Last Monday I weighed 13 stone 8.8 pounds, and today I weigh 13 stone 9.4 pounds, so I've gained 0.6 pounds this week. I had a relatively heavy meal last night as I had some pasta with pesto and salmon, and the portion size was a lot larger than I"d normally have, so I am hoping that the weight gain is due to that! I had been quite good the remainder of the week in terms of keeping my portion sizes in check, and eating healthy foods. I also made a couple of cakes on the weekend (a bran fruit cake; and a cherry and almond cake) and therefore had eaten more cake than I normally would do.
I kept up my exercise in terms of walking most days, and I've also done some cardio conditioning, and I had two gym sessions over the week. I ran 5km in 40 minutes the first time, and the second time I ran it in 36 minutes, so I am hoping to try to better that time again next time I go. I run on the treadmill in the gym. I must try to have a run outside in the fresh air at some point this week.
Please do join me for this Monday weigh-in - I know it's the Bank Holiday weekend, but it's good to keep a check on the weight, and I am really hopeful that I will lose some weight this week. I am hoping for between 1 and 2 pounds loss.
Wishing everyone a really good week.
Lowcal
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Zest
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I'm feeling really weirded out this week. This was my first week of the NHS plan. I have followed it honestly having only 1400 cals a day. I excitedly step onto the scales this morning to find I haven't lost anything! Feeling underwhelmed I whip out the tape measure to do my waist and find I've lost a massive 6 inches! What's going on?!
Well done for completing your first week on the NHS plan, and for sticking to the calorie recommendation. I'm so glad that you also took your measurement so you could see that you've lost 6 inches off your waist. The fact that you didn't actually lose any weight could be easily explained by the possibility that perhaps you were dehydrated when you first weighed (i.e. last week) - that would have meant that you would be lower in weight at the starting point, and therefore wouldn't notice any change in your weight, despite all your good efforts over the week.
Hopefully you'll see a change on the scales next week, so please don't be disappointed - celebrate the inch loss and loser feel of your clothes, and keep going.
Have a great week, and thanks for joining in for this Monday weigh-in.
Like Concerned said, it's the long-term measure that counts. I was also wondering if maybe you should have a few more calories, as I believe you're still breast-feeding. Have you checked that out with your health visitor (if you have one), or GP?
I agree with Low cal about checking how many calories you need. If you are feeling tired and irritable your calories may be too low. Breast feeding and looking after a baby takes a lot out of you. Perhaps try cutting your calories slowly to give your body a chance to adapt.
I seem to have lost another 3 1/2 ounces this week. Down to 11 stones 6 ounces today. I weigh in metric, and that's 72.7 kg. I was 72.8 kg a week ago.
My husband is in hospital, a flare-up of a long-standing knee problem, being treated with IV antibiotics. He's getting a cereal breakfast although it's not what he likes. Cornflakes and toast. No protein.
I'm eating well. Just had a rasher of bacon and a tomato for breakfast.
We've gone back on to whole milk, not semi-skimmed, and we use butter, not Flora. Fat is not the problem. Sugar is. I'm really cutting down/cutting out a lot of food items with added sugar. I'm eating lots of fresh veg. The kind of peas you cook and eat whole. Broccoli florets. Lots of salads. Baby tomatoes - I eat them like sweets.
If I find something that works for me I'll stick with it. At present, this is working.
Hello and well done. I have tried various ways of eating to loose the pregnant look/weight but nothing seems to work. I am wondering whether I have an intolerance to some food which is the real problem, any suggestions?
Have you tried the NHS weight-loss plan (see the NHS website). I know there is a detailed 12 week plan outlined there, and a lot of people seem to be following that plan and finding it helpful. Doing exercise alongside healthy eating is really good.
I don't really know much about food intolerances. I always try to balance my meals so that I have a small amount of protein, a small amount of carbs, some fat, and I try to include lots of vegetables as well as a couple of portions of fruit per day. I try to reduce the sugary foods I eat - although I do still eat cake occasionally and some sugary desserts as well. I only have a small portion of those though. I am trying to eat them less often as well, but find it quite hard.
Do you keep a track of your calorie intake? It can be very helpful to write down everything that you eat and drink, so you can keep track of your daily intake. I always keep a diary of my food intake, and I can always spot when I am going off track, and then try to compensate (not always successful at that, but I try).
Some people have a problem with bread, which can cause bloating. You could try cutting it out for a while or perhaps try something like sourdough bread.
I've noticed this if ever I eat bread. Normally I only have one slice of wholemeal bread daily, with breakfast, but if we ever buy some of the specialist breads, which are really yummy, I notice bloating.
Hi Margot44, I don't have any official diagnoses re food intolerances but I lose weight, am less bloated and feel healthier when I don't eat flour/wheat (breads, pastas etc). May be worth a try to see if you can work out what your body doesn't seem to like.
You can use an app like Myfitnesspal - where you can track your foods individually and therefore the calories can then be added up easily and tracked.
I haven't used that app msyelf, but have heard others recommend it many times. There are probably other places that also do a similar thing - you could google them on the internet to find one that suits you.
Congratulations on your weight loss - looks like your eating regime is definitely working, and your meals sound very tasty. Sorry to hear your husband is in hospital, and hope he is able to return home soon.
Hope you have another great week ahead, and enjoy all your healthy meals.
Oooops. Just as a treat, I bought us a mini-pork pie each from the hospital shop. Just what we fancied. Hospital is becoming boring, and just to get a different perspective we went down to the Costa Coffee shop. It made a change just seeing all the comings and goings and in a different atmosphere. We couldn't get a wi-fi signal even there. Hopefully something will be decided when his consultant comes back tomorrow.
We saw several people who really should do something about their weight. There's a W H Smith shop with lots of sweet things on one side, and all the sweet things in the Costa Coffee shop on the other. You run the gauntlet between them. One mini pork pie is hardly going to cause an upset in the long term.
Did you have a coffee in the Coffee shop as well as your mini pork pie? There are lots of calories in a lot of those coffees - I always try to have skinny milk and ask to have it 'on the side' so I can add the amount I need. Otherwise the coffee can end up being tons of calories.
Hope you don't have to spend much more time in the hospital, and that your husband is allowed home soon.
I did have a coffee, but not the fluffy kind that most other people were buying, drinking them through straws, uuugh! We just had coffee, ordinary black coffee, with a small pot of milk. Yes, we hope very much to know something positive and definite today. Because of his history none of the other 'experts' want to muscle in, awaiting the return of his own consultant and what he might suggest today. I await, with bated breath!
Thank you very much for the good wishes. It appears that decisions are being made about him - the possibility/probability of leg amputation or yet another knee replacement (the present one is the 4th over the past decade) is receding. They seem to be talking now about long-term low dose antibiotics to prevent this flaring up again and requiring hospital in-patient IV antibiotics. He didn't want me to go this afternoon as the car park was full, of course all the normal clinics started up again. I'll go this evening when there's likely to be more space to park. Hopefully by then his consultant will have been round after clinic and we may have more information. I just can't concentrate on anything. I don't like being here on my own - reminds me too much of when I was widowed - and although I have things I could be doing I just can't concentrate. I haven't eaten much today. I scrambled 2 eggs this morning for breakfast, cooked in butter with a spoonful of creme fraiche and with a slice of Leerdammer cheese. Lunch was the remainder of the sliced cold chicken and broccoli florets, and 2 small satsumas. I don't feel hungry.
Thank you for this. The likelihood of more surgery - amputation or 5th joint replacement - has now been 'discounted', we're told. He still hasn't seen his senior consultant but it appears that the decision-making is now down to the microbiologists. How much antibiotic can they give him long-term to avoid a recurrence of this infection? Frequent blood tests, because the level of antibiotics he's been given IV can damage the kidneys. He's on the max dose at present according to regular blood tests. We hope to get some more positive news today. Actually, for all the complaints some people make about the NHS, we have nothing but praise.
I haven't had much time to look at the article you mentioned, but I will do so when I have a bit more time. Thanks for providing the link to it.
With regard to your husband, I hope you got the more positive news you have been waiting for today. It's good that you are pleased with the service you've received so far from the NHS.
Thank you for this. It's amazing how we - the whole population - has been misled for so many decades, misled by flawed science and also, dare one say it, by commercial interests. Who benefits, for instance, if the whole population is encouraged to eat more carbohydrates in the form of cornflakes and the like, and also in the USA, corn syrup added to almost everything. Who but the manufacturers? As for the problem of heart disease/myocardial infarction, this is very interesting. I had a MI back in 1989 when I worked in Saudi Arabia. I've had no repeat. No angina, nothing.I may have scar tissue in my heart muscle, but it seems to keep ticking away quite well!
It sounds like you and your husband are having a really rough time at the moment. I hope his consultant was able to give you more information.
I'm sorry you are feeling like you don't want to be home alone. I can understand that it must be difficult to concentrate with so much uncertainty regarding your husbands treatment. It sounds like you are trying to eat, even though you don't want to. It's important to try and stay healthy, it sounds like you're very busy with hospital visits and hopefully will have your husband home soon so you need to stay healthy and strong. I hope the group here gives you some support when you feel lonely - after all it can have such a strong effect on our diets. People seem very friendly so I'm sure lots of people would be happy to support you.
On a note of support, may I just thank you for sharing your story. The emotional strength you show in dealing with such difficult circumstances is inspiring. I really do wish you and your husband all the best. x
Thank you for this. Well, we are both getting a bit fed up. My husband had a doctor round at midnight to replace his IV cannula and this doctor apologised to him for not 'keeping him in the loop'. It appears that it's now down to the microbiologists and/or the medical team who are due to see him later this morning. He's a very positive, assertive person and has questions to ask which he needs answered, but really, he longs to be home and back to the things he normally does. He can't even use his netbook because the signal is too poor. Last evening I resorted to my 'comfort food' - a whole tin of Heinz tomato soup which has always been my comfort food. What we'd do without mobile phones I have no idea. The good thing is that no one is now talking of any further surgery, amputation, anything at all in that direction. I think the point will be to find an antibiotic which he can take long term with minimal side-effects and which will stay effective.
We've got used to being together, doing things together, planning things together.
It's a wet miserable day today, I need to go out and get some more green veg and some bird food.
PS: I didn't even visit the hospital yesterday. The car park was too busy in the afternoon and, in the evening, he said there was no point really in me coming. I agreed. There wasn't.
Sorry to hear you weren't able to see your husband last night, but like you said, at least there are mobile phones so you could keep in contact that way.
Hope your day is ok today. I like Blanket's suggestion to look for rainbows on a rainy day - a very supportive and helpful saying.
That's really good news regarding no more surgery. I hope they find some antibiotics that suit him and work long term to keep the infection at bay.
I know the weather doesn't always help with our moods, it's a wet miserable day here too. I read a sign two days ago that made me smile "When it's raining look for rainbows". It's not easy to keep bubbly and cheery but it is important to try and see the beauty in things. It sounds like your husband is one of those people, being a very positive person as you describe.
What healthy comfort food you have!! When I first read comfort food I imagined chocolate etc (guess what mine is?!). I wouldn't feel bad about eating a whole can of tomato soup. I hope you enjoyed it and it was warming, both physically and emotionally. You're going through a really stressful time and it sounds like you're both managing incredibly well so give yourself some kindness. I'm sure you wouldn't think a whole can of soup was bad if a friend told you that's what they'd eaten :o)
I'm glad you and your husband can still be in touch by phone while he's in hospital. I think contact is vastly underrated - it can make us so happy to share our thoughts and daily experiences so it's important to still have that.
I hope he's home soon so you can enjoy each others company again. Best wishes to you both.
Thank you for this. Yes, for some reason tomato soup has always been my comfort food, going back years. I remember when I had pregnancy sickness, it was almost all that I could keep down or fancy at all. Chocolate doesn't do anything for me at all now, if it ever did. Yes, it was a chilly evening, I didn't go to the hospital, just put my feet up and drank tomato soup out of a big mug.
Well, we know a little bit more now, although getting information is like pulling teeth. He's on a course of IV antibiotics and needs to complete the course before coming home. Well, that makes sense. The next thing he's trying to find out is: how long does the course last/when does it end? His leg is very very much better than it was.
If he's still in hospital this evening he'll come down to the Costa Coffee bar and I'll meet him there. It's a bit more pleasant than sitting around in the ward.
That's fantastic news that your husband's leg is much improved, what a relief for you both.Hope the IV antibiotics continue to work and the course is relatively short so he can come home to be with you again soon.
Hope you have some relaxing and enjoyable chats with him whilst watching the world go by if you are doing hospital visits tonight. Take care of yourself - and indulge in tomato soup if you want it, it's not bad for you! All the best to you both. :o)
Thank you for this. He met me down in the Costa Coffee shop last evening. I didn't go up to the ward. I'm feeling OK, been sleeping much better. Today, before another weekend, he's going to do his level best to get some answers. He knows of someone in the US who takes a low dose of antibiotic long-term, but this is not a good idea - all it does is cause the organisms to become resistant and then, no antibiotic will work and you get far worse infections, like MRSA. I can't go there today - car park too crowded in the daytime and this evening I'm having some bird-food delivered. I have praised the NHS to the skies in letters to the local paper etc, but what I find is the worst thing about them is their unwillingness to communicate with the person most concerned - the patient!
All of a sudden, when we thought nothing was happening, he was told he could come home! So, he was home this afternoon, arrived by taxi. We had smoked mackerel and salad for tea.
So pleased to hear your husband is back home again with you! I am glad you were able to enjoy a delicious healthy meal in the comfort of your own place.
Thank you for this. At last, he was able to have a quiet peaceful undisturbed night's sleep in his own bed, no one coming around to wake him, no lights left on until late, no noise. All he wanted was a simple breakfast, boiled egg and wholemeal toast. We need to go out this morning and get some fresh veg etc. We'll probably get a cooked chicken from Waitrose which is quite economical.
I've just finished my first week and I really enjoyed feeling healthy. My rings fit again which was fab. Got on the scales and have gone from 15st 8 to 14st 7. Am delighted. 3 stone to go x
Wow, you've lost over stone in one week? That's a lot of weight to lose. I know that more weight is often lost in the first couple of weeks, and a lot of that is likely to be liquid. It's great that your rings are fitting you again, and you sound very happy. Congratulations!
Hope you have another great week. Healthy weight loss is usually between 1 and 2 pounds per week.
Thanks very much for your message. I was expecting a couple of pounds off and will be delighted with one or 2 a week from now on. Will keep in touch with progress x
Hi one of those I don't want to get on the scales days thank-you Lowcal for reminding us!days but the bank holiday has not not done too much damage! I am 10st 11.5lbs today so similar to last week I think. Need to try and maintain as I am off to Prague Thursday till Monday, I am concerned that I will be missing exercise classes too, nothing today as they don't do classes bank holiday have a good week everyone ps well done Lowcal remember when you were 14st+? Must seem like ages ago hello new you
Well done for maintaining your weight - you're doing really well. Thanks also for your reminder to me about the days when I was 14 stone plus. I hope they are long gone, and that they won't return! I do feel so much healthier for being lighter.
I hope you have a great time in Prague, and hope you can fit in some form of exercise, even if it's running up and down some stairs or a walk somewhere nice perhaps?
Hi Lowcal, my first post here in the weight loss community. Weighed in at 11stone 3 first thing this morning which was a shock. Diet starts today. I'm going to try the 1400 cals NHS weight loss plan and see how I get on. Good luck with your week - you running sounds like you're getting pretty fit.
Welcome! Really glad you joined us today. I think it's often a shock when you weigh for the first time, but that's hopefully the hardest step, and trying the NHS plan will be positive for you. I really hope so.
Thanks for your kind comment about the running - I do enjoy it, and it is helping me to get fitter. I think running is a great way to exercise.
Good luck with your first week, and hope to see you again next Monday for a weigh-in.
Well done! It's rewarding when you have a successful week. Day one has not been so successful for me but I'm making a list of foods and calorie contents right this minute so tomorrow is going to be more organised I hope.
Hope you are having a better day today. That list should help - that's a very proactive thing to have done. Hope you feel more organised and in control of planning your day as a result.
Hopegirl I also use my fitness pal app to keep track of calories. Enter a food and it gives you the calories. I find this really helpful and then you have a list of what you have eaten. Worth a look
Hi all. I've just completed my first run on the couch to 5k challenge and have decided to follow the 12 week plan alongside it. I lost just over a stone and a half last year and have seen it gradually creep up again over the last few months so here I am at a rather demoralising 12 stone 7 hoping to be able to report back with a loss next week. Good luck to everyone this week.
Sounds like a great plan to do the couch to 5k alongside the 12 week plan for weight loss - hope you enjoyed your first run? You did great last year to lose that stone and a half, and although it's crept back on over the past few months, at least you're not heavier than you were previously, and you have the experience of having lost weight, and you know you can do it again.
Hi Lowcal, after couple of weeks not checking in I am 72.4 kg today. Been off the rails a bit - struggling with 1400 calories, but have increased the exercise, enjoying my running which is good. Have succumbed to chocolate and cake on a few occasions. Aim to get back on track again (!) and am trying not to beat myself up for a lack of progress over the last 3 weeks. Tend to blame myself and get negative, " here I go again sabotaging myself" kind of thing. Haven't gained, just struggling to get to that point below 72 kg that will be a small milestone.
Well done to everyone for their efforts and just keeping going.
Great to see you again! Sorry to hear you've had some struggles with the calories - I know what you mean about succumbing to chocolate and cake on a few occasions - those are my temptations too! Glad to hear you are not going to beat yourself up, or blame yourself or get negative - self-sabotage is like you say never helpful. Prin helped me by pointing out previously that no gain is actually 'maintaining' weight - and that is a much more positive re-framing of the situation! Afterall, we've just had the Easter break and this weekend has been the May Bank Holiday, and I think that both of those occasions are challenges!
Keep positive, and you will be below 72 kg very soon! Good luck this week, and have a great week.
I've been following a low calorie diet 1200 per day for a week now. I considered signing up for diet chef, but decided to do my own version using supermarket diet ready meals. I have been trying to stick to 300cal breakfast, then 350-400 each for lunch and tea plus snacks of celery and tomatoes.
My starting weight last Monday was 13st 5lb, and tonight I weighed in at 13st 1lb - so I'm very happy.
I think I'll start using the 12 week plan, which I've just discovered.
I'm hoping that posting here will keep me on track
Welcome! Congratulations on your weight loss. 1200 calories sounds quite low - I think the NHS 12 week plan recommends 1400 for women (although I think it can also do a calculation based on your actual height etc). You mentioned that you are planning to give the 12 week NHS plan a go, so I hope it goes really well for you.
I lost 3 lbs this week, hit the double figures of 10lbs total lost So happy, went for 2 5 mile walks this weekend and feeling fantastic, wouldn't have done that a month ago! I have stopped craving chocolate and have managed to cut out most of the pop, down to 1 can of Coke a day, i'm sleeping so much better. This has got to be the best thing I have ever done!
Wow, that's a great result. Well done! Great that you enjoyed your walks on the weekend and that you've stopped craving chocolate. Cutting down on your sugary drinks is also really good. Most importantly, you're feeling fantastic and that is definitely worth celebrating!
Well I'm a day late in posting as we were away so apologies. This week I lost 3lbs and weigh 11st 11lbs. I have continued to eat quite well but the bank holiday saw a few more drinks and sandwiches than I'd planned! I guess they are life and I don't want to cut them out completely.
Well done to everyone for all your efforts. Thanks Lowcal for keeping us on track with our weekly weigh-in's!
Like Blanket, I'm a day late too. My goal last week was to maintain my weight loss. Instead however, I've gained 2lb! I think it's because I've become a bit sloppy about planning and portion control and because I drank quite a lot of wine on Fri/Sat. I'm losing a little of my original focus and determination.
However, I did see a lot of friends and family over the weekend and most of them commented on my weight loss and on how well I'm looking, which was a great affirmation for me.
So my goal this week is to get back into the rhythm of planning and recording my food and exercise - sounds easy but does require some effort. I have 6lb to lose to get to a healthy BMI and I would love to get there by the end of May.
Off for a run now. Well done everyone for your efforts, have a lovely week!
Great to see you, and I hope you're enjoying your run this evening. Pleased to hear you enjoyed your weekend and caught up with some friends and family. Lovely that they commented on how well you're looking having lost some weight - that's a definite affirmation.
I think it's difficult to maintain weight over holidays like Bank holidays and the like. You should easily lose that 2 pounds that you've gained, and then you'll be back on track for your goal to lose 6 pounds by the end of May.
burntsunMaintainerRestart Feb 20246kg• in reply toZest
Hi Lowcal - had an ok run, it just happened without me being very aware I was doing it. That's good (I think), and certainly better than hating every second!! And although the hard work was mine, this thread can take the credit for inspiring me to go. So thanks for your help Lowcal, enjoy the rest of the week and see you next Monday for the next weigh in.
That's life. As Esther used to say! It happens to me I don't stop living, it's about taking control and not letting things slide WELL DONE FOR TAKING CONTROL! have a good week
burntsunMaintainerRestart Feb 20246kg• in reply toPrin
I am new to site and would like to join this. Over the past 5 year I have been see-saw dieting . . . but have piled on the weight this last year and been lacking motivation . . . Having filled in the estimate your BMI, I was horrified to find out I need to lose over six stone to reach a healthy weight. So my starting weight (5th May) is 15st 10lb 3oz.
Anyway just for the record I have stayed the same!
Feeling more hopeful for next week - no more birthday celebrations- boo hoo. And not another bank holiday weekend for two weeks. I have started running again...so we shall see
There's a lot of keen people out there weighing in on a Monday. You've done well to maintain your weight with those special occasions. Now that your Birthday is over, and no more Bank Holidays for two weeks, there should be a good opportunity to get back to more normal routines. Great that you've started running again.
Week 5 for me. I have lost my first stone, just 8 more to go. Achieved majorly by religiously writing down everything I eat. I was inspired after watching secret eaters on channel 4. Being aware of what you eat, how and why has made such a massive difference for me. I am planning my meals more, counting the calories, starting to increase the amount I walk. Well chuffed, would like to loose the next stone by mid august 2014 if I get their earlier it is a bonus. Good luck everyone.
Many congratulations on losing your first stone - that's such a great achievement. I also enjoy watching that programme (Secret Eaters on Channel 4) - it really shows how easy it is to eat more than you realise, and it's great that you've been able to keep a good track of your own food intake so you can achieve a good balance between your food intake and your exercise.
Good luck with your new goal - it sounds achievable, and you sound motivated to succeed, which helps a lot.
Have a great week.
Lowcal
Weight 14 stone 4 pounds BMI 30.27. Am now back to healthy eating habits so hope to start losing again after a month or more of unhealthy eating in the evenings.
Great to see you. Glad to hear you're back to healthy eating habits, and hopefully you'll be losing weight again very soon. You've identified your challenging time of day (evenings), and that's useful in terms of helping you to plan how you'll combat or challenge those trigger times. Good luck, and hope you have a great weekend.
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