I’m a Pear ? the sequel part 3 - Wow!

Well done whiff getting those trousers to go with your new improved look, it’s all those exercise classes as well as tge eating plan.
I have lost a lb, that makes 5 lb in the last four weeks and I did stray off my healthy eating a couple of times. I look at every loss as good, 5lb equals 10 packs of butter. Aiming for same in next four weeks ? I need to lose another 11 lbs but know it will take me months as have to include my indiscretions. I usually give up after four weeks, but would really like to wear the clothes I have as don’t want them to sit in my wardrobe or upsize.
Well done those that have stuck with it and lost a little, one week I put on 2 lbs but I lost a pound of it the following week, so I look at it overall on a 4 week basis, any loss is good, better than putting it on.

Just a quick note to say my weight is the same as last week.
Keep on plodding on Pears.

Sarah well done being a pound off target one day that will be me. But I keep plodding along.

Nansnet can I suggest you weight and measure everything for a week just so you can get the idea of what you can eat in what size portion no food needs to be banned. Just limit high fat high cal foods. Be proud of losing a pound it takes a lot of work and will power to lose it.

Sadly Will goes on holiday some weeks and I put on but I don't give up. You have done the hardest thing and that is deciding to lose weight. So if you have a bad day it's only a day. Each day is a new start.

Shirley well done losing the pound. I didn't start exercising until I got to 15st 7lb. Before that I would have been to self conscience. I went to a community fit club run by Age UK where I used to live. Never wore trousers did my exercises in a skirt felt to big for trousers. It was free for 12 weeks and loved it.

When I moved here I wanted to join another class . By then lost more weight and my daughter me talked into to trying a pair of trousers on and was surprised I look ok. I like wide legged ones from M&S. The class I joined here was sit fit held over a coffee shop £5 for 45 mins. Exercises on a chair and used the back of the chair and wall . But Covid closed it .

But missed it and tried to keep up the exercises at home but stop doing them. My strength and stability suffered. Gyms where no good for me I can't use the equipment. So found the class I go to by Googling over 50-60's sit down exercise classes. Found active ageing run by my council . GP referral which they where happy to do. Started in June. Sit down exercises , some holding onto the back of a chair and walking exercises. 12 weeks free then £2.50 for hours exercise with hot drink and biscuits plus chat. If you are able you go into the the maintenance class which I moved to in January. No longer need my stick for class. It's only a couple of sit down exercises the rest standing up and non stop once we start. Always 2 instructors. But it's fun and made friends. We encourage eachother and have a laugh. It's held in a church hall. Everyone is triple jabbed and flu jabbed. We all us oldies have health problems but have all found we can do more than we used to be able to . I know my own strength and stability have improved a lot. I look forward to going every week. And exercise at home. But only on the days I don't go out .

Today I am walking to Aldi but want to explore a private road I have being wanting to see I moved on my way. Have a taxi back as I need more than I can carry on the bus.

Have a good day everyone ?

Well done with the weight losses girls. I lost 1 lb which I’m happy with.
Planning to up my exercise this week. I used to go to aerobics and Pilates but that went by the bye good while ago, yet I felt really good after but Lifes circumstances got in the way then and I never went back….you do really well, whif going to your classes regularly. I’m a starter and a stopper at the couch to 5 k ….one day I shall be a starter and not stop ?
What exercise do you guys do.

Have a good week…

Thanks, everyone, for your advice and words of encouragement! Since I 'started' on 3rd Jan, I lost around 6lbs, but then proceeded to regain them all back 3 weeks later! I did hop on the scales this morning, and was sort of pleased that I am 1lb down on when I last weighed myself 2 weeks ago, so I guess all is not lost! I'm now pretty much back to where I started, but at least it wasn't a further gain!

I've spent this weekend getting my head around it, and trying to work out what's the best way for me to go forward, in order that I'll be able to stick with a healthy, balanced way of eating for life. I need to simplify things, and for me personally, that means no banning of any particular food group (I know it wouldn't last!), and not obsessing about weighing, or counting everything (I know I'd get fed up with that!). I've stocked up on healthy food choices, but I will not deny myself an occasional treat, perhaps at the weekend, or if I eat out, and I'm ready to give it another go. It's all about getting the right balance ... right?

As Flaxseed said, 'We all know what we should be doing.'
It's just a matter of putting it into practice, isn't it?!

Good to catch up with all your news. I looked at noom, but basically was too tight to pay that amount of money. I started with slimming world but now it’s basically knowing what’s ok to eat and what is not so good and sticking to it. I’ve lost the weight I put on last weekend and am 1lb off target again, so that’s nearly the christmas indulgences got rid of. Have a good week everyone.

ShazzaKanazza look on staying the same weight as an achievement. Shows you can maintain a weight. Which is just as hard to do as lose.

Flaxseed well done with the 1lb off. It's a marathon not a sprint. I know by decades of losing quickly and putting it on just as quickly plus more.

Nansnet do not feel ashamed of your body. You are who you are. Deciding you want to lose weight is the first step of a long journey. I count calories it's the only way I can lose weight. I don't have my non stop foods in . But when out I allow myself a treat. If I want a cake or chocolate I have it but count the calories. I paid many years ago before my husband died for slimming clubs didn't work. I hated the whole atmosphere . I decided in 2017 to finally tackle me weight. Counting calories has just become a way of life. But in my case it works. No every week as some weeks I have put on ,stayed the same or lost. But the important thing is I haven't given up. If it takes me another year to get to the weight I want so be it. Was a size 32 and well over 19st . Now a 16 .

You don't have to ban foods from your eating plan just cut down on high fat foods eat more fruit and vegetables. Because I was eating so little meat I could make 3 pork steaks last 6 dinners in a stew . I decided the start of the year not to buy any more meat just chicken thighs which I already brought. I alternate my 6 dinners between chicken and Quorn either mince , chicken pieces or 8 sausages. By always having a dinner and my soup in the fridge if I'm not well at least I have something in. But I live on my own so it's easier. But when my brother and sister in law stays they eat what I do. As they are happy with my meals but I do make cake for after lunch and a pud for after dinner. But even then I count the cals .

You need to decide what foods you can't do without and have a smaller portion or as some do eat healthy for 6 days and have a day when you can have treats. You say you have to be careful with some foods for health reasons. So have smaller portions if you can eat them without damaging your health.

Like NanKate has renamed dieting eating less for life. That's a better way to think of it.

Allsorts I won't tell you how many cals was in the fruit and nut. But did you enjoy it if so then it was a treat . Today is a new day.

Four well done with the lose. Don't look back that you still weight more than Christmas but just enjoy the lose of 2.4lbs . It's an achievement. Look to the now and future.

Dorset well done with the lost. That's brilliant. How's your daughter doing with her weight lose plan?

Well I lost 1.25 lb this week but have made sure I stuck to my cal allowance and upped my exercise by doing 20 of each instead of 10. At class on Wednesday am going to try and get on one knee. Luckily there are always 2 instructors incase I get stuck. I should say they show us every week how to get on the floor safely and get up safely. I have falls and always need someone to get me up. But if I can do it myself I want to try. By doing in class will give the confidence to do it at home . Luckily haven't had fall and ended up on the floor for months just managed to position myself so I fell on a chair or sofa.

Well my ramble is over. Have a good week everyone.

I think eat less, move more is the way forward for me as I just haven't got time to keep up with the tracking.

I've lost 1 pound finally but that means I've lost 1/14th of my target weight of 14 pounds in 1/6th of my target time of 6 months.

I still haven't counted the weight I lost while I was unwell though.

So I'm just looking at food and asking myself if I'm really hungry right now and if i really need that much and then having a big drink to see if that helps.

I think my thyroid might be high again too which is why I am being a bit quiet... Now I know I have Graves its a bit different but I know it impacted my mental health severely in the past and so being gentle with myself

Happy Sunday all

Well done dorset!

I think the psychology around food is hugely underestimated

Hi fellow pears. Lovely to read all the posts this week. Dieting is such a complex issue,so much more than eat less and move more! Nearly all of us will have tried a variety of different diets,many of us fallen or indeed leapt off the wagon for some reason or other.
The theory is straightforward and in reality most weightloss plans seem to be pretty much the same but with different window dressing. I think we could all identify what we should be doing in a heartbeat!
The reality is different and I'm not sure there are any magical solutions because as individuals how we react to different triggers/ situations will vary. I also think there is a biological element into why we gain weight as well as the social element. For some food is just fuel. For many it is a celebration/ comfort/ symbol of love and affection.
I have lost 2 and a half pounds this week. Which is good in many ways. On the other hand I will be honest and say it's not down to strict dieting!
I have eaten less than the week before and made a conscious effort to take the easy road when tired and hungry so that is positive and on it's own could account for most of the weightloss.
Most importantly I'm aware of why I might want comfort food and limit opportunities!
Good luck everyone ?

fourormore Well done. That’s a good loss! Enjoy your fig rolls! I had forgotten about them and think I need to add them to my shopping list (to eat in moderation hopefully )
I am also rather partial to garibaldi and Bourbon biscuits.

Nansnet I too (with most of the fruits I feel!) could have written your post so many times over the years so please don't beat yourself up and please don't give in. Stay with us!

Throughout January I had all sorts of things going on and got to the point where if the biscuit box was out I just didn't care and got 'well stuck in' I knew it was wrong but it didn't matter at the time.

Last Sunday I was heavier than I had been for a long time and was cross with myself because the weekend before Christmas I was at the lightest than I'd been for years. For some reason determination arrived on the doorstep and I have been really strict with myself. I very nearly gave in to fig rolls last night (bought by my very well meaning hubby who knows how much I love them!) but I didn't !!!!

I weighed this morning and have lost 2.4lb but before I celebrate too much I am still three pounds over my pre-Christmas weight. To day is Sinday so I will treat myself a bit - yes fig rolls are planned, but then it is strict, strict and strict all week through to next weekend's weigh-day!

I'm not saying it will happen but the intention is there.
Don't give up fellow strugglers - we will all succeed but in different ways and different speeds.

Sorry to go on, but another thing I find really motivating, and that might help others is following accounts on Instagram that promote healthy eating and regular exercise. There are loads out there promoting meal replacement and ‘fad’ diets, but they are easy to spot and avoid.
But lots of good accounts give free sensible, and properly researched advice. I have narrowed accounts down to advice for ‘older’ women too
If you have an account, have a look. I pop on when I am lacking willpower

nansnet
I could have written your post so many times during my life! It’s so tedious having to constantly think about what to/what not to eat isn’t it? The times I have been the most motivated have been after seeing a grim photo of myself. And that’s why I am here now
You absolutely have to find what’s right for you, your lifestyle and your body.
I calorie count simply because it works well for me. I think all diets are based around it anyway. It sounds like Noon is simplifying it by not having to count every calorie. SW is just another variation as is weightwatchers. They are all encouraging us to eat lower calorie, filling, nutritious food. Which, let’s face it, we all know we should be doing .
I think there’s a lot of psychology surrounding food too. If I have felt low and stressed, I crave comfort food. There’s no comfort in a plate of veg for me! I have really had to get in the right mindset this year and it’s definitely helped moving in with DP who exercises everyday and eats healthily. I envy the fact he doesn’t really get hungry, he eats to survive. I just don’t feel I can binge eat a packet of biscuits when he’s around (not that he would judge me) because I would feel ashamed at my lack of willpower. When I lived alone I would do that regularly.
Also inputting my stats into the NHS app to assess my BMI and being told I am officially overweight with a risk of heart attack, stroke and diabetes scared me.
Once again, we all know that, but it took seeing it in black and white with my personal stats to scare me.
I can’t say that this current mindset will last but I do think that finally, in my late 50’s I have found what works for me. I finally don’t feel pressurised by others and am not lining the pockets of huge companies.
That photo from Xmas is staying firmly on the fridge to keep me motivated
Allsorts I think weighing in monthly is really sensible.
I have weighed in weekly for the last couple of weeks just to see if I am going in the right direction, but I might start doing it monthly.

Sticking to weighing in on a Monday after my day off Saturday.
Nansnet don’t beat yourself up, we all do it. You will get back on track. I put weight on at my weigh on Monday, I had gone a bit mad for two days and gained 2 lbs. I indulged yesterday ate a large block of chocolate, the rest of the day was good, but dread to think how many calories are in 200 grams of fruit and nut chocolate, I won’t look. I do feel trimmer, started watching what I eat as from 10 January, so tomorrow I will find how much I’ve lost in the month. Quite honestly if I just lose each month eventually I will get to what I should be.

I'm hanging my head in shame as I've off the radar for the past couple of weeks ... I've had a disastrous time eating-wise! I'm so annoyed with myself! I started off so well, but I've just not been able to keep myself motivated. Part of my problem is deciding on a way of eating that I can stick with for life, not just a couple of weeks.

Coming back here today, I've noticed that there's been lots of talk recently about different diet plans, and different approaches. As others have said, we are all different, and what suits one, may not suit another. For myself, I've tried pretty much every kind of 'diet' out there over the years ... WW, SW, Low carb, Calorie counting, Mediterranean, South Beach, Blood Sugar Diet, Intermittent fasting, to name but a few! However, there's been nothing that I can honestly say I could stick to religiously. There are always restrictions of some kind which, after a few weeks, become tedious, hence the reason they never last for me!

Basically, for my own health reasons, I do try my best to cut out inflammatory causing foods, such as sugars, and refined carbs, etc. However, I know from past experience that I can't be doing with diet plans where I can never, ever again, eat certain food groups, or where I have to count every single calorie, or gram of carbs, etc. Quite honestly, it does my head in, and I know I'll never stick to it!

So, I've been doing my own research, and I'm rather interested in the 'Noom' plan ... has anyone tried it? I have no intention of signing up/paying for it, as I've wasted far too much money over the years, but I have found lots of information about it posted online. What appeals to me is that there are no banned food groups. They have a traffic light system with a green food list (the least calorie dense foods, so you can eat more of them) ... Yellow foods (lean meats/starches/low fat cheeses/etc.) ... And red foods (most calorically-dense, and/or have the least healthy nutrients). They recommend that you eat 30% (or as much as you like) from the green foods list, 45% from the yellow foods list, and 25% (or fewer) from the red foods list. To me, this all sounds doable. I've managed to print out quite comprehensive food lists, and thought I might give it a go. Obviously, portion control is important but from what I've read, it all seems like a very sensible/healthy/balanced approach, and sustainable in the long term.

Anyway, I thought I'd try following the principles of the plan for a while and see how it goes ...

I dread getting back on the scales tomorrow, but after seeing a photo of myself taken earlier this week, I was shocked! I look twice as wide as everyone else in the photo, and frankly, I'm ashamed that I've let myself get into this state! In the past, I used to take a lot of pride in the way I looked, I don't know what's happened to me over the last few years! I simply can't go on like this any longer, I need to get my act together!!

shazzaKanazza You enjoy yours too!
I’m really happy with managing my calories during the week and making it a healthy lifestyle choice rather than a diet and a chore.
I hope you enjoyed your lunch with your DC and DGC. I love days like that

Hi Flaxseed another really great 11b lost. You are going in the right direction. Enjoy your afternoon tea out tomorrow and definitely don’t worry. Just enjoy it. I’m going to enjoy my takeaway and rum and ginger beers tonight and then crack back on tomorrow and I will try harder this week. ?

I lost another 1lb this week.
That’s sticking to 1400 calories (went over last Saturday - weigh in day), gym twice and over 8000 steps per day.
Goodness only knows what it would take to lose 2lb!
But I am grateful the scales are going in the right direction.
Out for afternoon tea tomorrow but am going to enjoy it and not worry.

Good morning lovely fruit ladies. You are all doing well and I enjoy reading all your ideas.
Today I’ve weighed in exactly the same as last week. I’ve enjoyed reading the posts these last few days. I’ve looked at my weeks food diary and on the whole I’ve eaten well this week not succumbing to any sweet stuff. I’m also coeliac so we always cook from scratch at home. When I have anything on toast I spread with either pease pudding or tomato purée or marmite so I don’t use butter. But then add a good bit of mashed avocado. ?‍♀️ We only cook with olive oil. But my DH cooks a lot and I know he adds butter but it’s so lovely of him to cook I don’t want to constantly look over his shoulder at everything he adds. I’m just grateful he cooks for me. I’ve also succumbed to a glass of red wine every evening this week. It’s just been one of those weeks. It is my weakness. So I know full well where my calories come from.
This morning we’ve had left over pancake mix from the DGS last night and we’ve had them with cheese and baked beans. But i do relax on a Saturday. We are having a hot buffet for the kids and grandkids at lunch and we are at friends again tonight for an Indian. It will all go down in the diary. Thankyou so much for your support. ?

Thanks whiff, very useful

Even though I am not supposed to eat mushrooms and tomatoes they are the 2 things I can't give up. But only buy 300g box of mushrooms and packet of cherry tomato once every 6 weeks I freeze them sliced and just add a few to a meal if I want to and don't buy anymore until they have gone. The only potato I buy are sweet potatoes. They are higher in fibre ok higher in sugar but you don't need as many as normal spuds. In stews they don't break up and make a delicious leek and potato soup. Not gloopy. Because parsnips are also had high in potassium I use a lot of butternut squash. Pulses are a good food to use as they are both a vegetable contain protein and add fibre. Making sure you have plenty of fluid everyday is important. 8-10 drinks a day . When I upped it to 12-14 my GP told me that was to much as it was diluting my sodium levels to much. And to stick to 8-10.

I am on antibiotics at the moment. Because of how they have to be taken couldn't have any lunch before I went out yesterday as it was to soon after the tablet. So thought by the time I got off the bus I would pop into Tesco and get something low cal. I looked at those low cal chocolate cake's lowest 90 cals each but they came in a pack of 5 . So as I have no stop would have eaten all 5. Thought Graze bars where healthy wow the lowest cals where 249. So ended up buying some breakfast biscuits. 5 packs of 4 in the box. 49 cals each biscuit so ate 1 pack luckily they where nice but 4 was enough. I can control them.

I buy double quantity of peppers, leeks,courgettes and spring onions and freeze them . That way you always have them in. Plus they don't need blanching. And can cut them into what shapes I want.

If my cals are to low by the time it's to reheat my dinner I add extra veg or bulgar wheat, pasta or rice to make up the cals. Only a few months ago found frozen rice. 4 in a pack supposed to microwave. But I just use half a pack 144 cals a time. I stopped buying dried rice as it wasn't worth my just cooking 30g a time. So rice is back on my diet. I convert a portion of stew into a curry by adding rice and my homemade mango chutney just 40g. I like spice but not chilli so the heat in my chutney is from ginger, black pepper and other spices.

That's what I like about here we all have our own ways to eat and little tricks which help us try and stay on the straight and narrow.

whiff I agree about the whole ‘good’ and ‘bad’ stigma we give food, and that we need a balanced amount of all nutrients.
My app gives the recommended daily allowance of everything.
Unfortunately, I am WAY over on my carbs and sugars ?‍♀️
And WAY under on fibre and protein.
So therefore I don’t actually have a balanced diet
There’s nothing like sharing your food diary with a PT to make you realise that you need to rethink things!
I didn’t realise mushrooms and tomatoes were high in potassium.
I would miss bananas as I find they are quite satisfying.

Whiff I agree re good and bad foods - don't like the concept atall. I am taking some time to work out how the balance of my eating habits works out in reality ...and suspect there is a bit of an imbalance of carbs overall. Allowing that carbs also convert to sugar in the body, I think I need to rebalance things a bit as well as look carefully at portion sizes.

My fitness pal is helping me as it calculates carbs, sugars proteins etc according to portions of a particular item.

I'm also looking at labels carefully but as we eat mainly cooked from scratch stuff, this is overall a bit less relevant for me personally. I am making soups as you suggested ...lovely!! ?

You are spot on Whiff with your comments. A mixed healthy diet with portion control is the key IMO. ?