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 I fell off the wagon a bit yesterday and ate 4 packets of walkers crisps, something to do with the psychology of being on a ' diet' but I'm back to it today and will do some joe wicks later. And maybe have a glass of water ! ( I only drink pop and wine! Haha) I think meal planning / snack planning helps you know what you're eating that day and helps you stay on track. There is never a perfect time to diet as there is always a social event or dinner out planned with people so you've just got to incorporate that. I never ban any food but just try to limit quantities of chocolate, crisps etc although that clearly didn't work yesterday. I'm loosely restricting calories to around 1400 a day.

@IchGlaubMeinSchweinPfeift

It's my birthday next week too as well as both my kids 🙄. Do lots of cake to navigate and I've been promised lots of birthday lunches too. I suppose I can justify going where I want and choosing places I enjoy healthier choices.

We have a pho nearby and their salads are amazing so that's a decent option. Might go to local curry house with DH and just do curry and veggie sides without rice. Basically for the next week I'm going to do my best but not sweat about it too much although I must say I do enjoy food far more when I'm dieting Vs when I've been overeating. Don't feel as stodged out and there a lack of guilt too.

If you don't mind I'm going to use this forum as a bit of a diary. The first time I ever lost a significant amount of weight it was paired with frequent forum posting so I hope to repeat that.

Yesterday was first full day in full keto mode. Avoided the 'keto' wraps which I've been using as a stand in but tbh they usually don't help much with weight loss.

Food - creamy coffee, ramen broth, cheese and cucumber, fajita meat and veg, sour cream and cheese with salad to replace bread. Two squares of dark chocolate and peanut butter for dessert.

I will be searching for keto stick to wee on today at my local boots and that's a bit hard core for me. I tired of drifting in and out of ketosis and feeling rubbish so hopefully that will help me work out what's going wrong.

I will weigh on Monday for the first official numbers, if it's below 13 st 7 I'll be delighted and I can start building some complex graphs for projected weight loss haha.

Food today. Nothing so far just water, will have a coffee in a bit but nothing until lunch time then I think I will have more ramen broth nom.

Hi all
Checking in to try and keep myself accountable. I seem to be coming down with something and feel dreadful. Tired, achey. All I want to do is eat carbs and sugar and cheese. I fight it as long and as best I can, but the cravings are winning. Guess I just have to ride it out and hope I haven't added too many kgs to my total by the time I'm feeling better.
I'm feeling so crap I'm not even missing my running which is how I know I'm not well.

Hope you're all surviving these long, cold days. Roll on spring. Everything is harder when you're in hibernation mode

@Backinthedress
Could it be you are feeling unwell from reducing your carb/sugar intake? How drastic a change have you made? Keto flu is real and you don't have to be going into keto to get it, just reducing from what your body is used to.

Hi @Charliewasfired

thank you for the tip. I do walk quite a bit as I have a dog, and up until Christmas I went to the gym 3 times a week, I started back this week. But I'm definitely aiming for slow and steady like you said. I have a history of somewhat disordered eating and have dropped a lot of weight quickly in the past through heavy restricting, but this time I am not doing it that way. Just quitting snacking, increasing exercising, reducing carbs (not full-blown keto), increasing veg.

Hi @Yocal thanks for the welcome. Body composition is a weird thing. when I first was told I was 8 pounds into the obese category I was shocked, I had always considered myself as average build. But I think ive been deluding myself, while my clothes size is small(ish)/medium, if you look at my stomach while it doesn't stick out that much, it is just rolls of fat, I can grab my lower stomach and lift it. I have not been comfortable with my stomach in years, I have friends who are larger sizes than I am who look better in a bikini because while their stomach despite being technically larger, it looks firmer, mines bumpy and ripply, with a big overhang around my lower abdomen (fupa) it's very odd.

I did use to be big into weight training, but this was several years ago, I have definitely maintained some muscle as when I go back to weight training I very easily get back into the same heavy sets I used to do, and my thighs are quite solid, but for BMI to be into obese category for muscle mass you have to be professional athlete level muscly, so unfortunately I would say the majority of mine consists of fat!

hi @IchGlaubMeinSchweinPfeift yes it does feel like a lot of pressure, as a lot is riding on me being able to get my weight down! Did it work out for you in the end if you dont mind me asking?

@Luckydog7 oh gosh, three birthdays next week😅 we have two, mine and my youngest (he'll be one so we've got him a nice chocolate cake ordered). I'm skipping the cake for me this year but have asked for a giant bag of malteasers instead from dh😁
Also totally agree with you about enjoying food more when dieting. I had a cadburys hot chocolate last night, 130 cals but no guilt as I have been mostly going for the healthy options and a little sugar is fine as I'm not cutting anything.

@Backinthedress hope you feel better soon!

@wateringcanface I was encouraged to lose weight but I live abroad and am fortunate that there is no weight restriction on IVF here. I did lose around 10lbs before anyway and became more active but mainly for myself. Eating better and hiking, and tried to focus more on it being for me rather than for the IVF which isn't easy as it's always on your mind😅Even overweight, Icsi worked for us first time and he is now 3.5 years old.

It's a valid comment, but I've been on this journey since September and on a fairly settled calorie controlled regime which is working for me, so i think it's unlikely. The main thing that's changed has been horrible germ-ridden children bringing snotty coughs home from school!

I am feeling a little better now than I was earlier though, so hoping I can just power through it as long as I get enough sleep and vitamins and stay warm!

Sorry haven't yet had time to RTFT, but I will catch up.

Today is the day. It's the day I STOP binging/gorging/stuff my face. I need to focus on the fact that the longer I leave it, then the less time I have to achieve. I will only just keep getting bigger and that will ruin my holidays.

The plan:
IF 16:8 where at all possible (meals out will be the exception)
Reduce alcohol - this is easy for me. I have already started doing this
No crap/treats - I cannot even have 1 mouthful as I will then get a taste and binge (this will be hard as we have treats in the house for DC).
Lean meat, veg, eggs
Significantly reduce carbs
If it's not on my plate then it's not mine to eat/pick
Likewise, if it's not on a plate then I don't eat it/pick
There are no handfuls. You cannot quantify a handful
Measure/quantity everything
Exercise if/when I can - this will be hard timewise plus I am really not in the right mindset for exercising at the moment.

First goal date is Feb 28th. No weighing until then.

Up a lb this morning, but did have pizza last night so assuming its the salt etc, hopefully will go back down before Monday!

Just reporting back that I'm holding steady at 70kg or thereabouts (which I'm pleased with considering) and I also managed to get out for a run despite feeling ropey this morning. Fingers crossed it doesn't seem to have made me feel any worse and does at least mean I can eat some of the PMT chocolate I'm longing for! :D

@IchGlaubMeinSchweinPfeift Im glad it worked for you! I was about to type congratulations, but I think I'm 3.5 years too late for that 😂. I would be devastated if my weight held me back from treatment. There's no chance of me getting out of the overweight category by end of summer, but I am not too worried about that as I don't think I personally need to be in the official healthy range to be healthy. But I do think it would help potential pregnancy to get rid of stomach fat.

Anyway, today's food
Porridge for lunch - with peanut butter, berries, and a banana
Snack - teacake
Dinner is going to be a fajita salad bowl.
Ive had 2 x coffees and will likely have 2 tea's this evening. Otherwise, i'll just drink water and maybe an orange squash.

Im out tomorrow night and Saturday night, which tbh I think is how my weight has crept up, I am not a bad eater through the week but I am out a lot eating/drinking with friends. I'll stay away from beer and try to keep to three glasses of wine.

Hmmmm is all I can say about today, I succumb to a snickers bar or two. ! Right, tomorrow, tomorrow I love you tomorrow...

Hope you've all had good days so far.

@Charliewasfired I'm definitely looking to firm up and get a bit of definition if possible, although I don't think I'll ever have a low enough body fat percentage to see a 6 pack 😂I'm on HRT too and it has been a gamechanger for me in terms of my sleep mainly but also my mood and general wellbeing. I know it's not for everyone though.

@wateringcanface it sounds like you've got a great motivation for losing the weight. If I were you I would break your target up into smaller more achievable blocks to help keep you motivated. For example the first 8lbs to get you into the overweight category and so on. That way it all seems a bit more manageable than aiming for 2+ stones straightaway. Your menu for the day sounds delicious and well balanced so you've got this when you're at home - just need to make healthy choices when out and about where possible - good luck!

@IchGlaubMeinSchweinPfeift If you want a slow and steady loss then you are definitely on the right thread. I think it is the healthiest way to do it though and the company definitely helps with the motivation. It sounds like you've done amazingly well so far with 3lbs gone and well done to you for making the healthy choices when eating out this week - that means you can have the pizza on your birthday with a clear conscience!

@flutterby1 kudos to you for getting straight back on the wagon after your blip and for adding in counter measures such as the Joe Wicks. Overall I think you're right not to ban any foods but just try to moderate some, like the crisps and chocolate.

@Luckydog7 It sounds like you have a week of cake and celebrations next week - enjoy! No problem with using the thread as a daily diary - I post daily for accountability. If I stop posting for a few days its usually because I've fallen off the wagon 😣Good luck with the keto - I've no experience as I love pasta too much but I've heard it can work if you do it right.

Sorry you're feeling rubbish @Backinthedress take it easy until you feel better. Hear hear to roll on the warmer weather and lighter days - everything is so much easier in spring/summer. Enjoy the post run chocolate!

@foxfoxohmyfox that sounds like a really excellent plan but be careful not to go too hard too soon and make it all too much like hard work. I think you're right in saying that today's the day though - it's too easy to put things off so sometimes you just have to seize the day and get on with it. Keep posting, even if you end up a bit off track, it will help keep you accountable - good luck 🙂

@OkyDoke sorry about the gain but it won't be fat from just one pizza, it will be the carbs/salt making you hold on to water. Drink lots of water to flush it out and try to have as active a day as you can as this will help shift the carbs stored as glycogen.

I've had a drop on the scales this morning to take me down to 10st 6.6lb which I'm really happy with. The challenge now is to hang onto that loss over the weekend. My food and exercise were all good yesterday except I ate too much chocolate - a third of a large bar of Green and Black's dark ginger. It's a bit of a weakness and I love a square or two after a meal, but just mustn't have 9 squares in one go. Sad to say I've already done the same again today...! I've done a 5000 step walking workout today so my exercise calories are a bit better though although it's been a pretty sedentary day otherwise - roll on the warmer weather 🤗

@flutterby1 put the snickers bars behind you and don't let the blip derail you - you've got this!

Welcome to all the newbies!

I've been slack about exercise this week for a few reasons (some valid, others not so much!). I shoved myself out the door this morning to do a C25K session. I couldn't face moving up to the next 'week', so repeated the previous session I did, and I didn't really push myself. However I'm practicing being kind to myself so it's still better than not doing it at all.

I now need to go and pick up my grocery order - I snuck in a little box of mini eggs (my favourite!) for a morning tea treat. High in calories/sugar of course but it's all tracked and accounted for, and a single box means I can't overeat. Yum!

Well done on the loss @bigdecisionstomake and good luck for maintaining it over the weekend.

@ElliesMum16 also well done on going out for the run and I think you did the right thing by listening to your body and as you say, better to have repeated the last session than not gone out at all. Good plan too re the calorie controlled treat, much easier than having to deal with an open, bigger bag!

I’ve had a good week food-wise, although the bug I’ve been fighting to shake means I’ve done no exercise and generally not moved very much. The scales are still going down though, and I’m looking forward to getting back to some treadmill incline walking next week, and starting to introduce a bit of strength and flex type exercises.

I’m also really focusing on not being all or nothing about this, so am including the occasional treat within my calories, rather than seeing it as forbidden / not dieting properly if I have it. I had a creme egg today and really enjoyed it, rather than rushing eating it from guilt or something.

I’m hoping this is an important step in making this a sustainable and long lasting way of losing weight.

Now to carry this into the danger zone of the weekend!

@bigdecisionstomake "I am.
on HRT too and it has been a gamechanger for me in terms of my sleep mainly but also my mood and general wellbeing. I know it's not for everyone though"

I have had exactly the same response, I love it! But again, know it's not for everyone. The general consensus of the Drs I have spoken to here in the USA is to get on it early. It's when you go through menopause and then take a few years before going on HRT that it can be hard for your body, as it has adjusted to lower hormones levels.

I was at least very pre-menopausal and of course chemo meant I was infertile after. After taking basic tests I tried it straight away around 50-51. My main motivation was mood as I went on the pill for anemia in my early 40s (I had never been on birth control) and my monthly serious depression/anxiety caused by hormones disappeared. Going thru menopause and coming off the pill it all came back with a vengence.

HRT gives me an even mood virtually every day, and for that alone it's worth it to me!

BTW I don't know if you know this channel Louise's Journey, she lost 120lb and taught herself all about nutrition and exercise. She is very down to earth and brutally honest, and living in the US now I find her South-East accent enjoyable!

She shows how to make satisfying meals with lots of flavor with products from UK stores, including for those with a sweet tooth. This is in older video as she still posts content every week but thought it was very helpful.
Obviously she eats more calories now but she shows what she ate while losing weight.

What I eat in a day on 1500 calories without feeling hungry.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=rPm734x43nw&pp=ygUwbG91aXNlJ3Mgam91cm5leSB3aGF0IGkgZWF0IGluIGEgZGF5IDIgeWVhcnMgYWdv

Well done @bigdecisionstomake & @IchGlaubMeinSchweinPfeift on the losses.

I've managed to stick to my calories so far this week and the sort of IF (sort of because I'm having milk in my coffee and tea in the fasting period). Thankfully the 2kg that seemed to appear after a big meal has gone now (@OkyDoke - this sounds similar to you) and am slightly under a half kilo under starting weight so I'm pleased with that. Hopefully it will keep coming off.

Food wise I've been doing some baking to try to make some healthy sweet snacks without refined sugar. The results have been a bit hit and miss but certainly better than reaching for the haribo.

This weekend should be easier than last, I've nothing major socially though may go for a pub lunch. Being moderate rather than super strict is certainly helping in terms of making choices. I ate out for lunch yesterday last minute and didn't have the usual panic/dread that I have when I'm on a diet about what to choose. Hopefully it will continue.

Morning all

Well done on getting out for your C25K run @ElliesMum16 it's a real achievement when you're not really feeling it 👟Enjoy your mini eggs - that's a great idea to buy just one box so you're getting some treat food but also don't have the opportunity to go mad.

I read and re-read the part of your post about not making this all or nothing @imustbepatient I think that is the single biggest thing about weight/healthy lifestyle for me. If I don't make the losing part all or nothing then I don't make the part when I'm not actively dieting all or nothing either. Such wise words and good to have a reminder of them going into the weekend 🙂

@Charliewasfired I think my DP would definitely agree that the even mood is one of the biggest benefits of HRT too 😂I've watched a few videos from Louise's Journey before and I really like her - you can't argue with her as an inspiration for weight loss and determination. For me all the artificial sweeteners and low calorie sauces are a no from a gut microbiome perspective but I guess as a short term means to an end she makes a great case for how you can eat a large volume of tasty food for 1500 calories though.

Thanks @Jigglemonster and glad to hear your 2kg gain disappeared again in short order. Awesome that you're now over half a kilo down - great progress, well done! I agree wholeheartedly about moderation - I'm having lunch out with DP today so hoping I can apply that too!

I've had a really disturbed night so slept in this morning and therefore haven't worked out. I'm a bit annoyed about that but decided in the end it was better to prioritise a bit more sleep. I know this means I'll likely have a gain tomorrow as I won't be using any glycogen store today. The only upside is that I have 3 back to back appointments out and about this afternoon so it won't be an entirely desk bound day. I may try to fit a workout in later but to be honest I think it's unlikely given it will be Friday night and I'm likely to be tired. I'll do the weights workout tomorrow though instead.

The scales have dropped again this morning to 10st 6lb however I think that may be temporary as DS cooked again last night and underestimated quantities - it's a learning curve for him! As he's a strapping 6 foot 5 inch 22 year old I gave him the majority so only ended up with quite a small portion for my meal. As a result I was hungry in the night and have woken up ravenous so I think I will end up over compensating with calories today unfortunately.

Life happens sometimes!

Happy Friday everyone 😀

Well done on the loses.

What is everyone's weighing routine? I hate weighing myself. I don't even know if my scales still work as I have not used them in years.

I prefer to use clothes as a guide. At the moment I tend to go for the same clothing items in my wardrobe over and over again as they are baggy and comfy. I have a selection of clothes that do fit, but only just, and then some clothes that just don't fit at all. I might initially use the aim of getting the ones that only just fit to fit comfortably.

Todays diet plan - porridge with fruit for lunch
Sushi pack for a snack
Im out at a show this evening so will have a few drinks, but will be careful not to overdo it, and I have a 350 cal microwave meal ready for when I get back if I'm hungry.

From next week I am to do exercise daily, either the VR headset exercise 'class', or rowing machine, and then I'll aim to go gym twice a week.

Also make more of an effort to actually walk the dog, as often I get chatting to someone and we just watch the dogs run around in a field while we stay still.

I lost a pound this week, happy with that. I've stuck to my 10k steps and have done 5 x 30min home workouts.
Back in the 8s, just 😁
Craving all the bad stuff though, oh well - just keep swimming!

@wateringcanface I weigh daily as I find it motivating, but confronting when I need it to be! However, I lose weight in a very linear way so generally if I've been eating well, the scales will either stay the same or go down each day, and if they go up it would only be 100-200g so not enough to worry about. If I was a person whose weight bounced around a lot, I might not place so much emphasis on the scales. I do use my clothes as a guide too, but that can take a bit of time to make a change - I tend to be impatient!

Today I hit my 5% loss, so that's good. I've got all my little goals mapped out for a while - 1 more kg for 5kg down, then under 70kg, then 'healthy' BMI etc. Does anyone do 'rewards' (non-food!) for themselves when they get to little goals?

I also tried (cooking and eating) tofu for the first time last night and it was delicious! I'm not a big meat eater and I can be a bit fussy in general, so I'm really pleased that I've got another option.

@wateringcanface I weigh myself every morning as soon as I get up, not because I am pedantic, but to remind myself I am focused on weight-loss.
For me personally I need to get into a groove where I develop daily routines so I get into a rhythm and habits that lead to steady weight-loss.
It also means I don't have to think about it very much! I can switch my brain off 😬

@bigdecisionstomake I agree that personally I am not big into artificial flavours, syrups and sweet coffees etc. But I know for some people that can be a sticking point and something they struggle with, so if like Lousie they can find a low-zero calorie equivalent that is just as tasty that can make the difference to sticking to their plan or not.

The one thing that I do do each morning when I losing weight is have a protein shake with chocolate protein powder, peanut butter, a banana, water and ice. I really enjoy it and the powder has a ton of vitamins as well as protein. If I ever get bored I have porridge and fruit or scrambled eggs and mushrooms (in non fat cooking spray) or salmon.
But usually I prefer not to think about anything (from laziness) and just whizz up my shake each morning and it's very filling.

Also because I eat a lot more salad when eating better I have discovered some really delicious zero calorie salad dressings which can make the difference to how much salad I can stuff down myself!