LOSE IT! September 2023🍁Autumn Edition🍁

[TheRealHousewife]

Schools are returning, most holidays are over and Autumn is fast approaching; A perfect time to re-set the mind, outline goals and affirm intentions. There is definitely a cool nip in the air!

Another new month to initiate a fresh start to become a healthier version of yourself. These threads are for those who’d like to stay healthy, lose weight as well as those who wish to maintain; to encourage a healthy & varied diet and to 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 9st 3lb. 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?

PS - Positive thought:- If you were to lose on average a 1lb per week you’ll be at least a stone lighter by Christmas 🎄

Nightmare day at work, eventually had some food at 4pm (no not 16:8 but 20:4!!!) -went in the shop craving pie/pastry/white bread (my downfall) but came out with prawns and salad and feel so relieved that food is slowly becoming fuel instead of a treat to look forward to/relieve feelings etc.

The heat is just awful, I didn't do much today, it's just oppressive. I didn't cook the curry last night, need to eat early to take everybody to the martial art class they do together, and I ended up just doing beans and ratatouille on toast.

Then disaster lunch, used a chinese spice mix and it was far too hot, I couldn't eat it, so ended up with egg on toast and eating some apples as I really couldn't be bothered cooking anything again.

Went for a short walk at school pick up time but wasn't enjoyable really.

@DearRose great news about the job! I've never drunk much alcohol, and forever been seen as weird for it, been actually drunk perhaps 3 times and hated it. Wine and beer are horrible, only thing I like is cider, mead and Baileys! It's also amazing the number of people who won't believe you don't want a drink!

@DearRose congratulations on the new job!

It's been horribly sweaty today. I had oatcakes for dinner. 10 miles walked (25,000 steps) and 1400 calories in. I've just made chocolate chia seed pudding that I'm going to try for breakfast. Maybe I could make a cherry and raspberry version and mix it with Greek yogurt? That would be one hell of a protein punch. I'm looking forward to Monday when it's going to be cooler. Those hills are hard enough without 27 degree heat.

I've added pelvic floor exercises into my daily routine using the Squeezy app. My pelvic floor is not what it was but is better after losing that initial 2 stone in weight and some topical oestrogen. I think women tend to focus on toning abs and arms and bums and thighs but forget the pelvic floor but it's so important. I certainly neglected it over the years to my detriment.

The hunger is talking to me tonight. Not shouting, just talking quietly. But 7pm is long gone and there's nothing until breakfast. I'm only 2 days into being back on track but already the scales are down, my calories have halved, my walking has quadrupled, my food intake is healthier, my water consumption is up and my stomach is less bloated. It feels good to be back! I'm hoping next Wednesday will see a big difference as the first week there's usually a whoosh of weight coming off due to fewer carbs, less salt, more water, and more exercise. I've weighed clothed and at different times of the day so I don't know my exact weight but I'm hoping to be back down to around 54kg by Halloween. Even at that weight I have quite a belly so I need to work on that. 54kg and toned would be awesome. One thing's for sure though, I'm never going to let myself get back up to over 60kg. Easing off over the school holidays is ok but 60kg is my absolute upper limit now but I'm happier around 54kg with a BMI of 21.

A big welcome to the newcomers if I've missed anyone. I'm just getting used to being back on the thread on a daily basis to keep me on the saddle and narrow. You will hopefully find these threads helpful and supportive in getting where you want to be. I went from BMI 26 to 21 thanks to the women on here and their support. It's definitely a great thread for friendly support with no judgement. For picking you up when you are down and also got meal ideas and encouragement to exercise, rest, sleep well and take care of your whole self. It's about a happier, healthier you being the best gift you can give yourself.

I'm a very deflated pea this morning. 1.5lb on 😤 I went off course yesterday but normally that wouldn't have such an impact after a week of being very much ON course in terms of water, steps, food choices. Now the trick is to not let it spiral, but instead double down and hope I get a whoosh next week. Very annoying though!!

Bastard mode for your scales today then @ImALittlePea. Bloody rude of them. Could be water retention from the heat. My mum swells up in the heat. I'm sure it would soon go.
The chocolate chia pudding was nice for breakfast and I'll see how long it keeps me full. It has less syrup than my porridge so less sweet but felt sweet enough to keep my sugar addiction happy 😬
I've been looking at slow cooker recipes for the autumn and winter. Does anyone have any go to recipes?
Have a great day and remember lots of 🍾

Feeling deflated after a week of exercising every day and minimal carbs and minimal food intake, I've put on a pound since last week. Feeling so fed up and huge. 49, probably peri menopausal and just feel meh 😔 sorry to moan, know consistency is key so will keep going x

I feel so bloated and miserable today in the heat and humidity. It feels as though I’ve put on several pounds this week. Can’t be bothered cooking, and wobbled away off-plan without a proper meal, just crackers and cheese, snacky junk, and lots of coffee.

Tonight will be white fish on a mound of salad leaves. Tomorrow should be cooler, and easier to exercise. DH brought home loads of berries and veg. Delish! 😀

So Saharan dust storms are a thing now huh?

I regretted going out this morning, but needed to get heel rub things as my daughters brand new Clarks shoes are chewing up her feet so bad. Never had them like this before.

I've eaten ok, couldn't be bothered cooking much.

B: yogurt, pineapple
L: Not-chicken burger in sandwich thin, salad
D: Smoked feta (omg so good!), quinoa/bulger wheat, corn, tomatoes, peppers

@WeirdPookah off the thread topic but if your daughter is suffering with shoes rubbing, get her a compeed blister stick. Rub it all over the feet before putting shoes on, and if she's old enough she can carry it with her to 'top up' during the day. It works wonders in my family!

I can remember dust from the Sahara back in the late 80s early 90s. So many people locally have been utterly baffled by it tough but then they can't read Road Closed and Diversion signs either so the local Facebook group has been full of both things this week.

I'm really hungry tonight. Gnawing stomach hungry yet I had a big dinner. Well, normal sized but big for me. I think it's the result of massively increasing my exercise and massively reducing my food intake. I'm up to 50 miles this week. Also the not eating after 7pm is taking some getting used to. I just keep telling myself no. It will pass in a couple of days.

The heat has been slightly better here today. Why couldn't it have been like this in august? Hope everyone has cooled down and is ready for the weekend. Have a great one!

It's the weekend! What's everyone up to?

I'm heading to the gym this morning for a cycle before it gets too hot. Then there's the post office and a tip run to contend with.

We have people over for a bbq tonight. My plan is to concentrate on chicken and green salad and go light on the potato salad. I have successfully avoided binging on crisps and chocolate this week for the first time in ages, so feeling pretty good about my choices.

Can't believe how hot it continues to be! Stay hydrated everyone

Morning all. I've dropped 4 pounds this week! Amazing what cutting down on salt, increasing water intake, not eating after 7pm and lots of walking can do in the space of 5 days!
Today will be mostly spent trying to stay cool. I hope there's thunderstorms as forecast. I love a good storm.
Have a great weekend!

I'm trying to get back on track this weekend. It's cooler and I'll be tidying in the shady parts of the garden. Also straightening out the fridge-freezer and planning my food and delivery order.

I find not eating after my tea is relatively easy. But I'm an early riser, and not eating until 10am in the morning is haaard!

Hovering at around 56 kgs and I really would like to get below 55 kgs.
i am another who struggles to stay away from the wine. I am drinking every day at the moment but I am hoping to calm it down once my separation feels more stable
i need to get into a routine again, and make some healthier choices

It is hot here in France, mid to high thirties, which is tiring.
wishing everyone a good weekend !

I'm weighing daily and I'm fluctuating between 58.6kg and 58.7kg daily since last Wednesday. No changes in weight but I'm happy to be maintaining because since returning fully to work this week I've not been able to exercise, a mixture of exhaustion and it being far too hot!

@ImALittlePea ordered some to try, thank you.

Went out this morning and the heat was oppressive, even at 9am, only walked for half an hour and had to come home (ignoring the obnoxious Boomer telling my girls I was "a bully" for telling them it was home time, eff-off), and my asthma isn't doing well.

Food this week has been annoying, got a bad bunch of tomatoes in Sainsbury's, loads have black inside, the curry was inedible hot, now tonight I cooked Patra roll, and they were too spicy for my younger, so had to find her some chicken for her curry instead and my older girl only at 1.5 of them, so leftovers now!

B: Eggs, miso mushrooms, 1 slice toast
L: Greek tins from Lidl, green beans, vine leaves, butterbeans, salad, flatbread
D: Cauliflower curry, Patra roll

@JustACountryMusicGirlInCowboyBoots I love storms too! I grew up in the Fens in East Anglia and the flat landscape let the storms build up huge, I miss the excitement of them. Though this year has seen more thunderstorms here than I have probably seen in all the rest of the time I've lived up here.

I tidied the fridge and kitchen, and need to stop drinking the diluting squash. Also stop putting bread on the online order, as I’ve been eating more and more toast.

After a rainy miserable summer holiday it feels wrong to wish the heat away but I'll be glad when it cools down on Monday.
I baked my own bread rolls today to go with the usual homemade soup. I've never made them before and they were delicious. I've also made raspberry, cherry and damson chia pudding and will have it will a big dollop of Greek yogurt tomorrow. Again a new recipe and one I've adjusted in a few ways.
I am feeling a bit ropey with not eating in the evening and I felt sick tonight like when I've not eaten breakfast and my blood sugar is in my boots. I need to be asleep earlier I think but I was busy building Lego 😁 Day off from lots of walking today. Weekends are always more relaxed with exercise. It's been a lovely day with my son building Lego and watching comfort tv. Ive drink loads of iced water again and remembered to take my iron tablets.

If you fast from after your dinner how do you manage the empty, acidic stomach gnawing away at you? It's so long since I first did this when I first started out and I can't remember. I just tell myself no and ignore it but I felt ill tonight. Any suggestion welcome

Hello @JustACountryMusicLoverInCowboyBoots It's a miserable feeling, isn't it? I get it if I have certain carbs with my evening meal, particularly bread, potatoes. Also if I have coffee after.

I try to eat just protein and bagged salad in a small tortilla wrap for my final meal. I drink redbush tea during the day and half a cup of it in the evening, about an hour after my meal, and try hard not to get stressed.

Most of my carbs are late morning and early afternoon, and I don't get hunger pangs at that time of day.

Hope you can find a solution.

I don't think I've eaten as much as I should for the amount of calories I'm burning and have been up later than I should. The gnawing stomach is when I should really be asleep. It goes away quite quickly and in the morning I don't wake up ravenous so I'm going to continue ignoring it. I remember that it does stop happening after a week or so of not eating in the evening. The holidays have been a time of eating all sorts in the evening and enjoying time with the dc. I regret nothing!

Staying steadily at 2kg less than the beginning of the week. Hoping for a nice number on the scales on Wednesday for my first proper weigh in. My stomach is less bloated and I don't feel sluggish any more. I've really missed that school run but my word it's been a challenge and s half in the heat.

Hope everyone has a lovely Sunday and enjoys it being slightly cooler today.

Hello! How's everyone feeling about the week ahead?

I've stalled at 60kg so decided to go for a 3 mile run this afternoon. First time this year. It wasn't as bad as I was expecting. I could definitely feel more jiggling going on than I used to haha.

@JustACountryMusicGirlInCowboyBoots would hot tea help the sore tummy feeling?

Morning all! I'm
Feeling good about the week ahead. Lots of walking to do and it's going to be quite chilly compared to last week so much nicer to walk in. I made sweetcorn and orange pepper soup yesterday which is amazing and filling.

I'm now a year into healthier eating (except the summer holidays!) and despite gaining a little over the summer I've still lost 2 stone and have changed my eating habits. I can no longer eat big meals. I'm more active. I eat more healthily. I feel less sluggish and bloated. I don't eat after dinner (mostly). I fit into clothes I hadn't worn for years. I've worn dresses this summer. I weigh less than I have for the past 20 years. I never thought I'd see 8 stone anything again. I love this thread and the support it gives!

What a lovely, affirmative post to start the week @JustACountryMusicLoverInCowboyBoots

HOW hot was that weekend?! 🥵 it's a touch cooler here today which is good. Weekend was standard for me, a few drinks and more bread/carbs than I probably should have had. Although it wasn't terrible; dinner Friday night was jacket potato, beans and cheese. Saturday night was m&s cottage pie with veg. Last night we didn't have dinner as we had friends over for afternoon drinks and nibbles, I made some homemade sausage rolls and pizza pinwheels and ate quite a few.

Trying to think positively about the week ahead but Friday's disappointing weigh in is still clouding my mind a bit.

Today's meals:
(Early) lunch - loaded scrambled eggs; two eggs with some fried red onion, red pepper, mushrooms, cherry toms and a scattering of cheddar. With a dollop of brown sauce on the side.
Dinner - DH bought a weird vegetable dish from m&s on Saturday, so we're having that with sausages and green veg

Double shift today so lots of steps and lots of WATER. Have a good one!