☀️LOSE IT!☀️Awesome August 2024☀️

[TheRealHousewife]

Following on from LOSE IT! July 2024

Schools out and Summer has finally arrived and it’s hot hot hot! And with it holidays, get togethers and family and friends having fun! Perhaps a time for being mindful that anything and everything is OK in moderation; whilst ensuring you get your water in (alternating with alcohol is an idea if a sesh is on the agenda) along with eating protein and healthy fats. It’s not a time for punitive regimes (although I never endorse that) or denying yourself. Enjoy the Summer and all its joys (we’ve waited long enough 😬) It’ll be September soon enough when we will start the Autumn Re-set!

If you’re a returner or a new starter feel free to jump right in to reset & refresh to become a healthier version of yourself. These threads are for those who’d like to lose and those who wish to maintain whilst eating a healthy varied diet.

As no one size fits all, members need to follow their own way of eating. This thread aims to offer guidance, support and a bit of hand holding.

We generally have a WOW (weigh on Wednesday) day each week. However post and share your progress as often or as little as you prefer. Do what works for you.

The important thing is not to think of it as a diet (based on deprivation and unsustainable) but more a way of life (sustainable & enjoyable).

I calorie count based on a lower carb Mediterranean diet. I intermittent fast and eat twice a day. Im a long time healthy eater and overall I’ve lost nearly 4 stones. After having been on the wrong side of 12st I am now maintaining around 8st 12lb. I find this weight is sustainable and easy to maintain. If I can do it anyone can 😬

Are you in?😊 What food plan will you be following? What do you want to change and why?

Feel free to share your own links, tips & recipes.

@TheRealHousewife it was a short comment replying to one of my posts about what I'd eaten that day telling I had too much salt, nothing else and they didn't reply when I clarified. Not a regular poster on our thread - the only other post I could find by them on the weight loss topic was calling someone a greedy pig so not someone who's here to be supportive.

Thanks for the link and tips @TheRealHousewife . I've bookmarked that link to remind me when things get tough. And thanks for your kind words @Fellsbells .

@DaisyFloop I'm a very all or nothing person. I just can't have stuff in the house. I have managed to switch off alcohol and Coca-cola cravings. It's like my brain has accepted that these things make me feel crap so I don't want them at all (with Coke it's the fact that caffeine really disrupts my sleep - I stopped having caffeine after midday about a year ago; I stopped drinking alcohol about 18 months ago). I'm struggling more with things like crisps, nuts and cheese. I find them so hard to resist and once they're in the house for the DC or a treat/special occasion I just want more and more. I definitely agree with Chris van T that UPF is addictive!

I am trying to deal with the emotional reasons that lead me to overeat junk food and that's why I've added journalling, yoga, a morning walk alone to my daily goals. I really like the book The Four Pillar Plan by Rangan Chatterjee (I love all his books actually) because he asks you to think about your health holistically (food, movement, sleep, relaxation). When I binge/snack on junk food I'm not eating because I'm hungry. I'm usually:
-stressed
-anxious
-lonely
-angry
-bored
-looking for a moment of joy/pleasure
-tired
So working on myself - how I deal with stress, what brings me joy, my relationships, parenting - helps me work on my eating habits and make meaningful changes.

But I am really struggling with all of it at the moment. Need to practice what I preach!

Today is a new day - Not going to wait for Monday for a new start. My only goal today is to not have any snacks unless they are fruit and veg.

I'm going to defrost the freezer, make a big batch of bolognese (lasagne tonight), and then do a big shop. Going to comb through the cupboards to see what we have, clean the fridge, and meal plan before I go. Last week of summer holiday here next week but DC are out 2 days and DH is back at work so I can start getting prepped for back to school.

Have already been for a walk, done my morning journal and about to go outside and do 30 minutes yoga. I do need to work out how I will fit everything in once back to work. Pre-breakfast walk and yoga are really helping me stay focused/mindful and get fitter so I really want to continue.

@PatienceOfEngels Thank you for explaining. I agree their post wasn't helpful in the least!

Absolutely love your attitude in that today is a new day/new start and not waiting until Monday to start afresh 👍 👏 ❤️

Hope everyone has had a good week! We've had a sickness bug this week, so I've managed to lose just over three pounds, most of which was over two days 😳 I'm starting to feel better now, but will have to wait until next Friday to see my true weight. I did have a good week though- food wise! Also won't be having any alcohol this weekend, so hopefully I manage to lose a decent amount before next weekend!

Hope everyone has a good weekend xx

I am on track to meet my goal but the evenings are dangerous! Just made myself a cup of mint tea. Must stay out the kitchen.

12,500 steps in, yoga morning and evening. 3 meals and no snacks.

One day at a time - I can do this!

Very slow 2k on the treadmill today. See how the foot / leg is tomorrow, but doing ok so far building things back up.

We're off to the coast tomorrow for a few days. Looks like we might actually get some sun for it!

DS's absolute favourite thing is digging on a beach. He doesn't know where we're going and he's going to be so happy ☺️

Well done @PatienceOfEngels sounds like a great day.

Thank you do much! I've been drug and alcohol free for 10 years this year and I swear it wasn't as difficult as giving up junk food!

As a toddler I refused to eat meat and my mum didn't know what to cook so I'd have spaghetti bolognaise without the bolognaise, or basically whatever they were having minus the meat. Then when I was homeless I lived off cheap noodles. As an adult visiting my mum she would buy in junk and eat through the entire lot until she was sick, she wasn't overweight somehow but if it was there she would eat it and I do the same and now my son is copying me, why is he only allowed one bag of crisps when I've just eaten 12 bags so I need to break that cycle for sure. I have 2 disabled children and don't work, don't have friends or family so I suppose I eat because I'm bored and unhappy.

I went on a walk with the kids today, out for a couple hours. Not too strenuous but it was something. Will do a food shop on Wednesday and hopefully resist temptation

@PatienceOfEngels be kind to yourself

Not doing great here on the food front:
Breakfast: 2 thick slices of artisan bread toast with butter and raspberry jam. Tea.
Here and there: a few chocolate buttons and some Love Corn salted thingies. 2 slices mango.
Evening whatever: 2 homemade scones with cream and strawberry jam. Tea.

I just cba with meals. The children are fed proper meals though. I'm just not that hungry. I'm focusing on my hairstyle for the funeral instead of thinking about things. I don't normally do anything with my hair but this is my current hyper focus 😩

@LegoTherapy The diet is definitely allowed to slip while you're dealing with the funeral.

@DaisyFloop well done for getting out. We all just have to try and make consistent small steps.

Having started to move again and got my eating back under control seems to be paying off. Im down 0.6kg since Wednesday. So I guess some of it was just salt / over eating bloat.

@rainbow616 hope you're on the mend now.

@LemonDrizzle23 enjoy the beach!

@DaisyFloop this sounds a lot to deal with and overcome. I was listening to Rebel Wilson on a podcast yesterday talk about her relationship with food - might read her book. I agree that food is so much more problematic than other addictive substances in some ways because you can't not eat. I can remove alcohol from my house but not food! I live abroad and miss my family a lot. I have friends here but everyone is busy living their own lives and dealing with children. Trying to find the things that bring me joy and do more of those things is helping me this year - I have a Joy Journal and have to write down one thing a day that has made me happy. Good luck!

Thank you @Fellsbells and @LegoTherapy . Sending you strength to get through the difficult days ahead @LegoTherapy 💐

Going to be a scorcher here today 🌞so have already done a short walk and 45 minutes of yoga. Journal done. Will do another short walk this evening after dinner as it cools down. Got my household chores done (dinner prepped, wash sorted, away, on, out etc!) and now going to settle down with a book in the shade.

Goal for today: no snacks except fruit or veg.

B-banana pancakes with caramel syrup.
L-boiled egg, smoked salmon, rye bread, cherry tomatoes.
D-chicken wraps with lettuce, cucumber, tomato, garlic sauce.

You have started the day on a positive!
Do you follow a video or anything for yoga?
I'm going to dig out a notebook today and try to get out later.

@DaisyFloop I love Yoga with Adriene on YouTube. I did her 30 day True series last month and now doing Breath. All of her 30 days playlists are on her YT channel (10 of them). If you're starting out then this year's series Flow is a good one to start with as the practices are all quiet short (15-20 minutes) whereas the others are longer (25-30 minutes with some long ones of 40+ as well). She also publishes a monthly calendar/playlists with a collection of different practices. These are quite nice as you can pick the length of type of practice that suits you.

Thank you! That sounds perfect and I will definitely give it a go!

Thank you for the kind words. @PatienceOfEngels you put me to shame. I'm only just up and having breakfast. We stayed up very late watching films last night but as it's the holidays I can't say I care. I'm not looking forward to the heat tomorrow. I really don't like it too hot. 24 is my maximum and that's pushing it. I'm fair haired and pale skinned and become a sweaty beetroot in the heat. Good day to get the laundry done though😁

I might have a halloumi wrap today in an attempt to eat better. After working out there's 350 calories in one of my scones before I put anything on it I'm going to let Dd eat the rest. I might have one but otherwise no. It's not like I'm eating them in addition to meals but even so.

Hope everyone has a great day and enjoys the sunshine if you have it. We are gardening today mainly.

55.85kg today fwiw. I'm aiming for 54kg and plan on starting Caroline what's her face weights tonight in an attempt to tone my arms. I've always had chunky arms and legs.

I ate healthily yesterday, but I don’t think it was in a calorie deficit. It’s too tempting to pick the least high calorie option on mfp.

B- greek yoghurt, fruit etc.
L- salmon, rice, lentils and Banana bread.
D- veg soup and veg tagine. Maybe some halloumi if I have the calories left.

The only thing that is keeping me on this diet is the need to have lost as much as possible by the end of August. There’s a good chance I’ll go off the rails afterwards, I’m being realistic about what I’m like. Living in a calorie deficit is challenging.

Stayed on plan today with fruit snacks only (handful strawberries and an apple sprinkled with cinnamon).

Now just to get through until bedtime. I am not hungry. I am not hungry. I do not need to eat. (I'm not hungry all!)

Listening to the woodpecker hammering away at next door's hazel tree (can't see him through the foliage). Cup of mint tea time I think.

A reminder this morning why I've found the last week so difficult and emotional - first day of cycle. It always sneaks up on me! I've gained and lost a kilo in a week.

Going to be really hot here today (33 degrees) but I've got no DC and DH is back to work so finally a day to myself. Prepped dinner already so no oven/hob needed on this evening. I hate the heat as well @LegoTherapy. Today will be okay as I can keep the house fairly cool with no one else in it but it won't cool down properly tonight and tomorrow is going to be just as hot.

Plan for the day
✅Pre-breakfast walk (5,000 steps)
✅Breakfast - boiled egg, rye toast and butter, coffee
✅Yoga
✅Drop-off DC2 (2,000 steps)
➡Lunch - chicken wrap
➡Pick up DC2 (2,000 steps)
➡Dinner - cold pasta salad (olives, pickled onions, gherkins, cucumber, bacon, sweetcorn, tomatoes, boiled eggs, pesto and mayo). Just need to peel eggs and add tomatoes.

Goal - stick to plan. Snacks veg/fruit only and lots of water.

One day at a time.

Good Afternoon Everyone

@DaisyFloop sending a huge hug & a cuppa. Sounds like you’ve not had it easy in life ❤️

Menu
Meal 1 - Spicy chicken salad. Apple.
Meal 2 - Boiled egg, cold cuts salad. Sugar free jelly & cream.
Tea, black coffee & water.

Exercise
Session 1 - Gardening.
Session 2 - Yoga stretches.

Hot here again today with intermittent showers which strangely are not cooling in the least but rather making it steamy 🧖‍♀️

Have a good week everyone!

That pasta salad sounds excellent @PatienceOfEngels

We had a hot morning by the beach. Left around 1pm when it got to about 31C. Could feel myself starting to cook! And it was too hot for DS.

Meals have been sandwiches, and meats /cheeses / salads and flatbread in the evening. Have stuck to calippos when it's ice cream time.

Currently watching back the Olympic women's' weight lifting. I can't even believe the weights they're lifting 😲

Going to jump on. I am desperate to be a comfortable 18 rather than a tight 20.

Doing Fast 800 and my first week is up on Thursday. I already feel lighter but guess it’s all the water loss. Too hot to exercise today.

I found an old diet diary which shows how much I have put on since 2012 and how many diets failed. I gave up during Covid.

B-greek yoghurt, fruit etc
L- duck. Veg soup
D- egg sandwich, sausage roll, jam and cream scone.

15k steps and 30 min YT work out (hopefully it will minimise the carby dinner)

Hope everyone is doing well!
I went for a bit of a hike and lost the bloody house keys 😂 luckily I've got spares and access but it meant I did the hike twice, got home and then retraced my steps and got home again, still lost but the exercise is good!

I booked dietician to see if I can get any helpful advice. I am doing ok last 4 days again, but I think it will be good to talk to someone qualified and see if they can help me create plan to get me through losing at least 2 stone over the next 6 months.

@DaisyFloop oops! Sounds like you've found the silver lining though!

Horribly hot here still. Not going to break until tomorrow here so we're in for a warm day and another night of broken sleep.

Yesterday didn't quite go to plan. I did well until about 3.30pm and then cracked with a handful of nuts and cheese chunks, followed by a twirl bar, then an ice cream in the evening. It's so much harder when I'm alone to stay on track.

Today is a new day!
B-boiled egg and rye toast, coffee
L-leftover pasta salad
D-chicken and salad wraps...but I need to go to the supermarket as we're out of chicken/tomatoes/wraps.

Trying not to snack except fruit veg BUT may be heading the cinema to beat the heat this afternoon in which case I will have some popcorn.

Have done a short walk this morning but can't see myself heading out again with the heat so probably won't get all my steps in today. Done 20 minutes of yoga and now collapsing for the day!