Losing a couple of kg support thread

[GetYourHandOut]

I'm blaming the shite weather rather than the biscuits but I'm still in my winter phase and am at the top end of my usual weight range.

I'd like to lose a couple of kg to feel more comfortable and confident as summer (hopefully) approaches.

Does anyone want to join me for a support and accountability thread?

Happy new week everyone!
I'm 55.1kg this morning
Pleased the weight is going in the right direction albeit slowly.

Hooray!

I'm 52.3 but stopping now I think 🥳

Well done @Bumblebee907 and @Defrump !

I'm no change 😂 Though I have been looking at my food diary for ideas about where I could make some swaps, and so far have the Monday motivation to make it happen! Also went on a 10 mile hike yesterday and managed to eat sensibly still so that's a good start.

I haven't been disciplined enough to see any change this week, so no surprises. But I'm not going mad on treats, definitely being more mindful.
Changes for this new week include actually prepping some healthy meals in advance (two breakfasts and two lunches) and I've planned in some long walks to ease myself in to stepping up the exercise, inspired by you lot who all sound like you do lots to keep fit.
Sunny again so hopefully that helps us eat fruit and salads instead of pasta bake! I've got one dinner out and will aim to have no more than 3 alcoholic drinks over the week. Mainly writing this out to come back to and have some accountability...! Good luck all.

Great result! Well done @Bumblebee907 and @Defrump

Keep going @RamaSita
It definitely helps my accountability by writing here.

@RamaSita meal prepping is a great way to stick with it, especially when you are busy or your enthusiasm wanes. I am prepping extra breakfasts now I am in a deficit, and sticking with a smaller range of breakfasts and lunches, to make it easier ie less thinking about it and less decision fatigue.

And lots of walking is a brilliant way get some exercise.

@Proteinpud I am reviewing my food diary for some swaps too, I am now down to 1700 calories and because I keep my protein quite high it does mean I have to cut the carbs. I am not low carb by any means but I do have to use them wisely!!

@everycowandagain that's what I'm finding difficult, keeping protein high enough with low calories. I can manage to cut calories easily if I just eat less food - I can quite happily skip breakfast and manage off two meals - but that doesn't work for strength training, and I need to keep my energy up for sport too. It's hard!

@RamaSita I think walking is great, it's good for general well being/mental health and that's so important. I don't exercise to burn calories, but I know without exercise my mood is lower and I'm much more likely to turn to food.

Plus I'm very aware that slim needs work to be healthy, and isn't healthy on its own - I come from a long line of smokers who were very skinny but it doesn't do you any favours especially with age! Strength training for my old lady body :)

Thanks @GetYourHandOut @Proteinpud @everycowandagain appreciate the words of encouragement. I'm pleased with today, it went to plan.

I love watching the graph trending down - this is my progress over this month.

My goal was to get down to the low 64kg, which I've achieved 🥳

I'm going to try to get a little lower into 63kgs, to give myself a bit more wriggle room - my aim is to do this by early July as this is when I have a festival.

Love a graph @GetYourHandOut!!

I actually have a graph of my target weight each week to hit my goal and each week's average weight ins plus the point in time gym weigh ins (which are usually almost 1kg lower than my home scale). I am quite visual so I find it really useful to see it all in one graph and it helps me when I start freaking out about whether I am progressing quickly enough.

So good @GetYourHandOut. Today went well again. Realised that the last couple of weeks I was pre menstrual and then had my period, so now that's behind me it's no wonder it's all going better!! I plan to make hay while the sun shines although the actual sun was nowhere to be seen today unfortunately...

I tried to be super strict with my food the last two days, not in a deprivation kind of way but trying to make every food item 'work,' eg re nutrition targets/macros. Yesterday ended up being 1500 calories and 100g protein, today 1600 with 120g. Both a bit lower than i was actually aiming for but it's kind of interesting to see what's actually possible. Will try and continue to be under 1750 and see how my energy levels are.

One of you mentioned about mini goals upthread. Maybe I should set some. How do you reward yourselves?

That might have been me @RamaSita, I had the goal of getting from 144 pounds to under 140, and now I am pushing on towards my ultimate goal of 132. Although I have sort of set another mini goal of 138 before I go away next weekend.

I find it easier to break it down into chunks rather than trying to get my head around the whole 12 pounds in one go.

I don't really reward myself when I hit them, other than with a pat on the back and a small reduction in daily calories...!!

I dropped a pound this morning! I weigh daily so I know it will probably bounce up a bit (especially because I am eating out tonight) but I feel like my hard work is getting me somewhere.

Today I am going to keep my food as light as possible during the day and look for a good menu choice for dinner. I am waking up quite hungry now, which I don't normally do!

Oh dear I have a confession
My weight seems to be going in the wrong direction...I was down to 55.1kg now its up to 55.6kg. I've been eating the wrong things and it's annoying because I'm low carbing but not enough so I'm just dangling.
Ugh. I can't eat dairy so keto is out. Cheese and cream make my knees fill with fluid and are so so painful that I can't walk. I'm fed up

Sorry to hear that @Defrump but don't be too hard on yourself, half a kilo could just be fluctuations/water weight. I've never done low carb myself (I know it wouldn't work for me and my activity levels) but I've heard it can be very hard to stick to so you have my sympathy!

Thanks @Proteinpud
I thought I had cracked it but it's never that straightforward is it?
I'm doing the plank now as it is too rainy to go out for a walk
This weather is something else 😩

That sounds tough @Defrump Like @ProteinPud I also am not suited to low carb but I know some people find it works well. I guess with all these approaches it's about sticking to it.

3rd day of being sub 1700. Definitely feels to early to say I've got this, but it's a start... Weights session tonight and strength seemed fine, though its very early days on that score!

Agreed @Defrump there I was thinking the sun was going to help, then it all went downhill. Not conducive! I dug out my old running trainers today though.

I am up a bit this morning because I had dinner out last night but I made decent choices so I know it will come back down again. Squeezing some steps in wherever I can today and keeping at it! Aiming for 1700 calories for now, it's manageable although I am more tired and achy!!