⭐️LOSE IT! January 2024 Reset & Renew⭐️

[TheRealHousewife]

⭐️Open to All⭐️

January 2024! Fresh start & develop new habits. Join-in to reset & refresh and become a healthier version of yourself. These threads are for those who’d like to lose and those who wish to maintain whilst eating a healthy varied diet.

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 9st. I had a blip a couple of years ago when my thyroid went wonky but now back on track.

Are you in😊 What food plan will you be following? What do you want to change and why?

WOF today and I lost 3.5lb! Well chuffed with that for week two 6lb since January 1st.

B - Protein yoghurt, banana
L - Lentil and bacon soup, gluten free toast, two clementines
D - Smoked mackerel and spinach, protein yoghurt

Snack: 3 babybel lights.

Exercise: 2 x dog walk, yoga, weights session.

Had a good day just in a very mentally positive place

B seeded toast & hummus x1
L butternut, tomato & basil roll
D LM pulled pork burger with rocket
S Graze, glass of wine and some non dairy salted caramel malteaser type thing

Went to the cinema early evening, took my own water and graze to avoid my normal popcorn.

Argh the scales are torturing me. I'm really struggling with motivation when there is little to no movement on the scales. I know realistically that I'm doing really well, I've dropped 18lbs in 2.5months but the majority of that was in the first month and progress has slowed big style.
My older clothes do fit better, I feel slimmer, I'm no longer a size 20 and I'm doing weight training in the gym which must mean I've gained some muscle.
I just feel like the number on the scales is dropping too slowly over the last 4 weeks (3lbs) to motivate me and I don't want to go on some ridiculous diet to see some big losses.

I just needed a moan. I won't be self sabotaging myself like I have done endlessly over the last 20yrs. I will keep on with the consistency of eating natural foods and working out and get to my end goal (eventually) 💪 👌.

Stepped on the scales this morning & I’ve gained 5lbs since Monday! 😭😱😭

That is despite
3x Pilates sessions (1 hour hard sessions!)
1x weights session
3x 5k runs (hilly)
1x 2 hour hike

I have eaten no chocolate/ junk etc , no alcohol, no soft drinks . Been genuinely really good.

How is this possible?

I weighed at same time of day, first thing after using loo but before eating or drinking anything

Am new to dieting & weight loss - please can anyone explain?!

Do not panic!

Lots of exercise can mean muscles healing which means water retention. Are you drinking your 2lts a day?

Where are you in your cycle? Week before period for me means bloating and water retention, weight goes up but then drops when my period starts.

Have you been accurately tracking your food to make sure you aren't going over your calories?

Feeling very fragile this morning after a very big night yesterday.
Have to make good choices today now to get back on track

Oh @Whatsgoingonwithmyhead I feel your frustration! @FlabMonsterIsDietingAgain has nailed it, I can't add much other than keep going and a show of solidarity ❤️

@LumionaMoonsplash you've got this. It can be so disheartening when the movement is slow 🐌 but taking it slowly is ultimately the way to make your losses sustainable in the long run. It sounds like you've made some incredible progress so far in terms of the scales but healthier habits - keep at it!! 💪

I couldn't find my hankered-for lamb kebabs yesterday, but I did find some minted lamb burgers in the butchers so had those instead. Omg, better than kebabs! Served them as if they were (so with salad, pitta, tzatziki etc), it was the dreamiest dinner 🤤 DH and I cosied up after to watch more of Fool Me Once and the Traitors (anyone else watching either?!) and shared a bottle of fizz. Had 2.5 glasses and was very happy with that; we could very easily get through two bottles between us so it was nice to show myself I can have a couple and not want to open another.

Had another motivational win today, we stopped at the bakery after the kids clubs this morning and everyone had either a hot bake or cake/doughnut, I knew I could/would have eaten something but genuinely didn't fancy anything so chose not to (barring one bite of DH's pasty). Came home and had a small bowl of s&v peanuts and just making lunch now.

L: halloumi pitta with salad and tzatziki
D: 1/2 oven pizza, salad and homemade chips

It's Saturday so there will be sofa snacks with the kids while we watch the masked singer and gladiators, no guilt there though as it's lovely to enjoy these things with them! Might have some wine when they go to bed, haven't put any in the fridge yet though.

Happy Saturday gang 😊

Good Morning All

The sun is shinning at long last and it certainly lifts the spirits. I might not be a sun worshipper but I certainly enjoy basking in it ☀️

@Flowerchild547 Hope you soon feel better!

@Whatsgoingonwithmyhead What @FlabMonsterIsDietingAgain has written makes sense. Also are your scales reliable? In regards to Aunt Flo it’s normal to have weight fluctuations; I used to retain so much water etc that the largest fluctuation I had was 11lbs! Try not to stress and see where you are this time next week 👍❤️

@afaloren Congrats on your loss 👏

@WeirdPookah That is fantastic progress! Well done 👏👏👏👍

@PatienceOfEngels I hope you soon feel better and your situation calms down a bit! Sounds tough! ❤️

@ImALittlePea Well done on your loss! 👏

Im nervous of scrolling further back as I lost a post yesterday. I usually have 2 screens open, one to read and one to respond but my phones on charge this morning. Just noticed time and seen it’s now afternoon 😬

50 Weight Loss Tips

Menu
Meal 1 - Omelette & side salad.
Meal 2 - Chicken Stir Fry. Cream & raspberry dessert.
Tea, black coffee & water.

Stay with it ladies, you’ll be pleased you did 👌

Also @Whatsgoingonwithmyhead

3x Pilates sessions (1 hour hard sessions!)
1x weights session
3x 5k runs (hilly)
1x 2 hour hike

Is that the exercise you've done Monday to Friday, so 8 hard exercise sessions in 5 days. Is that normal for you or new activity?

That is a LOT! If your body isn't used to it and if your muscles are sore then it's going to be in conserve water mode to address the healing, it also won't quite know what to do with the extra energy your burning so your metabolism may not be keeping speed.

Busy thread!

@LumionaMoonsplash was going to say exactly the same as @ImALittlePea - that you've done so well to get this far, may just be stuck on a frustrating plateau for a bit as your body is readjusting itself to more nutrition, and less rubbish calories. Especially important to dig deep and stick with it - the results WILL happen if you're doing everything you're meant to do. It's really not worth derailing out of frustration. You can do it. We're behind you.

How very frustrating @Whatsgoingonwithmyhead . No advice or suggestions, other than again your body may be having a bit of a moment, converting its energy stores into new muscle as your exercise has increased. Have you had a lot of hidden salt? I ate a noodle ramen soup once thinking how healthy it was - lots of liquid, veggies, and no sugar. I bloated, gained and was constipated for a quite a few days and all I can put it down to was salt / soy or similar. Kudos to you with all your exercise. Can't recall what your weight is, how much you want to loose, but perhaps you will transform into a toned, lean, strong body, shrinking in the process, but actually not loosing that much?

Enough waffle about stuff I know nothing about ...

B - kefir greek yoghurt, blueberries, spoon oats
E - long trail run - 12k +
L - 2 slices cheese on toast (never usually eat cheese or toast - I blame this thread !!)
D - leftover home made thai red prawn, red pepper, baby sweetcorn, sugar snap curry with rice

Sleeping so much better with dry jan. A few stressful moments with work this week when I would have normally drank & snacked my way through the bad feelings. Have managed with camomile tea. Excellent progress. Long may it last.

Wow, did we all sleep in late today! it was nearly 8 o'clock when we all got up. First week back at school, back to proper exercise obviously did a number on us all.

Went out for a walk and food is on point.

B: eggs, 1 slice seeded bread, miso mushrooms
L: cauliflower/butterbean cream soup, swedish rye crispbreads
D: arepas, peppers, tomatoes, Aldi's not-pulled pork

Did anybody see the new Michael Mosely program about healthy-ing up your weekly shop?

Thanks everyone - really hope it is just water retention- genuinely don’t see how I could have put 5lb on since Monday - I’ve done my exercise everyday & stuck firmly to all my food rules!

Re my cycle, it’s completely random. I’ve been on HRT about 4/5 months but my periods are still all over the place. Helpful, not!

@Whatsgoingonwithmyhead it will be water, you need to consume 3,500 excess calories to put on a pound of fat! So unless you’ve been mainlining Mars bars in between workouts it will just be a blip

Thanks @afaloren - I’ve literally not even looked at a chocolate button, let alone eaten one. I tried so so hard all week. So I’m really hoping it’s a blip as I literally can’t do any better with food & exercise than I have this week, short of starving myself which I’m not prepared to do!

Someone asked about scales - I have a relatively new set of decent Salter scales so I doubt it’s that

@LumionaMoonsplash feeling a bit the same atm after a tough week. Hang on in there!

@Whatsgoingonwithmyhead that's a LOT of exercise! If it's your first week then try not to panic. I think it can takes several weeks to show change and a quick change in habits can also really confuse your body into hanging onto stuff iykwim.

Thanks @TheRealHousewife . I know that stress does funny things to my body and I'm also not moving as much as I'm having to sit down and work. Must get out for a walk. Can't believe that 1kg gain overnight from birthday celebrations is sticking around and not shifting!

B - boiled egg, rye toast and butter, coffee
L-banana pancakes and honey
D - sweet and sour chicken and rice
S - apple. satsuma, unsalted nuts

@ImALittlePea are you me?! We also watched Fool Me Once and Traitors last night and and will be watching Gladiators and Masked Singer with DDs tonight 😂.

Today I had coffee and blueberries for breakfast, avocado, olives and feta on a toasted bagel with a side salad for lunch. Dinner tbc but will allow myself a snack with the children later so will probably have some chocolate. We've all done a 3 mile walk so have upped our step count today.

We will also be watching Gladiators tonight!Showed little DS an episode on YouTube from the 90s last night. I loved it so much as a kid.

Have had a good start to the weekend (as my Apple Watch slightly patronisingly congratulated me...) 10km ride and 2.5km walk at the gym this morning.

Minor supermarket victory also, as I swerved the chocolate aisle whilst getting stuff for dinner. Chicken enchiladas tonight.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Hi everyone,

I've just caught up on the thread today. Congratulations on the losses! It's very inspirational reading how everyone is doing.

For those struggling with the scales, it could also be a good idea to do progress pictures or measurements. Sometimes we can see the difference better there even if the scales are being meanies!

I got back from the UK late Tuesday and weighed in on Wednesday

SW: 15st 10
Wednesday weight: 15st 8lb.

I was quite happy with that 2lb considering I had spent the days before with family eating Chinese, pizza hut and Greggs🙈

I've had a good week so far though, eating has been on point and I even managed to swerve the delicious pizzas at a restaurant yesterday with a friend and went for the chicken salad instead. Evenings are tough as I want to snack but I have been choosing Yorkshire bed time tea instead.
Did a Zumba workout yesterday and will again tomorrow.

Hope everyone has a good weekend :)

Evening all. A good day here, and I’m pleased because DH is away which is usually my cue to eat and drink crap for 48 hours but stuck to my plan and workout schedule.

B - 5 dried apricots, protein yoghurt
L - Chicken sausages with salad
D - Smoked mackerel with sugar snap peas

Snack: 3 babybel lights, slice of reduced fat cheese

Exercise: 2 x dog walk, yoga, body project workout.

I’m low on calories and had planned to have another yoghurt and a mini chocolate bar but I’m absolutely stuffed and don’t want to force it down. Might save it for tomorrow.

Good day here too,

B choc au pain
L veggie sausage sandwich and boiled egg
D ½ frozen pizza and salad
S Graze, glass of wine & some honeycomb left over from Christmas because I seemed to have so many calories left over today

E Body project workout & 2 hour walk

The pizza was lovely and surprisingly low in calories, will need to have the other half tomorrow though.

We watched gladiators, used to love it as a teen.

Feeling a bit brighter today. Focused on 2 things beside food yesterday - getting through some of my to-do list for work (which is causing me stress) AND having fun with DC (playing lots of card games and building lego). Today will be a bit of the same plus a long walk and doing some batch-cooking.

B - boiled egg and rye toast, butter, coffee
L - leftover rice with mushrooms, pepper, egg and sate sauce
D - chicken casserole with mashed potatoes
S - fruit (apple, satsuma, pear available!)

Good Morning

Busy thread!

@WeirdPookah I have not seen the MM programme; I’ll look it up 👍

@ThreeRingCircus @ImALittlePea Ive watched Fool Me Once; I enjoyed the general plot but I felt some plot lines were implausible and some characters were miss-cast such as Michelle Keegan. Overall 6/10.

@PatienceOfEngels Pleased to hear you’re feeling somewhat calmer ❤️

Menu
Meal 1 - Fresh Tuna Steak atop stir fried bean sprouts, red peppers, mange tout, spring onion, chilli. Sauce of soy, hot sesame oil, honey, ginger, garlic, chilli and sesame seeds.

Meal 2 - Boiled egg & mozzarella salad.
Tea, black coffee and water.

Exercise
Session 1 - Hand weights.
Session 2 - Stretches.

Morning everyone!

I might've eaten three creamy snickers yesterday evening instead of one🙈 stress eating as my mum ended up in hospital with a medical issue and I was a bit worried. I'm still learning not to turn to food, I'd been making good progress but this was a bit much.
This morning I decided to spread them over today and tomorrow on mfp, so I have 200 less calories today and tomorrow. But at least it's a way to"fix" it. We're off off out to the museum soon so will get steps in today. Zumba planned for this evening.

Breakfast: porridge (with walnuts & chia seeds)
Lunch: tuna and cherry tomato protein wrap
Dinner: pork, potato and veggie soup
Snacks available: apple, protein pudding, mandarins, salty crackers.

As I'm still breastfeeding, I need to be drinking 3 litres of water a day so I have been aiming for 4 glasses before lunch, 3 glasses before dinner and 2 before bed.

But of a wasted day yesterday as had a very lazy one. But, no wine (I always would normally at the weekend, had a couple of non alcoholic beers instead) so that was something. We're going out for Sunday lunch today (family thing, can't avoid it), but managed to squeeze in a 40 min outdoor walk in the woodlands nearby so that was something.

I love it when my Apple Watch compliments me @LemonDrizzle23 not so much when it's politely telling me to get my ass in gear 😂

@afaloren what is it about being alone that seems to make us want to eat everything? I somehow feel like if nobody sees me it doesn't count or something. Which is madness!

Been for a short walk today. Eaten a mini chocolate muffin, first sugar since Jan 1st.

Our hamster (who we found in our ceiling!!!) died this morning and the children were sad, we got cold burying her, so they had hot chocolate and there were just enough muffins left for everybody to have one.
It's only 107 calories, but slightly annoyed as it wasn't even that good.

B: homemade banana muffins, sour cherries, cashew butter, vanilla yogurt (which was terribly runny)
L: egg and beans on toast
D: broccoli, 7-veg sauce, cheese (family has pasta)