⭐️LOSE IT!⭐️Optimistic October & 12 Week Countdown to Christmas⭐️

[TheRealHousewife]

Following on from ⭐️LOSE IT!⭐️ Slimmimg September 2025⭐️

⭐️OPEN TO ALL⭐️

Where did September go? There is a definite chill in the air some mornings now 🥶 I always feel when October is here it’s the start of the 12 week countdown to Christmas!

It’s never too late to make a change, to make a difference and feel confident in your body. To reach optimum health and vitality we need to focus not only on our food intake; but movement, mental health and sleep quality too!

Who doesn’t want to feel good and energetic as well looking great! Get on board to reset & refresh and become a healthier version of yourself.

These threads are for those who’d like to lose weight and those who wish to maintain whilst eating a healthy varied diet.

As no one size fits all, members need to follow their own way of eating. This thread aims to offer guidance, support and a bit of hand holding.

We generally have WOW (weigh on Wednesday) day each week. However post and share your progress as often or as little as you prefer. Do what works for you.

The important thing is not to think of it as a diet (based on deprivation and unsustainable) but more a way of life (sustainable & enjoyable).

I calorie count based on a lower carb Mediterranean diet. I intermittent fast and generally eat twice a day. Im a long time healthy eater and overall I’ve lost around 45lbs.

I’m mainly maintaining but I would like to get back into the 8’s 🤞(I briefly dipped into the 8’s last month but the scale showing 9st 1lb this morning)

Are you in😊 What food plan will you be following? What do you want to change and why?

New members … Give it a go; it’s never too late! You'll be pleased you did 😊

SW 13 7
CW 13 3.75

A quarter of a pound loss this week. It just feels so slow but à loss is a loss. Need to be more precise tracking I think. Hope I can keep the lunch time walks up now it is October. Pilates class tonight.

Still aiming to be under 13stone for when I start new job at beginning of November

Period started but no change so that’s good!

I started September and finished on the same weight (75.5kg), with a dip for most of the month to 75.2kg. Didn't quite get to my goal weight for the month of under 75kg and have just got back from 5 days in the UK staying in a hotel/conference which meant awful crappy convenience food so this morning have put on 1.3kg!

Going to give my body a few days to reset before I weigh again for an October starting point.

My body is craving water, vegetables, good carbs. My hair and skin are dry for travel and air conditioning so booked a hair cut (not for another 10 days!) and going to reboot my skincare.

Thank you @TheRealHousewife

I hope so too. I can't shift this sadness 🥲 I've never felt this way before. Idk what it is.

I hope you're doing okay?!

@Marshmellowbunny I’m sorry to hear that. Have you had your bloods done recently? When I became anaemic I found my mood lowered considerably and GP said that’s very common.

Back to the gym this morning for my first session after 2 weeks holidays. Good to be back, took it gently for the first session!
Just had a lovely bowl of porridge with apple and pecans so ready to get back into work now for the rest of the day!
@marshmellowbunny Hope you feel better soon. Getting outside usually helps me but I see you've already been out running!
Thanks for the welcome @TheRealHousewife I love the Optimistic October calendar!

I was around 1/2lb down this morning from yesterday, which cheered me. I know it’s water retention or whatever, but it was good to see on the scales!

Thank you for this thread op. I would like to lose a little weight before Christmas if I can, but really going to use these coming months to gently reduce sugar and carbs, add in a few healthy substitutes, drink more water, try and eat 15 more helpings of veg a week, try out some healthy meal planning and batch cooking and start walking daily!

Having a decluttering purge of my house at same time! Just feel the need to down-size on both fronts 😀 so appreciate the encouragement on here!

Good luck to everyone with their every day choices!

Checking in all 😊💜 I have felt real cravings this week for carbs, I’m pleased that despite having crumpets and a big serving of mash the other day I’m still just about on track with my calorie count! My main problem is when I stop tracking, I need to keep tracking even if I know I’m eating foods that tend to make me bloated or think I’m eating over my count - and I’ve done that so I’m happy enough even though I doubt I’ve lost anything this week after my big weekend out last weekend! I’m not going to look at the scales until next Wednesday and just keep going. I really want to aim for a lb off a week until Christmas - if I can do that then I should get to my GW 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻

@Poisonwood thank you. I may actually have to go and get bloods done. Idk how much of the old thread you managed to see and I don't want to seem like I'm harping on about it but I had major surgery at the start of the year and lost a lot of blood...so I maybe need them checking to see what's going on. I literally can't stop crying 😭

@cinnamonsweet73 yeah I've been trying to run as much as possible (apart from last week when I was away) but maybe I need to do more walking. Especially since it's October! I need to get out and see all of the pretty colours. Thank you for the reminder 🧡

Good Morning All

Welcome to the new thread @orangetree81 @Poisonwood 👍

@Fellsbells Your menu sounds delicious! ’Winter’ food is so comforting and enticing 😋

@jecstar You are so right … a loss is a loss. Keep going 🙂 👍.

@PatienceOfEngels I’m sure you did the best you could. Eating away from home takes away the healthy choices you’d otherwise have/make. It must get frustrating for you x

@Marshmellowbunny Baby steps. Try to do something each day that you really enjoy be it gardening, cooking, reading or even LEGO/jigsaw ❤️

@CinnamonSweet73 It’s from the Action for Happiness website. I usually share their calendar each month.

Meal 1 - Home made tomato, red pepper and carrot soup. Seeded crackers. Yoghurt with chia seeds.
Meal 2 - Spaghetti bolognaise with apple & walnut side salad.
Drinks - Tea, black coffee, water 💧!

Thank you @TheRealHousewife I might actually have to get a jigsaw on the go!

I started rereading The Pumpkin Spice Cafe this morning and drank a hot chocolate with hazelnut and praline (if anyone is looking for anything sweet and guilt free, the Barista Virtually Zero syrups from b&m are delightful) I'm just trying to fully embrace Autumn and hopefully that will help! 🙈😂

Sorry to hear you’ve been feeling down @Marshmellowbunny - especially with your surgery it definitely sounds like seeing the doctor would be a good idea 💜

I’ve discovered an amazing snack in case anyone fancies trying - dates, with a little bit of butter (really nice butter ideally!) and dark chocolate on top - for me about 3 dates per square of Lindt 90%. Sounds like nothing but it was utterly heavenly, I’ve been thinking about it all day.

My menu today is:

B - Greek yoghurt with strawberries and honey
L - maybe Itsu dumplings with noodles and salad
D - out with friends - I’ve pre-looked at the menu and am planning on the steak as I love it and can have it within my calories so a double win!

@WhatWouldTheDoctorDo Every bit counts 👍

@Teeteringpiles555 Welcome to the new thread. I love a declutter, so cathartic! Only thing is I’m up against it as my other half hates relinquishing anything 😬

@HappyLittleTreeFriend Good luck, I’ve everything crossed you meet your GW! 🤞

@Marshmellowbunny Ravenwood do great jigsaws! I’ve a Christmas scene one I haven’t done yet so I might join you 🙂

@biscuitcat We are definitely foodie twins in regards to dates! A couple of days ago I stuffed a date with a small amount of blue cheese, utterly heavenly. I’ve made the date & peanut butter covered in melted dark chocolate but ended up with chocolate everywhere. 😅. I agree they are delicious and very moorish!

Loving the sound of some of these foods. We’re currently eating our way through our freezer, so meals are fine, but a bit same-y and not really what I want half the time!
However, I weighed again this morning and there was still a 13 on the scale, so I didn’t dream it. Whoop whoop.

@Marshmellowbunny definitely get them to check folate, B12 and ferritin as well as thyroid and Vit D. It may be any or a combination of them.

@biscuitcat yeah, I think I'll probably try and go. You used to only be able to get an appointment if you rang at 8 and then the odds were very low but they've now added a new online form thing that you fill in and they call you if they think they need to see you/when they have an appointment...so I might fill that in and get the ball rolling.

@TheRealHousewifeoo thanks. I'll have a look at them. I have a birthday coming up and no doubt people will be after getting me something so I'll see if there's one 👍🏻 in the meantime, I do have cat one that I got for Xmas one year. Lots and lots of cats all in one picture. I will start that this evening. 🥰

@FridayNighFeelingI've noted those in my notes to get them to check 🥰

Good, all of those can lead to fatigue, feeling anxious/depressed/not yourself

@TheRealHousewife I searched for Ravenwood but it just asked me if I meant Ravenburger. Is it this one I searched for Ravenwood but it just asked me if I meant Ravenburger. Is it this one Ravenburger or am I doing something wrong? 😂🙈 Ravenburger or am I doing something wrong? 😂🙈

Hmm something weird happened with my link there. It was just a link to the Ravenburger website that came up.

Gosh I've posted a lot, I'm going to stop now. Hope you're all having a good day!

New to the group here. I'm on a bit of a plateau and need a push to get me to goal.

My October goal is to get into a healthy bmi bracket, which is just 7lbs away but seems to want to just stay out of reach.

SW 16st 10lbs
CW 11st 6.5lbs
ITW 11st (24.9bmi)
TW 9st 7lbs

I'm doing a bit of a 5:2 using VLC shakes during the week and eating healthy with my family at the weekends.

You’re absolutely right @Marshmellowbunny it is Ravensburger! Sorry!

Ravensburger Jigsaw

Welcome to the thread @Shego 👍 Congratulations you’ve done fantastically well so far! 👏

@Marshmellowbunny You post as often as you like x

Thank you @TheRealHousewife 🥰

& They do have some good jigsaws. I might get this one (the link button doesn't seem to work for me. Or just says an unexpected error has occurred) 😅www.ravensburger.co.uk/en-GB/products/jigsaw-puzzles/adult-puzzles/furry-friends-500pc-12001705