Diet for Christmas Challenge 2024

[bigdecisionstomake]

This is a continuation of the previous Diet for Christmas and Diet for Summer Challenges started by me, @OhFatty and @Dashel

It is open to everyone, whether you have a lot to lose, just a small amount to go or you're at target but facing the enormous challenge of maintaining your loss ongoing.

After working towards our summer holidays we're now turning our thoughts to fitting into Christmas party outfits or in my case putting right the damage done on my recent holiday and just making sure I've dropped a few pounds so I can over-indulge with a clear conscience over the festive season.

There are no rules other than being supportive and cheering each other on. Occasional kicks up the bum are available as and when requested.

Hopefully previous members of these threads will join us again and new members are always welcome.

I will update shortly with my start point for this challenge.

Morning all

@Peae My plan yesterday was to try to re-set again but alas, work got in the way as it often does at this time of year. My food wasn't disastrous but also not the best. I didn't get my workout first thing as I had another early appointment (although not work related on this occasion) and this always seems to throw my motivation out.

Today has been no better, I've been up working since 5.30am to try to get back in control of everything and obviously this means no workout again. The only upside is that the amount of work is finite so being so busy now means that it should slow down a bit nearer Christmas.

I haven't weighed again this morning and am out for a meal with friends at the pub tonight so I think it is going to be another day of doing the best I can. Hopefully next week will be a little calmer.

Glad you liked the look of Heather Robertson 4.0 - for me it's the perfect combination of strength and mobility (with a little cardio thrown in from week 5 onwards. I'm hoping I can get back into training regularly soon so I don't lose the progress I've made so far.

Hope everyone is fairing better than me at the moment!

It sounds as though you have a lot on your plate and lots of things to sabotage your diet and exercise plans.

I didn’t hit my 36 hour fast, but ended up having a bit of avocado and tuna mayonnaise last night at about hour 25. Not too worried as I’m still getting over some jet lag.
Today is three healthy meals and walking my commute. When I first started this took 40-45 minutes. It’s now taking me 35-40 minutes, so diminishing returns as I get lighter, quicker and more confident with the route.

Morning all

A better day again yesterday food wise, despite being out for a meal. Food was delicious and healthy but quite salty. Still not quite where I need to be though and still no time for exercise.

To cap it all I now have a UTI too so that's great 😫

Really glad to see the weekend round the corner and hoping to be back on track fully by next week.

Have great days all.

You too OP, it sounds as though you need to be gentle with yourself at the mo!

Hope you get better soon @bigdecisionstomake x

I put a pound on this week 😔 I'm gonna blame my period and move on!!

Have a good weekend all x

Sorry for being quiet, had a manic weekend and am battling a heavy cold that has made everything more achy than normal. Exercise has been non existent this week so need to get back on it as soon as this goes.

@bigdecisionstomake hope the UTI clears up quickly

Hi All please can I join too?

I can feel myself being on a slippery slope (especially as we edge towards Christmas) of gaining back the baby weight I have previously lost.
I lost around 3 stone since my youngest was born (shes 4) and still have 1 more stone to go. However I have been stuck with 1 stone to lose for over a year now, and particularly in the last few months the weight is starting to creep back on and my habits have gone to 💩.

so drawing a line here ————————
weighed today: 10 st 4.4
I would like to be around 9st or 9st 7 ish.
I know that wont happen before christmas but as long as I am moving in the right direction I will be happy.

calorie counting on mfp and need to start working out again. I use youtube and like Heather Robertson too! And sydney cummings is another of my favourites.

Hi all, apologies I've been quiet too! Just messing around with 1lb on, 1lb off- frustrating but understandable given the amount of effort I'm currently putting it. I've been travelling a lot for work and social things have been going on so it's been tricky. Things are quietening down a bit now so my focus is slowly coming back.

Going to try and stick to Friday weighing like @Gemzee and see how I get on. A pound up today too.
Take it easy @bigdecisionstomake UTI's can quickly get nasty!

I realised today that I've been accidentally buying full fat greek yoghurt (packaging changed!) so my supposedly low calorie breakfast has been an awful lot higher than I realised.. trouble is, it's SO delicious 🫣

Calories for yesterday- 1330.
I did a very quick (15 mins) strength workout as mentally it’s all I could aim for.

a start though :)

daily weigh in- 10 st 2.2 lbs
not sure why such a fluctuation from yesterday but I am due on my period.

period weight fluctuations are a nightmare aren't they - I have just finished the first month on Devogestrel in an attempt to stop my hideous periods (on top of the HRT) and they do seem to have finally stopped but it did take all month. I am wondering if I should come off HRT as I honestly don't think it has made any difference for me whatsoever but I'm starting to doubt myself because maybe it has and I just haven't really noticed and if I come off it, I'll be worse arghhhh! Who would be a woman!

dp has finally lost some weight this week - he did watch his calories all week and was on Mounjara but hadn't been losing weight at all - him being enthusiastic about it makes a difference to me because I find it almost impossible not to snack with him if he's sat on the couch eating with me so if he's motivated to continue being careful, then it's easier for me to watch the calories!

we are doing a big roast on Sunday as all the family are coming round so I need to watch the roast potatoes which are my nemesis! hope you all have good weekends and those of you feeling unwell, start to feel better.

@FlyMeToPluto yes hormones have a lot to answer for, for sure!!

yesterday I did 35 min strength workout and calories came in 1410. So a good day.
daily weigh in: 10 st 2.2. Daily average still in the red but moving in the right direction.

no workout today as taking kids to park in a moment, then it’s straight on to in laws and then swimming lessons. I have a large coffee in hand!

have a good weekend everyone.

daily weigh: 10st 3.2lb
yesterday not so great for food, calories or movement. But usually I would spiral after a day like that and it becomes a week or more.
so I'm trying to get out of that mindset and continue properly.

Evening all

Thanks for the good wishes everyone. Had a horrid weekend with the UTI but obviously it's improving now it's Monday and I'm back at work 🙄

Sorry about the pound @Gemzee but it sounds as if you have a solid explanation for it. Hope it drops off again by Friday.

Rubbish about the cold @Dashel sounds like we're all in the wars at the minute. Just keep swimming🙂

Welcome to the thread @Rainbowjuice You did amazingly well to lose 3 stone but I can really empathise with getting down so far then getting stuck. You know how to do this and it's great that you're not putting pressure on yourself with an unrealistic goal. Which of the Heather Robertson programs is your favourite? It looks like you are a daily weigher like me - and all the fluctuations that brings - oh joy!.

Great to hear from you @NahThen it sounds like you need a bit of re-set to get you going again. Love full fat Greek yoghurt too 😋

@FlyMeToPluto What sort of symptoms were you getting prior to starting HRT? I found it really helped with some things for example it got rid of the hot flushes during the day and the night sweats, which to be frank were making my life a misery. It also helped with libido and achy joints. It made no difference whatsoever to the brain fog though, which is a bit disappointing. Hope your Sunday roast was delicious!

I have been feeling really sorry for myself all weekend and my eating and drinking have been out of control. I was therefore quite surprised to weigh this morning and only have gone up to 10st 2.7lbs. I'm taking that as a win.

Although the anti-biotics have now kicked in and I'm feeling a lot better I know I'm still not quite right and need to ease back in to exercise gently so have just done a walking workout with Olivia Lawson this morning. I'll see how things go as the week progresses.

Food so far has been good today and overall I'm feeling optimistic starting the week - let's hope it stays that way.

Morning all

It's a good news/bad news kind of day today.

In good news, my weight has dropped to 10st 0.5lbs this morning. I really went cold turkey yesterday and that was obviously a shock to the system. There may be a bounce back tomorrow but for now it feels like a win.

In bad news, I've been lumbered (at the very last minute) with both a really early and a really late appointment today so I'm just about to leave not having had time for exercise again. The no exercise combined with having to have a very early breakfast and not getting back to the house until late would usually really mess up my eating as I'll be ravenous by mid morning I suspect and then end up snacking on whatever I can buy while I'm out.

I currently feel determined to stay strong but I hope my willpower stays on side. Wish me luck!

Have good days all.

Good luck with the willpower!

I am off to donate blood for medical science - I agreed ages ago and now really regret it and got myself in a panic as I thought the form said they needed 10 tubes and I've just re read it and they only need 5 so panic for nothing! I had to fast for the blood test so that's good and has kicked my intermittent fasting into gear today.

I didn't weigh myself because although I was good this weekend, I'm almost always heavier on Monday so decided to leave the weigh in till tomorrow.

Will go home after blood test - replacement soup maker has arrived so will concoct some soup with beans and leftover vegetables from the weekend

I was prescribed HRT because I got long Covid at the same time my periods stopped (temporarily) so they weren't sure if my symptoms were from the long Covid or the menopause. I must admit from thinking I knew my body well to suddenly not having a clue what was going on was so freaky. I am still not recovered but starting to manage better but not sure if that's the passage of time or something else. V frustrating!

Am joining in (late) for a bit of accountability! I would like to lose 2 stone but probably only 8lb or so by Christmas at this stage.

I've just had a little cry at how crap I've been! I'm starting a new job in a couple of weeks and want to look nice (I don't).

I could run most mornings (but can't get motivated to leave my warm bed). Any tips or advice to help. I'll be starting C25K again!!!

Food wise I didn't think I was too bad as I cook from scratch and had been IF 10am to 7pm. It has not made any difference so I'm obviously lying to myself about food!! I need to cut out the crisps, cut down on the wine. I don't drink every day but a couple of glasses 3 times a week is too much for weight loss.

I could do with any inspiration food wise 😀. I'm here for accountability!

Hi all back from holiday and back weighing in! Up to 9 stone 13 which I will gladly accept a 3lb gain for a weeks AI and being off IF.

Back on IF and feeling better already.

@mellongoose I find tracking on MFP helps early days to identify food elements which contributes a lot and drinks as well.
As for meals I make a low calorie homemade soup with a 100 calories of protein topping so quorn pieces, tofu or some chicken helps. Favourites are beetroot and horseradish, mushroom and garlic, carrot and coriander, mexican vegetable, pea and mint, curried cauliflower, miso veg broth etc. I have normal family dinner but with me having extra veg portions and reduced carb portion. I IF til lunchtime.
Snacks I go for veg sticks, air fryer kale crisps (surprisingly tasty) or if craving lots then will go for a high protein snack such as smoked tofu pieces with some chilli flakes or some king prawns with a chilli dipping sauce.

When cooking from scratch be warned of hidden calories (oils, sugar and dressings) so I find a spray oil much better and use an air fryer which doesn't need oil.

Morning all

Hope the blood donation went ok @FlyMeToPluto and some delicious soup was made. I know exactly what you mean about the menopause and suddenly feeling you don't know your body at all. I have friends who have basically blinked and missed it but for me my usually reliable healthy body began behaving in all sorts of odd and random ways and it took me quite a long time to come to terms with it and learn to modify my habits/behaviour to cope - not least the realisation that I couldn't eat half as much as I used to without gaining weight. Glad you're managing to navigate a way through.

Welcome to the thread @mellongoose 8lbs is a good goal to lose before Christmas. I am a morning exerciser and do find it harder to get out of bed at this time of year. My top tip is get your gear out ready the night before so you don't need to bang around in the dark looking for it and you've 'set your intention'. @Scottishskifun gives good advice about food - it's really easy to over estimate the amount you are eating and I think the only reliable way to get on track is to weigh and log food. Even if you only do it for a week or two to begin with it will help you get a handle on appropriate portion size and how all the little extras here and there start to add up. Good luck with it and keep us posted.

@Scottishskifun hope you had a good holiday and a 3lb gain for an all inclusive break sounds like a win to me. You'll probably find some of that is bloat from foods/drinks you wouldn't normally eat and will fall off quite quickly - fingers crossed!

My day yesterday wasn't too bad in the end. I made good choices mostly although there was a Freddo snackcident at around 5.30pm when I was waiting for my last appointment. Apart from that though I was happy I did ok foodwise in the absence of any exercise.

The scales have STS at 10st 0.5lb this morning which I'm quite surprised about, I was expecting a bounce, so I'm happy with that. I have managed a workout this morning but again just a gentle walking workout with Olivia Lawson as I'm still not feeling quite right.

Hope we all have a good day today 🙂

I weighed in last Saturday and had lost another pound so am 11st 11. Hoping for another pound this week. But I'm struggling to get going with this diet, not quite sure why. Plus next week there are more social occasions to contend with. Still hoping for nearer 11 stone than 12 by Christmas!

Didnt weigh yesterday as left early for work @ 6.30am. Also meant no workout 👎🏻

today: 10st 2.4
@bigdecisionstomake I havent ever actually completed any of the programmes 😳 I always just pick a random video! Maybe I should do it as would probably be more structured and therefore more results 🤔

yes I love to daily weigh. I used the Happy Scale app after someone recommended it ages ago on here and then instead of the daily numbers just focus on the moving average :)

Morning all

Whoop whoop for the 1lb lost @BurntOrange another step in the right direction. I too am struggling a bit to get going, not sure if it is the time of year, work pressures or just that I can hide away in lots of layers in winter so it's not like going on holiday when you're going to be more exposed. We need to just hunker down and try to stay consistent.

I'll have a look at the happy scale app @Rainbowjuice something to smooth out the fluctuations would be good - although I have to admit I'm a bit nerdy and keep a spreadsheet....I sometimes just pick random Heather Robertson workouts but I usually follow a program. I'm just over half way through 4.0 at the moment which focuses on strength and mobility which are the two areas I need to work on most. It always takes me way longer than the timescale it's meant to be done over though.

I had a good day yesterday until evening meal time when DS cooked pasta and I had a glass of wine to go with it. I usually only drink alcohol Fri/Sat/Sun so this was a step away from routine for me. I think it had just been a really long day and I felt I 'deserved' it. Ho hum - bad habits creeping back in.

The scales have nudged up a tiny bit to 10st 0.7lb but overall I'm still comfortable with that. Another busy day today though and I can feel my will power receding the closer we get to the weekend 😣

I've booked a holiday for February half term so my mind is now focused!!!

@mellongoose I've just booked for beginning of February - a beach/pool/sun-lounger holiday 😬

Am really enjoying OP's recommended Heather Robertson 4.0 programme, although last night's nearly killed me and today I can barely walk. Have had some high step counts and long fasts this week. Definitely feel better for both.

Morning all

There's nothing like a holiday to focus the mind @mellongoose fabulous news though, I love having a holiday to look forward to.

There's obviously something in the air @Peae if you've booked too - something to focus the mind though! Glad you're enjoying the Heather Robertson 4.0 and I know what you mean about barely being able to walk the next day. It does get easier if you stay consistent with it. 💪

I haven't workout out again today as work is mad busy still and I've been up early trying to get some admin done before I go out on appointments. I wasn't good food wise yesterday, there was too much chocolate and another glass of wine with my evening meal. I completely forgot to weigh this morning first thing and have now had several cups of tea and breakfast so don't really want to in case that makes a difference.

It's the last day of anti-biotics today and although I'm loads better I still don't feel quite 100% so I'm trying to cut myself a bit of slack without going completely off the rails. Here's hoping today is the best I can make it 🙂

Glad your feeling a bit better @bigdecisionstomake take it easy on yourself!

1lb loss for me think my body is adjusting back to home cooked food so its probably water/bloat loss but I will take it!

Have an insane few days ahead with getting DS1 ready for back to school (scottish hols are different) and for me going back to work! But done my online food shop with lots of fresh veg ordered!