⭐️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?

Hi all,
Sorry not to be able to keep up on everyone’s posts, hope you’re all doing okay. My weigh in isn’t until Monday, but I had a sneaky peek today and still the same, but I wouldn’t expect a loss after only two days. Still on my minimal UPF and no Diet Coke run, feeling so much better for it. Hope everyone has a good week.

Hi @maybein2022 Feeling better is all part of improving our health, wellbeing and body composition. Well done on reducing UPFs! I hope you have good news on weigh day 🤞

Experts now say ideally waists will be less than half of your height. As I’m a titchy 5ft (60 inches) my waist should be under 30 inches and it was last year for a spell

That’s good to know @TheRealHousewife I’m 5ft 2 so I guess my waist should be under 31 inches? This month I’m managed to get down to 31.5 inches on my waist. I’d like to get down to under 30 to be clear of the danger zone 😁 Also lost half an inch on my arms 🎉

Well done on the losses everyone!

That sounds awful @WeirdPookah I can't help but think if men had such debilitating hormonal conditions there would be more research and treatment!

Mine weren't anywhere near as bad - though I can't see properly for around half an hour when I have one. Started in pregnancy, but they have thankfully been intermittent, and I don't think I've had one since being on hrt so hopefully not a coincidence.

I forgot to WOW today, and it's my birthday so have had about 3 days worth of calories. I refuse to count today though!

@WhatWouldTheDoctorDo Happy Birthday 🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳 Hope you’re having a great day!

WOW
SW 81.5kg
CW 78.2kg
Change from last week - 1.5kg
GW 69kg

Looking forward to hitting the low 76kg and getting back into some of my work trousers where the waist will both do up and not have bulges over it!

talkingdeadscot do you find winter more difficult than summer?
I definitely find summer harder, we're out a lot more in summer, I find there's more temptation.

talkingdeadscot Happy Birthday

B seeded toast & hummus, banana
L roll
D peri peri salad with new potatoes, beetroot and a boiled egg.
S grapes, soya yogurt with granola, wine, pack of crisps

Used more of my calories today.

Hi all, and happy WOW to those who weighed today.

B - Protein yoghurt, banana
L - Lentil and bacon soup, clementines
D - Veggie bunless cheeseburger with salad, protein yoghurt
S - 3 babybel lights
E - 2 x dog walks, yoga, body project workout

Calories a bit higher today, not sure why because I’ve eaten quite normally but still within my allowance so that’s fine.

Thank you @TheRealHousewife it's been lovely.

Really lovely podcast this week from Dr Chatterjee on holistically improving health. The Dr he's interviewing uses the mnemonic GLOVE: Gratitude, Love, Outside, Veggies, Exercise, Sleep.

I love this approach as it reminds me of all the small, almost free things I can do to improve my health (even if I don't spend hours in the gym).

Though I do spend lots on books about health and nature that I don't have time to read! Just bought books on forest bathing, amazing creatures, and with snow/ice/cold.

Am really enjoying doing my daily yoga so will pick another 30 day programme to continue with in February.

I'm going to start journalling using Dr Chatterjee's 3 questions next month as well I think (not buying his journal as I have tonnes at home!). I have a Joy journal this year that I'm filling in everyday (one thing that brought me joy today) and have also started DS2 journalling and it's one of the best parts of my day so I'd like to build on that.

B - boiled egg, rye toast, butter, coffee
L - some kind of veggie soup with bread and either butter or humous.
D - surprise! DH is cooking, so probably fornello (rice, chicken, vegetable, egg dish).
S - greek yoghurt and honey, fruit.

Hi
can I join your group? I’ve been reading through the threads and it sounds so supportive. I was on the bootcamp thread and although supportive I think I need a different approach rather than low carb.

After a difficult year I am the heaviest I have ever been. This followed a period when I had managed to get to my goal weight by making small changes over a longer period of time. I realise now I’m jumping around looking for a quick fix and there is not one. I need to take the slow and steady approach making gradual changes that are sustainable.

I have been consciously eating less sugary snacks and fasting so only eating between 1pm and 9pm.

I want to continue fasting as it seems to improve control over my appetite a little.

SW 10st 12lbs
First goal 10st 5lbs
second goal 9st 12lbs
Third goal 9st 5lbs
GW 8st 12lbs

I am only 5,2” so every little weight gain shows!

Happy birthday for yesterday @WhatWouldTheDoctorDo and yes you're right, birthday food does not count at all. Keep off scales for a good few days though so you have no regrets.

Love the sound of the GLOVE thing - thanks for sharing & recommending Dr C too @PatienceOfEngels .

Welcome @sheepdreams . Sadly no quick fixes, hence we are all here ....! We all just do what works for us.

I have to abstain from sugar completely, as I have no off switch. Currently alcohol free too for Dry Jan, which suits me very well from point of view of energy levels, better sleep, and mood far more stable. Just a shame I love it too much to give up completely. I wish I could, but life too short etc etc.

Keep up the good work everyone. Some days harder than others. Keep drinking water.

Morning Campers

@Gemstonebeach Well done on your loss! Great progress 👍

Hi and welcome to the thread @sheepdreams . You are absolutely right in that there are no quick fixes. Also what works for one person won’t necessarily work for another. It’s about working out what works for you, that’s it’s enjoyable, sustainable and flexible when the need arises. I don’t consider myself on a ‘diet’. I don’t deny myself anything and nothing is banned. I know I have to keep an eye on calories & carb levels. I concentrate on protein, fibre, healthy fats based around the Mediterranean diet. Years ago I was part of the bootcamp threads but soon discovered full low carb/ keto wasn’t sustainable or enjoyable. It works for some people but alas not for me personally. My digestion/body/energy levels needs carbs of the right sort; complex rather than simple. I do lower carb as that doesn’t spike my blood sugars and keeps the snack dragon 🐉 away. My 48lb weight loss has been 7 years in the making, you can’t get much slower than that 😅. In the middle of that I had a health blip and was gaining again when my diet hadn’t changed. It took several visits to the GP as in all honesty when you say your eating habits haven’t changed and yet you’re gaining they just don’t believe you. Eventually he checked my thyroid levels and discovered I had an autoimmune deficiency. Medicated now. I like that you’ve broken your target down into smaller goals 👍 I’m a fellow petite person as barely 5ft on a good day 😬

@PatienceOfEngels Im a fellow book lover! I continually browse my books throughout the day rather than pick one up and start reading at page 1 and continue to the end. The only books I ‘read’ start to finish are my audible ones. I agree about seeking enjoyment from natural sources. Last night I was trying to photograph the moon as it was lovely and atmospheric. Side note, it didn’t matter that I didn’t get a good photo 😬.

@HighlandCowRose Your menu sounds delicious 😋

Thank you @TheRealHousewife ! I have been using meal replacement shakes for some meals, they are made from pea protein. Tonight for dinner I had roast cauliflower, courgette and capsicum with Moroccan seasoning on them and steamed beans and broccoli.

Morning all. Tired and busy today so don't have time to properly catch up but there's a happy birthday to be shouted and a thank you for the mnemonic/podcast rec too. Some very lovely sounding meals, too.

@TheRealHousewife thanks for the tip re height:waist ratio. I'm just over 5ft 5, so work that out to be a waist of 32.5inches or under? I think mine is 30.5, so pleased with that!

Yesterday changed again 🤦‍♀️ I had some bread and butter with my soup, and then some crisps. Grrrr, me. Ran out of time to make risotto so we had baked potatoes, beans, cheese and sausages instead. Probably over calories (really need to be better at logging!)

Today's plan is loose, annoyingly. DS has a routine blood test and is having a well deserved McDonald's drive thru on way back to school. I'll try and resist and have the rest of my soup (without bread or crisps!!!) when I get home, depends a little on whether the appointment is on time or running behind though. And I've been called in to work tonight (normally don't work Thursday) but I don't have the car so have to get a lift and go in early, so I'm getting fed at work. The food is lovely but it will be more calories than I'd have at home. I've also got to miss my regular exercise class in order to work, which is a pain.

Upshot is, I really don't know whether I'm brave enough for the scales tomorrow 😬 I know I should - it's just a number, and I know the last week or so has been a blippy one, but also I know I'll have gone up again and I don't want to know about it! I've been much healthier (minor blippiness aside) than over Christmas, yet I've put more weight on this month than I did then?!

@WhatWouldTheDoctorDo I am sure all hormonal issues would have been sorted by taking one tiny pill a month if men suffered like we do. I saw a neat video from a woman gym trainer, working out alongside a guy, Week 1 they are pretty equal, Week 2 she has a headache and feels a bit week, Week 3 not even there as suffering with cramps and high blood flow, Week 4 she's trying, but in recovery!

Batch cooked a mix of black rice and brown basmati and got it bagged up in portions cooling on ice packs for the freezer.

Still got a nasty headache, trying to keep focused but my exercise is down for the week. I can just about bring myself to walk when I feel this bad, but not things like HIIT with Joe Wicks, so combined with the storms, I haven't been out much.

Weighing in tomorrow, see what effect this mad hormonal swing has had.

B: kidney bean burrito
L: leeks, cabbage, eggs
D: pumpkin, brussels sprouts, tomatoes, McCartney rosemary sausages

@TheRealHousewife I have stacks of books in my bedroom and said I wouldn't buy any more until I'd made headway and only lasted 25 days before caving!

Moon was amazing this morning on my way to work! I messaged my husband to tell the kids to look at it.

I ate UPF rubbish yesterday afternoon during an emotional eating moment. So salty and feel bleurgh today.

@buzzofthebumblebee I also find abstinence easier. UPF, sugar, alcohol are so addictive. They make me feel rubbish but the more I have the more I want. Not drinking I'm finding super easy (I don't go out much!). UPF and sugar I have to be really conscious with food shopping choices which helps (not having in house). It's the other moments where it's right in front of me or I'm unprepared that I struggle with. This weekend I need to do some batch cooking to get prepared!

Welcome @sheepdreams ! Small changes have really helped me. I didn't implement all of these at the same time but I don't drink alcohol, limit caffeine to pre-noon (actually only drink it at breakfast), 12 hour eating window (this has been the hardest), limit UPF and sugar as much as possible (so whole foods rule), bread free lunch (lots of batch cooked soup, fruit or veg pancakes or leftovers), only drink water or herbal tea, try to get outside every day, gentle yoga, daily journalling (still working on that one!), snacks are fruit/veg/nuts/greek yoghurt. I am also trying to be as holistic as I can, so not just focusing on diet but also movement (I keep this very low demand to fit in my life!), sleep and relaxation.

Hi all,
Dinner out tonight, my dinner out was cancelled last night which actually wasn’t a bad thing as I was sort of dreading two in a row. Have a plan for tonight and today’s food so need to stick to it.

@PatienceOfEngels I find the UPF stuff fascinating and have been doing more and more reading/research on it. It’s quite shocking really. I definitely have felt so, so much better for basically cutting it out. (Not 100% but not far off!) However, I KNOW I am fortunate to have the time and finances to do that- as explained in many of the podcasts and the UPP book-it is hard for most people. I’ve made some cut backs in other areas though. (And not buying Diet Coke has saved me a fortune!)

Thanks @TheRealHousewife x

NHS Waist/Height Ration for health

Waist size best if just under half height ratio

Hope everyone is doing okay. I didn't get weighed last week as I was not feeling too well and weigh in at Slimming World. I went this week (yesterday) and gained 1 lbs. Which I will say I am very happy with as it could have been a lot, lot worse. I am feeling 100% back in it now and feeling extremely motivated.

I also took my measurements in cms this week so will do them every week and make a note of my progress.

I am still at 14 stone exactly which is 2.5 lbs down from my highest but still the same from the beginning of Jan.

Measurements:
Arm = 40cm
Wrist = 16cm
Chest = 100cm
Waist = 101cm
Muffin top = 120cm
Hips = 124cm
Thigh = 65cm
Ankle = 25cm

Fingers crossed for a good result for next week. Going on a long walk this weekend 💪

Menu
Meal 1 - Mackerel on gf toast on bed of spinach & cherry tomatoes.
Meal 2 - Halloumi, red pepper, red onion, kale, cauli, shredded sprouts, butter beans, carrot stir fry.
Tea, black coffee, water, ACV.

I made gluten free bread from a recipe I pimped up and it was delicious 😋Also it didn’t spike my sugar levels win/win.

@LeftyLou You are an inspiration! You’ve committed to a healthy lifestyle and you remain realistic about what can be achieved ! You’re happy and eager to carry on even if any progress isn’t reflected on the scales. That said, you’re still 2.5 down from your original start weight. Well done! 👍👏

ImALittlePea don't the inconsistencies drive you mad, I know exactly what you mean about Christmas weight verse little indulgences.

WeirdPookah sorry to hear you're still suffering.

Got called home from work today by school, dd has had a cough for nearly 4 weeks and at school had a temperature.
We have a Dr appointment booked but it's not till end of next week.

@Gemstonebeach Sounds a great dinner combo 😋👍

@HighlandCowRose it makes me feel 'why bother' half the time, as it often makes no sense. But then, it's about health and wellbeing as much as the numbers - I want to be validated by them, and that is the motivation to make better choices. Not when life is blippy though 😅