☀️LOSE IT! April 2023 Countdown to Summer☀️

[TheRealHousewife]

⭐️Open to previous members as well as new members⭐️

Summer countdown starts here! The holidays are right around the corner so it’s time to embrace a fresh new month, fresh new start, fresh new habits. Jump right in to reset & refresh to become a healthier version of yourself. These threads are for those who’d like to lose and those who wish to maintain whilst eating a healthy varied diet.

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 eat twice a day. Im a long time healthy eater and overall I’ve lost over 3 stone. After having been on the wrong side of 12st Im now hovering around 9st. I had a blip a couple of years ago when my thyroid went wonky but now back on track.

Are you in😊 What food plan will you be following? What do you want to change and why?

Feel free to share your own links, tips & recipes!

It really, really is @AutisticLegoLover
Went to a brilliant "immersive" art exhibition on the Impressionists in Melbourne yesterday as a birthday treat. They had a pop up French café and I had a vegetarian Croque Monsieur "thingy" and a Grand Marnier chocolate soufflé. Wish I could say it was worth the calories but it actually wasn't that great:/
The show was amazing though. Apparently there's a similar one on Van Gogh in York. If any UK MNetters are oop North I would imagine it's worth going.
More treats planned today but back on the wagon Monday for a month of discipline before heading overseas for 8 weeks!
Oh and keep going @ImALittlePea you can do it

I HATE when things are so not worth the calories! When they ate you don't mind, savour it and move on, when they're not in just annoys you all day!

I lived in Melbourne for 9 months in 1998/9 , l have such fond memories and a photo of a Melborne tram still framed on my wall! I lived in St Kilda worked in a pub in Parahan (can't rem the spelling) and had rather a bohemian existence. Ah, those were the days (I was also a size 8 and lithe and far more beautiful that I ever imagined! Why do we never realise?! 🫣).

PS I went to the immersive Van Gogh exhibition in Edinburgh last summer- loved it!

@Puffalicious

Prahran is dead posh and expensive these days. St Kilda's still cool. I love it. Next year will be my last in Australia though, fingers crossed.

And oh yes to looking back at photos and cursing yourself for not seeing how beautiful you were!! I was so self critical. . I bet many of us have a similar tale. Now I have all the confidence - and all the wrinkles😆

Good Morning

@Weatherwax13 Happy Birthday! Sounds absolutely fantastic! Any photos you can share?

@Puffalicious Im sure you’re still beautiful! I get what you mean though. Back in the day photos weren’t photo shopped and most people didn’t have injectables. Photos captured the natural beauty blooming through.

Menu
Meal 1 - Salmon salad. Soup.
Meal 2 - Chicken tray bake. Sugar free jelly, spoon of fresh cream.
Tea, black coffee & water.

Exercise
Session 1 - Yoga
Session 2 - Arms

I had a sneak peek on the scales and I’m another smidgen down 👍

DH was the official photographer at the show so unfortunately I don't have the pics yet. But this is what I came home to @TheRealHousewife

Sounds lovely @Weatherwax13.

Well, the scales tell me I'm
56.1kg this morning so that's 8st 11lb. That's 1.6kg lost since Monday! That's 3.5lbs! I'm amazed especially as AF is due but I am reassured that something like Easter indulgence for a week isn't going to result in permanent damage. I'm a bit baffled to be honest but I triple checked the scales to make sure.

It's nice to be sitting here with no tight schedule to stick to today apart from swimming this afternoon. The first week back at school is always hard going and Thursday I was really flagging.

I hope everyone has a lovely weekend. Drink lots of 🍾 and keep going, you're doing great.

Oh my @Weatherwax13 you are so loved ❤️. Beautiful!

Good morning! Great to see everyone doing well. Not really lost anything but I have a house full of healthy food, choosing salads and working out.

Wow - well done @AutisticLegoLover that is AMAZING!
If my weight started with an 8 I would be soooo pleased - it must be all the walking you did last week so you should be very proud of your achievement and you have really inspired me to stick my shoes on and get out there for an hour in the sunshine.
@ImALittlePea I do get it - takes ages to come off and flies back on in a heartbeat but I have found quick on = quick off so fingers crossed. I find a fast day really resets me after over indulgence.
Keep going everyone - onwards and inwards chaps, onwards and inwards.

Morning all, hope you are having a lovely weekend. Ds woke me before 8 as usual this morning as he dies every bloody weekend 😩 Of course Monday to Friday I get a very grumpy child that I have to wake up for school. Most days anyway.

I have a NSV to report. I took time to dry my hair properly yesterday and checked the result in the main bathroom mirror where there's a mirror cabinet so you can see your side profile. Well, my double chin has all but disappeared!! There was a distinct pad of fat under my chin previously. I rarely look at myself side on so hadn't checked it as part of my shrinking. There is a slight bulging of chin but nothing to write home about. I've attached a photo of similar that I found. It's a man but the difference is the same.I remember being quite upset by my double chin a few months back so I'm glad it's almost gone.

Porridge is prepping. Dinner will be soup. Lunch maybe those fig, plum and cranberry biscuits with babybel lights and an apple.

Hope you all have a great day. Don't forget your water. I left mine until late afternoon and evening and that was not wise 🍾

Woken up cranky as I gave in to chocolate temptations yesterday evening (which led me to finish them, as per usual, once I start). I know what's done is done, clean start today etc. But just proof that I still cannot self regulate, and the binge-default is still there. The sugar has given me a massive headache hangover too, and night sweats too last night were rife.

So angry with myself. If I delve deep, I think I know why I sought solace in sugar / chocolate (big work client presentation tomorrow, but even bigger frustrations as DS18 has A levels starting in a few weeks and there is very little sign of revision).

Sorry for off load everyone. I've been working so hard over last few months to minimise external stresses, to enable me to keep my emotions on even keel which in turn allowed me to keep my diet good and sugar free. Now two big externals hitting at once, and it's put me out of sorts. Feel frustrated, teary, angry, overwhelmed.

My plan for today:
go for a run - try and burn off some of the stress
shower, hair wash, make myself feel better
crack on with work and try and get organised with that
cook roast dinner
don't get into a row with my DS

B - tea / water
L - lots more water - maybe some soup (think I have portion veg soup in freezer)
D - roast chicken, lots of veg - carrots, broccoli, roast cauli.

It's very much going to be one of those days. I will try and wear a smile (even if I'm not feeling it). Positive mindset yes ?

@buzzofthebumblebee I ate my Easter egg this weekend in 3 sittings. Don't beat yourself up, it's just chocolate, not a failure

It was beginning to get posh back in the day, right enough. The pub I worked in was a right laugh, though. You're bringing back all the memories! The kids I taught (high school) will be bloody 40 by now 🫣!

I too have all the wrinkles, looking at old photos my skin was stunning and I was sooooo lovely and thin and toned . But...with age comes wisdom and I give less than 2 hoots about anything these days 😂.

Yes, OP, I think we all were too critical back in our day.

buzz I'm feeling you with work stress and a teenager with exams (Highers) in a few weeks doing limited revision! His brother was SO different, just did his thing, but this one us a whole different kettle of fish: trying to make him see he needs to focus, gentle encouragement, and maintaining a good relationship with him is a very, fine line!🙈 And ALLover is totally right, it's just chocolate. I hadn't really touched Easter choc but this week I've nibbled too much. Hope you clear your head.

Off to see DNephew in his new flat on his birthday! I'll say no to cake/ the millions of nice treats my sisters will have arrived with.

Urgh.
WHY can’t I do it?!

In a month I’ve lost 1/2 kilo. I know it’s better than a gain! But meh. I’m 108kg so it’s not like I don’t have the weight to lose!!!
But I also know my diet is to blame. so it’s not really a mystery. I just don’t have the motivation or want to do anything. Apart from get annoyed about it 😆🤦🏽‍♀️

anyway. Happy Monday folk

Good Morning

Last week for April so let’s make it count. Looking forward to wearing lighter clothes etc but the weather is utterly rubbish here and I’m eagerly awaiting some sun. I’m hoping one day this week the weather switch will flip and it’ll be warm and sunny ☀️

Menu
Meal 1 - Cheese & onion omelette. Salmon, egg & cottage cheese.
Meal 2 - Chicken, green beans, broccoli, carrots and gravy. Greek yogurt & strawberries.
Tea, black coffee and water.

Hi, I'd love to join! One more week of April and hopefully I could lose a pound!

I've had a great day of food today. I'm in Australia so it's evening for me.

My first goal is to shift 5lb.

SW 11st 5.

Morning, I really love seeing people's meal plans and and thinking of trying two meals a day. I find once I've started eating I just crave more. If I don't eat until later in the day I don't feel the hunger.

I'm sorry a few of you have exam stress in the house. It makes keeping on track so much harder.

Can I ask what exercise you all do? I walk a couple of miles a day on the school run and to work. I used to run three times a week and hope to get back into it. But I could do with something that helps with toning. I used to have really strong abs. But since pregnancy now have diastasis recti and am a bit scared of online work outs videos in case I make it worse. The doming of my stomach means that quite often despite a BMI of just over 25 I still look pregnant with the slightest bit of bloating. I'd love to get a better tummy shape.....and sort out the arms!

Morning all. That weekend was hard. I know many, many parents have to fly solo 24/7 but I'm just so used to DH being here. The kids have been great, but youngest isn't sleeping well so the tiredness is creeping up quickly. And it's just so different when you can't share any of the load. Now eldest is poorly, off school, he has underlying medical conditions and things can escalate quickly. Trying not to catastrophise and get ahead of myself but I know where it can end up, so the worry is building.

Diet wise the weekend was up and down, all within my normal 'rules' but off the back of two consecutive gains I definitely shouldn't have had the takeaway last night. But I did, and have drawn the line very firmly now to move on. I've got all the intentions to have a very strict week this week, I'm really getting the water down, no wine in the house and not going to buy any. Feel flat as a pancake, had a cry this morning, but feel like I need to use these negative feelings to get back on track and hopefully in doing so I'll then feel more positive. Not sure if that makes sense?!

Plan today
Lunch - cup-a-soup etc
Dinner - not actually sure, I was going to go shopping today but can't get to the supermarket now, so will be a freezer rummage. Will make it as healthy as I can though.

I'll be ending April higher than I started it, but I'm more focused on the big party now. Just under four weeks to go, 3lb to get off if I can.

Sorry you are feeling down @buzzofthebumblebee and @ImALittlePea
i am still up and down and it can be hard to stay positive all the time. If you can try and keep your food on track it will help with your mindset but I know it is easier said than done!
Food today:
B: mango smoothie
L: smoked salmon omelette
D: pesto lentils with veg
i don’t think I have been drinking enough water so will try and drink more today
i did have some wine on Friday night but didn’t overeat at least
lets have a good last week of April 🍾

Welcome to the thread @DownUdderer … have you passed through before as your tag rings a bell. Not that it matters in the slightest 😊

@Hoolahoophop I use an app or YouTube for exercise at the moment. I have a disability but also got extra issues ongoing with my back so unable to join any formal classes as I wouldn’t stand the distance 😬

@ImALittlePea Sending a big hug and a mug of hot tea ❤️ I hate it when one of my cubs is under the weather!

Sorry @buzzofthebumblebee i missed your earlier post. Sending positive vibes and hope you soon feel better. Don’t sweat the chocolate, we’ve all been there. Do you want me to send my chocolate monster spider over. It worked for me 😬

I’ve got some virus thing going on. Earache, sneezing and feel shattered.

I definitely need to drink more water. Last week was a good week though and I lost 3lbs! It feels good and I'm celebrating even though I've got so far to go.

SW: 14st 11lbs
CW: 14st 5lbs
GW: 12st

I'm now focusing on getting rid of these last few lbs to get into the 13st bracket. I know the weather will be warming up and I can't bear the thought of spending another summer feeling uncomfortable in my own skin, so I'm going to try and lose as much as I can by the time the children break up for summer holidays. I know I won't be exactly where I want to be but if I'm lighter than last summer that will be an improvement.

Today's menu:

B - coffee
L - greek yoghurt, blueberries, raspberries, drizzle of honey
D - tomato pasta with spinach and broccoli

Thank you @Ninjachicken @TheRealHousewife yes I think staying focused on my food and drink will help my overall mood. I'm going to try logging on MFP again, at least for the time being, to keep me accountable.

So far today, 301 calories from a few cuppas (cheers 🫖 @TheRealHousewife ) and lunch. My MFP limit is set to 1200, so that leaves 900 for dinner. Think I may have sausage, chips and beans - all in stock, kids will eat the same so I can eat with them, get the kitchen clean and closed early and head to bed at the same time as them! Not worked out the count on that though, will do that before I cook it.

Hugs to you @buzzofthebumblebee

Right, I'm off for another glass of water. At least the fifth of the day 🍾🤩

So far I have consumed

2 x slightly white coffees (no water 🙄 off to fill up my bottle!)
scampi fries
freddo
pitta with chorizo, salami, lettuce, cheese and garlic mayo
french fries
biltong

I trained Saturday and Sunday so think maybe I’m a bit more hungry than a normal Monday? And cold. Being cold makes me eat more 🤦🏽‍♀️

Imalittlepea I'm sorry to hear you had a cry, it's rubbish when you're low. I have a DC with medical issues and ASN, so I know how stressful it can be (and that revising teen DC that's going to drive me mental!). I'm peri-bloody- menopausal too, so DP knows all about my crying 🙈. But you're right, it can sometimes make us refocus. You're doing brilliantly to cope with it all.

Xmasfairy I get you. I really do. I'm on here regularly moaning about being a 🐢 and how bloody hard every 1lb is. It's easier for some, but you and I are in the tough camp. We need to pull our big girls' pants on and start afresh every day.

Had a decent day so far, but Mondays are hard to avoid the staff room treats! I've resisted so far.