General Weight Loss Support Thread

Eabhabear

You look fantastic. Well done on the weight loss. Do you mind me asking how much did you lose?

doctorwhogirl

Pembily wrote: »

I was down 1lb yesterday normally a good boost but for some reason I was in a total funk. I didn't care. I didn't count all day but didn't go nutso and feel ready again...

Well done on the loss! Brilliant stuff!!!

You need your days off Pem!! And as you said, you didn't go mad so there's no problem! I think the fact you cycle and are running again will allow you to do that and a spike in cals is good for your metabolism too!

Great you feel ready again, just shows you needed that day! Otherwise you could have gone off the rails more maybe if you had denied yourself the few bits!


Thanks guys for all the nice comments, I know they're ridiculous with the white face and I have a few unedited ones in my albums but just don't want my mug sprawled everywhere, I think we're all better off!!! :P

Eabhabear I lost 6 stone in total. Over the past 2.5 years since getting to goal I've gone up and down around a stone of that. Currently trying to lose the last half stone to goal again and then I'll reassess if I want to lose a few more pounds.

lemon_sherbert

Congratulations doctorwhogirl on achieving such a transformation! I really am looking forward to the days of maintenance, though it's a while away yet.
I'm finally back to pre xmas weight again, doing reasonably well on the food and exercise front at the moment, have started swimming as well as running, which I'm enjoying a lot, so hoping to stay motivated. I'm 3Kg away from being at a healthy BMI (which will probably be for the first time in my entire life), so I have my eye on that target at the moment anyway.

celtic-chick

doctorwhogirl wrote: »

OK...some before and afters...vomit. But maybe they're of interest!

I've just done direct links as some are quite big!

BEFORE:(

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r41/catheadnavan/217315_1055044428547_1598914168_136341_7833827_n-1-1_zpsa429a0f3.jpg

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r41/catheadnavan/user254136_pic6113_1272895006-1_zpsad29e6fc.jpg

Actually had lost about a stone here

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r41/catheadnavan/SDC10354-1_zps1bde0f9c.jpg


AFTER

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r41/catheadnavan/SDC10982-1_zps2cd86019.jpg

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r41/catheadnavan/SDC109983-1_zps6ffa590e.jpg

Can't locate any more afters, but as I said they're on my albums in my profile...

Bit mortified now![/QUOTE




Wow you are a true inspiration

doctorwhogirl

Thank you so much everyone, what a boost!!!

Thankfully I was down 2.8 this weekend! Which is a big loss for me. Now I'm only 0.5 away from my pre Xmas lowest, thankfully!

Hope I can stay on track this week and get that down next week!

I've been posting pics of my Hairy Bikers' diet recipes on the weightwatchers thread but here's my latest attempt from today! Their "skinny lasagne"

Time consuming but oh so delicious. Rest is in the freezer now for later on in the week!

Served with salad of baby gem, cucumber, tomatoes and cottage cheese

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r41/catheadnavan/20130119_174851_zps66d67621.jpg

misslt

Doctorwhogirl you look amazing! Thank you so much for posting them, I can see that it really can be done

Trying to get organised to go shopping tomorrow to get lunch stuff (I've started another thread on this, I've no access to a microwave at college so it makes it difficult) so I think Monday I'm going to do a chicken and pasta salad, Tuesday I think potato salad with chicken or tuna, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday I'll be home at lunchtime so that will be fine

Ill also be investing in a decent thermos flask so I can take soup which will be great as well! I also saw mention of a ploughmans salad somewhere in another thread which looked great so ill be investigating that as well

Having eggs for breakfast every day this week, next week ill probably mix that up between eggs and porridge.

Dinners will be fine, I'm good at keeping those healthy.

I'm hoping it'll be easier when I'm back at college, the routine will help

doctorwhogirl

How did everyone get on over the weekend!?

I had a quiet one but that meant I was in the house more and the temptation is all around! Really tried to keep myself busy! Would you believe there is still Xmas cake, pudding and a tin of Roses emerged today! Disaster! Nibbled on a wee bit of cake but sin é!

Can I also recommend, for anyone who's into their exercise, a heart rate monitor.
I count cals and my HRM gives me a reading for the cals burned during exercise. I find it really motivating to see how I've done in an exercise session and it means I have a clear idea of the calories I'm consuming and using! Have to say it's really pushing me when I'm in the gym!

Sir Digby Chicken Caesar

drank so much saturday I felt like crap all day today so I availed of a 50% off coupon for dominos and got 50 euro worth of pizza, wedges and cookies for 25 euro


all in all, not a great weekend calorie wise

doctorwhogirl

Sir Digby Chicken Caesar wrote: »

drank so much saturday I felt like crap all day today so I availed of a 50% off coupon for dominos and got 50 euro worth of pizza, wedges and cookies for 25 euro


all in all, not a great weekend calorie wise

Great weekend bargain wise though!!! And fun wise I'd assume!

I'd love to see 50euro worth of pizza! Actually haven't had pizza in ages! Or alcohol for that matter! Think I'll hold off until January is over, try and claw back a few bob too...which is proving tough!

On a side note the cals in the tesco prepared pizza dough mix are actually relatively low if anyone was going to chance their own one. Haven't made on yet but used the dough in the Hairy Dieters' mince pie recipe and it was yum!

boogle

Hi all, decided to jump into the conversation. I've lost 3 stone slowly over the last few years but I have been stuck at 11 stone (on the dot) for around 2 years. I'm 5'5'' so I'd like to at least get to 10 stone. This last stone is really frustrating me to be honest!

I've lost the 4 pounds i put on over xmas. I've been very strict with myself the last few weeks, eating under 1200 calories a day. I'm tracking on MFP. For the record, I'm eating unprocessed whole foods in the main, with lots of veg.

I know some people will say that's too little and I should be eating more calories. Others will tell you it's ok to reduce calories that low for a few months. What do you guys think?

Stench Blossoms

I think you need to eat more. You are more than likely starving your body.

doctorwhogirl

Definitely agree with Stench Blossoms! Are you exercising on top of that? That would mean if your burned 200 cals in a session you'd have only 1000 left for your body to use.

I was similar to you, eating around that, and lots of exercise on top and my weight was so random. I'd lose a small bit then I'd fly up the scales for no reason.

Since I upped my protein, lowered the carbs a little and started eating around 1500 cals a day my weight has stabilised (TOUCH WOOD!!!) and I've even lost a little.

If you're nervous about upping cals do it gradually, I did it 50-100 cals extra a week until I hit 1500. I may up again to 1600, depending on how my weight goes.

It's important those extra cals come from good sources though, like adding some olive oil when cooking or eat nuts for snacks!

No expert all the above is just based on my experience of the same situation! It can be so frustrating when you're stuck at a certain weight for so long!

Denerick

1200 a day is way too few calories! For a start you'll never sustain that in the long run, its a recipe for a yo yo weight. I think you'll need to play the long game here as you are just effectively toning up (11 stone at 5:5 isn't too bad anyway, don't put so much pressure on yourself)

boogle

Yeah I was worried about that alright. It's just that I've been following the 1500 cals per day for so long and getting nowhere. Granted that was with me being less strict on myself at weekends so I guess I must have been wiping out my deficit at weekends. MFP calculates my maintenance cals at around 1850, which seems low so that's why I started dropping the cals to 1200. So I'm going to take your advice and up the calories to around 1500 per day and see if that helps move things along.

Dolbert

What a great thread! I am also a Food Diary veteran, I lost about 3 stone on mine about three years ago but unfortunately through certain stresses/ excitements (new mortgage, job and engagement, amongst other things!) I've put most of it back on.

My wedding is in June and I've been chipping away at the weight loss once again. I've lost almost a stone since before Christmas, aiming for another 1.5 for my hen in April and would love 2stone gone for the wedding

Currently doing 5:2 with a low-carb slant. I'm also going to try and keep my beloved dairy to a minimum, as I think it flares up my psoriasis as well as asthma/ allergies. It's my first fast day today and I feel fine so far, not hungry at all which is strange!

hollypink

Just wondering if any of you get people commenting on the food you eat? I usually have a salad for my lunch; I try to make it very appetising, plenty of protein (chicken or salmon both of which I really like), usually half an avocado or pesto for good fats, mixed salad leaves, maybe some beetroot and orange segments, stuff like that. I regularly get people saying to me in the work canteen "oh thats very healthy" or "is this a new years resolution?" ( even though I've been eating like that since early last year). It makes me a bit self conscious about taking out my lunchbox, knowing someone will comment on it.

doctorwhogirl

hollypink wrote: »

Just wondering if any of you get people commenting on the food you eat? I usually have a salad for my lunch; I try to make it very appetising, plenty of protein (chicken or salmon both of which I really like), usually half an avocado or pesto for good fats, mixed salad leaves, maybe some beetroot and orange segments, stuff like that. I regularly get people saying to me in the work canteen "oh thats very healthy" or "is this a new years resolution?" ( even though I've been eating like that since early last year). It makes me a bit self conscious about taking out my lunchbox, knowing someone will comment on it.

100% yes and I hate it.
Work has eased off a bit recently but home is lethal! I love at home and cook my own dinners so I can have what I want and eat the way I want! There are always questions: "what are you having NOW? etc.. And I've upped my meals/cals recently, all healthy stuff, as I had too big a deficit with my exercise. Now the comments are like "oh you're having something else!? " so frustrating especially because everything is accounted for in my cals like and I don't throw them away on junk!

It can be very frustrating alright.

In other weight loss news I am officially obsessed with the hairy bikers diet book. Had the Korma again and it was even nicer than before! Made a few changes (quark, extra.veg etc) but such nice recipes!

Eabhabear

hollypink wrote: »

Just wondering if any of you get people commenting on the food you eat? I usually have a salad for my lunch; I try to make it very appetising, plenty of protein (chicken or salmon both of which I really like), usually half an avocado or pesto for good fats, mixed salad leaves, maybe some beetroot and orange segments, stuff like that. I regularly get people saying to me in the work canteen "oh thats very healthy" or "is this a new years resolution?" ( even though I've been eating like that since early last year). It makes me a bit self conscious about taking out my lunchbox, knowing someone will comment on it.

I am so paranoid when it comes to that issue. I keep thinking that people are looking at me saying look at the fat girl eating again I know its stupid but I can't help it. I don't have an issue at home as my family are used to me now. I hate eating in front of people who are not family or friends.

hollypink

I saw a article on facebook about discipline and one point that struck home was this

When people comment on your results and say things like “Wow you have a lot discipline” answer “No, I just make loving choices for myself". Reinforcing your own positive behavior will help you grow in strength.

I dont see myself actually replying like that but I think it's a good way to think of it.

Full article in case anyone is interested:

http://www.charlespoliquin.com/ArticlesMultimedia/Articles/Article/161/The_Myth_of_Discipline.aspx

Stench Blossoms

So yeh this was happening me for awhile. Not a huge fan of people criticizing my food choices.

I countered it by saying 'Man, you are having ANOTHER portion of bread today?' or 'Ahhh treating yourself again today?' and it soon stopped.

I know that sounds mean but I think commenting on my food in the first place was pretty mean as well.

Crann na Beatha

This post has been deleted.

Denerick

21.5 to 12.5? Fair play bud.

misslt

Denerick wrote: »

21.5 to 12.5? Fair play bud.

That's incredible.

My friends know what I'm doing so it's okay for me, thankfully, I don't think I could handle people commenting on my food all the time!

Question, according to myfitnesspal I'm overshooting my protein every day, is that a bad thing/something I should watch? Bearing in mind I'm not doing exercise (yet). But to be honest I'm struggling to fill my calories as it is and I don't want to bump it up with carbs

Stench Blossoms

misslt wrote: »

That's incredible.

My friends know what I'm doing so it's okay for me, thankfully, I don't think I could handle people commenting on my food all the time!

Question, according to myfitnesspal I'm overshooting my protein every day, is that a bad thing/something I should watch? Bearing in mind I'm not doing exercise (yet). But to be honest I'm struggling to fill my calories as it is and I don't want to bump it up with carbs

The standard goals for mfp are brutal. You can manually change them. I've mine set to 40:30:30 p:c:f

misslt

Stench Blossoms wrote: »

The standard goals for mfp are brutal. You can manually change them. I've mine set to 40:30:30 p:c:f

That's great, I didn't know that.

What should I be aiming for roughly? I'm totally new to this, trying to learn a little bit everyday

Stench Blossoms

I was recommended 40:30:30 so go with that. I think doctorwhogirl is on something similar.

misslt

Stench Blossoms wrote: »

I was recommended 40:30:30 so go with that. I think doctorwhogirl is on something similar.

Brilliant, thank you!

Pembily

MFP set my carbs to about 60% and in the beginning I didn't know I could change it. Mine is similar to DWG's it's 40:30:30.

doctorwhogirl

Pembily wrote: »

MFP set my carbs to about 60% and in the beginning I didn't know I could change it. Mine is similar to DWG's it's 40:30:30.

Yup! Those are the macros I stick to! I actually have them set to 50 25 25 but I stick to 40:30:30 myself. Might have 41% or so carbs round weekend treat days etc... It seems to be a good recommended macros intake.

Pembily

doctorwhogirl wrote: »

Yup! Those are the macros I stick to! I actually have them set to 50 25 25 but I stick to 40:30:30 myself. Might have 41% or so carbs round weekend treat days etc... It seems to be a good recommended macros intake.

Oh that is what you mean by macros, now it makes sense

misslt

Okay updated my macros and am getting them mostly right (will take a bit of tweaking I think).

Weighing in tomorrow morning. Should be interesting! Haven't given it 100% this week as I'm still finding my feet so I'm not expecting anything, just as long as I haven't put anything on

At what point should I be concerned about my egg consumption? I'm having two eggs (whole) for breakfast most mornings and am just concerned about my cholesterol.

Stench Blossoms

misslt wrote: »

At what point should I be concerned about my egg consumption? I'm having two eggs (whole) for breakfast most mornings and am just concerned about my cholesterol.

Never.

I have 2 eggs EVERY morning and my cholesterol is just fine.

If you want to add me on mfp pm me and I'll give you my username.

misslt

Stench Blossoms wrote: »

Never.

I have 2 eggs EVERY morning and my cholesterol is just fine.

If you want to add me on mfp pm me and I'll give you my username.

That's great, I love the eggs!

Thanks so much, ill pm you now

lemon_sherbert

Do you find the macro split makes a big difference? I've been using the MPF default for about 6 months, and the one time I tried to up my protein intake I fell off the wagon completely. I can't tolerate a lot of fat ever since I had my gallbladder out, small amounts are okay, but any more makes me unwell.

Michael Weston

doctorwhogirl wrote: »

OK...some before and afters...vomit. But maybe they're of interest!

I've just done direct links as some are quite big!

BEFORE:(

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r41/catheadnavan/217315_1055044428547_1598914168_136341_7833827_n-1-1_zpsa429a0f3.jpg

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r41/catheadnavan/user254136_pic6113_1272895006-1_zpsad29e6fc.jpg

Actually had lost about a stone here

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r41/catheadnavan/SDC10354-1_zps1bde0f9c.jpg


AFTER

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r41/catheadnavan/SDC10982-1_zps2cd86019.jpg

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r41/catheadnavan/SDC109983-1_zps6ffa590e.jpg

Can't locate any more afters, but as I said they're on my albums in my profile...

Bit mortified now!

That is just amazing, well done you look great.

lemon_sherbert

lemon_sherbert wrote: »

Do you find the macro split makes a big difference? I've been using the MPF default for about 6 months, and the one time I tried to up my protein intake I fell off the wagon completely. I can't tolerate a lot of fat ever since I had my gallbladder out, small amounts are okay, but any more makes me unwell.

It's hard to eat healthily without a gall bladder, but there are some very good tips here

http://balancedbites.com/2012/12/faqs-how-can-i-eat-paleo-without-a-gallbladder.html

One of the most important ones is to try the autoimmune control method to find what suits your body and what doesn't.

Not everyone illicits the same responses, and it's necessary to find exactly what to avoid while still finding some good fats that you can work with.

The macros are quite important for two main reasons
1 - A body run on carbohydrate yearns carbohydrate (easiest fuel to turn into glucose and bodyfat)
2 - A body run on fats is a satiated body, and calorie control comes more naturally.

Obviously there's a middle ground that someone in your own situation should look to find.

lemon_sherbert

Deleted User wrote: »

It's hard to eat healthily without a gall bladder, but there are some very good tips here
....
Obviously there's a middle ground that someone in your own situation should look to find.

Thanks for that, I don't really find eating healthily a problem, in that I eat mostly unprocessed fruit and vegetables, eggs, chicken and fish, yoghurt and am usually able to maintain my calorie deficit, along with getting good amounts of exercise. It's only really some fats that I don't tolerate well, nuts, cheese, large amounts of oil. So I suppose what I'm wondering, is if I stick with a diet that has a moderate amount of carbs, but keep to my calorie goal, am I going to be less successful than if I was eating an equivalent amount of calories but with lower carbs?

misslt

I changed my macros because naturally I found myself eating more protein than carbs.

I looked at my pie charts on mfp and on the days I diaried properly I was closer to 40:30:30 than the 25:55:20 they had me on :O

Edit - I've actually set them up wrong, I have carbs in as 40%, whoops!

Today I'm at 40% carbs but normally wouldn't have two main carb portions

doctorwhogirl

misslt wrote: »

I changed my macros because naturally I found myself eating more protein than carbs.

I looked at my pie charts on mfp and on the days I diaried properly I was closer to 40:30:30 than the 25:55:20 they had me on :O

Edit - I've actually set them up wrong, I have carbs in as 40%, whoops!

Today I'm at 40% carbs but normally wouldn't have two main carb portions

I think in or around 40 is grand! For me anyway!

I'm just back from my first football training session in 12 years!!!!!!!!! And I lived! I'm a bit wheezy because of the fog, think the asthma is kicking in, cold weather doesn't help!

I'm probably about 2 stone lighter than I was then (and I was 14! :P) and it was great to be able to run around more easily. I'm nowhere near as fit as the others but I didn't die! Hurrah!

I wore my heart rate monitor out of curiosity and it read 808 at the end!?!!!!! :O :eek:

Sir Digby Chicken Caesar

that's exactly why I'll never get a heart rate monitor

very health-anxious since I started getting panic attacks several years ago, I won't watch house or similar shows because I don't want to give myself ideas and that kind of information would just send me loopy. had myself convinced that heartburn was cancer a couple of years ago.

doctorwhogirl

Sir Digby Chicken Caesar wrote: »

that's exactly why I'll never get a heart rate monitor

very health-anxious since I started getting panic attacks several years ago, I won't watch house or similar shows because I don't want to give myself ideas and that kind of information would just send me loopy. had myself convinced that heartburn was cancer a couple of years ago.

I like having it though for two reasons:

It let's me see if I'm undereating for what I'm using up. Not that I'd go and eat 800 calories for the craic, but I might eat a bit more.

second, it's very motivating!!! When I'm in the gym I can see if I'm pushing myself and in a good heart rate.

My heart rate went sky high tonight, but I hope that will improve as I get fitter.

I thought I was fairly fit though...I forgot it's a completely different kind of fitness!!!

hollypink

doctorwhogirl wrote: »

It let's me see if I'm undereating for what I'm using up. Not that I'd go and eat 800 calories for the craic, but I might eat a bit more.

doctorwhogirl, what kind of HRM do you have? Do you mean it tells you how many calories you've burned? I only had a very basic one that just told me my heart rate.

doctorwhogirl

hollypink wrote: »

doctorwhogirl, what kind of HRM do you have? Do you mean it tells you how many calories you've burned? I only had a very basic one that just told me my heart rate.

I did have a Target one that was about 30 euro from Argos that did both heart rate and cals. It was ok, but didn't like treadmills!!! So I never knew how I got on while jogging on them!

The one I have now was 70 but is really good. Polar FT4 also Argos. It also tells you your fat burning zone, and when you are in the zone based on your weight and height... my heart rate went WAY above that this eve though!!! :eek:

hollypink

doctorwhogirl wrote: »

I did have a Target one that was about 30 euro from Argos that did both heart rate and cals. It was ok, but didn't like treadmills!!! So I never knew how I got on while jogging on them!

The one I have now was 70 but is really good. Polar FT4 also Argos. It also tells you your fat burning zone, and when you are in the zone based on your weight and height... my heart rate went WAY above that this eve though!!! :eek:

Hmm that's cool, I'm tempted to get one, maybe next month when finances have improved.

misslt

Hahaha i think a heart rate monitor would explode if I wore it while exercising, I had someone try to get me to go to hospital once in the gym my heart rate was so high

I love the idea of counting my calories though, I have zumba for the xbox kinect but I've no idea what cals I'd be burning

doctorwhogirl

I think it can help to push you, so long as you don't get too fixated on it or eat back all the cals you burned! Because it is an estimate! But usually a fairly good one!

Like if I'm in the gym or at a class I can see if I'm pushing myself or being a bit lazy, then I can up my efforts a bit if I want to!

Dolbert

I rediscovered my slow cooker today! I had a busy day at work so it was awesome to come home to a wholesome meal (and it takes away the temptation to snack first)

misslt

Yay, down 2.6lb delighted with myself

Got my exam results this morning and was less delighted, went back to bed with no breakfast, oops.

Looking forward to a new week.

doctorwhogirl

I feel like eating LOTS. Lots and lots and lots today

Started last night. I actually had to have a drink of diet coke at like 11pm because if I didn't give myself a sweet taste of something I was going to go right for the leftover christmas cake.

Not the best choice, but better than the cake.

Same now at work. The biscuits are calling to me. I wouldn't mind but I really feel like I haven't lost this week! Thoughts of the gym later are killing me too and I never feel like that!!!

Baaad day!

connollys

Get to the gym, churn out a good session and I bet ya feel great after it. It's days like this that make the difference, not when everything is easy.