Onwards & Downwards: October 2018

[ABSpareEditor]

In light of Ed's absence I am bringing you the monthly Weight loss & Dieting thread!

Last month we asked about what works for you to help with weight loss and dieting and there were some great answers and advice!

Last month's thread is here:
https://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Body-and-Soul/Weight-Loss-and-Dieting/Question1622268-3.html

So, how is it going?

[Old_Geezer]

Cheers.
Not going particularly well of late. But not really in control this year. So long as I manage to keep any slips to a minimum...

[xstitcher]

Thanks spareEd. It’s going well for me. Am delighted with the results of some of our new friends on here.

[Rosie29]

For about a week its been up a pound down a pound - but I'm battling on. I'm having a full knee replacement early November so I'm trying hard.

[rowanwitch]

For about a week I have struggled, mainly in the late afternoon and evening. I know it is comfort eating and i am not beating myself up too much but it is a setback and because it doesn't matter what it is I can't just remove a few danger items from my cupboards. When I feel like this salad can be a danger item......

[xstitcher]

Hi Rosie and Rowan, I know, I know.....before dinner and evenings are also my hardest times. I use this knowledge to plan limited, non dangerous snacks. For me celery sticks or radishes give me something to chomp on. I also know that after 20 min after I’ve had this I’ll be feeling full and not "needing" any more so if you can plan your snacks it really helps, believe me! Good luck!

[rowanwitch]

I can graze all evening though and even healthy stuff accumulates. I have tried switching to peppermint or fennel tea though because nothing tastes right with those. But then I am in the loo half the night. It will be better once I feel up to doing my embroidery again it's impossible to nibble while concentrating on that. Just haven't felt like it lately and knitting doesn't need so much focus. Keep telling myself it's just a blip, and carry on. Most of the time I am fine. Going to try switching my pattern around.
Reduce my breakfast slightly, larger lunch and convert my evening meal to two mini meals to spread them out as I have noticed I am ok for about an hour and a half after a proper meal.

[Old_Geezer]

0.2 lbs up from last Tuesday, :-( but on the bright side, down from last Wednesday. I'll have to have a saintly 24 hours ;-)

[wendilla]

Hello all I cannot add to any more suggestions from xstitcher we all find our way in the end what suits us best . I can have a binge just as well but I know that I have to rectify it or I will undo all the good work I have done .I know what is wrong but I still do it and we all do .
My nibbles are stick carrots and green beans from freezer that I keep a few defrosted ,also radishs

[xstitcher]

For some unbelievable reason you will find that there are those who will come out with statements that go against what you are doing. I have never been able to understand why. Your best guard against these trolls is to educate yourself by reading up on Google or whatever and use your common sense. Dont let them get at you. Fortunately they are few and far between.
Rosie, I go to training with people that have had knee replacements and to see them go from coming in with a walker, to walking stick, to no aid is really wonderful. You are right to loose weight before your operation, it will make your recovery so much easier. I hope you have physiotherapy in your sights after the operation. It's the bee's knees if you'll pardon the pun.

[Rosie29]

Thank you x stitcher for much needed encouragement - at 86 I have been very doubtful about the operation but I'm feeling more positive about it now. x

[xstitcher]

Good morning all, I’m still not doing well at knocking off the extra 2 lbs that my nuts treat gave me two weeks ago, so that type of nut is banished until further outcome.
Have you been in the hospital before Rosie? If not I’d be happy to share my survival kit list of what I bring with me when I have to be admitted to make my stay as homelike as possible. I had an neuro illness that paralized me 3 years ago and my I made my own motto:
PERSISTENCE. PATIENCE. POSITIVITY. It served me well and today I’m quite normal again. If you can remember these 3 golden words you’ll do just find and I hope that you will keep us informed both before and after.

[ummmm]

Raw sugar snap peas are nice to snack on.

[rowanwitch]

Did better yesterday, moving my main meal to lunchtime and having a lunch size meal in the evening. Will carry on for a few days and see what happens. I have made a big batch of curried veg so a small bowl of that will be a useful filler and it's full of good stuff.

[xstitcher]

Rowan please tell us more about your curried vegetables. I for one would like to give them a go.

[rowanwitch]

Mostly it's use up everything left over. The current batch was one large sweet potato cut into small chunks, half a punnets of cherry tomatoes ,a couple of small onions, half a punnets of mushrooms, a red pepper, and a couple of carrots into the slow cooker with a couple of teaspoons of medium curry paste (I used up some Thai red that was sitting in the fridge but Indian curries are just as good) about a pint of hot water some defrosted soya beans or a can of any beans you like. Cook on low for five hours stirring about once an hour. If I do Indian ones I add about two tablespoons of coconut milk powder and some cauliflower.

Other veg that work well are butternut squash, baby aubergines, peas, courgette and tinned lentils and when you are reheating it you can wilt some spinach into it
I also do Italian veggies when I have more tomatoes to use, bit like ratatouille with loads of added basil,oregano and garlic
Ideally you end up with something halfway between a chunky soup and a stew. Bit more comforting than raw veggies on a cold night

[xstitcher]

Thanks Rowan...I’m always on the lookout for varied veg that I can make up before hand.

[wendilla]

Morning all and got a result this week just a little under a pound that's because of no sweets and had a bowl of carrot bits and green beans to snack on .
rowan I can taste that curry .I used to make it so will be doing one as not had one for ages .

[Old_Geezer]

Well done all. Unfortunately I'm apparently the same weight as I was last Tuesday.
Still, better than going up.

[Old_Geezer]

WEDNESDAY !

[Old_Geezer]

The curry suggestions seem nice. I seem to be visiting an indian restaurant about once a month or so. Been going for healthier vegetable curries for the last few months, but wager that even they are really too fat laden and calorific for those hoping to lose weight. Very much a treat to be accommodated on/by other days. Maybe I'll suggest we try one of Rowan's suggestions.