*** Big Fat Weight Loss Thread ***
- Thread starter AndyCr15
- Start date
I try and log food but as you say it’s difficult in situations like today so you just have to make a guess.
I’ve had no tea and only had banana and yoghurt for breakfast so it balances out.
(Ignore the bottle of red I’m near the end of…)
I can sense I’m drinking more again and having come to the end of a week off work and having bought delicious craft beer (5 cans in th fridge). I’m aiming to cut back after this. It’s showed me how much I love really good beer but it’s neither practical or affordable to drink that often.
Wine is the biggest thing though. One or two beers and I’m generally a bit bloated these days, but I can easily have a full bottle of red on my own. The one I’m currently drinking I wouldn’t even say I was particularly enjoying.
This week I’ve also nailed quite a bit of rum/whisky. I’ve then felt the knock on impact on activity and my watch recognises that. With the heat getting worse I need to really change my routine and get up and out early. That should encourage early nights and minimise temptation.
I also sleep too much. I average around 9-10ths usually and want to cut that back as I wake feeling groggy. Just need to be productive with the extra hours.
I’ve had no tea and only had banana and yoghurt for breakfast so it balances out.
(Ignore the bottle of red I’m near the end of…)
I can sense I’m drinking more again and having come to the end of a week off work and having bought delicious craft beer (5 cans in th fridge). I’m aiming to cut back after this. It’s showed me how much I love really good beer but it’s neither practical or affordable to drink that often.
Wine is the biggest thing though. One or two beers and I’m generally a bit bloated these days, but I can easily have a full bottle of red on my own. The one I’m currently drinking I wouldn’t even say I was particularly enjoying.
This week I’ve also nailed quite a bit of rum/whisky. I’ve then felt the knock on impact on activity and my watch recognises that. With the heat getting worse I need to really change my routine and get up and out early. That should encourage early nights and minimise temptation.
I also sleep too much. I average around 9-10ths usually and want to cut that back as I wake feeling groggy. Just need to be productive with the extra hours.
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I think you've got a few things going on... I appreciate this advice is unsolicited but here goes.
Do away with the calorie counting... I think you've hit fatigue with it (I certainly had) and it leads to a bit of an all or nothing mindset. If you're going to be on track with your calories for the day then all is sunshine and rainbow.. if you're not going to be... then you seem to hit the "**** it" button and go way overboard on food / beers / wine.
My approach lately has been 3 proper meals a day where possible, meat/protein, veg/fruit, carbs - eat mindfully and don't take the ****. Try to eat for volume and quality and you should reduce your need to snack as well. If you feel the need to snack... sit with it for 20 / 30 minutes while doing something to distract yourself (work / house work / run an errand) and suddenly you will no longer need it and its that time closer to your next meal anyway! Or if you really need it, an apple is a great snack, or drink an americano, maybe your mouth is just lonely.
Drinking - tough love, if you're serious about your weight and more importantly your health, you just can't be helping yourself to a full bottle of red wine by yourself on the regular, that's all their is too it. Try to limit any drinking to with dinner at the weekends as a way to signal the end of the week and some relaxation, or when you're attending events/
Feel free to tell me to do one but trying to get some easy not over restrictive structure in place is key for you - all or nothing mindset is something ive really struggled with.
Do away with the calorie counting... I think you've hit fatigue with it (I certainly had) and it leads to a bit of an all or nothing mindset. If you're going to be on track with your calories for the day then all is sunshine and rainbow.. if you're not going to be... then you seem to hit the "**** it" button and go way overboard on food / beers / wine.
My approach lately has been 3 proper meals a day where possible, meat/protein, veg/fruit, carbs - eat mindfully and don't take the ****. Try to eat for volume and quality and you should reduce your need to snack as well. If you feel the need to snack... sit with it for 20 / 30 minutes while doing something to distract yourself (work / house work / run an errand) and suddenly you will no longer need it and its that time closer to your next meal anyway! Or if you really need it, an apple is a great snack, or drink an americano, maybe your mouth is just lonely.
Drinking - tough love, if you're serious about your weight and more importantly your health, you just can't be helping yourself to a full bottle of red wine by yourself on the regular, that's all their is too it. Try to limit any drinking to with dinner at the weekends as a way to signal the end of the week and some relaxation, or when you're attending events/
Feel free to tell me to do one but trying to get some easy not over restrictive structure in place is key for you - all or nothing mindset is something ive really struggled with.
Caporegime
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I have stopped calorie counting and logging on MFP, however that is because I got into a routine of eating the same thing pretty much everyday and know the calorie of the things I am eating. If I am eating mostly the same thing then each day will be the same from one to the next.
If however I am eating new things every day then I would count them.
If however I am eating new things every day then I would count them.
No. I appreciate the advice. I’m similar in the running thread (albeit I don’t run much now sadly) but I feel I’m a classic example of the whole “do as I say not as I do” mentality.
I could probably be a decent coach for others but can’t shift that focus to myself.
I’m hugely weak. I know this. I also hate waste and so being around others who don’t finish a meal makes me eat it. Not ideal mentality when you have a wife with health issues where she can feel hungry and want to eat then the food comes and she eats half and is done. I then pickup the slack. There’s a current joke where she does this and I eat it and blame her for me being fat, although we both know it’s 100% my fault.
I disagree slightly on the counting calories front. I will generally make an effort to log them regardless of where they put me for the day. However you’re correct that I have a mindset where I don’t care. I can happily be right on goal. Then snaffle a cream cheese wrap and end the day 400kcal over target and just shrug at the reading. I do try and log it though. My main issue is in weeks like the current one. Certain meals are tough to record and you end up guessing a lot. Today being a big one.
I’ve always had a horrible relationship with food which resulted in fat child/adult. My biggest benefit was running which started in my late 20’s where I could outrun the bad diet. This enabled me to generally keep things under control which cycling just doesn’t do, both through enjoyment (I like it, just don’t “love it”) and also calorie burning. Sadly it’s what’s available now.
I think that’s my main issue right now. Still longing for running and not adapting from the days of eating whatever I wanted because at the weekend I could run 20 miles on a Saturday and burn it all off. It’s been ~18 months and I acknowledge I need to change that mindset, just don’t seem to ever get myself past that.
I do enjoy this thread as I’m honest on the ups and downs. I’m realistic and fully acknowledge my flaws and limitations (of which there are many). For all the advice I receive I get annoyed with myself as I already know it. Just need to find a way to put it to practice.
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Cheers. It’s a good thread. As said I know my weaknesses but I treat it a bit like weight watchers for accountability.
As you say. No point not posting regular updates and then being shocked in 2 months when everything’s gone to ****
My takeaway is I’ve had a week off work. Enjoyed it. Done enough activity and probably been relatively neutral. I’ve drank more than I’d have liked which has contributed to less cycling. But to counteract that I’ve spent countless hours cleaning/unpacking and even got an amazing hike in which I loved and ended with no foot pain which makes me optimistic of running if I get weight lower too. I had many runs where I got no pain too but was always aware things weren’t right. I knew this week was a week off and was really looking forward to the brewery and beer so wasn’t strict at all.
Starting Monday I do plan to be more strict and try and not have 2-3 beers a day which is my current downfall. Same with getting out early and not having days of activity.
Im also going to get to the GP over here to investigate surgery for my foot. I was put off because of Facebook groups on the relevant surgery but I think if I take the risk to get running back it’s 100% worth it even if it’s unsuccessful and I end up in a little more pain as per comments.
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Soldato
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Sounds amazing to be fair
Same here, I just can't be bothered counting. I know I'll easily be under my allowance if I just stick to veggies, fruit, protein. If I have some choc, so be it. As long as I don't eat it every day.
As an update to the above where I said I’m aiming to reduce drinking from tomorrow. I’m currently having a lovely day working through the beers bought on Friday to remove them from the house.
@tom_nieto because I imagine you’ll enjoy this most
1 double fruited gose
2 mango and passion fruit pale
3 Alhambra regular lager
4 Soup IPA. Current beer and nice but not at the level of it on keg in the bar
5 double soma IPA
6 Imperial stout
My day will be glorious. It started with a bacon baguette. Then some cleaning and a bike ride for building calorie allowance.
Like many weeks like this. It’s great to reset your body where you actually crave vegetables and nutrition. I know my brain works must better on one off “binges” than moderation.
From tomorrow I aim to be better as it’s a big 4.5 months to a big cycling event and I need to strive towards more consistency.
@tom_nieto because I imagine you’ll enjoy this most
1 double fruited gose
2 mango and passion fruit pale
3 Alhambra regular lager
4 Soup IPA. Current beer and nice but not at the level of it on keg in the bar
5 double soma IPA
6 Imperial stout
My day will be glorious. It started with a bacon baguette. Then some cleaning and a bike ride for building calorie allowance.
Like many weeks like this. It’s great to reset your body where you actually crave vegetables and nutrition. I know my brain works must better on one off “binges” than moderation.
From tomorrow I aim to be better as it’s a big 4.5 months to a big cycling event and I need to strive towards more consistency.
@Martynt74 - I agree with @blairw and have fallen into this rut as well with counting. The good days are great, but the weekends aren’t counted regularly. When I do count everything, I notice a drop. What I really need to be careful of is not beating myself up about every time I eat something “naughty”. If I really enjoy it, that’s fine. If I’m filling up on mediocre rubbish, that’s the time to be annoyed.
Those beers look amazing. I went crazy and had a bottle of Purity Mad Goose the other day and it was glorious! Absolutely terrible on the calories (wine is much more efficient!), but goodness me it’s such a pleasure to drink a great beer. The pint of Wye Valley HPA that I had in the sun last weekend was just perfect.
Lastly - if your sleep isn’t great, alcohol can worsen that. It certainly messes up any recovery. Sounds like you have a plan.
Those beers look amazing. I went crazy and had a bottle of Purity Mad Goose the other day and it was glorious! Absolutely terrible on the calories (wine is much more efficient!), but goodness me it’s such a pleasure to drink a great beer. The pint of Wye Valley HPA that I had in the sun last weekend was just perfect.
Lastly - if your sleep isn’t great, alcohol can worsen that. It certainly messes up any recovery. Sounds like you have a plan.
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Soldato
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Personally I don’t think it’s possible to drink regularly and lose/maintain weight. Even ignoring the empty calories, the impact on sleep, eating and motivation is huge. A couple of beers/glasses of wine and I want to empty the fridge. The next day I’ll be tired and feeling rough so it’ll be a big breakfast and sugary stuff through the day to perk me up. I’m tired so exercise is off the cards.
I love beer so keep a regular stock of non alcoholic ones, amazing how often one of those satisfies the craving.
I love beer so keep a regular stock of non alcoholic ones, amazing how often one of those satisfies the craving.
Yeah, was probably my first "really great" beer for ~9 months and i'm allowing myself that.
I've always been able to drink and still lose weight historically due to the amount i could run, but just not getting that now. I do have a stock of NA beers in the fridge and am better with those as they're good enough to hit the spot without being so nice you want to open another after finishing one.
Sleep wise is never something i struggle with! I can easily nail a bottle of red and then go run/ride for 2 hours the next morning. Sleep is my superpower
(I will accept that the ride won't be as good as if i hadn't drank that wine though. Plus i've not got the cold swimming pool to jump into to refresh myself)
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Im not a non drinker, but I barely drink any more, got a 3 year old and a 10 month baby... it really just isn't worth it when I might be up in the middle of the night at worst, early doors with a baby at best - I really like the 0% Heineken and 0% Guiness - it scratches the itch for me and leaves me in a positive frame of mind for the next day ("I have made this choice which allows me to relax a little but I'm going to be 100% tomorrow when I need to be")
Weighed in at 13st 3lbs last Friday, lowest I've been since 2013. Another independent blood test came back with very positive results, and cholesterol all healthy. I feel I now know that my maintenance weight has to be between 13st 3 and 13st 7 for my various health measurements to look good.
Friday night had a mate over for dinner which meant drinking probably half a bottle of wine, plus dessert. Enjoyed the evening, no problems there!
Saturday started well right up till I went to my brother-in-law's 40th birthday where he had BBQ and a buffet. I had 3 beers, a burger, 2 sausages, SO MANY NEW POTATOES, some birthday cake, and so on. Went proper nuts. Again, enjoyed it.
Sunday started well right up till lunch time when I nommed some lemon cheesecake and a few pringles with my salad, and dinner time when I fired up the BBQ, had a lovely burger with mayo & ketchup, and had a bottle of beer. Then went to the pub for a football meeting where I had 2 more beers (laser juice. LUSH!). Then came home and ate more cheesecake, a Lindt bunny and more pringles. 100% fuelled by the (thoroughly enjoyable) beer.
Back on it today, and going well again. Got to the gym, eaten properly, lots of water on board. I always find the come-down after those weekends difficult, because although I feel like I've scratched that itch of really enjoying foods that I spend time avoiding for the rest of the week, my body then craves a higher volume of food, and I feel hungrier for a day or two again until I bring it back to reality.
Friday night had a mate over for dinner which meant drinking probably half a bottle of wine, plus dessert. Enjoyed the evening, no problems there!
Saturday started well right up till I went to my brother-in-law's 40th birthday where he had BBQ and a buffet. I had 3 beers, a burger, 2 sausages, SO MANY NEW POTATOES, some birthday cake, and so on. Went proper nuts. Again, enjoyed it.
Sunday started well right up till lunch time when I nommed some lemon cheesecake and a few pringles with my salad, and dinner time when I fired up the BBQ, had a lovely burger with mayo & ketchup, and had a bottle of beer. Then went to the pub for a football meeting where I had 2 more beers (laser juice. LUSH!). Then came home and ate more cheesecake, a Lindt bunny and more pringles. 100% fuelled by the (thoroughly enjoyable) beer.
Back on it today, and going well again. Got to the gym, eaten properly, lots of water on board. I always find the come-down after those weekends difficult, because although I feel like I've scratched that itch of really enjoying foods that I spend time avoiding for the rest of the week, my body then craves a higher volume of food, and I feel hungrier for a day or two again until I bring it back to reality.
I stayed sober for AGES because of getting up with the kids with a hangover. Luckily my kids are old enough to run downstairs and turn on the PS5 now, so I get away with it a bit more
Caporegime
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Same weight as me! (although you are probably taller)
Where did you get the blood test and how much?
214 this morning to 212 after work 
fingers crossed for under 214 in the morning ..pleaseeeeee
Bday on Friday, and agreed to few beers with ex work collegue on Saturday...will be 1st beer in 2 months i think...
Hols in 3 weeks so there is hope i will hit 205 - was hoping for 200 for it...
lets hope for the best
fingers crossed for under 214 in the morning ..pleaseeeeee
Bday on Friday, and agreed to few beers with ex work collegue on Saturday...will be 1st beer in 2 months i think...
Hols in 3 weeks so there is hope i will hit 205 - was hoping for 200 for it...
lets hope for the best
I'm 5'11", so my BMI is still 'high' (25.8) but the results of every metric I can find seems to indicate that BMI isn't what I should be going by, as a rule. Waist to height is healthy (0.48), fat levels / cholesterol looks good, 17% body fat (healthy is apparently 16 - 20%), all seems to lean towards it being my healthy weight.
I used Numan.com - £120. Topcashback did £10 cashback on it, so was £110 for their full blown one, called the 'fear nothing blood test plus'. I had 2 tests, one before which got me motivated to lose the weight, and one after to confirm that my levels had improved. They do this hilariously loaded 'if we don't find anything wrong with you, your money back!' guarantee which you should firmly ignore.
If you want to see what they test for / results or whatever, let me know and I can send you a copy of my results. Nothing hugely confidential, just don't fancy plastering it online
