From a Christmas Pudding to a Christmas Cracker - Weight Loss Motivation

CheerLouth · 16-02-2026 03:06PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124240263#Comment_124240263

This was me - I was training regularly & still putting on weight - because my diet was terrible. I was snacking my way through the day, no proper meals, then sit down in the evening starving & go crazy. Now, I'm in a calorie-deficit & tracking everything in MyFitnessPal. Deficit for another two weeks, then I'll go into maintenance for a few weeks, then go into a deficit again.

My meals look something like:

Brekkie: one egg, two turkey rashers, couple of tablespoons of beans or bowl of porridge

Lunch: GF Protein Wrap, Chicken breast, bit of mayo

Dinner: Salmon Fillets, half a packet of microwave rice, veg

Supper: Bowl of Skyr, crushed meringue nest, handful of berries

Depending on my training for the day, I might have a protein shake with the clear whey in the afternoon.

leahyl · 16-02-2026 03:29PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124240287#Comment_124240287

Wow fair play Loughc! Yeah I do know all about the protein but lately nothing seems to satisfy me enough 😋 I always have this fear that I won't be satisfied if I start cutting down cos I'm so used to eating comfort food over the last few months. Sigh, I know I have to just bite the bullet and cop on!

leahyl · 16-02-2026 03:47PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124240475#Comment_124240475

Thanks CheerLouth, is this keeping you satisfied? Do you mind me asking how many calories roughly are you talking with that?

CheerLouth · 16-02-2026 04:40PM

Yeah, it does tbh. I do be hungry coming up to lunchtime for sure but that's more because I have my breakfast at 7 and am probably not having lunch until after 1:30 as I normally train at lunchtime. Sometimes, I have a banana or a rice cake with peanut butter at 11ish.

That's about 1500 cals a day - which has been pretty manageable tbh. I was dreading it when I started but I got used to it fairly quickly. And I'm the type of person who is thinking about their next meal while eating their current meal 🤣

leahyl · 16-02-2026 04:48PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124240749#Comment_124240749

Brilliant, you're exactly like me so 😂 I really have to get into the zone soon.

Jude13 · 18-02-2026 07:05AM

Bastar…..I mean well done. I had a exec health check, free with my health insurance. They are concerned about my visceral fat and that I can't run/walk distance. Still at 98kg.

Gym this am, shoulder/neck is improving and my dumbbells for shoulder press for example I am finishing on the weight I used to warm up with, which is a big step up since last July.

tscul32 · 21-02-2026 11:32PM

I need to join ye all. Serial yoyoer here. Im back doing my masters course on top of work and family and am eating all round me. However, last assignments are due 17th April so the plan is not to think about it until then and then I'll have 3 mths until my 50th birthday to make things right. OH needs to fo it too so we have a pact to look and feel good for the summer. When I'm motivated and engaged I'm actually quite disciplined and any plan will work for me. Just know I won't get there until college is over for the year.

But the looming 50th is a great motivator, I NEED to be in better shape by then.

Loughc · 22-02-2026 12:53PM

My week off is over so back on the calorie count this week. I reckon I have just over a stone left to lose. The last stone is always the hardest for me.

But I’ll do my hardest. I need to be nimble to keep up with these elves of mine!

Loughc · 23-02-2026 11:05AM

Has/is anyone using the Nutracheck app to log their calories, I used to use My Fitness Paul, using Nutracheck today, I really like the layout of it.

leahyl · 23-02-2026 11:22AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124258595#Comment_124258595

You reminded me about this - I downloaded it last year with plans to lose some weight but sure forgot all about it - just logged back in now and it is very attractive the way it's laid out, especially the photos of the food 😀

Now realising why I stopped using it…..it's subscription!!

Jude13 · 24-02-2026 05:53AM

Never heard of Nutracheck I will give it a look. Ive said this a few times, 'Wolf!!!', 99.7kg on Sunday, this is officially week 1. And ironically that's what they call me in the gym…..

Calorie counting, gym, swimming. Running is gone, walking is too sore.

leahyl · 24-02-2026 11:56AM

I went out for a walk just now for the first time in weeks - I need to get back into it….oh my God my right hip was so sore by the time I got back, I've had a twinge in it before and just wondering what the hell it is. I was thinking this time it might be because I've been so inactive for a long time.

CheerLouth · 24-02-2026 12:04PM

Maybe a few stretches before and after might help?

leahyl · 24-02-2026 12:19PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124261557#Comment_124261557

Yeah, I know, I'm desperate for that kind of thing! I was thinking I should get an xray and all lol

CheerLouth · 24-02-2026 12:45PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124261588#Comment_124261588

We all are! I'd say give the stretches a go and if it's still paining you after that, maybe get the physio to have a look at it.

Loughc · 24-02-2026 01:01PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124261588#Comment_124261588

I'm awful at stretching. I was literally told by a physio once, you know if you stretch more you wouldn't need to come to me….

Did I take his advise, nope.

kitten_k · 24-02-2026 05:56PM

Was down 2.5lb this week - not the big weight loss I usually get on week 1 but wasn’t 100% on plan so happy enough with it

Jude13 · 26-02-2026 07:36AM

That's fab, I go by kgs and 1kg a week is killing it and that's more than 1kg.

CheerLouth · 04-03-2026 12:17PM

I'm on maintenance cals for this week - after an 8 week deficit…it's so nice to have my mid-morning snack back!

BK5 · 04-03-2026 08:07PM

Hi All. Long time lurker on this thread. Got my blood results back from the doctors today and mostly good. Cholesterol is a little high (6.3) and my LDL levels a little high. So am determined to lose about a stone and eat a healthier diet. Just wanted to ask has anyone experienced this before or have any tips to improve as I have to do my bloods in 6 months?

I was very surprised when the doc told me I'm very low on vitamin D and I have to take a tablet for 6 weeks for this.

DvB · 04-03-2026 08:55PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124285264#Comment_124285264

My cholesterol is 5.9 but that went up in about a year from 4.8 so the quack was worried. Am on a low cholesterol diet full of natural statins. I have 6 months before being tested again and been told to get down below 5.5 or will likely need medication. Its a common situation for Irish folks around our age. Cut out the red meat, baked goods (absolute killer) and general processed foods, eat high fibre foods & plenty of fruit & veg and you'll be grand. I take the benecol drinks & cholesterol lowering dairy spread too (only use it for toast to be fair).

BK5 · 04-03-2026 11:17PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124285407#Comment_124285407

Fair play, thanks so much for the advice.

DvB · 04-03-2026 11:34PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124286104#Comment_124286104

Exercise too btw, if you're losing weight your cholesterol will naturally come down too.

leahyl · 09-03-2026 10:24AM

Guys, I saw two photos of myself this morning about 6/7 years apart - I've put on SO much weight 😐️ This tends to make me do the opposite to what I should be doing (eat less) and eat more so I need to be way more aware of what I'm eating!!…..I am also on meds for anxiety though so I think this is affecting my appetite also, was thinking of coming off them soon anyway…..

Oh Happy Monday! 😄

Loughc · 09-03-2026 11:37AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124297686#Comment_124297686

I'm a stress eater.. I absolutely turn to food for comfort and I had a VERY stressful weekend. Need to get back on it this week.

DvB · 09-03-2026 12:44PM

I think stress eating is common, its a form of comfort to counteract the uncomfortable state stress has us in. Its an awful vicious circle to break at times. Guilty of it myself, I tend to work long hours without eating & then binge late at night etc whic is the worst thing to do.

CheerLouth · 09-03-2026 02:59PM

Yeah me too - I'm always amazed at people who say "you know when you get so stressed out and you can't eat?". No, not something that I'm familiar with 😅

kitten_k · 09-03-2026 04:58PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124262503#Comment_124262503

Second weigh in didn’t go as well - as up 1.5lb 🙈😂

Didn’t have a weigh in this week as I was away - dreading to see the scales on Saturday!

CheerLouth · 10-03-2026 10:30AM

I made some yoghurt jelly pots last night that a friend recommended - dissolve a packet of sugar free jelly in 250ml hot (not boiling) water. Let it cool a bit then mix in 250g Greek yoghurt. Divide between two bowls and let them set in the fridge.

Was a lovely sweet treat last night - 97cals for 16.9g protein.

DvB · 10-03-2026 10:56AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124300323#Comment_124300323

I went on a full sugar detox after Christmas and have really noticed a difference if eating anything remotely sweet (i.e. high protein yoghurt) now. Previously they would have been quite bland to me, now the same product tastes so much sweeter its incredible.

From a Christmas Pudding to a Christmas Cracker - Weight Loss Motivation

Comments

"I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year" Charles Dickens

"I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year" Charles Dickens

"I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year" Charles Dickens

"I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year" Charles Dickens