I’m a Pear ? the sequel part 3 - Wow!

Good morning and a Happy New Year to you all. Haven’t braved the scales yet, giving myself today and tomorrow before consciously going back to ‘normal’. Will check in on Monday ?

Happy and a healthy new year to you all…

Refreshed the NHS app this morning…off to a new start….later on I shall write out the weeks menu….shall calorie count and low carb. again seems the most effective one for me.

The weather is unusually mild for winter isn’t it.? I do like a crisp , frosty morning.

Hi Everyone! I'd like to join, if you'll have me! I used to be a pear, but now I'm more like an apple ... even more concerning!

A bit of background. I used to be slim in my younger days, but the weight has gradually crept up on me over the years. I've tried may times to lose weight. Sometimes with success, but always regaining, with extras! It's now got to the point where I know that being overweight is causing me some health issues (inflammation/arthritic issues/etc.) and I don't want/can't go on like!

My DH and I will both be turning 60 this year. He's type 2 diabetic, and his stats were up when he had his check-up just before Xmas. They wanted to increase his medication, but have agreed to monitor the situation as long as he makes an effort to eat more healthily, and reduce alcohol consumption. As long as his stats have improved by his next appointment, they will not have to increase his medication. We do generally have a good diet, and we know exactly what we should be doing, but we've let things slip, and it's affecting us both. We really do need to this for the good health of both of us, and we're in this together. DH is generally pretty fit, and does a lot of walking with our dogs. Unfortunately, because of my joint issues, and problems with tendonitis in my feet, I often find walking painful, and sadly can't join him. Up until recently, I attended an exercise class 2-3 times a week, but this started to cause me pain, and I've not been for a few weeks. Now I can really tell how much I've deteriorated since I stopped, as I've become so stiff. As they say, 'use it or you lose it'! I know I need to keep moving, and I'm going to make a concerted effort to get back into exercising. I know that weight-loss will alleviate a lot of my problems, and I look forward to becoming healthier in 2022!

I'll be weighing in tomorrow morning (Monday), and I'll be following an anti-inflammatory/lower carb lifestyle. Eating lots of veg/salad, some fruit, lean protein, in the form of chicken & fish, and very little red meat. Oh, and greatly reducing alcohol consumption ... Xmas/New Year has taken it's toll!

I really do need accountability to keep me motivated, and I hope that by coming here it'll help to keep me on track to a healthier life!

You are more than welcome Nansnet. We are a small band of Losers who have been together since 2018.

If I may please can I pass on a few tips?

Our mantra is Eating Less for Life. Choose an Eating Plan that suits you. Allow yourself an occasional day off. Investigate some online exercise classes. I do QiGong once a week which is similar to Tai Chi. The WI run them and you don’t have to be a member to join. They cost £5.00 a lesson. They are gentle stretching exercises and you do them through Zoom. Have a look on YouTube to watch these types of oriental exercises.

Some people join us each year and then after a week or two just give up, but,the successful Losers stay with us even when they fall off the wagon, they then get up brush themselves down and as the song goes start all over again. Please stay with us even through the bad times.

Onward and downward Pears and Apples.

Nansnet I would like to add to NanKate's advice and say it's a marathon not a sprint. So don't expect huge weight loses as she says it's eating less for life. I was happy if I lost quarter of a pound a week.

Started this journey gosh April 2017. Was well over 19st lost 7st still want to lose over stone and a half. Was a 32 now a 16.

Even though I have over eaten at Christmas because I am so used to weighting and measuring everything and writing it down and counting calories I know exactly how many calories I have been eating . Far to many. Hence not braving the scales for the second week.

I started back to my normal eating yesterday.

I would advise you take yours and your husband's measurements. As especially if you exercise you sometimes don't lose weight and may put a bit on but lose inches. As muscle weighs more than fat.

Since June I go to an active ageing exercise class run by my local council it's GP referral and I live in the north west. The core aims are strength and stability. 12 lessons free then £2.50 a week that includes tea / coffee and biscuits. Each lesson is a hour. Sitting down exercises, ones holding on to the back of the chair. Plus walking exercises. I am 63 and used a walking stick since I was 30. But my last class I did the whole class without my stick for the first time .There are chairs lined up to hold onto if you want to when doing the walking exercises.

Where I used to live did sit fit class run by Age UK called community fit club. That was a 12 week course it was free.

I do my exercises at home each day. But love going to class. They can teach you how to do the exercises safely and always say you should feel the exercise but it shouldn't hurt if it does stop.

If you Google sit fit classes for over 50's or 60's you will find ones in your area.

You don't say if you use a walking stick. I have a friend who has osteoarthritis in her knees and fought against using a stick but made her get one. She wishes she had gotten one before. It takes pressure off your joints and gives you stability .

I should say never walk outside without my stick as I fallen even with it. But not had a fall since my classes up here.

As you see I ramble on. I wish you and your husband well on the journey to a healthy life.

Sorry Sarah and Shirley didn't mention you. Nice to see you are doing the same as me and getting back on track. ?

Good afternoon fellow pears?. Happy New Year to all-newbies and seasoned members alike?.
I must admit this lovely page has been the most helpful and supportive diet aid as well as being full of lovely people?.
I was very tempted to not get on scales etc or pop in here but did. 3.5 lbs on but quite happy with that as have had so much cheese and Christmas cake! Back to my calorie counting app?.
Good luck everyone?

Here's wishing everyone a very happy and healthy 2022.
My jeans are a bit tight so I know I am a few pounds over my target and I dare not brave the scales today but will take courage next Sunday!

Good morning all! ... Or, at least it's morning where I am!

Well, I took the plunge and hopped on the scales this morning! I can confirm that I am officially at the heaviest weight I've ever been in my life! So, here it begins!

NanKate, thanks for the welcome! I'm in this for the long-haul, and definitely won't be giving up after a couple of weeks.
Regarding exercise, Qi Gong and Tai Chi are pretty popular where I live ... in the Far East!. Although, I've never tried it. I have, however, made the first step and booked one of my usual exercise classes for later this week, so I'll see how it goes, it's a start!

Whiff, I intend to take things slowly this time. I'm not doing this simply to lose weight, but mainly for the health benefits. It's absolutely a lifestyle change, and not just a quick fix to look good for a special occasion. You have done brilliantly, losing 7st! I have quite a lot to lose myself, but I'll be looking at it as smaller goals/targets along the way, and I will be taking measurements later today, and keeping a journal, etc. Thankfully, I'm not at the stage where I need to use a walking stick, but I know if I don't do something now, that will be my future!

I actually feel like a weight (no pun intended!) has been lifted off my shoulders, just by making the first steps to be here, get myself weighed, and finally make a start towards a healthier life!

I look forward to joining you all on this journey!

Good morning all, braved the scales this morning, and as I expected there was an increase. I was surprised it was only 4lb and not the 7 I was expecting as we were away last week and I made the most of the treats (toast and butter!). When I went to bed last night, I was telling myself almost with relief that normal eating starts again today, I’m looking forward to salad and lots of veg again.
I’ve now been on the eating less for life regime for 18months and it seems that this has truly become a way of life for me. I can wander off the path for a bit, but then I become eager to get back on it. I find being part of this group helps, in part because of the accountability I feel but also in terms of the friendly support and encouragement.
Need to do a fridge clear out today, I managed to eat most of what we left of the delicious cheeses we’d bought for Christmas, but need to get rid of the temptation to have ‘just a nibble’.
Hope the new year has started well for you all, welcome to all the newbies ?

Good morning. Im hoping that by joining this group .and making this a commitment that I will have the motivation to keep going. Like some have already said Ive successfully lost weight before but its crept up again and i am probably at my heaviest ever. Lock down and subsequent working from home (part time 3 days a week ) closed aqua aerobics, yoga and walking groups I was involved in which hasn't helped, nor has a diagnosis of osteoarthritis in both knees. Hopefully right knee surgery last October will postpone the eventual knee replacements for some time yet. The exercise bike physio suggested is helping and spurred me on. I haven't weighed today will do that tomorrow BUT…
Joining WW tomorrow as they provide a pescatarian meal planner
Friday will be chair yoga as I'm not able to kneel at the moment
Saturday morning adult swimming lessons to improve my breathing and technique
Monday will be aqua fitness
We eat quite healthily but I clearly eat more than I need!
My husband and I both have 60th birthdays this year but he is far more disciplined and has followed the 5:2 for a number of years which works for him. He also takes our 2 large dogs for lengthy walks twice a day so is far fitter than me, as are our dogs. My knee pain put a stop to that in the summer but Im looking forward to being able to join them once again.
Im not going to reach my target by my 60th but hopefully I will be well on my way to being a loser !
Apologies for the lengthy post ~ wish me luck !

You are very welcome PixieBoots.

You clearly have a plan for your weight loss and just need encouragement to keep on track. You will find lots of support here.

For any newbies my advice is to keep with us through the highs and lows. The people who have succeeded have been here for the long haul, some since 2018 ! They are a great bunch of Losers.

Well, I have been doing reasonably well, I suppose. My resolve on the chocolates didn't last, so I decided to eat them all and be done with it.

Other than that, I have stuck to my meal plan - so far that has been vegetable tagine with giant couscous, creamy lemon chicken (the 'cream' is Philadelphia Lightest), and 'lasagne' made with beans instead of meat, and tortillas instead of pasta.

I have eaten mid afternoon, so no breakfast or dinner, and started the day with a cup of hot cider apple vinegar (diluted!) and then drunk fruit tea until evening when I've been drinking my 'cocktail' - soda water with a wedge of lemon squeezed into it poured over ice into a large gin glass. It's better than I expected, really.

Decided to join a Diet Club this week ,torn between paying to get weighed each week or trying to do it myself , and decided the group support might help .

I've decided I would like to lose 14 pounds or 1 stone because it is making my hips painful. Its just a bit difficult because it is my thyroid causing weight issues, wish I had realise that at the beginning instead of giving myself a hard time.

So it might take me a while to get there but that is OK.

Will weigh in on Mondays.

Hope you are all doing well and 2022 is off to a good start!

Mornin’ all……I’m back to my daily weighin, just to keep tabs, not an obsessive thing…I know daily weigh ins dosent suit everyone as It can make one feel despondent but it actually helps me….don’t you daily weigh whif?

.At my heaviest violetsky my hips and knee joints used to ache when I walked but that all went when I lost weight, it’s amazing….don’t get any joint pains now.

Sarahmob, we made sure that we cleared out the cupboards, and fridge, of any Christmas goodies that we still had left. Like you, it felt a relief, and quite exciting to be eating normal, healthy food again!

Pixieboots, it's sounds like you and I are on the same the page ... DH & I both turning 60 this year, my exercise routine (stretch & flex class) has taken a back seat over the past few weeks due to aches & pains in my joints, but I still used to enjoy my aquafit classes. However, as we do them in an outdoor pool the classes finish when the weather gets cooler here, usually around October, so I've not done anything for a few weeks, and I'm feeling so stiff! I'm going to try my usual S & F class this week to see how I cope! My DH is also far more disciplined than me, and he's also much fitter. He takes our 2 dogs on long walks, which, sadly, I've not been able to do for a while, but I'm hoping that the weight loss will help to lessen my painful joints, and I'll be able to join him again.

Shirleyw, it's really good to know that your joint pain went away when you lost weight ... that's what I'm hoping for!

My first day on plan yesterday went really well. I had a healthy breakfast of overnight oats & blueberries, salad for lunch, and griddled cajun chicken breast with cauliflower puree, roast carrots & sprouts for dinner. No alcohol ... we were in the habit of having wine with our dinner most nights, but we've put a stop to that, and we'll save it for weekends only, with a nice meal (healthy, of course!).

Hope everyone has good day today!

Shirley yes I do usually daily weigh as its become a compulsion . But knowing what I have eaten over Christmas and New year can't face them.?. But I started back to my normal eating on Saturday and have nothing naughty in the kitchen. Feeling better about myself already. To be honest it's nice to get back into my normal eating routine. Luckily none of my clothes feel tight.

I have upped the number of repetitions of each exercise from 10 to 20. Class starts again next week and then on the 19th moving to the maintenance class same instructors same core values but added harder exercises and image we will be given a harder resist band. We started on green now on pink but know there is red and purple to go. Looking forward to seeing everyone.

My husband would laugh his socks off me liking exercise. But even when I don't feel well still do then and feel I have achieved something.

Wow Pixieboots you must love exercise. I felt a while ago I would like to try swimming but decided against it. Have hard enough time getting my arms and legs to work together plus my thighs are very wobbly my confidence has grown with losing weight but not that much. Welcome to the fruit bowl.

Dorset you are braver than me facing the scales and you will soon get that off . Will you still be going into the office or working from home some days? Did you resolve your lunch at work dilemma? How is your daughter doing?

Cocopops my brother keeps teasing me saying I will get into jeans but I feel happy in my wide leg trousers so will be sticking to them.

Four forgot to say loved the picture you posted . There is a card by green pebble I am getting to put in a frame it's of a class of ladies exercising not a slim Jim amongst them but it always makes me smile. We are all shapes and sizes in my exercise class.

NanaAng14 this thread is far better than a slimming club you have to pay for. Tried those years ago and gave up. We are all nice to eachother and not treated like a naughty girl if we put weight on. Anyway the money you save from going to a club you can put towards new clothes as you lose weight. Like I say to everyone it's a marathon not a sprint.

Look forward to getting to know you all.

Morning Pears and Apples.

Whiff is so right about losing/maintaining weight it is definitely a marathon not a sprint. We have all learned such a lot from each other over the 3 years plus we have been together.

I’ve decided to reduce the days that I have alcohol, I only drink one alcoholic drink a day but throughout Xmas/New Year I have done that every day. Oddly after a glass of wine I want chocolate so it is a double whammy. I like your idea Doodledog of your non alcoholic drink with a slice of lemon in a wine glass. I do love the low cal Feverfew drinks which I mix with water to make them even less calorific. The ginger ale is my latest favourite.

Onward and downward girls.

Hi Everyone, Been watching the posts but have been waiting until all the goodies I bought for Christmas has gone. One slice of cake left. Giving all the crisps, savoury biscuits etc to neighbours, I only get them in for others as don’t eat them, they could be there until they go stale.
I have a six month plan as it’s a change of eating more than a diet. No snacking, cakes, biscuits, pudding and sweets, that will be so hard as it’s my downfall every time I try to reduce. The problem is when I go shopping I get carried away and say the bar if chocolate will last a week, but it all goes that night, it all starts again. I have nothing like that in either. First thing is shop once a week, cut down temptation, when I do go I’m going to spend what I would on rubbish, to buy a plant or flowers. If I can just lose 2/3 lb month I will be happy, after 6 months I should be a stone down.
So if it’s ok with you will check in once a week, report ant loss if there is any, get confidence by looking at how well you are all doing.
Doidkegig, your first paragraph made me smile, that’s just what I do.

Allsorts I had to stop buying foods I have no stop with. Chocolate,ice cream,biscuits all bread products and mounds of cheese. The only cheese I have I buy 400g block of mature cheddar and cut into 8 and freeze it. When I make a lasagne using Quorn mince I use 1 piece make it into a cheese sauce with 30g flour 30g light olive spread and skimmed milk. Only put it on the top. Using 4 sheets of pasta it lasts me 6 dinners.

You could put the chocolate money into a jar to go towards some new clothes when you get to the size you want.

I am happy if I only lose a quarter of a pound a week. The old pre losing the weight me set myself targets to lose a week and when I didn't got disheartened and gave up. So when I started this journey decided not to that as I didn't want to fail this time.

But everyone has their own way which works for them. And their own way of eating. So I wish you well on your journey to a new you.

Hello everyone.

Please may I join you. I need some support and inspiration.?.

I Would like to lose 2 stones, maybe a little more.

I will go back and read the thread from the start. Today I'm going to go food shopping so I will stock up on healthy f&v.

My new health and fitness journey starts today .....?

Welcome DerbyshireLass.

We have quite a few newbies with us. I set you all a challenge please stay with us for at least 6 months or more. This is a new way of life, not just a few weeks of food/drink reduction.

Make sure you all have an occasional treat so you don’t feel too deprived.

If you can access our previous threads you will find lots of advice and support.

Best of luck.

6 months seems a good time frame to me.

I'm avoiding the staff room where the snacks are, taking my black tea for a walk around the playground instead lol

Nankate ~ the support will be much appreciated. 6 months sounds like a good first plan.
Whiff ~ I don't really like exercise but enjoy yoga as a way to relax. I always go fast asleep during the relaxation at the end. Id better be careful with that with chair yoga. I love swimming, always have so don't really see that as exercise. Aqua aerobics can be fun. The exercise bike physio is torture but i need to strengthen knee muscles.
Exercise plans so far have been scuppered as I cant get through to book the classes. It must be all the new years resolutions !
Trying to join WW has been a faff as you can only join online. Going to try SW as at least I have a named person to ring.
Tomorrow is another day !