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Weight loss chat

A space to talk openly about weight loss journeys and challenges. Mumsnet hasn't checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. You may wish to speak to a medical professional before starting any diet.

Diet for Christmas Challenge 2023

516 replies

bigdecisionstomake · 23/09/2023 06:35

This is a continuation of the Diet for Christmas Challenge thread started by @OhFatty in 2022 and the Diet for Summer Challenge thread started by @Dashel earlier this year. Thank you to them both.

It is open to everyone, whether you have a lot to lose, just a small amount to go or you're at target but facing the enormous challenge of maintaining your loss ongoing.

It is a thread for positivity, support, cheering each other on and the very occasional kick up the bum if and when requested.

Hopefully previous members of both threads will join us again and new members are always welcome.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
15
CatMattress · 24/10/2023 08:28

Gemzee · 24/10/2023 07:10

Where has the edit button disappeared to!?
There's an edit button on this post but not my one above 🤔

Edited

It's limited.timemonly. you get like 10 or 15 minutes to edit a post I think (from my experiments).

I may have gone marginally over count yesterday. Hit bedtime with massive chocolate cravings, but didn't completely fold so hopefully haven't done too much damage.

Today is run day again but my god it's filthy weather out there and the thought of getting all wet and cold is currently very unappealing. Esp as I forgot to stretch after my last run so I'm a bit stiff and sore still. It's going to take some very loud music to get me going today! Suspect DD won't be persuaded to join me though.

This is where I wish I had a gym in my garden like Dsis' husband. I mean Dsis lives there too, but the gym is very much for him.

EllaWallace · 24/10/2023 09:42

Can I join please?

I’m struggling to lose the last few lbs after baby number 2 who is now 18 months old. I eat pretty healthily but I know snacking is my downfall. I don’t eat enough lunch because I think I’m ‘too busy’ then I just snack all afternoon. It’s mostly oatcakes and nuts but it adds up. I feel like if I make a few tweaks I should be able to drop the last bit but old habits die hard!!!!

my aims are to eat proper lunch, drink more water, try to eat one proper afternoon snack instead of grazing, and see if that does the trick without needing to count calories 🙏

I was 147lbs a month after number 2 was born, I’m currently 138, and my goal is 133.

LBB2020 · 24/10/2023 12:17

Arghhhhh bad start to the week for me! Day one of half term and the kids drove me to cookies and crisps late last night!
Hopefully have a better day today.
@EllaWallace I do similar, I eat breakfast late then don’t fancy a proper lunch so end up snacking all afternoon until dinner!
@SnuggleBuggleBoo sounds like you had a great start to the week, well done!
Well done on resisting the chocolate temptation @CatMattress (I need to follow your lead!)
Hope everyone has a good day

SnuggleBuggleBoo · 24/10/2023 19:28

Today:

Breakfast: Smoothie - 150
Cereal bar - 100

Lunch: Houmous - 150
Cucumber - negligible
Folded flatbread - 100
Cheese - 100

Snack: Timeout biscuit - 100
Ginger immunity shot - 50

Dinner: Tortellini - 550
Spinach and basil leaves - negligible
Olive oil dressing - 100

Dessert: Plum - 50
'Cheats trifle' - 150

Total: 1600

Oh damn it! No exercise either.

SnuggleBuggleBoo · 24/10/2023 19:48

@LBB2020 Think of all the calories you're burning running around after the kids though!!

Yocal · 24/10/2023 20:21

SnuggleBuggleBoo · 24/10/2023 19:28

Today:

Breakfast: Smoothie - 150
Cereal bar - 100

Lunch: Houmous - 150
Cucumber - negligible
Folded flatbread - 100
Cheese - 100

Snack: Timeout biscuit - 100
Ginger immunity shot - 50

Dinner: Tortellini - 550
Spinach and basil leaves - negligible
Olive oil dressing - 100

Dessert: Plum - 50
'Cheats trifle' - 150

Total: 1600

Oh damn it! No exercise either.

If it's any encouragement you are doing well to be fair.

You're always in a calorie deficit so you must be losing weight. You are always consistently at it! So give yourself some credit. When is your next weigh in?

SnuggleBuggleBoo · 24/10/2023 21:31

@Yocal Thanks Yocal! I feel like 1600+ is just maintaining things as they are, not enough to cause actual weight loss though! Especially when I'm just sat on my bum at work all day. I've been wearing jumpers over long sleeve winter tops again this week, and oh my gosh they're a struggle to get on and off! It's so depressing. I wish I'd been able to get motivated in the summer.

Next weigh in is Sunday. I've been at this around a month I think and only lost 2 measly pounds!!

How are you and you're little munchkin now? All better I hope!

Openmouthinsertfood · 24/10/2023 22:40

Good luck for Sunday @SnuggleBuggleBoo . 2lb a month is 24lbs in a year!
Nothing much to report here. Had an extra Fibre One bar earlier but haven't had any more yet. (And hopefully won't!) For various reasons we didn't have the usual take a way last Saturday either. Weigh in on Saturday...

LBB2020 · 24/10/2023 22:48

Ok day here today. No snacking and no eating after dinner, I also did a spin class this evening.
Out with a friend for drinks tomorrow evening so will try to keep on track during the day and if I can squeeze in some exercise I will (although tricky this week with the children being home and apparently they can’t amuse themselves for 5 mins before they start moaning for drinks/snacks etc!).
@SnuggleBuggleBoo I’m only down 2lbs this month too which is disappointing but as @Openmouthinsertfood said that would be 24lbs over a year! (and it’s better than gaining!)

bigdecisionstomake · 25/10/2023 07:43

Morning all

Welcome to the thread @secondtimemumma hope the thread helps you stay accountable and successful 🙂

@Openmouthinsertfood I too am reliably honest and would have owned up about the shopping. I cross my fingers for Karma and hope that my honesty will be rewarded one day in another way 😂Well done on avoiding any additional Fibre One bars and good luck for Saturday!

Doing a little happy dance for you @SnuggleBuggleBoo for keeping in calories on Monday and getting a walk in - well done 😊1600 yesterday is not bad either, it's at least maintenance even if not an actual deficit surely. I agree with @Yocal you should give yourself enormous credit for being here every day posting and consistently keeping at it. My job is often deskbound and I agree completely that lack of movement is really problematic when you are trying to lose weight. At least you're managing a walk most days though. I'm going to take a leaf out of your book and try for one more often.

Really great to have you join @Dashel and glad the holiday was fabulous. I am in exactly the same mindset currently, really struggling without a holiday target to aim for. I am carrying on however as even if I only manage to maintain for now it is a significant improvement on the weight I was when I joined your Diet for Summer Challenge in January. I know I'm going to have a couple of weeks off over Christmas and New Year so want to make sure that I've not gained in the period prior to the festive over-indulging. Secretly also I'm hoping you can help me find my exercise/weights mojo again - I seem to have got out of the habit and am finding it hard to get it back 😉

Well done on getting the workout done@Gemzee like you I don't want to find all my lost pounds again so am singing just keep swimming too😄

Congratulations on staying strong in the face of the chocolate cravings @CatMattress and hope the run went well - if the weather near you was like it was here yesterday you deserve a medal!

Glad to have you join us @EllaWallace your plan sounds great, I think snacking is a major downfall for a lot of us. When you've only got the last few pounds to go I think you're spot on, you don't have much margin of error to play with so it takes a bit more effort. Hope we can all cheer you on to success 🤗

@LBB2020 sorry the kids are driving you to cookies and crisps. You'll have to think of some energetic activities to do with them to burn lots of calories. I have two boys and when they were little I used to spend a stupid amount of any school holidays chasing a football around the playing field or walking through the local woods in search of 'treasures' - no wonder I didn't have to worry about my weight so much back then, if only it were so now 😭Stay strong, you can do this! Just read your second update about the spin class - awesome, well done, you're doing a great job!

Work has gone a bit haywire for me over the last couple of days. My job is cyclical and we have two really busy times a year, one in the summer and one now that will last until mid December. It has arrived a week or so earlier than expected though this year so has taken me by surprise. Add on to that the fact that FIL is seriously ill and DP is understandably in a bad place due to that, life is quite stressful at the moment. I feel like the proverbial juggler trying to keep all the balls in the air.

I didn't manage any exercise yesterday or this morning and snacked pretty much all day yesterday although I was so exhausted come bedtime I only had a light dinner. Amazingly I have had another STS at 10st 3lb which really isn't deserved given the circumstances but I'm going to take it as a win and it has given me the motivation to try a bit harder today. If I can squeeze it in I really am going to try for a walk this afternoon - I think it will do my stress levels good as well as earning me a few calories.

Have great days all and keep up the good work!

OP posts:
LBB2020 · 25/10/2023 09:29

Morning @bigdecisionstomake sorry to hear your FIL is ill and life is stressful.
I also have two very energetic boys! We spend a lot of time outdoors trying to wear them out! (I’m trying to crack potty training this week so we’re at home more than usual). Completely understand WFH and lack of movement! Since returning to work after DS2 is when I put the weight on, entering my forties and sitting at home 3 days a week has not helped!
Hope everyone has a great day

secondtimemumma · 25/10/2023 09:42

Morning all! I feel like this is the time of year where I really struggle with motivation. It feels easier to eat lighter food in the summer months? Not sure if you all agree?

Trying to focus on the fact I have a few events over the Christmas period and will feel much better about myself/more confident if I have been looking after myself in the run up towards them! What’s everyone else’s motivation right now?

Today I am hoping to get out for a walk to get some steps in and I always feel good for the fresh air too.

@bigdecisionstomake sorry to hear about your FIL. That does sound stressful and difficult to juggle it all.

Have a good day everyone!

CatMattress · 25/10/2023 09:46

71.6kg today - that's a 300g loss. Which doesn't sound like much admittedly, but is at least in the right direction!

Also the date for the Christmas party has been announced now, it's the week before Christmas so I've got an extra week or two to get into my dress!

LostNoMore · 25/10/2023 12:08

Hi everyone, 👋

I’m back to weigh in!

Start Weight 14.4st
Last time Weighed 14.2st
Current Weight 14.0st
First Goal 13.4st
UltimateGoal 10st-9.7st

Another 2lb down! 😊

I’ve not had a chance to catch up on the thread yet, but I hope everyone’s doing ok 🤞

EllaWallace · 25/10/2023 17:29

@secondtimemumma I agree!! I feel really meh in general and seem to be snacking constantly through boredom and lack of motivation/willpower.
My tactics (whether they work or not is yet to be seen!!) - make a big batch of soup to fill up on at lunch. Boil a load of eggs for afternoon snack instead of carbs. Have a cup of decaf tea/coffee after supper to avoid eating chocolate.
I can’t do calorie counting so for me it’s about eating enough calories and more of the good stuff!

SnuggleBuggleBoo · 25/10/2023 19:42

@LostNoMore Hey well done!! (You'll have to change your username now!! 😁 )

SnuggleBuggleBoo · 25/10/2023 19:51

Today:

Breakfast: Smoothie - 150

Lunch: Cheese scone with butter - 600
Piece of cheese and chutney - 150

Snack: Raspberry immunity shot - 50

Dinner: Avocado - 300
Sweetcorn - 50
Red pepper - 50
Pitta bread - 150

Dessert: Pear - 100
'Cheats trifle' - 150

Total: 1750

Aaaarrrggghhhh!!!! WHY is this SO HARD?!!!!

(Maybe because you keep eating massively calorific stuff Snuggle? 🙄Try soup and salads once in a while!!)

I've had no exercise today either. So fed up. Thank you for the lovely messages reminding me that 2lbs loss a week still mounts up over a year. It's true, of course, but Christmas is lurking in the shadows waiting to pounce!!

Gemzee · 26/10/2023 07:27

Confession...wine & oh so many sweets last night 🤦‍♀️
I did still manage to get up & do a resistance workout though.
Dreading the scales tomorrow 😭

CatMattress · 26/10/2023 08:43

I completely forgot myself yesterday. Burger and chips, brownie, choccies. Took DS out for the day and just ate what he ate (he's still growing upwards - I really can't afford to copy him!) I think yesterday came to about 1800 or 1900 calories. Luckily I did about 530 calories worth of walking (oof) so not as heinous as it could have been.
Today I'm aching and back on the wagon. I weighed myself, but refuse to believe I've put on half a kilo in one day, so I'm ignoring it and will weigh again in a couple of days. Wish I'd measured my waist before I started this as I suspect that would be a more accurate reflection.

Wish me luck over the next few. I'm shattered, I'm hormonal (PMT sucks) and I've had some bad news at work which is really upsetting me on a personal level and will affect me on a work level. Chocolate would usually be indicated here, but I'm determined not to fold... We'll see.

Hope everyone else is having a better week. I need a holiday to recover from my 'holiday'

Yocal · 26/10/2023 08:52

Good luck @CatMattress it's hard not eating your emotions in those circumstances.

Well I've had my monthly weigh in today.

My goal was to be 91kg today, but I did increase my calories because it was horrible doing 1370 (mfp calculation)

Last month weigh in was 95kg
Today I weighed in at 93kg

A bit gutted not to hit 91 even though I increased my calories 😂

My goal was to be 85kg by Christmas, but might have to rethink. It might need to be adjusted to 89kg 😕

I feel healthier anyway and my clothes hang better so will make do with that and a 2kg loss.

Extragravy · 26/10/2023 08:54

Thank you everyone for the warm welcome.
I've been feeling rough alot of the week so my exercise was well below usual levels at pretty non existent.

Weighed this morning and 11st 4. So 2 lbs down.
I'm really happy with that but really sad I let it get to this. But hopefully it's reversing now.

Thank you to the poster that said 2lbs a month is 24lbs a year its a great way to look at it. Sorry on the phone can't see the name.

@SnuggleBuggleBoo loving the daily low down its giving me inspiration for my own diet.

@CatMattress sorry about work. I hope it doesn't affect you too badly. The weight today will just be the food from yesterday it will probably level out by tomorrow. Really don't think it's an actual gain of half a kg.

I'm starting to see a difference in my clothes now. A very slight difference but I can see how another few pounds will make a big difference. I have a lovely wardrobe full of clothes that I really hope will start to fit me again over the next few months.

Goodluck to everyone for the day

LBB2020 · 26/10/2023 08:59

Morning, yesterday was ok here. Food ok and I did squeeze in a 30 min workout but I then went out for drinks with a friend! 3 glasses of wine but managed to avoid snacking. Seeing family today so will need to stay strong as my mum is a feeder!
@Gemzee your day sounds similar to mine!
@CatMattress its only one day, draw a line under it and start again today! Good luck with your weigh in.
@Yocal 2kgs is brilliant, well done!

LBB2020 · 26/10/2023 09:01

@Extragravy i missed your post! Well done on another 2lbs that’s fantastic! Hope you’re feeling better soon

secondtimemumma · 26/10/2023 09:06

@EllaWallace I do the same with an after dinner/evening hot drink! I try and have a mint tea or something similar and it stops me snacking and is also quite relaxing!

@Gemzee I also had a slip up yesterday..for me it was crisps!!

@CatMattress sorry to hear about your work stress. It’s so hard staying on track when there’s stuff going on that’s stressful.

@Yocal well done on your loss!

@Extragravy thats great I find it really motivating when the clothes start fitting again.

I need to go shopping later and I’m going to try hard not to pick up any unhealthy snacks it’s always tricky though!

CatMattress · 26/10/2023 10:15

I might see if I can squeeze into my goal dress later and take a (headless) photo for you all. It might be quite motivating to do it again in a month and see how it looks then. Anyone else had a goal item of clothing and want to join in?