BOOT CAMP - Slim again in 6 months - No More Excuses!

[ColumboWearsControlPants]

Starting this following the discussion on AIBU last night...

Have you slowly let yourself slide into weight gain over several years and are unhappy about it but feel powerless to change?

Are you avoiding going out and seeing people because you don't want them to see how you've let yourself go, or because you can't fit into your clothes? Are you living in (DP's) T shirts and jeans or tracky bottoms?(you can call them yoga pants if it makes you feel better)

Is your family album decidedly lacking in photos of you with your DCs because you camera dodge?

Are you tired all the time and a bit secretly down about it all, but coping on the surface?

If so, then this is the thread for you! All welcome!

We're going to be working on our self esteem issues and create new habits that will take us, one step at a time, to feeling much better physically and mentally. We will be building up to taking more conscious exercise and trying to change our dietary habits that got us in this sorry state to start with.

I think it was Starbear that mentioned trying to do something similar to the FLY threads on Good Housekeeping.

Perhaps we could post each day our plans (whether it be exercise, food, motivation, water intake, giving up something or whatever) and then see how we did each day.

I should really lose 2 stone to be in the middle of the healthy recommended weight for my height and build. Personally I'm low carbing - been trying it on and off for a while, hoping I can stick to it this time.

OK so today I'm going to eat just breakfast lunch and dinner and 1 snack, drink 8 250ml glasses of water, and do 30 mins either walking or on my stationary bike.

Good luck.

Hi guys.

My run was refreshing first time I've run in weeks and felt good afterwards. Worked it out to be approx 3miles but it didn't feel like 3miles iykwim so I'm sceptical about that.

I felt good after the run so got on the scales and weighed in at 10.7, goal is 10st if not more..

This morning I had porridge made with water and have had chilli made with quorn for lunch. In between I had a tiny apple and a few herb crackers.

Today's exercise will be a 2mile walk

Thats exactly it Columbom - I stay up because I need some 'me' time too.

And then I get on here and start reading and another hour has gone and I haven't done anything I wanted to do for fun (loads of hobbies and projects to do but all sitting in their bags waiting to be done) and I am still tired and I still haven't gone to bed. Not a good state to be in.

It isn't only the extra eating though - I keep reading how lack of sleep messes with your hormones and actually makes you store fat, regardless of whether you eat more junk which is really bad news.

So we need to sleep more!

niecie,I'm just the same. I posted at 11.40 last night and then I went to read a book for an hour. Am always knackered but if I didn't stay up I wouldn't get to read, look at the net, do paperwork.

My problem (other than eating junk/sweets LOL) is I cannot get enough exercise. My life is incredibly hectic. I do belong to a nice 'spa' but there's no way I can motivate myself to drive to it at 8pm, especially in winter. The kids get up at 6.30am and it's all go. I wish I could get up at 6am and just do a little exercise but despite good intentions....I'd just rather 'lie in'.

Hi all, hope you've all had a good day.

Thanks Columbo and RubyS - I was chuffed to have lost 4lbs, but struggling a bit this week. Or I was until earlier, when I saw some photos that Ds had taken of me. I downloaded them on to laptop and have hidden them 'for my eyes only'! They are certainly the incentive I need.

Regarding the late night munchies, has anyone tried eating a bowl of porridge as a snack in the evening. (just don't add sugar or syrup, though it's nice with a few raisins added). It will certainly prevent you from being starving by the morning as it is a slow release carb which keeps your blood sugar at an even level throughout the night.

Has anyone got any advise about juicers. Have been thinking of getting one and any recommendations would be great.

It sounds like most people are getting the hang of this. But my brain just doesn't want to conform. For the past three days I have
craving for sweets and chocolates, then I have given in and had some (only a little but....) Normally I can go weeks without the stuff Pickupthismess I agree exercise is the first thing to go out the window with kids. I was strangely, ok on maternity leave but once back at work its been a balancing act. I work three days but fit in 5 days work. Try and cook from scratch everyday and have everything in order as if I was at home all week.It's not have it all, it do it all.
I will try harder and stop moaning

I've had two cheapo ones (a Kenwood and other one a Moulinex I think) but they were not so good - now I have this one which though a bit dearer has been worth every penny. It is totally fabulous, a real work horse, powerful motor, easy to clean (the bits go in the dishwasher) and I have used it loads in the last 4 years and its still as good as new, all the parts are very chunky and well made.

Morning.

I know what you mean about trying to fit in exercise it's so hard. and being a single parent rules out going to the gym in the evenings for me too

I think today is going to be my first hard day. I went to bed feeling peckish last night and despite having a huge bowl or porridge this morning I feel unsatisfied and peckish already.

I'm ashamed to say I can't remember the last time I felt hungry iykwim. I am also a boredom eater

I have a juicer and it's ace BUT juicing is expensive! no good if you are on a budget (like I am at the moment).

Hi, I have a Philips juicer which is excellent. Mascara, I'm hungry too.....however, I sat in the hairdresser's today looking at myself for an hour and I wasn't v pleased with what I saw so I am just going ot have to go hungry. Not easy though! PS I have lost 2lb since Monday.

Starbear I'm finding it tough too. I've stopped low carbing for various reasons and now that the appetite suppression has gone I'm prey to the old addictions. I think sometimes its OK to have something as long as you factor it in and then don't go mad on it.

I'm roughly following the Food Doctor Everyday Diet which is mostly wholefood and adequate protein and good fats - and there is an 80:20 rule - if you follow the diet 80% of the time you will still lose weight. Assuming you don't eat only creme brulee the remaining 20% of the time presumably!

Columbo - try not to buy bad any things. That's the only way I can stop myself. If you literally can't get your hands on it you can't eat it and the craving will (eventually) pass and you'll feel v good about yourself for not having stuffed chocolate in like it's your last meal - or at least I do!

hi all

have had an ok day today .. still not drinking enough water ...

we have a juicer - will find a link to it

you can throw in whole apples etc without chopping

hope everyone is having a good night

Columbo - thanks for the link to the juicer, it certainly looks good. Have just found the website about the Food Doctor - something for me to read this evening.

Pickup - Well done on the 2lb loss.
I too had a Hairdresser Moment this week! Sitting in front of a mirror for an hour certainly gave me time to contemplate and face up to the way I look after gaining too much weight.(Nice hair cut though)!

I'm determined to do some exercise tomorrow, even if it's just some gardening.

Evening all!

I went out for a run today, managed 6k, not bad considering I haven't been out for ages (though I was doing 2 mins run 2 mins walk not running all the time). Long may this continue.

Even more determined to do this as I met my "fat friend" for coffee yesterday and he's lost all the excess weight over the couple of months that I haven't seen him. Must keep up with the Joneses.

I went out for tea and they had no nice vegetarian pasta and I had pizza. I bet when I get on the scales tomorrow I'll have out those two pounds on again! Lots of exercise needed .....

Well done Columbo for the run. Did some gardening with the boy. DH had to work so no chance to be on my own. Friday walked into work to maelstrom of trouble did drink water as so many people offered it to me and I accepted. Not so good today. Out with friends tomorrow we are having high tea in a hotel. She is off to India for three months. I bet she'll lose weight. Try again on Monday

Made the classic mistake of thinking "I'm safe now I've started exercising" and let my self get too hungry and somehow came out of M&S with several items I should have left on the self, which I then ate all of

So now I'm feeling very annoyed with myself and even more conscious of my fat tummy which is really hideous - I look like an egg on legs.

Negativity not good - will try to work on my attitude.

Hi guys, just checking in.. I've had a pretty shoddy weekend.

Lunch out on FRiday, had ceaser salad.. not good but not as bad as I could've been

Pizza last night at self butg had a pre arranged girly night and couldn't not attend as it was in my house

I have been better today.

I ran yesterday but have hurt my back.. running made it worse so that's off the agenda.. as is anything more than a hunched shuffle at the moment

I will be on the scales tomorrow morning and will check in again.

Well done to those who have reported losses!!

Hi Everyone,
Only found the chance to post now. Have had what I consider a great weekend - have eaten more healthily than I have done for months and have only had 2 biscuits - OMG a record for me - a day. Have also decreased my portion sizes and done a fair bit of walking and yoga.

So not feeling too bad but such a long way to go. Have just been invited to a birthday in early November as well, and this lovely friend of mine is so slim and pretty - she looks just like SJP from Sex and the City - and all her friends are skinny minnies as well, so I better get serious!

Hope everyone had a good weekend....

hi everyone

Nina = a fellow yoga fan!

i had an ok week and a BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAD weekend

had crisps and chocolate, neither of which i wanted and neither of which i enjoyed

am back on track this morning with porridge and blueberries and I will have a good week

hope everyone is ok and is raring to go

Hi Ruby, yoga is great isn't it, it honestly gives me more energy. When I first started doing it a couple of years ago I was a bit dubious but it really does make me feel better. I am still so inflexible though as I had a break while pregnant (and for some time after ds was born), I can't really do the poses how they are supposed to be. One day!

Hope everyone else is having a good start to the week too, I am determined this week to eat much better - even a few days of eating healthily has made me feel much better. I only have one blip on the radar - dh's birthday tomorrow and I am planning on making his favourite dessert, will try to only have a bit.

Good luck everyone...

I weighed in this morning, I've switched to weighing myself in lbs and converting it so I can see ervy bit of loss rather than my scales rounding up lol

I was 10st6.5 so I have lost half a lb since I first weighed myself on Thursday. not much but a start and across a weekend.

This morning for breakfast I had half a red grapefruit with about 1tsp of sugar on it.

Are we weighing in a particular day each week? or just doing our own thing?

Is anybody running at all?

Mascara I'm running. Used to be very into it but developed a neuroma in my left foot which stopped me running for ages (I gained all my weight since then). Had orthotics and spent a fortune on running shoes trying to get some that would correct my odd gait, which was supposedly the cause of the neuroma. None of it worked.

However, I've now got a pair of Nike Frees which are totally amazing - no pain during or after the run at all, they don't have any corrective effect at all and it is like running in bare feet.

I'm really enjoying it, I love being outdoors and the headspace that it gives me. Really looking forward to getting a decent level of fitness back. I'm taking it slowly because of the injury, following Runner's World beginners schedule but slightly accelerated.

I also have a Nike+ thing for my ipod, which is pretty cool too.

Just thought I would post as you have all dropped off my 'threads I am on'

Busy weekend, DH birthday, out to lunch yesterday. Sticky toffee pudding.

Enough said.

PIL still here so distracted and forgot to do the weigh in today. However, I think I had lost a lb on Saturday.

But that was before the sticky toffee pudding.

Onwards and upwards.....or should that be downwards?

Columbo, what is the begginer schedule?

I can run about 3m on a treadmill but as soon as I started running outside, it wasa whole other ball game.. I'm getting quiet into it and I'm running approx 3m each time I go out but I probably have a couple of bouts of walking during that 3m.

Sometiems it feels v hard! but I'm starting to think that is when I've eaten more rubbish than I should've.

I've just had my lunch and feel very full up. Is anybody doing WW? I could do with finding out some points.. My lunch was mostly 'free' but I expect avacado has some points and also I had a small amount of lean mice which will have points. At a guess I'd say 50-75g of mince.

Lean mice? Hehe, did they taste nice? Not much meat though.....