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.

How are you @thenewaveragebear1983 and @CarelessWimper?

@Chocolatecoffeecup I’m still chipping away. I don’t seem to be able to get any deficit really, I try but I don’t ever consistently get there. I suppose realistically I’m just not trying hard enough, but it’s a tricky time of year, it’s incredibly hot, and every weekend feels like a party or end of season football event, or World Cup, and it’s my birthday next week etc etc etc. maybe maintain is all I can aim for right now?

however, I am looking in good shape. I have an absolutely cracking suntan, and my legs look very toned and I have definite definition on my arms and legs now. Now I have sorted out my wardrobe I think I am looking more put together as well.

hope you’re all doing well and at least able to enjoy some parts of the day. My current favourite moments are my 6am runs of dog walks, or my morning coffee sat on the patio in my pjs before it gets too hot 🥵

@thenewaveragebear1983 It sounds like you're doing well. I'd be happy with that. If you can see a difference in how you look that says a lot and I'd be surprised if you haven't lost far and gained muscle if the overall number is STS

Enjoy your birthday next week! That's a very good excuse to relax a little.

I'm expecting to be up from last week but I'm ok with going down overall and also focussing on how I feel in clothes and how I look. I plan to do some arms and abs later but it is warm so don't think I'll do much!

My night out was good thanks. Not feeling as hungry in this heat which is good. Snacking on dates, apple, celery and cucumber batons. With no dips!

@Chocolatecoffeecup I’m doing Herbalife. But I have been looking at others as it’s quite pricey. I’ve tried huel but wasn’t keen on taste. I keep getting adverts for the protein dot com ones who look like they have lots of nice flavours. Just need to sit down and compare all price/nutrients at some point.

I'm up for 9 stone 3.8 this morning!

I was 9 stone 1.8 last Friday but that weight did seem to be an outlier as I was 9 stone 2.4 most of the week

I don't feel like I've gained though so trying not to focus on the scales
...

Family wedding is 2 weeks tomorrow so I would like to lose those 2 lb in that time!

@Chocolatecoffeecupi have a wedding tomorrow too. Am not quite down to the weight I wanted to be yet but a big improvement from the beginning of the year. I am not running away from mirrors at this point. I am hopeful that I may actually like some photos, I am wearing a dress that I’ve not been able to fit into for a couple of years which is always a good feeling.

That sounds positive @ApricotRow It's not all about the number on ten scale as it doesn't tell the full story but you have lost weight. I feel the same. I'm quite happy with my progress and where I'm at now even if I'm not quite at target

I I hope you enjoy the wedding!

I'm up 2 lb since Wednesday. I'm hoping it's water retention as my fat isn't up on the app and I had homemade chicken chow mein yesterday with lots of soy sauce. I've been eating pick n mix this week. I'm going to continue as I am this weekend and then get back on it more strictly on Monday.

I'm working from home most of next week so it should be easier for me to eat well 🤞🏼

Did everyone have a good weekend? Wedding was good and I felt great in my dress. Have not yet stepped back on scales as I rather enjoyed myself at the weekend!

Hi everyone

@ApricotRow im glad you felt great in your dress! The weight loss makes such a difference to confidence.

still not exercising apart from my steps which is terrible! I have to go to a work event in a month so need to really focus. I have been sticking to two meals a day and watching what I have been eating 99% of the time. But I know I need to exercise in particular my weights.

@Chocolatecoffeecup fingers crossed that you get to target for the wedding.

That's great @ApricotRow

@CarelessWimper Thanks! My weight came back down after the other day so think it was due to the sodium in the homemade chow mein. I'd be happy to STS or maybe lose a lb for the wedding but happy where I'm at which is nice 🤞🏼

Trying to focus on the abs and arms exercises so I look somewhat toned in my wedding outfits!

Got back on the scales and I have stayed the same but I have been so good sun-today following Saturdays excess!

I’m down 1.5lbs since 8/07, which I’m actually quite pleased with as I haven’t been 100% on plan and I think the heat adds about half a stone of bloat! I can’t even get my rings on!

Well done @thenewaveragebear1983

Hi All happy Friday! This thread has gone a bit quiet. I hope that's because most of you feel happy with where you're at but taking a break for the summer is also okay by me! I'm at 9 stone 1.6 this morning. I started my proper weight loss effort at the start of April and was 9 stone 8 then so I've lost 6.4 lbs since then which I'm happy with as I've cut down on some of the crap and eaten more salad and healthy foods but I've also had a bit of everything. It's my family wedding next weekend and next week will be a busy week with a few things going on and eating out so I'm not sure whether the weight loss will continue next week. At this point I'm happy to STS and focus on toning my arms and abs so I look my best.

Well done everyone

I did my official Monday weigh in today because it’s my birthday on Sunday and I’m down another pound, so that’s 2.5lbs in just over a week. This is excellent for me, I tend to measure my weight loss in grams not pounds as it’s so slow! Annoyingly I will definitely regain that this weekend, plus I have a rotten summer cold and I don’t think I’ll be doing the long run I promised myself on Sunday morning 😢
I had my HRT prescription changed this week, finally. I am now on a continuous regime rather than cyclical, which although in the short term I think I might see a bit of hormone upheaval, I am hoping after a few weeks it will finally settle me down and I don’t have this constant cycle of pmt, ovulation and periods (currently getting 17 day cycles) which will then mean my iron levels will stabilise and hopefully I will sleep better. And maybe break out of this and actually lose some weight finally, because I won’t be utterly exhausted and At the mercy of my hormones all the time. 🤞

my getting in shape goals have had a massive boost this week as our garden pod gym is very nearly finished. This weekend we will be able to start kitting it all out, move all the weights and equipment down there and then I can really focus on some proper strength training and yoga. Cannot wait!

@thenewaveragebear1983 well done on the loss and happy birthday for tomorrow! I hope you have a lovely weekend.

How’s everyone doing? As ever my weight slowly drips off, edging nearer another pound.

Although my periods seem to have finally stopped I do suddenly still get sugar/carb cravings sometimes like I would when I was due on which don’t help. My day to day sugar craving is so much better it’s just weird. I was desperate for a dominos pizza yesterday but made do with a bag of crisps.

@ApricotRow It sounds like you're doing well. Slow and steady is the way to go.

Sorry I've been quiet. I had my brother's wedding at the weekend, which is what I was working towards. I was boys with relatives and had a weekend celebrating and eating out. Yesterday I was 2-3 lb up from last week but miraculously today my weight was back down again.

I also got Invisalign yesterday. Im supposed to have it on for 22 hours a day and take it out to eat so it's really cutting down my snacking. I can't just pick something up and snack or even drink other than water as I have to take out my aligners to eat / drink, wait a bit then brush my teeth and put them back in. It will probably cut down my snacks quite a bit!

I'm keen to keep the weight off and continue with the abs and weights workouts even though the wedding's over as I do feel better overall.

How is everyone else doing?

Slipped off the thread a bit, I ended up being really unwell over my birthday weekend with a grotty cold, and to be honest it knocked me a bit. Felt much better towards the end of the week. Did a long run on Saturday but it was too hot and at 20km I called dh to come and rescue me! My first ever DNF but I couldn’t have run the remaining 5 to get home. I have lost another pound, taking my total to 4 off this month which is very good for me. I have just done my first proper workout in my new home gym, illness and heat and priority other things meant I’d not really got in there. I have found a simple workout plan and I am going to do 6-8 weeks increasing my weights up gradually until I find my baseline, then work on improving. So all in all pretty good.

I go on holiday in less than 2 weeks, I cannot wait, we have changed our booking as we were very close to the fires so have a different booking now, but the new ones have a gym, and more fitness activities available which is great for when I’m away.

@thenewaveragebear1983 sorry to hear you were so unwell and about the race but
its best to listen to your body especially in extreme temperatures. I hope you have an amazing holiday! Congratulations on the home gym

@Chocolatecoffeecup i hope you had an amazing time at the wedding and felt amazing. I guess it’s a good thing in a way not being able to snack.

I also went past my target with the family holiday we had at the start of June but I have lost half a stone since then. I’m bouncing around the late 8stones which is amazing but trying to maintain is hard. Any weight I loose comes straight off my boobs and I am down two cup sizes so that isn’t great. I want to loose more from my legs and tummy but I am going to need a boob job if I do that. It’s first world problems I guess. I went shopping and was ok in 8s but it’s probably easier to do that at 5ft 3. The weight loss has also made my varicose veins look worse

@ApricotRow cravings are the worst especially sugar

Thanks @CarelessWimper, I am feeling much much better now.

i go on holiday in one week! Any efforts now are damage limitation rather than “get in shape for summer” . Hasn’t it been a funny old month, July? Not a drop of rain really here, we have eaten a drunk and socialised and I feel actually physically and mentally exhausted. Plus being in a new job, I literally do not want to speak to anyone, my social battery is flat.

this week, I am going to really try to give myself one last push in the weight loss journey. I know it’s too late really, but I am going to keep on some semblance of a plan or I’ll Gain before I’ve even left home! I fully anticipate to gain on holiday. I always take my running kit and both parcs have gym facilities so i will be active while we’re there, but I also like to eat!

so my plan this week is, as usual, stick to calories. I’m going to up my protein and try to drop the carbs, lots of water, a few early nights. All very basic diet 101. Gym class x 2, use my home gym and go for a couple of runs.

@thenewaveragebear1983 Sorry you were unwell for your birthday but it sounds like you're doing well with you health and fitness. You'll probably feel better if you have been on top of food the week before you go away.

@CarelessWimper It's a shame we can't choose where to lose the weight from! Yes in a way it's good I can't snack and may stop some bad habits but it's also a bit impractical. It's the first week though so I'm fine a way and hopefully won't have it very long. I'm 9 stone 0.8 lb today which is partly down to the Invisalign and eating less and I also have had an upset stomach for two days. I feel like I'll be in the 8 stone somethings soon but I wonder if that will be too much...