LOSE IT! May 2022

[TheRealHousewife]

☀️THE SUMMER COUNTDOWN THREAD ☀️

Fresh new month, fresh new start, fresh new habits. Jump right in to reset & refresh to become a healthier version of yourself in time for a Sizzling Summer!

As no one size fits all, members need to follow their own way of eating to LOSE or MAINTAIN. 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?

Thanks @TheRealHousewife don't struggle to sleep, just lots of interruptions such as DS sneezing in the night, cats, owls, drunken guests of neighbours shouting in the garden... Well I never feel refreshed regardless since thyroid diagnosis 🤷

Yes @Echobelly that’s good news!
@SunshineCake if your kidneys aren’t doing their job properly, it will affect the level of fluid you retain as that’s their job.Hope you get some answers soon.
B-half a small avocado on seedy toast
L- salad with boiled egg, tbsp hummus, apple and red grapes
D- No idea at this point.
My only exercise is a long dog walk every evening. I don’t own a fit bit so only have steps on my iPhone which I take with me. It usually shows 7000 after the walk but I know I do loads more at work but phone in bag all day. It is telling me I’m averaging thousands more daily steps than previous months though so that’s good.
For me, weight comes off through diet not exercise. The more I exercise, the hungrier I become.I know I end up eating more than I burn off. I’m reasonably fit and occasionally run 5k at Park Run if I feel the urge and last did it in 32mins last autumn. I love walking though.

@sunshine Just a thought but my DSIS had awful bloating a few years back and some irregular bleeding. Her scan showed a large fibroid which she had removed. Just a possibility. She was around 50.

@Echobelly that must be a massive relief for you! I’m pleased it’s sorted.

Thanks @Canteloupez and @Benjispruce4 . I drink a lot of water, do I need to drink more ?

I think I have a fibroid. Years ago I was having investigations due to irregular bleeding and the doctor thought I had endometrial cancer. Then I was told I had a small fibroid but I never had the feeling they were sure. My scan is June so hopefully I will know that day or soon after.

Evening all - late one tonight as spent the day at a different office, a couple of hours drive from me. Did splurge slightly as there was a team lunch and we went to Nandos. Only my second ever visit and I was good and had salad with halloumi - was pretty jealous of some of the pittas though... next time!

Looks like lots of lovely WoWs.. well done! I would second the water retention for your disappointing result, Sunshine - hopefully the kidney investigations will help improve that... I also hope you manage a good whoosh before that too as nothing more disheartening than scales going the wrong way. Maybe have a day or two off?

Despite my long day, I managed a little WoW of my own, although just a 10k round a local village (kicking myself for not doing it at the other end and then driving home!) Was lovely to be out, regardless.. will do a decent hike on Friday so will keep fingers crossed for sunny weather!

Am pooped so shall catch up properly tomorrow - hope everyone sleeps well!

And I meant a day or two off the scales, Sunshine - sounds like you're in a good routine with everything else!

Thanks for the congrats and well downs to @Benjispruce4 @SunshineCake (I'm keeping up tbr drinking lots of water which I think is helping AND my skin is clearer and stomach more settled too) @buzzofthebumblebee (I too had to resist the post exercise munchies. Had a wee snack pack of sushi and fruit n nut pack) @milkfromthesleepycow

@SunshineCake while I know it's incredibly tough I'd take as a positive that dd is being honest with you even if that honesty is worrying/scary. Apparently (and I'm not an expert) it's if they conceal such thoughts but appear more upbeat/happier that there's a problem, so I've been told.

I need to do better on veg - Tesco's fault! Need to do a top up shop.

@TheRealHousewife thank you - I am trying! Went to town today and didn't have a blowout meal, didn't even have any cakes or sweet treats! Picked lowest cal sandwich in costa and a Coke Zero for Lunch, wrap and earl grey tea with sweetener for dinner. Now trying to resist my midnight munchies weakness! Or at least keep it in sensible proportions. But then I've only had (just working it out now from curiosity) 829 cals! Maybe I do need to eat something else? But I will not go nuts! I have some cottage cheese in the fridge, fruit and carrot sticks.

I lose on boobs first! Then legs and arms and belly last I need it off my belly first!

@SanFranBear well done on being out of obese range! I am so celebrating if I manage that! Thank you. I did enjoy my swim but man I felt it the next day!

rem DD has you- that's her superpower 💜

Totally agree

I think I may have been too tough on my dd, but when we discuss it she says yea at times but that this is what made her strong - I hope so but I know I got it wrong at times. None of us is perfect.

Those who've been hurt the most often care the most that's why.

@Canteloupez remember you can exercise at home, even 10 mins here or there will help. I've started doing hip swivels while I wait on the kettle boiling!

The boob thing reminds me - nsv - bras weren't fitting I need to find new ones but at my size they're expensive! Did boob or bust method as that worked for me before for buying online - I was a 40
H I'm now a 38 g!

@Flowers111 ouch re the back. Remember the advice now is warmth not icing?

@buzzofthebumblebee someone who's style I admired years ago that I worked with said to me there's a difference between fashion and style, fashion is fleeting and the latest fashions are generally designed for androgynous models, style is timeless and works for everyone

@Riddlediddle ooh hula hooping sounds a good idea for me! 2 feet on floor. Can even maybe lean on the wall? Not a weighted one though I don't think

@Echobelly glad you resolved the Covid pass thing

@SunshineCake could it be premenstrual bloat or similar? I used to go up as much as 8lbs and it's all drop off the week after! (2-3 weeks later), if it is a kidney issue you may need diuretic medication to balance you out. A relative has similar issue

@SNAFU247 - slow and steady wind the race 🐢 club membership is fine

Wow this week is

Start weight 13 stone 6.5 lbs

Current weight 13 stone 4.25 lbs

That's 2.5lbs off last weeks weight think I'm doing ok

Well done @Graphista 💪

Well done on your good food choices and run @SanFranBear . I don't understand the water retention as I wee loads of times a day and get up in the night. I thought you meant a day of running at first and had already decided not to go today but I will follow your advice and not get on the scales for today at least and try and not tomorrow too. I'll need reminders and encouragement though. I know what I am like!

DD and I are getting on okay though she was rude when we were out shopping and said again I kicked her out when I didn't. TBH I would rather she just said she was planning again so I would be prepared as much as I could be. I'm not complacent. She is going away for the weekend and it will be worrying. DS1 is home, possibly with his girlfriend, so we will have distraction.

Not pre-menstrual as I am menopausal and haven't had an official period in 19 months.

Well done on your loss!

Feeling emotionally all over the place but I'll get up and then I'm walking the dog with my friend.

Hi all I can't keep up with everyone !
Am up about 3lbs, lack of exercise and too many events. I need a good dose of appetite loss.
I was out for a meal last night and for a brief second I felt a bit like I had no appetite, which never happens to me. When I was young (under 20) I had no appetite and ate like a bird, looking back it was more like anxiety - and a small stomach - I would feel physically sick after a few bites. Now I just motor through that feeling.
I've bought the legendary "why we eat too much" and hope that helps change my mindset !
Sometimes I get unbelievably hungry / munchies like all week this week, scouring the cupboards for chocolate / biscuits while knowing it's not healthy ! Does anyone else get that ?
I might try a coffee only day today.

@SunshineCake water retention with a kidney issue isn't the same as bladder based water retention. Put simply It's retained on a cellular level within the body, as in the fluid isn't removed from the blood etc to BE peed out, medication can remedy that

Sometimes I get unbelievably hungry / munchies like all week this week, scouring the cupboards for chocolate / biscuits while knowing it's not healthy ! Does anyone else get that ?

Yep!

Usually fuelled by depression, boredom, irritation, frustration...

Good Morning 😊

Congratulations on your 10k @SanFranBear , that’s some distance.
How long does that take you? Sadly I just couldn’t do that distance now as my back would not hold up.

@Graphista sounds like you’re in a positive frame of mind and making healthy choices.
👍👏 Yes I’d up the cals as you don’t want to lose muscle.
Cottage cheese and nuts are full of protein and good fats so in a controlled portion are excellent to round up calories.
Having a decent portion of protein in your last meal helps with being satiated and less likely to snack later on as does brushing teeth and cleaning/closing the kitchen can ward off evening munchies.

@Flowers111 weight does naturally fluctuate but I understand your disappointment.
Reading books can help with motivation and that particular book might give you some insight into what can sabotage weight loss efforts.

Menu
Meal 1 - Spicy Chicken Soup (same as yesterday) posted pics from yesterdays batch cook and lunch portion. 6 serves in the freezer too. 15 different veg & chicken.

Meal 2 - Chicken Curry & Cauli Rice. Apple, kefir yoghurt.

Enjoy your day!

OMG @Flowers111 - Sometimes I get unbelievably hungry / munchies like all week this week, scouring the cupboards for chocolate / biscuits while knowing it's not healthy ! Does anyone else get that ? is me too this week! Literally can't stop thinking of food. Haven't posted much on this thread last few days as I'm so ashamed with my eating. Trying to rationalise / reason, but can't. Pulled myself up this morning for chastising myself. Instead clean slate, what's done is done, and starting fresh today.

I am even more confused now @Graphista 😂!

I am using up some left over roast chicken and making a Chinese recipe called Garlic chicken and serving with noodles. DS2 is making our dinner - lasagne.

Same here @buzzofthebumblebee . I’m still reading this thread, silently applauding everyone’s efforts and progress, while stuffing my own face with all kinds of crap 🙃

My work problems have not exactly gone away yet and they’re causing me a lot of stress. I’ve concluded that it’s not really work that’s the problem though, it’s me. I’m absolutely fine with difficult, challenging work (bring it on!). It’s all the “easy” stuff that floors me for days. I don’t really know what to do about it and my manager is not much use either, as he doesn’t even think there’s a problem 🤷‍♀️

Anyway, apologies for the work related rant. I plan to weigh myself tomorrow and try to get back on track again. May be June will be the month I turn things around.

@Flowers111 I read Why We Eat Too Much and wasn’t too impressed. It completely ignores the emotional reasons behind why people eat. I don’t believe that I overeat because I have the occasional slice of bread and a penchant for peanut butter. I overeat because of stress, anxiety etc. It’s pretty clear to me from this thread that that’s a major factor in a lot of people’s weight gain.

What I really don’t like about the book though is how some posters on MN seem to have turned it into gospel. The author is very clear throughout the book that a lot of what he’s talking about are just his theories. Yet I was on a thread a while ago where multiple fan girls piled onto me, telling me that it was impossible for me to have lost 4 stone while eating a diet high in carbs and wheat. They were even more in shock when I told them that not only had I lost that much, I also didn’t hit a single weightloss plateau until I’d lost more than 20% of my body weight. Minds were blown 🤯

Don’t get me wrong. I think there is some sense to his approach (stay away from heavily processed food, white carbs etc) and I’m glad some people find that it works for them. But at the end of day, even his way of eating still comes down to calories in vs calories out.

Anyway those are just my thoughts and experiences. I best go and hide now before any Why We Eat Too Much fan girls find me here…😂

<hugs> @buzzofthebumblebee I go to bed most nights looking forward to the next day so I can eat again! If I have run, walked the dog then showered and it is about 11 I am happy as it means I can eat in a couple of hours. I do think that some days we just need more food. I am trying not to find comfort in food - helps as no sweets or chocolate in the house, thiugh Dh made me biscuits yesterday as wanted one (had 3) but sometimes we are just more hungry. If we accept that weight loss isn't linear and we should look over the week, same with fruit, veg and protein intake, then why not the same for appetite?

Please don't be ashamed of anything never mind eating. As I have said, sometimes we are just more hungry. I have been wondering where you were but didn't shout out in case you needed a break but you can post anything and there is always someone to listen and help and support.

I have had my garlic chicken with salad leaves, three biscuits and I am already thinking about the crisps I will have at 3pm if I am peckish again !

@buzzofthebumblebee and @CrimsonAlligator
That's disappointing about the book I was hoping it would go into everything ! Haven't picked it up yet want to finish current fiction. I also took delivery of another 5 books yesterday so I have to be more methodical 🤣
I totally agree for a lot of people eating is a reaction to stress / an emotional problem. I was in SW a couple of times (looking back to when I was relatively thin it was madness). A lot of members would be clinically obese and clearly a few oil free recipes were not going to help them. I definitely have a touch of food addiction. I don't binge but I would frequent the kitchen too much. I'd make healthy meals but I love nice things that are not low fat eg pasta cheese pesto - that sort of thing !
There's also the problem of balance. I find it very hard the day after wine not to over eat, I'm craving salt, electrolytes etc. sugar, that's a day written off and no exercise.

Maybe I need to just give up !
Looking back I was happiest with my appearance when I was AF and attended the gym.

If anyone has a recommendation for an emotional eating book sounds like I might need that. I'd say on a normal day I could eat 50% more cals than I should and I won't lie as a working mum of 2 I am tired all the time, if I food restrict I will genuinely not get everything done !!
That's why an easy way would be appetite suppressants. Imagine if smoking wasn't bad for you - that was great for appetite reduction 🤣🤣🤣you could have a cig instead of eating 😭😭😭

I find alcohol the worst for causing food cravings @Flowers111 . In my case, trying to resist snacks is completely futile for at least a day afterwards.

I did a lot of reading up about diets when I just started, but I actually found that the most effective thing for controlling cravings was taking up meditation. I’ve not done that for months (and clearly need to get back into that!), but it made me so much more mindful about what I was eating and why. It’s worth looking into.

I feel like I need a total reset here!

Have definitely put on weight so over 11 stone. not sure how much over 11 stone mind you.

I do know that now I'm back in the office a couple of days a week I'm finding it easier to 'snack' and the worst is coming back on a long commute (got to carry laptop which isn't light) so I go a longer way around to avoid tube and stairs etc. Have found myself having takeaway tea but also buying wafer biscuits (the ones you get at Caffe Nero) as a treat.

I also don't jog every day now and even at lunchtime I'm still sort of trying to catch up on work, don't want to be late starting work and we have a set lunchtime hours (12.30-1.30) too.

I was having snacks like Cheesestrings, lowest calorie Laughing Cow triangles as treats too. I think I just need to either not have them or have them as every other day things.

Well no idea if it will work but I've signed up to Noom.

Weight loss, and gain, is just so complex, isn't it! I also bought the 'Why do we eat too much' book a few weeks back and am a couple of chapters in (too many others on the go, reading is definitely my favourite passtime - loving that you took a delivery of books in, Flowers!) I'm finding it really interesting and agree that it is clearly more than 'calories in, calories out', genetics definitely play a part.. May try and power through this weekend as DC free until Saturday afternoon.

Glad to still be following Dry May as I am dreadful when hungover - neeeed piles of junk which do me no favours. I will also admit (very quietly) to enjoying a herbal cigarette on occasion but, as well as killing my lungs, I am completely unable to eat healthily when indulging so have completely cut that out (until my DB comes visiting, anyway!)

My 10k yesterday (well, 11.5k actually) was just a speedy walk and so took me just over 2 hours. I try to hit about 6k/hr as that's what MHP classifies as 'Brisk Walking' but it's all hill dependent! I don't log it as hiking as I'm sceptical of the calories back already and hiking seems very high (and if I'm underestimating, that's got to be better than overestimating!)

Need to eat up a few bits in the fridge tonight so will make DC Toad in the Hole and more of a mishmash for me (my favourite, if I'm honest!) Don't want to go too hard though as I weigh in tomorrow and would like for last week's whoosh to still be a reality!

@CrimsonAlligator - good idea I have Headspace which I love - I never use the mindful eating med but I will
@SanFranBear - totally fell off dry May !! I had some family events it was impossible not to drink, started a bad run. That's where my 3:4lbs gain came in.
I think I had noom (free) before.
The only key to weightloss I think is to feel good.
I agree - when you work FT it's impossible to balance heath. I'll be back on the commuting nightmare soon too but I'm hoping it will keep me away from the fridge and at least it's also some exercise.
I wish my local gym hadn't closed I think weights sort me out, whatever way i'm made up I lose a lot more than from cardio.

I think going to the gym is possibly the thing making the biggest difference to me; I lost most of my weight since my heaviest in the 5-6 weeks before the diet when I went back after two years (although I was and still am doing yoga or interval training for 20 mins every morning).

I'm surprised how easy I'm finding dieting (with apologies to anyone who isn't!). It's marginally annoying at most but I feel no temptation to eat things I shouldn't. That said, as I've mentioned I'm not going to try too hard on holiday next week as it's in a country where 'light meals' are not really a thing and there's no shops/takeaways that will offer lighter options when out and about. I'll try to control what I can but it probably won't be realistic to keep to 1200cals a day!

I'm feeling very 'munchy' today as well. Not helped by 18mo going on a sleeping strike this week 😴 but also by a bit of an unpleasant situation going on with a friend which I'm trying to work out how to deal with.

Trying very hard not to eat my feelings as I'm weighing in tomorrow! Not being helped by DH being at football this afternoon so we're having to eat late. Water water water!!