LOSE IT! March 2022 🌼

[TheRealHousewife]

WOW 😯 Where did February go … 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 fast and generally eat twice a day.

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

February 2022

Useful link if you’re unsure where to start:-

NHS Weight Loss Plan

More links to follow.

Welcome to the 🐢🐢club @RebeccaNoodles. I'm founder member and currently only member. Slow and steady wins the race.

Hang in there @Rewis. You should be rewarded with a whoosh.

That is a great loss @129orbust and good luck with earning extra.

That's a good plan @buzzofthebumblebee to have a top weight when to start keeping an eye on things.

You are doing great @youdoyoutoday. I don't like Dawn French and she has ruined the M&S food adverts for me.

I had my rest day and went shopping early. Annoyed as bought the wrong running trousers so will have to go back but I did get a bargain bra and knickers set. Was £18 and £8 and labelled as £10 and £3. At the till was charged £4.50 and £3. It was a nice surprise but it does annoy me that the staff don't label things correctly as I might have bought more. Having said that, they had one bra in the whole shop that was my size and nice. Apparently they can't stock all sizes. I'm not an unusual size!

@SunshineCake1 oh I loved vicar of Dibley but I can't listen to the descriptive advert!!

And I hate bra shopping, I'm a 40b, wide back small boobs!! Someone of my stature/build should have bigger boobs!!

Thanks for the encouragement @SunshineCake1 @buzzofthebumblebee - v kind. I do feel a shift has happened as the other day when I was ill I had the urge for a sugary breakfast for an energy boost but then I thought 'What would actually fuel me and help my immune system?' And made a Denver omelette, it was delicious (with ham, peppers and onions )

@Crazzzycat hope you feel less stiff soon, yes that is normal for the first class ime... It should get better, if not maybe try shorter videos to build up?The Joe Wicks 5 minutes kids ones are sometimes plenty for me!

@SanFranBear re Insanity. I haven't had the pleasure but I do have fond memories of Jillian Michaels 30 day shred
Sorry about the plantar fasciitis, I don't know anything about it but I've had a hip injury which has stopped me running though I'm going to try again on Sat.
Can you see a physiotherapist?

@SanFranBear husband used to do insanity. There’s a 30 minute version I think as well. I’ve done T20 before and I was a big fan of their dance based programs 😊

Sadly Beachbody are now an mlm but we still have the DVD’s we could use…

@SanFranBear, I thought I’d be ok with HIIT as I’m already reasonably fit and used to pushing myself...clearly that was a mistake! 😂

I also used to get terrible plantar fasciitis, so you have my sympathy. The main thing that helped me was losing weight! Not much use in the short term, but hopefully you’ll also find that it improves massively when you shift a few pounds 🤞

@SingaporeSlinky, well done for listening to your body. Sometimes we just need a few extra calories.

@RebeccaNoodles, a 3lbs loss is better than a 3 lbs gain, but I get your frustration. Sounds like you’re in the right headspace though if you still make sensible choices when you’re feeling rough.

Well, if there's any way to reduce your portion size at dinner it's for your DH to say he thinks you've put on weight !! Admittedly I did ask, so he was just being honest. Think it's more body bloat (from the sugar & alcohol over course of last week) than proper weight, but at only 2.5 lbs over my lowest, I am really feeling it today.

Hope everyone's aches and pains get better soon. I managed a pilates class today, and my body is very grateful for being pulled in the opposite direction to its usual hunched seated-position.

NO SNACKING THIS EVENING anyone

Thank you, Crazzzycat - I first got it last year when I was probably about the weight I am now and new walking shoes completely healed it in about a week. Those same shoes which are still lovely and comfy are now aggravating it... ah well, you're quite right, less weight will definitely help (fingers crossed for the morning!)

You may have asked, Buzz, but that's still not very kind - especially as you're clearly working hard. Don't let it put you off your stride!

I've found this thread so inspiring and think you're all really impressive - it's great to have someone to talk to as I think diet talk probably gets boring for everyone else!

I feel exhausted. Bloody dogs wouldn’t settle last night and then the cat ventured downstairs and chaos happened.

First work day of 6 before we go on holiday and I feel very mentally checked out.

Yesterday went well. Ran and went to the gym and did arms. Ate too much chocolate but stayed in my calories more or less.

Today is run and legs at the gym after work day and praying for a better night’s sleep or this will be a long day!

I feel like that about work most days, Forever... but at least at the end, you'll have a wonderful holiday. I haven't got anything big planned and even this weekend when we were due to go away and see friends has even scuppered - my kittens are not very well (upset stomachs) and they don't seem to be getting better! They're fine in themselves but their, uhm deposits are very wrong. I saw the vet at the start of the week and they gave me advice and a prebiotic but it doesn't seem to be making any difference and boy, are they bored of plain chicken or tuna! I don't feel I can leave them as they're still young (almost 9 months) and could go downhill so quickly and although I have a lovely friend who was going to pop in and feed them, I can't justify leaving them overnight... gutted for our jilly weekend though.

In much better news, I weighed in and seems my efforts this week have been rewarded as I lost 3kg which means I've lost two stone since the start of the year!! Can't quite believe it, to be honest (I did give serious consideration as to where to place my scales after seeing how keeping them on their side can mess with the readings! My bathroom is so small though, I can't leave them down but always go on and off a few times as they do tend to be a bit glitchy!) but I am taking that! I'm not down to my pre-lockdown weight yet - which is pretty embarrassing seeing as that was only two years ago... God, I ballooned.. but making a good dent.

SW: 104.7kg
CW: 91.5kg
GW: 60ish

Still got a looooong way to go and if its anything like last time, I'll plateau around the 80kg mark and give up... but I am determined not to this time - my whole mindset feels very different! And having you lovely bunch around really does help so much!

Hope everyone has nice weekend plans - sad we're not away as had a long walk planned with my friend and she lives by the coast (and has two, lush dogs) but that'll have to wait until next time!!

Weigh in today, I've gained just over half a lb 🥺 I'm so gutted. Was ranting to myself about it in the shower and I know it's down to last weekend - we had an impromptu date night in Friday with prosecco and pudding, and then our for a four course meal and wine celebrating my friends wedding on Saturday. And then all meals on Sunday were bread heavy. But I genuinely thought I'd pulled it back this week, been walking a lot more, went out for lunch in the week, had soup and didn't touch the bread that came with it, etc. Feels like I may as well have just had the bloody bread.

I know it's not that much a gain, and I don't think my month target is totally out of reach if I really rein it in, but I also don't want to have to sacrifice my weekend treats to get there.

Bums.

So I was back in work for the day yesterday. On the upside I walked:-

12 minutes to station then on and off train and to work and round the office. Went out for a long walk at lunchtime and then after work to Waitrose and then to get an express bus (shouldn't have bothered!).

I did have various items like:-

3 small digestive biscuits (freebie from work)
Ribena carton (freebie from work)
small pack Kallo milk choc rice cakes
lighter cathedral city cheese and pickle sandwich on vogel bread with tomatoes
pear with greek yogurt and honey
veggie stir fry
Large tea and gingerbread pret woman/man

I do feel I slipped up but am planning on doing the Body Project class x 2 later and jogging tonight.

Snacks will be minimal today.

I’m sure those few extra pounds will fall off you in no time at all @buzzofthebumblebee. And if your DH can notice the difference, it’s got to be bloating. An increase of a couple of pounds of body fat is barely visible!

@SanFranBear well done on losing 3 kg in a week 😯 You’re making excellent progress! I plateaued for 3 months when I hit just under 80 kg, but being aware of the fact that that was likely to happen (and this thread!) kept me going. Also, I found that one of the unexpected benefits of hitting a plateau is that being stuck can work both ways. I had a few indulgent days...or weeks and didn’t gain anything either. So it’s a good time to take things a little bit easier.

It sucks that the scales aren’t moving in the direction you want them to @ImALittlePea. There are so many different factors that could cause a tiny gain like that, that it may not have even been your weekend treats that are to blame. You could have a massive loss next week.

I’m completely knackered today. Like @Foreverlexicon I didn’t get much sleep (again!). In my case it was caused by the wind howling around the house. That’s what you get for living on top of a cliff 😑

@SanFranBear

Is that what HIIT is like?!

Not sure if anyone here remembers but a good few years back, when HIIT was quite new, there was a programme called Insanity? Oh my good God - I tried to do it and thought, after the first 'baseline' day, hmmmm... this is doable! It. Was. Not!! It's all of DVD so I expect you can still find it and if you're already fairly fit, it might be worth looking into but for me, too intense (lived up to its name!)

My weigh day is tomorrow and hoping to see a loss - been on a decent wall almost every day with a couple of hikes thrown in. I'm finding it has irritated my Plantar Facilis (sp) though so have invested in some gel insoles and socks but not sure how much they help. Does anyone else suffer (apparently most typical in middle-aged women so you lot might all be too young!) and if so, any tips?

@SanFranBear - I thought I had plantar fasciitis - saw a chiropodist who said no. Friend has it though and wears shoes which are more comfy - Clarks etc - not sure if she has insoles?

Anyway I had a panic yesterday - was wearing Fit Flop loafers in the office and went out and I was in agony! Had no spare shoes so dashed to Dune and got some lovely suede ankle boots (I'd wanted some new boots anyway). Was speaking to a friend and she said 'you're not used to walking in those shoes, that's all'.

132lbs this morning - this will be the month where I hit target - I'm ignoring the fact that we are spending a weekend with my great friend while DD2 attends an offer holders day in two weeks!!
@youdoyoutoday I am the opposite I am a 34D now (was 36 DD the summer I started to pull myself back from lockdown weigh gain) and I'm only 5'2" Mine were obviously meant for some 6' woman.

Fit Flop!!! My god I had forgotten about those! I had a pair that looked like baby spice trainers! Certainly did tone my bum up back then, might take a bit more doing these days though!

I was looking for a new pair of trainers as I seem to be wearing the same ones for bootcamp and day wear and i'm just feeling a bit.... frumpy.... not well presented.... during the day and I definitely need some new jeans. My go-to pair are jeggings but are now a bit baggy and look a bit ridiculous. My other pair seem tight round my calves so pull themselves down and the other pair are a bit camel toe for my liking!
Why can I never find a pair that fit just right?

Bootcamp smashed this morning, its certainly a lot brighter in the mornings now so its nice to be out in the fresh air.

Nothing planned for today other than trying to keep DD happy, she's always a bit of a grump the day after nursery because she's tired, napping now though so I finally get a chance to have some breakfast or lunch seeing as i've been up since 5.30am!

Happy Friday ladies! xx

@129orbust you got my share too!

I'm so pleased for all that have lost but it does make me wonder why my weight loss is so bloody slow 🐢🐢🐢. I fully accept now that if I eat in my fasting time I won't lose and will gain so I need to eat more at lunch and sometimes have an afternoon snack to stop the 8pm wanting something.

Oh @ImALittlePea. Try not to be disheartened. If it makes you feel any better I am a pound up in no time. Weight loss is always going to be up and down. It is just how it is. Don't beat yourself up. You had a nice time and lovely food and it will come off.

I ran 6km on the treadmill this morning then walked the dog. Went shopping to swap the running trousers I got yesterday as bought the wrong ones and now I'm just pottering about.

Have a good day everyone. Time for water and have an extra veg with your dinner.

@Crazzzycat @SunshineCake1 thank you both. I know the gain is a small, and we did have a really lovely weekend, but as I haven't lost anything (in terms of net loss) since early Feb and I was so sure I would lose this week (damn you, brain) it just felt worse this morning.

I took my daughter out for a long walk after dropping my eldest at school and came back with some more clarity and positivity. Even though I haven't lost on the scales this week, I'm still lighter than at the start of the year, and there are some NSVs that I'm trying to drum into myself like a mantra, so I stop dwelling on the negative. I know I'm still being healthier in general. I'm walking so much more than a couple of weeks ago. I'm drinking less builders tea and more fruit tea. I'm taking better care of myself in the context of prioritising my own wellbeing more; I'm generally feeling the most upbeat that I've felt in weeks. Maybe months. My CBT is doing it's job, I think.

I remembered on my walk some of the lunches I used to have when I was at my trimmest, so I stopped off at the shop and bought supplies to have one. A pile of lean ham, large handful or cherry toms and two poached eggs.

Hopefully I still get close to my target for the month... 3 weeks(ish) left so all is far from lost! Positive pants!

Argh still no time to catch up on the thread - I'm waving to everyone, sorry for being a really poor community member 😬

Day 69 - Fri 11th March - 9s 1 & 3/4lb
BMI 21.1
BF 23.2

No idea what's going on as that's a significant drop from much of this week 🤨 But I've got three nights of quite heavy food coming up so no doubt it will be short lived!

Thanks to those who've responded around the plantar fasciitis.. I hadn't thought to see a chiropodist, I think because it sorted itself out with some more supportive footwear last time, I just went with it. Will see how it goes as I get lighter.. I'll be half the woman I was if I actually hit target!

Having an expensive week what with kitties (although insured, not sure I want to claim at the moment) and my car just died on me, driving down the road today after dropping off kitten poo at the vets. Thankfully, kittens were at home and I was rescued in about half an hour but I was literally in the middle of the road - luckily wide enough for people to get past me! So a tow and a new alternator belt (mine just vanished!!) so more pennies spent which I can't really spare as wanting/needing to move house... it never rains, it pours!

So may have to wait a while to invest in some better shoes - the ones I have my eye on are £££.

@SanFranBear, i've experienced it as well. came on out of the blue and as mentioned online really took the full 18 months to pass. i did see a chiropodist who prescribed insoles and assessed my gait...
honestly i'm not sure that is what helped; lots of ice and rest. i did end up with a pair of FitFlop's the slip on euroknit runners. they felt dreamy on the sole but were not good for my ankles offered zero lateral support.
all is well here, quiet when the going gets tough i channel the virgin mary/lent and beg for some strength sometimes it works ;).
meanwhile i feel for those unexpected cash outflows...i had a huge main window blind die (one of the strings snapped) and it will be a painful replace/upgrade.

Long time no check in! I’m away from scales and my resolve has been slipping. BUT this lovely, supportive positive thread has helped me consider my NSV - like I had the snack attacks todays but chose loads of fruit and veg as part of it. I had good amount of protein at every meal. I stopped when I was getting a bit too full. I went for a run!! My second just-going-for-a-run-run in a long time. And I saw myself in the mirror and thought I looked pretty today.

So I will not weigh less this week than last but I have made some good changes and I must continue to celebrate them.

All this exercise chat is making me want to back to weight lifting again. I loved that!

We’ll done everyone especially @SunshineCake1 6km?! Blimey, how long does that take?

Not fast @pennysays. Just under 44 minutes.

My fastest was 5km at 30 min 54 seconds. Then I got glandular fever so have been trying ever since to get better with a broken elbow and another illness in between!!

Should say the six was in the treadmill and the fastest 5km outside. It's easier outside.