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Weight loss chat

A space to talk openly about weight loss journeys and challenges. Mumsnet hasn't checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. You may wish to speak to a medical professional before starting any diet.

Need to lose 1 stone? Gather around....

666 replies

froidIci · 17/01/2024 13:27

Not sure if this will get any clicks, but I wondered if there are folks who need to lose about a stone or a bit this way or that who might want some accountability?

BTW When I say "need to lose a stone" this means basically a stone to get to your own, individual target (which could be a random number, a random BMI point, just anything).

For me - 1 stone off takes me to weight before conceiving Baby 1, and 1.2 stone off takes me to my lightest adult weight and a very comfy size 10-12 as opposed to a size 12-14. I have added motivation that a 40th birthday tails off 2024 for me, so I've got a deadline.

My downfall? Carbs. Salty carbs. My body absolutely magically loses if I cut out rice, pasta and potatoes. And yet, alas - it specifically is those that I crave.

Anyone want a loose accountability thread?

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froidIci · 31/01/2024 06:55

Great weight loss but so sorry to hear about the serious illnesses @JustFrustrated

Period arrived yesterday and voila this morning I’ve weight in a whopping 1 kilo less than couple days ago, and overall weight now officially 2.3 kilos gone off the 1 stone planned.

I’ve also stopped adding salt at the table to my plate of food for about a couple days which doesn’t feel too bad….

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popplego · 31/01/2024 06:58

Great progress @JustFrustrated! I hope you're on the mend from your illness.

@Swearwolf I'm a fellow shorty (5'1) with a home based desk job! Although tbh I find my work days easier to exercise, I go to the gym 2 mins away on my lunch break 3x a week. I find the days I'm with my 2yo harder to get steps in tbh, he's super active but would struggle to "go for a walk" yet and would only be happy in his pushchair for about 20 mins max. When he was a little baby I'd walk for ages with him snoozing in the pram!

popplego · 31/01/2024 07:02

Cross posted @froidIci - well done! It's quite phenomenal how much our weight can fluctuate in just a couple of days.

I've weighed this morning and I'm the same as yesterday, 9st10lb which I'm happy with, that's 4lb down from my starting weight Smile I had a lower calorie day yesterday by accident, just from being busy/not hungry, so that came in just under 1100 cals. At least that helps balance out Sunday's indulgence a little!

Swearwolf · 31/01/2024 08:18

@popplego I found that stage the hardest too! In fact I think it's why I didn't lose the baby weight with my youngest, because I couldn't do all the long walks.

I try to jam in a run or two, and I have a yoga teacher neighbour who teaches from a little home studio, so I'm just back from her early morning class.

I'm 66.1kg this morning and I saw the scale flit down to the 65s briefly, so I'm feeling good. It's only 0.2kg down, but it's only been a few days so works out about 0.5kg per week (if it continues).

Philippa7 · 31/01/2024 09:41

Sorry to hear about you and your DH, @JustFrustrated . I hope you’ll be better in the not too distant future!

Well done with the small wins, everyone.

Today is a bit of a danger zone for me as it’s the last day of the month and I’m on my period. (Good riddance to January which has lasted about three months long!) I am one of those “I’ll start on Monday” people and I see a new month in a similar way: as a clean slate. This can result in a takeaway and dessert or something on the last day of the month - or even eating loads of junk mindlessly with no real structure to meals. I’ve written about how I’m trying to break this bad habit and see each meal as a clean slate to avoid writing a whole day off after an indulgent breakfast or lunch too. So if I can manage to control this urge and break this habit today it’ll be a small but significant win.

Having said that, a new month is also welcome for its sense of renewal and we are a big step closer to spring. So what are everyone’s February goals and habits? I really loved @froidIci ’s idea of thinking of your bad habits and switching them into good ones. I’ll also be giving up something for Lent this month as I was brought up as a Catholic. It’s usually chocolate and biscuits.

Here are mine:

Bad habit: All or nothing mentality. Eg If I eat a rich brunch, I will then think I may as well have an equally indulgent dinner.

Changed into a good habit: Seeing each meal as a “fresh start”, not each day, week or month.

Bad habit: I don’t always drink enough water when running around outside with my DC then mistake thirst for hunger. Or I go to a coffee shop for a drink and of course that’ll be accompanied by a pastry.

Good habit: I’ve treated myself to a nice water bottle for when I’m out and about and I’m going to aim for 1l with each meal.

Bad habit: If I don’t exercise, I don’t feel as motivated to eat well.

Good habit: I’m still working on telling myself that some days are far too busy for structured exercise and that’s okay - and rest days are important! But I’m going to aim to do a small number of light weights each morning as I’m more likely to make better choices through the day after a positive start.

Bad habit: Not really a bad habit but something I’m conscious of is I won’t always be organised with food so I’ll pick up something delicious at the shop when I’m hungry.

Good habit: Jot down my meals and snacks (and water) for tomorrow each evening and mentally tick them off. Also I’ve meal prepped some chili con carne and curries etc in the freezer which will be my very quick “I’m starving and can’t be bothered to cook so want a takeaway” meals.

froidIci · 31/01/2024 10:15

Thats ACE @Philippa7 !!!

Here are my February habits -

  1. I do not evening snack.
  2. I do not add salt at the table to my food.
  3. I do not eat rice/pasta/potatoes - and eat veg in their place.
  4. I make sure to eat plenty of proteins every day.
  5. I eat within an 8 hour window
  6. I continue to do Sunday "fakeaways" with DH rather than takeaways
  7. I weigh daily but only pay attention to the trend weekly.
  8. I check my diary and plan events/outings/celebrations in advance and do not berate myself for these.

Good luck everyone!

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GreenMarigold · 31/01/2024 10:28

My Feb habits:

  • 10k steps a day
  • A glass of water before and with every meal
  • Not eating my children’s leftovers (I have one that leaves a lot of delicious food untouched!)
  • No eating after 7pm
  • Try to have 3 bread-free lunches a week (this is a tough one, I think bread is my favourite food in the world!)
Cathy31 · 31/01/2024 11:25

Late to the party here but I'd like to join please! I have about a stone to lose, I think. Goal weight is 47kg but I'll see how I look and feel as I go. I'm still bf my 3rd, which definitely makes me retain weight (actually started a thread about it and the replies were so kind and basically said don't worry about weight until you stop bf). But, I'm going on holiday in July and would love to wear a bikini, and jus feel slim and strong.

I weighed myself on Monday, 53.3 kg.
I weighed again on Tuesday, 50.6kg.

I'm assuming faulty scales, but my goal for this week is to stay/ get below 51kg.

I'm going to start taking supplements as I eat very little meat/fish/ dairy, and feel quite run down ATM.

Additionally, in Feb:

  • yoga 3x per week
  • swimming 1x per week
  • 14 hour fasting daily
  • 2 portions of veg with lunch and dinner daily
  • a glass on water and a cup of green tea first thing every morning
  • more walking

I'll weigh myself again in a few days, to get a better sense of which starting weight is accurate. Though I suppose it doesn't matter, since I just want to feel less flabby , irrespective of the numbers.

Good luck everyone!

popplego · 31/01/2024 11:34

Joining the Feb habits:

  • 2-3l of water every day
  • Gym 3 x per week
  • Weigh daily but focus on the weekly average
  • Stick with 1400cals per day and be mindful of social events (e.g. eating lighter through the day to enjoy an indulgence now and again).
shearwater2 · 31/01/2024 13:41

Here are mine (which I've been doing since September with time off over Christmas).

  • Exercise: 1 x 50 minute cardio only session a week, 2 x weights (40 minutes weights, 20 minutes cardio) 1 x yoga - 60 minutes
  • Log everything in Nutracheck and not too much "guessing" calories
  • Calorie intake 1700 Monday, 1000 Tuesday, 1700 Wednesday, 1000 Thursday, 1700 Friday, 2000 Saturday, 2000 Sunday (average 1600-1700 a day seems)
  • Plenty of fibre, plenty of protein, low-ish carbs, loads of veg
  • Keep alcohol down and plenty of water
  • As much walking as I can fit in (I have a dog) - this gets easier when everywhere isn't 3 feet deep in mud
  • Weigh weekly but focus on long term movement
  • Keep it sustainable and flexible for social occasions
Daffodilsandsunshine · 31/01/2024 14:17

Mine are:

  1. Drink more water - I feel I often mistake thirst for hunger and feel the urge to nibble on crap after exercise! ✅️
  2. Exercise every other day - a class, swim or walk ✅️
  3. Weigh twice a week ✅️
  4. If I bite it, log it! This x 100 as it helps me be more mindful of portion size and what exactly I'm eating! It's too easy to mindlessly eat whilst scrolling ✅️
  5. Reduce carbs (pre diabetic here) and replace with wholegrains or substitute with other veg ✅️
BranchGold · 31/01/2024 17:31

Such a good idea to turn out bad habits into positive behaviours, I’m going to think up about mine to add later.

Just felt like I needed to come on and rant about having a less great day today! I’ve felt cold and hungry all day, and just been on a grazing session of mostly good foods (minus the bloody breadsticks, argh!) but just a lot more food than I accounted for today.

I think one of my biggest issues is that my DP is working quite late in the evenings during the week, and so I’m not having my main meal until 8:30/9pm, which is just not my ideal timeframe. I would prefer to eat at 5/6ish, to allow it to digest and it’s when my body is really telling me ‘you’re hungry now, have some dinner’ I’m not sure how the best way to work around it is.

Tomorrow is a new day!

popplego · 31/01/2024 18:06

Anybody else find it hard to track calories of home cooked stuff? I'm having some homemade vegetable soup out the freezer for dinner (DH is out) and no idea how many calories are in it!

@BranchGold I would really struggle eating dinner that late too. Could you have something small around 5pm to tide you over then a smaller than usual portion of dinner later on maybe?

Undisclosedlocation · 31/01/2024 19:02

popplego · 31/01/2024 18:06

Anybody else find it hard to track calories of home cooked stuff? I'm having some homemade vegetable soup out the freezer for dinner (DH is out) and no idea how many calories are in it!

@BranchGold I would really struggle eating dinner that late too. Could you have something small around 5pm to tide you over then a smaller than usual portion of dinner later on maybe?

Yes I’m finding it really hard tracking home cooked recipes. I’m filling in the details on MFP for each meal as I make it for the regular ones I make. For freezer ones (and ones where I couldn’t be bothered weighing everything 😳) I’m using a best guess approach.
My theory is that although it won’t be completely accurate, it will be a hell of a lot better than not trying to track it at all. I’m determined that this will be a long term lifestyle change, so I’m working on the basis of ‘don’t sweat the small stuff’

popplego · 31/01/2024 20:46

@Undisclosedlocation Thank you, that made me feel better! Don't sweat the small stuff is right indeed Smile

GallstoneGertie2024 · 01/02/2024 07:00

Scales are finally unstuck this morning, and only two pounds to lose to get to the first half-stone. If I lose those two pounds by the long weekend in February, I should be back on track.

froidIci · 01/02/2024 07:04

Morning!

great to see progress super well done :)

Now 0.8 kilos to go for me to reach the first half-stone - which is exciting :)

I appear to be poorly so may not post much today and tomorrow but good luck everyone

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wheresmyshoe · 01/02/2024 08:19

Hope you feel better soon @froidIci

I'm now 10st 8lbs, which means I've lost a stone from my top weight last year. I'm setting a new goal of aiming to reduce to 10st 3lbs. It's slow progress but satisfying to see the downward trend.

I list proportions of ingredients for meals on MFP to get a reasonably accurate count. It might look like 1 medium potato, 1 medium carrot, 1 tablespoon of olive oil, 48g of cheddar cheese etc.

Not eating late has helped a lot, so has a drastic reduction in wine consumption. My biggest challenge is bloat and smaller portions have helped. I think I've been overloading my system.

popplego · 01/02/2024 08:25

Really great progress this morning everyone! Nice motivating start to February Smile

The scales have dropped down to 9st9lb this morning, very excited to see that second number in single digits 😂 my 2yo saw me weighing myself and decided to have a go too, he is a grand 2st3lb Grin

Unfortunately said 2yo slept terribly last night so it's going to be a struggle avoiding copious amounts of coffee and sugar to get through the day 😵‍💫

JustFrustrated · 01/02/2024 10:15

I just want to say, I love this thread.

It's so....affirming to see so many of us making actual positive life style changes.

Everyone is doing great and I'm really taking on board lots of what you're all doing.

We went for a walk last night, which was only 10 minutes, but I'd been sat down all day and been in the office so ate sandwiches at lunch.

But, I didn't join the others at the vending machine (we had a buffet lunch and no deserts) so I felt like that was a win.

I've just finished my fourth week of antibiotics, and think I need some more, so I'm frustrated that my health is preventing the gym!

froidIci · 01/02/2024 10:27

It is especially important to really mindfully note the tiniest wins.

I really do really really properly make a mental note when I haven’t evening snacked and say a big well done to me. You’d do it for a child, a teenager, someone training for a marathon - wouldn’t you? You’d encourage them and keep them going. So why not for yourself hey?!

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Philippa7 · 01/02/2024 12:16

Hi all. Hope you’re fighting fit again soon @froidIci ! I had a small treat last night (within my calories): some nice chocolate as I am very hormonal! Anyway, just wanted to share that it was so much more flavoursome when I was looking forward to it and it was intentional. My tastebuds were definitely desensitised to sugar before this, and any treats didn’t hit the same way when I was already bloated after a day of mindlessly eating loads of whatever I fancied. Going forward, I’m going to incorporate a small treat every weigh day evening. Of course more frequently would be fine too - I guess it depends what it is and how many calories (eg if it was a meal, I’d do it less frequently - some ppl treat themselves to a monthly takeaway for instance) but I am trying to cut back on sugar so I’ll do it weekly. I used to think the day wasn’t complete without a chocolate bar and bag of crisps, a habit I don’t want my DC to have. I often crave something and jot it down in my shopping list notes on my phone. This is helping me decide what it is I really crave exactly and I pick one or maybe two indulgences then when I go shopping.

I also want a nice new handbag which I’m going to buy when I reach my long target in a few months. I think it’s good to have both small and big treats to spur us on and look forward to.

Have a good day all!

popplego · 01/02/2024 16:12

I am loving this thread too. And I think all the little wins are really the big wins. It's those small things that add up and make the difference when you're consistent and keep chipping away Smile

HappyLittleTreeFriend · 01/02/2024 16:22

I’ve been snacking on baby plum tomatoes today and have had a good few days under my calorie count - we ended up using the new battery from our bathroom scales to go in an IKEA light switch/dimmer thing and so I haven’t been able to weigh again yet, will have another new battery this evening so going to weigh tomorrow morning - excited to see if I’ve made any progress! I feel like I look slimmer particularly in my face so 🤞🏻🤞🏻

Scottishskifun · 01/02/2024 17:03

I definitely need to drink more water!

My aim for Feb is to ensure protein in meals and drink more water.

Regarding homemade stuff and calories I tend to over estimate on mfp as even though I use spray oils my portion tends to be the bowl or plate rather then a weighted so put in 1.5 portions for example.