Diet For Summer Challenge

[Dashel]

This is a continuation of the diet for Christmas challenge that was undertaken in 2022. Thank you to @OhFatty for starting that.

It is a group of us wanting a supportive environment to loose weight in the long term. Hopefully the posters from the Christmas challenge will sign up again and new members are welcome.

We each have our own way of doing this and there are no rules other than being encouraging to everyone and cheering on successes.

@Isyesterdaytomorrowtoday Congratulations on loosing the December weight!

@bigdecisionstomake I hope your lunch went well. It sounds like you prepped for it well. I hope you enjoyed it as it sounded like you quite worried.

@WutheringShites86 I hope you manage to catch up on some sleep.

@Helpmegetajob I think with hard work and calorie counting most people can loose weight. Historically my mistakes were that I would be good Monday till Friday dinner then the weekend hit and that didn’t count so nice dinners, snacks and wine would be ok. I would get my steps in if the weather was good and exercise when I felt like it. Now alcohol is for special occasions and holidays only and I might have a few extra calories if I’m ravenous but I won’t go over 2000 and I do 15k steps regardless of the weather. I also think that if when you stop dieting and go back to what you used to eat and do, then you will go back to your old weight. So for me this is a lifestyle change. I think you need to be the weight that you want to be and accept that sometimes it can be a lot of hard work to get there. For me it’s certainly a lot more work than I think it should be and I have had to honest with myself about where I’m going wrong and need to improve

So the scales were a bit depressing this morning, but as everything currently aches, my 10st 4.5lb weight is probably due to DOMs. I probably need more rest but we are due to go for a long walk with a friend today but after that I plan on a nap and a bath. I had 1750 calories yesterday and 16.5k steps. Just got to keep going though! Keep on swimming!

On the plus side, my average weekly weight has gone down from 10st 5.8lb to 10st 4.1lb so that is good.

DH is also tired as sore so hopefully that means he will be happy to chill when we get back.

Morning all! Went over calories by a bit more than is ideal yesterday however the meal (homemade steak chow mein) was delicious and worth the calories at least 😋 Going to eat lighter today.

I'm still not drinking alcohol at the moment but have a planned drinking night next Saturday and actually once a week after that as February is crazy busy for nights out & I'm not going to deprive myself (just trying to control the at home drinking!).

Have a good Sunday all!

Morning all

Can't believe it's Sunday already.

@Dashel that's a significant downward trend overall all so well done - everything is moving in the right direction and weight loss is never linear in my experience there's always a lot of bobbing up and down.

You're right, I was anxious about the lunch yesterday for more reasons than just the food - family is an odd thing sometimes but that's a whole other thread!

As it turned out the food plan went completely to pot - I had a late breakfast as planned and arrived at the teashop just after 2pm quite hungry for lunch only to be told that they had had to shut the kitchen early and the only things available were those on the counter. This consisted basically of enormous (as in properly gigantic) slices of cakes and some jam and cream scones.

In the end I plumped for a scone thinking that at least the clotted cream would add some fat content and keep me fuller longer - I am a bit prone to blood sugar crashes if I'm not careful with sugar and just having cake at lunchtime would definitely have made that happen later that afternoon.

I was expecting to be ravenous later but in the end managed to get right through to teatime without eating anything else so I suspect the damage wasn't too bad in the end. It's the first day since starting this that I haven't logged my calories though so I don't actually know how many I ate altogether.

I've weighed this morning and my scores on the doors for this week are as follows:

Week 3
Start weight 11st 5lb
Target weight 9st 11lb
Last week's weight 11st 0.4lb
This week's weight 10st 11.8lb
Loss this week 2.6lb
Total loss so far 7.2lb

I am quite surprised at today's weight and am not sure where that loss has come from - maybe I significantly underate calories yesterday in the end. Whatever the case I suspect there will be a re-bound upwards tomorrow as things level out. I have to say I also think that staying off the alcohol is helping enormously and while the weight loss is a definite motivation to continue I already have a couple of nights out with friends booked in in February and would really like to add some wine back in to my weekend evenings in moderation at some point. I'm going to definitely stay off it until the end of the month and then review I think.

Have good days all.

@Gemzee well done on staying off the alcohol too - it sounds like you are in a similar boat to me with nights out in February. It sounds like you will stay strong on the at home drinking too though - I'm going to have to give it some thought...!

@bigdecisionstomake Yeah sounds like we're in similar positions! I just don't want to go back to drinking wine 4-5 nights a week at home mindlessly, really hoping to moderate - 1 night a week ideally.
I think the lack of wine must be helping my weight loss, its so many empty calories.

Well done guys! I think it's important to find ways to incorporate normal life activities in, like the odd night out, otherwise it can never be sustained long term.

I've stayed the same at weigh in so still 15st 3lbs which is OK after the difficult days I had this week. I'll keep plodding along!

@Gemzee sounds like a plan with your alcohol intake.

@bigdecisionstomake thank you, there is a lot of going up and down, sometimes patience is required which is an issue for me! I hope you enjoyed the social aspect of lunch? Huge congratulations on your losses it sounds like you are making great progress! 7.2lb is amazing 🤩

Have either of you considered switching to gin/vodka and a diet mixer when you do drink? Doesn’t help with the munchies but probably a lot less calories than wine. We will probably have drinks for our anniversary and Valentines but I think they will be the only drinking nights in February.

@WutheringShites86 I think you have done really well on a tough week.

Hi all hope it’s ok to join in. I’m on the Nutracheck thread too as that’s what I’m using to count my calories.

I am hoping to lose 2 stone by the end of July at 1lb per week. Today is the last day of week 2 for me and I’m so torn about weighing tomorrow. I initially wanted to wait 6 weeks to weigh but I’m desperate to know if I’ve lost something and also a bit scared to wait a full 6 weeks in case it turns out I’m still eating too much and it’s 6 weeks wasted time.

Should I just weigh tomorrow?

I am working my way through the thread to catch up with you all.

Morning everyone. I’m still reading along and willing you on but so far I just can’t get my head in the game. The only positive is that miraculously I am STS which considering the amount of carbs I am eating is a miracle. I am more overweight than many on here so I can only assume that my body is using the calories up 🤔 the only encouragement I take from this is once I do start again I will be halving the calories and that should have an impact- well that’s the theory 🤞🏼😅 have a good week everyone.

@2023caloriecounter welcome! I don’t know what to suggest about the weighing. I weigh daily and use the weekly average. Which means my moods can go up and down depending on the scales reading. But it means I can assess whether what I’m doing is working and tweak it if needed. Some people advise that you do this as it avoids you taking a reading on a day with higher water weight where as others say to avoid the scales and keep to the plan and have faith. Just make sure you are sticking to it properly if you want a big loss ie weighing everything and including every bit of oil etc if you are calorie counting. Are you doing steps and/or exercise as that will help.

@Stepcount I am sorry you can’t get back into this. Have you tried focusing on where you want to be in two months time? Have you used my fitness pal as when you close off your days entries it says if every day was like today, in 5 weeks you would weigh….. I find that quite motivating. You might not need to halve the calories is it worth trying to cut them by 20% and see how you get on?

So speaking of the sad step. I weighed in this morning at 10st 4.4lb loosing 0.1lb 😩 I was really hoping to have a whoosh and be back in the 10st 3s or even drop down to the 10st 2s. I managed 19k steps yesterday including a 2 hour brisk and hilly walk and 1730 calories so had a good weekend, just my results seem a bit pants.

I know I have to keep going and it’s only a few days and there could so many things going on but I’m still itching to see progress! I’m going to struggle to up my game too much more without going part time 🤦‍♀️

Morning all

A STS is a great achievement given the week you've had @WutheringShites86

@Dashel I did enjoy the lunch in the end thanks - not sure what I was so worked up about before hand to be honest 😅

I am an occasional gin drinker but it is red wine that I really enjoy with food. I'm over 50 so supposedly a small glass daily is good for my heart....however I would be happy if I could stick to a small glass three times a week eventually. For now being alcohol free is really helping with my weight loss so I'm going to stick with it a bit longer. Thank you for suggesting it originally - it was a brilliant idea - and I never would have stuck to it it if wasn't for checking in here every morning!

Hope you enjoyed your baths over the weekend.

Welcome @2023caloriecounter I've not come across Nutracheck before - is it helpful? Your target of 1lb a week sounds very do-able. I couldn't go 6 weeks without weighing - I find it motivating to get on the scale every morning and it actually helps me to get out of bed when it's cold and dark!

Morning @Stepcount glad you're still here cheering the rest of us along and a STS is better than a gain so I would count that as progress. Only you know when you're in the right place to start again.

@Dashel just seen your update from this morning - just keep swimming - you are making progress even if it's a bit slower than you'd hoped. If you weren't carrying an injury and still recovering from Covid I would suggest mixing up your exercise a bit and adding some high intensity cardio but it doesn't sound as if that's right for you at the moment so I think you just have to be patient and carry on as you are for now. You are getting there and you will see the results on the scales eventually - I know it's hard though when you just want to see some progress though. Is part time an option...😂😂😂

My weigh in this morning was the expected re-bounce from yesterday's unexpected loss - I'm back to 10st 12.8lb so a gain of 1lb. I think this should have been my weekly weight yesterday as there's no way I'm eating in enough of a deficit to have lost 2.6lbs last week. The knock on effect is that I'm likely not to have a great loss this week but I just have to accept that and keep to plan.

Exercise was also not very successful this morning - I did a 20 minute 'growwithjo' lower abs standing workout and then it was time for CGs Christmas Series Day 7 which was the dreaded leg day. I only got as far as the second round of squats and was getting significant pain both in my groin and lower back around my bad hip so in the end I stopped rather than risk causing an issue. I think I may need to re-visit the physio as I've had problems like this before and once they get established they can be difficult to shift so I'm keen not to make it worse at this point. I substituted with a 'MadFit' 15 minute standing arm workout which was good but I'm frustrated at the physical limitations I have at the moment.

All in all not a very positive start to a Monday so hopefully the day can only get better from here......Hoping that's not famous last words......

Have good days all.

I have finally made it through reading the thread! So motivating. Just what I needed for a Monday morning. I didn’t weigh this morning as was rushing around too much with the kids so will do it next Monday and will then have been on plan for three weeks. All I am asking for is a 3lb loss here!

I’m so impressed with the amount of steps and workouts being done on here. My step target is currently a measly 6k but it will be increasing in February. After seeing it mentioned on here I did a GFWR step workout last night which was great to get me near my goal as was quite a bit short yesterday.

@bigdecisionstomake Nutracheck is an app similar to MFP to track calories. I find it much more user friendly but that’s a me problem not a MFP problem!

I am really feeling so positive right now. In the past I’ve set myself up for complete failure with weight loss. Wanting to lose a stone in a month or similar but this time I am going to be much more realistic and be happy with each and every pound. I’m weighing and tracking every last morsel - oil, butter etc included so there should be no issues.

I've lost another 3lbs so I'm down 8lbs in 2.5 weeks (yes I randomly started on a Thursday).

I always seem to have reasons why it's not real though 😂 . First it was water weight coming off. And on Fri/Sat I had a tummy bug that was absolutely rotten (still not feeling quite right) so it's likely a bit will come back on when my body starts functioning normally.

But I am deffo losing actual fat too. I'm tracking everything I eat properly in MFP so I know I have a decent deficit.

I'm starting to think about exercise but I've no idea what I want to do. My MH is bad (PTSD etc) so I don't want to go anywhere to do stuff, but at the same time it would likely do me good if I did. I suppose I'll give myself a push out of the door eventually.

@bigdecisionstomake I am glad you enjoyed your lunch! I had one bath which was very well needed and enjoyed. I like wine too, I just don’t like the calories and the nibbles that go with it. I would love to go back to HIIT or spinning but I don’t think it would be good on my lungs just yet. My company really doesn’t like part time so I can’t imagine what they would say if I asked for shorter hours to loose weight 🤣 it wouldn’t be polite!

I share your pain at limitations. I wanted to do a leg day today but my back is so sore I am not risking weights. I would get yourself to the physio as you say best to avoid any lasting injuries. At least you tried…. Keep on swimming too!

@2023caloriecounter I am glad you tried a workout. Get as many steps as you can. It will really speed up the weight loss. According to my Fitbit (which I know isn’t entirely accurate but will give a rough figure) I burn about 2180 calories if I do 15k steps! 1900 calories at 10k steps and 1650 if I do 4k steps so it can give a big difference over a week. I tell myself regularly that this is a process that takes time. We didn’t gain overnight after all.

@SweetPeaGirl that is a great result on the scales! Sorry you were I’ll to get it though. You don’t need to exercise outside!

The free resources on YouTube that might be worth looking at are

Yoga with Adriene
Joe Wicks for weights or HIIT
Caroline Girvan for Weights
Get Fit With Rick for walking workouts to music
Growingannanas for weights or HIIT

There is also a free FitOn app (you don’t need to do the upgrade bit) which has all sorts of exercises

I am sure there are lots more options out there and I have no idea of your fitness level but Joe Wicks does everything from beginners to advanced and Get Fit With Rick has standing walking workouts going from 1300 steps to 10k steps and to different music tracks. I particularly like the Wham one.

DH is away tonight and I made sure I hit my steps with thanks to Rick, before and after work.

@Helpmegetajob I can identify with what you're saying about being obese but relatively fit and healthy. I've always been big and was probably around 14st when I played hockey competively in my youth. I've got plenty of energy and stamina and so far none of the health issues associated with being overweight. Sailed through pregnancy and childbirth too. But I'm 36 and I doubt that will last forever!]

@SweetPeaGirl what a great result! Hope you're over the bug now.

Well done getting your steps in @Dashel o know you've said its harder when your DH isn't there.

Morning all

@2023caloriecounter it sounds like you've got a really positive mindset going on which is brilliant and 3lbs in 3 weeks is a very reasonable target so I'm sure you've got this. Great to hear you doing a GFWR workout too - he's one of my regular go to channels for getting some steps in. I'll check out Nutracheck - I use a website I've used for probably 20 years to keep track of my weight/calories/food etc... called Weight Loss Resources. They run challenges which I enjoy doing which helps to keep me motivated and is one of the reasons I've stuck with them for so long. Ultimately I'm just a creature of habit I think!

@SweetPeaGirl whoop whoop for a 3lb loss, that's amazing - congratulations! Hope you're all recovered from the tummy upset now. As @Dashel says there are loads of good fitness channels on YouTube so no need to leave the house to exercise until you're ready to. I do love an outdoor walk though. I often put an audiobook or podcast on and go for a walk if I can, it really lifts my spirits, particularly if I've been stuck in front of a computer or it's been a stressful day. I'm lucky to live in a small village where I can be in fields within 2 minutes of leaving my door though so that obviously helps.

@Dashel well done for hitting your step target with DH being away! I am definitely going to book some physio but I'm a bit embarrassed that I'm nearly a stone heavier than when I last saw her so may hold off for a few weeks until I can lose a bit more - unless the hip gets really bad in the meantime. I know that's really not very rational and she won't care but I'm worried she'll lecture me about the extra weight exacerbating the problem. At least I'm doing something about it now.

A not unexpected (but still slightly disappointing) STS on the scale for me this morning at 10st 12.8lb. I was within calories on Sunday and yesterday so I know I'm doing all the right things - I just need to be patient but it's really not my strongpoint!

I've done a 30 minute Olivia Lawson Cardio Aerobic workout this morning and then 15 minutes of glutes and abs - determined to strengthen my right glute muscle!

Fingers crossed for a movement in the right direction on the scale tomorrow.

Have good days all.

@WutheringShites86 thank you. I do really struggle without him.

@bigdecisionstomake thank you too. Don’t let your weight put you off going to physio if leaving it will make you worse. I understand and sympathise your lack of patience. It is really hard knowing you are weighing and measuring everything, staying within calories, exercising and not getting results on the scales. You just have to keep going and have faith. It sounds like you are doing what you can. I hope tomorrow brings you a loss.

Normally I like an early morning update but with DH away I was a little later than normal and had to get my 5k GFWR steps in and had a busy work day so started early.

Considering that DH is away I think I did pretty well yesterday. I got to 16.5k steps and 1200 calories as I missed breakfast. I had a fabulous result on the scales of 10st 3.1lb which is my new low (just by a smidge) Im itching to get into the 9 stones, it’s so close but so far away. Hopefully I will at least get to 10st 2 soon, but you never know with this!

Good morning

I woke up at 4am this morning freezing cold with DH 🥶 and couldn’t get back to sleep so it’s going to be a long day! At least I have done my GFWR workout although it was admittedly half hearted.

Yesterday was on plan considering I was on my own all day and even the cat has been grumpy. Another 16.5k steps for me and 1300 calories with another small loss this morning and finally I’m in the 2s 🥳 10st 2.8lb so definitely pleased with that. Physio went well and apparently I’m making as good progress as I can expect but if I push it too much it will make it worse. So no little jumps on my GFWR and I need to be careful with the weights. I got a big thumbs up for yoga to help with Covid recovery so I did a 30 min Yoga with Adriene last night which I enjoyed.

I hope that everyone has a really good hump day!

Morning all

Thank goodness for hump day - it feels like it's been a long week so far!

Amazing news to be in the 2s @Dashel I'm really pleased for you, you've worked hard for it. The 9s are within touching distance!

I can't wait for some warmer weather now - I love the bright sunny days we've been having but it's just so cold - I struggled to get warm yesterday at all. It's not surprising your cat was grumpy. Mine is long haired and has a very thick coat (vet thinks she is part Maine Coon although she was one of a feral litter from a nearby farm so we don't actually know her heritage). It does mean she doesn't mind the cold too much though.

I've had a better result on the scale this morning with a loss of 1lb to take me back to 10st 11.8lb - talk about bouncing around. I'm hoping there won't be another re-bound to the 10st 12s now so it does finally feel like I'm putting some distance between me and the 11 stone somethings which was what I wanted.

I've done a 10 minute GFWR workout this morning followed by Day 8 of CGs Christmas series which was shoulders, biceps and triceps and I managed to do it all, albeit with lighter weights than she used, so that's also a positive start to the day.

I've got a busy work day following a couple of project developments that happened at the end of the day yesterday but am WFH so still hoping to shoehorn a walk in if time allows.

Have good days all.

Well done on your losses @Dashel and @bigdecisionstomake, they're well earned!

I've been hit by whatever germs DD had last week so struggling a bit at the moment. It's seems I can't get a consistent run going at the moment for one reason or another, I have a few good days then something comes and throws me off track. I need to be more disciplined but it's so hard when there's no rest Time.

I am so impressed with your steps @Dashel, can’t believe how many you do! I am willing you into the 9s 😁

Hi all! I'm here, reading but not posting much as nothing to report. Feel a bit bloated so may see a gain on Friday - I have to remember my big loss last week & note I only need to lose 1/2 - 1lb a week ... and just keep swimming!

Well done everyone on your losses 😊

@bigdecisionstomake it does feel like a long week! This time next week it will be February 🥳 I have worked so hard with my hands tied behind my back at times so thank you for that. It’s been so windy and cold and foggy here 🤨 good job we have YouTube! I think a nice thick coat sounds perfect at this time of year but does she malt for Summer?

Keeping thinking of getting closer to 10 and a half and positively and hopefully some sort of psychic power will help to melt the fat away. Sounds like it will be a productive day.

@WutheringShites86 thank you ☺️I am sorry you are feeling pants. Lurgy is horrible, I used to get lots of colds when I worked in a big office and they used to make me want to curl up with chocolate so stay strong!

@2023caloriecounter thank you ☺️ I am getting more used to the early mornings now and getting so many in so early really helps. Can’t wait till it’s light when I do them.

@Gemzee bloating is just one of those things. I find it an odd concept really and am amazed at how quickly it can happen but hopefully when it’s gone you will have a good loss! Just keep swimming too! 🐠

Good morning,

Just off the scales and 10st 2.1lb 🤯

I have admittedly cut back on my calories and have been eating between 12 to 8. It’s not something I believe would be sustainable for me for long but I am going to try during mid week to speed things up to get me into the 9s. I hit 16.5k steps again yesterday I and 1350 calories.

I am getting loads of protein and taking plenty of vitamins but I definitely miss those calories

Morning all

Wow - speeding through the 2s @Dashel keep up the good work!

Yes, my cat moults terribly - all year round pretty much but worse in summer. She is a very deep brown colour and my carpets are pretty much all light or cream so it's a bit of a nightmare 🙀Don't even get me started on the knots and the grooming - which she hates!

I laid in bed this morning just before getting up listening to the Dawn Chorus and thinking that it will soon be light when I get up - roll on February 😀

My next small target is to be 10st and something in single figures so crossing my fingers for some psychic power to melt the fat away 😅Secretly hoping for a whoosh!

Sorry you're feeling so pants @WutheringShites86 I remember the days of small children and germs very well. Mind you, my twenty somethings aren't much better to be fair....Take care of yourself and keep rested (as much as you're able) until you feel better.

*waves at @2023caloriecounter 👋

@Gemzee Just keep swimming - the bloat is frustrating isn't it - there seems to be no rhyme and reason as to why I get it now. Remember it's only water and it will go away again at some point. Drink lots of fluid in the meantime as I think that is supposed to help.

I had a good day yesterday, productive at work and managed to fit a quick 30 minute walk in at lunchtime. I've had a STS at 10st 11.8lb on the scales this morning which I think is fair but the closer to the end of the week we get the more I fear I may not see a loss this week but I guess that's the price to pay for a bigger than expected loss last week.

I've done a 45 minute Grow With Jo apartment friendly (i.e. low impact) workout this morning. It was good and there was a squat section in it that I managed pretty much ok although there were no weights and I didn't go as deep or as fast as her. Hopefully that means that the groin and back are healing a bit now.

Incredibly frustratingly about 2/3rds of the way through I glanced at my fitbit to check my heart rate and calorie burn to find that at some point since I'd last checked it it had stopped recording my workout and gone back to showing the time. I re-started it but will need to check now to see how much it had missed and try to guestimate the calorie burn which I don't like doing - Grrrr!

Another busy one at work for me but am going to try to squeeze a lunchtime walk in as tea is my son's choice today and quite high calories so I'm going to have to earn a few more calories and be careful of portion size to keep within calories today.

Have good days all.