Monday 28th July weigh in.

Oh dear - 3lbs on. Didn't write up but I stayed the same for the 28 July weigh-in. My clothes aren't tight, but my tummy feels a little bit bloated. In the warm weather I do get quite a bit of water retention. Oh well, tomorrow's another day

Glad I didn't have one on today! We had a wonderful day at Highclere for a special event - Heroes at Highclere. Did lots of wandering about slowly, and enjoyed a lovely hand made pizza for lunch with wine, and then a clotted cream + jam scone and cuppa for tea! Don't want to get on scales tomorrow!

I have a discreet black one, which is tucked into my bra. I think it measures each pound of the foot. I have to tuck it onto my shoe when cycling, for each downward sweep.
I didn't have to input step distance, but it does tell me when I have eaten more calories than I have expended.

that's good . I have just been looking at the fit bits. I rather like the coloured Fitbit Zip! Is that the style you have? My birthday soon so I could treat myself. Do you have to input step distance?

Oh, and I haven't given up wine!

Thanks Mrs Pickle. Think I will look at the 5:2 as it is very popular. I too am avoiding wheat based things, and not keen on cooked rice as too filling and bloating. I like the rice cakes though! Good idea about the beans - I need to start on those I think, and the odd jacket potato. Doing low carb does seem to cut out rather a lot but seems to make me feel so much better.

Hello, Nanabelle, I have found something that works for me, but I do have to be a mindful eater.
I lost the weight by following the 5 2 pattern, but instead of 500 cals on 2 days, I allowed myself about 700.
My original goal was 11 stones, but I am now 10 3 or 4.
Here's what works for me:

I have become a daily weigher and recorder of my weight and do a fast if I go over 10 5.
2 days a week, I go low carb, about 50g and I have given up rice, pasta and bread except high days and holidays. I do however, eat loads of beans in every guise, for fibre!
I wear a Fitbit and try for (but don't always attain!) 10k steps. It's also linked to my fitness pal.
I am also on a 5 2 forum, which runs regular challenges, which has really helped.

But most of all, as a right regular foodie, it's about cooking and eating food that we love.

Like anything else, when I was told I must lose weight, I couldn't, or I lost some and put more back on. I've lost it for me and my family, now, though and I am most determined not to pile it all back on.

Enjoy your cycling!

hello Mrs Pickle - nice to hear from you. So glad you are able to cycle after a knee replacement - I will have to have my knee done one day, but at the moment it's in remission! I love cycling, but not much up hills!
What a great weight loss, a huge well done to you. I don't remember ever being size 10 - probably when I was aged 10! - but I am 5ft 8 in so allow myself to be 14/12, depending on clothing. Still got half a stone to lose at moment though.
Like many of us, I have put on weight, lost it, put it on, lost it , etc, so it is wonderful to hear from someone like you who is managing to keep on track. Do you have a secret? Do you allow yourself say one day of any sort of eating, or maybe a treat a week?
I'd love to hear anyone's little tips to help us all on our way.

My latest is Marmite Rice Cakes! Tasty but not moreish like biscuits.

Hello mrsPickle we would love to have you join us yes keeping on the straight and narrow is sometimes harder than losing.
mrshat keep at it you will be fine

Still at 12st 4lbs ..................... Well done all you folks managing to lose weight

Welcome, MrsPickle! It's the keeping on the straight and narrow that's often the hardest part, isn't it!

Thanks MrsPickle,.

I'm sure we are all pleased to have you join us.

Hope you don't mind me joining in here.

Ginny, I had a knee replacement a few years ago. I have now lost 5 stone and cycle a lot. I carry a tube of Biofreeze in my pannier. I have been at/under target weight for over 6 months now and am happily in size 10.
Congrats on the impending wedding in the family. It's a great incentive.

So, may I join you please? Not so much for dieting, but to help keep me on the straight and narrow, though I do wobble a bit!

No I hadn't [I've just googled it] but one of the exercises I've been doing is sitting on a chair/standing/sitting holding weights . I have to be really careful with my dodgy knees. Just going to take the dog for a walk then I'll try doing some.

I'll try drinking a bit more water, glass. I have lots of cups of tea during the day, but maybe it's not enough, especially in the hot weather. Well done to you, by the way!

Yesss I have lost 2lb all that labouring last week paid off, but have had wine every night so 5lb off so 9lb to go for my stone for the christening.
marelli are you drinking plenty of water?
notso enjoy your holidays
nanabelle cheese can be a temptation for all you cheese lovers.
ginny you will soon take that off when you become more active, and a wedding to look forward to.
grannyK forward planning will save you nibbling try to have something ready that you enjoy so it something to look forward to.
tegan have you heard of the squat challenge?

I've not had enough exercise, I don't think - unless I can count traipsing the streets of Edinburgh quite regularly over the last couple of weeks. However, I'm swimming again tomorrow, so that might help a bit.

I try to go in the evening when it cools down but my dog is one of the sniffy types that keeps stopping [she shouldn't be as she's a whippet] so power walking is out of the question [my last whippet was great for that]. I've just got a free 7 day pass for another gym starting on Thursday [v early in the morning, gulp] so I'm hoping I like it and can join. The membership of my last gym took me up to the start of my holiday so it was very annoying when they went bankrupt .

Thanks Tegan.
You are absolutely right and I have been trying to plan ahead , but at that time of night any willpower evaporates
As regards walking though , it has been much too hot during the day , so getting to the theatre is a real pain some days, but the walk back at 11.00pm is magical after a sweaty evening working and I actually look forward to it .
Perhaps you could schedule a brisk late night walk ?

Oh the late night/early morning munchies. Maybe you should assume that you will always be wanting something to eat when you get in at that time and have something ready to eat as soon as you get home. I find my resolve goes when I'm tired and you must be shattered when you get back. I've lost weight but still can't get into the jeans I need for my holiday. With my gym closing down I'm struggling to tone up, even though I've lost quite a few pounds with the weather being so hot [not hungry; wish I felt like this all year round]. Can't join another gym a I'm going to be away quite a lot over the next few weeks. Trying to do exercises at home but it's a struggle [and I find it boring]. Too hot to walk anywhere during the day as well [and, for some reason I no longer enjoy walking; can't put my finger on why that has happened].

I am really very cross with myself

I have this golden opportunity to lose weight and get into better shape while I am working at the theatre in London till 27th September . I have to walk to get there and back and I am up and down stairs all evening. I have to take my supper ,so no chance of nibbling. It was all working brilliantly and now I have totally sabotaged it by scoffing everything in sight several times at 1.00am in the morning when I get back instead of being sensible and getting to bed.
Such nonsense!
Anyway , have gone from the lowest weight I have been for years a few weeks ago when I first started the job to a couple of kilos more again - my usual " I must just get rid of these last few kilos" weight.
Am very disappointed with myself .
Have improved this week and hope I have now stopped the rot in time to benefit during August and September

Someone say something inspirational please !

It was 3 rounds of golf = 12 hours. according to www.myfitnesspal.com a round of golf (with an electric trolley) is about 1200 calories - playing another three this week so fingers crossed.

I wish I didn't have a social life ( not really ), but it would be much easier. I have put 1/2 stone back on of the 2 I lost. Partly because of eating and partly because I haven't been so active after my knee replacement. Any way, knee rapidly improving and getting around is becoming easier so hopefully I will get in the swing again. I do have one good incentive, DD3 has just announced her engagement and there will be a wedding to dress for next year.

Good luck everyone.

oh - big sigh - stayed the same this week. More visitors, plus wine and a couple of ice-creams. And there is now cheese in my fridge - I must keep away!
Well done Sue.b.1 - I am a bit {envy}. (I must try harder