Post Break Up Body

[BravingABikini]

Been absent again - naughty naughty. Been feeling a bit rubbish the last few weeks about my physique, so I switched off from dieting for a bit and am focusing on maintaining weight and working on toning instead.

What does that look like;
1. I joined the gym and have a fixed set that I've been working on (4 back and chest machines, 3 legs machines, 4 free weights exercises, 15 minute core work, 25 minute run). Doing that 5 times a week. I hear it takes 8 weeks to notice changes from this so, I'll hopefully report on this at the end of November.
2. Trying to focus diet on upping protein to allow muscle growth. Lots of yoghurt, nuts, and meat. Still not where I want to be here as I'm struggling with adding food without worrying about calories, but it's mostly a mental game that I have to work through.

Why the bad feelings on physique? Since losing weight I am noticing that I've got a bit of a flabby look. Particularly my thighs and chest. As the weight has come off, things aren't looking as tight as they used to. It's making me not want to lose any more weight until I feel confident again about these areas (although, not sure at all what I'm going to be able to do about my chest ) Probably doesn't help that the man I'm seeing is in excellent physical form, so it brings up a bit of insecurity in me (although he is always very complimentary about my body). I wonder if anyone else gets this struggle?

 

[Torn_Tranquility]

Totally understand the struggle. But it sounds like you're being reasonable with yourself and taking positive action.

It is a big switch from thinking about calories, to upping protein, so also understandable that your brain might take a while to catch up

 

[BravingABikini]

The wanderer returns.

Just went through a few very hectic weeks at work, so all my planning went out the window. Delivered on a deadline yesterday so I am straight back on here to get back into some healthy habits. I've been eating too much, I haven't been at the gym for 2 weeks.

So, yesterday I kicked off with a fast day. I had been getting into the dangerous habit (for me) of eating 3 times a day. Pastry with morning tea, lunch and evening snacking over the computer. It's too many calories. So, one day without eating to kill that idea. Today, I am going to head to the gym after 11 then will make lunch when I get back.

Will try to keep to omad or fast 800 if I can for a few weeks. I have a beach holiday possibly in 4 weeks from now. So if I can lose some weight by then that would be great. I'll go on the scales some time next week when I go past the chemist to see how bad the last few weeks have been for me.

Anyway. Just writing this down to be intentional. Let's see if I can stay on track. Thinking about how good my partner is going to look in his trunks. Want to feel good beside him.

 

[BravingABikini]

Went to the gym and ate a healthy tofu tikka skewers meal. All positive. Just stay away from the evening snacking I've been doing recently, and we'll be good. Tomorrow I am seeing friends. Can't bring myself to take my healthy option, so will just attempt to minimise whatever food I take from what is served. Good luck me.

 

[BravingABikini]

Not a bad day. Went to the gym and weighed myself and I am 1 pound down from my previous lowest weight, which is great news, but I had been super low cal for a couple of days, so it's probably all the water weight benefit you get at the start of kicking off a diet. I weighed myself 2 weeks ago and was 4 pounds heavier than today (and in the time inbetween I'd been eating more crap).

I'd like to lose 8lbs, if I can, by the 12th.

Food today has been mostly protein. I chunked and fried 4 chicken breasts with cornflour and spices and took that to my friends house. Probably ate 3 breasts myself though, and a bit of tzatziki.

Tomorrow I have the leftovers of my meal on Saturday - tofu skewers. Then I have to start actually thinking about what I'm going to cook again. Salmon and pea/broccoli mash is going back on my rotation, for sure. More immediately, I'm going to try to go into the office 3 days this coming week and I think that's going to be a challenge as the pastries get into my brain. Need to make my office meal OMAD and then skip dinner.

Anyway, I'm getting ahead of myself. Only 3 days in, and the first bit is the hardest to break the bad diet habit. Stop thinking about those M&S fudge pretzel bite things. Think about bikinis!!

 

[Torn_Tranquility]

Lovely to see you back. And sounding super focused.
I know what you mean about letting the habits sneak in. I really need to refocus and stop making excuses (mine feature M&S brandy butter mince pies!)

Rugby time is hard, because it's a lot more socialising. But I'm trying to limit festive plans and be a bit more sensible.

 

[BravingABikini]

Lovely to see you back. And sounding super focused.
I know what you mean about letting the habits sneak in. I really need to refocus and stop making excuses (mine feature M&S brandy butter mince pies!)

Rugby time is hard, because it's a lot more socialising. But I'm trying to limit festive plans and be a bit more sensible.

Yeah, socialising can be great if I can hold off on eating before the catch up. I usually use it as a bit of and excuse to indulge in something that I wouldn't keep in the house - maybe a couple of biscuits, or a slice of pizza. M&S is so problematic for me. I love everything they ever make. Thankfully, there isn't one near me, but Sainsbury's has these snowy rocky road bikes which I also need to stay away from.

Anyway, focus! Yesterday was good. Had the leftover skewers and also made a very thin & disappointing protein shake with water. I am not sure at all what I'm doing today. I will go to the gym in the evening, at least. I've been choosing to have my meal around lunch time - might go into the office.

 

[Torn_Tranquility]

If I'm in the office, I have to go through town to get home, which is a nightmare! I find myself skulking for yellow sticker bargains.

 

[BravingABikini]

If I'm in the office, I have to go through town to get home, which is a nightmare! I find myself skulking for yellow sticker bargains.

We all face such trials

I've already had 4 flapjack bites and it's only 9am. I knew being in the office would be bad for me.

 

[Torn_Tranquility]

I'm two packets of crisps and a few biscuits down. Normally I can just say no. I am blaming shortlisting. And it's not even a job I'm recruiting for!

 

[BravingABikini]

I'm two packets of crisps and a few biscuits down. Normally I can just say no. I am blaming shortlisting. And it's not even a job I'm recruiting for!

Oh dear - we're terrible! Give me the strength to walk directly home now.

 

[BravingABikini]

Anyway, had a disaster. Ate badly for 10 days. Work has been absolutely crushing, so trying to go easy on myself. I am back on track now. Been at the gym for the last 3 days and eating at deficit and high protein.

Ill go and weigh myself at the pharmacy this morning to assess any damage. I certainly haven't lost any weight in the last 2 weeks.

Also, I had to go bikini shopping this weekend. What a nightmare that is in the winter! Went all up and down oxford street. M&S, no. Anthropologie, no. John Lewis, no. Selfridges had a huge selection but not a single one used bra sizing, so there was no way (also, they were crazy expensive, so a bit grateful to not be given the choice). Ended up where I always knew I would, in Bravissimo. Got a perfectly fitting bikini. Maybe a bit less stylish than the Selfridges options, but if they fit well, that's going to make me look a lot better than any pretty pattern.

 

[Torn_Tranquility]

aw, it's not a disaster - it's a blip. You know how to get back on track, and it sounds like you're doing that already.

Bikini shopping in winter is a nightmare! I did notice M&S had a few in the sales here the other day, but not a big selection. Definitely right about fit being more important than pattern.

Hope things calm down at work for you!

 

[BravingABikini]

Up 1lb. So, recognising that it's not awful, but it's a bit different to my hope that I would have lost 4lbs. 5lb Delta. Never mind. It doesn't really matter.

Today I went to the gym this morning and ate shakshuka for breakfast, which is very unusual for me. But felt a bit weak when coming back to the house. I've got dinner at a friend's house tonight and they always have biscuits.

 

[BravingABikini]

I've been to the gym one more time this week, on Wednesday. I'll go again on Sat and Sun to make it 4 visits this week. Then another couple next week before I head to Thailand next Friday.

Food wise, had lots of festive biscuits and a yummy pasta at my friend's on Monday. On Tuesday I had a protein shake and a Pad Thai with another friend. Wednesday, I had a protein shake, a protein yoghurt, a bucket load of nuts and raisins, and lots of chicken wings. Thursday I had a tortilla then went for dinner with a friend (2 glasses of wine, bread and dip, a croquette and mini chicken bites, then lamb with cabbage and aubergine. For dessert had a scoop of icecream and hot chocolate sauce. Yum.

Today I have people coming over, so I'm sure we'll order something in. It's December, so the social calendar has been quite full. The weekend should be healthy.

I'm feeling a bit better about my beach readiness. Not exactly where I would like to be, but I bought a couple of bikinis and feel quite good in them.