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.

Hi all!

Nice little water weight whoosh to start me off, 3lbs down. Happy with that although my tummy is looking very bloated so I don't feel any smaller (caused by time of the month I assume).
I haven't had wine (or any alcohol) since January 1st so I'm quite proud of myself. I'm not doing dry January though, I have a planned "treat" day this Sunday and very much looking forward to a glass (or 2!!) of wine.
Have a good weekend all 😊

Please can I join you. What a great thread. Summer is a total motivator.

At the beginning of last year I got within a stone of my goal weight but being in a fairly new relationship I got in the habit of going out for lovely meals and drinking wine and here I am overweight again.

Starting weight: 13st 5 (last Sat) size 14
Goal weight : 10st - size 10
5'7"
Keto and gym 4 x week

Summer target : to be less than 11st for wedding abroad in August.
Not my wedding, but lots of slim, glamorous guests attending.

Thanks for having me and good luck everyone , we got this!

Thanks, I'm getting smart scales so ill message my SW when I get them. My target weight is 9 stone I think I'm about 9 8 but my fat percentage is very high about 30% so even though I don't weigh much I'm skinny FAT !

Happy Friday everyone!

@ChickenChipsandBeans that’s a fantastic loss on top of the amazing work you’ve already done. I know what you mean about the struggles of getting into certain swimsuits. I’m really busty and have had one from Bravissimo once with an underwire that felt like I was struggling to get into a coat-hanger!

@Yocal I hope you feel better soon and fingers crossed for the silver lining of a good loss on the back of it. I’ve got the cold / flu at the moment too, but annoyingly it hasn’t killed my appetite. I’m keeping it at bay with what feels like a vat of herbal tea being consumed, which seems to be doing the trick.

@Jigglemonster well done on the Pilates and yoga classes. I definitely need to start doing something like this, as I’m getting less and less flexible as every year goes by. Upping your calorie allowance to make it sustainable sounds uber sensible and I’m sure will mean you can stick to this long term, which is the aim of the game for all of us.

@ElliesMum16 great work on the C25K stick-ability. Sounds like a really good plan to stick with similar breakfasts and lunches so it’s just the dinner that you change up a bit to keep things interesting.

@DietCokeandHulaHoops Gousto sounds like it could work really well for you, with you liking cooking but just not having the time to focus on all the planning of it. Let us know how you get on with it. I tried Hello Fresh for a while but it wasn’t quite the silver bullet I’d been hoping for, so I’d be really interested in hearing how you find Gousto.

@LBB2020 I’m so with you on hating cooking separate meals! I enjoy cooking but get frustrated at having to plan meals around everyone’s food they will / won’t eat. My DCs are a bit older now but still have certain foods they won’t go near, so I stick to the ones they are fine with (it’s a reasonable variety now, but still excludes things I’d like to have!), or occasionally bite the bullet and do the two meals thing. Great idea to dig out the cookbooks. I bought Mary Berry’s new one the other week and it has some nice recipes in it. Must actually make some of them!

@Gemzee what a brilliant whoosh! Enjoy your well-deserved glass or two of wine!

@BigBessie it is a really great thread isn’t it, and it sounds like you’ve got a clear plan on how to achieve your goals, with something to focus on as a motivator. Once you get underway I’m sure the feeling of progress will keep you inspired too.

@bigdecisionstomake I hope the weather is a little milder where you are, and made your morning work out a little easier to grit your teeth for!

@Backinthedress how did your run day go? Your lentil soup lunches sound lovely.

@Me1987 , @OkyDoke , @flutterby1 , how are you all going?

Good luck to all for the weekend and any challenges / lack of routine it brings.

Whoops, despite my mega long post I managed to miss out my weigh in info! I weight more or less daily but take either Friday or Saturday as my weight for the week, depending on which is lowest 😁

Today I’m 3.6lbs down, having just started on Monday, so I’m really happy to get that water weight / bloat off, and hopefully might see a little more tomorrow too. No alcohol since Saturday either, so Dry Jan is going ok too. Now to get through the weekend…

Runs are going well. Up to a full 30 minutes now, pace has stayed about the same. Taking a couple of days off as I'm fighting off this horrid cough that's going round everyone- my whole family is down with it and I am trying so hard not to succumb. Think I might ease off the calorie counting and exercise for a few days, just try and support my immune system (and if that means carbs, so be it!) And start again on Monday.
I need to remember it's a journey and slow progress is still progress.

Sometimes it's so hard.to fight all or nothing thinking, wso when you've had an ED in the past.

And January is TOUGH ladies. It's cold and grey and there's not much to looks forwards to in the immediate future. You're all doing amazingly just checking in here. I'm proud of all of us for staying accountable.

Morning all

Good to see you back @ChickenChipsandBeans and congrats on your losses so far, that's awesome - you'll be back in your bikinis in no time if you carry on as you are! I have a pair of spanx that I've had for years that I have to literally wrestle myself into, it's not a pretty sight - DP offered to help once but I refused as my dignity can only stretch so far, a bit like the spanx.

@Yocal sorry to hear you're under the weather and hope you're feeling better soon but not before you've seen a few pounds drop off 😂

I weigh every day @Jigglemonster as I find it keeps me on track - along with the accountability of posting. I know it's not for everyone though, it just works for me. I keep a nerdy spreadsheet too so I can compare across the months/years 😳 I love my fitbit as it really keeps me motivated to get a few more steps in when I can. Mine vibrates if I haven't done at least 250 steps in an hour which happens a lot when I'm working so I get up and walk round for a minute or two if at all possible to make sure I get at least 250 steps per hour which adds up over the day. Martin Lewis has a blog about getting more steps on his website which is interesting e.g. he says he never makes or takes a phone call sitting down, he always gets up and walks around.

Glad all's still going well @ElliesMum16 and that you've found some new meal ideas you enjoy. Well done on the C25K progress too - I did it a few years ago (before arthritic hip struck) and enjoyed it. Joe Wicks has a good 21 days of strength playlist on his YouTube channel which is good for beginners as there are long breaks between sets. You do need a bit of equipment though so might be worth starting with some bodyweight only routines to begin with. Keep up the good work 🙂

Welcome to the thread @DietCokeandHulaHoops hopefully we can give you some support and motivation to get to your target. I think it always feels a bit easier when there's some camaraderie! My work is not too bad at the minute but does have periods when it's manic and meal planning is really helpful I think when that's the case. I have Hello Fresh boxes when I'm busy and pick their speedy 20 minutes or less to cook options, I think Gousto do something similar. Good luck with it and keep us posted 😀

Thanks for posting about water @LBB2020 I need to remember to drink more so going to try to do that today and make some better habits. I really admire how consistent you are with your exercise - I am trying my best to emulate this! My Christmas leftover issue is cheese - I had loads left so lunch has been cheese and biscuits for a while now. I hate waste so don't want to throw it away but am getting a bit bored now - not much more to go though 😂

Great news about the whoosh @Gemzee and enjoy your treat day on Sunday 😄I'm trying to hold out now until 1st Feb with abstaining from alcohol but not sure how that will go....

Welcome to the thread @BigBessie Your target sounds achievable if you stay consistent with your efforts between now and August - and nothing more motivating than attending an overseas wedding (assuming hot destination?) with lots of slim glamorous people! Are you breaking your target up into smaller chunks along the way?

Interesting about the smart scales @flutterby1 my DP has some which measure body fat and muscle percentage amongst other things. I used to use them a lot last year but have gone back to my trusty old salter scales this year. I might give his a go again once I get back into the strength training as it's motivating to see the fat and muscle percentages change.

@imustbepatient awesome whoosh for you - well done 😀I find the weekend the most difficult time when I'm not drinking wine so am expecting some inner angst later 😣If I cave in though I'm going to have to come back on here and tell you all so hopefully that will help me abstain! Keep strong, we can all do this together 🙂

Fabulous work with the running @Backinthedress but I think you're right to scale everything back for a few days if you're feeling under the weather. Sometimes pushing through does more harm than good. Take care of yourself and your wellbeing until you're feeling ready again 🤗

Unexpectedly I've had another whoosh this morning to take me down to 10st 7lb exactly. I did two hours of vigorous cleaning last night though so I think that might have helped. It will be interesting to see if there's a bounce back tomorrow. I've done a 30 minute March Across America workout with Jenny Ford this morning. I bought them on Amazon Prime during the first lockdown and had forgotten I'd got them so it made a change to go back to them after a couple of years.

Happy to be on the downhill run to the weekend now.

Have good days all.

@imustbepatient just generally I’m finding Gousto better than Hello Fresh. They have more variety (less reliance on mince for everything) and also far more selections under 600 calories - and a lot under 500.

Oh that’s interesting thanks very much @DietCokeandHulaHoops How much prepping is needed for making the meals? Do you get the raw ingredients and have to peel and chop etc, or is it more a case of just assembling things, E.g. are you given a whole chicken breast that needs chopping if it has to be diced for the recipe, or does it come pre chopped?

@bigdecisionstomake well done on the Whoosh ! You are doing so well

I want me one of those!

When I looked in the mirror this morning my waist looked a little slimmer , but this has made my tits and arse look even bigger in comparison. ha !

I weigh on a Saturday so I'll find out tomorrow. I have chosen to weigh on a Saturday so I don't get on the wine when I finish work on a Friday...

So to be very specific - a chicken breast would be diced - but you would need to say chop an onion or peel a garlic clove.

Morning all and happy weekend

@DietCokeandHulaHoops I've just checked out Gousto and you're right, there is a bit more variety than Hello Fresh. I've got an account but haven't used them in a while so might go back to having the occasional box from them too.

Thanks @BigBessie the first week after being off the wagon for a while always brings me a relatively big loss but I know in reality this is just water weight washing away as I start to exercise more regularly and cut out or down on sugar/carbs and alcohol. Next week is when it gets tougher and the loss slows down to a much more sedate pace. This is why it's important for me to have the accountability, otherwise I find it easy to find reasons not to stick to healthier choices in the longer term. Good luck for your weigh in today 🙂

So happy to see the weekend today and had a bit of a lie in which meant the heating was already on and it was mostly light when I got up to exercise today which made it so much easier - that plus not having the time pressure of getting ready for work. I've done a 5000 steps Yana Fit walking workout which was a bit more sedate than some of the ones I usually do but did the job. Going to have a think this weekend about which weights workouts I'm going to start next week. I like Joe Wicks, Caroline Girvan, Olivia Lawson and Heather Robertson and I like to follow a programme so I need to pick one this weekend so I'm not dithering on Monday morning. I'm going to aim for 3 weights workouts a week.

I've had a STS on the scales this morning at 10st 7lb which I'm very happy with. If I can maintain that over the weekend I'll take that as a win.

Have a great weekend everyone.

Good morning everyone. It's cold one this morning.

My gym was absolutely packed again this morning, 24 of us in my pilates class. Just before Christmas we were down to four!

I've weighed in a 2lb loss. Normally I would be delighted with that but having had no wine or carbs for over a week I was expecting more. Hopefully next week will be the whoosh week.

:@bigdecisionstomake you sound so motivated and positive! Are you living with people who are onboard? I live with my teenager and he is really supportive which really helps. He even made toast when I was at the the gym this morning so the house didn't smell of carbs when I woke up. What a gent!

I hope everyone has a fantastic weekend

@imustbepatient my children are 6 & 3, 6 year old will eat most things but the toddler is so fussy! Even pasta which he loves he will only eat certain shapes!
I think my best bet would be to dedicate a day one weekend to batch cook some nice meals for DH and I, then I’ll only really be cooking for the DC and warming something for us adults….its finding the time that’s the problem!
@BigBessie my gym has been packed too! I’m sure it will die down over the next few weeks!
Well done all and have a great weekend 😀

That made me laugh re the pasta @LBB2020 , my 11 year old swears that spaghetti shaped pasta tastes different to fusilli!

That’s a good plan re batch cooking some meals to yours and your husband’s tastes, but as you say it’s not always easy finding the time. Or in my case, the freezer space…. I have a lot of freezer space but somehow manage to fill it 😂

I’m still trying to shake off a cold / flu bug and feel pretty rubbish, with zero energy. Managed to take the dog for a walk and am currently cooking a roast dinner, but I can tell that is going to use up the last of my energy for the day.

Have a lovely evening everyone.

@BigBessie aw that’s so thoughtful of your son… the small of toast wafting around the house would be such a temptation!

I sympathise with your toddler @LBB2020! I'm fussy with (lots of things including) pasta - I hate shells, macaroni and spirals! But I think it's because I hated the meals we had as a child which used those shapes.

Scales haven't moved for a couple of days now, but I know it's because of my period so trying to be zen about it. And I couldn't run this morning because of very painful breast cysts which flared up. Plus it's crazily hot! So I think today will be spent on the sofa.

Going on a shopping trip to a nearby town tomorrow and there is the most amazing sushi place there. I'll probably blow my calories out but I'm telling myself it's ok because sushi's heathy!

A late one from me as DCat woke me up at an unearthly hour and my day has been all out of sorts as a result.

@BigBessie huge well done on your 2lb loss, that's a solid amount to start on - Don't be disappointed, every pound is an achievement. I live with my DP and youngest DS. Eldest DS has flown the nest. DP is generally supportive although can eat pretty much what he wants without putting on weight and if he does just has to look at a low fat yoghurt to lose it all again really quickly 😡Your teen sounds lovely and so considerate about the toast smell - you've obviously done a good job with him 😃

@imustbepatient Take it easy and hope you're feeling better soon 🤗

@LBB2020 the batch cooking sounds like a great idea. I remember the days of having to cook different meals for different people. Glad mine are older now and will eat pretty much anything!

I always used to carry around 3lbs extra around the time of my period @ElliesMum16 which is really annoying if you're trying to lose weight and impatient to see a loss. It should go as quickly as it came though fingers crossed. Sushi shouldn't be too high calorie so hope you enjoyed it!

My weight has held at 10st 7lb which I'm very happy with as I fell of the alcohol free wagon last night and had a glass of wine with my evening meal. Today hasn't been any better as I've eaten too much chocolate but other than that I've stuck to healthy choices. Will be interesting to see if the sugar and wine catch up with me on the scales tomorrow though. Sundays are traditionally my 'rest day' for exercise so I have just had a walk this morning.

Enjoy what's left of the weekend.

Love the non-scale victories - I just put on a top which I bought before Christmas and hadn't worn since I started working on my weight. It looks and fits so much better already! Still a way to go, but I think it's the little things that keep you going.

Thanks @bigdecisionstomake I’m feeling better than I was, although still not right yet, this bug is clinging on grimly!

I hope the scales stuck at 10st 7lbs for you this morning.

Happy Monday all, I hope it’s the beginning of a good week for us all.

Hi everyone, can I please join?

I've got a lot to lose but am going down the slow and steady route (aiming for 0.5-1lb a week average) and l am aiming for an overall 2 stone weight loss this year, and 2 stone next year. If more happens, great but I'm focusing on just 2 off each year! I'll still be in the overweight category but 4 stone off will greatly improve my quality of life.
I'm 35 next week with two small children (3.5 and nearly 1), and I want to be around for them for as long as possible, be a better role model and be able to run around playing with them as they grow up. For myself, I just want to be comfortable in my body doing every day things, as well as feel comfortable in clothes, have more energy and not feel so sluggish.

I've been overweight since childhood and yoyo'd constantly but have never been this big and the penny has been dropping slowly since autumn that this is really it now! I've had a nutritionist coach who is also a pt and holistic health coach and she's been helping me, especially with sorting out my emotional eating. But that was one programme which ended before Christmas so I'm ready to go it alone!

SW Jan 1: 15st 10lbs
Jan 10: 15st 8lbs
Interim GW by end of 2024: 13st 10lbs

5%: 14st 13lbs

My calories were set at 2200 by my coach (also because I'm still breastfeeding my 11 month old so need some extra for now) but I aim for between 2000-2200. My goal is to not cut any food, I'm aiming for 80% nutritional foods, 20% whatever I want. Though it doesn't always work out that way 😅

Zumba twice a week, and a big walk / hike once a month alone. 6-8,000 steps a day.

Sw 9st 10 (with clothes on as it's freezing!)

GW 8st 13

Fat % 31.5 ! Too high

Just had breakfast and I'm starving but I feel uncomfortable and my jeans are too tight with the belly blubber.
This is the first time I'm going to try to rein it in after Christmas as all the chocolates have now been eaten.

A late one from me as I had an early dental appointment today and then went straight to the office so didn't have time to post this morning.

Whoop whoop for a non-scale victory @ElliesMum16 - I agree, they are just as good as the number on the scale - possibly even better 🙂

Hang in there @imustbepatient hopefully you'll be back to fighting fitness soon.

Welcome to the thread @IchGlaubMeinSchweinPfeift A lot of us here are 'slow and steady' losers. I think you're far more likely both to stick at it and keep the weight off in the longer term if you lose it in a slow and sustainable way. Your targets sound really sensible so keep posting and we'll all be here to cheer your progress 😃

@flutterby1 Disclaimer - I'm not at all an expert - but I think at 31.5% body fat you are (depending on your age) right at the very top end of the healthy range. When I was measuring last year I managed to get mine down to 27% which is about mid range. I'm never quite sure how accurate domestic scales are though. Mine reduced more rapidly when I was lifting weights three times a week so that might be something to consider. Good that you've eaten all the Christmas chocolates now - I'm still getting through the cheese...😫

I was determined to get back to the weights myself and at the weekend I picked the Heather Robertson 12 week 4.0 series to follow on YouTube. She is focusing this one on both progressive strength training and mobility which are the two things I really need to concentrate on so it seemed like a good fit. There are 5 workouts a week but I'm only going to do 3 to begin with and carry on with cardio 3 days a week too to aid with weight loss. It will therefore take me longer than 12 weeks to complete... It was biceps, triceps and shoulders today which was fine but it will be interesting to see if I'm sore tomorrow.

Unfortunately my weight bounced up to 10st 8lb this morning so the the wine and chocolate at the weekend did indeed catch up with me. Overall this gave me a loss of 1.4lb for my first week which is ok but could have been better. I have been a bit lax about logging my calories and have instead guesstimated a few days so perhaps I need to get back to logging religiously again. I'll see how this week goes and decide from there.

Have a good evening everyone.

Yep, I think weight lifting and body weight resistance is the way forward for fat loss, I've always been a cardio girl but it only works so far. Of course you can't out run your fork !! , which is the big problem here.

How funny about the pasta @ElliesMum16 @imustbepatient!
I was up 1lb when I weighed on Sunday which was expected as I’d had the sickness bug the previous weekend, I was actually surprised it wasn’t more!
Today was ok, I drank loads of water and peppermint tea and no snacking after dinner this evening. Food could have been better but it wasn’t awful. All in all an ok Monday!