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.

Oh & my weekend will be filled with supermarket shopping & a trip to the tip - the glamour continues 👸🏼 😀

Argh @SanFranBear my congrats tag didn't go through to you 😀

@8stone13 I love tip trips … really … it’s cathartic shedding stuff 😬 Enjoy!

Congrats on that massive loss @SunshineCake1! You so deserve that boost!

Sorry to hear about your losses @TheRealHousewife. That must have been so tough to have to deal with all that in such a short time.

I’m glad you had a good birthday week @buzzofthebumblebee. Spreading it out like that sounds perfect to me.

I had another challenging day yesterday and disordered eating to match it. Sigh! Apparently the weather is going to be nice at the weekend, so I’m half thinking of taking DH away somewhere. It’d have the added bonus of only having access to restaurant meals... No doubt that would be calorific, but at least it would keep me away from all the chocolate, crisps and biscuits 😂

So sorry to hear of your traumas @TheRealHousewife , that sounds like quite a set of blows in a very short time. And yuck about having a problemmatic neighbour. I used to live somewhere where people would shout at our house (we're from the US, they'd tell us to 'go home' and other such things) and I really hated not feeling comfortable in my own home.

I'm starting to remember my tricks, but not always apply them. Like drinking a glass of water before my meal, to help with the 'lag' in feeling full. I would usually want to keep eating, but if I wait, realise I'm full. If I put water in my stomach first it seems to speed up the fullness sensation.

I'm also planning out my food on MFP in the morning, so I know what I'm eating and it will be in plan. When I get to it, I allow myself to substitute, but I know what calories I need to keep within.

I really do feel much better when I don't eat too much - it's so hard to remember that when my mind keeps telling me some more cheese would make me happy.

@murmuration Couldn't agree more with your last sentence but it's something I struggle to remember too 😐

I'm really hungry already today. Quite unusual. Only had breakfast a couple of hours ago 🤨

Weight is up again today 🤷‍♀️ never mind. Not stressing. Just had the last of the left over bean chilli for lunch before a late shift at work so I’ll probably not eat much for the rest of the day. Lots of water and green tea is the plan for this afternoon 👍

Thanks for wishes everyone. I'm very much off-plan, but will be back on it from Monday.

Just wanted to say hello to you all - remind you it IS worth it, no need for extra cheese or anything else, be strong and you will feel a slimmer better you.

Also to send lots of thanks to OP @TheRealHousewife - I thought you were wonderful before with all of your positive vibes for everyone. But with your sad story now, I have even more respect for you

Thinking of you and your DD this weekend @SunshineCake1 Hope all is well. And thoughts with you and your DH too @Foreverlexicon (think it was you - apologies if not). SO much though stuff to deal with behind the surface. To cave in to food to drown out bad feelings would be too easy. To be here, strong, mindful of calories and portions takes courage. Hats off to you all x

Hi all, I had a consultation with a PT at the gym this morning, but quickly realised it was just a hard sell, trying to sign me up to a load of sessions at 30 pounds per 45 mins. Then asking if I want to pay upfront, or half now, half later. I did the whole ‘email me and I’ll have a think’. I was a bit too chicken to just say no, and gave the impression I’d be keen to book some for a few weeks, leading up to my holiday at Easter (which was the whole reason I started this). Now need to think how I can back-track!

One thing I realised while talking to him though, is that although I’ve now lost 13lbs, I just feel like a slightly smaller version of myself, as opposed to a toned version. So really I just need advice on what to do to tone up properly. I’m doing 5 classes a week, plus extra time on the treadmill, cross-trainer and a few weights, but I’m not strong.

Any advice? Just slowly increase weights and maybe skip the cardio?

[quote TheRealHousewife]@8stone13 I love tip trips … really … it’s cathartic shedding stuff 😬 Enjoy![/quote]
I dropped 2 bags of stuff at the charity shop yesterday! Practically floated out the shop!

2 bags of stuff that's been shoved down the back of the wardrobe for ages that I've been meaning to get of for ages like the pair of shoes I wore once 8 years ago! Certainly lightens the mind!

I have to say, I'm a little jealous of those doing tip trips and charity shop runs. I love a boot fair and we try to do a few a year, but we only managed one last year with the miserable weather and infant refusing to sleep. So my house/loft/shed is currently rather cluttered with boxes to be bootfaired once they start, but I do normally take whatever doesn't sell down to the charity shop after.

I'm hoping to go out with DH and the kids for the day tomorrow, hop onto a train to a nearby town for a bit of exploring. And then we're out to celebrate with our friends who got married this week! I bought a dress a few weeks before Christmas which just about fitted (but you could notice it was on the snug side) and I'm reeeeeally hoping that it fits properly for this!

One thing I'm proud of myself this week is I've managed to build more walking with the 16mo into our days. It's certainly nothing compared to everyone going to classes, out for runs etc, but it's movement nonetheless.

@SingaporeSlinky, do you have access to a rowing machine? Rowing uses all the major muscle groups and is great for toning. My arms went from flabby to strong, in no time at all. And that’s AFTER I was already using the x-trainer and (smallish) weights.

@Crazzzycat yes there are a few at my gym but I’ve only done it once. I’m not sure my technique was right but I’ll google some videos and try again. Thanks for the tip!

@buzzofthebumblebee how lovely of you to say, thank you 🙏

Also thank you to @murmuration & @Crazzzycat 🙏

I must say you’re a lovely lot 😘

SingaporeSlinky - I would also say swimming if you can get to a pool (has your gym got one?)... it strengthens your core and shapes and tones everywhere - best exercise ever.

Either that or The 30 Day Shred It totally changes your body shape for only 25 minutes a day - brutal but I found it genuinely changed me for the better. This was some time ago sadly but do plan to revisit it at some point this year but there's no sugar coating it, it works you out!

Should add, the first two stages of The Shred are on YouTube (you do each for ten days each).. not sure about the third, I'm afraid - I got mine on a DVD years ago!

@youdoyoutoday & @TheRealHousewife I am a great one for clearing out too - I was on the decluttering & organising our homes threads, have dropped off as been so busy & I've done most of what I can do without blitzing the loft now - but there's nothing like getting rid of stuff to clear the mind 😀

@SanFranBear The 30 Day shred sounds interesting 🤔

SanFran I’ve never heard of the 30 day shred, I’ll take a look, thanks! Sadly no pool at the gym. I probably could get to one, but I’m already spending 2.5 hours out of the house, and would rather get my money’s worth out of the gym 😂 But good tip, thanks.

@ImALittlePea join with @8stone13 and I in that if we feel and/or look good we don't weigh so the scales can't take away from how we are feeling. If we have lost we have lost whether we know it or not. Good luck with your 👗.

As for nothing being a given, it has just been announced that the ex cricketer Shane Warne has died, of a suspected heart attack, at just 52. This has hit home with me as my dh will be 50 in a few weeks and has a heart attack just over two years ago.

Well done @SanFranBear on your loss and also your mindset of not melting in the rain. The saying goes there is no such thing as bad wether but unsuitable clothing.

Thank you @youdoyoutoday. It really has been a boost. I need to be careful I don't go mad though and eat it all back.

I only managed 3.1km on the treadmill this morning as was struggling but might go on again later. I walked the dog for and hour and 45 minutes and my step count so far is 14870.

I suspect that shop bought puddings have more sugar in that home made @8stone13. I never put the full amount of sugar in when baking to the point that when dc bought their first shop brownie/muffin they were shocked how sweet it was.

@Wizzwazzwas it was months before I posted my weight and it was no issue for anyone. Even now I don't always post it. I might just say I am up or down or the same.

Thank you @Crazzzycat. I am hoping for a pound off as then I'll be in the lower stone bracket. I hope you can have a nice weekend away.

I'm still dreadfully worried about DD. We still don't know what she is going to do although we know what she wants to, but it might not happen and then I am worried about how she will deal with that.

Thank you @buzzofthebumblebee. @TheRealHousewife post got to me too as I had a very abusive childhood. It took a long time but I did eventually get justice and they went to jail. Still can't think about it too much.

@SingaporeSlinky if they don't email you just leave it and if they do just say you have decided you don't want to proceed. You don't owe them anything.

@SunshineCake1 I think that's very true about added sugar. There's also a hollowness to a lot of shop bought confectionery too I think.

I just made a Be-Ro steamed sponge pudding in 5 mins in the microwave & it was gorgeous!

Sunshine I think you’re right. The PT has already emailed me. I was going to throw my husband under the bus by replying that I hadn’t consulted him, and he doesn’t really want me spending so much money on top of the gym membership (20 sessions would be over £600!) but he said the PT might then reply offering just one or two sessions, and then I’m stuck again. So I think I’ll just say I’ve changed my mind, he did say the consultation was completely no obligation. And when I see him at 2 of my weekly classes I’ll just hide at the back 😂
I’m kidding, I’m sure he won’t mind.

@SingaporeSlinky, many years ago now i saw a pt who was really instrumental in getting to my goal weight and fitness level. i met with her monthly (occasionally over the 12 months that we worked together every 2 weeks). she would tweak and explain my workout routine, write it out and i would follow it. she was a very special woman and i've never met anyone who could compare.

Meanwhile even my fancy scale is flat and unimpressed. Just whining if it’s flat all month I’ll sign up to the online fast 800 again.
Fasting till past 10am, simple breakfast planned.