Put on 2 stone, no clothes fit, holiday in 8 weeks, accountability thread please

[Anotherfrozenpizzafortea]

In the last 3 years I've been mostly wfh in trackies and menopausal (age 50) with thyroid issues and I've put on over 2 stone. I'm going on a holiday in 8 weeks that is generously being paid for by my parents but I have nothing to wear, and no funds to buy a new wardrobe.

The thyroid stuff is hopefully sorted (though the annual blood tests seem too far apart for reliability and making sure the dose is right) and I'm going back to the GP to have ANOTHER chat about going on HRT. I have a dodgy back which makes any sort of mad exercise regime painful and potentially harmful but swimming/walking is ok. Also started a menu plan as that's gone a bit haywire.

Need to get motivated and today is the day. Been on a 30 minute walk (enough to get the heart rate pumping thanks to crappy 90s playlist) and haven't got any junk food in the house. Anyone want to join me for a kick up the arse and some accountability please?

I will. I’ve got about a stone to lose and 8 weeks seems like a good amount of time to do it.

Well done on getting out for the walk.
What plans have you made to adjust diet?

Vitamin D helps too. Your body will put on fat in order to try and absorb more vitamin D if you are deficient.

I lost a stone on an accountability thread here last year and it's stayed off. Also have thyroid issues, well treated.

Main tip is stick to three meals a day no snacks whatsoever. Eat fruit only at the end of a meal never as a snack.

First week of cutting out sugar and excess carbs is really really hard. You will feel incredible cravings but just stay off the white carbs completely (and even the brown carbs as snacks: ie oatcakes)

Eat filling meals and make it a game to get through to 7pm supper without snacking. Lots of tea and herbal teas. Coffee at breakfast. Drink water or tea when you crave something to put in your mouth

Lots of crunchy and smooth and texture variation in meals. Savour every mouthful. Make meals delicious and tasty. Good fats. No need to calorie count.
A brisk walk twice a day for mental health!
No need for gym or anything special.

Hmmm that's a tricky one. I've never really had to think about diet until now (hence the weight gain I suppose) but my plan is -
No sweet treats
No stupid breakfasts and lunches on office days, eat cereal before I go in and take a sandwich
Eat more fruit and veg
Less takeaway shite and freezer beige with the kids, gotta be a win/win there for us all.
I don't really drink so no spare calories there.

Just need a change from sedentary to active but frequent and moderate rather than 3 mad fitness classes a week

I think a stone would be good, and would put me on a good trajectory for some of the rest. Good habits required!

I went from 94 kg to 80 kg over six months. Maybe 94 to 86kg in 3 months ...was definitely thinner after 2 months, increased energy levels etc.

@Nettleskeins A brisk walk twice a day for mental health! I definitely need some of that, been feeling in a fug lately, hopefully lighter nights and earlier mornings will help too

Avoid cereal. Porridge only with blueberries or strawberries and milk, chopped nuts maybe. No sugar or white carbs. Cereal increases cravings, even muesli. Best is scrambled egg on wholemeal toast for breakfast.

I can't stomach porridge, too many years scraping it out of kid's hair/carpet/dried bowls!

Will deffo try eggs though, thanks!

I found the Fast 800 cookbooks had lots of quick and easy recipes that worked well and good for family meals.

Have you tried overnight oats instead of porridge? I use skimmed milk, a teaspoon of almond butter, shake of cinnamon and a tiny squeeze of honey blended together and then add the oats and leave in the fridge overnight. Then top with fresh fruit in the morning - it's a very different texture to porridge and I much prefer it.

@Anotherfrozenpizzafortea I'm in a very similar position and I'd love to join you for accountability. I have a wedding coming up in 8 weeks, am menopausal and have put two stone on over the last year. So yes, count me in!

I found more protein, particularly at breakfast, really helped. Scrambled egg on wholemeal toast, with a bit of avocado - keeps me full till lunchtime. I take a soup or left over stew with lots of beans and pulses in to work to heat up.

My downfall is being peckish before I cook tea or snacking after tea. I'm trying to knock that on the head.

So. Today so far - last of the mini-twixes at breakfast time. I know, I know. 2 egg omelette with a scraping of cheese for lunch. Out until 8 tonight so got a spag bol mix out of the freezer for tea.

I’m planning on changing my diet to include more protein and more whole foods instead of processed, sugary rubbish. It may not be lower calorie but at least it is a healthier change.

Today I swapped out my cereal for scrambled eggs with spinach and tomatoes with a little cheese for breakfast and had planned on left over mac and cheese for lunch but decided to go with a wrap with some shredded chicken, salad leaves, feta, pomegranate seeds and some yoghurt dressing.

I hope I can keep this up and not default back to my snacking on biscuits and crisps.

planning on a 2 mile run/walk later this afternoon.

I cut out most of the sugary crap I was eating and did a 4 mile walk 4 times a week and I lost 2 to 3lb a week. Your mileage may vary, of course.

Substitute wholemeal spaghetti for ordinary spaghetti. Much more filling.
Chocolate fix can be had with cocoa powder hot water and top up of cold milk (no sugar)
Magnesium cravings are why we think we need chocolate. Cocoa powder has magnesium.

Following. Can't shift the stone I gained post pregnancy 2 years ago and I looked awful last summer holidays in the pictures! It's going to be no crisps and biscuits for me and get walking more.