The battle with the weight

Back in January after the Festive season I was 11 stone 10lbs which for me was way to heavy. I was also feeling pretty lethargic and generally couldn't be arsed to do anything. Stopped eating as much crap especially in the evening after my tea. I've made a few little changes to my diet but nothing really major. I've have a fairly active and physical occupation which helps . In April I changed my bike from a hybrid to a road bike ( picked it up 2 hand from a local bike charity) , I've been cycling about 100 miles a week since then , weighed myself tonight and I'm now 10-3 and feeling a lot better, had a recent check up with the Nurse and my BP is perfect as is my BMI ( although bmi is not a perfect measure ) Hopefully now I can keep the extra lbs off .

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Originally Posted by GreenNWhiteArmy

Starting to do meal prep for the week ahead on Sunday's

Hoping it will lead to eating healthier, snacking less, save some money and also free up some time midweek for some exercise

Around 2 stone overweight so would be good to shift some of that - third baby due in September so looking to establish some routines before then

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Do you have any links to any info on meal prep? i would like to do this as the kitchen part of losing weight (the important part) is where I fall apart everytime, I’m no cook although I would like to get better and a busy life makes me head for the quick and easy option too many times, I start a new job next month where the work life balance should be much better, I’m really wanting to get going on getting rid of some weight and getting healthier.

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Originally Posted by Northernhibee

Worked very hard on finding the takeaways that I know I can't replace mentally after a bad day and been able to find recipes through Tom Kerridge's book, Pinch of Nom website/books and/or taking the little tricks from them and applying it to what I do normally and it's been the biggest help in sticking to it. I'm - going by this morning - just a few pounds away from my initial goal weight which upon hitting I would make plans to buy a place in the Play on the Pitch event next season at Easter Road.

Not told my group of friends yet but also now planning to climb Ben Nevis next summer. Glorious feeling to be able to consider things that I would have felt intimidated by before due to my poor fitness. Last year at my heaviest I was twenty stone ten pounds - I'm now seventeen stone six pounds. Some of that last year but the bulk of it lost in 2022.

Enjoy your son's wedding, enjoy all the inevitable comments about looking well and the like too. Will happily share some recipes with anyone on here who wants a healthier version of a takeaway :thumbsup:

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If you don’t mind could I have a few of the takeaway recipes you’ve found? Being able to reward myself with a healthy version of a takeaway would really help.

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Originally Posted by Dmas

Do you have any links to any info on meal prep? i would like to do this as the kitchen part of losing weight (the important part) is where I fall apart everytime, I’m no cook although I would like to get better and a busy life makes me head for the quick and easy option too many times, I start a new job next month where the work life balance should be much better, I’m really wanting to get going on getting rid of some weight and getting healthier.

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Came across The Meal Prep King on social media so bought his books but mainly is just a few different people i'm now following on socials that show healthy budget meals there's a couple of guys that cook healthy meals for under a fiver a head for example and fairly quick. Will also cook simple meals i know, some of the stuff in these books are great but can be a bit of a faff stocking up on all the relevant herbs and spices

Will report back in a couple of weeks

Mostly following these guys - also on instagram if tiktok isnt your thing

Fraz- In vs Out Meals (@fraz_invsoutnutrition) TikTok | Watch Fraz- In vs Out Meals's Newest TikTok Videos

John clark (@themealprepking) TikTok | Watch John clark's Newest TikTok Videos

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Originally Posted by GreenNWhiteArmy

Came across The Meal Prep King on social media so bought his books but mainly is just a few different people i'm now following on socials that show healthy budget meals there's a couple of guys that cook healthy meals for under a fiver a head for example and fairly quick. Will also cook simple meals i know, some of the stuff in these books are great but can be a bit of a faff stocking up on all the relevant herbs and spices

Will report back in a couple of weeks

Mostly following these guys - also on instagram if tiktok isnt your thing

Fraz- In vs Out Meals (@fraz_invsoutnutrition) TikTok | Watch Fraz- In vs Out Meals's Newest TikTok Videos

John clark (@themealprepking) TikTok | Watch John clark's Newest TikTok Videos

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Nice one mate thanks for this

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Originally Posted by Dmas

If you don’t mind could I have a few of the takeaway recipes you’ve found? Being able to reward myself with a healthy version of a takeaway would really help.

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I’ll get a few links up when I can 👍

I'm still just fat :rolleyes: nothings working. A hectic post covid catch up social life isn't helping

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Originally Posted by Northernhibee

I’ll get a few links up when I can 👍

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Thank you would be much appreciated 👍

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Originally Posted by J.S

I'm still just fat :rolleyes: nothings working. A hectic post covid catch up social life isn't helping

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I’ve put on three stone in the last 12 months for exactly that reason. Must have had at least a dozen long weekends away in that time. So hard to get ‘on it’ when there’s always time off on the horizon. Done low carb for the last month but always had something in the way where we haven’t had the 12-14 day run that I feel you need to really feel the benefit. Back to calorie counting from Tuesday, but I’ve struck a deal with myself to go with a 1,700 limit rather than the usual 1,500 and up the exercise significantly.

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Originally Posted by LancashireHibby

I’ve put on three stone in the last 12 months for exactly that reason. Must have had at least a dozen long weekends away in that time. So hard to get ‘on it’ when there’s always time off on the horizon. Done low carb for the last month but always had something in the way where we haven’t had the 12-14 day run that I feel you need to really feel the benefit. Back to calorie counting from Tuesday, but I’ve struck a deal with myself to go with a 1,700 limit rather than the usual 1,500 and up the exercise significantly.

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9 out of the last 16 days I've been at rescheduled gigs, meals out, shows , cocktails nights or other catch ups. I'm fat and skint :greengrin I've got a decent run of nothing ahead of me I think so I'll try again.

Anyone using any of the Ninja devices to cook? I have the bullet for Smoothies and milkshakes and its great at blitzing tbh, just looking at the foodi multi-cooker 14 in 1 and tempted with it being down to £200

Any thoughts?

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Originally Posted by GreenNWhiteArmy

Anyone using any of the Ninja devices to cook? I have the bullet for Smoothies and milkshakes and its great at blitzing tbh, just looking at the foodi multi-cooker 14 in 1 and tempted with it being down to £200

Any thoughts?

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I have a earlier version of that multicooker – "only" nine functions. I looked into it because I wanted a slow cooker and a pressure cooker and don't have space for separate appliances. I use those functions all the time and it's brilliant.

The air fryer lid makes it a bit bigger and more unwieldy, so if you don't need that then you might want to look at a simpler version. I was unsure how much I'd use the air fryer, but decided to give it a go and don't regret it. One thing the bear in mind is that while the main cooking pot is massive (mine is 6 litres, I think there are smaller and larger versions), the insert for the air fryer is relatively small. It's fine if you're mostly cooking for one or two people, but if you wanted to use it regularly to cook for a family then you'd probably be better off with a dedicated air fryer.

Overall though, it's one of my best kitchen purchases.

Wife and I loosely follow the Joe Wicks (Body Coach) template. 20 mins HIIT per day (loads to follow on YouTube channel and much easier than you think) 2 low carb meals and 1 carb meal ("refuel") per day plus couple of snacks in between. The recipes are brilliant and the portions huge. Stick to it for 30 days and you will feel fantastic. And see your body shape change. After 30 days you pretty much adopt the general cooking and exercise style (loosely for us) and you stay fit and strong.

Recommend giving it a go.

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Originally Posted by Dmas

Thank you would be much appreciated ��

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Doner kebab (I used lamb mince exclusively for this and just worked it well by hand as I don't have a food processor)
https://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/lamb_doner_75979

Chicken souvlaki:
https://pinchofnom.com/recipes/chick...-and-tzatziki/

Chicken gyros:
https://pinchofnom.com/recipes/chicken-gyros-kebabs/

Pepsi Max Chicken:
https://pinchofnom.com/recipes/diet-...i-max-chicken/

Campfire Stew:
https://pinchofnom.com/recipes/campfire-stew/

KFC:

https://pinchofnom.com/recipes/kfc-fakeaway/

Chicken Tikka Masala (a bit of work but worth it in every way):
https://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/c...a_masala_11482


I'm also starting a blog which I kind of guess is loosely based on the relevations I've come across from either other sources, past failures or lessons learned this time around in the hope that people may be able to add their own take on it and avoid the mistakes I made in the past. It's got my recipe for chicken pasta alfredo up there already but I'll be adding a few more of my own soon. https://millionthweightloss.blogspot...do-approx.html

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Originally Posted by Northernhibee

Doner kebab (I used lamb mince exclusively for this and just worked it well by hand as I don't have a food processor)
https://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/lamb_doner_75979

Chicken souvlaki:
https://pinchofnom.com/recipes/chick...-and-tzatziki/

Chicken gyros:
https://pinchofnom.com/recipes/chicken-gyros-kebabs/

Pepsi Max Chicken:
https://pinchofnom.com/recipes/diet-...i-max-chicken/

Campfire Stew:
https://pinchofnom.com/recipes/campfire-stew/

KFC:

https://pinchofnom.com/recipes/kfc-fakeaway/

Chicken Tikka Masala (a bit of work but worth it in every way):
https://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/c...a_masala_11482


I'm also starting a blog which I kind of guess is loosely based on the relevations I've come across from either other sources, past failures or lessons learned this time around in the hope that people may be able to add their own take on it and avoid the mistakes I made in the past. It's got my recipe for chicken pasta alfredo up there already but I'll be adding a few more of my own soon. https://millionthweightloss.blogspot...do-approx.html

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Cheers for these good for a Saturday night, bookmarked the blog 👍

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Originally Posted by Northernhibee

Doner kebab (I used lamb mince exclusively for this and just worked it well by hand as I don't have a food processor)
https://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/lamb_doner_75979

Chicken souvlaki:
https://pinchofnom.com/recipes/chick...-and-tzatziki/

Chicken gyros:
https://pinchofnom.com/recipes/chicken-gyros-kebabs/

Pepsi Max Chicken:
https://pinchofnom.com/recipes/diet-...i-max-chicken/

Campfire Stew:
https://pinchofnom.com/recipes/campfire-stew/

KFC:

https://pinchofnom.com/recipes/kfc-fakeaway/

Chicken Tikka Masala (a bit of work but worth it in every way):
https://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/c...a_masala_11482


I'm also starting a blog which I kind of guess is loosely based on the relevations I've come across from either other sources, past failures or lessons learned this time around in the hope that people may be able to add their own take on it and avoid the mistakes I made in the past. It's got my recipe for chicken pasta alfredo up there already but I'll be adding a few more of my own soon. https://millionthweightloss.blogspot...do-approx.html

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Brilliant mate, thanks for this the souvlaki and gyros will be well received, also bookmarked your blog good luck with it :aok:

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Originally Posted by Hibby Bairn

Wife and I loosely follow the Joe Wicks (Body Coach) template. 20 mins HIIT per day (loads to follow on YouTube channel and much easier than you think) 2 low carb meals and 1 carb meal ("refuel") per day plus couple of snacks in between. The recipes are brilliant and the portions huge. Stick to it for 30 days and you will feel fantastic. And see your body shape change. After 30 days you pretty much adopt the general cooking and exercise style (loosely for us) and you stay fit and strong.

Recommend giving it a go.

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I'm going to start Joe Wicks videos tomorrow as I'm struggling to find my running mojo after a flu/covid bout, their really good, I've got a lot of his cookbooks as well very tasty stuff but when I previously followed those recipes I found it quite expensive at the shops.

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Originally Posted by Dmas

I'm going to start Joe Wicks videos tomorrow as I'm struggling to find my running mojo after a flu/covid bout, their really good, I've got a lot of his cookbooks as well very tasty stuff but when I previously followed those recipes I found it quite expensive at the shops.

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Don’t know how many you are cooking for, but some of his recipes are available through Gousto meal prep boxes. I was getting 4 meals for 2 people per week for £35 delivered. I found that quite reasonable considering I’m so badly organised that I very rarely had stuff in to cook so I’d end up ordering a take away. Was getting 4 meals for the price I’d pay for one takeaway.

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Originally Posted by Dmas

I'm going to start Joe Wicks videos tomorrow as I'm struggling to find my running mojo after a flu/covid bout, their really good, I've got a lot of his cookbooks as well very tasty stuff but when I previously followed those recipes I found it quite expensive at the shops.

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Yes. Some of them can be. Lots aren't. If you do the one pot meals and make them for 3 or 4 then you can get several days out of them.

Good luck.

Hit 4st from the start of the year on my weigh in last night. It’s now at a fairly consistent 2lb a week now with gym sessions to incorporate resistance work and only four or five pounds from dropping out of the “obese” category for BMI (and as I’m quite broad in stature that’s always been a bit weighted against me).

Had set a target for 2 stone for the summer and amazed that it’s doubled.

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Originally Posted by Dmas

I'm going to start Joe Wicks videos tomorrow as I'm struggling to find my running mojo after a flu/covid bout, their really good, I've got a lot of his cookbooks as well very tasty stuff but when I previously followed those recipes I found it quite expensive at the shops.

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The free stuff Joe wicks puts out on YouTube is mostly pretty good I think. I also have one of his DVDs. They're a good place to start, and if you get a bit more into it you could just create your own workouts using the moves he does. It's a great source.

Regarding the meals, I also use Gusto. Obviously having someone hand deliver the exact ingredients you require will come at a premium but you also get the recipe card which you can use to then plan meals and buy food from the supermarket. I also balance out the price by only buying them occasionally, and generally only when there's a discount on offer. Discounts come quite frequently when you're not signed up. I just got an email today offering 20% off for the month.
Similarly, I have a code for others to get 65% off their first box and then 30% for the rest of the month (in return, I get £35 - a box, basically).

After a month here or there on discount I've amassed a decent number of recipe cards that I then draw off for my weekly meal plan and shop - cheaper than via gusto for only the raw ingredients. Then returning next time there's an offer for a few new recipes and grow my card collection.

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Originally Posted by Northernhibee

Hit 4st from the start of the year on my weigh in last night. It’s now at a fairly consistent 2lb a week now with gym sessions to incorporate resistance work and only four or five pounds from dropping out of the “obese” category for BMI (and as I’m quite broad in stature that’s always been a bit weighted against me).

Had set a target for 2 stone for the summer and amazed that it’s doubled.

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Well in mate

How's everyone getting on?

Coming from the guy who's partied for 2 weeks and 2 days on holiday from work.

Stone on but will knock that off in couple of weeks. Problem may be 2 nights in Newcastle this weekend too.

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Originally Posted by HH81

How's everyone getting on?

Coming from the guy who's partied for 2 weeks and 2 days on holiday from work.

Stone on but will knock that off in couple of weeks. Problem may be 2 nights in Newcastle this weekend too.

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I've been recovering from COVID and put on three pounds or so in the last week and a bit - activity dropped to near zero and I just ate plenty and not necessarily healthily. Was a spell of just needing to mentally look after myself as much as anything.

I know I'll lose it again and I'm still pretty much four stones down from the start of the year, but going to play football again on Friday, fully expecting it to be a horrorshow as my body catches back up with me, but feeling motivated and up for getting back on the wagon.

Music festival next week but (and this is a sign of my age) taking alcohol free beer as I'm aff it now. Mentally it's not great for me, I always feel ****ing miserable mentally for a day or two after more heavy drinking and I just eat utter crap. I like a beer and watching a band so this it a nice middle ground.

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Originally Posted by Northernhibee

I've been recovering from COVID and put on three pounds or so in the last week and a bit - activity dropped to near zero and I just ate plenty and not necessarily healthily. Was a spell of just needing to mentally look after myself as much as anything.

I know I'll lose it again and I'm still pretty much four stones down from the start of the year, but going to play football again on Friday, fully expecting it to be a horrorshow as my body catches back up with me, but feeling motivated and up for getting back on the wagon.

Music festival next week but (and this is a sign of my age) taking alcohol free beer as I'm aff it now. Mentally it's not great for me, I always feel ****ing miserable mentally for a day or two after more heavy drinking and I just eat utter crap. I like a beer and watching a band so this it a nice middle ground.

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Glad to hear you were OK with covid.

You are smashing it. Keep going. 👏

I lost a load of weight at the end of February start of March but have piled most of it back on in recent months.

Finding motivation really hard - to do exercise, to eat healthy, to avoid snacks and chocolate - which I'm piling away at a greater rate than at any point, ever.

Just need to try to find something to get me going again.

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Originally Posted by Smartie

I lost a load of weight at the end of February start of March but have piled most of it back on in recent months.

Finding motivation really hard - to do exercise, to eat healthy, to avoid snacks and chocolate - which I'm piling away at a greater rate than at any point, ever.

Just need to try to find something to get me going again.

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You sound like me. Cycle after cycle of gaining and losing weight for years.

The only way to do it is a life style change and consistency.

I still eat the same foods just on treat days. One a week or if I'm away. Rest of the time reduced caleries and exercise.

If I'm away I always jump straight back to it the day after I'm back.

Huel been my biggest help. Quick, easy, healthy and allows me to exercise at dinners with no prep. First thing I go back to after treat days.

Around 5 stone down in just over 2 years. I have increased muscle too I reckon so don't know actual fat reduction and never bother with scales.

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Originally Posted by Smartie

I lost a load of weight at the end of February start of March but have piled most of it back on in recent months.

Finding motivation really hard - to do exercise, to eat healthy, to avoid snacks and chocolate - which I'm piling away at a greater rate than at any point, ever.

Just need to try to find something to get me going again.

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The hardest thing to do is to get in to the rhythm again. Once you get there you’ll be back on track. Takes a concentrated effort to get back to it.

If I’m having an unmotivated day I force myself to do it and it’s honestly so much better.

I’m the opposite, I want to bulk up and get far more toned than I am at the moment. 6’4 and around 15 stone.

There’s creatine, advanced gainer, full fat milk and frozen fruits all set and ready to go into the nutri-bullet and I’ve got the exercise equipment laid out beside the workout clothes. Unfortunately, this has been the case since January and I still walk past it every morning 🥴

Iv'e lost the battle.:boo hoo: