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.

@Newbie2808welcome! Sorry to hear about your health issues. It sounds like you have done brilliantly so far. I was reading something a few weeks ago that said the best mindset if you have a bad day food wise is to think that’s ok, but make sure you reset the next day and don’t let yourself spiral back into a well I’ve broken it so I’ll eat what I want now.

For me the end goal is to be happy with what I see in a photo. We have a few weddings and a big party to go to this year and I want to be happier when I look through the photos that undoubtedly get posted on Facebook and not try and hide from any cameras like I currently do. I know that probably sounds really vain.

It is so difficult to basically relearn your own way of thinking! I’m sure everything will be okay in the end but trying to stop spiralling is taking all my energy at the moment so the thought of meal planning is just so difficult but I know it is a vicious circle in that if I don’t meal plan I feel rubbish because I amnt getting what I need but because I amnt getting what I need I amnt focused.

Just need to get a few good days behind me then I will be back on track!

Thank you that is actually so helpful I am gonna screenshot that for low moments. I need to remember one bad moment is not the end of the world

@Newbie2808 i am sorry to hear about your health problems. Rather than aiming for the bikini, maybe use that as a motivation to be as physically fit to fight whatever it is or prepare yourself for surgery? Loosing weight may or may not directly help with that but eating well and exercise (if possible) and looking at things like guided meditation or yoga and sleep, should help.

DH had cancer and that was how we dealt with it. One blip is definitely not the end of things but anything positive you can do will be a small step in the right direction. I know how hard it can be resisting temptation but maybe find an alternative if you can to grabbing a food treat. I know that’s easy to say as often food is a quick and cheap pick me up.

Thank you all so much for the support, I am usually the strong one in real life so nobody really to turn to for a kick up the bum/hand hold so thank you for putting everything into perspective

Morning all

@WeMeetInFairIthilien hope the 10k went well yesterday - awesome stuff!

@Newbie2808 sorry to hear about your health scare and I completely agree with @CarelessWimper I would make my focus on getting your body fit, healthy and strong to help with any health problems/treatments that may be incoming rather than worry about a bikini so much. I tend to focus on small steps and then reward myself in a non food related way etc... For example there's a summer dress I've got my eye on that I will buy when I get to a number with a 9 at the start of it. Good luck with it all and stay strong.

@ApricotRow that is great advice. I had a bad day yesterday but am not going to let it derail me, I'm straight back on it today.

The less said about yesterday the better in terms of food but I did a 30 minute upper body workout and two dog walks again so exercise wise all was good. I have DOMS in my upper body today which strangely I find comforting as it shows I am starting to tone up which was equally as much of a goal as losing weight.

I'm taking Apricot's advice and getting straight back on the horse today. The routine of work should keep me in check with food hopefully. The scales have been kind with a STS so it could have been worse.

Have good days all.

Morning,

@bigdecisionstomake I quite enjoy having DOMs too. It sounds like you are starting the week with a great attitude which is hard for a Monday morning.

Im so glad to be home. It’s great seeing people but I have a king size bed at home with a mattress that is just right for me. My in laws have a double and I don’t particularly like their mattress.

I sadly had a gain this morning to 9st 10.2lb but wasn’t over calories but dinner was salty. I also managed a leg day workout when we got back and 12k steps but considering we were driving for about 5 hours I think that’s really good. It was nice coming home to some new Vinted treats and I have decided to declutter my wardrobe and get rid of anything that is too big or tatty. I did the first draw last night from the spare room and didn’t keep anything. There was a pair of work trousers that were ridiculously big on me but will be great to go to charity. I don’t want to do what I normally do and keep the biggest items for just in case. It kind of has a mind set of when I fail.

@Newbie2808in terms of staying focused on the goal someone said to me to ask chat gpt to be your health collaborator. Tell it your current stats and what your goal is. I tried it and then I check in each day, reporting my food and steps and exercise. On days where I am off track it gives me info for the next day to get back on track. I ask it for food lists (eg. Give me a list of foods high in soluble fibre but that will not spike my glucose), I use it to help meal plan. I use it for workout variation (give me a 40 min upper body routine (having previously told it the weight and reps I am using)). It can be like having a PT, nutritionist and someone who pats you on the back and keeps motivating you, even if things go a bit off track at times (like it did for me yesterday!).

Morning everyone!

DH and I had a night out without the DC for the first time in about 6 months so that was nice and I was not on plan but I kind of let myself relax a bit at the weekend anyway. We had Thai food for dinner then ice cream and shared a bag of malteasers during the show. I did do over 18,700 steps though. DH and I had a big argument at the end of the night so I feel a bit strange today.

I've had my morning berocca and collagen. Side note - really see a difference in my skin. It looks brighter, smoother, plumper (unless I'm imagining it!)

Today I'm working from home so I will probably have my usual eggs for breakfast / brunch but I'm going out for a meal tonight. It's Italian and been in the diary for months. I do plan to try to get a workout in today too maybe at lunchtime, although I'm wondering whether to do it now...

@bigdecisionstomake @CarelessWimper I didn't know what DOMS was until I think @thenewaveragebear1983 mentioned it on this thread and googled but I tend to enjoy it too as I feel like I've don't something.

Have a good day everyone

@Chocolatecoffeecup i hope everything is ok with DH now. I keep meaning to try collagen. I hope you got your workout in.

The scales were kind this morning and I’m back in the 9s again. 9st 9.6lb so good news to offset the freezing cold and very windy dog walk this morning. I managed 13.5k steps yesterday and a back and shoulder strength session. My sleep is still poor so I really need to work on that. DH is away tonight so will try and squeeze in sometime for yoga or meditation and keep the tv off.

Duplicate post sorry x

Morning All

@CarelessWimper Well done! It's so nice when the scales are kind to you!

I ate out last night. I had a pizza and ate about 3/4 of it as that's all I could manage and I also had a cocktail but I didn't have dessert even though most of the group did so that's got to count for something! 😆

I did fit in my workout yesterday and did around 15K steps but I think the workouts are what get my steps up plus I'm doing this challenge with friends so I'm being competitive!

Today might be challenging, food wise, as I am teaching from 9-3:30 with two 15 minute breaks so I need to get something for lunch in that time somehow and not snack. My Huel shakes are supposed to arrive today and I had hoped to try one although some advice has been to try them at home / near a toilet 😬

Ooh, good luck with the shakes @Chocolatecoffeecup
I teach too, so know the mad rush to grab something to eat.

The Great Bristol Run went well, did 10k in 2 hour 2 mins, which, whilst not a PB, is my best 10k road run. It was sooo cold!

Had a slow 6k run today, and will weigh in tomorrow. Trying to up my protein, but as a vege, so that is a little more challenging. Not a huge fan of meat replacements, so widening my choices of pulses.

Leek, potato and white bean soup for dinner.

1 hour and 2 mins! Not 2 hours...

Thanks @WeMeetInFairIthilien

They just arrived and I'm trying to decide which one to take to work tomorrow. I'm thinking of the low cal one as I ate out for two evenings and I'm having pizza for lunch (I could have a salad!) but I kind of want to try the original one as a baseline...

Well done on your run! I'd be really pleased with that time. I'm doing a 10k in June and I don't think I'll do it as fast as that.

Well done @WeMeetInFairIthilien, great time

I’m having an ok week, I’ve stuck to my calories (actually under by 200) both yesterday and today. I am feeling quite tired, we had quite a heavy weekend, but I went out for a run after the office and it was really nice, it was a slow plod but I really needed it.

Well done everyone! Seems like we are all chugging along nicely towards our goals.

I have lost 1 stone now! Started at about 147.5lbs, now 133.5! (5ft1). My BMI is now in the healthy range.

I took some progress photos and compared them to my starting photos and jeez…. Avery single pound seems to have come straight off of my back! (And boobs) Honestly my upper back/torso has completely transformed (no more rolls!) but the rest of me is definitely a bit smaller but smaller in proportion so no where near as noticeable.

I am fiercely debating booking a weekend trip to Gibraltar in June (never been) to stay on that super yacht hotel and climb the rock. Hoping a little trip just before summer is in full swing might keep me motivated with the weight loss. Motivation seems a bit harder to come by atm.

Any one else scrambling to find another source of motivation?

Also I did my 10k run in just a smidge under an hour! Which is bang on what I was hoping and aiming for.

@WeMeetInFairIthilien thats a great time on your 10km run, congratulations! If you shop at Tesco they do a big bag of frozen edamame beans (if you haven’t seen that already) I love using chia seeds and peanut butter powder to add to overnight oats and I do use protein powder and Huel as well as the usual things including meat replacements and tempeh and tofu. I am vegan so I do understand how hard it can be to sort out protein.

@Chocolatecoffeecup you sound like a social butterfly at the moment which although fun must be challenging. Well done on getting the exercise in. I hope you like the Huel, if you do Holland & Barrett it’s buy one get one half price on selected crates. I got two lot and had free delivery as well as their points. Everyone seems to be running which is amazing!

@Fidgetbottom congratulations on your loss! That’s amazing and a holiday to Gibraltar sounds like a great idea. I find being able to buy more fashionable and less frumpy clothes motivating but holidays are the big source of motivation. However we might have a family member with some form dementia (awaiting tests) and weight in middle age can be a risk factor so I think I over look the more serious reasons for a oooooo look I can fit in a size 10 pretty top.

I managed 11.7k steps yesterday and no workout as I was a bit sore, which is a lazy excuse. I really need to be prioritising sleep again but DH phoned worried about family stuff till 10 which is very late for me.

However despite my laziness I did have a surprise drop on the scales to 9st 8.4lb which means I’m 1.4lb off my target for the last decade or more accurately forever. I know it’s not the right weight for me at 5ft 3. I’m still carrying too much fat but I’m going to take the pressure off a bit after the holiday as I’m aware I still haven’t gotten my appetite back properly so am probably eating too little so after that I’m going to go on MFP and set a target and eat well.

I also really want to continue to build muscle and get fitter. I think the weight loss has made a difference to my back pain that came from a car crash 25 years ago that medical attention never resolved. So hopefully that will continue to improve with loosing a bit more and gaining muscle to support it.

Morning all

A bit of a hectic one yesterday so didn't find time to post but did have a good day food wise and after a couple of days STS the scales have dropped to 10st 4.3lb this morning.

I'm not working out today as DP has an early hospital appointment we're about to leave for and I have DOMS pretty much everywhere now so a rest day is needed. Glad I'm not the only one that feels rewarded by having DOMS. I will get at least one dog walk in though.

I think I've also hit that lovely stage just over a week in when I'm not ravenously hungry all the time anymore. I am hungry in the hour or so before I'm due a meal but just ordinarily so...I guess that's the sugar overload leaving my system.

@CarelessWimper Awesome progress being almost at target, you should rightly be really proud of yourself and you will feel amazing on holiday.

@Fidgetbottom a stone lost is amazing progress, huge congratulations and brilliant that you can actually see the difference physically. I tend to use holidays as motivation personally but as I get older I am more and more conscious of my health and fitness and trying to make sure when I finally get to retirement I am fit and healthy enough to enjoy it.

@Chocolatecoffeecup interested to know how you get on with the Huel as a newbie to it.

Have good days all.

Good morning all!
It's lovely to hear all your news.
Thanks for the tip of edamame beans, I'll have a look out for them.

84.5 kg this morning, so 1 kg off in a week. That's about what I was aiming for, so pleased with that.

Off to weights class later, then might try to pop swimming.

Have a good day all.

Hello! Yes, I’m 30 and I’ve been a bit of a blob the past two years. I’ve just done a 5k this morning before 8am, I’m climbing one of the Yorkshire peaks next Sunday. The motivation for me is having a really big (but realistic) goal. I walk everywhere anyway but doing a BIG walk and climbing a huge hill is my goal if I complete it I’ll do the other two. i have not lost any weight in 2 months of not drinking, calorie deficit and weight training; but I look loads better already. Staying consistent is key, and any movement is good movement. ☺️

Well done on the weight loss and run time @Fidgetbottom!

I'm ok for notification but think I'll struggle if I still haven't lost anything when I weigh myself this Friday however I have eaten out a couple of times this week.

@CarelessWimper Haha I am not a social butterfly but I am meeting a friend for lunch at pizza express today. I might have one of those low calorie pizzas which basically have a hole cut in the middle? Which flavour Huel do you have and which type? Today I tried the banana one of the original type and I do t like the taste! I might prefer others. It's not horrible but I had to make myself drink half the bottle @bigdecisionstomake I'll try other flavours I have and see if they're any better!

Well done on your weight loss! I feel like I'm adapting too in the sense I don't feel like I need to snack as much or if I do have something sweet I can have a small amount and leave it.

@WeMeetInFairIthilien Well done to you too

Have a good day all

@Chocolatecoffeecup I don’t like banana but DH does. I like the chocolate and vanilla ones. The Pizza Express salads aren’t too bad if you want to be virtuous but when I go I decide exactly I want to eat and drink before I go or start getting hungry.

@bigdecisionstomake I am proud but frustrated at myself for thinking it would be enough. If I was taller it would be great. I just need to be stretched out a bit. I hope everything goes ok for your DHs appointment.

@WeMeetInFairIthilien 1kg in a week is fantastic congratulations!

@clearlyy I hope your hike goes well. I would love to try doing the three peaks and that is such a great motivation.

After I got back from the dog walk, I thought about how my clothes are getting baggier and then thought about my swimwear. I tried all of my costumes and bikinis on and unless I want to start flashing people, I need some new ones 😂

@CarelessWimper I've got the vanilla and chocolate to try it the original and a vanilla and chocolate protein one plus a banana diet one but they're so big I could only drink half of one today.

I had an American hot pizza as the leggera ones with the hole in the middle weren't available in the American hot.

So today I've had half a Huel drink for breakfast, a pizza and Diet Coke for lunch, some mango after lunch, two dark chocolate M&S discs, a sausage, some homemade chips and peas for dinner and two spoons of the banoffee Ben & Jerry's I've still got going in the fridge!

I also have a Berocca every morning with my collagen powder mixed in.

Morning,

@Chocolatecoffeecup I have tried any of the diet/ light ones yet. DH wanted to try them so we have some in the order the black chocolate ones are much richer and more chocolatey than the normal chocolate ones.

I had a Huel for brunch and a then some vegan chicken strips with lots of veggies, sweet potatoes and soya beans for dinner followed by strawberries.

I did 17k steps and a brief leg day.

I had a small loss of 0.2lb which I was surprised with as I’m expecting a bounce up for a bit soon.

My coats are all big and tatty so I ordered a new one off Vinted and it arrived yesterday and fitted nicely and you can even see that I have a waist unlike my last ones. I’m trying to workout if I should test the waters and order a play suit. I have spent years as scruffy and frumpy so it’s a big leap for me. I want to be a bit more fun and I hope being in more fun clothing will help with that and my confidence but I’m 45 so don’t know how to dress in much other than jeans or work wear