Hello all, I am new here. On day 2, I have an awful track record on these things for various reasons (excuses). I am a total mess. I don't know if it's worth going into them or not. I don't even trust myself one bit.
Observations so far:
> Pasta packets seem to have wildly different calorie numbers. I can only assume some of them are fibbing. How one measures that I'm not sure.
> Feeling very sluggish today, tired with headaches. Might also be alcohol withdrawl.
> With a job that involves a lot of thought, it seems vital that stuff is planned in advance, so that as little thinking is required after work. After work, I tend to be mentally exhausted and take the line of least resistance which usually ends in takeaways.
> Supermakets make it almost impossible to buy the right amount of food without enormous waste (if you're only cooking for yourself), or perhaps they are just encouraging you to buy more. Sadly I don't have a freezer.
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Lofters
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Welcome to the forum and good luck with your weight loss journey. This is a really nice place and people are always happy to encourage you and provide advice if you ask for it. There's a welcome thread pinned to this forum and lots of other posts that may be of interest to you.
The first thing you need to tell yourself is that you can do this! When I started here I hadn't stuck to a diet for longer than a month (give or take a week) but being here I have already doubled that amount and I am still feeling really motivated. I don't know what it is but this place really helps. I hope you find this to be the case for you also.
Sazkia x ♥
Hi d12lofty, it's great you're starting by working these first things out. Re the alcohol withdrawal and headaches, I'm doing Dry September at the moment and the first half of it was spent with a headache every morning and restless sleep. So you could well be experiencing a kind of withdrawal. Be kind to yourself.
Re calories on packets, you're right it's much less than a perfect science. But I just chose a single calorie amount for each type of food I regularly ate and saved it in my favourites in myfitnesspal. E.g. for pasta just save something like tesco penne 100g and use it everytime you have dried pasta, if you have 75g enter 0.75 as the portion size etc.
For easy evening meals without a freezer, there are lots of rice dishes that can be made during the time it takes to boil the rice, especially if you cook brown rice which takes 25 mins. Having good routines and setting up specific habits really helps
Take a look at the Pinned Posts section, to the right of your screen (bottom, if you're using a mobile) and have a look at the Welcome Newbies thread.
Look at the Topics section beneath that, for posts that could answer any questions you may have. Consider joining any, or all, of our challenges, as they're fun and motivating.
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Hello and welcome to the forum 😊 My daughter lived for two years in a student flat without a freezer and it certainly needs some creative thinking!! Lol 😊 you are right about trying to cook for one 😕 So, cook enough for two nights and portion it up into Tupperware box in the fridge.
Or make something that can also do lunch the next day. (Chicken breast/salmon fillet)
Mid week favourites include baked potato (use a microwave if necessary) with tuna and salad, or pasta with a jar of sauce (Check sugar content) but add lots extra veg such as peppers and mushrooms.
Also don't be afraid to use chilled ready meals now and again, add extra salad as the portions can seem a bit small.
If you do get a take away, watch portions carefully as they will often do two nights 😊
Watch the dates carefully when you buy, some items last longer than others so plan your week 😊
The key to eating properly is planning, with even extra planning if you are juggling a demanding job 😊 But it's worth it!! 😊 Good luck 😊
Thank you for the warm words of welcome and encouragement.
Looks like I have been a bit short today - 700 of where I should be. I was awful at work. And I'm coming from a background where two multipacks of crisps disappearing in an evening was not uncommon...
I don't want to aim for anything in particular right now - one step at a time - if I'm very lucky I'll make it to Monday without throwing the whole plan away. So it's a target for the weigh-in, at least, is to keep going until then.
I hadn't noticed varying weights on pasta, maybe they were made with different ingredients? Most pasta is about 350 cals per 100g dried weight.
If you would like some tips, I'd say check your calorie 'allowance' on the nhs bmi checker, it's important to get this right as too little food won't help you to lose weight. And why struggle by on less calories than you have to?
Look at portion control, weigh that pasta! I sympathise totally with the after work path of least resistance thing. Try to arm yourself with some foods, healthier treats that you do like and keep these things on standby for when you arrive home. In time you will get better at finding foods or recipes that fit the bill and keep you happy and losing weight!
You probably are suffering from withdrawal symptoms from sugar perhaps? Or alcohol as you say. Hang in there and be nice to yourself, it will be worth it once you start to see results.
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Daily Chat for Thursday 13 May 2021 
I have fallen in the pit of overeating!!
Aghh just ruined my diet yet again!!!
Wobbly Start to First Weigh in
Weight loss trackers are off!!
