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?

Well today has derailed itself. Biscuits happened. Then unplanned wine at the rowing club AGM after I was made a life member. DH is currently in the bad books for telling club chairman lots of facts about my rowing history and keeping it a secret, whilst pointedly getting back from his mum's in time for me to go to said AGM etc

I'm surprising myself with my willpower this week - super stressed with stuff but not going for the comfort gin & tonic, as I know that's always followed by junk food snacking.

Keeping protein 100g+ every day and not going above 1500kcal.

I could really due with cutting to 1300-1400 but I start to really struggle.

Weighed myself y'day and I was 1.2lb up which is bullshit designed to torture me. Have not put fat on, impossible. Water/salt maybe.

Hoping for better news on the scale tomorrow. I'd be over the moon with losing half a pound.

Exercise has been a slog today, I've managed 16k steps but not the 20km cycle I had planned.

Tomorrow I'll try a 3km jog, weight workout and the 20km I didn't do today.

While also fitting in work, volunteering, general life... !!

Don't pile on the stuff you didn't fit, just make sure you're back on track tomorrow

@TakeTheDogi also aim for 1500 but like you i think I’d see much better results at 12-1300, but it’s just too low for me. Sometimes I think I could do one or two weeks super strict but it feels a bit crash diet like and I just know I will crash.

I had a really good day yesterday. I’ve restarted my iron tabs and the difference they make is noticeable. I just didn’t feel so washed out and exhausted. I did weights, 2 walks, and a nice deload session at bootcamp. Food was ok, dh cooked dinner so it wasn’t what I would necessarily have chosen but I was within my calories and got over 100g protein.

today- Greek yogurt, damson compote and chia, lunch will be tomato soup with grated cheese, and dinner will be this hotpot thing I saw that had crushed new potatoes with cheesey topping 😋
I’m going to try to get out for a run at lunchtime, I’ve not been all week (but I am deliberately trying to chose strength over running atm)

the resistance training definitely helps as we get older. I am a distance runner and 3 years ago would think nothing of popping out for a half marathon on a Sunday morning just for fun. Then perimenopause hit and it’s just become so draining on my body. I have also consistently gained weight, I just cannot get the balance right between endurance cardio/ strength and fuel. The bootcamp classes I do are tough and I love them but they are cardio not weights really (lots of burpees and mostly body weight strength exercises) so this year we got the gym and I decided I am going to focus on three proper sessions a week. I find it hard to motivate myself to do it though, but I know I need to. Hence taking a break from endurance running and just doing a nice 5-10km couple of times a week. Plus I do walk 3-4 miles almost every day with the dog.

Oh and @TakeTheDog I re read and sorry about your little gain, how annoying. I almost don’t want to weigh these days because regardless what I do it’s creeping up almost every month. I’ve been on antibiotics this week and I think I’ve gained a few pounds from that. Bloody slow losers 🤣

and one other thing! So excited my local park where I walk my dog is installing a trim trail, those metal exercise equipment all around the park! I am excited about that, and already planning how I’ll fit them into my morning walk.

@thenewaveragebear1983 exactly that, going lower than 1500 just feels like I really am starving myself, although it does then shift the weight, it comes at huge cost.

Similarly to you, running seems to take on my body now I'm older.

My running mileage a few years ago would easily be 40km a week and I was regularly doing half marathons but now it takes more than it used to.

I have had surgery 5 months ago but even before I noticed a difference. Cycling feels much better.

Well my weight did drop back down, so after a week I'm exactly where I was - no loss at all for this past week's efforts!

I've definitely burned 1900-2000kcal so hoping the fat loss is hiding under a bit of muscle gain - I have upped my weights so telling myself it's that, even though I know it's actually pretty hard to gain muscle and lose fat at the same time!

I have a meal out tomorrow, it'll be the first time I have deviated from home cooked/calorie controlled food in 8 weeks. It's a semi posh buffet, if such a thing exisits, so planning on sticking to protein with meats and whatever veg there is, staying far away from carbs and the pudding section!

I am 1/2 a pound down this week, that makes 2.5 since 1st September so that’s actually quite promising.

I have started on a Friday after weigh in, exporting my nutracheck diary as an email and getting copilot to analyse my food. It’s weird, it feels a bit like a weekly check in with a nutritionist 🤣 well this week I asked it how many units of alcohol over the week, how many calories from junk food average, how many “incidences” of junk food and oh wow, it was quite the opening. Basically I eat at least a whole days worth of food just as ‘nibbles’ and that’s a light estimate. I then asked for 3 things to do this week, and the answer was track everything properly, eat a protein snack at 2/3pm, and to take proper breaks during the day where I step outside rather than to the fridge. Interesting…..🧐

so the weekend. Annoyed that I drank too much wine last night, didn’t sleep well and feel groggy. I’m going to pour the rest away and not drink tonight. I have a few jobs to do, kids football, ds and I are going to see an animal show at our local theatre, and I also want to run (hopefully 8km) and do at least 1 workout. I also like to do my meal preparation for the week and bits like that.

today I’m having Greek yoghurt, chia and stewed fruit
lunch will be leftovers from the other night
my copilot approved protein snack will be tomato soup with 30g cheese
dinner will be…. Well I got some sausages out but I don’t really fancy them. I also have loads of veg so I might make a big cauliflower/broccoli cheese..🧀

I’ve had a pretty decent week - not perfect but better, and the scale seems to be going down gradually. Tonight I’m going out for tapas, though, and I’m a bit worried I might overdo it. I’m going to push for plenty of vegetarian dishes and be really good at sharing!!

Live the idea of co pilot analyzing food! Not sure I’m brave enough for the honesty that would require.

sounds like there’s been a few good weeks around.

im out for fish and chips tonight but its the first takeaway we’ve had in ages and ages so not going to worry about it too much.

still feeling good and energized on this Zoe thing

Still hovering around the weight I started the week which is encouraging despite the unplanned wine. Training has been a bit meh this week but it's a race day tomorrow and that's the priority right now. So no wine tonight, big bowl of porridge for breakfast and as yet unspecified but easily digestible small lunch before I boat. If I win, I will have a glass of wine before I get home then back on training and better eating track on Monday.

I am noticing a bit more shape/tone to my quads and shoulders which is encouraging. Now to deflate the spare tyre

@WhitegreeNcandle yes I guess you do have your be honest in the food tracker to get a proper analysis but I am usually quite honest about what I’ve had even if I sometimes guess portions.
@Harrysmummy246 good luck in your race!

I had a full on day yesterday, did nearly 20k steps. I think it’s my age / peri but I ache all over today, literally my feet and ankles are almost crunchy they are so tight. I did run but only 5k and not particularly fast so I wouldn’t have expected to be suffering.

i’fe just done my meal plan and Tesco order for the week, my plan this week is to take copilots advice and eat a high protein snack and a piece of fruit at 2.30 every day to keep me away from the biscuits later in the day. I am determined to reduce my sugar intake this week.

today, dog walk and I am going to do a gym session. Jobs round the house. 5 things on vinted (I like to go up into the loft, grab 5 things, list them and sell them quickly, or they go in the charity bag. Made £25 yesterday!)
Food today is yogurt and fruit, soup and Ryvita and cheese, and not sure about dinner although it will definitely involve cauli cheese 🧀

Well I'm delighted to have dropped another pound this morning!

I must remember to totally ignore when the scales jump up a bit loke they did earlier in the week.

My total loss so far in 8 weeks is 5.8lbs.

This has been eating consistently around 1450-1500kcal, no junk, no alcohol, 3 good meals + one evening snack, at least 100g+ protein a day, and around 2 hours exercise daily (mix of walking, cycling, jogging, weight training). Average 14k steps.

It's so hard earned! I noticed my back is looking so much better, less podgy and I can see some muscle tone - very chuffed.

Starting to feel a bit better in clothes and feeling more like myself.

Another 8.2lbs to go!

Hello all, a bit late to the party but what I’m reading from you all resonates with me.
I am currently 10.8 and goal is 10.2 - I’d really like to get below 10 but feel that ship might have sailed… I lost 3 1/2 stone in 2021 doing the 5:2 diet and got down to 9.5 stone but that was too much I think really - so over a stone has crept back on since then. I really want to focus on sustainability. My meals are pretty good but I am a terrible grazer and snacker and finding that habit very hard to kick. Anyway I am thinking of trying to do two 800 cal days a week and be mindful the rest of the time. I’m also 60 next spring and want to be a healthy 60 with a smaller belly! I do resistance training at the gym but in a bit of a rut so considering splashing out on a pt for a bit to give me some new ideas. Anyway, it’s great hearing about everyone’s journeys, successes, setbacks, life!

Hello all - I’ve been following this thread from the off, feeling like I have a bit of company on this never ending cycle!

I was on the petite thread for a while, but that seems to have dropped off, but I’ve finally managed to lose the stubborn 7lb and get to where I want to be.

I’ve always eaten healthily, got very into the Zoe way of eating during lockdown and have continued, but clearly I was eating too much! I also run a couple of times a week and lift weights from home, but if I’m really honest with myself, the 3/4 of bottle of wine a week and poor food choices the next day were definitely sabotaging all my good work! Pre menopause I could get away with this, but not anymore.

Now on to the depressing bit… it has taken me dropping down to 1,400 to finally see the loss, and yes initially I was hungry but it seemed to level out after a fortnight. I’ve also learnt that anymore than a 1/4 bottle of wine leaves me making poor food choices the next day.

However, on the plus side, I have increased calories this last 10 days, only to 1,500, but so far don’t seem to be seeing any gain - maybe my menopausal body just needed a kick start? Who knows, but anyway, I’m enjoying my clothes fitting better and not having that uncomfortable roll of flab under my boobs when I sit down 😄

I’m only a week into my ‘back on the wagon’ habits but feeling pretty good so far. I did go out for dinner last night but otherwise I’ve even a lot less through the week than I would have. Went for a run this morning and it felt ok - most of the summer I’ve felt like I was dying every step, but I can feel my fitness slowly coming back.

I’ve weighed myself multiple times this week and seen movement both up and down - starting at 64.5kg, down to 64 and back up to 64.5, I need to keep tracking it long term and look for the overall trend. I’m in the right frame of mind and feeling really positive.

Welcome @AtTheRitz and @NitchenNinja

@Swearwolfi always am amazed how much better I feel after a few good days, even though I know this and I seem to forget!

I’ve also had a good few days on the wagon, today I walked 5 miles with the dog and I’ve been a cleaning demon around the house, defrosting the freezer and getting rid of some unidentified frozen portions, and clearing space gor things I will actually eat. It helps so much with budgeting. I’ve also changed beds and all the windows are open to let in the crisp autumn sunshine ☀️

Sounds like a really productive day @thenewaveragebear1983 and a great way to start the week. I always find it much easier once I get a good few days under my belt - it really helps with the momentum.

Hi all,

Id like to join please after a bit of a disastrous 18 months. I’m small 5ft 2 and 9st so a normal weight but would like to drop 5lbs and have been trying for a while now. I’m 38 and in medical menopause due to cancer treatment. Since I started treatment last year, I’ve barely done any exercise (understandably) but now I’m finally feeling better and rejoined the gym yesterday. I went on holidays last week so I’m hoping I’ll see a drop more quickly. Before my diagnosis, I was so lean! Shocks me to look back at photos! I wasn’t happy then either probably 😆.

Anyway, I don’t have a lot to lose as my bmi is normal, just very keen to get back to pre cancer me so it is nice to have company!

Hi @Hopefulblogger - I’m just a fraction taller and had half a stone to shift, which I’ve finally managed but it’s been hard work!I think when you’re petite, you just have to accept that it’s slow going.

Pleased to hear that you’re feeling better now and I always think September is a good time to start and lose some lbs in time for Xmas!

Hi @Hopefulblogger. Sorry you’ve been unwell but great that you are now feeling better. Take it easy on yourself though. 🌺

i ended up doing 2 lots of Caroline Girvan in my gym, I don’t lift anywhere near what she does but i definitely feel it. We had roast chicken dinner and cauli cheese, I’d normally have something sweet after dinner but I decided not to and actually the urge has gone now. I’m going to straighten my unruly wiry hair, (I’m like a cross between a red setter and a boarder terrier 🤣 ) and do my teeth whitening and deep clean which will stop me eating anything else.

I’m planned for the week, I have a few meals of leftovers and I also made a few mini boxes for my 2pm protein snack, with 100 cals of chicken and veg.

Hello! Similar here - I'm a touch shorter at 5'1 and a half!

After a year or two of chronic pain and then a full hysterectomy and one rather food-filled all inclusive holiday I weighed in at 9 stone 3 this summer, the heaviest I'd been for 15 years.

8 weeks later of harddd work, I'm 8 stone 11.2 and feeling better. My happy weight is closer to 8 stone, but now I'm over 40 it seems harder to maintain, so I'd be really happy to get to 8 st 5lbs and maintain that. It sounds a low weight to anyone taller but I'd still be a solid, big boobed, broad size 10, no where near size zero skinny, just normal. I don't think any less would do me any favours, especially getting older.

Sounds like you're going through a lot health wise, do be mindful of being kind to yourself/not pushing too much.

Teeth cleaning is such a good hack! Off topic, are the whitening strips any good?

Sounds super productive day, well done.

@TakeTheDog I used the gleam strips in the summer and I did like them, but I find it hard to find a suitable time to use them as you have to wear them on your teeth for 30 mins. I don’t want to sit watching tv drooling everywhere, they are quite uncomfortable to wear. I switched to a tooth powder called my sweet smile, I like it, you just dip your brush in and clean them and I do think my teeth look brighter and overall more consistent colour. However, and this is a weird one, it tastes like the way festival toilets smell, that weird sweet chemical ‘bloo’ smell (reminds me of caravan holidays as a kid) and I really have to make myself not think about that. 🤣

Monday again. How does this happen every week?! Should have a good week this week, it’s Ds’s birthday party on Friday we are going bowling and to Nando’s but otherwise nothing to derail me. 1/2 pound off last week, now 11.5.5

Example of slow loser misery: weighed on Friday, 1/2 pound down. Had a good weekend. Exercised, ran, walked several times with the dog. Slept well. Had a few drinks but stayed within calories every day. Today- up 3lbs taking me to higher than my end of August weight. 🤷‍♀️ hate peri, hate hrt, curse my sluggish metabolism and as an extra bonus my body has decided that it needs a mid cycle heavy bleed just for fun 🤷‍♀️ 🤦‍♀️

( i’m claiming the half pound loss from Friday btw)

I concur @thenewaveragebear1983 😄 and that’s why I only weigh myself once a week - I couldn’t cope with the fluctuations!

I have a very old H&M pencil skirt that I use as a measuring guide as it’s very unforgiving and certainly lets me know when I’ve put on a few pounds.

Back to Monday again. Managed a 20 minute arm session first thing and got out for a walk to try and counter the hours I’ll spend sitting on my bum!