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.

Early weigh in this week as I'm away tonight/tomorrow (again!). STS again for me, happy with that ☺️
Back next week, have a good rest of the week/weekend all!

Hi everyone,
Sorry I disappeared for a while. My poor eldest has another ear infection, that makes 4 in 2 months. I'm pretty fed up. We've got the ent again tomorrow and I'm hoping to give them a kick up the arse this time. Needless to say, I've been a bit at the end of my rope with all this illness. Luckily, my auntie flew over from the UK this week so I've had some help and some company.
I've not been totally on the wagon, neither have I been off it. I haven't weighed in this week though, skipping it seeing as I haven't been religiously sticking to stuff, not really tracking, I'm doing "enough" steps and I'm not emotional eating so that's all im really concentrating on just now. Giving myself some lenience til next week when hopefully I'll have my son's health sorted.

Hope you're all doing well and managing to stay on track!

Hope everyone is doing ok?

I've had a lovely week with my auntie and this weekend we had 25 degrees so we were out and about (with DS1 wearing a hat over his ears in 25 degrees🙈)
Step average this week was great for me: 9000 a day but I've eaten a bit more high calorie treats than normal with my auntie where 😆 so I've probably just cancelled the steps out. Tomorrow she flies back and I'll be back on the wagon 100% again. Not looking forward to the week's weather though, going from 25 degrees and sun to potential snow and 1 degree again is not pleasant. Going to stay on track regardless and still hoping to see that new stone bracket for dh's birthday!

Hope everyone has had a nice weekend.

Morning all

Sorry for my long absence. I have been in quite a bit of pain and work suddenly went a bit mad and chaotic so I've had a lot of early starts and late finishes. I think it was a case of just doing the best I could to get through and as such any thoughts of health and weight went out of the window.

On the bright side, the pain in my chest wall has started to ease up a bit finally. I have done a bit in the garden over the weekend but no formal exercise for nearly a week now. I think it really just needed a good rest.

I have been ok with food but probably just over maintenance rather than any kind of deficit but I haven't gone completely mad.

The next 6 weeks are going to be chaotic as work starts on our lounge this morning. It has been really grotty since we moved in 10 years ago but there was always something else to spend the money on that needed doing more urgently. Finally however we're ready to do it and it needs completely gutting so it's fairly major work (new flooring, fireplace, lights, blinds/curtains, furniture, radiators, fully re-plastered, decorating etc...)

Life is going to be a bit upside down for a while therefore so while I'm going to try to be mindful I'm not going to be too hard on myself either. I'm not weighing at the moment as I gave blood on Friday and that always makes my weight go all over the place for a short time. I'll see how I feel about it in a couple of days and go from there.

Have good days all.

That's an extreme weather fluctuation @IchGlaubMeinSchweinPfeift I'm so curious about where you are but understand if you'd rather not say!
9k average is fantastic too. I keep getting ads for step counters - probably because I keep searching for them! I'd like something basic but accurate, seen a contender but I'm not sure yet.

Glad to chest is easing off @bigdecisionstomake and a little gentle gardening is as good for the mind as the body 😊 I wish I could say the same re just over maintenance but not going mad!

I've found it much more difficult than I thought to get back on top of healthy eating and habits since the holidays finished. Life has got in the way a lot with stress at work and home but this week looks a bit calmer. I think if I can get a day or two on plan done I'll get back into it but it's so easy at 8pm to say sod it and dive into the chocolate box! I think I've put on about 2lbs 🤦

Glad your feeling a bit better @bigdecisionstomake
@NahThen I find my fitbit works well for monitoring it also tells me when I'm in fatburn zone (I have a older model a 5 I think)

My period arrived this morning just after I weighed so were up 1.5lb to 10 stone 5.5lb which is good going for me on first day - I'm typically anywhere between 1 and 4lb water weight increase and I was 10 stone 4lb on Saturday with no blow out etc.

I won't weigh again until 2 days after it's finished as I know I won't get an accurate result and it stops me having a what's the point moment when it goes up! Even though I know exactly why the scales will go up I'm not very good at not being disheartened by it and going sod it so find it best to avoid!

Thanks @Scottishskifun from what I've read the older fit bits seem to be better! I'm not bothered about checking messages etc I just want a step counter really. Although desk bound days like today might make for some embarrassing numbers!

Sensible to avoid weighing when you know it'll be up and out of your control. I really should do a proper weigh/damage check- maybe in the morning.

Although if I manage to avoid the evening munchies, I have had a successful, tracked day!!

Hi everyone, I'm back after going completely off track for the last 6-8 weeks. I was on holiday for a week over Easter and really wasn't happy in my summer clothes so have a renewed sense of purpose!

I've been half sticking to things over the last couple of months but without logging I've been fooling myself really, so back logging to mfp and now that it's a bit brighter salads are a bit more appealing.

I bit the bullet and weighed in and haven't actually gained any weight since i last weighed in 7 weeks ago, so am at least starting from the same point but am determined to lose a bit before my next trip in just over a month's time. I have 3 meals out this week - but this is life so I'm going to have to figure out a way to still enjoy these and not derail my eating totally. I'm completely cutting out biscuits/chocolate etc. as the moderation approach doesn't work for me and hopefully I'll adapt to less sugar soon and stop craving it.

@bigdecisionstomake glad you're feeling a bit better, sounds like you have a lot going on so your plan to stay mindful but not fully focused seems like a good one.

Hope you've all had a good start to the week! Fingers crossed its not another 6 weeks til I post again 😀

Morning all

Yes, you're right @NahThen I do find gardening good for my soul. It is my happy place when the rest of the world is going a bit mad around me 🙂Sorry about your possible gain but I can totally sympathise - this is how I've been for the last week or so. Try and re-focus on your target as that might help to give you some motivation.

@Scottishskifun see if you can stay on plan all through your period and then fingers crossed you might get a nice surprise when you get back on the scales when it's gone maybe 🤗

Welcome back @Jigglemonster I think being half hearted but not actually logging is what often happens to me and like you, if I'm lucky, at best I end up just maintaining. Afterwards I always think though that those weeks were a bit wasted as I was half heartedly trying to be good (so denying myself some treats) but not actually making any progress. Perhaps try and get back in the swing of logging again for a bit as I always find making some progress really helps in these circumstances, to spur you on towards your target.

I've spectacularly failed over the last couple of days - the house has been upside down with the electrics tripping, dust everywhere and various workmen in and out constantly. I'd forgotten how much I hate my routine disrupting. As a result I've had wine both nights so far plus at least one 125g bar of chocolate each day. Also, I exercise in the lounge usually so can't do that at the moment and my second option (the dining room) is now full of the furniture from the lounge so can't do that either. I keep promising I'll try to get out for a walk but between work and dealing with the workmen there hasn't really been the option so far. I have managed a half decent step count just generally running around though (looking for the bright side here!)

I am desperate to book our sunshine holiday as that is the one that really focusses me usually (we go in September) but DP keeps putting it off so I think I need to talk to him about this as hopefully that will be the motivation I need to really knuckle down.

Have good days all.

It's true @bigdecisionstomake scientifically proven that time in nature is good for wellbeing. Helps if you enjoy gardening too! Mines looking a little on the jungle side at the moment- hoping for some fine weather at the weekend to at least get the grass cut.

Great that you haven't gained in that time @Jigglemonster but as OP said I always look back at it as 'time wasted' too- it's going to take me a little while to undo some damage from Easter and I'm kicking myself for not getting back on sooner! I know exactly what you mean about having to cut out the sugar- I told myself I'd do the same if I couldn't get back to being sensible this week.

Happily I have been sensible and I've now had 3 days on plan and it's all coming back to me again. Pilates is proving a bit more difficult - I can't believe how inflexible I have become in such a short space of time! But I'm back to doing it daily so hoping that comes back to me too.

I stayed the same again which is a win as fairly off track with food lately (although still working out 6 times a week which helps). Under 7 weeks until my holiday & hoping to keep maintaining.

Back to weigh in for me down to 10 stone 3lb which is a 2.5lb loss from the previous weigh in but that was at the start of my period but still a bit lower then before it by 1lb.

Got a tough week ahead of hectic work and solo childcare as my DH is away for the week.
It will be 1 meal out for dinner due to DS1 swimming finishing at 5pm but hoping I can stay reasonably on track given I can't get a takeaway (they don't deliver too remote) and won't have any alcohol on my own.

It's still coming off slowly I wish I could get through this last 6lb quicker though but know its more sensible and long lasting not to crash diet it!

Morning all

Hope everyone had a lovely weekend.

Keep up with the pilates @NahThen your flexibility will get better the more you practice. Gardening has become my thing more as I've got older. I really enjoy putting an audiobook on and pottering about out there.

Congratulations on the STS @Gemzee and more importantly with staying consistent with the exercise. Fabulous to have a holiday to look forward to in 7 weeks 😎

Well done on the loss @Scottishskifun you're doing brilliantly. The last bit is always the hardest I think. It sounds like you've got a full on week this week too - good luck!

I have decided I need to take myself in hand a bit as I've been really off plan again since I last posted. The house has been chaos and I've just given myself free reign food wise and not done any exercise.

I expected to get on the scales with a massive gain but in actual fact I am only 0.6lb heavier than last time I weighed. This makes me 10st 6.6lb which I'm counting as a massive win. I can only think that all the running around after workmen, moving furniture etc...plus some solid time in the garden at the weekend has helped things not go too off track.

I'm still in some discomfort from the costocondhritis but it is slowly getting better. All the same I'm still only walking rather than doing anything more strenuous. I'm going to start logging again today and hope that I can stick at it a bit longer this time.

Have good days all.

Morning all

A rather disappointing STS for me this morning at 10st 6.6lb. I say disappointing as, as always happens to me, when I cut out sugar after a period of eating too much I spent all day yesterday starving hungry. This allows me to kid myself I will have a big loss the next day...it was not to be 😂

Hopefully the hungry thing will pass quite soon now I'm bulking out with more healthy options - I ate quite a lot of cucumber yesterday!

I've done a short walk this morning but need to leave for the office soon so was quite limited and we've got the plasterer coming to start work in the lounge tomorrow so that's my workout space out of bounds for a while too. I'll just have to concentrate on the food side and not get too hung up on loss - I think I'll be happy just not to gain.

Have great days all

Morning everyone,
Sorry for my absence again! It's been a lot with my son's recurrent ear infections but we have an appt for adenoid removal surgery + grommets so it feels like even if we have to battle a few more ear infections until then, we have an end date now.

I've not been calorie counting or focusing too much on making goals as life has just been quite stressful. All I've tried to do is not eat my feelings which has (for the first time in my life) gone well. DH and I had a bout of flu (first time I've ever had flu!), DH is still struggling 10 days later but seems to have finally turned a corner today. We had to cancel our weekend away for his birthday this weekend so I'm very gutted about that as it was his whole present. But nevermind! Doing my best to stay in a positive mindset...it just wasn't meant to be.
I weighed in at 14st 13lbs yesterday! Extremely pleased on all fronts to see that new stone bracket and it's given me a lot of motivation to get back on the horse today, use my tracker again and refocus!

@NahThen I'm a Scot living in Bavaria :) I was in shorts and t-shirt the weekend before last then two days later, we were watching the snow come down 😅 yesterday it was -2 and I got caught in the snow at nursery pick up but Saturday we're due 20 degrees. April is always crazy here.
Hope you've managed to stay on track after your holiday!

@bigdecisionstomake hoping the hunger is subsiding again. I would likely feel the same with regards to the disruption in routine getting your house done, so I hope you're managing to somehow stay on track despite all the chaos! I also hope the pain/discomfort is easing as well.

Hope everyone else is having a good week.

Morning all

An early one from me as I have a busy day and the house is in chaos again.

@IchGlaubMeinSchweinPfeift I think that's an amazing result that you have avoided eating your feelings, perhaps an even greater achievement than dropping into the 14s although that's awesome too - well done 👏I hope the new stone bracket continues to motivate you to push on 😍

Despite the chaotic nature of the house and the fact work has been fairly mad again I've managed to stay pretty much on track this week food wise. Exercise just hasn't happened as there isn't really anywhere to do it and work pressures have meant all good intentions have not been realised. I have however been quite active running around after the workmen so that has probably helped.

I dropped to 10st 6lb on Wednesday and have weighed in at 10st 5.6lb this morning which I'm delighted with - that's 1lb gone this week. I'm away with DP from Monday to Friday next week so will be relaxing on the food front although I'm hoping there will be more steps to counteract that a bit.

Very pleased to see the weekend so close 🙂

Fantastic news all around (other then the flu @IchGlaubMeinSchweinPfeift)

My hectic week has been mental as predicted 1 more day of work to go! Weigh in this morning (I tend to do twice a week) was 10 stone 2lb so down 1lb which I'm chuffed with.

Haven't been strictly tracking but bought some Halo ice cream for when the kids as asleep would feel like a real treat but 340 calories for the whole tub and I would have about a third. It really helped me have a treat without doing the damage (and was on offer!)

Hi All
I completely fell off the thread and the wagon the past month and have avoided weighing myself!
I have kept up with exercise but food has been terrible😞
I'm going to bite the bullet and weigh myself tomorrow and get myself back on track.
Hope you are all well and doing better than I am! 😆

Forgot to check in earlier, another sts for me thankfully. Have a good week all 😊

Sounds wild and wonderful @IchGlaubMeinSchweinPfeift! Must be hard to plan your clothes though!

I'm trying to keep up with Pilates but I've injured my back somehow- I did attempt some pressups a few days ago, assuming it's from that. Taking it steady but trying to keep moving too!

Hoping to stay on track this weekend after a bit of a wobble midweek- when will I learn that being organised is the only way I stay on plan?! We don't really have any events planned which, although a bit boring, makes life easier. Happy Friday!

Morning all and happy weekend.

Glad you got through your solo parenting week unscathed @Scottishskifun and that ice-cream sounds great, I'm going to add some to my food order when we get back from our break. Congratulations on the loss again - you're so close to dropping into the 9s now - keep going, you're smashing it!

Hi @LBB2020 we all have patches like that, I've just been through one myself and only climbed back on the wagon about a week ago. Put it behind you, you can't change it now, and weigh in and focus on moving forwards. We're all cheering you on 🙌🙂

Well done on the STS @Gemzee keep focusing on your up coming holiday 😎

Sorry to hear about your back @NahThen I feel your pain having only just got rid of the costocondhritis. I really felt the benefit from dialing back on exercise and just doing gentle walking, partly planned and partly a result of all the house chaos. It definitely helped it heal quicker than it did before so rest up and take care of yourself. You are so right about staying organised with food - I am the worst for grabbing rubbish when I don't have a plan, particularly at lunchtimes.

I had a really busy day yesterday and apart from a bit of a chocolate indiscretion was good with my food. It's resulted in a surprise (but welcome) drop on the scales this morning to 10st 4.8lb. Not sure if that will hold but it's motivating me to try to have a good weekend in preparation for being away next week.

Happy Saturday everyone.

Thank you @bigdecisionstomake your posts are always so kind and supportive, it’s much appreciated!

Morning all

Another early one from me as I have some work to do, lots of ironing, some prep for going away tomorrow and I'm heading over to mum and dad's this afternoon. Life seems quite full on at the moment! Hopefully there will be some time to relax a bit while we're away although the work laptop is coming with us - the downside of running a small business together.

@LBB2020 I love the supportive nature of this thread, everyone cheering everyone else on when they need it - it certainly helped me get back on the wagon last week 😃

My day wasn't too bad yesterday, no formal exercise but I did about 3 hours in the garden which should have had a similar effect. My food wasn't disastrous but not great either as I munched on a few biscuits (don't normally have them in the house just got them for the workmen) and ate a bit more chocolate than I should have, plus a few crisps. Actually, writing that down, that isn't good at all really - will try to do better today 😯

Hope you're all having a lovely weekend.

Ok so I faxed my fear and stepped on the scales! 10st10lbs disappointed but I was expecting it

@LBB2020 you have done the hard part of stepping on and facing it head on. It always feels so unfair of how slow it comes off compared to how quick it can go up! But your stopping it in its tracks and it's a new week tomorrow 🙂

@bigdecisionstomake great loss! Wow 3 hours of gardening is a lot hope your not too sore.