Diet for Christmas Challenge 2023

[bigdecisionstomake]

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.

Morning all

Thank goodness for Friday!

Welcome to the thread @Robinhood123 three weeks to go until Christmas so see how much you can get off before then. Good luck with it all and let us know how you're getting on.

@LBB2020 good work on keeping up the exercise - it really helps me to stay strong with food choices when I exercise so I don't waste the effort as it were. I'm trying to make every day count now as there's not long to go. For me this seems like the last push before I can take my foot off the pedal again for Christmas and New Year. Stay strong!

I had a lovely night away and enjoyed my meal out. I ended up choosing a goats cheese and honeyed walnut salad for my meal which was really delicious and didn't feel at all like a diet option although I shouldn't think it was too bad for calories.

Being away from home yesterday I didn't get a chance to weigh myself, nor did I get any exercise so I got on the scales with trepidation this morning but actually it was fine, I've had a STS at 10st 7.2lb - really happy with that.

I'm giving blood this afternoon and last time I did that I had a big loss (around 2lb if I remember correctly) the following day but then a gain of around 3lbs over the next few days despite being on track with my calories, so it did stall my progress a little. I was a bit disappointed as it's fairly widely reported that making up the lost blood volume burns around 650 calories over the few days after donation so I was hoping it may help slightly but alas no. Will be interesting to see if it follows the same pattern this time.

I've done a 30 minute walking workout this morning and then day 1 of Caroline Girvan's Christmas series which was only 20 minutes. I'm going to try to stay consistent with my exercise now until Christmas if I can.

Have a great Friday everyone.

Confession...no workouts this week 😔 Had a stay the same (just...the scales flicked to next 1lb briefly but settled on sts) but not deserved. Very very stressed at the moment, using wine to "help" that which obviously isn't ideal.
Burst pipe at the weekend and stayed at my parents for 3 days while it got fixed.
Need to get back on track as my works Xmas party is on the 8th and my dress is figure hugging!! Spanx needed possibly 😄
(if anyone from rl is on here all of that is very outing but oh well).
Have a good weekend all

Sorry to hear you're very stressed @Gemzee the burst pipe sounds very much not what you needed on top of work being stressful too. I can totally get the using 'wine' to help thing. I do it too - even though I know I sleep better if I don't drink wine and then cope better with the stress if I've slept well....

Try and stay strong for the next 7 days for the party dress - think how good you'll feel. And if life is too much for that then there is nothing wrong with Spanx - they were my best friend for most social events last year 😂

Bah. Up 1kg to 71kg and o was hoping to be sub-70 by December.

Period started yesterday though (just after I weighed myself) so I'm hopeful that a lot of that is bloat.
Diet has been mixed, but not horrendous. I could probably do with more fruit and veg, but I have been consistent with exercise. I'm progressing the c25k with walking in between so at least I'm getting first which is a huge deal after how ill I was earlier in the year

Morning all

Sorry to hear about the gain @Backinthedress but very likely to be period bloat I would have thought. Well done on keeping up with the C25K though, that's awesome. Stay strong, just over 3 weeks to go so still time to make your target 🙂

I had a good day food wise yesterday (apart from the 2 biscuits after giving blood 😳) As expected, my weight has dropped this morning to 10st 6lb so just over a pound lost. That will be water though due to the blood donation so I'm expecting to be back up again tomorrow or the day after as I rehydrate.

Hopefully as the loss was smaller this time the damage won't be so great as last time either.

Has everyone got a busy weekend planned? I've got some work to catch up on then lots of present buying to do and some house bits to get on top of as well as a mountain of ironing so it's going to be busy one here.

Have a great weekend everyone.

Morning, sorry some of you are having a stressful time.
Well done for giving blood @bigdecisionstomake, you deserve all the biscuits you want after that!
I went out for dinner with a friend last night, so no gym. I do have a yoga class booked for tomorrow though.
I need to get my head back in the game with my diet as it’s not been great this week

@bigdecisionstomake I think you're amazing for donating blood!! Definitely allowed a few treats after that!

I was allowing myself to get all excited because my scales have been saying 11.3/11.2. Then today they told me to change the batteries and Boom, right back to 11.7 again!

I'm trying to be sensible with food, and although I've had no workouts I think I've had a walk every day. My tummy is feeling bigger than ever though. My mum wondered if it could be water retention. I don't know what to do about that, except drink more water (I already drink heaps) and cut out salt. I'm going to try and reduce salt but healthy food is so bland. I can't imagine avocado or cottage cheese without salt to help it down! And all my houmous is salty of course, and soup is made with stock.

Has anyone got any suggestions for jazzing up flavour of various dishes without adding salt?

@bigdecisionstomake meant to say thanks! I'm going to get back on track on Monday for sure 😊

I did complete my Squat challenge in full. Done nearly 10k steps today which is great for a Saturday!

Think my stress will ease for a bit (hopefully) over Xmas, got 2.5 weeks off work and very much need it.

Keep going all! And if you're off track just remember it only matters that you get back on track! I've had a few 'bad' weeks this year but still roughly maintaining a 1 stone 10lb weight loss from before Summer. We got this!

Just keep swimming.

Hello everyone, 👋

Just dropping in with my weigh in.

Start Weight 14.4st
Last time Weighed 13.13st
Current Weight 13.11st
First Goal 13.4st
UltimateGoal 10st-9.7st

I have finally broken out of swinging between 14st and 13.12st. It may only be one pound down from it but 🥳 🐢

@bigdecisionstomake that is an amazing thing donating blood, I wanted to donate but due to the meds I’m on I’m not allowed to. I’ve got a busy weekend at work - so hopefully I’ll be too busy to over eat!

@SnuggleBuggleBoo I can’t believe that about your scales! Hopefully it’s just hyped on those new batteries🤞

@Gemzee I think this statement from you is spot on (Keep going all! And if you're off track just remember it only matters that you get back on track!). We’re all like the tortoise from the tortoise and the hare.

I’m sorry that some of you are having a stressful time at the moment - I hope that improves soon.

Also, well done to those of you who have been exercising - I am not so good at that, although you have all inspired me to get out my just dance games and at some point I might have a go.

Hope everyone is having a great weekend!

I absolutely feel your pain @SnuggleBuggleBoo

The diet was going so well and then the weight got stuck and now it's increasing. I'm definitely not eating more than maintenance on any given day and mostly in a deficit. I'm getting my thyroid checked on Wednesday as I'm cold all the time and have all the other symptoms of hypothyroidism.

The thing with salt is the less you use it the more you get used to not having it. If you cut down for long enough when you have a salty meal you will be appalled by how salty it is. It's a grin and bare it job until your taste buds adjust. The same thing applies with sugar.

Morning all

Got up to find a couple of inches of snow today so heating is on. DCat has taken a disdainful look through the cat flap, decided all is not right with the world and retreated to DS1's bed which has a lovely fleecy throw on it and is toasty warm currently.

Hope you enjoy your yoga class @LBB2020 We all have periods where we're demotivated and I think all you can do then is as much damage limitation as possible and then try to get your game face back on as soon as you can. Hope you manage to get back on track this week - 3 weeks to go!

That sounds like a scale nightmare @SnuggleBuggleBoo I'd be sorely tempted to go out and get a new pair 😂I think @Yocal is right about salt, you just need to grin and bare it for a while and your tastebuds adjust - they will do eventually. I cut down massively a good number of years ago and initially everything was a bit bland but you really do get used to it in time.

Well done on completing the squat challenge @Gemzee can you see/feel any difference? Hurrah for 2.5 weeks off over Christmas! I've got the same and really can't wait now. Your words are very wise, we just need to keep swimming 🐠😀

Whoop whoop for your new weight @LostNoMore you have really put some distance between you and the 14s now - huge congratulations! Hope you managed to get out your Just Dance games and give one a go 🙂

Sorry you're feeling a bit stuck @Yocal Hope the blood test helps you work out what is going on.

I'm back up to 10st 6.6lb this morning, obviously expected as my blood volume increases again. I'm rashly crossing everything and hoping it stops there but who knows, it was a much bigger gain last time.

I've just walked this morning as my exercise as my upper body and abs/core are both really stiff following the first 2 days of Caroline Girvan's Christmas series. I'm determined to keep on with it though so will pick it up again tomorrow.

Happy Sunday everyone!

Morning all

Sad to be waking up to a wet and miserable Monday morning. However, I was determined to get some exercise in so I've done the 15 minute Get Fit With Rick Ultimate Feel Good Morning Workout. Dancing with Rick first thing wakes me up and puts me in a good mood and it was needed today. It also warmed me up a bit as the heating wasn't on first thing and it's freezing here!

This was followed by Day 3 of Caroline Girvan's Christmas series which was full body complexes so I shall be sore all over tomorrow. After a few stretches I then did another 10 minutes walking in front of the TV as a cooldown.

Feels like I've got the week off to a good start 😄just need to keep with it for the rest of the week now!

I weighed in this morning at 10st 7lb exactly. That's a loss of 1.6lb this week which I'm very happy with. Aiming for another pound this week if I can.

Have good Mondays all.

Morning all

A STS at 10st 7lb for me this morning. Happy with that although impatient to get into the 6s now.

I didn't sleep desperately well and didn't really want to get out of bed and exercise this morning so had to go through all the internal arguments in my head before getting my gear on and doing it.

I've made a kind of deal with myself that I don't get to open my advent calendar each day until I've done some exercise and that is actually helping. I absolutely find that I eat better for the remainder of the day when I exercise first thing so that is why I'm placing such an emphasis on it this month. I want to be the best weight I can be going into Christmas/New Year (when I won't be dieting at all) so that I don't end up starting January at 11st 5lb again.

Didn't do any weights (sore from yesterday) but did do a Burpee Girl 30 min walking workout (no burpees thank goodness) followed by a 10 minute stretch routine.

I've got a really busy day at work so hoping that will keep my mind off snacking.

Have good days all.

@bigdecisionstomake I think you're doing amazing!!

Well done @bigdecisionstomake
I’ve had that horrible cold virus that’s been going around, diet hasn’t been good and there’s been no exercise so far this week. Hoping to get to my PT session tomorrow.
Hope you’re all having a good week

Morning all

Thanks @SnuggleBuggleBoo and @LBB2020 - it's hard at this time of year isn't it. The combination of the cold weather, dark mornings/evenings and Christmas treats everywhere aren't really conducive to eating healthy salads and getting out to do lots of exercise!

Sorry you've been unwell @LBB2020 but hope you're feeling well enough to get to your PT session tomorrow. There's a lot going round at the minute, eldest DS (who doesn't live at home) is down with his third round of Covid and feeling a bit sorry for himself.

I have had another STS at 10st 7lb this morning although frustratingly the scales flitted around in the 6s for a bit before settling on the 7 again. To be fair there was a bit more Green and Blacks Ginger chocolate yesterday than there should have been so I suspect I ate pretty much at maintenance in the end yesterday despite being careful with the rest of my food. I was completely desk bound too so lack of movement won't have helped.

Just got to keep swimming! I've done a 15 minute GFWR speed walk this morning followed by Day 4 of Caroline Girvan's Christmas Series which was Glutes and Hamstrings so lot of hip thrusts, RDLs and Sumo Squats. Just what I needed on a cold Wednesday morning 😂

Hope everyone else is doing ok.

I've done 3 workouts this week but eating way too much! The cold & dark just make me crave comfort food 😬
Will see the affect on the scale on Friday!

Morning all

Ha ha yes, I'm craving comfort food at the moment too @Gemzee Salads just don't cut it when it's 6 degrees outside and raining. Last night was definitely a bowl of pasta snuggled up under a throw on the sofa kind of night rather than a big greek salad night 😂

So far the plan to not open my advent calendar until I've done a workout has worked. I've done a 40 minute metabolic walking for weight loss workout with Olivia Lawson this morning.

The scales have finally shifted too - in spite of the bowl of pasta last night - so I'm now in the 6s at 10st 6.4lb - yay. Just have to try not to sabotage myself over the weekend again now.

Have good days all.

Haven't posted for ages but am now at the magic number of 13 st 0, down from 13 st 4.2 when I joined this thread and 13.10 starting weight. 10lbs in 4 months - not exactly world-record weight loss, but at least it's coming off. I'm not going to make my original goal of 12.7 by Christmas, but hoping to be a couple of lbs under 13 stone at least.

Morning all

Fantastic news that you've lost 4lbs @LaBelleSauvage123 I think we're all slow and steady on this thread so that's awesome, well done. With one last push you could be in the 12s by Christmas - keep going 🙂

My weight has done the opposite and I've actually gone up by 0.4lb this morning from 10st 6.4lb to 10st 6.8lb. No idea why, I ate within calories and didn't drink alcohol. The only think I can think is that DS cooked tea last night and he did a stirfry using a szechuan sauce from a pouch and it was really tasty so I suspect probably quite salty. Hopefully that's all it is and the extra will drop off again tomorrow - fingers crossed.

I really didn't want to work out this morning - it was a real struggle. I made myself though as I'm pleased with how things are going currently and I knew that as we're heading into the weekend I need all the help I can get. I've done a 15 minute GFWR Zumba workout plus Day 6 or CG's Christmas series which was back focussed.

So pleased that it's Friday and the weekend is almost here!

STS for me this week, really happy with that. 4 workouts and steps better than last week.
Christmas party tonight 💃

Well done on the STS @Gemzee hope you enjoy your party and look FABULOUS in your party frock 😊

I got my blood test results back. My thyroid is normal so no I can't blame hypothyroidism. It is my Kidneys that are struggling. I have stage 2 kidney disease. So I imagine struggling to lose weight is more likely to be fluid retention, because I have a high salt intake for POTS. I'm not a doctor though, so just going to carry on eating healthy, exercising when possible and reducing the salt. I will check the scales again once I've cleared the salt out.

Well done to those who have lost 👏

Morning all

Sorry to hear about the kidney disease @Yocal that must be worrying for you. Hopefully clearing out some of the salt in your diet will help - but will that then exacerbate your POTS symptoms? Here's hoping you can find a balance that works for you and helps you feel better.

I had a really reserved Friday night and avoided alcohol to try to minimise the de-railing that seems to always happen to me over the weekend. Yesterday's gain was obviously salt/water related as I've dropped this morning to 10st 6.2lb which I'm very happy about. Just got to keep on track for the weekend now.

Hope you had an amazing time last night @Gemzee 💃

Happy weekend everyone.