DIET FAILED AGAIN - it’s thread 8 (the one where we all lose weight) - all welcome

[thenewaveragebear1983]

New thread for the new year 2026! Everyone welcome to join us for motivation and encouragement, without judgement.

Wow! Well done, I knew you would do it, yayyy! Clever girl! Whoop whoop! So happy for you. X

Thanks @poorpaws, I am so chuffed! And very surprised. Onto new and exciting things after a difficult few months. busy Day today, I have a few meetings and now I obviously have to get a lot of things finished at work before I leave (hopefully 4 weeks tomorrow?).

My food is all prepped for today, I made soup yesterday and a moussaka and will have that with lots of veg. I’ve managed a couple of good days this week, and a couple where I have gone off track. I am enjoying the recent brighter slightly warmer weather, and really want a run today.

Having a couple of goals/dates in mind will hopefully motivate me, we have a fancy do on 21st March, a few days away at Easter, and a few other things on.

@thenewaveragebear1983 I’m so chuffed for you but unlike you I’m not at all surprised, I just knew you’d get it. How exciting.

my week so far has been ok. Because the weather is a little better we’ve managed to do longer walks and my food hasn’t been too bad and I’ve not broken my no sugar rules. Tbh I’m not craving chocolate at all now which is somewhat of a miracle considering what I used to eat.

i need to sort out my evening meal as it’s far too high in calories but I really enjoy it and don’t want to cut much of it down. I’m completely off my lunch time soup which is a shame as it’s filling and low calories. Atm I’m just having fruit for lunch until I can find something I really enjoy, maybe eggs.

i’ve got to pick up some tablets in town today so it will be quite a long walk for the dogs and I’ll get a few more steps in. All in all I think it’s going quite well considering I’m two months in, and I’ve only stayed the same once and never gained. If DP insists on our café today, I’ll probably have to go there.

Friday again. We drank wine last night, I think the last few weeks is really catching up on me, we were tired and frazzled and I think dh more than me wanted to just relax so….. I don’t think my food was dreadful yesterday though. And now less likely to drink this weekend as I feel crap this morning

the promise of a bit of sunshine has evaporated as I woke up to grey, wet drizzle again. 😢 Busy day ahead for me, and it’s my 3 day weekend so I will be able to get some jobs done and get out for a run if I can (as long as my current pain, this time my ankle/shin, is better)

my moussaka last night was really tasty but the aubergine was as tough as I remember, it’s like old boots isn’t it? I don’t know why I bothered

SW 76 kg 11 st 6
CW 69 kg 10st 9
Gw 62 kg 10 st 2

Am pleased lost half a stone since November. BMI was 26 overweight now 24. Normal Doesn’t show though but scales are down so I’ll take that.

Another miserable, cold, wet day in paradise. I hope DP doesn’t mention going to our cafe as it’s too wet and muddy on the road to it (and I could do without the extra calories),

@thenewaveragebear1983 it’s years since I had moussaka, my ex-sil used to make it. I have had a ready meal one which was nice but I haven’t made one for many years, so long that I can’t remember if it was good or not. I wonder if a different recipe would help.

yesterday went ok. We walked into town as planned and I completely forgot to look for magnesium. I knew there was something I needed and I kept asking DP but it wasn’t until we got home that I remembered. 🤦🏼‍♀️

im still trying to sort out my evening meal, it needs reducing. My lunches are still just fruit as I’m now completely off my usual soup and I’m also still having the evening crisp/mini cheddars which are too much of a habit. I just swap one addiction for another, I’m always addicted to something.

i don’t know what today will bring as it’s too wet to do much and I’m already overtired through lack of sleep. Watching February slowly disappear is at least one saving grace and I’m so looking forward to summer.

February came back with a vengeance today, it’s so grey and miserable here.

the moussaka was ok except for the aubergine, maybe I should have done some pre-prep or peeled it? I suppose you could use courgette instead which might be a bit softer. I feel like I’m always addicted to something too poorpaws, I always need something. Today after work I made a plate of crudités and houmous which was a good idea for me as it has taken the edge off my appetite. I think tonight we will have biryani, I do have a spice kit but the rest is from scratch.

This weekend I am planning to blitz the housework and do a few big jobs, 3 weeks ago we got a new washing machine and I had to reorganise the utility and since then the freezer has been standing in the middle of the room - so clean the utility is the first job!

@poorpawsi get my magnesium from nutrition geeks online, you can get them through amazon, or they have their own site.

@TheaBrandt1well done, what have you been doing to achieve your weight loss?

Today has been ok. The weather was poor but we still went to the cafe and I did damage limitation as well as I could. Actually it was nice to sit and relax and there were a couple of people I knew in there so we stayed longer than planned.

tonight I had an M&S cod ready meal which I bought at the end of December and want out of the freezer to make a bit of space. It was quite nice and I cooked a lot of veg to go with it. I think I’ll have had fewer calories than normal but it’s still early on in the evening so anything can happen.

@thenewaveragebear1983 thank you, I’ll check online.

It’s a much nicer day today and the sun is out. Tomorrows forecast is torrential rain all day so we’ll do a longer walk today and probably skip tomorrows walk.

ive taken some ready made mash from the freezer for this evening (another item from my M&S haul in December). It’s quite a large pack so I’ve halved it. I’ve got a huge chicken breast which I cooked in lemon and rosemary and a lot of carrots and broccoli for this evenings meal. Lunch will probably be an apple and an orange.

last day of February and I’m like a giddy schoolgirl excited for spring. I’ve been counting the days to March for ages and although the weather won’t be good on the first day, I know the nicer days are coming soon. By July I want at least another half stone off (or to be in the 10 st range) and then most of my clothes should fit I hope.

Hi. What happened when you tried slimming world, weight watchers exactly?
I've recently been reading about callory counting and have been put off by reports stating they are against it due to people's levels of activity differing each day, which makes sense.

What’s worked for me (51)

cardio usually turbo bike for 40 mins most days also some weights
First meal of day mushroom omelette around 11am
a snack late afternoon sourdough toast or ryvita or roasted veg or soup or Greek yoghurt
normal dinner but reduce carbs
one max two chocolates then stop

wine weekends only. Stopped having biscuits in the house I just eat them all. Stopped evening snacking granola cereal. Down half a stone but took 4 months. If I keep going ideally want to lose another half a stone. Actually shocking how little I need to eat

I was a brilliant weight 2021-23 bmi 22 and felt great but peri menopause hit me hard in 2024 and I put on 1.5 stone - back on it now to lose that. I don’t have little kids to look after though so it’s easier for me.

@TalkToTheHand123 I have never done weight watchers but I have done slimming world various times over the years. I actually quite like it - it’s based around eating as much as you want of healthy, lean protein and veg and fruit, rice, pasta etc. you measure your cheese, bread/cereal, and now healthy fat (eg avocado or olive oil) and then have around 200-300 calories of ‘treats’ a day which you count. In principle it is good. However- those free foods still have calories and they add up, so I have always found that unless I very strictly ration my portions and bulk out my meals with loads of veg, I don’t lose weight on it very effectively. And as I am getting older, I need fewer calories so that 300 of treats becomes a significant percentage of my overall calories (eg 20%) whereas a tall man with a lot of weight to loose could find it’s only 10% of theirs 🤷‍♀️ it’s very effective I think for people who are starting dieting for the first time (not so effective if you’re already calorie counting etc as the initial weight loss in the first few weeks is what carries a lot of people through I think) and also for people with maybe more to lose, and people who can effectively manage their portions. It’s also hard when you go out because you will eat a weeks worth of syns/swipes as they are now, in one meal.

when I went last I lost half a pound a week and it was depressing listening to people who did no exercise and ate big mountains of pasta and huge portions be losing 7lbs in a week which took me three months. And I think the consultants sometimes are dreadful and don’t actually know about nutrition at all.

@TalkToTheHand123 it’s only my opinion but I don’t like slimming world at all. I have tried it three times over a long period of time and never found it worked for me. The last time I went I gained 3 lbs and left. Again it’s only my opinion and might work for someone else but I do much better with calorie counting everything I eat.

I did do very well on WW and lost 2 sts in about six months but that was many years ago, possibly 12 years I think.

I think if you did sw yo help you plan what to eat and use their recipes etc but calorie counted everything to make sure you were actually in a deficit that would be a good compromise. And it is motivating to get weighed ‘publicly’ so for a lot of people it’s worth the £6 a week for that I guess. But if you are already calorie counting and managing it seems a bit unnecessary. My mum does sw and has for years but I keep telling her she needs more fat in her diet, she is so dry all over, hands and feet etc.

I’ve lost 2.25 lbs this week so that is 1 st .25 lbs lost this year. I am surprised and delighted because I gave myself three months to lose a stone and I’ve done it in two. What a great surprise on 1st March.

my plan now is to relax a little. I’m not going to go mad but I think I’ve been really strict for two months so I’m going to ease the calories just a bit.

im going out for Sunday lunch today so I’m making that my quiet celebration. It’s the place that does amazing sticky toffee pudding and custard (large portions) but I can’t have a dessert as I have one more month to go on my no sugar plan. I’ve done 59 days no sugar today and only 31 days left, not that I’m counting of course 😂

anyway I’m a very happy bunny this morning, it’s all going well and even better than I’d hoped for.

have a great Sunday on 1 March. I’m so so happy to see February gone for another year and I hope you are all doing well.

Well done @poorpaws, what a brilliant start to the year and you should be very proud of yourself. I started the day well, took Maggie out for a really nice walk in some local meadows. I really want to go for a run but I have an ankle pain which is starting to bother me a bit. I’m going to make a coffee and decide whether to risk it.

@thenewaveragebear1983 whatever you decide do be extra careful, you’ll be starting your new job soon and you don’t want to be in pain made worse by a run and you certainly won’t want to start on sick leave 😱

@poorpawswise advice 🙏 it’s not too painful but I think I will leave it just another day or two rather than aggravate it again.

dh cooked a lovely roast but I dread to think of the calories, proper pork with roasties and veg. 😋
I’ve been reading a book about food behaviour and I am going to try the diet plan in there for a week, mostly because I just feel like i need a set of strict rules to stick to, no excuses. Too much dithering around. I started march on 11st 4.3/4 pounds, which means pretty much another maintain and while that’s much better than a gain, it does feel like a total waste of my time. If I was feeling healthy and happy like this I’d be cool as clearly I can maintain, but I don’t- I want to get on with it now and start feeling slimmer before summer!

I’ve had a day in two parts. I had a lovely roast beef dinner out with the family. I passed on the giant Yorkshire pudding, didn’t have many roast potatoes, no wine and no dessert so I thought that was a definite win.

tonight I’ve been so hungry and I’ve been eating far too much and I’m still hungry. I guess eating at 12 doesn’t suit me and I’m used to a fairly light lunch because from 5 pm onwards all I’ve thought about has been food.

i know I said I was going to ease off the strict calorie counting but this has been ridiculous so I’ll have to see what tomorrow brings by way of hunger and willpower.

we’re food shopping tomorrow morning and I’m planning buying more fruit. Later a dog walk and then I’m not sure. If the weather is ok DP will be in the garden and I can get on with some jobs but if it rains he’ll be under my feet.

i hope everyone had a good weekend.

It’s been so lovely here today, spring sunshine, fresh breeze. It took every ounce of my self control to not go out for a run because my leg is still hurting and instead I went outside in the garden. I gave a love/hate relationship with our garden, it is big and neglected and feels insurmountable however I know that the only way to get on top of it is to do one little job at a time. Today I stripped all the ivy that was entwining a tree and filled up the brown bin.

my food has been good today. I determined to get back on track, and my way of doing this is to start having a few good habits adding in rather than try to do everything at once. My meals are good so I am trying to build on that. Today I had porridge with grated apple, a flat white, some leftover pork and veg with extra salad and a spoon of hummus. I had 2 small pears. Dinner will be baked potato with tuna and mayo and salad. I have drunk loads of water today as well.

tomorrow I am out for an away day and no idea what lunch will be, probably sandwiches. I will make sure I eat my breakfast before work and take some fruit with me.

Hi everyone

the sun came out for a short visit this afternoon but it was a cold walk this morning.

i ate too much yesterday, not really bad food but too much of it. Today I’m trying to eat a little less but I am fearing my first gain this year on Sunday if I don’t concentrate on my portion size.

we had to go out for bark chippings this afternoon.. DP is back in garden mode and he wants to mulch every border. He cut the grass (we only have a tiny lawn) whilst I did a bit of tidying and vacuuming. A very uneventful day really.

im just going to start dinner and then I plan a quiet evening, hopefully without too much snacking, as I said very uneventful.

i hope you all had a good day.

I had a great day yesterday. Today? Absolutely awful. Started well, then had lunch on my away day, it was really nice if a little high cal. Then I won a box of chocolates and I just ate the entire box 🙄 they weren’t even nice. I haven’t had any dinner but it won’t compensate for the massive amount of chocolate

so annoyed with myself! I don’t know why I do this! I’m stressed and overthinking as my work are being dicks about the exit and my redundancy, and I just want answers and closure now. I can’t blame the chocolate on this though, I didn’t find this out until much later 🤣

Hopefully tomorrow will be a better day again.

menu plan-
porridge and fruit
chicken thigh and roasted veg and salad
dinner will be some sort of meat and veg combo