The best start to 2025!

[igotbills]

An accountability thread for myself (and absolutely anybody else interested) to drop a dress size or two within the coming months to get back in my lovely dresses. Had a stressful year of all sorts going on hence some weight gain but I'm now ready to shift it.

Starting Janruary 1st instead of now just means there will be even more to lose.. so starting today I'm counting calories and looking at some exercises on YouTube. I've dug out my workout clothes and ordered some new sports bras.

Perhaps with Christmas, New years etc I won't actually lose a pound but that's okay - maintaining I'm more than happy with as long as I don't put anymore on.

I don't like to use scales to weigh myself but I will be judging by how clothes are fitting. I have a midi skirt I'd love to wear for my friends birthday at the end of January but its far too tight so this will be my first goal.

Anyone care to join?

How is everyone doing? I've been on loads of walks with the pram this week. I'd normally take the car most places but I've been really trying to make an effort to walk. Had a few fun journeys in the pouring rain 😂

Food wise I've been eating mostly low carb, which has really helps my weight loss in the past. My husband and I have been working through the Malteser truffles he got given at work and I've enjoyed two with a cup of tea in the evenings.

I've planned healthy meals every day for the next week, except Christmas day/boxing day and Sunday as we are out with family.
My issue will be desserts and snacking, but I am limiting the amount of snacky bits I buy this year. It's just not needed.

Well done on getting out walking @Inmydreams88 have you got a fitness watch to count your steps? I work from home so have had to make a real effort to get to at least 8k steps a day, which I have managed since the beginning of October other than 2 days. I just have to force myself come rain or shine out the door!

We are planning buffet type food on boxing day and although I won't be calorie counting I did pick up some mindful choices like chicken skewers and gyozas to try and limit the damage!

Ah thanks, @ Trialnerror.
The ironic bonus of being overweight is dat I still am at 2000 cal/day, and that walking and cycling still uses a lot of energy.

Though it was not such a briljant idea to eat 1600 on a day with activity somewhere between 800 and 1500, if you believe online calculators. Because I was exhausted, and the last Lindor's now have disappeared. And were not worth the calories.

Always admire people who find the motivation to voluntary go outside in the rain, Inmydreams88

Positive choices also work better for me, Oldgalgames. Not eating something is pretty hard. But eating more from a healthy (or at least healthier) choice is easier. So wee have added plenty of veg to our christmas -I don't know how to translate it- safe indoor bbq-thing?

So after my great plans to have a chilled week last week as I'm off and could exercise and run this week...... nope! Yesterday I had a very scary day and ended up diagnosed with Bell's palsy. My whole left side of my face is completely paralysed, I can't even blink! Rest, rest, rest and a bumped dose of steroids. Looks like I won't be ending the year on top of my diet/exercise! But anyway. I'm ok, I'm alive, (they suspected I had had a stroke so I am of course eternally grateful that it's 'just' this) -

@thenewaveragebear1983 that must have been terrifying! While it might feel like a short term setback, look at it as a chance to nourish your body so it gets stronger in the long term - sometimes times restriction and battering yourself with hardcore exercise just isn't what you need. Just focus on making sure you're getting in your protein and plenty of fruit and veggies (even if it's on top of the Christmas treats 😉).

My average for the week is up from last week, which is highly annoying after I made a real effort to get some extra steps in (I'm currently on course to hit 100k steps this week) and i don't even think i've been (particularly) gluttonous.

Just keep telling myself it's a marathon and not a sprint, especially if i want to make long term changes.

Joining the thread late as I'm feeling very fat and don't want to keep scoffing. Today is day 1. I've done 30 mins weights and 1 hour cardio at the gym and eaten well- overnight oats for breakfast and chicken salad for lunch. Trying to limit the festive damage. Going for a run tomorrow

Another one joining, with perfect timing, 2 days before Xmas 😄 but I’ve been following this thread and you’re all doing so well.

I weighed myself today and I’m half a stone heavier than I thought, and would ideally like to be 10lb lighter, so before it becomes an extra stone with the excess of Xmas I have started tracking calories today. I won’t be a zealot about it over the festivities but will be more mindful then perhaps I would have been, had I not jumped on the scales!

Well done @Goldenmemories & @Thefastplodder@Thefastplodder@Thefastplodder@Thefastplodder Edit: no idea why my phone keeps tagging you and won't let me delete sorry!
I'm planning on hitting the gym in the morning for a big workout pre Xmas food!

@thenewaveragebear1983 how are you feeling now ? Just read your post . That must have been scary . My cousin had that but recovered fully so fingers crossed you are in the mend and had a nice Christmas

I didn't go to overboard food wise . Have been suffering a bit with an old injury so not exercising but going to take the dog for a stroll soon .

My daughter bought me a lovely diary so I'm going to use that for motivation and a bit of journaling from Jan 1 .

Enjoy the day everybody

Thanks @Trialnerror - I’ve managed to be fairly controlled, although not easy with the amount of croissants and mince pies hanging about 🤪

That sounds really tough and very frightening @thenewaveragebear1983. I hope though that you’ve still managed to enjoy some of your Xmas and are taking it very easy.

That uncertainty is so scary,@thenewaveragebear1983 And then you get the 'good' news, but it's just good compared to the other option, and there still is the uncertainty. A loved one has had the same kind of ER visit. They are back to how they were before now. Hope it already is on the way up.

For christmas: No logging of calories and Idefinitely enjoyed the christmas treats. But (like others, go trialnerror and thefastplodder!) within reason, I think. And I went for a nice walk. I hope the scale will agree tomorrow.
I also have three more after-christmas dinners to go. We'll see

I feel the size of a house 🙈. We tend not to overbuy treats for Christmas (although we make a decadent dessert!). Invariably the biggest problem we have is family bringing us lots of tasty gifts, so even after the main event, we usually have enough to keep us going until Easter.

We went visiting today which involved more heavy food, so am feeling quite puffy and bloated (not helped by the fact the PMT is kicking in).

Tomorrow should be more of a quiet one so I'm looking forward to some salad type meals (even if it is turkey salad 😂).

I did manage a short walk yesterday and this morning I was back into my usual exercise routine.

I've also started keeping a food diary (not logging calories or anything, just a note of what I'm eating to try and make me a bit more conscious of it).

Hiya ladies l would like to join. Need a confidence boost and to focus on my mental health.

I'm going to calorie count - anyone have a diet plan to get me start or have some recipes? Definitely stuck in a food rut at the moment.

@SaggyOldClothDog @PurpleWillow @Thefastplodder @Thefastplodder
Thanks for your well wishes. I will be honest, I have been really quite unwell the last few days and I have not looked after myself as well as I could have, it's been a busy few days. I still have no feeling at all in the left side of my face, can't blink, and having horrible side effects from the meds as well. In short I feel pretty miserable. But, all the social things are done now, I'm going to get signed off work for another week at least, and I am now going to rest properly. I would love to say I'll get healthy but I actually want to enjoy my Christmas leftovers another few days! But lots of rest, sleep, gentle walk with the dog and use some of my nice new smellies and pjs. Ease myself into 2025 gently and kindly. I have certainly reflected on some things this week and my new resolution for 2025 is proper self care and taking better care of myself.

@thenewaveragebear1983 that sounds like a good plan to me . You sound positive and an extra week off will help . Rest and be gentle on yourself

My foot injury has flared and all the long walks I planned are not happening . Managed a gentle 4K yesterday but I may rest it today but fingers crossed I will try tomorrow.

@LadyTiredWinterBottom2 what about nutracheck if you are counting calories . I have it but I think I will just journal for a while and I am listening to dr chatterjees new book about changing habits

@Trialnerror l saw that book on Spotify, have added it to my list! Thinking of doing the fast 800 and keeping check of my food on other days, need to read a little more about it though.

@Trialnerror I think I listened to a thing with Davina McCall and dr chattergee- what's the book called please? It was really interesting..

Hi everyone 👋 can I please join? I lost a stone and a half at the beginning of the year - but I’ve spent the last few months enjoying myself so to speak 😂. I’ve put on a kilo over Christmas and already I can feel myself slipping back into old habits. Lots of crisps and chocolates throughout the day. So, I’ve decided to start the diet again today. Currently using an app called “my weight” to log my progress. I do weigh everyday - as I’m interested in the fluctuations. The app makes a little line chart, which I find motivating and helpful.

Oh and nutracheck have an offer on at the moment for annual membership, it works out much cheaper than paying monthly.

The books is "make change that lasts " by Dr Rangan Chatterjee

He has a Fantastic podcast but I'm way behind with it .

I am listening to the audiobook . Think he is Brillaint

The printed book out next week I think the audio released yesterday

@Trialnerror thanks. They've podcast I listened to was actually davinas 'begin again' podcast and he was a guest on there, i could listen to him all day - everything he says speaks right to me and really resonates with me. I will look for the book when it is released!

Well for me the last week has been a disaster! Nothing fits and saw a 360 reflection of myself in the changing room earlier was a bit horrified

Not doing anything for new years thankfully and the fridge is quite empty so my 'proper' diet starts now

@igotbills I hear your pain . I bought some jeans in Marks and Sparks yesterday in a size 16 as all my 14s won't zip . Guess what the 16 not much better but I am keeping them as I will fit into them on a week or so I hope .

I have started my diary for 2025 with a to do list for Jan . First thing is lose 7lb . 5 trips to pool and some walks ! No point in me making unrealistic goals .

Meeting friends today and I have nothing to wear

Well dressed somehow and I look awful and feel awful and I'm on my crutch today so really feel like a big blob . But there is only one way to go from here and that's shrinkage lol

@Trialnerror @LadyTiredWinterBottom2 I'm currently listening to that book too! I regularly listen to his podcast and have his other books but so far, if i'm honest, i don't think i've heard that much that's new (admittedly i tend to listen to audio books as i'm pottering around, so maybe i've missed something).

Mind you, I think my biggest problem is that I like to eat tasty things - and while sometimes I'll justify it as a result of being stressed/bored etc, I do wonder if I just use that as an excuse to eat aforementioned tasty things.

I don't help myself though, I noticed yesterday that we had a big tub of cream that needed using up. A couple of hours later i've made bread and butter pudding, custard and meringues (to use up the eggs whites leftover from the custard) 🤦. I can't stand wasting food (even though I know eating it is probably not doing me any good in the long run).

Luckily on this occasion, I can take or leave bread and butter pudding (it was mainly for DH and DD, as they love it) and the meringues will keep for a while or be devoured by DCs.

I also tell myself that homemade treats will be infinitely better than shop bought equivalents, but I don't think my perimenopausal body can tell the difference 😳.

Come the new year, my sweet tooth is definitely something I need to curb.