LOSE IT! February 2022

[TheRealHousewife]

A Warm Welcome to New and existing Members alike! Fresh new month, 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?

LOSE IT! January Thread 1

LOSE IT! January Thread 2

Useful link for lower carb menu ideas Free Low Carb Diet Plan

• more links to follow.

🎉 I have had a walk on the treadmill and a walk with SunshineDog and I'm okay. The pain is more manageable. Still waiting on scan but feeling like I am getting there even though both walks tired me out.

Pasta and sauce for lunch and not sure about dinner.

Really resisting the urge to weigh as not worth the risk of a gain. If I've lost I've lost and eventually I'll know.

Just dyed my hair. Not sure it will look much different. Turns out it was only two weeks since dh did it for me a slightly different colour to what I had. Oh well. If this doesn't take I might just got pink or lilac.

🤞 The Queen makes a full recovery.

Good luck with the painting @8stone13 and hope everyone is well.

Good to hear you got moving, plus dog walk outdoors Sunshine. I've managed a run and dog walk too, so can justify rest of day on backside (sadly catching up on work stuff, so not exciting).

How's the painting going 8stone? It surprisingly uses up some weird abdominal muscles if you're doing skirtings. I think it' funny you can fit your dog in kitchen sink. My boy weighs 40+kg. He has never been bathed at home, except a garden hose down. He tends to bathe himself in lovely deep murky puddles out on walks. And no, I'm not good at housework either.

I've just had scrambled egg on 1 slice toast, plus some cream cheese on sourdough crackers. Clocked-up 8km on my run, so quite hungry. Roast beef dinner this eve. I'll skip yorkshires, and eat extra veg - kale, leeks, carrots & roast cauliflower, plus a parsnip and couple roast potatoes. Looking forward to it already!

I'm still feeling a bit blur, but so much better after a run.

Hope you are pleased with your hair Sunshine. Not a boast but I've never ever dyed mine. Two funny grey patches to warrant it now, but don't want to get tied to having to do roots etc. My hair colour isn't run-of-the-mill & I have so little trust in any hair dye looking natural I have just steered clear. Funnily enough I was at a do this week and there was a lady looking absolutely fabulous with pink hair. She was the split of Jo Brand (who I think is brill). I couldn't stop looking at her in admiration.

All quiet on here - so I hope that means everyone out having fun, juggling family stuff probably, burning calories, and keeping away from cake !!

Not pleased with hair. Slight change on the top but the rest looks the same. Will get a better idea in the morning but I think I'll be eyeing it again. I don't care about the greys. I end up dyeing it as it gets orangey tints in it and sometimes I just think it is a boring colour.

Good Afternoon All

Sorry not been around. I’ve had a painful migraine for a couple of days. It’s more or less lifted, just left feeling shattered (not unusual). Had a shock on the scales … 3lbs up! OH says it’ll be water weight due to headache meds. I think he’s correct but I hate seeing substantial gain. I hope it soon goes and I’ll be happy to end the month where I started!

Anyways torrential rain here. Glad I’m not having to go anywhere in the car!

Stay Safe, Warm & Dry!

Sorry to hear you've been suffering @TheRealHousewife.

Come and join the club of if I look and feel good I don't get on the scales to risk it being taken away from me.

Hope you feel better soon.

Very wet and windy here too and I've just poured my water all down me. Twice.

Thanks @SunshineCake1 & @buzzofthebumblebee - all the new doors are now all covered in undercoat, tomorrow I move on to the glamour of gloss 🖌 😀

@buzzofthebumblebee My dog is about 4.5 kilo I think (does that sound right? I'm rubbish with metric despite being the right generation 😀) She a Maltese crossed with a Shih Tzu & a particularly dinky one at that. I used to be able to pick her up with one hand, now she goes easily under an arm. She's very white, hence the need for a paw wash when she's been on a muddy walk!

@TheRealHousewife Hope you feel better soon x

Sorry about your migraine @TheRealHousewife. Poor you. Water weight for sure - especially if not able to move around even less than normal. Hope you feel better soon.

Your dog sounds gorgeous @8stone13. Good luck glossing. I've ruined a bedroom door not brushing in the drips!

Shame about your hair @SunshineCake1. It might look better tomorrow. My friend gets one of her teenage sons to do her hair. They do a good job! Maybe I'll start and see what happens.

Evening everyone!

Morning all 👋🏻

Day 51 - Mon 21st Feb - 9s 3 & 3/4lb
BMI 21.4
BF 23.9

I think I might take the mantra of @SunshineCake1 & ignore the scales, firstly because I feel & look slim this morning & I don't want the scales to take that away from me, & secondly because they initially said I was 9s 6lb so I'm thinking they may need a new battery 😀

Especially as I ate far less & worked physically hard on the decorating all weekend. I should be like a supermodel surely 🤔 😆

Hope everyone has a good start to the week 🙂

I weighed in at 1.8lb gone, so 10.8lb gone in total now since mid January.

I got a bit lax last week and barely moved the last few days of the week so hoping to step it up a gear. Missed our run yesterday so need to go today but very windy out there.

Still super anxious about work, they’re promised me flexi working if I stay and transfer departments (into basically my dream role) but very worried that these promises won’t come to fruition if I take it. Hoping to have a chat with the head of unit about it today so I’m waiting with baited breath for his email.

Get it in writing @Foreverlexicon with compensation if it doesn't work out.

I'm feeling very panicky today. Don't know why. Missing dh when normally I wouldn't think of that. Dd video called. Still feel I don't know what is happening with her. Just feel emotional, worried, anxious, don't know really.

I’m back again after being swallowed up by life recently 🙈

Seems like you’ve had a really tough couple of months @SunshineCake1, it’s totally understandable feeling that way. Is there anything you could do to distract yourself while you’re feeling this way? I find that distraction can give me a brief reprieve if I’m having a bad day with my mental health.

Weight loss wise I’m going in the right direction just not at the rate I want.

I weighed in at 82.1kg this morning down 3.3kg since the start of the month. It’s looking unlikely that I’ll meet my goal of getting to 80kg by the 28th which I’m finding very hard to accept. *TypeA personality and being impatient are not the best traits when wanting to lose weight it seems!

I was determined to start again today, but had a friend for lunch today and while I don't think it was that bad in comparison to last week, I can't see it helping me lose my gain from last week.

Lunch was deeeeelicious though - slow roasted tomatoes with olive oil, herbs and garlic, spooned over some goats cheese and served with a couple of GF ciabatta rolls. So simple but tasty!

Dinner tonight is leftover veggie chilli and rice. Will try to have less rice and cheese than normal though, and no soured cream.

I've made what I think is a relatively robust meal plan for the week to get back on track, so fingers crossed it doesn't get derailed!

@SunshineCake1 seems entirely reasonable for you to have anxious days with everything that is happening/been happening. Glad you got a chat with your DD though!

Unfortunately it’s really not the type of industry where they can make any promises; I still need to apply for the role (although I’m fairly confident I will be successful) and then it depends on where I get posted etc. it’s unlikely I’d even start until Autumn so they just aren’t in a position to make promises. As for compensation…I’m pretty sure they think my warrant card is compensation for everything

HOWEVER the chat was very productive, they do sound like what I am proposing for flexi shouldn’t be an issue so I have decided to go for it. I can always find another job and at least then I’ve tried. Plus if I get into this department I will get a bunch of qualifications that I can’t get anywhere else but other employers look on very favourably. I’ve withdrawn my other application so now it’s time to stop stewing!

Hi all, just popping my head round the door to say hi.

Hope that everyone is well. Sending love to @SunshineCake1 and @TheRealHousewife

I haven't been on plan this past few days, and it's half term now so am not piling pressure on myself right now. Maintenance is key for me at the mo.

Thank you @LosetoHike. Dh was out a bit longer than I expected but we watched a few minutes of tv then walked the dog. I did half an hour walking on the treadmill once home and I'm making dinner now. First time I've cooked since I knew I'd broken my elbow. Just annoyed as didn't read the recipe properly so we have no creme fraiche and we were in Sainsbury's today.

All that matters is that you enjoyed the lunch @ImALittlePea. It's much worse when one has gained and the food wasn't even worth it.

Good plan @Foreverlexicon. If you doesn't work out you won't be left with what if and if only regrets and you have tried. Thank you for your kind words too. Still struggling with DD acting like she's okay while I'm still reeling. Dh doesn't understand my feeling as he said better than the alternative. I know he's right. Just be nice if she had thought of us and our feelings a little.

Thank you @ginsparkles. Your plan and thoughts are sensible and kind to yourself.

Hi to @TheRealHousewife. Hope you are doing okay.

Hello to @Graphista too and @Puffalicious. I've not given up on you coming back 🐢🐢🐢🐢

Hi all. You seem like a lovely, easy-going and supportive bunch, can I join?

DC is 4, but I've struggled to keep my pregnancy weight off and don't know what might be sustainable for me. I'm calorie counting this time because IF makes me hate everyone and mindful eating didn't work. I'm TTC as well so added motivation to lose the pounds.

I've lost a couple of kilos in the last few weeks, but nothing over the last week which is demoralising. It's hard when you're always slightly hungry and slightly grumpy and then you weigh yourself and you haven't changed at all!

Anyway, would love some people to check in with so here I am!

75.5kg today
1740 calories
30 min bike ride.

Hello from the freezing north…-10C today…
All is well but totally loaded with 2lbs water weight.
Working on less salt over the next few days. Exercise going well though. Meal choices as well.
Happy Monday!

Hello my old chums
Sneaking back to join you all again. Sorry I disappeared from view for a few weeks, my friend has fallen down the rabbit hole of alcoholism again and I spent some time trying to pull her out again before giving up yesterday. The times between rehab stints are getting shorter and after many many years I give up.
I didn’t cause it
I can’t cure it
I can’t control it
So I am back with you all again and will weigh in tomorrow but have been very off the ball these last weeks ( not all friends fault as I have also had DD1 home for a long weekend, 4 meals out and a very indulgent valentines day which I soooo enjoyed)
I know it's not her fault - addiction is brutal - but I told her last time she left rehab that I was here for her 24hrs a day, 7 days a week if she felt tempted but if she drank again I would give up and maybe it is what I need to do - she will kill herself eventually if she doesn't break free.

So sorry @129orbust I have a friend who is in a similar dark place and I have had to walk away. You’ve been and done all you can do. Now they have to make the choice that’s right for them. I am in awe of your ability to focus on weight loss in the midst of that though so a huge well done.

After my awful half term I’ve had 3 days fully back ‘on plan’ so hoping for a good loss if I can keep going. Slight self sabotage by buying biscuits for the staff room but I limited myself to one and learning to live with treats in moderation is important for me! So often been all or nothing and that is too often all meaning I can’t stop!!!

3.3k down from beginning of month is still great @LosetoHike . Keep chipping away and you'll be in the 70s soon.

Hello @129orbust. Nice to see you back. So sorry about your friend, but you are not responsible. You have been so supportive and caring by the sounds of things. Must still be very hard to watch, time and time again. Hats off to you.

My weight loss has completely stalled, but I seem to have reached a weight which I am effortlessly maintaining. I say effortlessly, but what I mean is just not really thinking about it. My portions must be OK. I'm still not snacking, and I'm consciously not drinking mid-week. I did eat a whole bag of kettle chips in a dream last night though !!!! Better in my dream than in real life! I would love to shift extra 1/2 stone but may stay where I am for now, and do that when weather picks up.

Hello to everyone. Hope today is a happy one.

Thank you @icklekid and @buzzofthebumblebee for your kind comments - I have 'given up' a time or two in the past but this time I'm really done. If she comes back clean and sober I'm here for her, but I'm done with trying to encourage her into rehab another time.
Well it's not great news on the weight front: 135.2lbs - not unexpected but a good few lbs up on my lowest point.
But.....I'm off again with your support - onwards and inwards!

Day 52 - Tues 22nd Feb - 9s 3 & 1/2lb
BMI 21.4
BF 23.9

@buzzofthebumblebee I think I'm in a similar place to you - not really doing much to lose but I seem to be coasting around the same area. Ideally I'd still like to be my username 😀 but I'm fine where I am 🙂 Am constantly bearing in mind the brilliant mantra of @SunshineCake1 & not letting the scales take away from how I look & feel.

Hello @129orbust 👋🏻 I'm madly dashing but just wanted to add a quick note of support. Someone very close to me was like this & walking away was so tough even if completely unavoidable. She drank herself to death at 51. I can genuinely empathise with you. Remember (as you clearly are doing) those C's. Honestly after what I've witnessed I firmly believe that an alcoholic with all the support in the world won't give up unless they want to. Someone who is determined will give up whatever the odds (another good friend of mine is in the terrifyingly tiny 2% or whatever the statistic is that actually gain sobriety.) Preserve yourself, because the alcoholic won't - they'll burn you out as they burn themselves to nothing. Take care 

Another mad day ahead - catch up properly later - have a good day all 🙂

Thank you for your kind words @8stone13
Maybe she has to hit her own rock bottom without 'us' rescuing her.
Indeed 8 years of it and the constant hyper vigilance for an imminent slip would burn anyone out!

@129orbust it's hard to see friends in that position. But remember that you've been a good friend and sometimes they have to get themselves there

My trainer sent an email about a programme he is doing about getting fit/weightlos. Its 8 weeks and I'm considering it. He is a really nice guy and our gym sessions have been good. I should be getting more information. Usually I'm not into these programmes but at least I know him. While I usually hate instructions and following rules. But I think I need for a while for someone to decide for me.