Hi

[Rosie86]

Hi I'm new here. I'm 31 years old and completely stuck. I exercise 2-4 times a week. I mostly eat well but I cannot stop snacking in between. Not always bad stuff but Its like I'm addicted to eating sometimes. I've gained 2 stone since my last child. I suffered with anxiety a lot and used to comfort eat and need to break the habit x

[YellowRose55]

Hi Rosie86

Welcome to the weight loss forum.

Take a look at the Welcome Newbies post in the Pinned post section on the right hand side or at the bottom if your on a mobile. Have a look at the nhs 12 week plan, many members have had success following this plan. Use the BMI checker to work out your daily calorie allowance.

Below the Pinned posts are the Topics where members share a range of weight related subjects.

Take your measurements at the start along with a photo so you can see the changes and it can be very motivating on the days when the scale don't move.

We have daily weigh-ins so why not come and join us. You can find the weigh-in on the Home page in the Events on the right hand side. Just click on the post and state your starting weight and any loss/gain or maintain over the week.

To get the best out of the forum be active, share recipes, tips and experiences. Read through some of the posts they are very inspiring and motivating.

Have a good first week.

Rose

[Folliegirl]

Have you checked out MyFitnessPal? Along with the NHS 12 week weight loss plan? They really helped me sort out my portion distortion, I was really amazed at how much I was eating without realising it! To help me stop snacking I started drinking peppermint tea, mainly because it makes everything else taste revolting 😉

Good luck on your journey 🌻

[JiminyCricket 7lbs in reply to Folliegirl]

Hahaha ! That's a good tip with peppermint tea!! Like hot toothpaste.

[mayaena]

Hi Rosie86 I had a huge issue with portion sizes before I started this, and I now weigh out much smaller portions of carbs and meat before I cook them. Like you I used to feel that I was eating well and pretty active, but once I signed up to a couple of structured plans (diet and cycling), things started to shift. I just needed to go up a gear. Good luck!

[TinPail]

Hi chick

I completely understand where You are coming from, I'm the same. I think we have to try mind over matter and remember nothing tastes as good as slim feels! I sometimes think I'm addicted to eating too, once I've been "bad" I think oh well might as well be really bad and have another biscuit or whatever

Whenever you want to eat something grab your phone and send me a message instead 😀

We can do this!! X

[IndigoBlue61]

Hello Rosie86 and welcome weight loss forum ☺ Have a good look around the site, especially at the links YellowRose suggested and please ask if you have any questions ☺

Best wishes

Anna

[Hidden]

Hi. I have also had problems with snacking. In my case it was very much secret eating. When I accepted what I was doing I ended up going to counselling. I'm not totally cured but when I find myself ready to eat a secret snack I try to slow down and think about what I'm about to do and make a judgement on whether I will enjoy eating the secret snack more than losing weight at the next weigh in. Most times now I will decide not to eat it and I also try to tell myself that I am not going to go hungry and I will have proper food soon. Good luck

[Clover-patch 2 stone]

Hi Rosie86 and welcome😃

I feel your pain on the snacking issue, but you know what? - you're 90% there and you just didn't realise it! Snacking (as you rightly put it) is just a habit and just like any other habit it can be changed - I was the most hopeless case until a couple of weeks ago I was eating junk after every meal and I just couldn't stop (or so I thought!) and then I read somewhere that it's just a habit and habits can be changed so I planned 2 snacks of nuts and cheese or raisins during the day and some nuts and a piece of chocolate (freddo) for the evening- and it worked and actually now 2 weeks on I ( have my lovely pistachios or almonds during the day if I need them and the chocolate at the weekend. Oh and when I did eat the chocolate it took me best part of 25 mins as I eat really slowly now and taste every little bite.

I hope there's something in here that helps, I know it feels overwhelming and that you're out of control, but when you realise you have complete control over all of your habits then you will start to learn how to outsmart your brain patterns and develop new healthy habits- you can do it, we are all much stronger and smarter than we believe and you're no different 😃😃😃

P.s. apologies for length of post!

[CheerfulDragon]

Exercise may not affect appetite as much as we think. A recent, albeit small, study took two groups of people and monitored their ghrelin levels. Ghrelin is the enzyme that affects appetite. One group did 500 calories worth of exercise before breakfast, the other group had 500 calories less at breakfast (same food, smaller portions). When the ghrelin levels were checked, the exercise group had very slightly raised levels. The low calorie breakfast group had levels that were way up.

I suspect that some people use "exercise makes you hungry" as an excuse for bad eating habits, but that's just my opinion.

[CheerfulDragon]

Some people will probably be fed up with me saying this, but have you considered taking up a hobby that keeps your hands and mind occupied? You could try sewing, embroidery, jewellery making, paper craft - and that's just a few of the options. I don't snack when I'm knitting, and it burns a few calories too. There's even a present for a friend or family member at the end of it!😃

[CheerfulDragon]

I'm not advocating activity related weight loss. I'm just saying that exercise doesn't necessarily make you hungry. Sorry if that wasn't clear.