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.

@bigdecisionstomake glad work is calming down. It sounds like you did the best you could and are picking up again quickly so that in itself is great damage limitation. There is no I ate a slice of cheesecake so I’m giving up forever.

Crete should be a wonderful holiday, I have never been but keep meaning to go. I hope you are into the 9s by then and have a fantastic time.

Life is throwing us a series of lemons at the moment and another one yesterday. I did have a few biscuits but the damage can’t have been that bad as I lost nearly a pound and am now 10st 10.8lb. I managed my 15k steps and arm day.

I was looking at Facebook posts and it was nearly a year ago I went on my cruise and I looked so good. I really need to get back there. We were so happy and excited and we need to get over all the shit and get back there. DH is having some health issues and no doubt eating better and exercise will no doubt help him as well.

Hi everyone,
Gosh it's been so long 🙈apologies from my side too. I can't quite seem to get my calories right and it's been causing me to feel out of control.
DS2 is 18 months and I'm still breastfeeding. DS1 had basically self weaned by this stage and was only really feeding to sleep twice a day... Ds2 wants to be on constantly - unless we're out all day, then he can go without and doesn't bat an eye. This is making the whole calories counting thing unclear. I wasn't losing on the original goal I set myself,(when I lost the first stone), nor a bit under that so I lowered them again. But every evening I feel that proper hunger in my tummy, so obviously they're now too low. I am putting on some weight at the higher amount of cals but I'm far too hungry on the lower so now I'm trying something in between 🤷🏼‍♀️
Let's see.

@Dashel booking a holiday sounds like a great motivation and something to keep focused on when things are tough! Where are you looking at?

@bigdecisionstomake sorry to hear it's been rough at work. It sounds like it didn't mess up the scales too much so hoping you can reach that goal before you holiday in 6 weeks 🤞🏼

Morning all

Sorry about the lemons @Dashel particularly if they relate to DH's health, that's a horrible thing to deal with. Keep strong and well done on the loss - in the circumstances that's great work. It's lovely looking back at holiday memories and great motivation too 🙂Crete works well for us and is a repeat destination because we usually can't go until late September and it stays reliably warmer longer than a lot of other short haul destinations. Would love to cruise one day though...

Glad to have you back with us @IchGlaubMeinSchweinPfeift I think trying to judge calories and weightloss while you're breastfeeding is very difficult indeed. I hope the new 'in the middle' calorie amount works for you and you find the sweetspot between being able to lose but not be ravenously hungry all the time.

I had a madly busy and physically active day yesterday and ate within calories so was hopeful of a loss this morning. For once the scales have played ball and I am down to 10st 3.1lb 😃Not sure if I will be able to hang on to that but for now I am very happy to be back in the 3s.

Have good days all.

Hi All
I've been MIA as managed to maintain for about 3 months now but after seeing some photos this week decided that I would prefer being another half stone lighter so new target is 9 stone 6lb.
We are away currently so will start next week shop delivery ordered for when we get back and will start then.

Aiming to go away in October so that will be a good and steady target aim. I'm still over 3 stone lighter then I was this time last year so glad to still be keeping it off.

@IchGlaubMeinSchweinPfeift tweaking calories sounds like a good plan and yes I definitely am holiday motivated and need another lined up.

@bigdecisionstomake congratulations for getting back to the 3s that is fab news! I am desperately trying to make lemonade and I suspect there will be good and bad days but I will try.

@Scottishskifun how did you manage to loose 3st in a year that is amazing!

I STS on the scales this morning despite 16k steps, leg day and good food and lots of midnight wees 😤 hopefully I will have a loss tomorrow.

It was super windy here and with everything going on, we both had terrible sleep so will try plodding on today and try and be positive. My morning walk is already done

Hi all

Well done on maintaining for so long @Scottishskifun I always think that's the hardest part. Hope you make mincemeat of your new target before your October getaway.

Sorry to hear your scales weren't playing ball this morning @Dashel sounds like you deserved a loss. Fingers crossed the scales are kinder tomorrow.

I've had a tiny bounce back to 10st 3.2lb this morning which is not surprising after such a big drop yesterday, I'm actually surprised it wasn't more. I've given blood this afternoon so my weigh-ins will be all over the place for the next few days. I'm just hoping that when everything settles down I can manage to hang onto a number in the 3s. I had a slice of cake after donating but other than that have been good with food today.

Thank goodness for Friday tomorrow 🙂

@Dashel I lost it in roughly 7/8 months, I have 2 long term health conditions so exercise is largely out for me.
I intermittent fast for between 16-18 hours (this is actually to help my health condition) then followed a 1200 calorie diet, usually with dinner being lots of veg and protein. Lunch would be low calorie of home made soup or a salad and a normal dinner (just extra veg). Snacks would be handful of nuts, fruit or veg sticks. I used my fitbit to workout that my typical calorie usage was actually 1600 that's just to maintain so it was fairly alright forward to just reduce that.

I can't have gluten so I think that's a big factor I already know I can't eat most things when out and about or my option is a jacket potato or salad. So for me it was straight forward to stick to.

Morning all

You've done a fabulous job @Scottishskifun 🙂My DP does the same as you when he diets, shortening his eating window to around 6 hours and it really works for him but I just can't seem to manage it - I'm always ravenous when I've worked out in the morning although on the odd occasion when I've been preoccupied I do think that hunger fades if you can ignore it for a bit. Great that it works for you though - I think it's important to find what works and that you can stick to if you're going to get good results.

I've had a big drop this morning to 10st 1.6lbs but obviously that's just the lost blood volume from the donation yesterday so I'm taking it entirely with a pinch of salt and fully expecting to bounce back up tomorrow or Sunday. Hopefully though I can stay in the 3s.

So pleased to see the weekend around the corner. It will be the first one I haven't had to work (apart from a bit of admin) for 3 weeks so it feels like a luxury 😀

Have good days all.

@Scottishskifun thank you for your detailed answer. I am sorry about your health conditions and not being able to have gluten. It must make it so much harder. You must have been so disciplined. I do understand how frustrating it can be when you want to exercise but can’t.

@bigdecisionstomake TFI Friday 🥳 well done on giving blood. I tried but they could not get any out and told me not to come back. I have always had problems when people try to take blood for tests. I imagine donating blood must make your body work harder to replace it so it’s an innovative way of slimming 🤪

I really hope you enjoy your weekend and it sounds like it is really needed.

I managed 16k steps yesterday and a chest workout out with Joe Wicks but another STS on the scales this morning! I do have slight DOMs in my legs but it would be so nice to have a drop, but hey I will keep on swimming and hope to be dropping soon.

we are going out on Saturday with some friends and I know everyone will want to be drinking but I’m really not feeling that I want to. I just don’t want to be a killjoy seeing as I organised it and our friends have asked us to stay over.

Yay for not working the weekend @bigdecisionstomake
Yes your right I think half the battle is cracking what works best and I've had a lot of failures! The last bit also took an age to come off which is always the way.

@Dashel I think being gluten free makes it easier for me tbh I'm already used to saying no when out and about or at a friend's etc so it doesn't feel like a chore or needing will power as I'm so used to not being able to eat most things!
The exercise thing is pants as I used to be mega fit with lots of outdoor hobbies. Now I can manage a 30-40 min e bike ride or a 30 min easy walk and that's taken 3 years to work up to due to fatigue. I take the little wins though and know how to budget my energy. I'm very accepting of it of and prioritise spending time with my boys. It does make losing weight a bit more problematic but that's probably why I stick strictly to it.

Would also say your not a kill joy if you don't drink. If you do want to drink then spirit with a sugar free mixer is very low in calories 🙂

Morning all

@Dashel Apparently your body uses 650 additional calories making up the lost blood volume after donating - but it happens over a period of approx 6 weeks so only about 15 calories a day - sadly not enough to fill my face with chocolate!

Sorry about the STS - It's really rubbish when you know you've worked hard but the scales don't reflect that. It will come off eventually though 🐠 Enjoy your night out tonight and do what you think is best re the drinking - it's no-one else's business if you choose not to. I'm out for MIL's birthday on Monday night and will probably have a glass of wine so chose not to drink last night instead to make up for it.

Joining in with your 'Yays' @Scottishskifun it will be lovely not to have to go into work this weekend. Hope you have a good one too and you're ready to start on with your new target next week.

I was good with food yesterday although did have 3 squares of green and blacks dark chocolate that took me slightly over my calorie allowance after my evening meal last night.

My expectation was for a bounce back on the scales this morning but in actual fact I've dropped a tiny bit more to 10st 1.5lb. Still taking this with a pinch of salt and wondering if I didn't drink enough water yesterday. DP came down with a horrible cold/flu thing a couple of days ago and I've woken up feeling really rubbish/achy/congested this morning so am expecting I may go down with it too which is not good news diet wise as I tend to comfort eat when unwell, plus my activity level will drop. Fingers crossed I can shift it in short order but isn't it just typical that I've been fine all working week and now ill at the weekend 😖

Have good weekends all.

Good morning and happy weekend everyone

@Scottishskifun I’m vegan so although it’s a choice, I do understand the lack of choice regarding eating out. A jacket and beans is a usual choice but often there is a burger and chips so sometimes it’s hard to pick the boring option. We do tend to try and plan eating out by doing research as not everywhere here would cater to dietary requirements. You sound so disciplined though and I am in awe of that. My willpower is either there or it isn’t.

I had a bit of a rest day yesterday. I did the boxing/abs GFWR standing work out and only 13k steps. I also had burger and chips for my dinner but did weigh them but obviously loads of carbs so I was shocked to see the drop this morning to 10st 10.1lb 🥳 it’s motivation to try and avoid the drink tonight tbh. Dancing is good exercise so I’m hoping to make going out work for me.

Plus I’m terrible with hangovers and need lots of food to soak it up the next day and a midnight snack.

I am not sure if we will be able to get away this year with everything going on, but I have started to look for September next year at Sri Lanka or the Caribbean which should be motivating.

Hi, sorry been awol for a bit. Scales aren't going down for me and I was hoping to lose 4 or 5lbs. However, I'm doing longer harder workouts with heavier weights so I think some of it is muscle. I need to just go by my clothes as I think I'm changing shape.

I'm also pretty sure I'm in perimenopause because I feel bloated all the time 😔

Anyway, I workout 7 days a week now so I'm just gonna keep pushing through and get stronger 😊

Have a great weekend all!

Morning all

Huge congratulations on the drop @Dashel perhaps a rest day was what your body needed. Exciting to be thinking about your next trip away, both destinations are on my bucket list 😎

Getting stronger is an excellent target @Gemzee especially if you think you might be in peri. I found exercise in general helped with the aches/pains/fatigue that come with menopause but became especially conscious of trying to maintain muscle mass.

I had a busy day yesterday despite feeling rubbish. DP is still really under the weather but I feel a little better today thankfully. The scales are sticking resolutely at 10st 1.5lb which is great but I'm still waiting for the inevitable bounce back, particularly as today is a rest day for exercise so only a gentle walk this morning.

Happy Sunday everyone.

@bigdecisionstomake I am quite shocked that blood donation uses so few calories. Congratulations on being in the 1s even if it is a blip it’s better than a gain. I hope you feel better soon and perhaps a rest day is really needed?

@Gemzee it sounds like you are getting really fit. Changing body shape is very impressive.

I stayed at a friends last night so no weigh in today. I had maybe two shots of rum in with Diet Coke and lots more Diet Coke and a zero beer, but there were Pringles and I ate some of those. But it was such a good night
, lots of dancing and I got to 29.5k steps. I also did an upper body workout but didn’t sleep well so am ravenous now.

Not sure I’m going to be up to much today but will probably go for a walk and might do yoga or body balance later. We did talk about spinning but way too tired for that

Meh! Weighed in and I have STS since Saturday morning 😤 I am hoping it was because yesterday was a bit carb heavy and possibly a bit of DOMs but I avoided wine, crisps and snacking and still managed 14.5k steps. I was so tired yesterday that I was pretty useless.

Might do a Huel lunch and have a salad for dinner to see if that helps. I already have overnight oats made for breakfast.

we have visitors coming up towards the end of the week so need to do some careful meal planning.

I hope that everyone has a good week and Monday goes well x

Morning all

A quick one from me as I'm dashing off to the office shortly. It looks like STS is the name of the game today as I am still 10st 1.5lb. This is miraculous on two fronts, firstly the blood donation loss hasn't disappeared and secondly I felt rubbish yesterday so was fairly undisciplined with food. There were two glasses of wine plus pasta for tea followed by chocolate. I was therefore fully expecting a gain this morning.

Crossing everything this doesn't all come back to bite me tomorrow now.

I'm out for a meal this evening so will also need to make sure I choose very carefully tonight. I've checked the menu and the main courses are very drab and unexciting so I'm thinking I might have a starter with a side salad instead - hopefully that will help on the calorie front too.

Have good days all.

Good morning.

@bigdecisionstomake wine on a Monday 🤯 it should be compulsory really 😂 hopefully we the scales will be kind to you today and your meal out was enjoyable. Not that I have ever worked with food but I would be mortified if my menu choices were described as drab. Although it probably makes it easier to pick something sensible.

I managed a gentle leg day (knee is still sore) and 19k steps as well as the new YWA yoga for healing before bed. So I’m sore, I’m tired and I’m hungry and have the scales budged? Nope 😭🤬🙄

Just got to keep swimming and I’m so hoping that I am building some muscle. I was really hoping to get to 10st 7lb by the end of the month but it’s a struggle.

Morning all

Well done on getting all the exercise in @Dashel but sorry the scales haven't dropped. Just keep swimming - if you're putting the work in the scales will shift eventually 🤗

Ha ha, I was perhaps a bit harsh describing the menu last night as drab but I've been to this place a couple of times before and there's never anything really that grabs my fancy on the mains or I suppose more accurately that I'd want to 'spend' my calories on. Last night I was lucky however, there was a specials menu with a seabass and chorizo dish on which was delicious and hopefully not too calorie laden. I had one small glass of wine but no starter or dessert so overall it felt like I had a treat but didn't 'blow the budget' as it were 😂

The inevitable bounce back has however happened this morning but in the scheme of things it isn't too bad at 10st 1.8lbs. If that's as far as it goes then I'm happy with that and will count it as a win. Crossing everything now I don't slip further back tomorrow morning so I'm going to try to focus on making really good choices today. Only limiting factor is that I'm still feeling a bit under the weather plus seem to have picked up a bit of a shoulder injury so have only walked again this morning rather than anything more vigorous.

Have good days all.

Morning,

Aaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhh I’m still STS 😭 16k steps, shoulder day courtesy of Joe Wicks and careful food 🤬

The body fat percentage went down by 0.1% but that’s hardly reliable but it’s the only comfort I have. I even passed on the wine DH opened.

@bigdecisionstomake I hope you are feeling bette today and unlike mine, your scales are working correctly. I am keeping faith that they will drop soon.

I am glad you enjoyed your food. It sounds like you were reasonably restrained. I love dessert. Unfortunately it’s hard to find an amazing diet dessert that isn’t fruit.

I hope you all have a great day

Morning all

@Dashel I'm gutted for you - you really do deserve a loss with all the effort you're putting in. Keep the faith, it will come. Stress can make your body hang on to weight so it may just be that you have a lot going on at the moment making it harder. Crossing everything for you that the scales behave better tomorrow and sending a gold star for resisting the wine

Apart from one tiny chocolate brownie bite I was really good with my food yesterday and the scales have dropped back down to 10st 1.6lb.

I'm beginning to be a tiny bit hopeful that there won't be a big bounce back up now and that I may have managed to bypass the 2s altogether - keeping everything crossed.

One of the downsides of being so busy at work and putting life on hold for the last few weeks however is that I seem to have social engagements piled up. I'm out again tonight with friends for a meal so will have to make good choices and then have an afternoon tea booked on bank holiday Monday. I didn't plan this week very well 😅

Still feeling a bit rubbish so only walking again for me today. It would be lovely to manage to stay in the 1s this week if I could but I'm feeling it might be a challenge...

Have good days all.

@Dashel sounds like you're doing really well, I'll keep my fingers crossed for a drop soon 🤞🏼

@bigdecisionstomake that's great the scales are sticking to that 1 (fingers crossed the 2s have decided not to make an appearance!)

I finally braved the scales this morning.
Back up to 14st 3.6lbs. it's quite gutting when I was at 13st 13.6lbs way back in May. Not entirely sure how I managed to get so off track but hopefully it'll start shifting now. There are 18 weeks left of the year... I aim for half a pound a week so hopefully by the New Year, I'll be around 13.5 stone. If I happen to stop breastfeeding in that time, I'll aim for a pound a week loss instead. I just can't strip back too much or else I feel so hungry still. I have however been overeating in portion sizes due to just enjoying it and not hunger, so that needs cut back!

Hope you are all having a good one today!

@bigdecisionstomake sorry to hear you still aren’t feeling pants, hope it passes soon and you enjoyed your meal out and the scales are kind this morning

@IchGlaubMeinSchweinPfeift sorry about your gain. I was about 10 st exactly a year ago and I wish I had kept going. We can do this! Just keep going. So that’s about 19 weeks till 2025 and it would be great to start next year in better shape.

the scales did move but unfortunately the wrong way. I had too many comfort carbs yesterday so put on a whole pound. I am sure it will drop back soon as was maintenance calories. I managed 13k steps and arm day yesterday.

The weather turned horrific yesterday afternoon and has stayed stormy and I haven’t managed a morning walk. I hardly slept and it’s just horrible here.

Morning all

Sorry about the gain @IchGlaubMeinSchweinPfeift it happens to all of us at some point. The main thing is that you've faced it head on and got a plan to deal with it. I agree, trying to drop too low on calories while breastfeeding is a bit of a recipe for disaster but your strategy sounds great to aim for half a pound a week for the moment and then up it to a pound a week when your DC is fully weaned. I think this time of year is difficult target wise (unless like me you have your holiday late in the year) so focusing on making the change by the new year is ideal - good luck with it, we're all here cheering you on 🤗

Hope all is ok @Dashel if comfort carbs were needed. If you ate at maintenance it should drop off as fast as it came though hopefully. The weather is really stormy here too at the moment. My eldest DS has a long drive today and I'm already worrying about that...😫

It has been a gain on the scales all round as I've gone back up to 10st 1.8lb. I ended up having a wood fired pizza last night when I was out plus a glass of wine so probably not the best choice but I really enjoyed it so.....

My shoulder is now really sore so although I'm feeling a little better in myself I haven't done any exercise as the weather is rubbish for walking outside and I don't want to risk the arm movements of a YouTube walking video. I may try and get a walk in later though if the weather clears up a bit.

Have good days all and don't get blown away 💨

Afternoon all

I had a really bad day yesterday and fell off the wagon spectacularly. Not sure why I do this but I started picking at a few galaxy counters mid afternoon (which had been minding their own business in the fridge for a couple of weeks) then got properly stuck into them and finished the bag. That led to a glass of wine and a large portion of a high calorie evening meal as I was feeling sorry for myself. It really was the typical feeling of "I've blown it now so I might as well go for it properly".

I thought I'd managed to find coping strategies for that feeling but apparently not.

Ironically, the scales have actually dropped this morning to 10st 1.3lbs but I should imagine the over indulgence yesterday will come back to bite me at some point.

I've tried to have a proper re-set this morning and gone back to logging to try to keep myself on the right track. It's just over four weeks until we fly so I really don't want sabotage myself at this point.

I know the theory of dieting is really simple but sometimes the execution is just so hard 😭