Weight Watchers

[TheyCallMeMrGlass]

You make sense MrGlass and I too have been eating rubbish and not exercising.

A good friend (Yogi's OH) gave me a good talking to the other day so I have taken note and actioned it. It was basically re me working the hours I do and still visiting poorly relatives every night so have very little time for seeing friends etc. I have got a cleaner for my Mum (I usually do it at the weekend) and the same lady takes my Mum out for a couple of hours on a Wednesday so my Mum has company 2 days a week and I can do nice things with her at the weekend. The other carers that go in 3 times a day are in and out in no time. I have been off work a couple of days and been able to potter around. I have been making cushion covers and a draught excluder. I have been doing a bit of DIY as having new curtains so needed to get rid of the pelmet attached to the wall unfortunately the ceiling wallpaper (only the bit above the window) came off with it so needs filling and repapering then painting - I am in my element. My friend also let me cook at her baby shower as I don't have anyone to cook for and I like cooking. Basically I am saying I have got my life back so will have time to plan meals and exercise. I feel kind of free

That's great to hear, Diane. You are always active in your lifestyle, and everytime I see you, you always look healthy and in good shape despite your frequent self criticisms! But yes, we all can improve. Even Angelina Jolie, Jessica Ennis, all the best athletes and models have room to improve in some way. So whatever level of health/fitness we are each at, we can better ourselves. SO you said you got some free time now...oooooh you might regret saying that, ha. First, may I suggest you use that free time to reward yourself for all the selfless hard work you do in life for other people. Next, set yourself targets and material goals . Then plan your action which you already said you will do . Then tell everyone what you gonna do, to add some healthy pressure My guess is that you do enough physical activity but if you can increase that, in a fun way, that would be great. But perhaps a bigger focus on eating healthier is the area you might need to look at most, going by what you have posted.

We all go through lapses and situational obstacle phases and as I get older I realise that hows life is. But every time we do, there is always a way back into a healthy feeling good about oneself, groove.

[asamaic]

I'm so glad you've got some more time back for yourself, Diane65. You do far too much.

So, I went VI guide running today for the first time ever... The woman I was running with shaved off 6 minutes and got a new PB. We also made friends with a new runner during the second lap and got chatting, so ran the last bit together and kept each other going, which was nice.

I also spotted one woman at the start who I recognised because I volunteered with her one two years ago! We had a nice little catch up.

(The parkrun I was volunteering at today is no longer my local, which is why I haven't been back in years.)

I really am awful at running, so there's something quite humbling about nonetheless being able to help other people starting out. It's a surprisingly social and inclusive little community.

Bring on Leeds, TheyCallMeMrGlass!

[ejwrank]

Well done to you, asamaic for your Park Run and for encouraging others. I would find it quite enough just to run much less chat with other on the way and boost their confidence. And lovely to see you recently looking so well!

Diane, you must be your element redecorating and you seem to handle so much with such aplomb that I stand in amazement. But of course you must take care of yourself too as well as so many family members and give yourself some time off occasionally. I very much hope you might find time for a London coffee catch-up on that Sunday in April when you are here. I know there are lots of us who would love to see you again!

Mr G -- all best on the eating healthy regime, squash front and the astronomy in Leeds outing. Hope that the skies are clear and starry and you have a great time.

Always nice to hear from ClareBarr and wish you good health and energy.

Welcome back to Stone_monkey! Really nice to hear from you.

And happy to read that Sunny Saver and jojoanne have continued their excellent cheerleading ways when I have been so neglectful.

The big question is: Where is Preston??

[Diane65]

Exactly where is Preston?!!!

You sound like you had a good morning asamaic.

MrGlass I do need some serious nagging and although I have had all my time taken up lately I haven't done any physical activity. I have indulged myself over the last few days having time to do stuff I enjoy so feel very refreshed. Been at a meeting today which was very productive so feel mentally stimulated. I have never been in a bad place mentally but feel very good at the moment so need lots of nagging.

Thanks for your continued support ejwrank and I certainly do have time to meet up for a coffee

[TheyCallMeMrGlass]

Well, its near the end of the week, how is everyone doing? Diane, nag nag time for you?

This Parkrun incentive has certainly given me some drive to improve and I am already feeling a tad more fitter in my squash and putting up good fights against league one peers whom I have to admit are too good for me at the moment...but I am not tiring after a few games in these matches. I also set out for a 9km run to central London (day before that sad tragic day)...but ended up running 7km and walking the rest, watched a movie at the Empire (Skull Island), then walked 9km back home.

I've been eating better. Adopting the old ways that got me in good shape once upon a time...5 days of moderately low calories (apprx 1500 calories per day) balanced meals...no sweet treats whatsoever, then eat whatever I like on Saturday (but within reasonable limits!)...so today I look forward to a west indian curry and cake :) I cant stress how important setting targets and incentives are, though. It really helps.

Have a good weekend everyone, enjoy life but keep healthy :)

[TheyCallMeMrGlass]

sorry double posted

[TheyCallMeMrGlass]

Just stumbled upon this as I was hunting for some old meal plans. Gosh this was 2010....but look at the results we were all making on this thread as we worked towards our goals as a little fmuk health group force! Everyone made significant progress as we encouraged and advised each other. The green column summarised the achievements. Individual goals widely ranged from fitting into a pipe jeans to having a healthy baby! Times roll by naturally, people come and go, while a few special people (Diane, Preston1990, SunnySaver, EJWrank etc) remain to welcome newcomers (or indeed welcoming back old friends!), always being encouraging and positive.





So I thought I start a new progress health and fitness sheet for anyone who like to participate their progress :) The sheet will be an online google spreadsheet, shared and viewed only by participants who have the link, this time. Feel free to modify and improve it.

No pressure to take part, some of us like to keep progress private which is absolutely understandable. Just from our previous experience, the progress chart added healthy pressure to our individual progress :) I am already feeling pressured myself (in a good way) to make sure I do my 7km run to the greenwich observatory this evening! A lot of things I planned to do for my own fitness, I end up lazily not doing them...or make up self excuses. Having others knowing what you are doing, is good pressure. BUT never be down about not fulfilling intentions, just keep looking forward and positive that you'll do better :)

I've added the following to the progress spreadsheet

MrGlass
Diane65
Asamaic
Jojojoanne
Stone_Monkey
Clarebarr
Preston1990


I only went back 6 pages of this thread in adding the names so apologies if I've missed anyone, please add yourself or let me know, and I'll add you. I didnt add Sunnysaver or EJwrank, because they have been our awesome cheerleaders on our health and fitness journeys since the very beginning and so very appreciated! Thanks Sunnysaver and EJwrank

So the idea will be to update your progress on the spreadsheet (or I can do it for you...as was the way we done it before back when there was no such thing as an online drive or cloud internet!), every two weeks. Two weeks is a good period of time to allow changes in your weight, body fat%, waistline measurement, walk/run speed etc whilst not being too long to allow a lull in your action plan.

I promise I will make it my duty to remind everyone of updating their progress every two weeks.

I am also bullishly forcing the start date to be TODAY! Its Monday, a perfect day to plan your two weeks ahead, make an action plan. Set your short term goal (from aiming for a faster time of your walk to the office or climb up a staircase to fourth floor or a parkrun to losing a cm off your waistline to losing 2-3lbs of weight (healthily...not by starving!). Set your long term goal too. For ideas look at the goals from previous chart above.

I will PM the spreadsheet link to all of you but the new sheet looks like below.

[Diane65]

Wow 7 years ago is incredible. I intend to lose 4lb over the next 2 weeks plus attempt the Tracey Anderson DVD as my flexibility is almost zero - I can't even do all the warm up now. I have started using the arms on chairs when I get up - that's acceptable on a sofa but not a dining chair.
Good luck everyone

[TheyCallMeMrGlass]

Wow 7 years ago is incredible. I intend to lose 4lb over the next 2 weeks plus attempt the Tracey Anderson DVD as my flexibility is almost zero - I can't even do all the warm up now. I have started using the arms on chairs when I get up - that's acceptable on a sofa but not a dining chair.
Good luck everyone

Great stuff ...I should have left out mentioning the 2010 because...that's just frightening for me too, lol. But look at us, as long as we all have the energy and heart to improving ourselves, we'll always be youthful :)

Right, adding your action plan to the sheet...4lbs is a lot in just two weeks, dont forget what I said about losing too quickly! 3lbs will be brilliant. Whats your long term goal? Something you like to fit into, like last time? Or outdo Tracey Anderson video workout

You mentioned flexibility...that's also a very important part of our overall health and fitness too. Important for me too and I definitely need more of that with my squash playing endeavours and very soon, my upcoming cricket season as a bowler. Really look forward to hearing how that fitness DVD works out for you down the road.

Asamaic, well done with adding your action plan and goals... Can I suggest you add a little more to your action plan, like physical activities planned for the upcoming two weeks, any dietary changes?




Examples of good manageable changes to diet and exercise: taking one less teaspoon of sugar in your tea/coffee/cereal. Swap tea/coffee for different flavoured herbal tea. Eat slower to prevent overeating, so that the brain can have time to trigger "I'm full now" message to your body. Eating too quickly results in eating more than your fill before the brain has had a chance to assess. Drinking more water/tea lessens sweet cravings and hunger. Splitting meals into 4 or 5 portions a day, to again prevent sweet craving and magically increasing your metabolism to burn more body fat quickly. Eat less portions 5-6 days a week, then 7th day eat what you like or similar plans (no starvation) with aims to increase your metabolism rate. More strengthening exercises, again to increase metabolism rate and strength to carry out fat burning physical activities.

The idea is to adopt gradual changes into your lifestyle...not drastic changes...but enough changes step by step to help you increase your metabolism to burn fat. DO NOT ever starve yourself as this results in the opposite of what you want to achieve. Starving lowers your metabolism and worse, your body padlocks your body fat fuel, so any physical activity you do, burns fuel from your muscle rather than your body fat storage...so do not ever starve. Yes I know there are special diets that includes starvation...but they are not healthy plans, in my opinion. Besides, why do something so drastic when you can achieve your goals in much simpler, more enjoyable and logically healthier ways?

Try eat balanced nutritional food covering all minerals and vitamins....ie just eat as different colour veggies as possible throughout the week. We may lose body fat and feel good but we could still be very prone to illnesses if are not consuming enough of the vitamins and minerals that veggies and fruits provide. BUT dont get carried away with fruits. Fruits have sugar which is all good for us but like everything in life, only in moderation. Vegetables have all the nutrition we need but by all means add some fruits, just make sure vegetables make up the majority of that nutritional intake to keep the sugar levels in check. Veggies have zero or almost zero sugar.


Now that I have preached all this, I better try practice it now, lol. I think I have in these last couple of weeks. I have been eating well. But one box I have not ticked from above yet, which I used to do back in my prime years ago was split my meals 5 times a day. I am eating normal 3 meals a day right now so I will try split that again. I know it will make a difference because, with the current meal frequency, I do get sweet cravings in between those meals and I feel my metabolism is still too low. I also need to drink more water, I have been slacking a great deal in that area. I only drink water while playing sport which is not good enough.

Anyway, fantastic start to this, guys...

[TheyCallMeMrGlass]

How is everyone doing?

I am a heavy Zone 1 and 2 london traveller, so it would make sense to b*y a weekly zone 1 and 2 card for £33, or monthly for £126. But I try to travel by foot everywhere. A walk from Peckham to central takes me 1hr and 15mins for instance. Sure, it takes longer but only maybe half hour longer. So I actually just always use PAYG Oyster and I get weekly email updates on what journeys I have made on trains/buses. This week, I have been recording all of my walking with a mobile app that automatically starts up when it detects I am on the move. It appears that in five days I have walked 57km. Thats about 11km a day. Sounds about right. And my Oyster journey report shows just one entry. A single overground journey for £1.50 on Sunday. So effectively, I save about £31 per week by walking to my destinations. That's a lot of saving. Perhaps you might want to ponder something similar by leaving the car at home, saving petrol cost, or adopting a PAYG to give yourself an incentive to walk to your destinations. Obviously, circumstances are different with everyone, travelling distances to work may not be walkable but check your options and what you think you can manage.


I realise I am doing too much of the same thing for too long, so I am not making any progress. My body is so used to playing squash and walking that it faces no challenges to burn the fat off. So I really need to hit the gym or do some classes to give a shock to my system to lose the fat. We always need to keep changing our patterns otherwise we reach a "plateua" ie no progress.

Anyway, have a great weekend everyone!