegranate and a lime juice, chilli, white wine vinegar, olive oil and brown sugar dressing. So many flavours on the plate, I’ll be making that one again.

Hope you all have a good week!

I was so disappointed @Wednesdayafternoon I know I haven’t been doing great with the weight loss but I haven’t overeaten to that extent… then AF appeared and it all made sense! 😂

I had a protein yoghurt with a sprinkling of seeds as a late breakfast today. It was SO filling I nearly couldn’t finish it. Snacked on some cherry tomatoes and baby cucumber then had stir fry & tempura chicken for dinner.
So it would’ve been a good day if it wasn’t for the chocolate I ended up eating 😬 I blame time of the month and being stuck indoors all day with the kids!
Could’ve been worse I suppose. Not easy when it’s half term and the weather is awful. Will just focus on not pigging out this week and put my all into it next week.

Hope you are doing well!

Cross posted there @SingaporeSlinky !
Your meal sounds delicious 🤤
I could do with eating more fish. I eat a fair bit of tuna but I’m not very adventurous with seafood! Although I do like a bit of salmon

Ah that makes sense! Hopefully it’ll drop off again in a few days!

I always thought I didn’t like salmon as I don’t really like fish except tuna. But I know it’s really healthy so I bought a pack on offer in Waitrose and had it last week and really enjoyed it. So I went back and bought like 5 packs for the freezer. I’ll just try different coatings.

Oh yes, I don’t think I could eat it plain, it definitely needs some herbs & spices to give it a bit of oomph!
Prepped a load of salad today so I’ll munch that with some sweet chilli chicken tomorrow. I’ll fit some yoghurt and eggs into my day too. Gotta get that protein

It's been a couple nights per week at the moment, but it seems any treat sends the weight needle sky high.

Someone in the office is currently eating a takeaway. I could cry.

I’m feeling pretty down atm.
You know when you need to lose weight but just can’t flick that switch to just get on with it?
I’ve done it before, I know I can do it. But where has my motivation gone? Why do I keep snacking on shite when I know full well I’d prefer to fit in to a nice dress rather than have that fleeting taste of chocolate?
I’m getting on my bloody nerves.

I don’t even like chocolate that much.

I’ve been looking at wedding dresses. I’m just buying a high street version as we’re having a very small registry office wedding but I just keep thinking I’ll look shit in everything. Yet I do nothing about it.

No snacks today. At all. I don’t need them, I’m not even hungry when I reach for them, I’m just doing it for the sake of it. Ridiculous. I’ve been having salads and healthy meals, upping my protein but then I ruin it all.

Ugh. Sorry for the rant, having a pity party today. But fully aware that I’m the only one who can change things.

I was twinning with slinky when I started this thread. I could be in the next stone bracket down if I’d just stuck to it. I need a good talking to!

Oh @MrsHippopotamus I completely understand how you feel! I got married 10 years ago and thought I must have been the only bride in the world that didn’t lose weight for my wedding. I didn’t even really try to be honest. There was so much going on, planning, booking things, sorting all the little details, working, we were looking at buying our first house too. Sometimes there’s only so much you can concentrate on at the same time. Don’t worry, if all else fails, you’ll still look beautiful. All brides do. You will have a lovely day, you’re not very overweight anyway! Just get some help with finding a dress that makes you feel fab, as there will be one! You’ll have your hair and make up done, some gorgeous shoes. At the end of the day, you’re getting married for a reason, and your husband to be loves you, and whoever is joining you on the day will be there because they care about you. A few pounds here or there absolutely won’t change that!

@MrsHippopotamus oh bless you! I am in exactly the same boat as you.
I am 10stone 6.5 now so gained a few pounds since my initial loss (but I am almost due on so I think it's abit hormonal). I am so cross ag myself because the thought of dieting is making me miserable and the only think that makes me feel happy is the thought of chocolate!
I think I'm putting too much pressure on myself, do you feel the same? Im feeling stressed about not doing well so I keep resorting to my food comforts!
Maybe we need to draw a line in the sand for February and set some small goals for March?