🥳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 🎄🥳

Thanks for the welcome back @TheRealHousewife and @JustACountryMusicGirlInCowboyBoots
thinking Of you @ImALittlePea
so I have not been watching what I eat at all and I have put in 1.5 kgs!!!
really need to start paying attention again. Feeling very bloated and generally horrid!
going to try and have a good weekend. I have avocado and eggs and salad !
enjoy your weekend everyone !

It's been one of those weeks and I've broken my no eating after 6pm rule 3 times this week. All 3 dc have had stressful stuff going on this week and I was going to be in bed earlier tonight and chill out but my eldest needed me and has only just gone to sleep 😩 I'll do better tomorrow but definitely Sunday as tomorrow, well, today now, is not going to be any better. I'll at least get a good couple of miles walk in up some hills.

Have a great weekend!

@JustACountryMusicGirlInCowboyBoots it;s mazong what a break in routine can do. I rarely go out so has been easy to stick to my 12 hour eating window and no eating after dinner (usually nothing but herbal tea after 7pm) but my one meal out last week has sent my weight haywire! And I had crisps last night in front of the TV.

Normal service has now been resumed though. Today a more sensible 72.4kg which is 0.3 down from my Wednesday weigh in - think I just need to strike Thursday and Friday's weigh-ins for the record!

Today:
-boiled agg and rye toast
-going to make some soup - I think red lentil and coconut
-shoarma with vegetables in wraps with salad, garlic sauce and homemade wedges.

Weighed this morning instead of yesterday as felt very rough yesterday with Long Covid symptoms. A decent nights sleep has pretty much sorted me out, and 2lb off this week for me, so that's 8lb in total in 3 weeks.

SW 13st 3lb
CW 12st 9lb
GW 11st 7lb (I think this is what I decided to start!)

Thoughts on a Saturday morning (sorry if you’re having breakfast)! Do you take anything to keep things moving? After a few days low ish carb I’m finding this an issue. In the past I’ve tried calfig but it’s really high in natural sugar so any recommends would be appreciated.

@witnessprotection73 for a short term fix, orange juice, lots of water. generally I notice I notice a difference if I don't eat enough fibre or have too much white bread so upping fibre with lots of fruit, vegetables and water helps.

@witnessprotection73 I'm not adverse to just taking a senna tablet. It kind of sets me right again if that makes sense. Obviously not something for every day and drink plenty of water but it'll get you right. £1 a box in Home Bargains!

I do need to go to home bargain actually so I’ll have a look! Also just juiced some oranges and ginger so that might help…

my fall back is sugar free sweets because I can’t have xylitol but this is hardly a healthy approach 🙄

Life got stressy, and I'm up two pounds. I'm too old for this crap! So I'm committing to following my plan, and throwing out the stuff that leads me astray - cream, sweetened milk, and maybe coffee. (I'm the only one who drinks it.)

Lots of housework here to catch up with. Will start this evening with laundry and tidying which will be my exercise.

17.09 trying for one pound each week.

@witnessprotection73 have you tried probiotics? It’s a problem for me too with low carb but I do find these help.

As predicted I gained this week, although only by one pound and not the expected 3. It’s really frustrating though, even with the unplanned takeaway I stayed within calories. Measurement suggest a 2cm lost so hopefully the excess will come off next week.

Bit of an unbalanced day today though. Went out to a Christmas market and stayed out for longer than intended. There was nothing to eat that was plan friendly so waited and skipped lunch.

Food:
Eggs and asparagus
Babybel
Home made burger, courgette fritter, field mushroom and salad
Probably a glass or 2 of red.

@2Early4Breakfast I have cut back massively on coffee as was drinking too much, all day, and sugary cappuccinos at work. However, it'll take a lot to deprive me of my 2 small cups (with semi skimmed milk) that I have with my breakfast. My rule is no caffeine after midday, but avoiding coffee at work completely is working better for me.

today:

-boiled egg and rye toast
-jacket potato with butter, spinach, mushrooms, cheese
-pasta carbonara with broccoli

just about to head to supermarket for some good dark chocolate and some sweet potatoes to cook later in the week. Just need to decide what I'm going to do with them....gnocchi (never made before), cottage pie, mash with bacon and smoked sausage? Decisions, decisions.

Hi, I'd like to join in if I may as I think posting on threads will help keep me accountable!
After a pretty bad year with my mental health, I've been feeling much better but have now realised it's taken a huge toll on my body and selfcare. Weight gain, lots of bingeing and comfort eating, no energy to prepare healthy meals or do exercise, and I just don't look like myself. So I'm trying to get into good habits by Christmas rather than let the last month of the year be a slide into bad habits!

I've had a week of 10k steps daily and plan to restart exercise tomorrow.
Also had my first Sunday in a long time with no cafe visit for cake and latte/hot chocolate. These were my meals:

• Poached egg on wholemeal toast
• Tomato and avocado salad plus a Kind bar
• Lasagne with green veg at DM's, she makes tiny portions fortunately!
• No coffee, 1 cup of tea

I know it's a baby step but I'm feeling proud, it's been a worryingly long time since I had a day without any kind of edible/drinkable treat and I look forward to reintroducing them in a controlled way if I can kickstart the healthy habits first.

I've had a read through the thread and your meals sound virtuous and delicious! I'd love any suggestions for recipes, I'm aiming for high protein, Mediterranean-ish diet :)

@Toomanyemails someone much further along than me will give you much better advice but well done for getting started! I joined a week ago after reaching a similar point x

Made these for dinner, Parmesan roasted swede, really good! Had with roast chicken and leeks.

I’ve had a great weekend food / exercise wise so hoping for positive numbers on scales!

Morning all! Only 4 weeks until xmas so it’s time for me to really get on it now! I’m kickstarting the week with a fast and will have my first meal of the day in the evening. The rest of the week I plan to eat normally so no fasts but just healthy meals and mindful of portions.

Hi Everyone,

I was posting on the last thread but then life got on top of me! Hope it's okay if I rejoin in time for the Christmas chaos :) Just been having a read through and a catch up.

I weighed in last week at
51.9 and goal is to reach 50 by Christmas but definitely needing a boost and some inspiration now!

I can't believe it's only 4 weeks til the big day! I am genuinely excited. However, I am not looking forward to seeing what the scales say if I don't stop messing around. I feel I am doing slightly better than I was but it is not enough. I might have to tell my partner that I don't want to have any more treats til we break up from work.
Here is to a good week for us all 😊

Good Afternoon AllHAS

Im still under par with a heavy headachy virus and my blummin back is really sore. Having pain meds so having to eat 3 to 4 times a day (rather than my normal twice) hence not weighing in.

When I feel a bit more human I will catch up on our thread ❤️

Off course it’s ok @Newbornmum Happy to have you back 👍

Welcome to the thread @Toomanyemails . The state of one’s mental health and weight gain/loss are so entwined. You are absolutely right to make a start now rather than throw caution to the wind until after Christmas. The more self care you afford yourself, the more your mental health will benefit and the more you’ll be inclined to practice self care. A wonderfully nurturing cycle. You've made a great positive start, well done 👏.

@witnessprotection73 That Parmesan roasted swede looks lush!

@PieonaBarm Great progress! 👏👏👏

@2Early4Breakfast Life sounds tough at the moment. Be kind to yourself ❤️

Great to read everyone progress. Keep it up ladies x

Afternoon all! Sorry not been on and detailing my food but weekend etc and all…

I did cave this weekend and had some drinks, mulled wine, snacks, sweet stuff at the weekend but I weighed myself yesterday and think I’m
at my current weight which is 10.5 stone. Surprised but I’ve trying not to snack so much.

I also did a 30 mins standing cardio body project workout. I like these.

Breakfast:- porridge oats with blueberries water and splash of milk. This week will either have blueberries with Puffed Oats (Rude Health) and milk or just blueberries and fat free yogurt.
Lunch:- bowl Knorr Crofters thick vegetable soup plus cucumber batons, 2 cherry tomatoes, half tub low fat hummus and Ritz biscuits, 2 radishes
snack:- plum and 2 tangerines
No idea what’s for dinner.

Been trying to up my water and green tea intake.

@witnessprotection73 your swede with my Parmesan looks yummy!

@TheRealHousewife get well soon!

@TheRealHousewife I hope you feel better soon. I have had back pain for a few weeks now and it gets you down.

@Toomanyemails Im aiming for a similar style of eating. Reduced carb but not low carb, and a focus on protein, salad and veg.

Managed to stay on track at the weekend, despite a Christmas market. Offered to drive to keep me off the mulled wine. Have felt a bit rough for some reason today though.

Food:
Eggs and spinach
Portobello mushrooms stuffed with cottage cheese and spring onion, salad
Chicken and vegetable soup with extra shredded chicken added in.

get well soon @TheRealHousewife 💐

today:
-boiled egg and rye toast
-pasta carbonara and broccoli
-tomato noodle soup and bread
-fruit: apples, pears, orange slices, melon, pineapple; greek yoghurt and honey

NSW - wore a beautiful pair of cord trousers I haven't been able to fit into for the last couple of years. Can really feel and see the difference in my body after just 7 weeks of really making an effort with my diet.

tomorrow's dinner: mashed potato and sweet potato with kale, bacon and smoked sausage.
Have spinach to use up for lunch, just not sure with what yet. Maybe omelette.

@PatienceOfEngels I love cord trousers, hope you feel fab in them!
@Spudlover excellent, I'll be looking for meal ideas to steal from your posts!
@GonnaGetGoingReturns you've reminded me I actually like green tea and have a nice box of jasmine flavoured green tea to replace (some of) my lattes with

Today I did a 20 min home workout as well as my 10k steps, I forgot how much I love the feeling of having exercised (if only I loved the actual exercise!)

Food was:
Skyr and berries
Tomato/avocado salad, almonds and walnuts
A small stew with lean beef, carrots and broccoli and smallish baked potato
And quite a large chocolate truffle, but this is a much smaller treat than I had got in the habit of having

Not a bad start to the week but under huge stress with both dds so my head isn't focused. 10 miles/22,000 steps walked which is great after the being stuck in last week. No snacks in the house apart from some left over Halloween chocolate so today has been a good day for just meals. I did have the last of the sticky toffee pudding cake with a scoop of ice cream for pudding but I'm not caring. Tomorrow will be a lighter foods day ahead of wowing.
I'll catch up in the thread tomorrow.

Good Morning All

Thank you for your well wishes … I’m feeling a bit more perky today.

@GonnaGetGoingReturns Sounds like you had a fab weekend! It’s good for the soul ❤️

@Spudlover Sorry to read you’re a fellow back pain sufferer; pain can grind you right down. I hope you find some relief soon!

@PatienceOfEngels Great NSV! PS I love a cord trouser/skirt/anything really 😬

@Toomanyemails Fabulous step count 👌

@JustACountryMusicGirlInCowboyBoots Well done on getting your mega steps in in spite of the stressful situation. I hope your dds soon settle/recover.

Menu
Meal 1 - Spicy Minestrone Soup. GF cob.
Meal 2 - Mince & onion, cabbage, carrots & broccoli, onion gravy.
Tea, black coffee & water.