Last Monday I weighed 13 stone 2.2 pounds, and today I weigh 13 stone 4.0 pounds - so I've gained 1.8 pounds this week. It was half-term - and I was away from home for a few days. I indulged in a few treats here and there, and enjoyed the week - but clearly it was not a week to lose weight.
This week I need to get back on track again, and I am hoping to lose that 1.8 pounds again, as soon as I can, as my ultimate goal is to loss 11 pounds in total by Christmas. There's still time to do that! But I need to be disciplined and focused. I'm going to get back to using Myfitnesspal to log all my food and drink intake, and I hope to go to the gym at least two times - as well as trying to do a walk most days.
Please join me for this Monday weigh-in and share your experiences of how half-term was for you. Good luck with your goals, and I'm looking forward to catching up with everyone. If you're new, and fancy joining in - you are very welcome to join us. It's a friendly and supportive community of like-minded people, all hoping to lose weight in a healthy way.
Lowcal
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Hi Lowcal, really sorry you've gained this week but the school hols are never an easy time for weight loss! I counted up last night and my boys are back at school for 7 weeks now until the Christmas break so that's my timeframe to make a difference to my weight and emotional wellbeing.
l have lost 2&1/4lbs since last Mon so am still 3/4lb heavier than the previous weigh in but like you, I think half term has left its mark
After some good advice from Catch I continued with c25k and completed a 20minute run! I'm finding the running a revelation for my fitness and happiness (never ever would have believed running could make me happy - quite the opposite if I'd ever had to guess!) If anyone else is thinking of trying c25k then go for it - I'm still nearer to 17stone than 16 and am finding it do-able, I've have gone from thinking 90 seconds of running would kill me to knowing I could go a bit further if I had to!
Even when my weight isn't changing much my body shape is and other people are noticing it so I feel much better about myself.
I hope you have a good weight loss week this week, I'm sure you will with the hols out of the way!
Yes, the half-term has left its mark, but hopefully we will both get the extra weight back off again and be on track for our Christmas goals! Glad to hear it's 7 weeks to go - that's not too bad.
Congratulations to you for losing 2 and a quarter pounds since last Monday - that's brilliant, and also well done for doing your running. That's a great exercise for fitness. Great to hear your body shape is changing too. Really good.
Well done chubbymummy, I'm a C25k graduate too and it has made a real difference to my body shape, which finally I can see too now after others noticing a while back. Now I need to rein in the eating and drinking to make a difference on the scales too x
Haha! Thanks Marlyparly it's exactly the same for me, I must stop allowing wine to jump into my shopping trolley when I'm not looking Good luck with the dieting this week
Kate x
Sorry to hear you put on a bit of weight. In my experience when this has happened once I am back on track it comes off again quite quickly.
Last Monday I weighed 83kg. Today it is 82.3kg. Half term has been a good week. Done lots of walking which has really helped.
So far I have lost about 11kg and dropped a dress size.
Yes, I'm hoping it will come off quickly - thanks so much for your encouraging words.
Congratulations on your weight loss this week - that's great! Glad to hear you've enjoyed your walking. Wow, great to hear you've lost 11kg in total and a whole dress size too! Really great.
Great that you've enjoyed that swim. You had to rest your ankle to let it recuperate, so don't be hard on yourself for that. You'll get your fitness levels back - just pace yourself and you'll be fine!
Morning everyone! I'm new to this so thought I would start as I mean to go on with my first weigh in. I look forwards to keeping up with how you are all doing over the weeks. As f this morning I weigh 12 stone 4. I am hoping to be under 12 by the end of the month. Happy weigh in everyone! Kate
Really great that you've joined us today - welcome! You've had your first weigh-in - that's a big step, and hopefully you're on your journey towards being under 12 stone by the end of the month.
Wishing you a great week. Have you seen the NHS weight loss pages? They have a 12 week structured plan with lots of good strategies and advice.
Look forward to catching up with you in future weigh-ins!
Thanks for update LC - you will of course lose that weight gain - and you have a good philosophical attitude - and still much closer to 13 stone than 14 st. I have often thought with all those little losses - they have all added up for you.
So last week - in marginally better head space and had a week of sorting myself out and gaining a bit more more control - but also really concentrating on improving my mood. A week later - no weight loss which is a bit irritating - but like you half term took its toll - amongst other things -I had the most delicious vanilla ice with clotted cream and a flake while walking along the seaside- yummy.
=So this weeks aims - to lose something - anything! To exercise and I am counting those calories!
Thanks very much for your encouraging words. Much appreciated.
I think it's good that you've maintained your weight over half-term, as I think that's a success in itself! Your ice-cream sounds really delicious.
Glad to hear that your mood is improving - however small the improvements, it's good to be going in a more positive direction and feeling better bit by bit. I think it's normal to react to things in life, and sometimes we have to go through darker patches, but hopefully when we emerge from those times the world can look a bit brighter, and we can learn something from whatever experience comes our way.
Wishing you success with your goal this week, and hopefully we will both have lost some weight for next week's weigh-in!
Staying the same with the challenges of half-term lack of routine and treats is a result Suzybenj - don't be disheartened, just make up your mind to be uber good this week and I'm sure you'll see a difference x
Thanks for the support - not disheartened - just focussed now - just hope it pays off in weight loss
Good luck to you too
Hi everyone! I'm a newbie too, started last Tuesday and my start weight was 16st 3lb (heaviest I've ever been!). But glad to say I've stuck to the plan this week and lost 4lb so I'm thrilled! Back in the 15's! The main changes I made were weighing all my food, a bit more exercise and tracking everything on Myfitnesspal, which meant I also planned (most!) of my meals. So next week, I hope to lose 2lbs and up the exercise a bit more, especially since my brother is visiting us at the weekend and we'll be eating out.
Well done for the losses everyone! Lowcal you've still done well to only gain a little during half term, I gained 2.5lbs on a week's holiday before I started this, we all know how it is easily done. But glad you enjoyed your week and now you can get back on track and aim for that 11lb loss, I'm sure you'll smash it!
Great to see you again! Congratulations on losing 4 pounds in your first week - that's really great. Great to hear you're back in the 15's. Really great! Sounds like you have a great structure - using Myfitnesspal and planning most of your meals beforehand. Really good!
Thanks also for your encouraging words to me. I am quite pleased that I didn't gain more weight this week - and I did try to choose well when I was eating out wherever possible, but I found towards the end of the week that I was beginning to 'go off the rails a bit' and was beginning to make some poor choices! So I'm glad to be back home so I can hopefully get back to a better routine.
Thanks Lowcal and Marly! Just seen your weight loss too Marly, that's fantastic, well done! Keep doing what you're doing and we can shift this weight in no time! Aiming for my half stone now in the next few weeks! And to get started on week 2 of c25k, w1r3 to do tomorrow. Have a great week x
You will beat that final stone, MFP is a great help, even though I think I'm doing well I still log everything.
I was off last week and managed to lose 2lbs, I'm now 14st 12lbs. I did a 10 mile walk on Wednesday but not much after. I had to force myself to go out on Friday and did nothing over the weekend. I'm hoping that now i'm back at work and back to my routine that it will get easier. My energy levels are non-existent at the minute so is my appetite so I guess that balances out.
Good luck getting to the gym, wishing you a successful week
Thank you! I feel good that I'm finally trying to lose my final stone.
Congratulations to you on losing 2 pounds this week - that's really great! That 10 mile walk sounds good too - hope you enjoyed it. I think that routine does help, so hopefully you'll be feeling more energized as the week goes on. I do think it will be more difficult to keep to the exercise side of things with the darker evenings and wet weather - but I'm hoping that planning in some slots for exercise will help.
It's actually weird how i enjoy walking now when i used to do anything to avoid it! I have the opposite problem when planning in exercise, I find if I plan it I will then do everything to avoid it and find excuses not to do it, it's really bad. I'm also finding that the dark nights make me want to curl up on the settee in my pajamas.
Hi Kate, I was really struggling with energy levels a week or two ago and I found doing a short bit of exercise in the evenings helped me pick up no end. Just 10 mins on an exercise bike or something, and the more I did it, the more I felt like doing and the energy crept up. Give it a whirl, you never know! Good luck for the week x
When i'm at work i'm usually pretty good, I walk home from work every night which is 4 miles and then try to do Jillian Michael's 30 day shred workout 1 just before bed. this usually works for me but after having a week off I just wanted my pajamas and trashy tv all weekend, it was a bit surprising how easy it was to undo all of those new habits I've learnt over the last 6 months.
Morning ladies, 1/2 terms are always difficult! - says she with a son that's nearly 1/4 century old! Some trick or treat leftovers mindlessly found their way in my tummy . We need to up the game if we are to see Xmas with a minimum of spandex :). I am the same as last week 10.13, started sober November on Saturday, so I have high hopes and am hoping to lose 2lbs, must be careful not to overcompensate on my saved calories from the booze. I am aiming for another week of doing all my scheduled classes ( fat lot of good they did me last week) have a good week folks well done losers and lets put half term behind usxx
Well done for maintaining your weight over half-term, despite those trick or treat leftovers in your tummy. Good luck with sober November! You sound motivated and positive about it, and that should see you through! I'm sure your classes did help you last week - you might have gained something if you'd not done them.
Yes, let's put half-term behind us, and move on to lighter times! Less spandex!
Staying the same with half-term treats is a result!!!! Don't be disheartened, you also might have replaced fat with muscle which weighs more - have a look at your waist measurements, etc. and you might just be encouraged by what those classes are doing off the scales. keep going!!! x
Lol I am just really a maintaining whinger! I schedule in 10 classes a week, I don't always do them all stuff gets in the way. My Thursday morning spin at 6.45 I always tell myself is to help combat the weekend alcohol calories, if I am sober what is the point at getting up at that time!
Welcome to you! Glad you joined us today to weigh-in. Hope you find your tape measure - it can really help to keep those measurements to compare over time. I usually compare my measurements once a month, and thankfully they have changed over time.
Have you seen the NHS website weight loss pages? They are useful as they provide a structured 12 week plan. Lots of tips and good advice.
I like to use Myfitnesspal for recording my food and drink intake and exercise, as it helps me to be aware of how many calories I'm having. It also helps to see just how many calories some foods contain. It can be surprising.
Have you worked out your BMI to see how much weight you'd like to lose to achieve a healthy weight?
Hope you have a great first week. Look forward to seeing you in future weigh-ins.
Sorry that you have gained this week Lowcal but sometimes weirdly enough a blip is what we need to really focus the mind. I'm sure that will you will be well on the way to your 11 lb by this time next week. I weighed in at 12.0.2 this morning from 12.0.4 last week - a loss is a loss I suppose. The change I am going to make is to cut out alcohol apart from prearranged social occasions and see if that makes a difference. Good luck everyone this week !
Sorry that you have gained this week Lowcal but sometimes weirdly enough a blip is what we need to really focus the mind. I'm sure that will you will be well on the way to your 11 lb by this time next week. I weighed in at 12.0.2 this morning from 12.0.4 last week - a loss is a loss I suppose. The change I am going to make is to cut out alcohol apart from prearranged social occasions and see if that makes a difference. Good luck everyone this week !
Thanks so much for your encouragement. I agree that having a blip does indeed focus the mind.
It's great that you've lost weight this week, despite it being half-term. A loss is very definitely a loss, and it's great that you've had one! So really well done.
I'm sure your decision to reduce your alcohol consumption will help too - because there are quite a few calories in each unit. It's bound to make a difference!
Hi Mary55, I cut out alcohol almost entirely this week and it has made a HUGE difference. I read somewhere that it affects your insulin levels, which in turn affects how you burn calories and fat. Give it a go and see how you get on! x
I've managed to shift a couple of lbs this week which I'm really chuffed about even though I think most of it was down to illness. On the mend now though.
Sorry to hear how the half term has derailed a few folk. I always find anything at all out of the ordinary a real challenge. Hope all are back on track now and heading for a better week this week.
Oh and welcome to the new folk. As you'll see we're all in the same boat on here and I for one find it so much easier having the help and support of all these kind folk. All the best with your journeys and here's to a good week for all of us.
Sorry to hear you've been ill this week. Glad to hear you're on the mend now though. Hopefully you'll be feeling back to normal again very soon. It's difficult with the change in temperature and wetter weather - I think there's lots of colds and stuff about.
Congratulations on losing 2 pounds this week. That's great! You're doing really well.
Not a nice way to shift the weight Ruth, but at least it is shifted! Hope you're feeling 100% soon and wishing you a healthier, happier weight loss this week x
I'm starting to feel a bit better now thanks. Just not sure if my limbs have stopped aching enough to get back on the exercise bike and get them aching all over again. It won't be long though and now the nights are dark I thinn it's time to make friends with the exercise bike again.
Hey well done by the way on your very productive first week. 2.5kg lost did I see? You should be very proud of yourself. Thansk for the kind words - every bit helps I find - and all the best for another great week ahead.
Hi Lowcal, half-terms are so hard when you're all out of routine aren't they?! I think you should just say, okay, that was a holiday and I enjoyed it, good for me. Don't feel bad or guilty about it, we all need a holiday and to let our hair down (or belts out a little:)) every so often. But make up your mind as you seem to have anyway that you will be super good this week to make up - I bet you can lose the 1.8 pounds and beyond if you put your mind do it, we're all behind you.
We are a bit skint at the moment, but that meant less eating out over the half-term, which meant I was more in control than in other holidays. I just started last week too so was really determined to give it a good go. I lost 2.5 kg this week, super chuffed! Determined to keep going but also keenly aware that often you get a good first week or two on a diet and then the loss slows down, so I'm prepared for that, but the only think to do is keep going, otherwise I have to resign to being unhappy with myself and who wants that?
Yes, I hope to be 'super good' this week, to make up for the excesses of half-term. Thanks so much for your encouragement - it really does help!
Many congratulations to you on losing 2.5 kg in your first week - that's great! It is normal for the weight loss to slow down after the first larger drops. You know that, and you're prepared for it, so that's very positive. Yes, just keep going, and hopefully you'll be happy with yourself and the resulting progress you'll make!
another newbie here, weighed myself after half term and in two weeks I have lost 8 lbs! I am now back under 13 stone for the first time in quite a while which is great. That 1.8 lbs will just melt off now half term is over. I've found that by eating healthier I am eating less and therefore have more energy for exercise, which is great.
Good Luck, I'm sure you will lose all 11 lbs well before Christmas
I like your name! Welcome to you. Wow - you've lost 8 pounds in 2 weeks, that's a massive start! Great that you are below 13 stone and into the 12's.
Thanks for your enthusiasm and motivating comments - and I wish you another great week ahead. Your weight loss levels should reduce a bit now - it's good to aim for a loss up to 2.2 pounds, and not more than that in a week, as it's better to lose weight steadily and healthily. Like Marlyparly mentioned (above) - the weight loss is greater at the start and then levels off.
Hope you're enjoying your new healthier eating - are you trying actual recipes, or putting things together on the plate that are healthier foods generally?
I was in Uganda for about 11 days, so eating less with more pasta and rice dishes helped. Also ate a lot of bananas so I'm just trying to keep up similar eating habits now that I'm back in England and I'm not going to skip breakfast again as I used to. Might try some recipes, one of my friends has some that we ate in Uganda.
Sorry to hear you have put a bit on lowcal, but I'm sure that will soon go now you are back to your usual routine. I lost a pound this week which I ham more than happy with following my 4 pound loss last week. I also may not have been a strict with my calories this week! Half time isnot an excuse for me as my daughter is only 3 and so the only change to my routine was no mums and tots. I have lost 1.5cm off my waist this week so there has been some change there.
Have lost 3 stone 3 now and people who don't know that I am trying to lose weight have started to comment the last few weeks. I am having to get used to accepting compliments which is not something I normally need to do!
Well done to everyone who has lost this week, and I'm sure we will all lose what we need to in the end to get to our targets.
Hi Lowcal - firstly a huge thank you for the lovely welcome last week, always a bit daunting when joining established groups! Sorry to hear you had a gain - I also did and am going to blame the half term break. I work in education so was off for the week and completely out of my routine. I didn't feel that I had been awful and kept up the exercise but obviously did something wrong. I put on 1lb by the way so not horrendous but enough to make me feel a bit deflated this morning - 12st 3lbs and desperate to be in the 11's!!
So.... now best foot forward etc., etc., and am going to really try hard for this week. Hope you and everyone else in the group have a good week also.
Don't be disheartened by your 1 pound gain - half-term is notoriously challenging, as is any break in routine in my opinion. It's more frustrating when you're getting close to the cusp of a change in stones - I'm desperate to see the 12's, and you're desperate to see the 11's, and we're both nearly getting there - so we MUST keep going, so we can get there!
I feel sure we will all achieve our goals, if we stay focused and motivated, and we can help to motivate one another - so that's an excellent formula for success.
Hi Lowcal. Don't be too disheartened 1.8 of a lb is a hiccough but not the end of the world. Just get to grips with your routine, take the bull by the horns and go for gold this week and no excuses!
Have scales will travel! I was disappointed that I only lost 1/4lb this week but I guess with packing up and moving and travelling across Europe in a car that started to make an horrendous noise when we reached Spain, took it's toll. Then it was a public holiday for 2 days so the car only got to the garage this morning. Luckily it's a minor problem and we should be on our way again tomorrow. However, we've been eating late nights cos that's how it is here and the whole experience and change of routine has taken it's toll. We have done a lot of walking so perhaps that has been my saviour!
I must this week crack that last pound to make my weight loss total 4 and a 1/2 stone and stop using pathetic excuses. Each day I am throwing clothes away (In the charity clothes bin) that are now way too large, so that should be the kick I need up the backside!
Well done everyone who has lost and to those who haven't, get motivated and get those scales singing!
Thanks for your encouragement - and I'll try to go for gold this week!
I think it's great that you've lost quarter of a pound this week, despite all the stress of moving and travelling across Europe - that is a big move! Sorry to hear your car was making such a noise as well, that must have been even more stressful. Glad to hear you'll be able to be on your way again tomorrow. Like you say, hopefully all the walking will be your saviour. All those changes in routine are definitely challenging.
I think your scales will be singing soon when you get to shift your last pound to get to 4 and a half stone weight loss. I think you'll be there very soon!
Wishing you a safe journey onward tomorrow, and hope you have a relaxing evening tonight.
Great to see you again, and Congratulations on losing 1 and quarter pounds, plus half an inch off your waist - that's such a great start! Really well done.
Hope you found your first week ok - hopefully you enjoyed it. Wishing you another great week ahead.
On the scales this morning to see 12st 12lb, so a 2lb loss and goodbye 13st (I hope - see below).
Lowcal, it seems as though you are ready to get back to losing. You can do it. You've come SO far. Don't do 'a me after my birthday' (see below). You want that loss for Christmas!!! Go for it!!!!!!
Its my birthday today so there have been 'a few' indulgences. Could have been worse though, I resisted a few things). Tomorrow is exercise+++ to make up for the excesses. However there are still toffee muffins and choc mousse/cheesecake thing (both of which I picked out as treats for birthday but am now too stuffed to eat!) not to mention 3/4 of a birthday cake, oh and alcohol.
Historically, after my birthday I get a taste for the sweet stuff and eating just what I want and basically don't stop. I keep going and going and stay well away from the scales.
SO.......will have to be really careful over the next few days and exercise A LOT if I am going to finish everything off. (Sorry, I just can't bear to throw it away and even giving it away is going to be hard - they're MY birthday treats! er dont know how to do jokey face icon) *If feeling brave next week I might tell you exactly what happened to each item...where and when each went!!! hmm, am I brave enough to say I finished of 3/4 of a birthday cake to myself? NO! Will think of that when I look at and it says, "Eat me til I'm gone!"
Still aiming for a 1.5lb loss next week but aware it may not happen, so to stay the same will be a triumph for me. No using it as an excuse to eat and eat my way up to Christmas, into Christmas and beyond. I love having 12st-something in my life again and I am gonna hold onto it, well, until I am about to love being 11st something instead!
Sorry for ramble, it's the sugar high (jokey face - er, can someone teach me icons - where? how?!)
Good luck everyone for a great week ahead - a week of pushing hard. Go for it!
Firstly, a Very Happy Birthday to you for today! Hope you have a really great day. Brilliant that you've lost 2 pounds this week and that you're into the 12's, that is amazing! Really well done!!!
You've given me some advice regarding suggesting that I don't do what you do after your Birthday, which is to eat up all the sweet stuff - I would say to you - heed that advice yourself, because you know how difficult it is to resist such temptations - you're into the 12's and really I'm sure you'd be happier if you can stay in the 12's and not go back to the 13's.
I made a chocolate cake with buttercream frosting about 3 weeks ago, and I enjoyed a couple of pieces of that cake, but then I investigated how to freeze it, and cut it up into individual pieces, and they are now in the freezer. They taste even better when I do de-frost them than they did when the cake was first made! But the fact is I can control as and when I choose to eat them, and that is really good! Maybe you could freeze your toffee muffins and your Birthday cake in the same way?
I noticed as the half-term week went on and I started off making 'good healthy choices' that as the week progressed I began to 'allow' myself less good choices, and by the end of the week I felt as if I'd had a couple of days where I'd binged a bit on chocolate - not in the way I might have done in the past, but I definitely experienced a sugar-rush, and frankly it felt like I'd become hung-over. I felt sluggish and lacking in energy. I didn't like that feeling.
I don't buy or make a Birthday cake anymore - me and my husband tend to go to a really nice Pattiserie shop and order a piece of lovely cake each, and we really enjoy that piece of cake.
The thing is that you've enjoyed your Birthday (it's not over yet I know!), but you are already feeling 'full' and so maybe it's a good opportunity to think about how to save yourself from eating the remainder of the sweet stuff - freezing it would be my advice, or giving it away.
Sorry to have written such a lot here, but I am keen to try to help you to stay in the 12's and not undo all your hard work - which is exactly the advice you started off giving me at the beginning of your post - it's good advice!
Wishing you a great remainder of your Birthday! Well done again on your weight loss this week, it's really good. Good luck with your goals for this week.
Thank you SO much Lowcal - your advice is greatly appreciated! I didn't even THINK to freeze anything - a great idea. I managed to resist eating any cake yesterday until the evening... then just having one slice. In past times I would have had some along with breakfast, elevenses, lunch, mid-afternoon....you get the picture until it was gone.
As of this morning I can now say the toffee muffins and the remainder of the cake is in the freezer! I feel I am so much more in control than I would have been in the past. I like the tip to buy a special cake/pastry in stead of a whole cake - will try that next year. You also reminded me of the most important thing really - that I want to stay in the 12s. I hope I can help to spur you on to come and join me in the 12s. Go for it! I am trying to balance the treats with low calorie meals such as soup or smaller portions and some exercise.
I hope you're having a good week and thank you again for your input- it's really helped. I hope I can do the same for you and others.
I am so glad that you've frozen those muffins and remainder of the cake - you've done so well to resist the temptation to eat more of them - you've been able to enjoy your BIrthday and eat some cake, but you've taken the biggest step which is to eat moderately rather than to excess. Therefore you've changed a pattern for the better, and you're in control. That's so great!
I'd love to join you in the 12's, but I think it will take me a couple of weeks to get there - but hopefully I'll be there soon! Will look forward to joining you!
Lowcal! I guess a small gain is easy to rectify. You've been so good lately. Can you specify what exactly undid your good work? I assume you realised at the time the effect it would have? I want you to work really hard this week and be an inspiration to me. . . . . . I have shifted 27lbs so far and am desperate to make that 2 stone mark. But guess what, am away from home for over a week from Thursday so I'll be at the mercy of others!!! Wish me strength and we both need to get focused! Have a good spell.
Congratulations to you on losing 27 pounds in total so far - that is inspirational.
Basically the trigger for my gain this week was being away from home for a few days - i.e. I had to try to make 'good choices' with restricted options, and that was challenging! Also, the excitement of being in more of a holiday mode meant that I decided to have more desserts and chocolate and alcohol, and that opened up the 'craving cave' that demanded more of the same! Thankfully being back in a routine again means I can get back to focusing on my goals.
I would like to wish you lots of strength for when you are away from home, and hope that you'll remember that although you may feel as if you are 'at the mercy of others' - you do still have choices, and therefore you can assert those choices. That way you can hopefully limit any damage that might be done by the change in routine.
Hopefully you'll be reaching your 2 stone target very soon!
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Good luck with the dieting this week 
until it was gone.
