Anyone else looking to get in better shape for the summer?

[Chocolatecoffeecup]

I'm in my 40s and have a big family wedding in July I'd like to get in better shape for. I'm trying to cut down on the sugary snacks and exercise more. Anyone else interested in a support and motivation thread.

I feel so misled! I thought milkshake too, maybe a bit thicker and oatier. I know when huel came out originally it was supposed to be just like a totally bland, meal drink, the idea being it’s just Human Fuel so you don’t have to think about food/choices. Dave Gorman does a stand up sketch about it on modern life is good ish. Clearly that sales strategy didn’t work out 🤣

i am enjoying Zoe plan, I reckon I have lost 2lbs as well since Monday, which yes is only water but it still weighs, and it’s a bit of a boost to my mood. Plus I think I’m actually having more calories. I’m eating a lot more veg and a bit more variety, although I haven’t shopped specially so everything was already in my cupboards. I did dip into my holiday Tesco order to add in some nuts and extra fruit and things though! I think I’m going to just muddle along while on holiday, get a feel for it, then start fully on it when I get home, I will then have about 10 weeks until my summer holiday so if I could lose 1lb a week from now til then, I will be at target.

@Chocolatecoffeecup i think you are at your most dehydrated first thing in the morning and you have also burned calories overnight sleep so weighing first thing is your lightest.

My scales are showing better news today a loss back to 9st 8.4lb. I had little sleep and DOMs so very pleased with that. Only 12.5k steps yesterday and a brief Leg day workout.

I have been thinking about trying to find something to make me what to exercise rather than seeing it as tickbox necessity. I don’t enjoy running enough to get the thrill of a race but I’m struggling a bit. I suggested hydrox to DH and he looked worried and no currently neither of us would manage it but we could train.

@CarelessWimper I do an outdoor PT led bootcamp/OPT class which I absolutely love. We work hard but it’s all mostly body weight /strength work, little bits of running. I don’t know if it achieves “results” in the way the gym does but at this time of year it’s just great to be out in the fresh air and I love it. It’s going to be hot on Friday so she’s doing a lovely sunset yoga session for us instead of a workout. Maybe something like that would work for you?

@Chocolatecoffeecup Yeah I know what you mean about dresses and big chests! I had to choose very carefully for the black tie event I went to recently. Took me quite a while to find a dress I liked. I find a lot of dresses show heaps of cleavage which is not normally what I want.

My last bra fitting was around early 2025 and I was 32GG so yeah we are similar! I can’t even imagine how big my bra size was in 2022 when I was a few stone heavier but I was definitely wearing bras that were too small in the cup for me! Wish I’d got professionally fitted earlier.

I do sometimes wonder if I’d look a lot slimmer with a smaller chest but I won’t complain - as long as my breasts are healthy it’s all good!

Lovely - enjoy eating out the next couple of nights 😄

I had a takeaway on Monday, and no regrets there as I’ve been on track the rest of the week. Got my Sainsbury’s arriving today with lots of lovely healthy stuff but also a pack of iced buns 😆

Yes we can do this 🙌🏾

re weight fluctuations I would advise everyone who weighs themselves regularly to take isolated readings with a pinch of salt and focus on the overall trend. I’ve also had the same with scale weight changing within a few hours too. Or weight going up after a day of very low calorie meals and going down after a day of high calorie /sugary foods. I assume it’s to do with things such as water retention and hormones.

I have been weighing myself every morning and they fluctuate daily but then I weigh in 3 times a week at the club I go to. My scales are about 4lb lighter than theirs. As long as it’s on a general downward trend I’m happy.

I am thinking of buying myself a decent pair of scales, mine are probably 20 years old and quite basic!

@thenewaveragebear1983 that sounds really good. I might see if there is anything close to home. I live in the sticks so I struggle to find exercise classes or a gym and I also need to do things outside of working hours. The majority of classes seem to be in the day time and not particularly challenging. I do like the idea of sunset yoga if it’s nice here on Friday but I will just take my iPad and mat outside with dog

I weigh daily and ponder but I don’t take it seriously. There are too many factors that can cause fluctuations. It won’t be a linear journey but I was surprised to have a drop when so many places ache. Normally I gain when I have lots of DOMs.

@ApricotRow I have mentioned before but I have the cheaper set of RENPHO scales and keep them in one place on the bathroom floor. Do not buy the Fitbit ones. They are overpriced and temperamental and don’t give as much data. I kind of wish we had the more expensive option but DH said they were a lot and moaned. I do take a lot of the readings as a general trend as I don’t believe they are really accurate on things like visceral fat but apparently the expensive option are 98% accurate to a dexa scan - although I haven’t looked into that.

@thenewaveragebear1983 I know I'm really disappointed! It was supposed to be a quick and sort of healthy solution for days I'm working non-stop. I may look at other options. Going to look at the Zoe app this evening!

@CarelessWimper Yes I always weigh first thing after going to the loo and don't even sip water until I've weighed! it also means I'm being consistent. I'm glad your weight is back where you want it. I really enjoy online classes like Les mills body combat and step workouts. I also enjoy walking. There's all sorts on YouTube to try if you're thinking home workouts. I like hiit as well.

@Theotterside Yes we probably would look slimmer with smaller breasts but you're right about health and I remind myself all the time that ultimately my weight is fine and as long as I'm healthy I should be grateful as people get bad news every day.

I think you're right about weighing regularly. How often to do you weigh? I've just moved to twice a week instead of once.

@ApricotRow I really recommended the renpho smart scales although I'm sure other brands are similar

I've been out on a school trip with my dc today so I've eaten snacks. A pain au choc and banana for breakfast, for lunch I had some eat real(?) humous crisps, a handful of cashews and a nature valley bar (my Ds had some of it) and water.

I'm making spaghetti bolognese for dinner.

@Chocolatecoffeecup I weigh myself most days that I’m at home! Sometimes I’ll go a few days without it but it’s almost daily. I do it just before I take my morning shower.

I know it is not recommended for those who have had issues with being overly restrictive or anorexia etc. but for me it works.

The benefit for me in weighing every day is I’m very unemotional about it. It doesn’t spoil or make my day- I don’t get upset or overly excited or surprised by changes.

I just let the app record the reading and place it in the overall graph charting my progress.

That makes sense @Theotterside I can see the benefit of weighing daily too

@CarelessWimper just on the off chance that you live near Worcester, redditch or wolves I will post this as that’s where my PT works, they do three parks between them. DM if it is of interest!

There’s also a national thing called Park Yoga where there are multiple locations where you can just rock up to guided yoga in parks for free

@thenewaveragebear1983 im too far north for Worcester and the park yoga but that would be good if it was near me.

@Chocolatecoffeecup i have a Les Mills subscription which I enjoy. I think I need something more competitive against others. I am definitely going to start the running again once the doms is gone. Park Run isnt competitive but it’s a start and maybe I can compete against DH.

Never heard of park yoga @thenewaveragebear1983 I don't love yoga but it's a nice idea. Park run is an amazing thing

I had a good day today, I went for a lovely hot run after work, took it slow and did 10k. Then went to Sainsbury’s and bought a couple of swimsuits for my holiday. I haven’t packed yet but it’s going to be warm and I am really excited to finish work tomorrow!

I’m loving the Zoe app, I have hit my target of 30 plants this week, today I felt a real spring in my step and had a clear head all day, and I’ve lost a couple of pounds. obviously holiday next week will derail me a bit but I’m going to keep up with my exercise, try to eat really well when I can, and enjoy a few wines and ice creams. Hopefully I will balance out with a couple of pounds gain overall

@thenewaveragebear1983 i hope your work day goes quickly and then you have an amazing holiday. The Zoe plan sounds good and healthy and makes sense.

I have STS on the scales and my leg doms is still here with a vengeance. No workout but I did do 13k steps. Hopefully my upper body is ok to do something today. Two new Vinted dresses arrived today and both were a bit big but will be ok.

I am so ready for the weekend it feels like such a long week

I am 7 stone 6.8 this morning. I was 7 stone 6 on Tuesday but 7 stone 7 last Friday so it is a loss from last Friday but not ideal! I suppose given I've eaten out and stuff I can't really complain.

I drank a lot of water last night. Not sure whether that helps or hinders the number so close to weighing.

I'm on my way into work for half a day. I'm going out to the pub tonight after work and it's been booked a while. Annoyingly they've now said they're only serving from the burger shack outside so it's mainly burgers, pizzas and loaded fries. I'm tempted to have some leftover bolognese (which I made last night) before I go instead which will probably be more healthy and save some money...

Did you mean to write 9 stone 6 and not 7 stone? 😄 @Chocolatecoffeecup

@Chocolatecoffeecup if you managed to go from 9 stone something to 7 something in this thread I will buy whatever magic beans you are selling 😂

I really need to sleep better, I have been awake since 4 🤦‍♀️

Thankfully it’s now the start of a 3 day weekend! I should have done a workout yesterday but did lots of work instead. I did manage to get 11.5k steps but I need to make time for more workouts.

I think I had a big woosh on the scales as I hit my original target weight of 9st 7lb this morning which was unexpected but my leg doms is better and I am not so bloated. I am a tad in shock and I re weighed myself a couple of times. I’m sure it will go up again but to see it on the scales for the first time was a nice surprise.

Another Vinted dress arrived and it’s the first above the knee one and it’s mustard (I normally hide in darker colours). I tried it on and it fits but it made me realise that the cellulite on my legs looks a lot worse now I have lost weight. I have started reading up on what I should be looking into but I don’t know if anything home made or cheap works and anything professional sounds expensive and painful. My legs just don’t look particularly great, even the calves are wobbly 😢

@CarelessWimperwell done for hitting target! That’s my target weight too but I’m still a stone away.

i also had a dreadful nights sleep, it was too hot for me and I couldn’t sleep then dh started snoring which made it even harder to sleep

looking forward to the 3 day weekend. Off to a bbq later but am going to try and have a really good three days.

😂😂😂

I am not down 2 stone in 3 days ladies. Sorry!!Yes 9 stone 6.8 yesterday but 9 stone 6 on Tuesday. Still down from last week.

I went out last night and I actually ate some of the leftover Chinese before I left and then I had one small slice of pizza there and one drink (that I nursed for 2 hours 😂) so I don't feel like I overdid it too much. The takeaway isn't great but there was hardly anything there and it felt good not to waste it.

I did about 14K steps yesterday

@CarelessWimper well done on losing more weight! Is that still your target or are you saying you've changed it? Sorry if you've said. I can't keep track!

Dry body brushing or some sort of massage is supposed to be good for cellulite but not sure whether it actually works! I expect it's not v noticeable to anyone else. I think we are our own worst critics.

@ApricotRow Enjoy the bbq!

I have a day at home planned today so should get our shopping and make sure we eat well.

@Chocolatecoffeecup shame it was a typo and not a scientific breakthrough.
Still congratulations on your loss. I looked at the dry brushing at it doesn’t look pleasant but worth a try.

Thank you @ApricotRow and @Chocolatecoffeecup I am happy I finally got there, my app did a quick congrats before asking if I wanted to set a new target.
I have set it to 9st for now, but I think it will depend on how much muscle I build.

This time next week I’m off on the family holiday. I’m half packed and tried on so many things. We need to book something just for us so I have reason to keep going. Although we are doing a family thing in the UK with an inside pool in the autumn so I would like to be more toned before them with less wobbles

I managed 19.5k steps yesterday and an arms and core workout. I had another loss on the scales and am at 9st 6.6lb today. I will ease up after the holiday. I just haven’t been seen in my swimwear by people I know, about apart from DH since school swimming and it’s terrifying me. I even looked at lasering my cellulite but I can’t find anywhere that would fit me yesterday and I’m working next week. This from the woman who doesn’t have make up 🤦‍♀️ I meant to buy some but forgot.

@CarelessWimper Thanks!

I feel similar as I'm a similar weight and my goal is 9 stone but I actually think I might not need to lose that much especially if building muscle as you say. I got down to 9 stone 2 last year which I think was largely due to a stressful job but I almost feel like I look the same as I did then as I've managed to work on my ab separation since then.

Your cellulite might not be as noticeable as you think. As a quick fix you can get moisturisers with caffeine and things in them which might help you feel more confident? A moisturiser generally will just make your skin look better.

I don't know what you mean about forgetting to buy make up. Can you still get something before you go on holiday?

I love the jones road miracle balms at the moment.

I’m 65.15 KG today and it’s day one of my period.

I don’t usually weigh myself when I’m on, but decided to today more out of curiosity to see any fluctuations that will occur over the next week.

I’m thinking my true weight is really closer to 64kg because period weight/bloating. But I’ll see at the end of the week!

I started this month just above 65kg so I’d be happy if I am in fact 64kg now.

@Chocolatecoffeecup I panic bought some Elf makeup on Amazon last night. Hopefully it will be ok 😂 no foundation though as how do you colour match accurately online?

@Theotterside sounds like there will be a loss. Bloating and hormones seem really unfair.

I had a gain this morning to 9st 7.6lb. I’m not surprised as I ate loads yesterday. We have been doing some work in the garden including digging up huge rocks and moving the rocks so Im shattered. Everyone else locally is going to events we DIY. We did 6am dog walks for the heat so I’m shattered and everything aches. I am counting Sunday and today as functional strength workouts and I think I have worked pretty hard. I’m also so jealous of how strong DH is. It isn’t fair.