Weight loss buddies

[chunkymummanomore]

Am sooo fed up! I binge, am overweight and unhappy. Also post menopausal and 62.

Can't afford weight loss injections so need to do it the hard way.
Anyone up to support each other?

Anyone done C25K?

No, although I guess I did something similar when I was younger (much younger!) and followed a plan where I worked up from running for 5 mins to 60 mins over the course of 8 weeks or so. That was good.

One of my friends has recently started it. She is 50 (overweight but not as overweight as me) and when she went up to the next stage (I think where you run for 2 mins) she started having problems with her knees, so not sure you will be able to continue as set out yet.

I definitely can't contemplate it at the moment - my foot can barely cope with walking!

Are you thinking of starting @chunkymummanomore ?

How is it going @EasternEcho @Bethechange2024 @TeenLifeMum @chunkymummanomore ?

First day back at work today for me after a two week break. I'm quite pleased with how healthily I'm eating and then being able to go quite a while between meals with no issue. Fully aware that my main issue is food organisation though - I'm really trying to make that a priority.

Foot is still playing up so I'm trying to rest it rather than exercise unfortunately. I'm trying to avoid the sofa in the evenings and potter about instead and do things that make tomorrow better. I'm learning to play the piano so hopefully this will mean more practice too!

I wfh today so the fridge was close by. I did eat a chocolate biscuit but within my calories.
Breakfast - banana and berries
lunch - omelette with broccoli
dinner - slow cooker beef and courgette curry with bulgur wheat

snacks - chocolate biscuit and 30g porridge with skimmed milk (after gym)

I was running 5ks twice a week (in March 2020 I ran a half marathon just before lock down) but all my running buddies stopped and I kept getting injured. I can still run 5k but slower than before. I’ve moved to the gym for a class (body tone/legs, bums and tums type classes followed by running machine or rower then some weights/resistance training. I’m aiming for 3 times a week and can see a difference already. I was at a posh gym but I’ve moved to the one I can walk to as it’s more likely I’ll go. It’s amazing for people watching. It’s cheap and I’ve decided it’s the whetherspoons of gyms 😂 thankfully I’m over 40, over weight and am invisible to most of the crowd in there.

i weighed in at 12st this morning.

i don’t know why but I always struggle to drop under into the next lower stone bracket. Hopefully that’ll happen Thursday. I’m out on Friday night for a meal and already worried I’ll blow my calories.

i have an M&S count on us lasagna for lunch at work tomorrow. most meals are from scratch but they’re my cheat meals.

@HouseIs have you planned meals for the week?

Sounds good @TeenLifeMum ! Especially the people watching at the gym!

Nope. Meal plan emerging daily still...😊

I made enough soup and breakfast egg muffins for two days on Sunday, so I'm good tomorrow. Last two nights I had loads of steamed veg for dinner along with a deliciously Ella frozen 'plants' meal - tasty and fine for a quick easy one but the idea is to be properly cooking with fresh ingredients.

I'm definitely going to have to force myself to add in variety and plan ahead. I live within walking distance of a Waitrose and a Lidl so if I have to go shopping every day for a while then...so be it. I need to build up a repertoire but it is going to have to be gradual. I want to give ww points a proper go too, but not get obsessive with it.

How do you meal plan? How far in advance?

I generally do the meals I’d make for the family but instead of chips I’ll have a loaf of veg or instead of pasta I’ll have baby spinach and grilled courgette. Lunches are my tricky area because I hate faffy packed lunches so then I buy something at work. They make omelettes to order so that’s a good option.

@HouseIs Your plan to meal plan sounds good :)

I am doing ok. I've been trying to keep it low carb, but hasn't been a total success, and no change on the scales either, although I'm weighing each day. Too soon I know, but discouraging nevertheless. This is generally why I stop using the scale as I get fed up :) I have to go back to exact calorie counting which I think I will do from today. It has to be at the low end as that's the only way I ever lose.

No weight gain, so that's something!

I've started exercising more but am starting to notice a little twinge in one knee when I keep it up for too long, so having to watch that a bit. I'm also trying to walk to the local supermarket daily or every other day to get some steps in, and to add variety to my diet.

No gain is definitely something @EasternEcho . Good job with the steps! I'm too scared to weigh yet - I hated seeing the last number I saw and if it isn't lower I'm not up for seeing it...I may brave it tomorrow, but maybe not!

I'm trying to watch the carbs to some extent too. What I am eating is doing a really good job at keeping my sugar steady.

My son commented that I seem more 'alive' and less tired so even if I haven't lost weight the improved eating (and almost certainly lack of alcohol drinking) seems to be having some positive effects, even if my foot is still not right and I'm limping after a while!

I just had pan fried seasoned salmon with a load of steamed veg for dinner. Very easy and tasty - bought a pack of 4 fillets and 3 and now in the freezer, so that's some very easy meals sorted in the future. Day off tomorrow - I need to make more work breakfasts and lunches if nothing else. Hoping to try out a recipe for an evening meal too - still looking for quick and easy at the moment though.

I think this time round I'm really appreciating/understanding the importance of making food a priority rather than an after thought, and planning ahead - even if is just one meal. Really thinking about what will keep me for fuller longer and not eating junk, which invariably does the opposite.

Just made a variation of the egg muffin things again - realised that I had given no thought to breakfast today as I was so focused on work food. Had breakfast earlier today (9.30 am) as I was hungry and I want to listen to my body rather than stick to a strict schedule. I had to steam some broccoli for them so I steamed more than I needed and had that as a veggie starter whilst they were cooking. I'm definitely going to have to find another couple of breakfasts though. These have been great keeping me going all day at work - haven't been having my soup until gone 4 pm. I also need another soup!

It is quite mad that this planning is such a big deal for me at 51 but it is, so I'll just have to accept that. I'm going to 'book' myself an imaginary appointment at the supermarket at 11 am, which will force me to do it now!

@HouseIs How is it going with the meal planning? I'm terrified of getting on the scales, am forcing myself to do it at least every other day.

Thanks for asking @EasternEcho ! Well yesterday turned out ok - made some VERY basic soup using a soffrito mix, lentils, stock and seasoning yesterday too - so I have that for later.

I also made 4 portions of a weight watchers recipe (https://cmx.weightwatchers.co.uk/details/WWRECIPE:5ff83736abc1a12a66ddf3cd) - it is just for me and my son (DH basically refuses to try new things/eats beige) and we both enjoyed it. I'm almost certainly just going to have it again tonight as I won't finish work until 6.45 pm.

I've just realised that I haven't thought about Friday though. UGH! I suppose I could just defrost some salmon and have that again. Made yet more egg cups for breakfast...

Summary - mixed bag! Improved but still a long way to go before getting super organised and on it! It really might be time to try some real meal planning for an entire week at the weekend.

I still haven't faced the scales, and I think I've settled on just WI on Saturday again this week.

What kind of things are you eating @EasternEcho ?

@HouseIs

It sounds like you are off to a good start planning ahead for meals. Thanks for the WW recipe link!

I have been trying to eat low carbs, but I'm not always being successful. Peri-menopause or something is making me crave sugar so badly that I give in as it starts to drive me crazy. I have a piece of toast with honey or a waffle to shut the craving up.

Other than that I make I make a large pot of a low carb dish - right now I am making a pot of chicken curry with cabbage and then I'll freeze it down in portion sizes enough last for a meal for 5 days. I am not a stickler for standard recipes and will mix and match meat and vegetables and curry spices any way I feel like :)

During the day, I have a habit of not being hungry for breakfast and have a couple of boiled eggs with a small salad for lunch. My weight today came in at 169.6 down from 172 but I think that's just water weight as I got my period.

I'm still getting in at least 10,000 steps a day one way or the other. I'm trying to get more disciplined in my eating, but it's baby steps.

You’re doing great @EasternEcho ! I would take the loss on the scales at face value.

Sorry, the link didn’t work 🫣! It was Spanish chicken and bean bravas with green beans. https://www.weightwatchers.com/uk/recipe/spanish-chicken-butter-bean-bravas/5ff83736abc1a12a66ddf3cd . Will try again! Nice, easy and butter beans rather than traditional carbs.

Will need to come back to this DS being demanding and still need a shower 😕

I faced the scales and I'm disappointed 😢. I've only dropped 0.2 lbs, so let's call that a STS.

I've been much hungrier the last two days, and yesterday in particular - maybe that is part of it. Who knows. I think I should go back to original plan of WI every day or almost every day, so I do know.

I was hoping to eat healthily on foods that keep me full for longer, cut out the alcohol and not have to count anything...I think I should give counting WW points a proper go this week.

On a more positive note - I'm less tired and feel better in general. Sleep must be better as my 'lie in' this morning was only until 7 am (I usually get up at 6.30 am, although the dog got me up at 5.50 am on my day off on Wednesday). The previous week, whilst I was on holiday I was getting up much later so have coped with the transition better than usual. I've done some good groundwork.

So targets for this week: weigh in more frequently, count WW points, meal plan for the week.

I WI again this morning (not planned but glad I did it) and I was down 1.2 lbs from yesterday, so 1.4 lbs since last Saturday. THIS is why I hate weekly WI. Torn between daily and monthly WI now - I guess the answer will reveal itself.

I tried Chia porridge yesterday and decided I liked it - not really for breakfast (prefer to have savoury) but as a healthy pudding topped with berries etc. Might try to always have one ready in the fridge.

https://www.redonline.co.uk/wellbeing/health/a515945/honestly-healthys-chia-seed-porridge/

I've been trying to stay away from carbs to some extent too @EasternEcho - and definitely refined sugar. It is hard. I did buy the bread yesterday that scores really high on ZOE (pretty much none of the others do) - LivLife bread. It is super seeded and has half the carbs of regular bread. Small size slices too. I'll probably put it in freezer today and have a slice when only toast will do!

Today I want to start the task of giving the kitchen a deep clean - starting with a fridge clean and a freezer discovery and sort.

I've decided to give ZOE a better go (rather than WW) and monitor calories on that. I've got it until Mid August and it costs a lot more than WW/month so I should at least try and get some use out of it!

Sorry I've waffled on again!

@HouseIs I like reading your updates, no worries about waffling :) Makes me want a waffle though..haha. The chia pudding looks good! I've never tried it, but I should.

I have just been invited to an event in September for which I really would like to show some visible weight loss. Perhaps it will serve as an added incentive.

The last two days I have been having migraine headaches from which I suffer frequently and I couldn't stay away from sugar. I'm trying not to beat myself too much over it. Today I am trying to get back on track even though I still have a headache.

My go to for low carb is eggs. I keep a few boiled and unpeeled in the fridge for an easy snack. I love a good omlette with leeks, peppers and stuffed with shredded cheese. It keeps me full for a long time.

I also incorporate salads some days. Just lettuce, cucumbers, baby spinach, tuna. I use a spoon of pesto instead of dressing. If I need something crunchy on top I crush a rye cracker or a few nuts.

I can't drink my tea without milk, so carbs from milk is always present, but I use sweetner and not sugar.

My dinners are usually some variation of cauliflower rice and a curry or a piece of salmon. It's after dinner that the real battle begins. I start feeling like an alien takes over my body and I feel the need to eat every sugary thing in sight. There was a time that I could have a spoon of pure cocoa powder in water or milk with some sweetner and I would be fine, but during perimenopause, my body is having none of it. Just wants sugar all evening.

Despite all this, weight loss is still such a battle. Had I eaten like this just 10 years ago, the weight would have melted off in no time.

Sorry to hear about the migraines @EasternEcho . I agree about not beating yourself up - progress not perfection and all that. It has to be a shift in habits over time. I have a tendency to go all perfectionistic for months, lose a fair amount of weight - then pile it all back on again because I haven't learnt to moderate and work with my body. Really want those days to be over. I had two glasses of wine last night - fine once a week, daily...no.

Hope the event in September proves to be a good incentive - in 4+ months even a slow rate of loss will be add up to be noticeable over that time period.

I keep saying to myself I should permanently keep peeled boiled eggs in the fridge, think DS would like that too. I shall start when I've finished here - thank you for the push!

I've ordered some individual silicone muffin cases, so I can cook my egg muffins in the air fryer, and a mandoline. Looking forward to lots of chopping of vegetables! I particularly want to pickle some radish and red onion - yes, I know I could just chop them with a knife (or use my food processor more than once a year) but...

I've just sorted out the indoor freezer. Discovered a bag of cauliflower rice and various other things. Now have a list on the freezer/fridge door with the contents. Next I guess I should start batch cooking favourites - do you have a favourite curry recipe?

I really like the pesto as a salad dressing and the rye cracker for a bit of crunch idea! Definitely trying that - thank you!

Off to boil those eggs now!

@chunkymummanomore How are you doing?

@HouseIs How's it going? I'm sorry I missed seeing your question about what kinds of curry I eat. I don't have any particular one, but I'm partial to Thai red curry. I don't make it from scratch but just use the past and coconut milk with either chicken or pork. I am guilty of using mostly bottles of curry sauces and add a meat and loads of vegetables to it.

I didn't feel great yesterday afterwork - really cold, headache etc - so pretty much went to be bed early with loads of blankets and didn't eat a proper dinner. Fine today. Dropped more weight this morning to pleased about that!

I'm just trying to eat up the [healthy] things I found in the freezer at the moment, so not much in the way of meal planning going on after my flurry. Mandoline has arrived - look forward to having a go with that later. Too tired after work to figure it out at the moment though!

The peeled hard boiled eggs are a hit - great little snack. DS turned his nose up a bit but I notice that he has got quite into them too. Need to do some more really.

I should try that - using a bought sauce for the curry, that is almost cooking from scratch.

My foot isn't great - limping a bit at times, as I don't have much choice about standing on it/walking when at work. Doesn't hurt when I sit down though, so that's good. It does mean I'm only getting in minimum steps though - so exercise-wise poor, but I always knew that would be the case for a bit.

How about you @EasternEcho ?

Are you ok @chunkymummanomore ?

There is a LOT to be said for not having junk food readily available in the house.

DH has a stash of chocolate - DS and I know exactly where it is but because it isn't in the kitchen and it is 'his' it is completely safe.

I know this is basic but oh so effective. Helps a lot that DS wants the house to be like this too - no crisps, chocolate, sweets, cake, puddings etc.

I was tempted by a glass of wine last night (day off today) but very glad I resisted. Haven't been on the scales again. Food organisation needs sorting again - no homemade soup, breakfast muffins, chia pudding, peeled hard boiling eggs, berries, ingredients for a healthy dinner in the fridge at the moment...