Would any other slow losers like a half a pound a week solidarity thread?

[thenewaveragebear1983]

I am such a sloooooooow loser and peri menopause has pretty much killed it off. If I am left to my own devices I naturally eat exactly my maintenance calories, and to undercut by 500 a day feels like such a hardship. I exercise regularly, get my steps, cook from scratch and it’s not enough any more.

please don’t suggest weight loss meds. I’m not eligible and I couldn’t afford them anyway.

my strategy is 1500 cals a day, good quality food with as little UPF and sugar as possible, increase veg intake, get an extra walk in after dinner, and reduce my alcohol intake. It’s all very simple stuff really. A half pound a week will add up to 21lbs by the time I go on holiday next summer 👙

anyone else feel the same?

@thenewaveragebear1983 oh no! Mine was a bit of a struggle too, but I know I have to keep going regularly or it feels awful every time. I’m not a natural!

@NahThen the podcast is called Ruth Mac fit. I guess the thinking is that your high weight can be influenced by so many factors that are nothing to do with body fat, whereas your low weight is more likely to be true (except if you’re severely dehydrated or you’ve had norovirus!)

i stepped on the scales today, the urge was too high but actually I was surprised to see I have lost 3.5lbs since 1st October! Woohoo. Genuinely I was delighted with that. I feel like I don’t want to wreck it now by going overboard tomorrow so I will try to rein in my wine intake. I am going to properly hide the scales now though as I did really want to not weigh and clearly I have no willpower!

@Swearwolf I used to be a much fitter runner, but the endless miles of cardio was really starting to affect me, ironically I feel like it was causing my weight gain through exhaustion and just eating back way more calories than I could burn. I wanted to increase my strength training but I always prioritised running and didn’t want to have achy legs etc. I’ve now started prioritising my strength training, and walking and if I still feel like running then just doing a nice slow one and not worrying about the time or pace. It’s much nicer and it’s definitely helping me keep to my calories

Thanks @NahThen , did get a nap but the door bell woke me with a start. DH is late back from clearing MIL house and DS has decided to tuck me in on the sofa which I'm not complaining about.

Dinner was derailed..... Knew DH would be late so plan was fluid but there was a pizza van at school pickup as the disco is tonight so DS and I got pizza

Hey ho

@thenewaveragebear1983 that's a fantastic loss, well done!

Well done everyone plodding on.

Yesterday I weighed and was half a pound down. So total loss since end of July is 6.5 lbs.

Bloody hell that's slow 🐌 😳

But my waist is a good inch smaller, arm and back muscles definitely more defined and quads are stronger for sure.

It's hard not to consider the scales as the only important thing though.

I have decided to change my goal weight - my original goal feels too far away and might be unsustainable.

So good news, 'only' 2kg until I get to my goal! 😂

Interestingly, I usually exercise in the morning but last week I didn't exercise as much and if I did, it was much later in the day - I noticed a significant difference in my appetite and naturally ate between 1100-1300 on those days, rather than my usual 1500 and still being hungry.

I love exercise but maybe need to be mindful of how much & when.

Well, sleep/ RHR etc are back to more normal. Noting that for next time I 'consider' drinking a lot. NOT WORTH IT.

DS has picked chilli for tonight, which will be packed with hidden veg and I'll keep cheese/ soured cream/ nacho chip helpings small

I need to get a 5k test done on rowing machine today so most other eating will be timed around that. Haven't stepped on scales as I don't think the salt in last night's pizza would have been very helpful.

I’m two days in to a horrendous period, feel terrible, and I’m really trying to keep sort of on track. I did eat more yesterday though, and I had two gins in the evening (after a tough Pilates class mind). I’m planning a very short run this morning with a friend and not intending to sit around eating all day! I also don’t intend to weigh myself as I’m super bloated and know I won’t feel good.

Hope everyone else has a good weekend lined up. I’m finding the hardest thing to stop is the habit of a little treat because we made it to Friday!

We've made a fairly last minute decision to all go over to DH family. He needed to go anyway for one thing in late MIL house but I don't want him driving the 3 hour round trip in the horrendous weather again. So we'll see BIL and nephews and DH grandma (she's 96 next mo!) and take her out for lunch.
More than a bit glad I didn't enter the rowing event rest of the club had today given the weather and the fact the club trailer has decided that moving isn't something it wants to do so everyone has had to scratch

Absolutely smashed the 5k yesterday but not sure any training will fit in today in the end. Tomorrow is coaching and then trying to clear pennywort at the club, which is a workout on itself. And keep on keeping on trying to not snack

I drank waaaaay too much last night and feel delicate today. It was a great night but it was very lavish and a free bar so it was a very boozy do. Today is pretty much a write off as I keep saying i really should get up and do something but then I don’t.

Good morning, happy Sunday! I feel much better today after a very lazy day yesterday and a reasonable sleep, although since changing my HRT method I get night sweats again and I woke up clammy and soaking wet.

back on track today, I am not going to weigh myself to ‘see the damage’ I am just going to get back on the plan. Walk the dog, dc football, and a workout today. I am going to fast til lunch as I do find that helps even though I love breakfast and I miss it! But I have some smoked salmon and lots of eggs so will have a nice cooked breakfast/ brunch. Then a roast chicken tonight and I will do lots of veg as it really helps me if I have them prepped on the fridge for the week.

I have a good run of time now with no plans, my DD’s birthday at the end of the month but we are going to a spa, and a friends housewarming party but I have already said I won’t drink. So really I could now have a good solid few weeks with my head in the game.

Happy Sunday! Glad you're feeling better today, bear.

Well I'm amazed to have dropped another half pound; that makes it, finally, a full half-a-stone!

It's strange how September saw very little change. I'm very chuffed to have continued sticking with it, simple calorie counting, (thus keeping my portions in check) and getting 110g+ protein is doing the trick afterall.

Exercise has been good this week, a couple of jogs, weights and some cycling; will aim for a slow 6k jog this morning, then walk the dog & spend the rest of the day reading! Bliss!

Might make a big roast - it worked out quite low calorie last week, air fryer cooked chicken with heaps of cabbage, carrots, green beans, broccoli, swede, some sweet potato roasties (no oil) and gravy.

@TakeTheDog I am also finding the protein helping massively. It was a challenge at first to get consistently over 100g but I am finding by structuring my day around it i am actually getting it much more easily. I take a collagen supplement which is 10g which usually bumps me up into the 110’s.

not weighing is also really helping. Usually after a big night I’d have punished myself by weighing whereas I just feel so much better today and it won’t change the outcome overall.

I’m the opposite, I’m finding weighing every day helpful at the moment because if I get a high point I can see that it’s only temporary. I’m quite happy today as my weight has stayed the same for three days after I got quite a low weight, so that wasn’t a fluctuation. That’s officially 1.2kg since the middle of September - not loads, but if I can keep going at that pace I can do another 2.5kg by Christmas party season and be well under that 10 stone mark (which I’m currently just dipping under, but this is the point I usually relax and ruin it all!)

I know I don’t do well restricting too much, I always fall off the wagon. What’s working for me at this slow pace is consistent exercise, smaller portions and less alcohol and snacks. I’ve been for a run this morning, I did Pilates on Friday and plan to do at least five exercise sessions over the next week. Exercising always helps keep my appetite reasonable too. Food-wise, I’m doing a proper roast today, but I’ll do plain broccoli instead of cheesy and I’ll keep my portion small.

Hope you're fully recovered now @thenewaveragebear1983 how did it go with your outfit?
Congrats on your half stone @TakeTheDog sounds like you're smashing it.
Good to see the consistent low @Swearwolf I know just what you mean about relaxing at a certain point...
True to form, I saw 10st7lb and immediately fell off the wagon this weekend 🤣 I have done my best to track everything as best I could- I've come in just over maintenance Friday & yesterday. Not sure how today will pan out yet but at least there's no booze 🙈
I have managed some exercise but my water intake has been woeful. Back on it tomorrow!

@NahThen it went well thank you, my £3 vinted dress did me proud.

i felt much better today and I’ve been very productive, went for slow run in the sunshine, prepped some meals and cooked a nice roast. Annoyingly I have cut both of my hands in isolated and completely ridiculous incidents leaving me unable to grip my weights properly so I have not done a workout today.

my week is all planned, just booked my classes and planned my menu. My strategy is to continue my time restriction eating and wait til 12 to eat each day, and also to include my protein snack at 2.30 every day. I also need to try to drink more water this week as I’m not good at this.

if anyone likes audiobooks try looking up everything they told you about perimenopause is wrong, by ailsa hitchens on Spotify (it’s free on premium) - I have been enjoying this on my dog walks and it has lots of really good tips and enough science but not too much.

That's great, love vinted! I'm trying to hold off buying anything new until I've shifted a bit of weight but I do have a few saved searches 🤭 you sound really organised and motivated for this week!

Today has been back on track but I've bounced up the scales a bit. Hoping by weigh in on Thursday it'll have come back off, weekend food was pretty salty and I drank wine so to be expected.

I had a couple of flavoured ryvita with cottage cheese on for my snack today and it felt quite filling considering how low cal it was. Hope everyone else is doing well?

I had a good day today, my food was excellent and I’m ending the day about 200 calories under and 100g protein, and I’m genuine hungry. I had done blueberries in my tracker and I took them off because I wasn’t hungry! It’s strange, I feel very calm around food at the moment, and I find that I have a bit more brain space because I’m not constantly thinking about it/ what I have eaten etc

i am also definitely due on except I don’t have any bloating or pmt/ insatiable cravings for sugar. That’s Also incredibly unusual for me! I couldn’t make the gym tonight so I went and used my home gym, I did Caroline Girvan (an arms session) then practiced my plank (I’m up to 40 seconds now which is not impressive but I am terrible at them, previously I would manage about 10!), then I had a bit of energy left so I did some deadlifts and RDL’s.

tomorrow it’s my office day, and it’s our office social so there is hot chocolate and marshmallows and lots of cakes and treats. I am going to try hard to resist and not eat the rubbish!

*genuinely NOT hungry 🤣

Can I join? I started trying to lose weight on 21st August and am down almost 8lb so far. This is the longest I think I've stuck to a plan as previously I've been seduced by the promise of quick results, then become disheartened when it slows down or is just not sustainable. So I'm now I'm thinking slow progress is still progress and consistency is key.

I'm using ChatGPT as a buddy, I weigh in daily and has been really useful for me as I struggle to visualise how much I've lost of what that looks like so we've set up an wildlife safari - I've lost a squirrel in weight and am close to getting to a cat loss weight. Ultimate goal is a labrador.

I’ve really really lost my mojo today! I’ve had a few nights of bad sleep and all I want to do is sit around eating and not go for the small run I’d planned at school drop off. Argh! Maybe I should tell myself if I get out and I end up walking instead of running, I’ve still got out and got some fresh air and moved a bit.

@67eleven hi, welcome. My mindset has definitely changed recently and instead of getting annoyed that I can’t lose 3lbs in a week anymore, I trying to focus on the tiny little losses all adding up. To be honest that’s why I’ve not been weighing myself either because a fluctuating scale can swallow weeks of effort! Hang in there you are doing brilliantly. For reference, my small lab is 25kg so if you could lose her weight that would be an incredible accomplishment.

@Swearwolfsorry you had a rubbish night, it really affects me too now I am getting older. I definitely think a run/walk would help and will make you feel better. Take the pressure off.

i actually slept well but fell asleep in my big hoodie with wet hair so i woke up clammy and both hot and cold. Office today which is always my rest day as I don’t even walk the dog. Food is planned except lunch I will need to get a sandwich or salad bowl at work (we have an amazing cafe) as we don’t have anything suitable to transport. Dh and kids are going to watch Everton under 21s tonight, so I have a night to myself, how marvellous. I’m already planning to just go to bed early!

My weight has pinged back up which is probably understandable but also demoralising.
Exercise is still going well, I know that's not the issue here.

Sorry to hear that @Harrysmummy246, it’s probably just a fluctuation and will go back down. Maybe try to ignore it and carry on and see where you are next week?

yep- redouble at least being conscious of what I'm eating again