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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
Sammy900 · 12/10/2023 21:34

@Yocal I like your style! I'll probably reduce down my weigh in days later but obsessing about it at the moment as I'm only nearly 2 weeks in..good idea to tot up money saved on booze! I bet I'll have a shock if I try and sit and work it out...I'm all or nothing so it's best if I just totally be good all round in all aspects of my diet, etc otherwise I'll use a glass of wine as an excuse to have a take away and cake I know what I'm like 😂

Sammy900 · 12/10/2023 21:43

Whilst I'm adding stuff up I bet I'll be saving a fortune by not having takeaways too! It's embarrasing how much I was spending on Just eat

Yocal · 12/10/2023 21:53

Sammy900 · 12/10/2023 21:43

Whilst I'm adding stuff up I bet I'll be saving a fortune by not having takeaways too! It's embarrasing how much I was spending on Just eat

Yes, Yes and Yes to all your points made.

You're in good company on this thread. Dieting can be an obsessive and hungry journey. I hope you can find some strategies and routines that make it easier as you find your stride.

I agree if you sack of the alcohol you are far far far more likely to lose weight. The calories saved on what you don't eat after you've drunk are huge. Then who really wants to replace food calories with alcohol calories, when you only have 1400 to last all day.

I find using scales on a daily basis misleading as your mentstrual cycle/water rentention can make you think your diet isn't working.

Gemzee · 13/10/2023 07:05

Hi,
I had another sts this week. I know its because my food has not been completely on track 😔
On this plus side I seem to have mastered maintenance, this is my 6 month progress.
I'd still like to lose 2lbs so we'll see if I can get on track next week.
Have a good weekend all.

Diet for Christmas Challenge 2023
Houseoflove · 13/10/2023 08:07

Morning all

Hope you've all had a good week!

2lb off for me this week 😊

So:

SW: 14.11
2nd week weigh in: 14:4
Total loss so far: 7lb

Openmouthinsertfood · 13/10/2023 14:20

Hello everyone. Yup, binged again last night. Sad Was all ready to throw the towel in this morning and just maintain till after Christmas. Changed my mind now though. Specially since I only get 200 cals a day extra to maintain! Will still weigh tomorrow but will propbibly see a gain.
Good luck today all!

SnuggleBuggleBoo · 13/10/2023 19:38

@Openmouthinsertfood It's a struggle isn't it? The best I can say for myself right now is that I haven't been eating cheesecake! I set myself a high initial limit of 1500 cals per day thinking I'd drop down more over the next couple of weeks, but I've not even been able to stick to that!! It's such a mistake to get down about it and give up though - at least trying to stick to it means the jeans won't get any tighter!

Yocal · 13/10/2023 19:42

I run out out calories for the day at 3.30pm 😱

Total error of judgement on my part. Going to bed now to avoid the hunger!! Hopefully get a good nights sleep and ready to do better tomorrow!

LaBelleSauvage123 · 13/10/2023 19:43

I’m losing but it’s sooooo slow. My Fitbit gives me an average weekly weight, which is good as it irons out all the tiny losses and gains. This weeks loss is 0.2 of a pound 🙈. Better than a gain I know but it’s tortuous progress.

SnuggleBuggleBoo · 13/10/2023 19:48

Today:

Breakfast: Juice - 100

Lunch: Garlic bread - 350
Vegetable soup - 200
Creme fraiche - 100

Snack: Mashed banana porridge - 250

Snack 2: Kitkat - 100

Dinner: 2 vegetarian sausages - 150
Ratatouille - 200
Lots more creme fraiche - 200

Dessert: Pear - 100
Cake bar - 100

Total: 1850

Having unhealthy stuff in the fridge isn't helping! I bought it before getting into diet mode and I can't afford to waste it! I did have 2 decent walks today at least - the first was an hour and the second an hour and a half, with lots of hills - so that's something.

Openmouthinsertfood · 13/10/2023 20:36

SnuggleBuggleBoo · 13/10/2023 19:38

@Openmouthinsertfood It's a struggle isn't it? The best I can say for myself right now is that I haven't been eating cheesecake! I set myself a high initial limit of 1500 cals per day thinking I'd drop down more over the next couple of weeks, but I've not even been able to stick to that!! It's such a mistake to get down about it and give up though - at least trying to stick to it means the jeans won't get any tighter!

Thanks @SnuggleBuggleBoo . A week can feel so long! Well done to you too, for not giving up. And definitely kudos for not eating cheesecake! Grin (Iceland have a new meringue cheesecake in...Definitely one for Christmas!)

Bloodylovetelly · 14/10/2023 08:31

Morning all,

I’m declaring early this week as I’ve got house guests today/tomorrow, so the food and wine will be flowing freely…

sw 154lb
cw 149lb
gw by xmas 140lb

Another pound down this week. Hoping that I can undo this weekend’s over indulgence by next weekend.

This thread is really helping me to stay on track but also reminds me that it’s ok to enjoy eating freely on occasions.

Openmouthinsertfood · 14/10/2023 12:20

Good going @Bloodylovetelly ! Enjoy your weekend. Smile
Weighed in today, 1lb on. Not too bad I suppose, but still stuck in the 11st somethings. Lets see what this week brings!

SnuggleBuggleBoo · 14/10/2023 19:36

Today:

Breakfast: Juice - 100

Lunch: Scrambled egg - 250
Peas - 100
Buttered toast - 250

Dinner: Stuffed vine leaves - 150
Spinach parcels - 300
Feta - 150
Red pepper - 50
Sundried tomatoes - 200
Olives - 200

Dessert: Pear - 100
Cake bar - 100

Total: 1950

Oh My God no wonder I'm fat!! This is me trying to limit things! I'm doing a supermarket shop tomorrow so will try and stock up on healthier stuff.

I walked for about 2 hours today, but that's just made me hungry, so it's kind of backfired!

CatMattress · 14/10/2023 19:41

Would love to join you all. I've been counting calories on MFP for a month. Lost a kg. 7 more to go.

DP started at the same time and has lost 7kg already. I'm consoling myself with the fact he had more to lose and is a foot taller than me.

Not sure today is going to stay under target, but I have pmt and a cold and my plans got cancelled but DP was still going out, so a rather calorific ready made lasagne with a cat in front of Netflix it is.

How are you all doing this evening?

Yocal · 14/10/2023 19:55

SnuggleBuggleBoo · 14/10/2023 19:36

Today:

Breakfast: Juice - 100

Lunch: Scrambled egg - 250
Peas - 100
Buttered toast - 250

Dinner: Stuffed vine leaves - 150
Spinach parcels - 300
Feta - 150
Red pepper - 50
Sundried tomatoes - 200
Olives - 200

Dessert: Pear - 100
Cake bar - 100

Total: 1950

Oh My God no wonder I'm fat!! This is me trying to limit things! I'm doing a supermarket shop tomorrow so will try and stock up on healthier stuff.

I walked for about 2 hours today, but that's just made me hungry, so it's kind of backfired!

You're doing enough walking to bring your calorie count down to a deficit though. You should still be losing. 🙌

Openmouthinsertfood · 14/10/2023 23:56

Hi @CatMattress , love the username! Grin
I had some good news today. Had my Hba1c results (Diabetes blood test.). Came back as 31. 42-48 is prediabetic, above is diabetic so I'm actually under atm! Still on diabetic medication and need to be under 42 for 2 years to be considered non diabetic but I'm chuffed with that result. 😁

Yocal · 15/10/2023 08:03

Diet was attrocious yesterday. We went out so got food on the go, so it was sooooo unhealthy. I kept within my calorie limit, but can really tell today a I need to eat some fruit and veg.

I wish the there was a "nutridense" drive through on every corner like Mcdonalds. The health of the country would be better for it. Why has nobody done that business yet? 🤔

LBB2020 · 15/10/2023 11:11

Morning all, I weighed in this morning and have maintained 10st12lbs this week. Was hoping for a small loss but glad it wasn’t a gain! To be honest although I’ve exercised 4 times this week my diet hasn’t been the best (I blame hormones!), I’ve not overeaten as such just eaten unhealthy foods most of the week.
Back on the healthy eating train again tomorrow! Hope you have all had a good weekend

CatMattress · 15/10/2023 16:42

Went about 500 calories over yesterday, but my steps aren't registering on MFP so it won't be as bad as all that.

I'm trying to stick to a max of 1400 calories a day and generally manage between 1200 and that, so hopefully one day of 1900 won't end it all. I'm doing better today and the return to 73kg is (I am telling myself) only a temporary blip and things will track downwards tomorrow.

And thanks for the compliment on the name. Cat is sleeping on me again. It's a fairly effective strategy to avoid snacking as long as the snacks aren't within reach! 😆

Imtootiredtothinkofausername · 15/10/2023 19:37

Hi all, have loved reading such a supportive thread.
I'm mid 30s and post natal (4 months old baby girl) so trying to get back into my old clothes comfortably! Have been going at this with a bit of effort for the last 6 weeks or so. But have a weakness for evening snacking and maltesers!

SW 10st 5lbs (65.7kg)
CW 9st 1.6lbs (58kg)
GW 8st 8lbs (54.5kg)

bigdecisionstomake · 16/10/2023 08:24

Morning all

Have been off my game for a few days again - but am back this morning hoping to get back on it properly.

Lovely to see that the thread has been so busy and you have all been supporting each other 😊

@Yocal I tried the tortilla over the weekend and it was lovely both hot and cold the day after - what a great idea, thank you. I've ordered some Feta on my shop this week as I think that will go with it really well. Like you - I really need some fruit and veg after a weekend laden with crisps, chocolate and wine so have added plenty to my food shop!

2.7lbs is a fantastic loss @BookSuperWorm whoop whoop! Like you, I need the thread for accountability, hence back on here to start again this week.

Just adding Falafels to my shop this week too @SnuggleBuggleBoo I love that this thread is giving me new food ideas and reminding me about things I had forgotten 😃

@Openmouthinsertfood sorry you've had another binge - life is like that sometimes - I've had a poor weekend foodwise too but we just have to put it behind us and move forwards. We're all here cheering you along (and step away from the meringue cheescake until Christmas!) 🙂Great news on the diabetes test results - might that be a positive side effect of you trying to lose weight and eat more healthily? Take the wins where you can get them and that's a particularly good one!

@Sammy900 welcome to the thread. I tend to weigh in on Sundays but others weigh in on different days and at different intervals, just do what suits you. I use the thread for accountability as when I don't (ahem...like this weekend) I tend to go majorly off plan. We all try to be supportive and cheer the successes and offer support and advice if needed for the days when life just gets in the way of our good intentions. Alcohol is my nemesis too - I find it far harder to stick to plan when I've had a glass of wine... 🙂

@Gemzee That graph is a beautiful thing - well done on maintaining for so long, it really is difficult. I am going to get tough with myself this week as I've been slipping a lot so lets be strong together 💪

Well done on another 2lbs off @Houseoflove that's awesome - well done!

@LaBelleSauvage123 A loss is a loss and you should be proud of it. It's another step closer to your goal, it might just mean you need a few more steps than you thought to get there. @SnuggleBuggleBoo made a good point that any loss or a STS means you're jeans won't get any tighter 🤗

@Bloodylovetelly another pound down - well done! Glad you're finding the thread helpful. I think you're spot on that we have to indulge sometimes, and recognise that it's ok to do so. For me I just have to make sure the indulgent days don't outweigh the careful days and at the moment it's pretty level pegging 😫Hope you enjoyed your weekend with your houseguests.

Welcome to the thread @CatMattress and well done on the 1Kg lost so far. I can commiserate with you on the DP front - mine seems to be able to eat and drink what he likes without putting any weight on for ages and then when eventually he does gain a bit and he decides to diet it seems to just fall off him no problem at all. Life is just not fair 😡

@LBB2020 A sts is better than a gain and it sounds like you've identified what you could do differently this week - join me in trying to make this week better than last, in my case it couldn't be much worse to be fair....😆

Congratulations on your baby girl@Imtootiredtothinkofausername you've lost an amazing amount so far - well done, that must have taken some effort! I think the last bit is the hardest. I'm also down to the last half a stone or so and finding it hard going now. Hopefully the thread and all the lovely posters can keep us motivated (as well as avoiding the maltesers...)

Right - 10 weeks to go until Christmas. I need to get serious. I have a fairly boring week ahead so no nights out to distract me or big work stresses looming to make me want to eat and drink to excess.

I've weighed in this morning at 10st 3lb so another creep back up. This weight is the very top end of where I feel comfortable and where my clothes just fit but are tight. I need to lose at least half a stone to fit in most things comfortably again and a bit more to get into absolutely everything without feeling restricted.

10 weeks is enough to at least get the first half a stone of that off. I've done a 30 minute Olivia Lawson metabolic walking workout this morning followed by a 15 minute legs workout with growingannanas. I always tend to stick to calories better when I've worked out.

Mini goals for this week are to up my fruit and veg and drink more water.

Lets do this!

OP posts:
CatMattress · 16/10/2023 08:57

Morning all. Came in at a 489 calorie deficit yesterday so yay - my Saturday binge was totally negated which gives me a bit more motivation to stick with it. It also really helps to be doing it alongside DP. He may be losing faster than me, but he has a lot more to lose as his goal is about -30kg in total. Mine is -8kg total. I will be happy if I can lose another 2 before Christmas. I really want to get sub 70kg before the end of the year.

Dp is apparently having a fancy Xmas party at his new work and I have a green velvet dress I bought on 2019 that has never been worn because first: covid, so no parties, then weight gain+a rather pedestrian social life so I'm v excited about getting to dress up in my beautiful dress finally, as long as I can get the weight down. It does up, but I'm v self conscious about my stomach in it currently.

Has anyone made any minor changes that would probably stick even on a binge day/you didn't need to worry about weight any more? I have stopped having sugar in my coffee most days (I occasionally have a dash of syrup as a weekend treat) and have recently reduced the amount of milk I have in my tea and now actually prefer it.

Foodie40lady · 16/10/2023 16:59

Hi all, been following the thread for a few weeks but please may I join? Reading all the posts keep me focused each day.

Lost 5 1/2 stone through calorie counting and breastfeeding back in 2017 but have slowly put it back on (thankfully not all, 4 stone though) so looking to get that back off and giving myself 8 months to do it. My initial target is to lose 24lbs xmas. I've lost 14lbs of this so far In 4 weeks. I've purely been calorie counting. My main nemesis is wine 🍷

SW: 16st 0
CW: 15st 0
Xmas TW: 14st 4lbs
Final TW: 12st 4lbs

Having a visual tracker keeps me motivated (like a child with a sticker chart 😁)

Diet for Christmas Challenge 2023
Imtootiredtothinkofausername · 16/10/2023 17:46

@Foodie40lady I love your sticker chart 😄 that is exactly the sort of thing that would motivate me too!

Great work so far, 14lbs is impressive! You've absolutely got this 👍