Long term calorie counting/exercise diet. Starting Monday 17th August. Anyone care to join me?

[surprise]

Had no luck with posting this in chat! Must be a skinny bunch in there. Seriously need to shed some weight. After lots of failed attempts over the past few years I'm determined to stick to a long-term plan, reducing calorie intake by a small amount and doing more exercise.

My plan is this - I'm reducing my calorie intake to 1600 per day (to maintain weight I should have 2100) and aim to do a 20 min brisk walk 3 times a week, plus 20-30 mins aerobic exercise 3 times a week (fitness video or Wii fit or swimming).

If anyone is interested in joining in, with maybe a weekly weigh-in then I'd be very glad of the company and support!

Bought some body fat measuring scales yesterday and my body fat percentage is almost 39% which I don't think is good somehow.

Tibni, you continue to put us to shame.

I have no idea what my weight is today - I have finally conceded the absolute imperative of buying a new scale. I weighed myself 4 times this morning and got four, fairly significantly, different weights! But all agree I am slightly heavier than last week.

I am not, however, in the slightest bit concerned because a) I did have a bit of a hectic Thursday and Friday in terms of food and wine with various work and social things one and b) I am definitely in a serious monthly bloating phase. I can still see the difference, and DP agrees. I feel confident therefore that if I have a good week this week, when taken into account with the bloating, that next monday will be a good weigh in day.

And I'm off to the gym tonight definitely and as DP is out tomorrow I thought I'd take the gap to go to bed early so I can get to gym on wednesday morning before another hectic work thing on Wednesday night.

But will let you all know what my new scale says my weight is when I get it!

i had a lovely night out, maybe too lovely, as i appear to have put on 2 lbs...
but i also have massive pmt, so i suppose that would account for some of it, and the carry-out last night probably wasn't the best idea either...

BUT! dh has flown off again today for 2 weeks, so there will be dieting in this house. and davina every night. and then sleeeeep with no snoring.

Aaah, a good night out is worth falling off the wagon for a bit!

Congrats on the weight loss Tibni
Glad you had a good night out, Romy
Bling, I think I'm with you on the scales, mine completely refused to function this morning, which I suppose protects me from reality!

i am really not doing well i'm afraid

Hi Mabs, hope you are ok.

I have had times when although I have wanted to lose weight I have really struggled. Right now I have having a terrible time with my ASD ds mainstream school - I am totally preoccupied and very, very worried. Weight wise I am fortunate that I had got to a good point and seemed to have got into good habits so haven't just reached for chocolate and booze.

Hope everyone else is ok too

Mabs how's your dad?

Weighed in this morning. 2lb loss takes me to target. Should be jumping about but very low about my ds schooling - just feel sick!

Mabs - how are you? Worried about you.

How have the rest of you done? I will try and cheer up and be positive - promise!

Thanks all well done to you all , am v impressed and also jealous! Am managing to do a bit of exercise, not enough though.

Dad has about 6months.

Mabs, so so sorry. If you need to let off steam, we're here.

You too, Tibni, I take it the meeting didn't go well?

thanks all, how was the school meeting tibni?

Gosh, Mabs and Tibni, really sorry you're having such a hard time. Tibni, what happened at the meeting? And Mabs, are you okay? This is so hard?

Romy - how are things with you.

Completely forgot to weigh in this morning (weird) so will do tomorrow - but still haven't bought new scales so it's a bit hit and miss. Must ask DP to get some. Am off to gym tonight though so am feeling virtuous.

Mabs- so sorry to hear your news.

Meeting was as negative as I expected. When they leave ds with support that knows him there is no trouble. Problem is with those in the school (head and a new TA they have introduced) that see him as naughty and do not take into account his disability.

It's a total nightmare right now. I am waiting for the time-bomb to go off. Review set for 3 weeks but I know that I will be called in countless times before that! . My ds is the most loving, passive little boy. His classmates love him to bits as do all the support staff who know him. He doesn't deserve this.

Mabs - so sorry about your dad. how is he at the mo? will you be able to do all the things you need/ want to over the next few months? my mum has her oncology appointment today to outline her treatment, but i can't imagine what you're going through xx

tibni - what support is he statemented for? you know how it goes - every now and again you have to take a deep breath and get tough with everyone and remind them of their responsibilities... don't get upset, get angry (but focus it). not fun. hope you manage to knock some heads together. why do they keep calling you in? it is their responsibility to cope whilst he is in their care - if they can't then they need to reassess their support procedures, not keep calling you. (not cross with you btw, just get really that it is always such a saga.)

sorry i didn't post on monday - i lost the thread (forgot to bookmark), and then forgot i hadn't posted once monday sailed by - but found you now.

i only lost a pound, but i think my body is changing quite a bit - i've had it before where i don't seem to lose weight but tone up, but have never really taken it to the next level to see if more weight comes off if i carry on. must not give up must not give up.

dh is back tomorrow, and i just can't wait. it was supposed to be first week back and college and i've missed rwo days so far (one sick childminder, and then a sick kid) - so i'm a bit fed up lol. (and absolutely sure that my lecturers think i'm i'm a fruitloop already. ah well.

but i did have my hair done, and i went shopping - don't feel skinny, but feel better...

Good to see you Romy.. Well done on the shape change. Shopping and haircut sounds a good day.

ds has full-time support, 32.5hrs of high level TA support. Being autistic the start of a new school year is stressful to him and this year there have been far more changes than usual- and some very unexpected. He has some excellent support but senior management really do not get ASD and sensory issues can be seen as naughty behaviour.

I have my review at the gym tomorrow. The trainer is looking to start me on a weights and toning programme. Trainer is about 20 and very fit so I am hoping he is going to be gentle with me!

Oh, and when dh took me out birthday shopping I had to get size 10 jeans , last time I was in a 10 was before the dc's.

size 10 get you!

mine are a 12, but i can get them done up and they are comfortable

does he have 1 TA or a job share? is it that relationship that isn't working or is it the TA not getting the support of the HT etc? (i assume he is in ms...) does your lea have a STA that can come in for an hour or two on an inset day to 'remind' them all and do a bit of management staff training? any other parents of AS children that are finding it tricky? can you get an OT in to do some training on sensory issues? our pet OT is lovely...

so you're off to flirt with a jock in the morning? you don't want him to be too gentle lol... do you feel you're ready to be challenged a bit? wanna run a marathon? i need something to aim for... did london in 97 and am feeling the urge to prove i can do it post kids...

what am i saying the world has gone mad! is it a full moon?

enjoy your gym review!

Marathon - right now I do 3k as a warm up at the gym; at a push I do 5!!! Yesterday I did a hard cardio session 90 mins 1000 cals - not a good idea before this review but with work it was my first chance for a longer workout.

ds has 2 TA's. Morning / afternoon split but with morning TA doing 1 complete day a week so most his hours. TA2 does 9.5hrs. Its TA2 thats complicated. His TA2 that had been with his from reception is on long term sick, he had been prepared over the holiday that he would be back with her having had just TA1 since May. Got back September to new TA2; after initial problems this week things seem to be going well. BUT glancing on council website yesterday I spotted TA2 hours advertised starting Nov so could be more changes to deal with.

ds has recently had a sensory assessment and Monday had his first OT session - it was fantastic. OT have been in to talk to school and there is an autism outreach team that visits and observes (had report Tuesday that was really positive TA1 time)

Head and senior management are and have always been very negative; those that work directly with ds have always been excellent. Head also feels threatened by me because of my LEA connections and she is unsure of what my job is - she knows I have the ear of senior LEA bods.

Will you hate me forever if I say there is room in the 10's . When I started my aim was to be a comfortable 12 and I would have been delighted to achieve and maintain that. Last time I was a 10 was over 10yrs ago! Now I feel old! Oh and this gym jock is F.I.T - he is the face (and body) of a local poster advert campaign so some consolation when I am in pain!

my speciality is teaching people to suck eggs lol... sounds as though it's as under control as it's going to be - but maybe if TA2 is leaving then it might give ds the chance for more stability - particularly if she has on/off sick leave issues? big hurdle initially but might be better in the long run. i always think as long as you've got the right team 'next' to the child you can afford the ones slightly further away to be a bit harder work... and with you guys at least it's just the middle men - if the LEA and the therapists are on side then try not to stress about the head toooooo much.
dd2 has 2 TAs (morning/ afternoon split - but shared with another little girl as both are statemented for 15 hours but really need 'as and when' support rather than blocks iyswim...) and they are both uber lovely. although some little darling poured water and sand all over dd's wheelchair cushion on weds - the teacher was most embarassed.

10's are loose? what sort of beanpole are you?! right - more work to be done

let me know if you change your mind about the marathon - oh and if you feel the need to gloat share your review notes...

Romy I appreciate the support. Caring for ds doesn't cause me stress, getting him the support he needs and deserves is the problem - school, SaLT, OT etc. Talking OT his excellent OT visits tomorrow .

My review . Turned up and trainer had been sent on development training so I had the Extreme Sports Specialist . Tone rather than weight loss is the focus of my new programme. Being downright pigheaded when I set my mind to something I really go for it. He ran through my new programme Friday and I actually did it all for the first time today. He has reduced my cardio time drastically (40 mins rather than the 90+ I was doing) but increased the intensity big style and added (his words) 'muscle tearing weights' - this he tells me is part of the natural repair and build process. I have strict instructions on how much and how often to do these weights (he is also the sports injury specialist and is very careful about ensuring no injury is caused).

Rambo isn't used to working with mortals like me only usually dealing with elite athletes! I can not begin to tell you how hard the programme was! But ...... I did it! Every last second and I didn't cheat at all - not sure if I will walk in the morning although dh has promised me a rub down!

Hope the week has been ok for you all and look forward to catching up at tomorrows weigh in.

i lost 2lbs!!

lol at tibni's torture session - hope you can walk this morning ... not sure i'd be keen on the 'muscle tearing weights' option - my tins of beans are enough for me!

Well Done Romy

Well I have lost 4lb this week and i'm really not sure how. If anything I have increased my food intake slightly - certainly not worried about exact weighing of portions etc. I am exactly middle weight of my BMI which I am pleased with.

Have to say, not sure I would have done so well without the support of you lot and knowing I was posting gains / loss every week. I don't see this as the end; it has to be long term if I stand any chance of keeping the weight off.

Like many people my weight gain had been gradual. I was a skinny kid who was a skinny adult until I had children. I was kidding myself that I was a size 12 when really I was a 14 and avoided buying new clothes. When I got back from holiday I was so bloated that I physically felt ill; it made me wake up to the fact that I had to do something and this thread was just here at the right time for me.

Romy I am surprisingly pain free today. Had intended on going for a swim but got side tracked into a friends for coffee. Have OT coming later so now going to a mad clear up round the house!

Hello!

Romy and Mabs, you two are amazing. You're both dealing with a lot but still doing the weightloss thing. I'm very impressed. And well done.

As for me, I forgot to weigh myself this week, although it has to be said that I still haven't bought new scales so to be honest, probably not much good if I had. I also feel my body is changing slightly, but weight loss is still slow. I am really struggling to get into a proper routine. so I eat brilliantly and exercise for three days, then do appallingly for three. DP says I'm definitely looking thinner, around the back and breasts, so that's good. And I definitely no longer feel that my stomach comes into the room before me so I guess that's an improvement? I will force myself to buy new scales this week, then do a mid week weigh in, tell you lot then scarper off to do a better job. At this rate, I won't even have gone down one size by the wedding!

Sorry, that's Romy And Tibni. I'm losing my mind. It's official.

bling, you are a bad girl. go and buy scales immediately report back here soon as.

good that you feel better though - i'm a bit up and down with the eating tbh - the exercise has evened out and is 'regular' now, but i still have 3 really good days of sensible eating and then two days of take away, wine and choc... it's the exercise that is doing it for me, definitely. i had turned into a total couch potato - busy all the time, but just buzzing here and there, not actually taking time out to exercise properly, for a purpose. it's only the last couple of weeks that i've felt in any sort of routine though. and i know i could do better if i was more organised about the eating - it's just laziness and lack of effort really!

tibni - ah, you know if it doesn't hurt the next day, the rule is it's really painful on the second day...
i keep wincing at 'muscle tearing'...