Diet for Summer Challenge 2024

[bigdecisionstomake]

This is a continuation of the previous Diet for Christmas and Diet for Summer Challenges started by myself, @OhFatty and @Dashel

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.

Your target doesn't need to be summer - you can set if for as soon or as late as you like. There are no rules other than being supportive and cheering each other on. Occasional kicks up the bum are available as and when requested.

Hopefully previous members of these threads will join us again and new members are always welcome.

I will update shortly with my start point for this challenge.

If you feel wobbly, maybe you don't need to loose weight, but just focus on resistance training?

When I was your weight at 5 foot 7, people were losing their minds with how skinny I was. I know we all carry weight differently, but I'm just thinking you might not need to diet - you might just need tone up if your concerned about being wobbly. What do you think? What size are you in clothes?

Well done @Gemzee! That's a great achievement. I'm a fellow Friday weigher but stayed the same this week. After a traumatic event a few years ago, I dropped weight (all muscle really) so I can't say this is the lowest I've been, but it's the lowest I've got to in a healthy, sustainable way.

That said, as the weekend approaches, I can see the fuck it button and I'm edging closer to it. Was already getting a bit fed up of tracking/weighing/constantly thinking about bloody food and the maintain this week is tipping me over.

My "goal" is a wedding in July so I can't help thinking ahh I've got loads of time..

Sorry @Yocal cross posted with you there!

I've been doing pilates in an attempt to tone up and have added a resistance band in to some parts. I have to be a bit careful with exercise because I've got a few health issues that I can't afford to make worse! But I could realistically do a bit more.

I'm a fairly consistent 12 in clothes and you definitely wouldn't look at me and think "she's skinny".

I'd just like a bit more of a defined waist/flatter stomach (I think a flat one isn't possible but flat-ter) and my legs to wobble a bit less in leggings 😂

@NahThen Well done on all the right stuff you are doing. It sound like you have a healthy lifestyle. I just did a BMI calculation and it's 21.9. That's really good 👍 Are you absolutely sure you're wobbly? I just know that when I was a size 16 I still thought I was a size 10! And when I was a size 8 I still thought there was still some fat to lose. But looking at the photos now, I have another perspective. Sometimes when you lose weight it can take a little time for your mind to catch up.

Could you have a casual chat with a PT at the local gym and see what they would recommend re your goals at this stage?

Morning all

Welcome to the thread @NahThen I think we can all relate to the struggle of the approaching weekend and going off plan - sometimes spectacularly in my case! The changes you've made so far will certainly be beneficial for your health as well as your weight so well done for those. You've said you have a wedding in July - do you have a target weight you're aiming for by then? I'm a little taller than you at just over 5 foot 7 and my target weight is between 9st 7lb and 9st 10lb although unless I go lower than that I never get a really flat stomach 😢 I would second @Yocal thoughts that you may need to do some resistance training to swap some fat for muscle but I hear what you're saying about health issues so be careful. Hope the thread works for you to keep you motivated and keep us updated with your progress - good luck 🙂

Amazing work on dropping another pound @Gemzee that's really good going now you're at or around target weight - you are awesome 😃

I've had another loss this morning to take me to 10st 5lb exactly but I'm a bit cynical that this may just be that I got an extra walk in yesterday so have probably depleted my glycogen stores a bit more than usual. I am not going to beat myself up if I bounce back up a bit over the weekend as long as I can hang on to a number in the 5s.

As suspected I have some DOMS in my legs so have done a fairly gentle 5000 step walking workout with Eleni Fit this morning.

Have good days all and roll on the weekend!

Morning all and happy weekend.

I'm not sure what's going on with me but I've had a further drop to 10st 4.4lb this morning which was totally unexpected. After languishing in the 6s for what seemed like forever I've now had several days of successive losses. Bodies are weird sometimes aren't they!

Whatever the reason it's a really positive result and a clear demonstration that I do actually need to count calories properly rather than just guestimate to see a result on the scales.

I expect there will be another long plateau coming up shortly so I'm going to take the win for now at least and try to make it through the weekend staying within calories if I can. Annoyingly I was intending to get a good few hours in the garden today but the heavens have just opened and we've had a downpour so I'm not sure how that will play out now.

I've done a 20 minute disco themed walking workout with Improved Health followed by Day 17 of HR 4.0 which was upper body and was really tough so I suspect I may be sore tomorrow!

Have a lovely weekend everyone 🙂

These moments are worth celebrating @bigdecisionstomake

Those unexpected drops are the moments that keep us going. Especially after the scales seem stuck.

Here is a panda doing a happy dance 🕺

Thanks for the dancing panda @Yocal that's made me laugh out loud. I love that this thread is so supportive 🤗

Morning all, I’m still struggling to fight off this virus which has turned into sinusitis. On antibiotics now so hopefully the only way is up now as it’s been a rough couple of weeks! Dropped another 2lbs and weighed in at 10st5lb this morning which I’m so happy with, just really hoping once I’m better I don’t put it all back on!

Happy Weekend all,

Welcome @NahThen !

Fantastic @bigdecisionstomake ! Congrats! Just goes to show how important it is we keep moving forward even if we hit a wall. Bodies are definitely odd and so their own thing on their own time 😅

I'm having a good week so far, staying within calories, and my daily step average is 7200 so I need to make sure I keep that up which may be difficult as DH is solo parenting this weekend so I can gut and deep clean as much of the flat as possible... So I'm not sure I'll get out on my walk. But hopefully all the tidying will get my steps in anyway. If not, I may walk around the block this evening for 20 minutes.

I have my yearly goal set at a 28lb loss. But I realised the other day when I get in the 209s, I'm going to reach 3 little goals at once -

1. A stone loss since giving birth to my second ds
2. A 5% decrease in body weight since January 1st
3. A new stone bracket.

So I've decided when I get there, I'm going to celebrate it. I just don't know how it yet as usually I celebrate with food 😆 anyone have any celebration ideas that don't involve food? I'd love to hear them.

@IchGlaubMeinSchweinPfeift

For my first goal I had my nails done - builder ones - I'm now in a never ending £30 habit with my nail technician. It is good for my self esteem, but not my savings!

Next goal reached is one kg away... I was thinking about a trip to a spa for a massage and some peace. I will be half way through my 30kg goal so feel it warrants a decent treat.

I might do another one at 2/3 of the way, which again will be self care related. For inspiration I will see what people suggest here when answering our question.

At 30kg, I reckon that will be time to treat myself to new clothes!

Hey all. Eating g has bot been terribly healthy this week as I've only really fancied carbs after that stomach bug, but there haven't been very many calories, so I am currently at 68.3kg - a total whoosh. Am very happy and now just need to maintain. Am extra proud that I've achieved this despite March being birthday month in pur family. Only one birthday left to go now (and easter) and I have consistently lost.

Got a smart watch for my birthday which I am loving, but annoyed I've been too post viral yo take it for a run. Did do a short pilates session yesterday at least.

Well done everyone for holding steady or losing.
Having this thread for accountability helps so much xx

Morning all

So sorry to hear you're still unwell @LBB2020 but huge kudos to you for still losing weight - I generally put on when I'm ill as I comfort eat so good on you for avoiding that pitfall. Hope you're feeling better soon.

Thanks @IchGlaubMeinSchweinPfeift it's a classic example of having to trust the process I think. I'm assuming I will end up with another long plateau shortly though! Well done on staying consistent with your food and steps and I hope all the tidying and cleaning yesterday burned a lot of calories. In terms of rewards for hitting goals I try to avoid things that might involve food or alcohol but choose things instead that make me feel better about myself. Last year I treated myself to two new dresses after I lost the first stone (in my new smaller size) and then I had a facial when I dropped into the 9s for the first time in probably around 3 years. To be fair, my MIL had given me the voucher for Christmas so it didn't cost anything but I promised myself I wouldn't use it until I was in the 9s. Both the dresses and the facial really boosted my confidence and spurred me on to do even better. Good luck with reaching those targets soon!

It sounds like you also favour self-care treats @Yocal and the spa day for your half way goal sounds fabulous. Hope that last 1kg to reach your interim target gets lost soon 🙂

Whoop whoop on your progress @Backinthedress that's awesome, well done! I think it's really easy to put back on quickly after a stomach bug so you've obviously been measured particularly in light of all the birthdays. Enjoy your new smart watch when you're able to get out running again.

After being really good on Friday I did fall off the wagon a little yesterday but only in a minor way. I had my calories all worked out but then ended up having a large G&T and 6 squares of Green & Blacks chocolate that weren't in my plan 😳 Overall I came in just below maintenance though so not disastrous. With the long bank holiday weekend coming up I need to try to stay consistent so I don't slip backwards again.

As always on a Sunday I've just walked for exercise this morning and as the weather is much nicer today I'm really hoping for a good amount of time in the garden to burn a few more calories.

Happy Sunday everyone.

Evening! Hope you've all had lovely weekends, I too went a little off piste @bigdecisionstomake but I still tracked it. Nothing catastrophic but a couple of hundred over on Friday 🙈
I'd love a smart watch @Backinthedress what do you have and would you recommend it?
@IchGlaubMeinSchweinPfeift for non food treats I tend to go for beauty items I wouldn't normally get- a hair treatment, a new make up item etc- or new shoes/bag. I have a bit of a block on buying new clothes in case the loss doesn't last! But that's probably me being defeatist..
Thanks all for the warm welcome 🤗 @bigdecisionstomake I don't have a target weight in mind, I do have a dress that I just want to feel fabulous in?! It's very figure hugging which is why I've tried to incorporate more toning exercises. It's more how I think I look rather than the number on the scale iyswim.
I'll definitely have a think about speaking to a PT to see if what I'm doing will even have any impact. I do feel I'm improving my fitness and flexibility, and I enjoy it to the point I look forward to doing it each day- whether or not that will continue if I make things a bit harder I don't know!

It's a Samsung 5. A refurbed one, so a bit cheaper than the latest model. I've only had it a couple of days but I'm loving it so far!

Thanks to those who gave suggestions! I love the idea of a massage or a facial. I'm not ready for new clothes yet also because I'm just getting back into my smaller sizes first 😅 but I look forward to that in around two years... 😊

Congrats to everyone on the fantastic losses too!

My step goal went well last week, 7400 daily average but I may have overeaten this weekend, oops! I ate far too much chocolate 🤦🏼‍♀️so I need to break that evening habit again. Mil is coming for Easter and will no doubt bring Easter chocolate so my aim is to have no chocolate until then, then enjoy the Easter choc on Sunday.
Already been out for a short walk this morning and hoping to continue with the 7500 step average this week and will need to stay extra focused while mil is here not to "social eat" too much.

Have a good start in the week everyone

Evening all

Glad it's not just me @NahThen 😂well done for logging everything though - I think that's what helps me not to go completely mad off plan. A dress to look fabulous in is a brilliant target to aim for. I definitely agree with the toning too - last year I did loads of arm workouts and by the time we went on our sunny break in September I was really proud of my shoulder definition so wore lots of sleeveless tops/dresses that I would have been doubtful about before. Great that you look forward to exercise too - I can't always say the same but I do always feel better once I've done it!

Chocolate is a real challenge at this time of year @IchGlaubMeinSchweinPfeift stay strong - you've got this! Well done on keeping your step count up, it really does help 🙂

I've had a slight bounce up to 10st 4.8lb this morning. I was on plan all day yesterday so there's no discernible reason for it but given that my target for the last week was to be in the 5s by today I'm still more than happy.

As I've lost 2lbs in the last 7 days and there's a bank holiday weekend coming up I think I will be happy to still be in the 4s this time next week (although hopefully a bit lower than today!)

I've done a 5000 step walking workout with Ingrid Kick this morning but have still got to fill in my calorie diary - slipping back into bad habits again - whoops. I'm going to do it now and then portion dinner appropriately with whatever calories I have left.

Have a good evening everyone.

I sort of forgot it was the Easter holidays and I find it much harder to stick to the healthy habits with routines all over the place- I'm still not quite back on plan after making a mess of the weekend!- but I am still tracking and think I'm going to aim for maintenance for the next couple of weeks. Gives me a bit more budget and hopefully stops me going completely off the rails!
I've been finding the tracking/limiting quite difficult recently. I know it isn't easy but I've lost my initial motivation and enthusiasm, both to lose weight and eat well- it's taken the fun/enjoyment out of food! So a little break without going wild might help.

Hope your loss is sticking @bigdecisionstomake and the 4's are here to stay!
@Backinthedress thank you- I've got some free time this eve so will do some research, especially as I'd like to focus more on fitness.
@IchGlaubMeinSchweinPfeift hope you're hitting your steps! It's been such miserable weather here so far this week, it's hard to get out for long.
The chocolate resistance is so hard at Easter!

Morning all

A beautiful sunny spring day here, which always gets my spirits up - fingers crossed the rain forecast for this afternoon doesn't materialise!

@NahThen I am just the same in that I find it hard to stick to healthy habits when my routine is disrupted. Well done on keeping logging, that's so important to keep yourself accountable and I think just aiming for maintenance for the next week or two is a great idea and as you say, you can then have some treats without going completely wild. I've ordered some hot cross buns on my shop this week which are calories I don't need but will enjoy so I think for me it has to be about balance and enjoying life as well as aiming to be healthy.

I have STS at 10st 4.8lb yesterday and again this morning. That's OK but I'd really like a little more off before we hit the bank holiday weekend if possible.

Yesterday was HR4.0 Day 18 which was Abs and mobility which was tough - I really do need to get my Abs in shape before summer! Today I've done a 45 minute walking workout with YanaFit. Just got to work out what I'm having for my evening meal and then I'll get my food logged for the day and I'm good to go.

Have good days all.

Having a tough week. Job interviews and DP is away, I'm not able to run due to being post-viral and tired, so my usual stress-management techniques are gone. Had a resurgence of my teenage ED. Struggling a lot. Monday was horrible - bingeing/purging all day. I managed to eat better yesterday and not purge, but I definitely ate more calories than needed. Weighed in at 69.3 today, so a kilo back on since last weigh in, but I'm PMT bloated, too, so trying to forgive myself.

What do you all do to cope with stress if not exercise or eat? I could really do with something to help right now.
Thankfully I have Pilates tonight. Just need to hold on until then.

@Backinthedress please don't feel upset that your weight has gone up by a kilo with PMT, that is totally normal and is more than likely all hormonal water retention. Dare I might say it might even be the hormones twinned with being postal viral that is making you feel so meh and more stressed?

The PMT and post viral tiredness will pass if you go easy on yourself. It might not feel it right now, but it will. Focus on rest, self care and don't beat yourself up. Your worth is not dependent on your weight. If you notice unhelpful ED thoughts can you try to consciously stop them and steer your thinking to something else?

If it helps, I've got a bit miffed today as my current kilo is really sticky. It is not shifting despite doing all the right things and its been making me think negatively about how hard it is too lose weight after 40. (Im on the pill, but also think this is pmt). I tried turning my thoughts to the other benefits I'm getting from improving my diet and lifestyle, which are good and told myself to just stick with it however steady progress seems at times.

I weighed this morning, a few days early but I'm not too rigid. Despite my weekend/ongoing struggle with cals I dropped 1lb. I felt like I deserved it last week so maybe it's just caught up. The body works in strange ways! I'm not sure how accurate it is but my body fat is slowly coming down % too.

Hope you avoided the rain @bigdecisionstomake it poured here late afternoon but was lovely up to that point. Was nice to be out in the garden again and have a taste of what's (hopefully!) to come. Hot cross buns also added to my shop after reading this 😅

So sorry you're having a difficult time @Backinthedress please do forgive yourself. PMT is hard enough without all the extra stressors and recovering from illness you're facing. My go-to de-stress is also Pilates- I hope you've found it helpful this eve. If that doesn't work I take myself for a bubble bath, sometimes with some music but often just in silence so I can gather my thoughts- it's about as close to mindfulness as I get. This one might be a bit weird but I find crying quite cathartic at times so if I feel tearful, I let it out rather than trying to power on. Take care 🌻

Thank you for the kind and thoughtful messages. I managed a short run this evening. Took DD (9) with me - she did so well. Super proud of her. She's going to need running for her own stress management as she gets older so I love that she's willing to start coming with me.

Pilates helped a lot too. My teacher is just so so nice and class was small this evening so it felt very safe and cosy.

Just need to eject cat from my lap and go to bed now. Hard to move. It's been a better day. I'm grateful for the support.

Good luck with the Easter weekend, all. I agree with what's been said...it's always much harder to stick to the plan when out of routine.

Well done on the loss @NahThen

Hoping you hold onto the 4s over Easter weekend @bigdecisionstomake

@Backinthedress sorry you've been having a rubbish time. I hope getting out and running helped and the fact your daughter came is lovely...some quality time too! Also inclined to say the kilo is pmt bloat, hoping it comes back off for you again 🤞🏼

@Yocal I've heard how difficult it is to lose weight after 40, it must be so frustrating. My goal is to try get as much off as possible before I turn 40 though I was talking with a relative recently who was discussing with a bariatric surgeon how long it really takes to maintain a loss and he said ten years. I've not done proper research on it or looked at studies in depth but other research suggests 6 years so that'll take me into my 40s.

My weigh day was yesterday. I weighed in, just didn't get time to post. Both my boys are ill AGAIN. It's absolutely relentless and I'm running out of stream with constant illnesses since January but I'm really hoping with spring around the corner, it'll get better... Monday night was so awful and Tuesday I had two very miserable children so I found myself eating Ben and Jerry's in the kitchen hiding at 10am 🤦🏼‍♀️ complete lack of sleep and the stress of yet more illness just got to me. I was doing well not turning to food, so this is definitely a blip but I'm hoping a one off blip. Steps stayed up last week, 7400 average.
SW Jan 1: 15st 10
March 27: 15st 0.4lbs

-1lb loss this week taking my total March loss to 2.4lbs. slow and steady as I keep repeating. The 14stone bracket is half a pound away...

Hope you're all having a good start to Thursday.