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.

Good Morning Everyone

@SunshineCake1 ❤️

@Crazzzycat that last recipe and queried the calorie content. My understanding is couscous is quite hefty on cals/carbs. Could you swap out with quinoa. I know it’s also heavy on cals but has as much protein as it does carbs so won’t spike insulin as much.

Morning @8stone13 good stats as per 👍

@youdoyoutoday Whatever you wear you will look awesome and so statuesque, like an Amazonian!

Great NSV @SanFranBear!

@buzzofthebumblebee. You can do it! You are awesome 👏 Would it help to make a plan and break down what you have to do in bite size chunks and placed in priority order (if you haven’t already). When we have loads to do it’s easy not to see the woods for the trees in our panic.

WOW = the scales haven’t budged since last week but at least I’ve not gained. Been on point too. Like someone said earlier this week when no change YET, just keep going …

Menu
Meal 1 - Mediterranean Omelette
Meal 2 - Salmon tray bake.
Tea, black coffee, water.

Enjoy your day.

Morning all!

I managed to keep myself reasonably on track yesterday, so I consider that a win. The scales are showing roughly the same numbers as they did last Wednesday, but I can’t quite work out if that’s a positive or not as last Wednesday’s weigh-in followed a particularly excessive day. At least there’s no massive increase, which is a minor miracle after the last week!

My plan for today:

Lunch - The last of my homemade carrot & lentil soup, pitta with cheese and an apple
Dinner - Tofu & veg stir fry, soy yoghurt, satsuma

I’m in a recipe sharing mood this week, so here’s the recipe I’ve been using recently for stir fries (except that mine doesn’t feature any chicken!). I often find that my stir-fries lack flavour unless I add loads of salty soy sauce, or other calorific sauces, but this one strikes a nice balance between flavour and salt.

Anyone have any favourite stir fry recipes they want to share? I’m always looking for inspiration...

www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/chicken-recipes/chicken-veg-stir-fry/

That’s a fab NSV @SanFranBear. I had the same thing happening to me a few months ago, when all of a sudden my watch started flopping about! It’s so weird as even at my heaviest my wrists were relatively slender (or so I thought!)

Sorry to hear about your work related anxieties @buzzofthebumblebee. I know it’s not much of a consolation, but I totally get it. I’m still recovering from a presentation I had to do last week. Even though, rationally, I know it went well, my subconscious is still trying to tell me that other people would have done a much better job and that everyone is just being nice about it because they don’t want to tell me it was all a bit shitty. I wish I could switch my head off sometimes 😣

Morning all!

So I found out I'm probably being dismissed - but will resign. So the upset over that has probably reduced my appetite. Still just over 11 stone at 11 stone 2 llbs.

Yesterday had one date with peanut butter for a snack, 1 small pot low sugar raspberry jelly, minestrone soup with parmesan cheese plus 2 Ryvita with Flora Pro Active. Also had 80g raspberries. Dinner was Rana gnocchi spinach and mozzarella cooked in butter, it says 229 calories per 100g and I had about 125g so prob 250 calories plus 80g spinach and parmesan. Also had small slice of lemon birthday cake I made for SIL. I also had some sweet chilli rice crackers (The Snack Organisation) plus Tony Chocolonely Almond and Sea Salt chocolate but small amount. I did do a Body Combat 30 minutes class and a 30 minute run at lunch.

Morning all, just half a pound down this week, but still a loss. Haven’t been able to go to the gym because of covid, but should be back in the next few days. Have been out for a few walks, but it’s not as intense as my daily classes, obviously.

SW 10st 7
CW 9st 4.5

Well done to everyone weighing in today and with NSVs etc

Sending continued hugs and thoughts your way @SunshineCake1

I hope you are feeling better very soon @buzzofthebumblebee. Remember, clients wouldn't ask for your work if you weren't awesome...

I'm 1.4 lb down.

The 2022km In 2022 challenge has me at 599.2km so far.

Dd hasn't replied to me but has to dh. He asked if she was coming home today. She said yes.

Thank you @129orbust. I made some new soup - lentil and pasta which also has carrots, celery, onion and garlic in so I made myself have some. Going to do some gardening now.

In Mary Berry's book there is a nice chicken and ginger stir fry, @Crazzzycat I've not put the ginger in as dh not keen but I will next time as I sneaked some into another recipe and he liked that.

So just posting my lunch - I had two larger Simply Green Beetroot and Chilli falafels and a large salad with beetroot, tomatoes, melon, lettuce and avocado. Now off for a run!

WOW is actually the same as last week. I suppose it's good I didn't gain after last weekend, but just need to be very careful when in-laws come!

Thank you @ImALittlePea.

Sorry to hear of your work troubles @Gonnagetgoing.

Oh dear. I’ve just stopped at the cheese shop on the way home - met a big and hectic deadline at work today, and felt a prize was warranted. So. The plan is to incorporate it into my normal meals. I’ll have some for breakfast tomorrow. Maybe feed some to the in-laws. Let’s see if I can have a treat in moderation…

Good idea to incorporate it into meals @murmuration. Cheese is delicious. Homework this month is to find something else to reward ourselves with rather than a food item and to stop seeing certain foods as good or bad. I've had failure and success this week.

Thank you for wise words and support everyone. Really much appreciated. Especially as I work on my own, so no-one to offer a wise word when needed. Thank you so much.

Day finished much better than it started. And I got a lunchtime visit to the gym in. Made me extra hungry so I did succumb to a snack mid afternoon - but it was an apple cut-up with a teaspoon of peanut butter. Quite an odd combination, but it's sold in a snack pot in M&S (for an extortionate amount) is I thought if it's good enough for them to do, I can make my own!

How stinky is the cheese @murmuration ?? My nose can detect cheese a mile off. Not a fan unless it's mild and bland. Complete opposite to my DH - smellier the better for him!

You are being very strong and very brave @SunshineCake1 Am about to make a . Will stick one on for you too. Plus a big squeeze to go with.

Some lovely recipes. No energy in my kitchen for anything beyond the mundane at the moment. Roast cod with pesto, peppers, red onion, courgettes & new potatoes this evening. Balancing act as always to serve my DH loads of calories (he's training for an event) and me as few calories as possible, and my DS plenty of carbs as he has huge appetite.

(This weather has made me crave rose wine and aperol spritz all day today. Not good that those are the two things that spring into my taste buds the moment the sun shines )

Oh @buzzofthebumblebee. You are so lovely. I'm not feeling strong and brave. Still no idea where she is. Glad your day was better.

I used to make this for the kids

Apple and cheese toasties Serves 4

• 2 red skinned dessert apples,

4 thick slices of whole meal bread 10g butter, softened 150g Cheddar, Cheshire or Emmental cheese, grated 1 teaspoon of paprika 2 sage leaves, finely chopped

Cut the 🍎 into quarters, remove the cores and slice finely.
Heat the grill to the highest setting. Toast the bread on one side.
Turn the bread over, butter the untoasted side and arrange the apple slices on top. Sprinkle with the cheese, a pinch of paprika and the sage.

Grill for 2-3 minutes until the cheese melts and the 🍎 cooks through.

I love apple & peanut butter @buzzofthebumblebee 😋 I agree it’s a little bit odd at first, but it kind of works...or may be I just think that because I love peanut butter!

I noticed recently that M&S have really upped their game with the healthier snacks. The last time I went they had all kinds of fruit and vegetables with different kinds of dips, as well as tiny little pakoras with raita etc. All sold for a hefty price of course, but at least the choice for a snack wasn’t just between a packet of crisps and a biscuit.

Sorry to read your work update @Gonnagetgoing. That all sounds very stressful

Felt out of sorts all day, not done a thing round the house and couldn't be bothered to cook so we just had a lovely takeaway from our local Thai. It was so good, I don't even feel guilty.

Thinking of you @SunshineCake1 ❤

Just saw this and thought wow! How smart are we?? 🤣🤣

Went on a lovely walk today... I'm so lucky as I have the New Forest on my doorstep, so lots of picturesque scenery to walk through and ponies to admire. I didn't get a pic of the animals today but did capture the sun, looking beautiful over the Solent.

I managed 11k which is just as well as I've discovered Chocolate Orange Butterkist which is actually fairly low in calories - if you can restrict to one 30g portion. Chocolate popcorn is my absolute favourite snack... ever! Metcalfe used to do one called Chcolate Crackle which had a sort of chocolate toffee drizzled over it. When they discontinued it, I wrote to them begging for any extra stock (to no avail) and every now and then I drop them an email asking if they're ever bringing it back!

I should go with fruit but have kittens eyeing up my lap so wouldn't want to discourage them by getting up!

That's beautiful @SanFranBear. Well done on your step count and nothing wrong with your snack!

I've been awake since before four. Not sure you'll get any sense out of me today. Maybe no one will notice.

DD very ill. DH and I very worried, terrified frankly. Feel helpless. Worse than we thought. More going on than we knew. I'm going to lose her and there is no one to help. The hospital care was beyond acceptable. Even the police couldn't make them look after her.

Sorry to bring the thread down. Maybe I should leave.

Thank you for nearly two years of support, laughs, friendship and kindness. You are all awesome. Continue to be so. .

@SunshineCake1 please do not leave - we cannot do much but we can listen and support you from afar.
Maybe it will be easier to be completely honest on here - I am sure I speak for everyone when I say that we would prefer to have you here in any form than be without you.
Post when you can or need to do so.

@SunshineCake1 don’t you dare leave. This is so much more than a weight loss group we are here to support each other through whatever is affecting us. You are a loved and valuable member of this group. Stay with us contributing when and what you feel up to just so we know how you are.

We will be behind you whilst you support your DD and DH and DS’s. You need us.

Oh and I didn’t get the job I went for. In retrospect I’m glad. They didn’t keep to their deadline of letting me know, it would have been at least 30 minutes extra walk each way and honestly I think the woman I know would be an absolute nightmare to work under. Tbh I used to work under her before and she was very lazy leaving everything she could to other people. I like her she’s good fun and good company but actually I’m glad I won’t be working with her.

Just hoping things settle down at work so that it’s a bit less pushed 😊

Hi, I really need to join in with you on this. I was on the weight loss chats a couple of years ago and successfully lost 2 stone and kept it off until lockdown hit. In the past 2 years I've put it all back on again and I am so disappointed with myself. I just got a high cholesterol test result and it has given me the push I needed to try and sort myself out. My plan is to do 16:8 and cut down on carbs a bit.
So, I weighed myself Monday morning and I was 15stone. My BMI is 30. I'm aiming to get into the healthy weight zone, which for my height is 12st 7. It's a bit daunting, but I'm ready to start.

@SunshineCake1 don't leave us, we are here to listen even if we can't physically help you ❤

Swam this morning, 30 laps in 29 minutes which is pleasing!

Oh, Sunshine Completely echo 129orbust.. I speak for everyone when I say that we would prefer to have you here in any form than be without you

I lurked on these threads for months before I had the guts to post and make myself more accountable and you're a huge part of why I took the plunge. You're honest, open and so motivating and I would miss you very much. Life sounds dreadfully tough at the moment for you and I hope this thread gives you support and somewhere you can release some of the pain and tension. As Holbein says, this thread is about more than weight loss - we all have a common goal, of course, but it's also a safe, non-judgemental space.

So on that, Holbein - sorry you didn't get the job but it does sound like, on balance, it is the right thing for you at the moment. I worked for a dear friend a few years ago and it almost wrecked our friendship - she is just wonderful outside of work but she was so different at work and I found I really disliked that side of her - we're back on track now but it has made me wary of mixing the two in future.

And welcome, Akite. Do you have a plan in mind or is it simply a case of resetting thought processes at the moment. The good news is you lost it before so I am sure you can do it again!

@SunshineCake1 - please don't leave the thread and I'm so sorry to hear about your DD being so ill. Is there anything we can do to help?

Please know that I and the rest of the thread are here with support and hugs for you.

Thank you for your support and @Crazzzycat - it's a PITA but at least it's not as bad as it could be, it's a job!

Update on food - so had Sainsburys taste the difference cod fishcake with quarter potato, sweet potato, carrots and broccoli and cheese sauce for dinner. Had 80g raspberries for pudding. Then before bed don't know why but had Baby Bel and Ryvita Thai crisps! Went for 20 minute run after work.

Not weighed yet but had blueberries in plain Oatsosimple with small honey, tea with milk.

Off out for South Indian food - dosas tonight so will try to be good.