LOSE IT! April 2022 🌻

[TheRealHousewife]

Hard to believe it’s April already 😮. 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?

March LOSE IT! 2022

well @buzzofthebumblebee and @Crazzzycat, i took that step and braved the scale...
158.3 exactly where it was for months on end and is again.
it's just a number and a starting point as usual.
i'm just really wanting to see 155 for starters :(.
since dh took the car in for servicing (brakes) i decided to skip breakfast and extend my "fast" and make it to lunch time which will be my yogurt.
hi @SunshineCake1, ongoing positive thoughts coming your way.

Don’t get me started on calluses @SingaporeSlinky 😂 I use rowing gloves, but still get them on my fingers. I’m also spending a fortune on hand cream which is supposed to minimise the risk of blisters etc. It’s not quite working, but who knows what my hands would be like without all that extra care!

Fingers crossed you’ll get to see 155 soon @fallfallfall. You’re putting in so much effort, you deserve it!

Big hugs to you, Sunshine - lovely to see you pop in and sorry you don't have better news. Look after you and DH.

Impressed with all the rowing - someone I know who rowed competitively at university said it really is the best exercise as it works absolutely every part of you! And the distances you're doing - brava!

I enjoyed my hike this afternoon and really enjoyed the company of my friend. It didn't even really take any longer despite us both having to stop on a punishing uphill. The South Downs were beautiful this afternoon, even with a bit of rain, although I missed my angry ponies and frolicking deers (although did see so many cows and sheep!) My photos didn't do it even remote justice so will restrain myself from posting!

I did treat myself to some liquorice allsorts at the supermarket so just need to not eat the lot... with the holidays incoming, bit worried I may go off-piste somewhat! But my mindset is in the right place so even if I do indulge, am hoping I'll get back on it.

Talking of indulgence, got a lovely lunch out tomorrow and have already chosen my meal. Interesting in the news about restaurants now having to publish the calories in dishes on their menus (if they're of a certain size!) - I find it so helpful when they do that. Typically, tomorrow's venue doesn't but I'm going for a Prawn Noodle Bowl so hopefully won't be too excessive.

Half way through my week off work and I’ve had salsa and tortilla chips twice! Not doing the running (but it hailed, rained and thunder stormed today!) either!

Maybe I just need a reset!

I’ve had same breakfast, similar lunch, not much naughty stuff (small low sugar hens egg size chocolate caramel egg today) and even Turkish pilau I had one slice not two of garlic bread.

Great progress everyone, some very active people here, like the idea of rowing as never really tried it!

@SanFranBear 11k is fantastic! I'm 5'7 so 60kg would be lower/mid range of healthy bmi for me.

@TheRealHousewife with my thyroid I always thought that I would find it easy to lose if If I were at the lower tsh level, but when I hit 0.02tsh last year from having been very hypo I really didn't feel better for it. But see what works best for you.

I'm trying to look more at the emotional connection i have with overeating (never really considered it before). Something that's really helped when I have the urge to eat 'unnecessarily' is to do the HALT-B method.

That's to stop and ask myself am I
Hungry,
Angry,
Lonely,
Tired or
Bored?

If the answer is yes to anyone of those I try and find a more helpful behaviour to replace it with. Stuck on the fridge, Really helps!

@Harmonyrays, sometimes i'm thirsty and yes it's nice to stop and think for a few seconds and realize what's driving the urge.
i had a nice steady day, 13000 steps in.
putzed in the garden and home. nothing really off track (coffee with milk once). drank loads of water and did 51 minutes of exercise.
i'm looking forward to weighing in tomorrow am.
i've prepped to make tomato soup in the am (under 120 calories per serving)
my breakfast oatmeal is cooking up now (202 calories).

@ginsparkles @fallfallfall @SanFranBear. Thank you so much.

Today is two weeks since she left and still no contact. I slept really badly last night and have a headache now. Just had a secret cry and now I'm waiting for dh to wake up. Not running today. Can't face it. Just want to stay in my bedroom all day.

I have meal planned for all this week but it all seems pointless.

Thinking of you here too lovely Sunshine. Can't imagine the pain. Eat you must, to keep your strength (and hope) up. Time never moves as slowly when you are living with your kind of nightmare.

@Harmonyrays it's great you are having a good look at your mindset as well as your diet. I think just even being aware you are feeling any HALT-B feelings is a start. (I need to add greedy to the list !!)

I'm going to be awol again for a few days - nothing exciting this time, just 3-days of driving it seems for various stuff. But thinking of you all. Keep strong. Stay focussed. It will be worth it once the sunshine comes back in the summer!

Thank you @buzzofthebumblebee. I feel less alone when you lovely people post messages to me. It's such a lonely place to be and I wouldn't wish it on anyone.

Dh just said he has given up hope of ever seeing her again 💔💔

Morning all! Have taken a few days to focus on wellbeing, pulled myself out of my pity party and back out getting some fresh air and steps in. Feeling much better now. Thanks for the birthday wishes.

Diet has well and truly gone out of the window, but I'm not letting myself get down about it. I definitely feel more sluggish with the bread etc that's crept back into the diet... I'm giving myself the rest of this week and I'm looking forward to refocusing after the weekend.

Well done to everyone who weighed in this week. I haven't decided whether to weigh in on Friday or not. I know it'll be a gain but I don't know whether I want to know the extent of it or not 😂

Good Morning All

@Harmonyrays I’m ashamed to say that I don’t know my levels off the top of my head but will look at my online gp results later. I bought and read books but I still can’t get my head around how it all works in regards to the thyroid. I find it complicated. You are bang on about emotions/feelings and eating etc. Mental/emotional health are so entwined with our eating habits and we can use food deal with uncomfortable feelings. Who wouldn’t rather be distracted by a big cream cake/fried foods/whatever than deal with uncomfortable feelings. What we have to remember is the transient relief/distraction we get from food is fleeting …. And the feeling remain. We owe it to ourselves to care take our own mental health and access support if needed. Myself has been on a waiting list a couple of years now for support for my complex pdsd. Covid has delayed the whole process.

I’d call it progress @buzzofthebumblebee to not fall face first into cake & chocolate and other sugary/fatty snacks (add ons) My OH is really made different to me. If he eats balanced meals without add-ons he loses easily. Yesterday he had 3 add-ons for the first time in a week, chocolate mini eggs, custard pie and a bag of crisps and gained 1lb back. I told him it’s water/salt weight and will soon go if he drops the add-ons. I hardly ever have add-ons but don’t lose 🤷‍♀️ I pacify myself with the thought if I didn’t eat the way I do I would be morbidly obese and totally in the red zone for BMI. Weight loss is a tricky! Enjoy your trip!

@fallfallfall how disappointing for you! You’ve been on point with your food/intake so I can see how frustrating it is! I’d just say keep on it. You might not be losing as fast as you’d like but you're definitely not gaining which is something. Sorry I don’t have an answer for you. On reflection, do you do any strength training with light weights. If you could increase your muscle (or maintain what you have) you’d burn more calories as muscle takes energy to maintain. Just an idea.

@Crazzzycat I’m cheering from the sidelines 📣 🚣‍♀️ You can do it!

@SanFranBear pleased to read you enjoyed your ramble and feel free to post raining pics of the scenery/animals 😍 Enjoy your prawn noodle dish 👍

@Gonnagetgoing The weather here has been totally ‘weathery’, rain, hail, strong winds. Like a full on winters night!

@SunshineCake1 If you need a duvet day take one. It’s understandable under the circumstances ❤️

Menu
Meal 1 - Chicken soup. GF bread roll.
Meal 2 - Chilli with cauli rice.
Tea, coffee, water.

Enjoy you day Everyone 😊

Finally delurking- I've been following this thread since January and have been inspired by you all! You've all been doing so well

SW 90.9kg
CW 78.5kg
GW 60 ish kg

Onwards and downwards I hope!

Waves to everyone 👋🏻

Day 96 - Thurs 7th April - 9s 2 & 1/4lb
BMI 21.2
BF 23.4

Still really pleased with this maintenance 🙂

2 people I know have lost several stone on Herbalife. I'm dubious as they have always fluctuated in weight but they look great.

I'm 14 stone, wanting to lose at least 1 stone, 5ft 6, perimenopausal and underactive thyroid and feeling low after a recent split with my partner. I just want to focus on something for me to make me feel good. I usually walk 40min a day so do 15k steps according to my fitbit. Doing 15min hit workouts whilst Easter holidays are on. Have lost 3/4 of a stone through breakup but at 14 stone now. Willing to try anything including shakes.

@milkfromthesleepycow I'm on your starting weight, could you share how you have achieved this?

I think stopping taking sugar in my coffee (I drink a LOT of coffee!) and intermittent fasting 16:8 made the most difference. But I've also been making an effort to eat whole foods rather than processed and taken up strength training. The hardest thing is making sure I get enough protein! Had to resort to protein shakes in the end

@Harmonyrays - that’s very good advice! I’ll try to take that on board.

Have had so far oatso simple with blueberries, honey and tea with skimmed milk.

Agree with you @TheRealHousewife - I don’t know how or if thyroid issues affect food and eating.

I do know if I feel bored, tired, want to treat myself etc I’ll reach for food.

Forgot yesterday I had kale and cauliflower fresh soup, whole carton with 2 crackawheat with flora pro active. And had 1 plum.

@milkfromthesleepycow I tend to eat between 9 and 5, one tea a day. I'm genuinely debating shakes now but not sure what to replace. I would eat scrambled eggs and avocado for breakfast, a home-made chicken sandwich for lunch, then homemade curry for dinner.

Morning all!

@SunshineCake1 .... duvet day sounds like a good idea. I can't imagine how you feel, and what I would give to come and give you a squeeze. Thoughts are with you and DH

I was thinking about going back to the gym and doing some gentle cardio but after walking to work this morning left me unable to speak for a good few minutes and with the worst pain in my chest, I think I'm not quite ready!!

Food yesterday changed a bit but was still under calories.
Today will be harder, DD has her school disco tonight, so no time for a proper tea, and the temptation of hot dogs !!
So the plan is :
Pasta salad with a yogurt and grapes for lunch.
Have a bowl of cereal before heading out to the disco.
I have a banana for mid afternoon and had a gingerbread soreen malt loaf mid morning.
Should be scope then for yogurt or babybel snack when I get in!

I love the Gingerbread malt loaves but we only seem to get them round here at Xmas time. Have a great time at the disco

Afternoon all! I just finished day 7 in my rowing challenge (7km).

I had way too much chocolate again yesterday so this is an almost identical update to yesterday’s...lots of exercise, too much food, repeat ad nauseam and wonder why the weight isn’t shifting 😂

In all seriousness though, I’m feeling positive in spite of not making the best food choices. This challenge is reminding me of why I started this journey a year ago and that I don’t actually care that much about whether I’m a size 10 or a size 12. As long as I’m a healthy weight, the way I feel is so much more important than the size of my clothes ☺️

Thank you for your messages.

Dh has rung her and her little brother has messaged her today but nothing.

It is a living hell. Every time I hear a police siren I panic.

well the scale is NOT stuck or broken and i have lovely little drop to report 157.2 sooooo encouraging.
i'm trialing doing some exercise before breakfast it was something suggested when i tried the fast 800 online program. so i'll keep you posted on that.
@SunshineCake1, i'm so sorry you're family is going through this. is there any support available as a family to help you deal with this situation? i found prayer helpful, i also chatted regularly with my colleagues who worked in mental health nursing. i also had access to her bank records.

@fallfallfall I go to the gym before I eat or drink (apart from water). I fast from about 6/6.30pm when I finish dinner, through to about 11/11.30am the next morning. So my gym classes are towards the end of the fast period, then I come home, have a coffee with sugar (which actually makes me feel full), and then I eat lunch whenever I feel hungry, but usually around 12pm.