DIET FAILED AGAIN thread 6- everyone welcome

[thenewaveragebear1983]

We made it to 1000 posts on thread 5, here is thread 6

@poorpaws that's lovely news for you and your dd

Well it's Tuesday so you know what that means, although it wasn't too bad today. I did eat some chocolate after work and have gone quite over on my calories, but I don't feel like it was an unstoppable binge. I made a chilli and had wraps with chilli and cheese for dinner.

We are in full bathroom chaos here, mess and dust and boxes everywhere. It's already looking promising but it's a long way from done and it's quite stressful. I'm booked into the gym tomorrow, annoyingly my hip is hurting a fair bit since running then doing a very leg heavy session at bootcamp last night. Hopefully it will ease off because I really need and want to get back to the gym properly, and pick my miles up or I'm never going to manage this marathon.

Tomorrow- I need to keep my calories at goal and start doing this consistently as I'm maintaining not gaining at the moment. I'm actually seriously considering a sort of 'zigzag' calorie strategy, as in fluctuating my amounts but working to an average over the week. It does mean having a couple of very low calorie days but then would mean I could have a higher amount on 2 days and not completely swallow up my deficit

Hi everyone

@thenewaveragebear1983 I'd take all the mess and boxes and a lot more for a new bathroom. It's so exciting and I'm positive it will look stunning and I'll be as envious as hell.

The zigzag approach sounds a good idea, I'll be very interested to know how you get on.

Day 2 of this week and it's going from bad to worse. I just don't seem to stop eating. I decided to have a massive dinner tonight to stop me snacking all evening and actually I've eaten even more 🙈 it doesn't make sense.

Tomorrow I am home alone again and am planning a lazy day although I could find a lot of work if I wanted to.

The spare room is finished (about time) but I've decided to leave the carpet shampooing until spring, I gave it a really good vacuum and it doesn't look too bad. One room done, my bedroom next 😀

Wednesday tomorrow, I hope you all have a good one.

@poorpaws I've read a bit about the zigzag method, basically you average your daily calories out by having some low cal days. I suppose a bit like 5:2? I think it requires a bit more discipline in a way though because you've got to get those low cal days in.

So eg if I want to average 1500 a day, I could have 2 days @1000, 2 days at 2000 and 3 days at 1500.
Rather than my current strategy of 4 days at 1500 and 3 days of 2500 🤦‍♀️
I feel the key is for it to be carefully planned and stuck to rather than a complete chaos of eating too much and cutting back.

I am trying for a lower cal day today so will see what that does to the averages so far this week!

Sounds like a strategy worth trying out @thenewaveragebear1983. I think that is similar to what I do but without actually counting the calories (because I am easily confused). Two or three days of very healthy or light eating days a week tends to balance out for a loss.

Had really bad period pain yesterday, so I spent all of the evening hugging a hot water bottle. Feeling a lot better today but am still tired. Think ill be taking it as easy as I can this week.

@thenewaveragebear1983 I do something similar which I call play catchup.

So I'll have three days of moderate/normal eating, then two day of chocolate inspired calorific eating and so for two days I play catchup and have soup for lunch without a roll and fruit instead of dessert and much smaller and healthier dinners and no snacking. When I do it, it works and actually you've nudged me to get back to it.

I don't count calories any more as I've counted them for years and it puts me off rather than helps me. I sort of know what I should eat on catchup days and in my case soup, eggs and jacket potatoes play a big part (not all together 😁).

Perhaps I should have a catchup day today since I've had a terrible four or five days and my jeans are very tight. I feel like I can do one of two things, fasten my jeans or breathe because I can't do both.

@Storyland take it easy, bad period pains are so awful and can wear you out for a couple of days at least. I hope you're ok.

@poorpaws it does sound similar. My concern is that the 'catch up' method is very guilt ridden and feels like I should eat less because I've been such a glutton, whereas maybe the 'preload' strategy will be more of a planned, balanced approach. The high calorie days are ok because they have been preloaded by the angelic lettuce nibbling days 🐇?? I hate calorie counting but it really is the only way for me, my appetite is gargantuan and I'm pretty terrible at calories as well to be honest. I guess a lot.

@thenewaveragebear1983 I entirely agree with you. I am the first to admit I beat myself up about everything I do wrong, I'm always consumed with guilt about something or other. Perhaps I should re-think my approach to food intake. At the moment though there is no approach at all.

I'd planned soup for lunch, I was looking forward to it, but I'd forgotten to take it out of the freezer. I had a sandwich with ham, lettuce, tomato and cucumber followed by an apple. Not a bad lunch at all but not as low calorie as the parsnip soup I had planned to eat.

We've been at the vets this afternoon. My eldest dog has a lump near her ear which needs removing as it's growing too quickly but because of her heart murmur they daren't operate so it's a wait and see approach. Aren't vets too expensive these days, £123.37! Anyway the reason I mention this is because I'm so worried about her and I was so tempted to come home and eat rubbish but I didn't. I had a little anxiety cry and got on with my day. A small win for the moment but I do need a lower calorie day just for a maintain, not even a loss.

It's all swings and roundabouts for me, yo-yoing as I've done for years <sigh>.

Have a good evening everyone.

Sorry that your dog is going through that @poorpaws. That's hard and yes, vets are expensive which all adds to the worry. But well done on resisting the urge to comfort eat.

Yesterday was going OK, but then I had an evening commitment and by the time that was finished at 8:45, I was exhausted and needed to unwind. I turned to wine. Drank 2 very generous glasses and now have a sore head and feel naff. Kicking myself now.

I've also just sent an appointment request to my doctors. This cough is still lingering and I'm getting out of breath if I go up a flight of stairs or even if I try to talk to much. I'm wondering if I need antibiotics to clear my chest. Just feel like I can't take in deep breaths properly.

Sorry about your doggo @poorpaws , well done for resisting the crap food. And yes, you only have to make eye contact with a vet and it costs £100 round here. It's a licence to print money I think.

A good day yesterday for me. I ate my dinner early and I could happily have eaten some evening snacks but no, I resisted. Ended up on 1480 cals. Today I got a little lie in as Maggie is at puppy club (local dog "hotel") what a treat! So I got up at 7, went for a run and had overnight protein oats with chia and fruit. It does fill me up a lot. Lunch will be soup and dinner will be chicken thighs (my favourite meat) and I have a green Thai kit which I may use but it's quite calorific. I am also going to the gym this evening to try to squeeze a class in while I can.

Bathroom coming along nicely- bath and shower going in today then underfloor matting and levelling going in later, ready for the tiler tomorrow. That will be the big win I think, then it's on the home straight 🤞

The CMA did a review a year ago of why vets fees and insurance have risen so much. In 2013 89% of vets practices were independent in the UK. In 2021 it had dropped to 45%. Private Equity firms have bought up a lot of vets practices and created monopolies, I’m afraid it’s simply greed for more profits on their part. Of course cost of living and shortage of vets is a factor too but it’s mainly the PE firms.

Morning all. I'm feeling brighter today. I'm on 5 days antibiotics now to hopefully get over this chest thing. And I'm going out tonight to see some uni friends. I'm really looking forward to seeing them, it's been awhile since we had a catch up.

I'm afraid yesterday was a grazing day. I raided a sweet cupboard at work to get through a long afternoon.

Today should be better. Even though I'm going out tonight, I won't be drinking because of antibiotics and am going to have a light lunch to make room for a pub tea later on.

Good evening ladies, it's friiiiiidaaaaaayyyyy
Woohoo!

It's been a long week hasn't it? I'm sitting here waiting for dd to come home so I can go to the supermarket, as I don't want to leave the dog alone as she has been at kennels for 3 days. Bathrooms coming along nicely, they tiled the shower area today in my very extravagant green leaf pattern tiles and ooooh it looks very lovely. 🥰

Food wise, I've not really eaten much today. I have just had a couple of pieces of cold chicken and a ham and cheese toastie. I went for a run at lunchtime as it was sunny, although my hip still hurts and I was really slow and unfit.

Some cords I ordered on vinted arrived today but they are a bit too tight and not really wearable- they are my target trousers now because I paid a lot for them and they are really cute and I need a motivation! It's my daughter's 21st on Tuesday , but following that I really really need to properly knuckle down. I've looked at the zigzag calories thing and I reckon that's what I'm going to do, by having 2 really low calories days, 2 higher days, and 3 'normal' days either a daily average of 1500. The key will be to get the low days in early doors so I can afford the higher cal days (I guess a bit like 5:2)

@thenewaveragebear1983 I'm very envious of your shower area, I'm all about green and have to be careful not to choose it for every room. I bet any money I'd love it.

It's still not going well here, I keep trying to hang on with the ends of my finger nails to the wagon but last night was a disaster. I must do well today because I know Sunday (my favourite day of the week) will be calorie laden.

DDs romance is galloping on. She popped in yesterday but couldn't stay and she's constantly beaming. It's wonderful to see after over 10 years with hardly a smile.

I'm doing well with my autumn clear out and clean. I dont get a massive amount done daily because of DP and dog walk etc but I'm doing something every day. Yesterday I had the furniture polish in paw for some time and that is very rare but the works starting to pay off and it's looking much better both inside and outside of drawers and wardrobes. My bedroom carpet is the big problem, it's too pale and I often clean it but it never looks nice and gets dirty looking again in a few days. I really need a new one but I've spent so much on the garden this year <sigh>.

Anyway I'm wittering because I'm keeping off the subject of how badly I'm doing. I keep repeating I have to get back in the zone but I just don't do it.

@Storyland I'm so pleased you're starting to feel better, take it easy.

Have a lovely Saturday everyone.

Hi all. Have been going for a 15 min walk daily until yesterday when my route took me to the pub. Hoping to keep off the drink for a while but famous last words.

Diet has been a little bit better. Have been having a few more salads and a little less of the biscuits and crisps.

Feel a little slimmer, but just a little so going to try step it up a bit.

@poorpaws I'm gradually going green in every room as well. To me it's a neutral, I love sludgy greens with white a black and natural wood and I am pretty much doing my whole house that way. Dh doesn't care or notice so I get free rein. I'm impressed with your clearing out and glad it is looking nice for you. I have a weeks leave at the start of November and I am planning a big deep clean and a list of jobs to be ticked off. They are things that the rest of the family will barely notice but I see them all the time, so I'm going to tick a few things off.

Today my family all came over, we had a lovely day with nice food (cooked by me, I did lentil soup, proper baked potatoes, beans and sausages!) and some cake. I had a lamb Moroccan casserole (made with a jar sauce that was absolutely delicious, would definitely buy again) and am now having a glass of wine.

@TalkToTheHand123 sounds like you're heading in the right direction

@Storyland I hope you're feeling better now

Morning all. I had a dreadful nights sleep last night. Drank the wrong amount of wine- not enough to zonk me out but enough to feel it racing round my system all night. All my big thoughts came to play - high school applications, hip pain meaning I may never run again, really must stop drinking etc etc.... you know, all the really important things to get thinking about at 1am, 2am, 1am again, 2..... so despite the 'extra hour' of sleep I instead got a whole extra hour of anxiety dreams. Yep, tired today!

I did however watch a clip on YouTube with a trick for untrapping a nerve in the hip which I did several times yesterday evening and today, oh miracle of miracles, a lot of my range of motion is now a little less painful. I need to do it again today, and look for others. I don't know why I've not done this before.

So today: walk the doggo, ds football, baked potato lunch, jobs/chores, walk dog again, go to mother in laws for shower (or seriously considering using my dog shower on the patio instead- it's warm water and it's not a freezing day so I might!). I need to do a freezer stocktake and look at what we've got in, do a shopping list and order a delivery. Make a red velvet birthday cake for DD's 21st on Tuesday.

Life's busy isn't it? The week ahead is even more busy as the children are off school, bathroom guys still here, and working throughout. I do however have a glorious day off on Tuesday for DD's bday and we are going for a day spa. I've booked a deep tissue massage, and we'll have a whole lovely day to just lounge about, swim, sauna, and afternoon tea. I can't wait!

I'm hoping so. I'm in the habit of going to the fridge first for food, meaning the fruit doesn't get wasted as much and making better choices. Have managed to get more sleep and doing more tidying, reducing my snacking. The tidying makes me a little less stressed about the clutter levels.

I'm hoping to lose a stone by xmas.

Morning everyone! Official weekly weigh in: 9st9, 1lb down from last week. I am feeling better too so I'm hoping next week i can be more active.

Today we are going to friend's baby's dedication with lunch afterwards. Need to pick up a couple of bits from the shop and then will have a chilled afternoon and evening. I might go for a walk if weather stays nice.

@thenewaveragebear1983 I'm sorry that you had such a rough night. Anxiety dreams are the worst. Hope you can squeeze in a little rest at some point today. The spa day sounds lovely!

It's only Tuesday and I'm realising that once again, getting exercise into this week is going to be tricky. Working late tonight. Had friend round yesterday. Got a project I need to work on Wednesday. Feels like the week is disappearing and it only just started.

But some positives. Been staying off alcohol whilst I've been on medicine. And have been resisting evening snack attacks.

Bread and pop have sneaked back into my daily eating. I could do with cutting them out again. They are just so easy to turn to in an energy slump.

@Storyland it's hard isn't it? Work, kids, weather... all impact on whether I can get out and if I miss my chance I often can't make it up.

I'm at the spa today with dd, it's been really nice just reading my book, a little dip in the pool and steam room/sauna. Much needed chill out day!

Really lovely day yesterday but today marks the end of gluttony and the start of actually getting my head down and getting on with the plan. I'd like to see some weight loss before December (ideally 7lbs but I'm realistic) because once December arrives the gluttony is unavoidable. I think my first Xmas do this year is 29th nov. So I really really really need to focus myself.

I feel like I'm just spiralling from one dopamine fix to another these days, sugary crap, alcohol, mindless spending, scrolling endlessly, getting sucked down rabbit holes of Facebook videos (that actually me feel fat, unfit, unattractive, and feel like my house is a total bombsite) so I am deactivating Facebook and vinted and Amazon and all the other places I go to seek out my fix- and this includes mumsnet (I shall occasionally dip in but I need it off my phone) - so don't worry if you don't hear from me as often. It's a sign things are going well.

Good luck @thenewaveragebear1983 with your phone detox. Hope it gives you a good mental boost.

Yesterday was busy. Work is doing a Halloween bake off for charity so I decided last minute to join in. DD and I baked two batches of eyeball brownies. With that, making tea and putting DD to bed the evening just vanished.

Tonight we are going trick or treating with her school friends- so I'll at least get a gentle walk in.

Hi all. I somehow managed to talk myself out of visiting the bakery shop. I pass this every Thursday now. My plan is to get to 14 stone by xmas. I'm currently just above 14 and a half stone.

Just checking in. I am finding my phone detox really hard. Especially when I was having a stressful time at work today, I kept reaching for it and it made me really aware of how often I do that. I think tomorrow I'll put it totally out of reach in another room.

Food wise I haven't been perfect, I have had a piece of DD's birthday cake both days. It's all gone now. I weighed in this morning probably the heaviest I have been this year, 11.4, which really did upset me and made me realise how much impact this is having on me, and a whole year of dieting completely wasted.

I've planned my meals for tomorrow and booked on to the gym so hopefully a good day for me tomorrow and I'm not going to drink.

@TalkToTheHand123 bakery shops are a big temptation. They smell so good. I think that's a good goal to have

@thenewaveragebear1983 I'm terrible at being on my phone too. I might join you in cutting back and leaving it in other rooms. I'd like to model a better way of handling it for my daughter whilst she is still too young to have her own.

I've eaten lots today. Cake chocolate pop, chips. Not good. Low will power this Friday and I'm tired from a non stop week - that isn't really going to slow down until Sunday afternoon. But going on my weekly walking date with DH tonight which will do me good.

Hope you all have a good weekend