Onwards and Downwards March 2012

[AB Editor]

Have to say a special THANK YOU to xsticher for those yummy recipes last month and thanks to maggiebee for the humorous poem.

March is a tough month, it can be easy to be good in January and February after the excesses of Christmas but keeping going can be tough.

Do you have any particular motivation tips we can share?

Here is last months thread

[daffy654]

Quick question for ladies experienced with diets.

I am on the Tesco Diets lighter choices plan, just going into week 3 with no weight loss whatsoever, in fact week one saw me gain 2 pounds. They have me on 1200 calories a day with 15 minutes exercise (alternating cardio and toning) per day.

Why am I not losing weight? Is this normal to be the same weight as when I started? I was completely inactive before, no exercise at all, not even walking as I was pretty much housebound due to disability.

[xstitcher]

Hi Daffy,
I expect Wendilla will see this and give you a good answer. I'll just say welcome to our growing club. It seems that a lot of us have come out of hibernation. It's a long time since we have reached the 100 mark.

[daffy654]

Thanks xstitcher, i'll keep checking back through the day. :)

[wendilla]

Hi Daffy I am not an expert in this with different conditions in different people . I have seen these Lighter Choices meals in Tescos and they are not classed as slimming meals. When you see on packets so many % fat free have a look at the carb content.
I would suggest to you to get on to plenty of chicken and fish meals with plenty veg. I seem to waste chicken as I live on my own so when I see the packs of chicken breasts on offer I buy them as it works out cheaper .

[wendilla]

That went through before I finished. Write down everything you eat as this will help you sort out a menu for the following week. I don't know what medication you are on but I have a glass of unsweetened grapefruit every morning .This helps to break up the fat. But you can't take it with some medication. Try and get off of those ready meals as they don't work.

[Old_Geezer]

Glad it's only ladies who are experienced with diets,because I don't know the answer. I do know there seems to be a delay between being good or being naughty, and seeing the change at the scales. Which can be confusing. Also the body seems to be able to compensate for a bit, it seems to wnat to maintain what it has recently been so expends less energy (or something). Have to plod on until it recalibrates to a different weight.

Best you can do is tot up the daily calorie intake and ensure you aren't having more than you require. Fat reduction (especially saturated fat) is worth trying for. Generally we tend to take in too much.

[daffy654]

It's not a ready meals diet at all Wendilla, it consists mainly of chicken and fish dishes (cooked from fresh) with plenty of vegetables. I am only currently on asthma inhalers so nothing is likely to interact with meds, although I detest grapefruit. lol
This diet is all about portion control. I don't snack unless it is on fresh fruit or ryvita with extra low cal/fat cheese spread. I only do this mid morning and mid afternoon and it is allowed in my daily calorie count.

[daffy654]

Sorry OG, didn't mean to offend the men here :(

[Old_Geezer]

Gotcha :-D

[xstitcher]

It sounds like you are on the right track daffy. Just watch the fruit. It is best taken in the morning...lots of it for your breakfast...I should heed my own words hmmm. Portions are so important and my downfall. One good little snack if you must, and I must are two or three of those little baby carrots. I was a terrible snacker before but have it under control now.

[wendilla]

Yes Daffy as Xstitcher said you seem to be on the right track but I still say be careful with these ready meals. You are much better preparing your own. I keep a couple of WW ones in my freezer but they are only for emergency anytime I am later in getting home and not got time to do a proper dinner as I don't like to eat too late.

[Jules001]

Has any one else noticed this observation, when you are good it takes a little while to show on the scales, but when you are naughty, it shows almost instantly - life's not fair I tell you:)

[wendilla]

How true that is Jules. What annoys me some people can eat anything and get away with it .I just have to look at a cream cake and it's on the hips.

[TheOtherHalf]

I did the Tesco diet online for a while. I did lose but thought, once Ive got all the recipes, why pay so left and of course what happened. I put it back on. I left it too long before joining SW and its the best thing I ever did. I still use a lot of the Tesco recipes and some are mine and OH favourite meals. You have to find one that suits you otherwise you wont stick at it.

[xstitcher]

I used to be able to eat anything. In fact I wanted to put on weight, but it just didn't happen...this is all 100 years ago. Anyhow when I think of the activity in my life then and now it's no wonder I couldn't put on weight, I didn't even really enjoy food, it was just something I had to do three times a day. Oh how times change.

[daffy654]

I'm exactly the same xstitcher. I used to be a size 8 two years ago, then I hit peri-menopause and now full menopause and became a lot less active due to health reasons.(I have lung disease and chronic pain in my chest wall due to lung surgery 8 years ago). I have slowly gone from just over 8st to 9st 9lb (current), I want to lose at least a stone as I am really miserable being this weight and size. I am only just within the normal weight to height ratio and my hip to waist ratio is considered quite bad. I know some people will think I am being ridiculous as my weight isn't 'that bad', but to me it is and I need/want to do something about it!

[wendilla]

Sorry to read about your illness but if you feel unconfortable at your weight that is good to want to get back to your normal weight. It is difficult when you are not fully mobile. I did not realise Tesco did a diet process .But please don't use ready made meals all the time that is all I am saying .At least when you do your own you know what is in them and nothing bad to stop a weight loss. Cut down on bread as well. I am only stating what works for me but sometimes don't work for everyone. Good luck I hope you suceed so Onwards and Downwards for next week.

[Marijn]

Good luck for tomorrow everyone. Daffy I'm just the same as you. I weighed 8 stone a few years ago, and now I'm 9 stone 12 pounds. I had set a goal weight of 9st 6lbs that I went down to quite a while ago, I was happy to stay that weight and didn't particularly want to go back to 8 stone. But the weight has snuck back on, so I have to lose 6lbs again. It's ridiculous that I can't maintain my goal weight, I'm quite annoyed with myself.

[spotit3]

Well, Day three has gone well. Nothing sweet and smaller portions for meals. I have also started to drink plenty of water. Also took a good brisk 45 minute walk so feeling quite pleased with myself. Just hope I can keep it up!

[Maydup]

Howdy partner ^

A good day for me too, I included a short walk at lunch time but didn't have time for anything longer, I'll make up for it tomorrow. For sweet things I had a pear mid morning and a small jelly and yoghurt tonight.