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Dieting & exercise

I’m a Pear ? the sequel part 2 !

(1001 Posts)
NanKate Sun 01-Nov-20 20:35:42

On 08 May 2018 I started this thread for those who wanted to lose weight and have a healthier lifestyle. Many people have joined up and many pounds lost and a few gained.

However the 2 Gransnetters who have stayed the course from the beginning are Fourormore and Shirleyw who have helped to keep me on the straight and narrow, most of the time ?, and kept up our spirits.

We now have some other excellent new regulars who have joined our ranks and they have brought new ideas and support. Many thanks girls what would I do without you all.

Do join us the rules are simple.

Choose your own style of diet plan.
Check in regularly with a report of the highs and lows of the diet.

Have an occasional binge but get back on the wagon ASAP.
Pass on any useful diet tips.

So for example I started calorie counting with the NHS Diet Plan. I now eat what I like but make portion control my mantra.

You have nothing to lose, other than weight, on this thread.

Please join us at this difficult time in all our lives with the Pandemic.

So Onward and Downward girls ??

Shirleyw Sun 15-Aug-21 17:57:02

Glad your feeling ok whif, your being well looked after.
Good you stayed he same weight.

Dorsetcupcake61 Mon 16-Aug-21 08:20:17

Good morning dear pears and welcome new members. Here is certainly a wonderful place for support,good ideas and the opportunity to address our weight loss journey honestly!
Hands up I have put on 3 and 1/4 pounds?. Tbh I think it has been due to a few weeks of taking my eye off the ball and maintaining-and its caught up with me. I'm on annual leave this week but will try and make sensible choices and back to strict calorie counting next week!
Have a lovely week everyone ?

Shirleyw Tue 17-Aug-21 03:27:18

That will soon come off dorset, that was me the other week.

I’ve lost 4 this week at long last, my eye was off the ball for a while but I’ve cracked down again ….long may it continue.

Whiff Tue 17-Aug-21 07:29:55

Dorset it's a blip . You have done so well and with your determination will soon have it off. Hope you are enjoying your time off. Is your daughter still with you?

Shirley well done . Hopefully I will lose this week got back on course on Sunday.

Why is it so hard to lose weight but one blip and on it goes! Why is it we lose weight from places we don't want it to go but stubbornly stays where we want it off?.

Shirleyw Tue 17-Aug-21 20:02:57

whif it’s a mystery to me why

Sarahmob Tue 17-Aug-21 20:20:06

Hi all, I’ve had some internet problems over the last couple of weeks so have been a bit quiet. Weights been a bit up and down but have now settled again at what looks like no real change. I’m going to push really hard to try and get moving down again. Have been doing lots of exercise though, (loving the variety on YouTube) and that is making a huge difference in the clothes, so although the numbers aren’t reflecting a loss, the clothes are.
It’s good to see lots of newbies joining and to catch up on the news from the regulars.

CocoPops Wed 18-Aug-21 04:43:22

Hello everyone and it's great to have new Gransnetters joining.
My weight has fluctuated a bit but I am back to my target today. It's not easy though is it.
I decided to get some cycling in when the weather is not too hot (we had extreme heat + again). The grandchildren and I sallied forth on our bikes recently with my dog harnessed inside her basket on my bike. Suddenly GD collided into me and we both tumbled off with me sandwiched between our bikes and my dog standing next to me unfazed with an expression which said, "Serves you right for going too fast"! grin
2 guys came to our rescue and extracted us and on we went, GD with a bruised thigh and me with a battered rib cage.
Have a great week everyone.

Whiff Wed 18-Aug-21 12:24:27

Cocopops hope you and your granddaughter fully recover soon. Falls at any age is no fun. But as we get older takes longer to recover. I have noticed since losing weight I bruise easier. But like being smaller so will put up with the bruises.

If losing weight was easy we would all be size 10 to 14. Tall with killer legs and pert boobs. Unfortunately I am 5' 2" short legs and boobs heading south. They disappear when I am flat on my back.

Never been been busty. When I had my first bra aged 12. My cheeky brother said I didn't need a bra but 2 egg cups and a piece of string. ?

Sarah glad you are enjoyed the exercises . Got my class this afternoon which I love. Only 2 of us last week but I love it. I am back to doing them at home. Which I am pleased about. Noticed my arms are getting there strength back and bit more stable walking.

Never thought I would like exercising . Hated it at school. My husband would say where's my wife and what have you done with her.

A friend of mine reminded me the other day she never knew the old me only this slimmed down version.

Funny how losing weight has changed my outlook on life. Exercising, gardening ,wearing bright colours. .And shock horror I wear
trousers and feel confident wearing them.

Do others feel different?

Rosycheeks Sun 22-Aug-21 05:37:31

Morning all. So I decided to do WW on line instead of counting the calories, ive got 4 stone to lose and thought if I have to pay then im more likely to keep on it. I started last sunday and today was my first weigh in.....
Ive lost 4lbs so im really pleased. I think thats nearly a bag of spuds. I havent started my twist and shape exercises yet has we are decorating our spare bedroom we are going to put all DH tools in there so im calling it his den,and the dining room where it is is full of stuff so once he has laid the new floor everything is going back so I can get on with my exercise. Mind you putting the house back together is going to be a good work out! Anyway hope you all have good results this week and I will check in again soon.

Dorsetcupcake61 Sun 22-Aug-21 06:55:56

Good morning lovely pears?. Thank you for your kind words Shirleyw and Whiff?. Well done RosyCheeks ,I must admit weight watchers produce some of my favourite recipes! Lovely to have you back Sarahmob and I hope you are fully recovered Cocopops!
Well despite being on annual leave I have lost a quarter of a pound which considering is quite good!
I'm definitely feeling emotionally better after a tough month or so and that makes such a difference.
It's been a lovely week and made even better by the fact I dont mind going back to work tomorrow!
Although still a bit physically tired I seem to have more enthusiasm!
It's quite strange,normally on days off I want to lie in until at least 8am-a sort of psychological thing more than anything. I have had a few lie ins but this morning woke up at 5.15 which is my work day get up time. I could have stayed in bed but wanted a coffee. The plan was to return to bed but decided not to. I find I really enjoy the early mornings again both the peace and quiet and the feeling of the whole day ahead. I dont like waking up at 9am and feeling I have lost part of the day!
My daughter is still at home Whiff and still with her boyfriend. Shes currently not working. They are doing tests for all sorts of things and suspect ME which is hard to pin point. She has been referred to rheumatology by her GP,I think they want to rule out fibromyalgia. In retrospect she has ,like many,had quite a full on year emotionally and part of me thinks her symptoms are her body's way of saying stop and rest and process what's happened. Her weight has shot through the roof which worries me. She is in that familiar place I'm sure many of us know where she is desperately unhappy about her weight and so comfort eats. As we all know the motivation for change has to come from ourselves. All I can do is support her emotionally and provide healthy food. My energy levels have improved so i have been cooking healthy but tasty meals and freezing two portions.
We will get there,nothing happens overnight?.
It never ceases to amaze me how slow weight loss can be and how rapidly it can be gained. Certainly this is more apparent as I got older. I know there can be quite a scientific basis for it. Yoyo dieting can lead the body to react to a period off a strict diet as if preparing for a famine! I also remember reading that your body has a set weight it will return to even if you have lost large amounts. I suppose it's the old truths that ring the loudest. Moderation really is the key. I must admit that even on weeks when diet is out the window I stick to same cooking methods and do try and limit those days when just "go for it". There will be days when I will eat many excess calories but I try very hard to ensure they dont turn into a week! Refusing to have excess treats in the house certainly helps. Bread is something I try not to have in,it bloat me and it's to easy to snack on if feeling lazy!
The places weight comes off is also frustrating. In years past it was always off my bust first. Now that seems to be the last place-which can be awkward when buying blouses so I tend to avoid button up ones?.
I do notice that sometimes even within a few pounds loss or gain I can feel very different,I can feel slimmer or fatter although of course overall there shouldnt be a massive difference.
In the past few years the lowest weight was about a stone lighter than I am now. Still had a couple of stone to go but the thing I remember most was how I enjoyed clothes more and how much more confident I felt. I wore what I liked the look ok-not what disguised the most. !
I think I have 2 main motivations now. I have a wardrobe of very nice clothes that dont sit-in really want to get into them! That said my biggest priority is energy levels,the extra stones really affect my joints and activity levels and that has to change.
Often young but very overweight individuals comment they are overweight but healthy and fit. In your 20s and 30s there may be some truth in that. Unfortunately a few decades on and the affect of the excess weight on your body starts to show-that combined with getting older and the menopause!
Good luck everyone, hope everyone has a good week. For those that are struggling just remember that even if you have a day of not very good food choices every healthier choice makes a difference!??

Sarahmob Sun 22-Aug-21 08:15:06

Good morning pears, weigh in day today and I’m maintaining well! I weigh what I did a fortnight ago (last weigh in). I’m still working hard to lose but it’s stubbornly refusing to budge. I’ve only got 9lbs to go to hit my target but I’ll stick at it, and like someone said a few weeks ago, it’s no longer a diet, but eating less for life. I feel so much better, I’m fitter with less aches and pains than I had this time last year, I’ve discovered some exercise I’ll do willingly and I enjoy moving so there are lots of positives. Chatting to all of you keeps me motivated and accountable so it’s all good. Hope you all have a good week ?

silverlining48 Sun 22-Aug-21 08:45:31

Hello ? I hope it’s ok to join in.
I lost 1.5 stones with SW nearly 10 years ago and by some miracle and plenty of determination have maintained that loss until very recently, when it has started creeping up.
I have no intention of allowing that to happen so hope that Joining you all will make me focus on what needs to be done.

Have a good day all.

Jaxjacky Sun 22-Aug-21 09:55:02

Weighed in after my last post two weeks ago. It took the first week to adjust and change my shopping habits, being married to a man who can eat what he likes without gaining an ounce isn’t fair! But I’ve lost two pounds, I’m happy with that, at 5 11 I can ‘carry’ extra weight, but I don’t want to, at 12st 11, size 16 I’d like to be down about 7lb. Three weeks until our holiday is my target to lose a bit more.

Whiff Sun 22-Aug-21 10:08:52

Rosycheeks well done with the loss. It's good you have found a way they suits you. We all have different ways to eat less for life as NanKate put it.

Dorset well done with the loss . You are so right about different ages and weight . Yo yo dieting that was me . And over eating for comfort no matter my mood was my down fall. Also parents who told me it was puppy fat and would disappear as I got older. Wish I could have told the 20 year old me to lose weight now as you will pay for it later. But life makes us the people we are today.

Your daughter not having a diagnosis is hard. Hopefully they can find out what is wrong and help her. I have lived with a neurological condition for 33 years no name to it as it's lot of different neurological conditions. My neurologist says my brain and body are out of sync. He has other patients like me but not all got the same symptoms. It's something I learnt to live with. My husband was brilliant he said we live our life to suit what you can do. I thought I would die first it was a shock it was him who died. But life goes on. Glad you are looking forward to going back to work tomorrow.

Sarah it is always harder to lose the last bit. Maintaining is good though . It shows when you reach your goal you can maintain it. Glad you have found exercises you enjoy. I always feel better once I have done mine.

Silverlining you will find us a friendly bunch . And will offer any help and support we can. As I always say it's a marathon not a sprint. Look forward to your posts.

Well even though Mr Powers has been with me all week I have put on a pound. The only difference I have noticed instead of going to the loo 3 times a night I am only going once. Just hope that doesn't mean I am heading for a kidney infection. But I will keep at it and hopefully have a good loss next week.

Hopefully the sun will return getting fed up with all the rain. My garden needs a good weed.

Have a great week pears .

Whiff Sun 22-Aug-21 10:16:03

Jaxjacky well done with the loss. My husband could eat anything and not put weight on. If I was your height I would be happy to stay where I am but am 5' 2" and therefore need to lose more. My cheeky brother took a photo of me with my sister in law who is 6' and called it Gandalf and a hobbit.

Nice to have a goal and a holiday is a good incentive.

fourormore Sun 22-Aug-21 10:33:01

Well done everyone and welcome to all the newbies - we are a great gang for support aren't we!!!
Difficult week for me this week - son and two GD called in on Monday with sausage rolls etc. Would have been rude not to partake and planned to be good for the rest of the day and week.
However, SIL, who was supposed to be coming on Tuesday decided to also come on Monday instead - she hadn't eaten we had to have fish and chips! She's very vulnerable at the moment so getting her to eat was the priority.
Do you ever feel that the world is conspiring against you gringringrin
Been a tricky week in other areas too so my Sunday weigh-in was as expected - a gain. However just 1.4lb so hopefully that will go this coming week.
Good luck everyone - persevere and don't give up!!!

Whiff Sun 22-Aug-21 11:52:30

Four sausage rolls and fish and chips mana from heaven. You weight gain wasn't much after that. But I bet you all enjoyed every mouth full.

Nice to have lot of family all together. Bet your sister in law felt better for the company. And hopefully went home happier after a lovely day with you all.

Allsorts Mon 23-Aug-21 17:34:23

I am just losing half a pound a week, at this rate I should be my target weight by New Year.?

Shirleyw Tue 24-Aug-21 04:12:51

Morning. Put on 3 and a half…I can see why I did…. Helping daughter move this week so will be getting plenty of exercise.

Bank holiday Monday, all the family will be down and a christening to go to…I only hope I can keep the old eating under control.

Whiff Tue 24-Aug-21 10:13:38

Allsorts half a pound is a loss. That's 8oz. Weight out 8oz of sugar and you will be surprised how much it is. Have you measured yourself? Sometimes we only have a small weight lose or stay the same but we lose inches. It's our bodies way of adjusting to eating less. Also I found once I started exercising I put on weight but it wasn't fat but muscle as my instructor explained. Muscle weighs more than fat.

I had been eating less for life as NanKate put it for 4 years. If it takes me another year to get to the 11st I am aiming for so be it.

The hardest thing in losing weight is deciding to do it and not giving up. For decades I would start a diet have a bad day and give up. Not anymore. If I have a bad day I say ok. Fresh start tomorrow.

Being here you are amongst friends and have support .

Shirley humping boxes and cleaning will soon get that off. You will burn off more calories and get plenty of exercise.

Enjoy being with the family and the christening.

Rosycheeks Tue 24-Aug-21 13:57:10

Half a pound is a loss which means its still coming off.
My brother is a black cab driver and has always been very over weight. In lockdown he became a dustbin man because nobody wanted a cab. He lost 7 stone in 5 months with out trying.
My sister and I both said we want to be dustmen. He has gone back to his cab now so he his worried he will put the weight back on as he wasnt watching what he was eating. I hope he dos'nt.

NanKate Tue 24-Aug-21 14:59:04

Yes Whiff I must follow my own advice ‘Eat less for Life’ as a short hols in Somerset is due next week and I am bound to be tempted, especially by the cider ????? !

Good luck and congratulations All ?

Whiff Tue 24-Aug-21 17:41:26

NanKate beware of the scrumpy it's a killer. Have a great holiday.

Rosycheeks I carry a photo of myself when I was 7st heavier. A size 32 now size 16 still aiming to get to 11st. If I feel tempted when out shopping I look at it. Perhaps your brother could put a picture of he's old self in his eye line in the cab also one in his wallet. That way he looks at the old him when driving and when he goes to pay for any food he buys it out he sees it and makes healthy food choices.

Perhaps a sin day like Four has that way he is good all week and on a Saturday or Sunday he can have a small amount of naughty food.

JoMarch1962 Tue 24-Aug-21 19:21:10

Hello lovely Pears
Reading your posts really helps my mindset. There’s an awful lot of collective wisdom out there, ladies! Thank you all for sharing and being so positive - it reminds me that it’s not just me v. food, it’s about balance and keeping on keeping on.
The last couple of weeks have been busy- we have been away, then had a friend to stay, OH went to stay with his mum and do some much needed work on her bungalow and I find keeping control much much harder when I’m not in my normal routine. So yes, I have overeaten ( sigh) and am again loathe to get back on scales. Have just tried the White Summer Trousers of Truth on, though,and great joy, they do still do up. Am hoping that with less routine comes more unnoticed activity- I haven’t put that v well- what I mean is, day to day I have make myself exercise ( God Bless Leslie Sansone), fix up walks with OH or friends, but these last couple of weeks have been out most of the day doing touristy things, walking around all day etc. Hoping that balances out the nice meals etc…
Well we now have a couple of weeks until an autumn jaunt to North Wales in September, so I am back to my low carbs and protein. It is a bit of a yo-yo existence, I am aware, but as I still haven’t quite managed to find my moderation button, it will just have to do. After September we are back in that“Winter draws on” territory, nights drawing in, desire for heartier foods- but also routine and no excuses in the run up to the Big Event which shall not be named yet (as it is still only August!)Anyhoo, good luck to all, and thank you for reading, and sharing.

JoMarch1962 Tue 24-Aug-21 21:09:11

Or do I mean “Winter drawers on”?? Oh, I love a dreadful pun!wink

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