2025 Health goals

[Bluelady-sing]

I had an invigorating workout with my my coach today and we have set some goals1) to improve my posture

2) use low resistance weights to help elongate muscles

3) try to create more symmetry in my body this will it make me look longer and Leaner

4) accept my vegetarian/ vegan diet is just as good for me as any animal protein

5) to share knowledge and experience with everybody on this forum!

6) loose body fat

7) used low resistance weights to strengthen my bones as I'm now in my mid forties, particularly my back!

8) and yes I want a long lean slim strong body but I have to accept my own bodywork.

9) I like the look of the Victoria secret models but I think in reality unless I'm working out 7 days a week I probably won't look like that.

10) Combined workout with cardio and bare sculpting and gentle low weights 2 nd 2.5 kg!

Change of mindset abandon this idea of BMI!

Guys I hope yourselves and the moderator does not think I am taking over the forrm and being selfish but I had such an epiphany today! you know my coach said to me we talked about protein we look at a cow we think protein in reality what does it can we a cow eat grass!!

Look at the giraffe how tall and strong what do they eat leaves.

The idea people have as animal protein is outdated.

What does everybody think do you think? Are my goals realistic?

[BridgeGirl Administrator 2 stone]

Would you like to join in with forum activities, Bluelady-sing?

[Bluelady-sing Healthy BMI in reply to BridgeGirl]

Sure, I want to share my knowledge and journey

[BridgeGirl Administrator 2 stone in reply to Bluelady-sing]

Well, you know where the posts are - weigh in, daily diary, fit is fun etc. Just head over there are start chatting to members and see how they're doing

It's about two-way communication. There's a lot of experience and wisdom among our members. Joining in, being interactive, tends to be more productive than simply doing stand alone posts

[BridgeGirl Administrator 2 stone in reply to BridgeGirl]

I'm sure you think I'm being unhelpful but what I'm saying is that these discussions go on around the forum on all our regular posts, as you will see if you join in.

You know our Jumpstart January post? healthunlocked.com/weight-l... Maybe you could start there and give yourself a challenge of joining in every forum post this month as an alternative to doing your own posts. See if that pays off for you

[Dietwoman Visitor]

Hi Blue-lady-sing

I love your post, you have similar mindset and goals to me.

I am 58 year old vegan who does yoga and strength training for the long my term health.

And yes I agree with you about animal protein pulses and lentils etc work for me

I am also in my correct weight range

Have been doing this for years

Think your goals are great

[focused1 Maintainer 13kg in reply to Dietwoman]

Could you kindly give me an indication of what you eat in a typical day as what you are doing is clearly working for you .

[Dietwoman Visitor in reply to focused1]

Hi focused 1

My typical days starting with first meal at about 11.30am sometimes a bit earlier if hungry which is

Coconut yogurt with nut butter either almond or peanut, I use brands that have no additives I add mixed berries and mixed seeds.

I then eat again at about 5pm

Which at this time of year cause it’s cold is

Things like 5 bean chilli or vegetable stew always adding lots of lentils or some kind of beans for protein

I cook my own meals so always try to make sure I have the correct nutrition I may eat some sourdough bread with Hummous or avocado with the stew/soup.

Sometimes I will have an alpro yogurt or some mixed nuts if still hungry, or I might have a vegan protein shake for a chocolate fix and more protein

[Bluelady-sing Healthy BMI]

Thanks, I should have added balance and coordination. You must have good strength much flexibility if you're doing yoga

[Dietwoman Visitor]

Balance and coordination are two of the reasons I started yoga as well as flexibility doing this to protect or help my older age. I have never liked exercise and yoga felt less intensive to me I have always been fairly flexible. Have been doing yoga for about 5 years added strength training in the last year or so. I can definitely recommend Adriene Mishler yoga videos on YouTube brilliant videos. I have read lots of articles about yoga and strength training to help protect ourselves and help balance coordination as well as prevent muscle loss and osteoporosis. I also try very hard to eat a healthy diet I do all this for the future older me.

I hope your goals are going well this week

[focused1 Maintainer 13kg]

The food side of things is what works for you but ensure the balance contains all the nutrients you need especially if you are exercising . General social media portrays those who only eat a plant based diet as super healthy but it must be balanced so I would get advice from your trainers on what to eat and do you need supplements as menopause can play havoc with so many things and these aren't always apparent ? I needed to up my protein levels when I was going to the gym 4 times a week . I was told my porridge breakfast would be better with eggs . I chose to ditch red meat but not for ethical reasons so I was advised to eat lean white meat for growth / repair of muscles but I feel you just need whatever guidance you can get to ensure that these radical changes don't do you any harm .

As for aiming to look like a VC model I feel it must be down to genetics . My granddaughter is over 5ft 8 and at 15 hardly focuses on sport and exercise . She eats anything and everything . Her Mum and grandparents are tall . I don't envy the pressure either . Be kind to yourself and try not to take a lifestyle as a time consuming ordeal . Could you find a gym buddy to motivate you too as this would be quite strict pattern for me to keep to but I appreciate we are all different .

[Bluelady-sing Healthy BMI]

Focused 1 and diet woman. You are both right. I wouldn't mind a recipe for vegetable curry or vegetable stew if you one. One would not too many fancy ingredients. The kind you can knock together using your bottom of the fridge vegetables that might otherwise get thrown out.

[Bluelady-sing Healthy BMI]

I'm really glad that you guys are joining in I really want to share my journey with others and learn from others. Some yummy recipes would be helpful

[Dietwoman Visitor]

My veggie curry recipes or stew recipes are definitely simple ones 🤣

I used a instant pot to chuck it all in which was a great investment for easy cooking

Veggie curry

I will see what’s in the fridge, use onion celery sweet potato tomatoes peppers courgettes chop up pop into instant pot add vegetable stock cube tin of chopped tomatoes

To add protein to make it a complete meal I will add legumes on some sort or lentils

then add gram masala curry powder garlic and a bit of chilli cook for about 20 mins in instant pot, but could do all this in a saucepan on stove top

To be honest my veggie stew is a variation of this using things like parsnips swede and potatoes and less spice I will add vegan miso paste

I don’t follow recipes just cook via instinct but worked as a chef for years

Hope it helps not sure it will tho

[Bluelady-sing Healthy BMI in reply to Dietwoman]

What do you eat when did you eat them with nan breads

[Bluelady-sing Healthy BMI in reply to Bluelady-sing]

Will try this recipe

[Dietwoman Visitor]

I love Nan bread but I don’t eat it with homemade curry I tend to go for sourdough

[focused1 Maintainer 13kg]

Pinching the curry idea I would sometimes top this with sweet potato mash or wedges . This adds a creamy texture. I microwave the sweet potato and scoop out the flesh then just mash . With curry I wouldn’t add my normal teaspoon of any mustard - whole grain usually or mustard powder . You may like a little black pepper instead . Mash is good for those older potatoes where the skin is too thick and grainy to digest but if I was trying to eat pure veggie then I would try and include eating the skin. I am wondering now I was bought an air fryer for Xmas whether they would crisp up in some way and be more edible sprinkled with paprika and a bit of sea salt ? A “free” but better alternative to any manufactured crisps .