🥳LOSE IT! 🥳Christmas 2023 Countdown Thread 🥳

[TheRealHousewife]

CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN EDITION.

8 week countdown to Christmas. November brings a fresh new month to become a healthier version of yourself. If you’re up for being your best self in time for the festivities you’ve come to the right place.

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 8st 12lbs. 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 few lbs 😬 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 of a 1lb - 2lbs per week you could be a half a stone to a stone lighter by Christmas 🎄🥳

I'm in!

Just started on Friday.

Starting weight 11st 3lbs
Goal weight 9st (not by Xmas, just aiming to get as low as possible this side and then push through the rest in the new year)

Currently doing keto and have lost 4lbs of water weight. So currently at 10st 13lbs

@TheRealHousewife how did you get under 9st? seems impossible for me to achieve this! did you just go slowly towards your goal and eventually get there or did the weight come off fairly easily? what's your secret/top tip??

Thanks @TheRealHousewife for the new thread. As you might remember, my efforts have been rubbish for months for various reasons, but I'm thinking the NO-vember might be a good time to say no to the bad habits that have crept in, and get in better shape for Christmas! Here's hoping this is the month I re-find my mojo...

Yes!! Christmas countdown! I'm so excited for Christmas! Love the festive baubles @TheRealHousewife

Normally countdowns make me a bit self sabotage-y 😬 At this point I would normally set myself an unrealistic goal for Christmas, fail to reach it and then panic nearer the date, and eat! However at this point I'm feeling quite good, I have a plan and no short term weight target.

Best of luck everyone!

OMG a Christmas countdown 😱
Aiming to be 4kg lighter by Christmas. Better get my arse in gear. Excellent day today coming in at 8.5 miles and 1400 calories which apparently puts me on track to be 53kg in 5 weeks.

Can I join? I’m currently paying £20 a month to an influencer for a weekly weigh in on her programme. Would love to be able to have the accountability on here instead.
SW 12:6. CW 11:13 GW 9:10

Placemarking!

🎃Happy Halloween🎃

This month has flown by!

End of Month weigh-in = 8st 12lbs.

Welcome to the thread @OldMountainGoat & @Tryingtosuceed. There is some general guidance in previous threads that you both might find useful 👍 @OldMountainGoat Honesty, time & consistency are key to success. I say honesty in that we have all had moments where we scoff big fat cream cakes mindlessly into our gobs (or whatever a persons vice is) whilst reading Slimming World magazines dreaming of being svelte and trim 😬 You need to know your why, how and end game and be in the right head space. Weight loss can be complex and unfortunately there is no magic bullet. There are so many variables to consider including but not exclusively age, gender, health, medications, illness, disability, chronic conditions, fat/muscle ratio. That’s why I say people need to follow their own path.

Pleased to have you all on board again @DomesticElf @JustACountryMusicGirlInCowboyBoots @LemonDrizzle23 @WhatWouldTheDoctorDo

Count me in! I was just thinking at the weekend that I need to sort myself out. Unhealthy diet, winter clothes that are too snug, not much exercise and the house needs a decent clean. Feeling better about all this by Christmas is a good target.

Plan is to eat healthier food, cut down on random snacking and scoffing, get moving, and declutter and clean the house - I'm hoping that decluttering and exercise will be a good distraction from mindless eating.

Can anyone recommend nice 'winter' drinks? I should cut down on milky coffee and hot chocolate in the evening. Tea is okay, but what might feel like more of a treat in itself rather than something for biscuit dunking?

Hopping on.

End of October weigh in 74.4kg.

SW 77kg (October 2023)
CW 74.4kg
GW 68kg

I'm scared to set a target by Christmas for weight loss as don't want to feel like I've failed if I don't meet it when things inevitably slow down. But, I would like to feel fitter, have more energy and feel more relaxed.

I have been calorie counting/weighing certain foods just to reset my understanding of how many calories things are. Has shown me that I grossly underestimate what I'm putting my body!

For weight loss and well-being I try to:
-eat within a 12 hour window.
-eat as little UPF and as many whole foods as possible.
-no booze and avoid calories in drinks
-have between 1400-1800 calories per day
-no caffeine after 12:00
-walk outside every day, even just round the block
-do yoga/meditation exercises everyday for relaxation
-drink 1.5-2 litres of water
-snacks - fruit, veg, nuts, Greek yoghurt
-avoid mindlessly scrolling on my phone in the evenings - read good books, watch good tv instead!

@notlisteningwithmother I also find that keeping a tidier house helps me be calmer and more likely to stick with my healthy habits. For a lovely winter hot drink, how about a winter herbal tea? I'm not in the UK but have just picked up a lovely caramelised pear one. Or make non-alcoholic mulled wine. Makes the house smell delicious when it's simmering (red grape juice, orange studded with cloves, cinnamon stick, maybe a bit of extra brown sugar, star anise). Simmer gently, let it infuse and strain.

Christmas countdown! Argh! I'd better give myself a kick up the bum.

That sounds delicious @PatienceOfEngels

I buy ginger tea sometimes, but some other flavours would be nice. I'm sure someone told me that cinnamon has a sweet taste that can satisfy a desire for something sugary. But winter spices are lovely anyway.

I'm back in, have been talking to my husband about Christmas foods. Last year, and other years, we have bought too much and end up with things left over in the new year. We have decided to buy the things we want most, not lots of "oooo I like the look of that". He has lost a decent amount of body fat this year too, and he is weight training regularly and doing martial arts.
We have also agreed to not buy treat foods as gifts for each other. He is going to get me a small box of the expensive marzipan earlier in December to share.

Joining, 10 kg to lose till Christmas and then some afterwards! I am drinking 2 SF shakes a day and small dinner in the afternoon. Trying to keep it within 8 hrs eating window for better effect. Reducing carbs, so no bread, pasta, rice or potatoes. Drinking coffee and herbal teas all day. 8 week here we go!

Welcome to the new thread @notlisteningwithmother @PatienceOfEngels @DownUdderer @WeirdPookah & @ILikeItHere 👍

I don’t know what anyone else thinks but I Christmas is creeping up on us much too quickly 🎄😬

Happy No-vember! I'm stealing that from whoever said it earlier.

I went to the local shop earlier and the guy behind the counter who is always really friendly (with everyone but remembers people iyswim) asked if he could ask me something personal. I was a bit wary but he's lovely and i know his equally lovely wife and I see her quite regularly (small town) but he said he hoped I didn't mind him asking but had I lost a massive amount of weight? He made my day. Normally I hate comments. Really hate them. But I'd been feeling rubbish about falling off the wagon the last few months and he really cheered me up and helped my determination to keep the rest of it off. He's the kind of guy who makes an effort with customers and takes an actual interest in people rather than a robotic hi how's your day?
May you all be blessed with similar if you'd be happy to hear it

Checking in with a starting weight of 56.7kg. I was pleasantly surprised as was a kg heavier 2 weeks ago.

SW: 68kg September 2022
CW: 56.7kg
TW:54kg (was this in June 2023)

Good luck to everyone weighing today. Here's to the WOWs!

Don't forget your 🍾. It really does make a difference to shifting the weight.

May I join you? I’ve been losing weight since 19th September and this countdown will keep me on track. I weighed this morning so this feels perfect.

SW: 12 stone 2
CW: 11 stone 5
GW: 10 stone 7

so, I’ve lost 11lbs in six weeks and I aim to be in the tens by the end of this month

Checking in for the first WOW count down to Christmas 🎄

Small 0.5kg loss here, but probably reasonable for half term. Went back to the gym for the first time in a couple of weeks yesterday and it felt good.

SW: 97.5kg
CW: 95.2kg
5% : 92.5kg

This week should be a focused week, as no wild socialising planned. Let's see how it goes! Good luck to everyone!

Good Morning All & Happy 1st!

WOW - 8st 13lbs. Up a lb.

Sharing Action for Happiness November Calendar as we know mental health and weigh loss/gain are interrelated. Weight management seems to fall into place if we are in the right headspace.

@JustACountryMusicGirlInCowboyBoots What a lovely chap he is; it’s lovely when people have a genuine interest. You’ve done marvellously this year and it’s nice your effort has been recognised. That said, It’s natural to fluctuate up and down a bit and you seem to have an angle on it. The amount of walking you do is phenomenal 👏👏👏

Welcome to the thread @MarzipanKnees Congratulations on your progress to date 👍

Menu
Meal 1 - Mediterranean Omelette. Pecans. Apple
Meal 2 - Roast chicken, sweet potato, sweet corn & mange tout.

Tea, black coffee and water.

Thank you so much @TheRealHousewife. I’ve read some of these threads before and it’s inspiring and lovely to read peoples success stories and see all the support you give each other ❤️

Sharing this again as can be useful:- Starting Over Tips

1. Don't put it off - start now, not tomorrow.
2. If you're offered a drink, choose a sugar free one.
3. Cut out alcohol.
4. Don't buy biscuits, snack on fruit.
5. Only eat between meals if you are hungry.
6. Have a healthy weekend.
7. Plan your meals.
8. Put more vegetables on your plate.
9. Take lunch to work rather than buying it.
10. Use measuring cups and spoons.
11. Get moving!
12. Even if you can’t change everything change the things you can.

SW - 70kg
WOW - 64.5kg
down 1.2kg this week
Nice to get below 65kg - helps my motivation
Am due my first ever 'Well woman' appointment next week. It will be interesting to learn how my healthy eating is impacting on my cholesterol, blood sugar and other markers. I have a home blood pressure monitor so know that is OK.
Keep going everyone!

Well done on your progress @fedupofbuilders . I’m sure you’re healthy eating has had a positive impact on your health markers. If you’re comfortable please do share. I myself lowered my cholesterol and blood sugars through a healthy diet 👍

Good morning. I'm feeling a bit of a fraud still being on these threads as weight has gone up a pound over October and not seen any real loss for ages. I've looked down your list of tips @TheRealHousewife and it's definitely eating between meals that is catching me out.
On the hot drinks topic, I used to think fruit teas were annoying as not sweet enough, but since reducing sugar in other areas, my pallette has changed and I now enjoy them much more.

@Bikechic Youre definitely not a fraud. In the recent past I’ve had plateaus so long I thought my body had gone into maintenance mode. I just couldn’t lose for months. Time, fine tweaks and continuing to be consistent (rather than chucking in the towel) got me losing again. It’s never easy and increasingly hard the nearer to goal we get. Keep going 👍