Louise Parker Method

[BeigeBrigadeBabe]

I can see there are some older threads for the Loiuse Parker Method, but was wondering if anyone was still doing it and wanted to join in another one. I had great success with it the last time I did it and am giving it another go. I'll probably need to do two rounds to get to my goal and would love to hear from people who have done it before.

Hello ladies.
You seem to have such a nice supportive group going here that I feel like a bit of an intruder, I hope you don't mind me stopping by.
Last year I did the Human Being Diet and it worked really well for me but for the past several months I fell off the wagon and have yo-yo'd my weight a bit and just not been able to stick to it when I have one more stone I want to try to lose.
I'm wondering if this diet might be a better fit for me (providing I can commit to the workouts) and have ordered a couple of her books off Vinted.
The HBD worked well for me because carbs are my nemesis and the blood sugar regulation of sticking to three meals with a 5 hour gap in between proved effective.
BUT, the five hour gap also tends to make me really hungry and then I cram the wrong foods (crisps and cheese and peanut butter) when I should just be eating the proscribed protein and veg.
So although the meal plans look quite similar, I'm wondering if the permitted snacks might help me feel less hungry and less prone to eating the bad stuff.
I'm a little concerned that the Louise Parker meals sound quite big compared to what I usually eat, but perhaps I can work that out as I go.
Also I can see you guys talking about protein powder and I've never tried that before. Is that a thing that's part of this diet?
Anyway I'm just wondering if you have any tips and advice for me as a newbie trying this diet for the first time?
How do I get motivated to get into the workout habit? (I have shit knees and can't do squats and jumps.)
Also I don't eat meat (although fish, eggs is fine) so do you have any good recipe recommendations? I'm just making meals for me so can't be arsed to do anything that takes loads of time and effort. So anything simple is a bonus.
Hope you don't mind me picking your brains or being an interloper in your little group. Thank you.

Welcome @Z0rr0 !
Well done on finding success on the HBD- I looked into it once, but seemed a bit tough!
I am finding this method working so well for me. It sits alongside the principles of Tim Spector, Dr Chattergee, and Andrew Jenkinson - all of which I try to stick to all as healthy lifestyle. I like that it's not just about food.
It is positive, gentle and realistic. Not necessarily a quick fix?, although I have lost weight and inches in 6/7 ? weeks and am very happy with that, and feel great in my body.
Also, have realised that actually I have completed few in the ⭕ days, mostly it has been 80/20 and indulging in worth its! I am aiming for this week all in circle ⭕ relaxing at the weekend, and see what happens.
Exercise wise, I always enjoy, and practise yoga and pilates. But sometimes it is only 10 minutes before bed. This has become part of my bedtime routine - the habit so established now, that it feels odd not to stretch and relax with gentle yoga before sleep - and I love it, and protect the time. However, HIIT and strength - yuk!
Not my thing, but I started so slowly, little better than nothing, and now enjoying the sessions, although I pick from the internet rather than the book.
Good luck!

As above, aiming for 5 days in the ⭕, at least. Maybe some worth its at the weekend.
Monday 12th May ⭕ ✓
Have a good week all, and hope poorliness is on the down, and motivation is on the rise!
How close to your 'balance' are you feeling @BeigeBrigadeBabe @AnnaMacAZ @Z0rr0 ?

Thank you Bunty. I think you’re right, it’s about building a routine. I just need to find a good time for that. I work two jobs on different days with different schedules, but think I just need to bite the bullet. I haven’t received the books yet, so the circle stuff is over my head at the moment. The articles I found online about her method didn’t mention it. I’ll keep researching. Thanks so much for your reply and good luck for your goals this week.

Welcome, zorro! Once you get the books and get started, it will start to make sense. Definitely more of a lifestyle change than a diet, which is the point she makes in her books. That's why it works so well for busy people; you don't want to make it "all or nothing". It's about making good choices, and when you indulge you just turn back to the good choices at your next meal.

Bunty, I feel so great when I'm sticking close to The Method! I had a cold this week, but did my best to get nutrients and fluids. Then we had a birthday party today so there was cake, but it was worth it! I just ate a little to satisfy the craving. We had bangers and mash with broccoli for dinner (not on Method, but neeeeeded it after being sick and at my kid's party!!!), and I'm looking forward to my nightly yoga routine! It's become a habit for me as well. I do it in the morning too, followed by a meditation so I can lay there and let the coffee take effect before getting ready for work. 😄

As for the workouts, zorro, I have to tweak the ones listed in the book as I have some back issues. I just modify, and so what I can. I have felt stronger as the weeks have gone by. My period has become lighter too, which is a big accomplishment for me! My first six weeks I dropped a size and fit into my clothes more comfortably. Quitting sugar, alcohol, and most carbs helped a lot, and made my brain feel clear. It's been great!

Long post! Have a lovely week, ladies!
Anna

Welcome Z0rr0! Both Bunty and Anna have given you great advice, and I concur with Anna that once you read the books it will all make sense. It really is about long term lifestyle change, which is why it works so well. You are creating healthy habits for yourself.
In terms of workouts, I don't follow the ones in her books, I tend to do what I enjoy, because I will do it! I love ballet, pilates, dance cardio and am incorporating more strength work in now. I have a new goal of adding in a short yoga workout before bed now too. If working out seems daunting, you could start small, even 10 minutes a day will make you stronger, and build a habit.

Not only have lost weight, but I'm sleeping a lot better too. I really feel good eating this way. I love discovering other cookbooks or ideas from people who eat a similar way. I've tried using sliced sweet potato as "toast" this week, and I love it! You just have to slice thinly and bake then you can top it how you like. For dinner one night I had chicken, avo, capsicum and red onion mashed together on top with a side of broccoli, yum! I'll try it with eggs tomorrow morning to see how that works.

Hope you are all having a lovely week! Xxx

Thanks so much for your tips and kind welcome ladies. I have the books now so will dive in and let you know how I get on.

Hello ladies,

I'm diving back in again for another round. Week 1 starts today. I've had great success in losing weight with another 2 pounds gone. I'm 7 pounds from my pre-baby weight, and feeling so good!

I had dairy-free ice cream last week on my girls' last day of school, and my brain felt all fuzzy the next day. Sugar does not help me. But I have noticed that I do need to have carbs a few times a week. Last night I had a full on burger and fries, and I just needed it. Overall, I'm happy with eating on The Method 80% of the time.

I've been doing well with my step count, and bumped it up to 10,000 a day. However, I still struggle to fit in my actual work outs. My strategy for this round will be to work out on my days off, which are Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday.

In personal news, we're buying a house! Our offer was accepted, so next will be the inspection. I'm so excited! But dreading a full declutter! 😫 It will be good, though.

Glad your books arrived, zorro! It might feel like a lot, but just take your time going through them and in a few weeks you'll be on board. ❤️

Have a great week!
Anna

Hello ladies. I have a question about the workouts in the book. As far as I can see each workout has only three or four exercises and her thing is that you do these each for a minute and repeat for 30 minutes. Is that right?

Hi again Method experts. I read the 6 week book over the weekend so think I have the gist but will also read the Lean for Life book. So would you say being in the circle is basically sticking to the eating plan, doing your steps and a workout and getting 7 hours sleep? I will struggle with the sleep I think as my menopause has ruined sleeping for me but last night I read rather than watched TV or scrolled on my iPad so I will try to make that a habit now. I stuck to the plan. I was a bit hungry but not too bad. I got my 10k steps. Making time for workouts was something I thought I would struggle with as it’s a new habit I need to form, but I decided not to procrastinate or put it off and just do something so I just did a 10 minute chair workout and that got my heart pumping and a little sweat on, so baby steps. Here’s to day 2. Hope you guys are also doing well and feeling better.

Hi, and how's it going @AnnaMacAZ @Z0rr0 ?
A little out of the circle last week- we moved back into our house and had the usual no oven/ hob/fresh food that moving brings with it.
However, back on it, and still living it, I meant loving it, but living it works too! It really has become a habit to live this way, including the exercise, which is great.
Another Ilb to my target weight, and also, I have a WAIST!!!
I so wanted a waist as my middle age spread, spread!
Have a good weekend, and love to hear how it's going.
And congratulations on new - house- to- be @AnnaMacAZ . Just been through the decluttering so can sympathise, but think of the benefits of a house of zen and hygge!

Hi ladies. Well, so far so good. I am one week in and three pounds down. That’s a bit slower than Human Being Diet but overall I’m enjoying this more. I’m making the recipes and that is helping because they are really tasty. With HBD it’s more the principle of weights of protein and veg and I just wasn’t inspired with ideas so was just eating a salad every night and that was so boring. So this is helping because the flavours are tasty and also the portions are really generous. On HBD they have this 5 hour rule where you don’t eat at all (or even have a cup of tea) between meals for 5 hours and that would tend to make me so hungry that when it came time to eat I would grab a handful of something ‘bad’ before making my meal and end up piling the unwanted calories on, so being allowed to snack is great, and I adore nuts and peanut butter so a couple of oat cakes and some peanut butter is like heaven for me. I’ve not snacked at all this week (outside of the permitted ones) and as I’m a crisp addict, that’s really good.
Ive hit my steps every day. Sleep will be what it will be because that’s never great for me. Although, I have swapped bedtime TV for reading and incredibly (for me) did hit 7 hours three times this week, so that’s amazing.
I need to get better at doing my workouts and then I will be fully on board with it all.
Oh I made overnight oat bran and yoghurt and strawberry bircher last night and it was so yum with the vanilla paste.
So yeah, good start, cautiously optimistic. My plan is to do this for the 6 weeks (barring my birthday on the 14th) and see where it gets me because on 4th July we go on our first ‘exotic’ holiday for more than 20 years! Our DDs first ever. So I would really like to be a bit slimmer for that. Fingers crossed.

That is fabulous @Z0rr0, what a great and motivating start on so many fronts!
I also like the recipes for snacks and breakfasts- which I tend to eat at lunchtime as I IF; tend to do our favourites for dinner, but with the plan guidelines in place.
Here's to another positive week for us all!

Congratulations Anna, that's wonderful news!

You are off to a great start Zorro!

I have been busy declittering and getting rid of stuff we don't need, and reorganising the house. I've had to juggle this with always seeming to have one sick child home from school! There just seems to be so much stuff!
Hope everyone is going well xxx

I am doing Dr. Mary Claire Haver's (The Galverston Diet) challenge for June, which to have 25 grams of fibre a day and limit sugar intake (which I already do). I'm finding it surprisingly hard to get that much fibre, I seem to only get to about 18 grams. So I'll have to experiment with adding some different foods in. I'm finding though, that with the extra fibre during the day, I'm feeling quite full, but waking up during the night really hungry. Last night was a 1am wakeup, which is not fun at all. Even though I eventually went back to sleep, I've been sluggish all day and it was hard to work out. Hopefully I am in an adjustment phase and it will pass? Has anyone done a challenge like this?

Hope you are all going well x

@Z0rr0 sounds like you're doing great with the plan. When I started I read a few pages from the books each night to keep on track, and picked up something new each week. For the workouts, I usually do each exercise for one minute, then repeat them and call it good. My favorite so far is from The 6 Week Plan under week 5. I feel so strong doing those!

@Buntyforgirls I hope you have a chance to do some shopping and get some clothes to show off your waist!! Good job!

@BeigeBrigadeBabe I've never done a fiber challenge, but you might be right about your body adjusting to the change. I find that I have to make changes slowly to let my body adjust. Hopefully everyone in your house is done being sick! We have the same issue in our house! There's always someone!

I've added a few ballet workouts this week, after watching my girls' dance performances this week. It's felt so nice to dance again!

Have a great weekend everyone! Xx

Hi ladies, hoping I might join you, I was on some of the older LP threads from a couple of years ago, it's always worked pretty well for me and had been happily operat8ng in the 'lifestyle' phase for some time. Have now had a bit of a rough year in terms of mental health etc and habits have slipped so really want to get on top of things before I spiral!

@AnnaMacAZ Still adjusting to this fibre change! I'm happy to keep it at about 18 ish grams as I'm finding I'm getting increasingly bloated even with a greater water intake. I have to say I don't feel that great. Unfortunately, like yourself, someone always seems to be sick, I'm always battling something these days. I've gotten to the point where I'm not mentioning it, because I'm sick of telling people I'm sick!
I'm so happy you have "refound" the joy of dance for yourself again! I feel like dancing in joy for you!

@ElvenDreamer Welcome! Happy to have you join us! I completely understand. There is something about this Method (I think) is great for creating small daily habits that create big change in the long run. It definitely helps with my mental heath too, because I'm making myself, my needs and my environment a priority (for once)!

@BeigeBrigadeBabe lol! Same, I just don't even mention people being sick unless there's something major! I did another floor barre workout yesterday, and my legs huuuurt in the best way today! 😄

@ElvenDreamer welcome! Glad to have an old pro join us! I started earlier this year, and feel so good when I eat on Method! I'm trying to focus on getting in my workouts on my days off, as my energy just tanks after a long day. 3 days a week is good for now! Keep us posted so we can cheer you on!

Xx anna

Hi all, thanks for welcoming me into the fold. Today was my 1st attempt at booting myself back into the circle dance.
Food today:
3 egg omelette with lots of veg in
Hummus and veggie sticks
Tuna and spinach in a whole grain roll
Nakd bar and some nuts
A few crackers
Baked sweet potato with goats cheese, rocket, hummus (different type!) and avocado.
Plenty of water.
Got all my steps in and generally stayed active. Monday is a light work day for me so was ae to do some gardening and bits too which is also me time aswell as active.
Hope everyone's had a good day

Hmm, I should know better than to post early in the evening, ended up having a plate of cheese and biscuits just before bed as I was still hungry. However, avoided loads of sweet stuff successfully at least!

@ElvenDreamer Great start back into the circle! I'm a bit of a salty crisps girl, so I can avoid the sugar but I love to crunch!

I've been feeling fatigued lately, so am going to have a blood test tomorrow. I suspect my iron is low again. I had a great spin class at the gym last week, but this week my energy has been so low. I might still try to go to spin tomorrow after work and just see how it goes.

I've been doing a bit more decluttering as well, as our moving date is growing near! Packing makes the house a bit chaotic, not to mention the kids are home for the summer. I'm just grateful I have the foundations of The Method to keep me afloat!

Hope you are all well!
Anna xx

Hi everyone! How are you all doing? I'm starting another round of The Method! Who's in?