Flaming Healthy June!

[Healthstartshere]

June arrives tomorrow. I’m planning a super healthy (but realistic) month and would welcome anyone who would like to join me on 30 days of self improvement.

My aims are weight loss and cultivating a healthier body and mind. I plan to do this by adopting a healthier diet, reducing calories, increasing exercise, reducing alcohol intake, being kinder to myself and enjoying more fresh air and sleep.

I am jotting down a plan of how to do this right now (whilst finishing off the crisps). Come and join me for mutual encouragement of the likeminded, whatever your personal goals for June! 😊

@Spudulica17 that’s very easily done. It’s all so easily accessible at home.

Eaten well today, all healthy but more grazed-on-smaller-amounts than actual meals. I had my breakfast in two attempts, half of lunch became half of dinner too. It was tasty though. An hour of yoga for strength, and a walk on the shore.

Today is just one day out of 31 in July @Spudulica17 . Write it off and start tomorrow. (And put the biscuits well out of reach 😉) you can make a huge difference in July! (If that’s the aim!)
I hope today has been kinder to you @Poisonwood and less stressful ? .

Very impressed with the swimming @Monvelo That sounds such a distance to me (I’m a terrible swimmer 😂)

I had a nice night out last night, (didn’t manage to post before bed) , healthy main, no dessert, only one drink….. and in my defence I didn’t realize my starter would be deep fried!
healthier today on the food front: sushi, salad , fruit & unfortunately a cider (!!), yoga class, shopping, cooking, ironing. Back to ‘work’ work tomorrow. Night all.

Morning all, I ended up going over my calories yesterday - but in my defence I was trying to use up leftovers and so had a portion of risotto for lunch, then for dinner we had gnocchi from a simply cook kit, I did only have 1/3 of the full dish not half but it was still pretty calorie dense and carby. I am determined to stick to my average 1500 a day this week, so today I am going to eat very light to Bank a few for the weekend. I am not going to drink this weekend and am also planning a long run now the weather is cooler. I have also weirdly come on my period on day 17 of my cycle, which is very abnormal for me, as I am on hrt and regular as anything. I thought I’d had no pmt symptoms but looking back I was an absolute anxious wreck last week so possibly my hormones were all out of whack. Anyway, what fun it is being a perimenopausal woman…. 🙄

today, I am working. I have a new standing desk and pretty much I stand all day every day now, I barely even notice it. Walk doggo this morning. I really want to do some strength training and never manage to fit it in so I will endeavour to do that at my break today. Food will be a protein/fibre shake, a salad lunch, and I think another simply cook kit (this time beef stroganoff which I will serve with lots of green veggies 🥬 😋)

Goodness knows how the scales will look end of this week. I've not done any calorie counting but haven't gone mad. I have been pretty active though and I've been really pleased with my knees, did pilates Mon, massive swim Tue, walked 5 miles around a nature reserve Wed and rode my bike to/from walk, walked the dog this morning and cycled to the office. I'm so tired right now! I could seriously nap right now. Kids school is in end of term crazy, we've had sports day, non uniform, etc.

I also got a standing desk recently! They're good 👍🏻

Thank you all for the warm welcome!
My goal is to lose an average of 2-3kgs a month..... I weigh every day as if I stop I don't get back on and the weight creeps on! I'm not calorie counting because it makes me obsessive - I'm just trying to make healthier choices.
for me that looks like swerving the junk food (crisps, I'm looking at you!), not over eating (one portion is enough....) not snacking between meals, not eating to change my mood (the biggest sabotage!) and trying to drink enough to stay hydrated. I have a 1L bottle that I drink from - it has a straw.... who knew that I'd drink so much more through a straw!!!
So far this week I've managed all but the not snacking between meals - but I've managed to only have a handful of almonds and not the previous sabotage snack of .... a piece of toast with oodles of butter, snack pack of crisps, bit of chocolate, that morphs into picking at dinner while I'm prepping it...and leaves me feeling full before dinner is ready and then feeling ashamed of doing that and not wanting anyone to know so eating dinner anyway because otherwise my family would think it was odd I wasn't eating. Gosh, it's not a wonder I put on so much weight really!!!
Anyway. The good news is that I've lost over a kg of weight in the first few days and I realise it's probably water but it's still weight off and I feel much less sluggish and bloated. We have our summer works do tomorrow and I won't deprive myself but I will be mindful of how many snacks I need to eat!
@Spudulica17 hope you have had a better day, I can easily eat my way through all the snacks!!!

Very inspired by how well you’re all doing with the exercise and healthy eating! That’s a great way of looking at it @Healthstartshere and glad you found a way to keep on track while out for dinner

i managed to go ice skating for an hour on my lunch today, at home again so sadly also lots of white tiger bread, peanut butter and a few biscuits. Whoops. Relatively healthier home made chicken curry for dinner with boiled rice and veg. Darent go near the scales at the moment

@thenewaveragebear1983 so relatable, I feel like my mood is all over the place at the minute and sure it’s making me eat way more than I used to!

@Captainladder that’s amazing progress in just a few days, definitely take the win

@Monvelo that sounds a very long distance - feel like swimming is so good for mind and body.

Loving all the different exercises we’re doing, and things like a stand up desk can make a huge difference overall clearly. In the book Atomic Habits he talks about stacking habits, so whilst you wait for the kettle to boil do some worktop push ups, or drink water every time you do the washing up… sounds sensible and tiny-but-mighty changes are probably the best for long term.

Two hours of yoga today. Haven’t eaten much, salad at lunch a wagon wheel mid afternoon but I had another unexpectedly stressful day with family issues and couldn’t face my dinner. I did have a Greek yoghurt with chia seeds and pumpkin seeds for dinner rather than avoiding eating completely which I’ll take as a little win. (I’d been looking forward to my planned dinner all day but hey ho)

What amazes me about the standing up desk is how much more productive I am especially in the afternoons. I pretty much stand up all day now, it’s so much more comfortable. I must be feeling less tired because I’m not having cups of tea all afternoon like I previously would have.

earlier today I thinly sliced a banana and froze it, then after dinner for dessert I mixed 1tbsp creme fraiche with one tsp Nutella and had my frozen banana mixed in. It was like an ice cream but took ages to eat and much more filling than the equivalent calories of ice cream. I would recommend if you try this to weigh both Nutella and creme Fraich though as both are very calorific.

today I have eaten well, walked the dog, 1550 cals and 109g protein, 31g fibre. Plus several pints of water.

@thenewaveragebear1983 my mum used to freeze mango and banana and blend it once frozen - it ends up like a sorbet - amazing!!!

I froze grapes for the first time today, after reading about the frozen banana and mango. They’re thirst quenching and slow to eat. Baked carrot cake with the kids but only had a wee slice, then had some lovely whiting with potatoes and veg for dinner. Think I could do with something else but still feel quite stressed, maybe yoghurt again.

Hi everyone, the weekend at last. I’ve enjoyed reading all your updates but just haven’t been ‘on it’ properly to be posting any success I’m afraid , 😞.
Poisonwood I hope everything is ok with you? you’ve clearly had a stressful week ( from more than just keeping the kids entertained in the school holidays!).
I’m liking the tips for frozen treats, as I do love an ice cream. I actually love all the food everyone has mentioned- might be half the issue 😂
I’ve started my new job (was v quick as internal post). The job is going to be great but I have a problem trying to work the longer hours. I said I would struggle working FT when it came up at the interview (it wasn’t advertised as FT) and they talked me into it but it’s not fine so far. 4 X 9 hour days a week is going to be exhausting 😞. It’s squeezing out my lunch break and shortening meal prep time etc = unhealthy living.

I am getting back to counting calories from today, as I really need to lose a few pounds before the holiday. Life is just so busy at the moment to focus properly on it. Have a lovely weekend all.

@Healthstartshere I always think compressed hours sound like hell. You can't do it over 5 days? I'm part time 9-3 and already not looking forward to when I need to up my hours! It's a lot of time at a desk.

This week has been mad busy, school sports day, school fete, work, pilates, swimming, nature reserve walk, book club - I've done zero physio so that's my priority this next week or things will unravel.

I've maintained my weight this week which I'm pleased about. Although I'd like another 2lb off ideally, I would mainly just like to tone and strengthen and keep my back and knees working as they should!

The kids are at cub/scout camp this weekend and DH and I are decorating their bedrooms - takeaway is defo on the cards! Will have to make up for it in the week.

Condensed hours are great in theory but those 4 x 9hr days are mega. I do 68 hours over a 9 day fortnight and have alternate non working Mondays which is a good happy medium I think. We work from home as well, I would not be doing 9 hours then commuting either end as well.

i weighed this morning and have had another little half pound off. I did not drink last night despite dh getting me a bottle of wine (it annoyed me as it put temptation in my way, but I’m stubborn) and the scales rewarded me so I’m very pleased with that. I’m now 154.4 lbs, 11st and half a pound. Those 10’s are within my grasp!

@Healthstartshere thank you, yes, I can cope fine with general life stress (including cold, wet, miserable summer holidays 😂) but when things aren’t going well for one of my loved ones (multiple complex care needs) and I can’t fix it it does give me a lot of tension. The yoga helps a lot. Hope you acclimatise to the hours or can reach a happier compromise.

@Monvelo that sounds like it will be a well deserved takeaway!

Well done @thenewaveragebear1983 it won’t be long till the 10s!

I did the dreaded supermarket-with-children shop this morning then came straight home and made sweet potato and red pepper soup for lunch. Had it followed by leftover fish from last night/cottage cheese/salad and it was such a tasty, comforting but very healthy meal. I’ve got work this afternoon, coursework this evening and I’ll squeeze yoga in somewhere.

This weekend has been a Wipeout - 15hrs decorating, 3hrs driving, 1 Chinese and 1 McDonald's (which was horrible - made a bad choice!).

I've got empty cupboards. Big shop required tomorrow evening. Would welcome suggestions for simple healthy meals this week! Extra points if the kids will eat it!

@Monvelo we love this recipe https://www.noracooks.com/red-lentil-dahl/
kids included. It’s healthy, easy, comforting and adaptable. Other than that I swear by shoving salmon in one air fryer basket and sweet potatoes and carrots in the other lol.

Had porridge with raisins for breakfast, some Greek yoghurt tomatoes and chia seeds for lunch, then Dahl for dinner with a wholemeal roll. An hour of power yoga that was a definite major workout.

Hi everyone.

@Monvelocrikey things sound really full-on for you at the moment! I’m glad mine are a little older now 😂! Thanks all for suggestions re working hours everyone, @weareallalittlebitthesame too , the thing is I worked hard to get reduced to working 4 days a week! - and now need that day to keep on top of everything in the house, run errands and help my parents when needed. I will see how it goes. I’m sorry to read your family member is struggling @Poisonwood I hope this week brings improvement.

All is fine here. Just off to bed , later than intended for a Sunday! I had a yoga class earlier, housework and nap pm and made a dinner family seemed to enjoy. Ive resisted icecream and chocolate, but did succumb to wine with dinner. Will do better on all front this week coming! Have a good week all. Sorry if I’ve missed anything. I do love reading all the updates. Stay strong!

Morning 🌅 😊

I’m down 0.5lb this week, which is great considering I’m also still gaining muscle. I had a look at my year stats, and I was 29% fat in January and am 18% now. My water mass has also gone up 6% over this time which is brilliant as I still don’t feel I’m particularly good at this…it’s all fluids though so I may just be drinking more tea 😆.

Today we finally have okay weather, sunshine even if only 13C, so I’m making up a picnic and we’ll go for a walk on the shore. Have a good Monday everyone.

I’m down 2lbs today, I had actually dipped a little under 11st yesterday morning but back up half a pound this morning, making me 154.4lbs! So close to new numbers! That’s motivation for this week at least.

Congratulations @Poisonwood and @thenewaveragebear1983 yah, you got a loss! Keep at it to get your 10st.. bear!
Im afraid i didn’t weigh as I feel bloated and knew it would be demoralizing (not motivating).

Ive eaten soup & a roll for lunch and chicken stirfry & noodles with lots of veg, and a tangerine. Not so good was the chocolate biscuit I sneaked with my afternoon tea (only cheating myself I know!) I’m out and about really busy tomorrow so will do better.

How is everyone else doing? I’ve ordered a tonne of online bikinis. I hope they come soon as I have a feeling seeing them on will be the kick up the b I need to regain focus 😂!!

@Healthstartsherei tried on ALL my existing swimwear at the weekend and i now have a yes pile and a maybe pile. My personal preference is a high waisted bikini bottoms paired with a sports bra. we are going abroad for the first time in a decade this year so I am determined to feel better round the pool/beach.

i had a good day yesterday, nice food, 20k steps. Today is my office day which is always a long slow day. I will have my shake this morning, I’ve made a delicious sandwich with focaccia roll and goats cheese 😋, couple of pieces of fruit, then dinner will be beef stroganoff. I must ensure I drink enough water as often on a Tuesday I come home dehydrated and frazzled from the office.

That's very exciting @thenewaveragebear1983 to be going abroad! Would like to have an adventure next year, which is another reason I'm working on my physio this year so I'm not limping about after the fam.

I felt light this morning so stealthed onto the scales, and am light indeed! I've lost half a stone. The last time I was this light was 2022!

@thenewaveragebear1983 ooh that’ll be an adventure going abroad! I’ve not been for 25 years and sometimes think I should…I got a new passport last year so maybe you’ll help me pluck up courage lol.
@Monvelo that’s marvellous!! Well done 👏

@Poisonwoodwe’ve not been abroad for ten years, last time we planned to everything got cancelled for Covid and to be honest it put us off, this time I am so trying not to get too excited yet as I can’t bear that disappointment again.