Louise Parker fans - fancy another spin?

[BatFaceOwl]

I've set up a new thread because I'd just lost track of the last one and well .. we all love a fresh start dont we?

For accountability purposes, I've put back on all the weight I lost last year. Every single lb

Currently a chubby size 14 and well, I'm not happy about it

I don't know why I lost focus but I do know I really really want to get back on the horse and I'd love to see my old pals on here

Anyone welcome of course / let's do this!

@ElvenDreamer agree re nuts. I really like the chipotle and rosemary nuts in lfl and it is remarkable easy to eat half of them before I even put them away.

Alicay- I think sticking to "on plan" meals until you are in the groove helps - it's easier than trying to freestyle I think. Then build up from principles. But you need to have something that works for you long term.

I'm going to bed.
Today I ate:
Summer fruit Bircher,
Egg muffins and an apple,
Mackerel and beetroot salad,
Nuts and straw berries,
Monday night chicken stew,
A Brazil nut and some aubergine pate on a bit of homemade tortilla
Stuff for tomorrow made up and I'll get my bag packed up.

Did some barre this morning. Got my steps. Etc.

So far today (in the US, so haven't had dinner but will include)

*Steel cut oats/coarse oatmeal with half an apple and cinnamon (eat this every day)
*Avocado toast on multigrain bread with feta and pomegranate seeds. Had 3 mini meatballs (for protein) and one clementine orange.
*One mozzarella stick and a handful of grapes.

• Shredded chicken, cherry tomatoes, lettuce, and red bell pepper "nachos" with a chickpea queso (I'm trying, we'll see if it works) and one wholemeal tortilla cut into "chips." The rest of the family can turn theirs into tostadas.

Evening all.

Yesterday was ok-ish, lots of walking, porridge in the morning (blueberry but your apple and cinnamon reminded me how much I like that combo too @MisshapenHat) , chill peanut beef and veg, prawn salad. It then all fell apart a bit in the snacks, approximately 4 peoples work of nuts and raisins, and 2 nakd bars. Whoops!

Today:
Egg and avocado on wholegrain toast.

Chilli prawn salad with an avocado and ricotta dressing.

Carrot and cucumber sticks and bean dip. (I appear to have made enough bean dip for about 3 years apparently)

Cheese and crackers

Spicy chipotle chicken with sweet potato wedges and green veg

Lots of walking, plenty of water. Is that barre pilates you were doing @Megasaur5keeper ? My pilates instructor said she may do a barre class with the group I'm in soon if we want to try it. How do you find it?

Now just need to not fall foul of my evening munchies. Did bulk of housework so am going to head to bed with a good book nice and early if I can!

Did you avoid munchies? Sounds like you are getting back on it @ElvenDreamer .
It's a Les mills+ barre class I do- I like it. Makes me able to pretend I'm a ballerina first thing on the morn, and there's some resistance work with weights.
Was at theatre last night and had ice-cream in the interval which was delicious.
Worth it.

@Megasaur5keeper there's a lot to be said for feeling like a ballerina, I used to wear my old ballet shoes round the house until they eventually wore out, it used to make me feel more graceful 😁

I did manage to avoid the evening munchies yesterday, hurrah, now trying for 2 evenings in a row....

Today's food (husband in charge of cooking as it's the weekend):

Oatmeal pancakes with berries

Banana

Pasta with a homeade veg sauce (this was annoying obviously, didn't know he was going to make it or I'd have got some courgetti at the ready and told him to make less! compromised with a very very small portion.)

Cheese and oatcakes (I freely admit to being a cheesoholic)

Chicken curry with a side of saag paneer (all homeade), no rice on mine.

Had a good long stamp round the lanes this evening, feeling more positive than I have for some while, hoping I can keep the momentum going now. Resolutely ignoring scales, will not weigh until the end of week 2.

Ballet IS fun! I've taken some classes around here but there were never enough people in it. I did really enjoy tap and jazz classes as an adult, pre-pandemic. Jazz classes really will get you in shape!

My husband is following along with LPM with me and is no where as strict (he ate pizza! PIZZA!) and is already down 10 pounds. I'm actually just 1 pound away (as we start week 6) from the weight I told myself I'd be happy to get back to if I ever could.

I'm excited for that number, but it's not where I want to stop. I remember Louise saying don't just settle/stop until you're really happy and while I am...it's not it. I'm sure I'll know it when I should stop. May is going to be a hell of a month for me, food and life-wise.

I remember reading that on week 6 LP says to do two "celebration" snacks/treats or whatever. I have been thinking about what I want them to be for awhile now. Finally went and bought a 6 inch/15 cm cake pan instead of the normal 9 inch/22cm I normally do.

I absolutely ADORE baking and I know there's not a bakery that can hold a candle to what I can do, flavor-wise (I'm horrible at decorating). As Prue Leith on the Bakeoff says, it has to be worth the calories. So the compromise is having a one layer, 6 inch cake sliced into four pieces.

I'm way too excited about getting to bake again.

Anyway, I have been taking weekly photos/measurements/weights since I started. If I feel brave enough (aack) I shall try and post next week.

I hope everyone here is doing well. You're all doing great- keep up the hard work.

I haven't tap danced in years, I really miss it, sadly no time to fit a class in. Enjoy your baking and chosen treat @MisshapenHat !

Yesterday was ok food typewise, but not portion wise, I definitely messed up there. Had a run in the morning which wasn't great (I'd had a shocking nights sleep) but I forced myself round 4k anyway.

Today's food:
Egg and avocado on toast
Peanut butter oat cakes
Remains of a cauliflower dish from last week
Veggie sticks and bean dip
Ras el hanout slow roasted mushrooms with halloumi.

Not a lot of exercise today, hoping to try and push myself to do something this evening but I'm currently feeling shattered, so we'll see!

Hello ladies. Well, I had such good intentions... and then we went to France for a week. I had never been, so I imagined all this lovely fresh food and carrots rapees at every meal. Do you see where this is going?? By the end of the week, the local boulangerie knew me by name. I refuse to step on a scale, because I know it will be bad, but looking in the mirror feels like looking at my head on another person's body.

I really want to get this right, and I know I feel better when I eat better. I just don't know why it won't stick in my head! I don't like mushrooms, so I don't eat them - why can't my brain categorise "off-plan" foods the same way? I don't want to eat a tartine covered in bacon, potatoes, cheese, and béchamel, because I feel so awful afterwards, so why do I order it?

@MisshapenHat did you get your bake? Was it good?
@christine1521 it's hard isn't it. That tartine sounds good but if it's not sitting on you well after it's probs not worth it. It is a bit of a process really. I've eaten too many digestive biscuits with cheese today after a weekend of a burger and fries and another meal out. I think it's ok but will need to see what scales say. It's balanced out over the week though I think. Might be kidding myself.

Today was fit fry up,
No morning snack,
Leek and potato soup with bread,
Applw and almond butter,
4 hovis digestives with cheese (also cheeseaholic)
Tiny bowl of cocopops,
And a tofu stir-fry.

Not sure what was going on with the cocopops.

@christine1521 I hate those days where you find yourself reaching for something you know you don't actually want, and yet being weirdly powerless to stop it. Just try not to dwell, and jump back in the circle if you can.
@Megasaur5keeper your cocoa pops made me laugh, I will frequently eat something utterly random, so I get where that came from!

Today for me:
Bircher with berries
Veggy sticks and bean dip (have finally finished the bloody bean dip, note to self, halve the recipe next time 😂)
Sardine salad
Cheese on oat cakes
Mackerel with rhubarb (sounds bizarre but tastes fab, Roasting Tin recipe)
2 handfuls of raisins (there's my random moment)
Some more cheese and biscuits (let today's meeting of the cheesoholics begin)

So, not great, definitely too much, BUT I am not letting anything turn into a full on give it all up binge fest currently so I see that as an improvement. Definitely haven't lost any weight in last week but am feeling healthier and happier so that is a big start.

4.5k run this evening.

Today has been a disaster of epic food proportions, I'm not even going to impart what happened, I let my guard down, it was a mistake. Drawing a line under it.

Yesterday was almost a success! and today we’re on track (ish)

Bircher (batch made so saves me today too)
Random snack of 2x dark chocolate rice cakes and a babybel
Amazing tofu curry at a great pub with loads of veg
no PM snack
venison steak with tenderstem broccoli

back on track!! I have also been really trying to lemonize every morning and it surprisingly does help in some way.

good luck today ladies!

@christine1521 Curious about the lemonizing. I just can't bring myself to do it.

I had my treat cake this week. It was good but honestly, after 6 weeks of no sweets, it felt like SO MUCH. Don't worry, I finished my piece though :)

I definitely had trouble with my mindset around the treat-- having to get my brain around "this isn't bad." Usually my brain says "you deserve this you had a bad day." Am learning to think, "Is this worth it, calorie-wise?"

I have realized I do not miss the old way of eating. SO that's a positive.

@christine1521 ah yes, lemonise. Remember it well from my pre baby round. I think it does help and my suspicion is that it is a sort of head help in that you get up, drink your LP drink and it helps setting the intention for the day.
I also like lemon juice so I always quite liked it as a drink.
That sounds like a delicious day of food.

I had :
Wholemeal bagel with scrambled egg, spinach and asparagus,
Apple and cheese,
Leek and potato soup,
Ruby red tartine,
No dinner yet as I'm just home.
Not even sure I'm hungry.
Also a tiny chocolate brownie bite and some cashews.

Rollerskating tonight.

Drags self in. Again

How is everyone? I've been very much MIA but honestly, I'm trying very hard to get myself back into that circle

⭕️ ff for a read to catch up

Never heard of lemonizing before but it sounds suspiciously like the apple cider vinegar and cinnamon tea that I've just made! The only thing that makes me wary of this stuff is how harsh it can be on your oesophageal tube and stomach so worth considering. Oh and enamel! However, well diluted I'm sure is fine? <sips revolting tea>

I'm starting the day with Greek yogurt, blue spirulina powder, mandarins, seeds and mixed nuts so go me. One meal in the circle!

Does anyone know how many times one person can restart a diet plan? Before it becomes embarrassing?

I'm not sure, but here if you want to do it. I am wiping the last week or so from my mind, it's been appalling. Seriously need motivation, or a massive kick up the backside or something.

Good Morning, I’d like to restart (again). Not sure if it can get embarrassing but I think corporate speak would term it ‘resilience’ or something, so I’ll take that!
I think the Lemonize was dropped in the later book because of the tooth enamel but I (weirdly) noticed a photo and LP had lots of paper straws and I thought ‘that’s got to be for that that lemon drink’ (not sure why I am sharing this rubbish bit of info but I have). I find the drink too harsh but I know it’s meant to be really good for the skin.
I’ve decided for my reboot, I’m trying to sort the exercise and sleep pillar as a priority. Maybe it’s a bad idea but I thought I’ll just be really simple with the meals and focus on exercise and sleep-trying to look at the other pillars rather than food.
The reason for this is, I don’t enjoy cooking and balancing meals with the family cooking I find a drudge, so I thought I’d change my thinking. When I focus on food it seems to send me in a bit of a spin and I give up.
That being said I am doing a food plan today. I shall report back on how that goes.
Fingers crossed as I shuffle towards the circle once more!

@RobertaGlass I'm starting to realise that actually the other pillars are key. I'm not a fan of food planning or cooking either so I need to keep that as straight forward as possible. However, I like the food and feel good when I'm on it, what makes me stray tend to be other factors. Eg stress, grumpiness, worry, etc all will make me reach for rubbish, not because I actually miss eating those things. So, I'm figuring if I focus on the health and wellbeing side of life, then maybe I will step out of the circle less just by default and the magic will start happening and habits form. Maybe anyway!

@ElvenDreamer that’s exactly my thinking. I have done a meal plan but I have mixed LPM with a couple of meals from the books below.
Followed the ‘Sleep Pillar’ with the digital curfew, it’s made a big difference! I’ve had the energy to do more walking and yoga. Louise knows her stuff!

I’m really trying but change is tough.

Ooh hello @RobertaGlass and @ElvenDreamer

I think that - on reflection - I've been over complicating things. I did the whole Zoe thing and that just threw me as I found it very difficult to combine the two and on balance, Zoe not right for me at all.

So I started thinking about what made it so easy last year. I lost over 2 stone in about 5 months and didn't ever count calories

But what I did do was follow the plan - sort of - to the letter. I just ate the three meals a day and the two snacks and swam every day. And that was it.

I do believe that the pillars are important though. Sleep especially

I've managed to start successfully today though by opening up Lean for Life and actually picking out some meals!

Pancakes (made mine with chickpea flour and no egg) with dollop of Greek yogurt, berries and grapes

Louise's Lovely Lentils (only ate half as added too much chilli oil and just NO)

1 slice sourdough with mushrooms in a creamy sauce

1 mandarin

How you both doing today?

@RobertaGlass I can become hyper-focused on things, so I understand! For me, usually my weight is the hyper-focus (if I weigh daily), but oddly enough...this time around, it isn't. Maybe it's because LPM is working for me and I don't feel deprived like I normally do when I lose weight.

I know, from personal experience, that I HAVE to get 8 hours of sleep. Like...it is a must for me. As for exercise, I do 3 days of weight lifting a week, plus cardio on other days (Rosemary Conley on YouTube) and we have to walk the dog every night, no matter what. Exercise became a steady part of my life about 7 years ago. I used to tell myself, "I don't wannnnnna go."

Then I realized I never wanted to go, so I better just suck it up. Now I don't mind, but even on the days when I don't feel like it, I know it's only 30 minutes. But the trick is to find something you LIKE to do. If you don't enjoy it, you won't stick with it. Good luck! You can do this!

I just want to encourage everyone here who is starting or restarting. I am finishing up my 7th week. I actually hit my "goal" weight in week 6...it was seven pounds, but I realized I could do better. Now I'm down 8 pounds.

Just remember to always look for the protein and then add a good carb.

It's been a stressful few days around the house and there were multiple times I wanted to stress eat (and drink). Somehow found the willpower, I guess because I realized that the stress eating was actually hurting me and how upset I'd be later on.

I've been keeping a weekly log of my measurements. Down 2 inches/5cm on the waist and a couple inches off my navel. It's nice to fit into clothes again.

@MisshapenHat that is fab, and well done on finding the will power through the tricky days, have you found that a little easier as time went on? About a year and a half ago I did LP for the 1st time, 6 weeks, no issues and lost well, I probably needed one more round then into maintain, but for some reason I hadn't thought beyond the 6 weeks and then it all went wrong, been trying to find the will power to restart properly ever since!

Ooh those look like nice books @RobertaGlass , and good for you sticking with the digital detox, I really want to do more of that, also staying of the doom scrolling wagon as it only makes me grumpy.

@BatFaceOwl that looks like a great day back in the circle. Yesterday was ok for me, DH cooking day so always more tricky, but:
Bacon, eggs and beans
Handful unsalted peanuts
Weird salad of leftovers (so sweet potato wedges with onions, and green leaves)
Half a banana on oatcakes
Bolognese (no spaghetti), a slice of garlic bread.

4k run started the day. Was on about 1300 steps by the end. Did some good practice for a concert coming up, picked a job in the garden and a job in the house that needed doing and got them off my very overwhelming to do list