Starting on weight loss journey AGAIN! Any advice greatly welcomed

[Healthy-wannabe]

Hello, I am new on here I normally avoid talking about my weight but have failed on every diet and as a result have continued to gain weight. I am now 4stone over weight and it is very visable. I know what i need to eat, i have time most days to prep and can cook very well, i am not rolling in it but can financially afford a reasonable shop. Yet I can't do it!! I am my own worse enemy. I can go days or weeks but something always stops me. I lost 2 stone on weight watchers but stopped when my daughters health became worse then covid hit the country meaning we had to shield her and the weight is back on with an extra stone. I definitely secret eat and binge terribly. My child has a complicated health which often leads to hospital and currently has 3 hospitals caring for her different needs so i definitely sometimes use food as an emotional support

I could really do with some help on how to mentally keep on track, any secrets or tips on success and a big kick up the butt!

Hope you all are keeping well.

[Eryl]

Try to keep off sugary foods, especially cakes and biscuits as gluten in the flour causes your gut to absorb the sugar more quickly. Sugar also triggers release of your hunger hormone so that you feel like snacking more often. It also suppressed the satiety hormone, so you tend to over eat. If not used up in the body cells, blood sugar (glucose) is stored as glycogen in your muscles and liver. When those stores are full the liver turns it into fat.

[Healthy-wannabe in reply to Eryl]

Sugars are definitely a huge down fall for me. I will struggle with effects of less sugar. You seem quite knowledgable... would you say reduce sugar intake or just go cold turkey? I have considered gluten free also.

[Eryl in reply to Healthy-wannabe]

I find it easier to go cold turkey as sugar also induces a release of dopamine like drugs, so it's addictive. Luckily I like spicy food so I can get a healthy taste kick with home made curries with brown rice or spiced nuts if I need a snack.

[Healthy-wannabe in reply to Eryl]

Ha i sweat eating a korma 🙈

[Eryl in reply to Healthy-wannabe]

When you make them yourself, you can regulate how hot they'll be. Korma is not especially low in heat, it's just that the coconut milk hides it.

[Healthy-wannabe in reply to Eryl]

I like the taste of spice just struggle, but i do still eat it as my husband enjoys. I have made curries from scratch but find time consuming, any quick tips?

[Eryl in reply to Healthy-wannabe]

I make a large wok full of Indian curry once a month and freeze it. Then I only have it once a week. The other times I make Thai curries with Thai curry paste which are really quick and fresh, or I make stir fries with a bit of Chinese Tom Yum paste and a splash of soy sauce and lime juice. (tinned mackerel works well with the zing of the lime and the spice)

[Healthy-wannabe in reply to Eryl]

Thank you, I will have a look at the pastes. Didn't think of freezing it 🤦‍♀️ i will batch make the sauce and add protein when i use it. I appreciate your advice.

[Healthy-wannabe]

Thank you. I normally follow fads, this is the first time i am just changing my food intake and style. Will look into probiotic thanks. Sleep will not be guaranteed as i have a sick child that often requires me to check her observations during the night, but the rest i can do 😃

[Eryl]

Rather than count calories I'd say count carbohydrates as they are the ones that raise blood sugar, so you can fill up on veg and healthy fats to stave off hunger without it having a huge effect on weight.

[Nicholas_Martin]

Cutting daily sugar intake really make the difference in my case. I'm struggling to do the same with salt but that's hard.

[sailaway51]

youtube.com/watch?v=0CdwWli...(Not working as expected?)

[Gizmocat]

You have been given good advice in relation to cutting out sugary snacks and carbs. You might like to join the weight loss forum healthunlocked.com/nhsweigh.... There is weigh in every day. You choose any day that suits you and daily diary for help with meal planning. It is a very friendly and supportive group. Its better than WW and its free. You will meet lots of people on a similar weight loss journey to you.

[Healthy-wannabe in reply to Gizmocat]

Thank you, sounds like what i need.

[Hidden]

I would eat my feelings too. it’s not always about what you eat, maybe some small lifestyle changes are needed: don’t grocery shop when you’re hungry, don’t keep junk food or food you want to avoid in the house, only eat sweets or deserts on weekends or at parties, write or draw when you want to comfort yourself with food, try drinking water if you’re still hungry after a meal, don’t eat within 2 hrs before sleeping, watch portion sizes. those are a few tricks that help ‘me’ keep off weight.

[Healthy-wannabe]

I definitely don't drink enough water, that is a big must change along with portion control