⭐️ LOSE IT! August 2023 ⭐️

[TheRealHousewife]

⭐️LOSE IT! August 2023⭐️

Healthy eating in the summer can be tricky to navigate. Summer barbecues, holidays, get togethers with family & friends makes it tougher to stay on track. No one wants to miss out on all the goodies on offer or be seen not joining in. However with forward planning and by setting your intentions you can mitigate any serious undoing of your endeavours. For example having a lighter lunch if you know you’re going for a slap up meal. Eat lighter the following day and keep hydrated to compensate.

Another new month to embrace and re-set to become a healthier version of yourself. These threads are for those who’d like to lose weight as well as those who wish to maintain; to encourage a healthy & varied diet and exercise.

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 9.5st. I had a blip a couple of years ago when my thyroid went wonky but now back (mainly) on track. I Would love to wave bye to another half a stone 😬 The main thing is to never give up! Keep going!

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

Hello everyone.

I've done a lovely walk today, about 11km. I think next week I'll try for 12km. I really enjoyed it because it was sunny and warm. I got the train into Sydney and walked along by the opera house and around to Barangaroo. So picturesque.

I tried a half of one cupcake this week. It tasted great, so I was happy to send them into school to be sold.

My food has not been that great this week. Fail to plan, plan to fail!

Hi all, can I please join? Since the start of lockdown I’ve been gradually gaining weight which has really had a negative impact on my appearance and my overall health. It’s really hit home with me this summer, with me looking nowhere near as good as any of my friends in their summer clothes, and it’s made me feel (through no fault of theirs) really self-conscious in their presence. I have given this a lot of thought and have come to a conclusion that I’d ideally like to lose roughly two stone, but as I am notoriously poor at self-discipline, I feel like I’ll struggle on my own. I want to lose weight through a combination of healthy eating and increasing exercise.

I’d like to aim to eat roughly 3-4 pieces of fruit a day (atm my diet is shocking and I eat 5 a week, not 5 a day 🫣). I also want to stop snacking to such a ridiculous extent and drink more water.

When I come back from my holiday, I’m planning on starting C25K, which I have attempted and failed to do multiple times in the past. It’s definitely going to be a battle!

Any other tips would definitely be appreciated and thank you all in advance xx

Good Morning

Welcome to the thread @ratatouilleandrice Planning will help. You need to decide your ‘how’. For example I do an hybrid of Intermittent Fasting and Calorie Counting based on a Mediterranean Diet (not saying you should do this). Just a few pointers; People who are just starting out on their weight loss journey could:-

1. Identify calorie needs. TDEE Calculator
2. Plan meals and use an app like MyFitnessPal to log intake.
3. Include protein, fibre and healthy fats in meals.
4. Use a tape measure and/or scales to measure progress.
5. Increase activity and exercise if possible.
6. Prioritise sleep.
7. If snacks required have nuts, fruits, Greek yoghurt etc.
8. Have realistic expectations and understand everyone loses at different rates.

Argh, forgot to weigh yesterday so just hopped on. Another 1lb on 😬 so I'm now at my ceiling weight. DAMMIT!

Thought I'd been more on it but I suppose it's just the summer holiday effect. I didn't drink every night this week (but I did some nights), and we've done lots of steps, but we've also had chippy tea, ice creams out, more bread than I normally would etc. So it stacks up.

Next week - even more focus needed. Dance class has been on a break but is back this week. Might hop onto MFP to rein myself in.

Plan today:
Lunch - cup-a-soup special, if I'm home.
Dinner - in-laws over this evening, I'm making a sausage pasta bake which I'll add lots of veggies to, along with a mixed salad and some garlic bread.

Happy weekend all ❤️

@ImALittlePea the summer holidays are a lot harder, when my children are at school, as you say, chips, ice creams and a lot more bread are featuring here too.

Yesterday, case in point, ended up buying a large baguette to share at lunch, and I ate the left over bits mid afternoon just because.

Todays plan:
B: Ghee fried eggs, 1 slice malted bread, miso mushrooms
L: Poke bowl (rice free)
D: homemade blue masa taco's, refried beans, quorn steak, peppers etc

That’s a great distance @DownUdderer and respect for having 1/2 rather than a full cupcake 🧁 👍

You’re welcome @MissHavershamReturns 🙂

Hi @greenspaces4peace Good to read your keeping the rudder steady 😬

@Ninjachicken Well done on your downward trajectory, especially under your sensitive yet tough circumstances ❤️

@esormirP Sounds like you’re finding your groove 👏

Menu
Meal 1 - Minestrone soup. 2 boiled eggs.
Meal 2 - Spicy chicken, spicy rice and side salad. Sugar free jelly, fresh cream.
Tea, black coffee and water.

Cross posted.

@ImALittlePea 1lb on … Running round the garden for you then this morning 🏃‍♀️ 😬 Joking 🙃

@WeirdPookah Your menu looks tasty 😋

Morning all!
My stomach is objecting strongly to my homemade cake so it's lucky it's all gone. I assume it's that as I've not had anything else different. The cramps and bloating have been awful so no more cake.
I've had porridge with chia snd syrup for breakfast and have yogurt and compote for lunch. We are having a roast dinner tonight but I won't have Yorkshire puddings or mash. Just quorn roast, roast potatoes, honey carrots and parsnips, stuffing and peas. We are going to pick blackberries today ready for some apple and blackberry crumble.
I really need to get back to IF. I'll start with nothing after 8 and work back to 6.
Raining here today but after tomorrow it looks like a nice week for walks.

Weighed 91kgs last Sunday, now weighing 89.5kgs this Sunday . Tiny amount but it's a start😬 too many family celebrations stuff recently. Will keep going. Thanks for the encouragement 🙌

@Vettrianofan that's great! Keep going, you can do it!

I've walked 12km today. I'm pleased with that. I'm still building my stamina.

My food has been good today.

I think I'm going to have soup for dinner tonight.

Posting my update and then will catch up on the thread.
I’m 2lbs up, which is frustrating. I haven’t been perfect with what I’m eating but I’ve done lots of exercise (for the first time in years I hit my apple fitness targets 2 weeks in a row). I know there is sometimes a lag with these things and I also know roughly where improvements can be made.
I guess it comes back to a willpower thing and how healthy eating can be seen as deprivation. Not eating chocolate is depriving myself rather then saving myself 😂 I don’t know how to change my mindset.

Morning all. I've just logged breakfast and lunch into mfp for the first time in ages to try and stick to better eating. I'm ça known porridge for breakfast and Greek yogurt and compote for lunch. I've no idea what dinner will be today.
It's a miserable day and it's a housework and play day today for us.
Hope everyone has a great day. Don't forget your 🍾 Must take my own advice on that one!

Just caught up, yes school holidays are definitely not helping. My ice cream consumption has gone through the roof. Someone also mentioned alcohol. Guilty here too. Drank 3 days in a row last week, which was too much.
I know where the changes need to be made. It’s just so hard to say no. Especially when everyone else seems to be joining in. It can be a bit miserable.
Sigh.

Happy Monday all, just checking in hoping to start the week off right!
I didn't have the best weekend eating wise, quite a bit of cheese and wine but I was at least active so hopefully its balanced out.
Todays plan is
Lunch - Leftover falafel and salad
Dinner- Indian (we are going for a friends birthday, plan to pick one dish without sauce and enjoy with a naan to keep the calories down somewhat)

Good morning all - I'm new here. Chronically overweight (like about 50kg), and been half-heartedly 'trying' in various ways for some time to lose weight and have the more active lifestyle that I used to have and crave to fit in with my sporty family (being less active is making my homelife miserable as well as all the issues of just being this big). I'm going on a big special holiday with a friend in 14 weeks so I'm wanting to do a push for this (not actually tried this approach before) and hoping that my generally upbeat mood at the moment will finally help me make progress in the right direction.

So... require min 8k steps per day but average 12k over the week (this brings me back to 2019 levels - have realised from my fitbit that I really did drop steps down with covid and not got them back up), I've been doing weights through a club at the gym once a week but not managing to go the 3 times that would be ideal, so I'm going to bring this up.. also went swimming on Friday for first time in about 2 years (was a competitive swimmer back in the day) so want to get that back to once a week (for now)... and I'd like to put a yoga session in there too as it does my mental health the world of good...

I'm putting the activity stuff first because it makes me adhere better to better eating if I do more. Beyond that, I know I need to not eat junk stuff (my comfort go to), need to get 100g protein a day (a big challenge!) and minimal liquid calories. Tracking does not go well for me, so am trying for the next week on unlimited veg/salad/fruit, no butter (oil on salads/cooking etc is enough for fats for me), gluten free is a new add for me - dh is gluten free by choice as he feels better - but from what I've been reading for someone with autoimmune underactive thyroid like me, this can be beneficial so going with it now.

Anyway, sorry to go on so long, nice to meet you all and pleased to be joining you...

Good Morning

We are now at the half way mark for August. I’m maintaining but I’d rather be losing if I’m honest. I can’t cut any more calories back. Lack of exercise is my main problem and in recent weeks I’ve been unable to do the bit I do do. It is what it is. Positive spin - Maintaining is better than gaining.

@JustACountryMusicGirlInCowboyBoots Apple & blackberry crumble sounds delicious 😋

@Vettrianofan A loss is a loss 👍 Well done!

@DownUdderer Another great distance you’ve clocked up !

@MamaGhina Don't panic. Increase in exercise can affect weight due to the muscles repairing and storing glycogen. It’ll soon settle as you increase your fitness and muscle tone. Well done on getting the exercise in!

@Allthegoodnamestakken Heres to a positive week for you! Getting in the right head space and planning to eat on track and you’re half way there.

Welcome to the thread @theinnergame Increasing activity if able is always a positive step as it brings many health benefits. You’ve also identified that you need to address your way of eating which is what’s needed for weight loss. It isn’t easy if this is all new to you. I also have a medicated under-active thyroid, celiac disease and other autoimmune conditions (usually they do co-exist). It does make it tougher to lose and keep the weight off but it’s not impossible if I remain diligent and maintain focus. If I was you, I’d try to set small goals so that meeting them aids motivation.

Menu
Meal 1 - Mediterranean Omelette. Greek yoghurt and chopped pecans.
Meal 2 - Mozzarella Chicken tray bake. Conference pear.
Tea, black coffee and water.

Exercise
Session 1 - Hand Weights
Session 2 - Stretches

My activity levels are rubbish in the holidays and ds has broken his wrist so we aren't doing as much as planned especially with the crap weather. I might go on my gym ball later and bounce through a film. I'm eating more because I'm bored or at least not busy.

What a weekend! Friends, food, and drinks… I suspect I have I did the good work I did over the previous 10days. Anyway time to focus again.

I am about to meal plan for the week, but today is
b: toast and marmite
l: fish cakes
d: Bolognaise with salad

I start my new job on Thursday. (I am a teacher and have been made surplus at my previous school so have been moved). Bit nervous about it all as they gave the temporary person in my new role a months notice so they will still be there for 4 weeks. I am also doing 3 days in my subject and 2 days general cover. Which will be a bit different too. I know I am going to be tested by the pupils but it will at the will be good to be back a good routine! Hopefully my new department isn’t all about buying cakes everyday! And I can stick to the food I bring in.

@JustACountryMusicGirlInCowboyBoots Your ball seems to be your savour! Get bouncing! I’m sure I’ve told you before but I was once dared to bounce downstairs on a space hopper … the space hopper won 😅

@esormirP Good luck in your new position. I’m sure you’ll soon settle in ❤️

@TheRealHousewife thank you for the welcome. And no, nothing is new to me :-) I'm a very old hand at everything overweight related. I just never get anywhere (I've never got anywhere before, I should say). To be honest, goals just seem to throw me off... I'm trying for more open goals and/or process goals rather than achievement goals...

@esormirP Good luck with the new job, always nerve wrecking going into a new place.

@JustACountryMusicGirlInCowboyBoots I am yet to get my ball out, I still fear I might fall off it!

@TheRealHousewife maintaining is always better than gaining, hope you manage to get some activity in this week.

@theinnergame Welcome, realizing what needs to change is the first step. I am similar in that I find if I am active then the urge to eat badly is reduced. In the last year I have gotten so much fitter without anything drastic, more walking, learning to horse ride again, a few classes each week. I have a garmin watch and one thing that has really motivated me even when the scales aren't budging is seeing my resting heart rate slowly lower.

OK @theinnergame , good to know you know what you’re doing 👍I didn’t mean to make assumptions 😊

Lower resting heart rate is an excellent NSV @Allthegoodnamestakken 👍

@TheRealHousewife I still have scars on my knees from a space hopper incident 40 yrs ago. Those things are dangerous 🤣

I agrée! They were dangerous but such fun!