Weight Watchers

[Preston1990]

Another one who has been lurking and reading about everyone's successes (or lack of them) and not feeling happy enough to contribute to the thread. I am heartily sick of my weight/shape. I eat sensibly Sunday to Thursday - lose 2 pounds, then go out for dinner, have friends round on Friday or Saturday night - and you've guessed it - I put the 2 pounds back on! In order to lose weight, I need to become a recluse, see no friends, don't entertain on a weekend, don't go out for meals, have no treats at all.
To add insult to injury, I go to the gym 5 times a week and burn off 500 calories on the treadmill. I have started to incorporate using the weights machines into my session too, and I am now doing a fitness video three times a week.

Suggestions please for totally deflated (if only) me.

Well the OH and I both thought that you looked absolutely fabulous when we last saw you at Manchester

It sounds like you are getting enough exercise, and if you can consistently lose 2 pounds from Sunday to Thursday, that's fantastic too

You've pretty much got it sussed yourself I would say - maybe mix up your exercise regime a bit more, although from what you say, it sounds like you are doing that (MrG always used to say that the body would get used to the exercises that it was doing, and that you should have a change now and again - what about some swimming).

It's obviously the Friday and Saturday situation that you need to get control of, maybe choose a low(er) calorie starter, main course or desert if you are eating out in a restaurant. If eating at someone's house skip the desert and after coffee mints etc. When confronted with chocolate - think outside the box!!

If all else fails - eat more vegetables and drink more water!! ..... or take up gardening - Diane regularly gets so engrossed with it these days that she forgets to eat.

But most of all - come back and post on the WW thread . We can all help, tease, sympathise with and encourage each other.

Let's get a bit of synergy going here people!!

[asamaic]

Hi andrews! Let me recommend an accurate food diary - myfitnesspal is great (you can use the website version if you don't have a smartphone), although I know there are alternatives.

Log everything - every stolen bite of someone else's food - and input your own recipes accurately. I suspect you're eating more than you think at the weekend and a diary will help. Totally not having a go, I used to do that too - a tiny serving of something isn't always the lower calorie option! Sometimes it's a giant serving of something else. Confusing, I know.

You need to look into the nutritional information more carefully. It's not about ditching meals out, home cooking or takeaways, it's about making smarter choices.

What sort of food are you cooking when you have friends over? Fish is really good for you (even if you fry it) and can be served with things like salad, salsa verde, baked sweet potato. Your friends will still have a proper feed, but they'll have a healthier one. Home cooking like lasagne is normally full of far too much cheese.

I eat out a lot - places like Pizza Express (yes, I know, it's a chain, sorry!) have some fantastic healthy options which still taste satisfying. It's my go to restaurant of choice.

You sound like you're doing plenty of exercise, so my advice to work out exactly how much damage you're doing at the weekend, and then look for ways to improve without feeling miserable. I promise, it is possible, it just takes a bit of initial research and experimenting.

You can do this!

[stone_monkey]

Hi folks,

Today I had very sore thighs as i never did my after exercise swim My foot is doing well so super happy...

I also got some good news today - thanks to Strathmore I won a free place in the EMF 10k next month - its worth £30
So, i have a major challenge - two days running, a 10k followed by a 1/2 marathon So, going to be training hard mostly on the cross trainer/bike and swimming pool but 1 or 2 runs a week for the next few weeks - I think I'm maybe a little crazy...

Thanks for the congrats folks. Re: my cycle plan as you say Preston its definitely more than a wee cycle and it will be pretty challenging but worth it in the end

Diane - re: the gardening... I am a complete novice with regards to gardening and this is my 1st year with an allotment so I shall see how it goes

Asamaic - my run estimate was 1hr 58mins so I took 10 mins off of it - very happy indeed.

Chelle - good luck on your race for life - I hope it goes well

Apologies if I missed anybody - have a good week folks and I'll see you on weigh-in day where I'll be thanking crunchie its friday...... not had one of them in a while

[baty]

Hello all. Hope everyone is doing well in their endeavors.
I should use up a few calories today as I have a lot of things to do. Later I will be looking at the store cupboard and freezer and will try to make something nutritious yet low in the calories.

I think lentil dahl will be top of the list, love the spicey taste.

[chelle1973]

Hi folks,

Today I had very sore thighs as i never did my after exercise swim My foot is doing well so super happy...

I also got some good news today - thanks to Strathmore I won a free place in the EMF 10k next month - its worth £30
So, i have a major challenge - two days running, a 10k followed by a 1/2 marathon So, going to be training hard mostly on the cross trainer/bike and swimming pool but 1 or 2 runs a week for the next few weeks - I think I'm maybe a little crazy...

Thanks for the congrats folks. Re: my cycle plan as you say Preston its definitely more than a wee cycle and it will be pretty challenging but worth it in the end

Diane - re: the gardening... I am a complete novice with regards to gardening and this is my 1st year with an allotment so I shall see how it goes

Asamaic - my run estimate was 1hr 58mins so I took 10 mins off of it - very happy indeed.

Chelle - good luck on your race for life - I hope it goes well

Apologies if I missed anybody - have a good week folks and I'll see you on weigh-in day where I'll be thanking crunchie its friday...... not had one of them in a while

Well done on the win stone_monkey Sounds like a great challenge, good luck with both!

Life is on hold at the moment as I have discovered Game of Thrones!! Monday, Wed, Fri & Sunday, I'm at the gym/boxing gym & the rest of my time Inbetween i'm watching G.O.T.......

[Diane65]

Welcome back Andrews and as Preston1990 says you are looking good. It is my social life too which is the problem along with plain gluttony Away Wednesday and Thursday plus was working until 9pm last night, 8pm tonight and 8pm on Friday so my own doing that I have no time (not making time) to exercise or eat properly Rubbish excuses I know

Stone_monkey well done on your win and happy cooking Baty. I too love Moviemann's/Solaces curry so we need a few more inspiring recipes from the man himself.

[stone_monkey]

Hi baty,

did you msnage to get goats milk and try the cheese recipe?

Is your lentil dahl home made? If so can I get the recipe

Cheery bye......

[stone_monkey]

Hi baty,

did you msnage to get goats milk and try the cheese recipe?

Is your lentil dahl home made? If so can I get the recipe, please

Cheery bye......

[baty]

Not had a chance with the goats cheese yet stone-monkey. The dal was/is lovely, got some for today. Just as well as got the dentist later and I will definitely not be wanting to chew food!

Got this from OH's curry secret book, best b*y ever - 99p
Tarka Dal

Can take time to cook

4 heaped tbsp red split lentils
15 fl oz / 425 ml water
1 level tsp salt
1 onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
4 tbsp melted veg ghee or cooking oil if not got ghee
Pinch of turmeric
½ tsp garam masala
1 small tomato
2 tsp chopped coriander

Pick over the lentils to get out any small stones and wash several times .

Put in a saucepan with the water and salt and bring to the boil. Then simmer for about 20 mins, skimming off any froth that appears. Then simmer for about 40 mins, (total time of about a hour) partially covered. It should look more yellow in colour and look ‘soupy’.

While the lentils are cooking
Fry the onion and garlic in the ghee until the onion is pale brown.
Don’t let the garlic burn or it will taste bitter, try to add when the onion has already cooked for a bit and is translucent. If it looks like it will burn then take off the heat and let things cool down.

Add the turmeric & gara masala to the onions and cook it for about 10 seconds, stirring it all in.

Stir the onion mix into the cooked lentils, then add the tomato and sprinkle over the coriander.

Putting the onions and spices at the end really give it a zing.

Enjoy

[Diane65]

Sounds delicious and I have everything in apart from the lentils. I for one will be giving it a go and good luck at the dentist Heading off for my train shortly but will be try to be good when I'm away as got Pizza Express vouchers for tonight and Bella for tomorrow (thanks to Tesco clubcard) so can choose healthy options plus will be doing lots of walking so some exercise will be taking place.