⭐️ 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?

@TheRealHousewife here is a collage of the sea glass and pottery I found, each picture is a different day.

Not got out for a walk today, the weather is so up and down and been trying to do several loads of washing after holidays, juggling trying to dry on line, then it rained, etc...

Food has been on point today though.
B: Kidney bean burrito
L: Mixed vegetables, omelette with "dragon" seasoning (tastes like chili chips!)
D: Arepas, little bit of cheese, pulled jackfruit, roast peppers and tomatoes
Iced protein coffee, plums

Managed to swerve the chocolate tonight and have cheese and crackers instead. I know it’s not brilliant but it was a small portion and felt a better choice.

I’ve had plenty of fruit and veg this week. Will be weighing myself tomorrow to see how I’ve done this past week.

@WeirdPookah what a collection! What will you make with it?

I'm up two pounds! How annoying! I had wine and snacks this weekend and bread!! Blimey I worked hard to shift those pounds and now they're back!! Argh!!

I know it could be swelling and 'water weight' but I will still have to work to lose them. I'm annoyed with myself.

I have just had a little salad for a snack instead of crisps and chocolate.

I've eaten well today. I got lots of good bits from the supermarket.

I'm drinking as much water as I can today!

Honestly I think I just hadn't been concentrating enough on what I was eating. I know I can eat some treats but not mindlessly every day.

@DownUdderer I’ve also put a pound back on, although my muscle mass has gone up 0.2%. Looks like I’ll be finishing the month 1lb down unless that pound drops away between now and Friday…. Also focusing on drinking plenty of water and keep making good choices.

Good Morning!

@WeirdPookah Thats awesome. You certainly have an eye to find all those lovely pieces! Displayed very arty too 😍 Thank you for sharing.

@MamaGhina well done on swerving the chocolate 👍. Not easy!

@DownUdderer Try not to be disheartened, which isn’t easy when the numbers go up. If your salt/carb intake was up it can encourage bloating and water weight. It’ll soon flush away … excuse the pun 💩 💧 😬

Menu
Meal 1 - Mediterranean Omelette
Meal 2 - Something healthy! Eating out today. Probably fish.
Tea, black coffee, water.

Morning all. I braved the scales this morning and have gained around 2kg over the past 6 weeks which isn't too bad considering the distinct lack of walking except for the one big walk, and the basic couple of miles a day. Ds is back to school a week today and the school run will soon get rid of the extra weight. I've been making better choices this last week but have had such a sweet tooth for at least 2 months now. I'm back on porridge with chia and syrup for breakfast more often than not and yesterday made 2 batches of soup. I am failing on the early nights but never mind, once school starts I'll naturally be asleep earlier.

It's been a rubbish summer with the distinct lack of sunshine. I'm torn between being ready for autumn and wanting a few weeks of warm sunshine because we haven't had any decent weather since June. It's another full day here and I'm fed up of it.

Anyone else getting ready for a back to school health boost?

@MamaGhina not sure, had thought about a box frame, but it would have to be pretty big. Thank you @TheRealHousewife glad you liked it! Autistic pattern recognition for the win!

@JustACountryMusicGirlInCowboyBoots we live too far away to walk, but I always add in a 15 minute walk instead of sitting in the car at pick up time, it's always a bonus to what else I have done.
We tried to go out this morning to pick blackberries in the park, it started raining, but we carried on, then discovered the blackberries are awful this year, small, hard and mean. So we just got soaked, only 13 health point minutes and no fruit. Sunny now obviously.

B: Kidney bean burrito
L: Chopped salad (including Waitrose Essential Artichoke hearts we were given) with hard boiled eggs
D: Miso Peanut Tofu with broccoli
Iced protein coffee.

@WeirdPookah please tell me more about the miso peanut tofu dish. I'm still desperately trying to think of things we can eat that are healthier. I might pick up some tofu from the Asian supermarket in Manchester next week when I take Dd. I just can't get tofu texture right myself. We have a Cambodian restaurant nearby that is amazing.

@JustACountryMusicGirlInCowboyBoots I personally think tofu needs to be cooked longer to get a good texture. I also buy Tofoo, which is super firm, the smoked one is so good, though Lidl's is actually very firm too. The super squishy stuff you need to press I just can't be bothered with!

To make this, I mix a little cornflour with water to make a very thin batter, dip the tofu slices in and fry it off. Mix crunchy peanut butter with miso, I add a little stevia, but honey or sugar would work, with enough water to let it down, takes a while to mix. Once the tofu is crisping, pour over the mixture and it will thicken up pretty quickly and stick in delicious chunky bits!

For 2 adults 2 children, I use 75g peanut butter, couple heaped teaspoons miso (but miso can vary so much, use your discretion!) about 20g cornflour and large block of tofu from Lidl. I have it with just broccoli, family gets noodles or rice as well.

Another way I enjoy it, is cut into thin slices and grilled...then keep grilling and it goes chewy/crispy, put on some sweet chili or plum sauce and put back under grill to thicken and warm it.

Thank you @WeirdPookah. I always buy tofoo and that recipe sounds simple e Pugh to try without a thousand ingredients. We are all autistic with texture issues so food is a nightmare.

Is it miso paste?

@JustACountryMusicGirlInCowboyBoots glad you like the sound of it. I sometimes add a dash of FiveSpice mix too, forgot about that. My texture sensitivities are fairly easy to avoid, anything gritty, my daughter on the other hand adores figs!

oops, missed the question, answering the door! yes, Miso paste. But there are various kinds, we usually use brown. But even then we tried a different one which wasn't nearly so strong.

Fig biscuits are the best!

LOSE IT! September 2023 🍁Autumn Edition🍁

Good Morning

There 2 Days left for August for you to be on point and make a difference 👍

WOW
01/08/23 - 9st 7lbs.
30/08/23 - 9st 4lbs
Loss - 3lbs

Ive been on point this month. Very little alcohol, 1 or 2 drinks I think. Stopped using as much butter. I’ve been cooking scrambled egg in a little boiling water which is a don't knock it before you try it methods. I actually prefer the taste too. In fact butter is too buttery now. I’ve not been tasting the food whilst cooking as often and use the tip of my smallest spoon rather than the usual shovel 😬. I can’t say exercise up as I’ve had quite a bit of back pain. Intentions for next month is to move more!

We can do it!

Good Morning All, I have been terrible at keeping up as usual, braved the scales today for the last WoW and sitting at 65.5kg which honestly surprised me as I was expecting a big gain.
Life has been very stressful lately for many reasons and I have been struggling a lot with anxiety so haven't been hitting my exercise or eating goals. Perhaps my constantly elevated heart rate has been burning some calories for me.
Hope everyone is doing well!

I'm really not in the headspace today but have oats and chia readying. Dd is making soup for dinner. Roll on September term and a fresh start in many ways.

Disappointed in weighing in basically the same as I started August as I gained 4lb on holiday.

Food today:
B: Black bean burrito
L: Salad + vegetarian meatballs
D: Palak Aloo, half naan
Iced protein coffee

Finally managed to find a battery for my scales!
CW: 75.8 kg

Nothing was working - food wise. Cut out most carbs, eating less. Will have a glass of wine, or 2, at weekends though.

Anyway, I've been reading about Tim Spectre's research (he and his team run the Zoe Plan) and he recommends having 30 different fruit, veg, pulses, nuts & seeds, herbs and spices a week.
I thought this impossible but I've only 3 left to eat and my weight is the lowest it's been in months!

Seriously considering doing the Zoe Plan has anyone been on it?

Pleased to say I have lost a lb. Not just the one I was yoyoing. A whole extra one. Not bad after a week on holiday.

@Karatema I keep a spread sheet aiming for 40 different plant foods a week.
Started January last year, I think there have been very few weeks I haven't managed it, such as being ill, or when we went on holiday.

I track a general slot for herbs and another for spices, as I use plenty, but don't think any add up by themselves as a serving. So just check it off like that.

Thank you, that's very helpful.