Honestly I start every week thinking I’m gonna do it this week and then by day 3/4 I cave ... and then I just want to give up!!
I’ve purchased lots of fruit and veg ready for the week but the craves are soooooo bad I cave after a few days
Someone please help me I’m desperate to loose this weight 
I dunno why I just can’t stay on track!
Aahhhhh I’m so angry I’m in such a vicious cycle and it needs to break
Take each day at a time rather than resolving each week.
Check your BMI on NHS and get target weight and suggested calorie range. Select what you are going to do popular options are -
NHS 12 week plan,
Low carb high fat LCHF
Intermittent fasting IF
Calorie restriction
More exercise.
Don’t try to do them all but rather look into them and see which you’d like to/ be able to try first.
Join Wednesday weigh in tomorrow morning and then every week thereafter being accountable and getting support here really helps. Join other conversation and plan or discuss or ask or offer help and support.
You can do this. You’ve taken the first step.
To be honest I think I need to just get on top of these cravings and stop the amount of sugar I’m consuming right now before even planning any kind of diet.
I am excercising more but oviously due to my menopause I am hardly sleeping so then I’m so tired and I can’t vibe bothered... and I don’t even have the right mindset some days !
So hard !!!!
My plan short term ( next few weeks )
to cut out the sugar each day
To swim 30-40 lengths 3 times a week
To not eat after 7pm
Sounds like some good plans there, and something you can aim for, day by day, for this week. I'd just add: have three good meals a day, including protein and healthy fats, so you feel satisfied after your meals.
I don't know your situation but, if it's at all possible, don't have those sugary things in the house. If you feel you want something between meals, I'd suggest some nuts or a little cheese rather than veg sticks as they will be more satisfying.
Keep coming here, reading posts and chatting to others. Follow the Daily Diary so you can see what meals members are planning, even if you don't feel like joining in yet.
You can do this but it may take a different approach from what you've tried before 
Hello Amylouise,
You are going through what a lot of us have gone through.
It is hard to know how to help when we don't know what plan you are following or what you are eating. Why not come along to the Daily Diary and share your menu's with us. You might also find some inspiration for some meals.
It can be hard to get on top of cravings. What has worked for me and many others here, is including good fats into your menu. These are filling and satiating and really do make the cravings less, especially if you take control of your beige carbs as well.
Well done for buying the fruit and veg, what are you planning on doing with them? How about a nice cheesy vegetable bake, or roast them in olive oil, or make a lovely warming soup. Maybe even cut them up and eat them raw when you start craving other things.
Is there a specific time of day that you crave, many people seem to have cravings at the end of the day in front of the TV in the evening. Some suggestions, clean your teeth after your meal, paint your nails, you can't eat whilst the varnish is wet, take up a hobby, knitting, sewing, colouring, what ever you like, it's not easy to eat when your hands are busy, go for a walk and get some fresh air or go and have a lovely soak in the bath and read a good book.
I hope this will be of some help and hope you find your way to the Daily Diary. Don't give in, you can do this
Thankyou!!!
Honestly it’s just sooooooo depressing
Thing is I brought some new pjs today as I’ve been having the night sweats so thought is sleep in a nice two piece with the fan on and no cover ... and it doesn’t fit 🙈😭
It just made me look bigger and more hideous and I though god I look awful.
My main time of day is the evening I get in from work after working 8-8 and doing good and then go straight to the fridge / cupboard and then I can’t help myself.
I purchased the fruit as an evening snack and I am planning on just cutting down my sugar intake first and getting on top of my sugar cravings first and then I’ll go to three healthy meals a day (9-5) then nothing after.
I’ve started swimming I went Monday and will go Wednesday and one other day this week, I want to do the group excercise but am not at a good fitness level yet so have downloaded some hiit on my phone I will start.
I just seem to get a thought in my head - eg I fancy a biscuit and before I know it the packets gone and I feel like crap!
Thanks for your advice I think I need to maybe get some pots and cut up the fruit and veg for the fridge and have it ready!
Xxx
Ooh the night sweats, fan goes on and off and cover comes up and down, top half covered leg sticking out, pillows turned over to find the cold spot - been there. Have you tried running your wrists under cold water when you get too hot, you need to keep them there for a while, but it does help
Be kind to yourself, no name calling is allowed, you wouldn't tell somebody else they looked hideous! I hate pj's prefer a loose nighty, I am sure they're cooler.
I think what would work for you, is to do some batch cooking when you're not working and freeze down some home made ready meals. Remember to take one out of the freeze each day so that when you get home, there is something there that is ready to go into the microwave or oven. Also, you work a long day, do you take something that is filling into work for lunch? How about adding some cheese and some nuts to lunch time to help fill you up. If you have access to a microwave at work, you could take in some filling soups.
If you are cutting out sugar, be careful about Carbs, as they turn into sugar once you eat them and make you crave even more,
You might find this a bit of an eye opener,
You might also find this interesting,
healthunlocked.com/nhsweigh...
Please don't feel overwhelmed with the information here, it is for you to read and think about. It will take time for it all to sink in.
You have a plan, so keep going and just keep trying to tweek it, Rome wasn't built in a day and our weight didn't go on over night so I'm afraid it won't come off overnight. Try not to look at the big picture, just take a day at a time, if you have to, a meal at a time and embrace the changes you do make and celebrate them (not with food). Get the temptations out of the house, if they aren't there, you can't eat them!
Well done for taking up swimming, its an excellent way to exercise. Make sure you go to your weigh in tomorrow, you belong to a really good supportive day. Let the other's know that you are struggling and I can guarantee they will help you
Keep talking to us, you will get there, just be content to take the scenic route instead of the motorway, at the moment anyway
Oh my !! This is exactly me at night ! Cover on cover off ... fan on too cold... turn it off ... too hot 🙈 can’t win!!
Thanks for the advice I will join the weigh in and I will continue with this site !
I think it is quite overwhelming and when people are trying to help ( which is amazing) they use terminology like it’s easy ... and I have no idea what is being said lol ... example ... high Gi...
I just need to first get on top of my current situation and take it from there !
Thanks for the tip about the wrists! I will give it a go for sure!
Also I am going to try minimal carbs as I don’t want to crave this sugar!!!
Thanks and much love, Aimz xx
The weigh in is open until 9pm tonight😊
It is over whelming, I agree, that is why you need to take your time and not rush. On my phone, but will send you a link about Gi shortly, when I can get to my lap top.
Just keep coming back and asking questions.
Thanks huns xx
Sorry I have taken so long to get back with that link. The one I was going to give you is the one Concerned gave you earlier, but I have also found this one with pictures, which I always find helpful,
wikihow.com/Eat-Foods-Low-o...
Well done for joining the weigh in, by the way
Thankyou n no worries! Xxxx
Will eating by 5pm suit your 8-8 work life? If you feel like you want to eat, when you get into your own home, I would suggest having a snack/light meal at 5pm but save some of your calories for a meal/snack when you are home, otherwise the fridge/cupboard temptation may over take.
I work 8-8 so it’s not ideal .. I will try eating my last snack at work but this is another issue for me I’m so busy I forget to eat and will often skip breakfast and lunch and then I’m starrrving... and then binge on whatever I can get my hands on ( eg - a whole packet of gold bars!!! 🙈)
Maybe when I get in my snack will just be pre cut fruit in a tub...
Thanks 😘 xx
You've got to get that crap out of your house. You can't eat a packet of biscuits you don't have.
Family members need to accept if they want sugary foods, they need to eat them outside the home. You have an addiction. No one who cared for an alcoholic would keep booze in the house when they were trying to quit. No one who cares for you should keep sugar in the house while you are trying to quit.
Be careful of fruit, too. Many varieties are full of sugar and can sabotage your efforts to quit.
I literally do feel like a sugar-holic!!
I can’t resist it ... once I’ve done a few days I might be able to do it but tbh I do not want the temptation or anything that can encourage me lol.. but I have a son and am a nanny for 4 kids 6-15 .... so it’s soooooooo hard 🙈🙈
Do you keep the biscuits on hand for the kids? Maybe it's time to stop that. Kids don't need them any more than you do. The high sugar diet is bad for them too.
If it's not your house, that's harder, but at least do what you can to keep temptation away from yourself and the kids.
I know what you mean about sugar cravings! I am a chocoholic and have a major sweet tooth. Week 1 for me I actually surprised myself. I was focussed more on the idea that I could record that I’d lost a couple of pounds and each time I wanted to eat something sweet I’d eat carrot sticks and do something to distract myself.
I use fitness pal app to record all my calories and it surprised me how much calories are in some things and I could start to understand why I’d put on so much weight. It worked that week and into the second but then it gets harder as motivation changes doesn’t it.
I still use fitness pal and I’m on week 6 now. When I get a craving I think to myself “is my stomach hungry or is it my head thinking it” and it actually has helped. If it’s my head then I don’t eat. If it’s my tummy then I do. Either have a treat and count it in my calories or if it’s close to a meal time distract myself until I can eat the meal.
I still eat the occasional naughty snack but nowhere near what I did before.
Hope this helps a little.
Sounds like you're getting on well
On the topic of sugar cravings, you may find this interesting well.blogs.nytimes.com/2013...
Sounds like your doing amazing!!! Well done !!!! Keep it up! I think once u see results it encourages you to carry on !
I have used my fitness pal before, I’ve taken to a written diary atm but I’ll give it another go! Thanks for the advice.
Your right about the distraction and I’ll give this a go Thankyou and again!!! Well done xxxx
Hi Amylouise
I can relate to your story completely. I have only started this week to lose the weight that has sneaked up on me the last couple of years. Its amazing how stretchy leggings and loose tops all help to deceive you that all is well!
However , my son sent me some brilliant scales called Renphro which link to an app so you can see all the stats and see your progress. It was the best thing for me as the first few days the weight went up, despite eating what I thought was a sensible amount and type of food. So the last 2 days I have counted calories, written it all down which gave me a better feeling of control over a depressing situation. Bingo! Lost 2lbs already and feel very motivated.I know everyone is different, but this seems to be a good way forward for me.
There are so many helpful people on here, and I would like to thank them all for their comments, its so supportive and you feel you are not the only one feeling like this.
Good luck.
I hear you with the leggings deceit!
I literally live in leggings and long tops ... so yes I know that one !
Thankyou for the advice! I am going to try hard... I had my tongue pierced today so unable to eat atm so hopefully it might help me for the first few days and I can take over once my cravings are curbed !!!
( I’m sure it won’t stop me ) but might reduce it lol!
Everyone on here is so lovely and so helpful too... well done on your loss I think it’s what you need when your trying to loose weight... seeing results is a great motivator!!!
Good luck doll and thanks xxx
Some good replies here amylouise88 so not sure i can add anything else. Strategies are very helpful but sometimes it's down to good old will power! Easier said than done when you are tired and fed up with menopause symptoms 😞
I am a classic comfort eater ( eating when I am stressed/ low/ bored) so I am trying to find my "comfort" in other ways- craft, walking, reading. Does that sound like you? Find out the triggers which kick off the bad eating habit so that you can address them.
Good luck and stay engaged with this forum. I have found it very helpful, supportive & motivating.
I violently disagree with the willpower point. If we eat sugar & loads of carbs, we produce too much insulin, which mucks up our appetite controlling hormones. There’s a biological not moral fibre reason we crave carbs & sugar. Switch to a low carb high fat diet, the cravings disappear & no willpower to lose weight is needed. Not a grain of sugar has passed my lips since 2 January - but a lot of cheese has - no willpower needed at all.
What I should say, is that it probably takes a bit of resolve to go low carb. Before I looked into it, I thought it was some weirdo thing that people like Pippa Middleton did...
Ah, you sound quite well informed about this Slim_for_good. I bow to your greater knowledge. This is how forums like this are useful- lots of experience!
I used to think I was a greedy pig. And my mother & sister (who could fall down a grating) were somehow better people because they did not eat enough to make them fat. I know now that insulin behaves differently in different people & if I eat toast, cake, fruit & other carbs, my appetite becomes a raging bear & I have to stuff my face at all times & in all places. It’s reasonable to say that everyone who has weight to lose has a problem with their metabolic hormone balance. I have now given up carbs, my metabolic hormones are getting into balance again, & if this carries on I shall be falling down a grating myself.
Two of my sisters are "not obese" but I three living blood-relatives who are morbidly obese, and my father was 24 stone when diagnosed diabetic.
...but I am now only two or three kilos from being under-fat.
You are an inspiration Sm11. I take after my father - who is cheerfully obese....
Wow this in an interesting read. I want to do the high fat low carb... but I struggle to think of things I can eat so give in easily....
Thanks for the interesting read ladies!
And Thankyou for sharing the love and advice ... hoping this time is for keeps!
Cheese. That is what you need to eat in all times & in all places until you get the hang of things. Also double cream.
Www.carbdodging.vom for recipes & the proper blurb on why it works.
Just cheese?! Wow that sounds too good to be true but cheese isn’t the same in its own 🙈
In my first few weeks of LCHF I ate Camemberts like biscuits - took bites out of the circle. Also rashers of bacon. It does take a bit of getting your head round it & you have to be ready, but I had spent 30 YEARS wanting to be thin but had been confounded by my appetite & it was just the right time for me.
Do you still get hungry just eating bacon and cheese... I’m not even sure how to begin!
Obviously you eat loads of vegetables as well - the ones that grow above the ground. And berries & Greek yoghurt for breakfast. And eggs if you like them. If you are hungry, you eat more (that’s where the cubes of cheese in your handbag come in). Also a few almonds because they are low carb (not cashews). And one day, maybe 4 weeks in, you just aren’t that hungry (because your liver has worked out its job of using up the fat you have stored about your person) & you no longer need to eat so much cheese. I also commend double cream with berries & in your coffee to you. I luuurrve cream. I also eat lots of seeds, linseeds & pumpkin & chia with my berries as they fill me up & stop any constipation from all that cheese.
There more home cooking involved of course & some keto recipes are frankly a bit weird... I made a sort of keto egg bread thing - never again, but the keto pizza go past my husband & son...
Hi Amy, there’s some incredibly good advice on here already, from all these amazingly supportive people. You’ve chosen well to say how you’re feeling on such a kind and compassionate forum. I won’t add anything to it but will just say the key for me is knowing exactly what I’m going to eat each day, and making sure I include lots of healthy fats, which really stop me being hungry and craving (some advice I got on here just last week after I was struggling and it really helped!) If I don’t know what I’m going to eat, for breakfast lunch or dinner, I just grab what’s available which often isn’t the right kind of food! Throw out the biscuits, and definitely dont buy any more!! Haha. Good luck, you CAN do this.
Thankyou honey
I am hoping that I have the things I need to grab in the need of a craved frenzy!!!
I am going to chop it all up and then it’s ready to go!
I am totally like that and I hardly eat anything all day and the. I’m too hungry and grab anything I think will satisfy me or turn to take out coz I cba and know it’s too much effort to cook!!!
Fingers crossed for us both doll xxx
What do you crave the most? Factor some of that in to each day so you don't feel deprived. Write everything you eat and drink down. Do one thing that you haven't done before. Then move on to day two. Good luck, keep posting
Well. We wouldn’t say to a recovering alcoholic or someone trying to give up smoking to factor in one or two units or just a couple if cigarettes... if you are addicted to sugar and carbs, they need to go. THEN, when your hormones have sorted themselves out, then an occasional, not daily, piece of cake can go back.
Children who have no shoes & cannot go to school are deprived. We’re not deprived because we decide not to eat junk that is destroying our health!
I am sorry to be so robust on this, but I am so sick of the weight watchers & slimming world lies about counting those calories, have a little Syn, treat yourself, eat low fat. It’s just not how the human body works. One little treat sets off a metabolic craving for 100 other treats.
I totally agree with this ! Many times this is how I’ve ended up eating a whole packet of biscuits or more chocolate... it’s like once I’ve had one the whole packet needs to go... I feel it’s because I’m greedy..: then it leads me to feel like I can’t b assed to diet because it won’t change
I need to change the relationship with food for the better... or it will just continue !
Thankyou xx
Cheese. That is the answer. Amen,
Thankyou for the luck I feel I’ll need it
I just crave something which will make me feel better about myself ( usually sugar) such as a chocolate bar or biscuits... I don’t necessarily want them or the feeling I just can’t help myself sometimes
I am a food addict! I need to change my habits and bad relationship with food and use it as a fuel not to make me feel better !
Hi, Hidden , welcome back.
I eat fruit, but fruit contains sugar - so it can tend to cause cravings. High-fat snacks are better.
If you "slim smart" weight loss is not so hard! It is not all about motivation and masochism.
Some of us here find that what works is a combination of The Low Carbohydrate, High-Fat (LCHF) diet (see the forum here on Health Unlocked) and Not Snacking All Day AKA Intermittent Fasting (IF). See:
Newbies IF FAQ:
healthunlocked.com/fasting-...
The Fasting and Furious Forum, here on Health Unlocked:
Hi Hidden
Lots of advice here for you already and I'm not an expert but what I'm trying is to eat healthily and upto a certain no. of calories just for 3 days a week and I see that as an achievement if I do that rather than trying to diet for the whole week and then giving in to cravings after a few days and feeling like a failure. So far I've lost 3lbs in the two weeks I've been doing this. I'll gradually increase that until I can stick to a meal plan for all 7 days.
Also, could a multivitamin help? Sometimes our bodies are in need of a certain nutrient and we keep eating until our bodies get the nutrient it needs. It might take the edge off your cravings. Its helped me in the past. As you begin to eat a more varied diet, your body will probably get the range of nutrients it needs and you'll have fewer cravings.
Another thing to try is when you do eat a snack thats high in sugar (biscuits, cakes etc) eating a food high in fibre or protein can help lower its glycemic index and so its 'cushioned' in a way and enters your blood stream at a slower pace so you dont get such a sudden spike and consequent sudden drop in blood sugar which triggers more cravings. It might be the similar with adding fats but you can search for other ways to lower the glycemic index of food.
Good luck with your weight loss and definitely keep posting on here. I've found it really supportive so far 🙂
Thankyou for the luck my lovely... yes 3 days a week and having treat days would be ideal however I find once I do that I can’t stop myself ... and I won’t just have something good I’ll cram it all into my “ treat days” and end up putting weight on because I’ve binged !! Xx
You're welcome 🙂 I start binging too. I tend to stress eat, eat when I'm tired and do a lot off automatic eating without a thought for what's going in! But I'm finding I'm not doing it as much when I have a plan to follow. I can imagine it's tough working such long hours too. It's really good that you're not giving up though. I think everything will fall into place at some point and the cravings will go away so hang on in there x
This low/hi gi confuses me
I feel like I need someone who has lost weight on this to send me a weekely meals list and I can just follow suit for a while till I get the hang of it
I don’t really get hungry until 5pm then I let rip... which is my downfall!
I hope you've had a chance to read all the links you've been provided with, amylouise88. I see that you haven't joined the daily diary yet, which is where you'll get lots of ideas for what to eat and feedback on your meal plans. It can always be found in Pinned Posts healthunlocked.com/nhsweigh...
I would also encourage you to join the LCHF forum healthunlocked.com/lchf-diet
and have a look at the Diet Doctor site, as they explain LCHF really well and offer a free fortnight's meal plan and dozens of free recipes dietdoctor.com/low-carb/die...
Any you sound really down and a bit like the frame of mind I am in at the moment. I have started the 5k thing this week and after the runs it lifts my mood until I open a giant bag of buttons, for me hahaha as others have said one day at a time. I know it’s more expensive but buy smaller packets and bars of chocolate if you can’t save them for other days, like me ❤️
Yes that’s a good idea I don’t think about that tbh I just think.. family size lol...
Yes my frame of mind hasn’t been great I am gutted I’ve let my weight spiral this far out of control tbh... I’m more disappointed with myself !! Xx
Don’t buy the buttons AT ALL. I do know I am sounding like a weird stalker /big brother here.... Very dark chocolate, a square or two, is ok on LCHF. I can’t myself as I eat the whole bar but I’m a bit weird in my capacity for dark chocolate....
I understand that Amy. I am a boxer. Have always had a beautiful healthy body but have really let myself down and am now in a size 14 which is starting to get tight. It may not sound big but from a size 8 it’s big for me. My positive is I know how to lose the weight, I have lived in the gym all my life but doing it and cutting out sugar is so hard. I crave it all day long. Hope your ok. It’s just weight. You can do this. 😘😘😘
Thanks beauts, it’s so hard ... if you know the answer u need to share it with me because I currently last 2 days and flop...
Today I got my tongue pierced and it’s the size of Mount Rushmore .... so hoping this will allow me to take control ( or it might do the opposite ... absence makes the heart grown fonder 🙈😂
U got this babes x
Hi and welcome, Largerthaneverest
All of the information you need about the forum can be found in Pinned Posts healthunlocked.com/nhsweigh... and I hope you'll be joining all the Events, Challenges and Clubs that we run, especially a weigh-in and the daily diary.
We've found active participation to be key to successful weight loss and, of course, it's a good way to get to know people, find inspiration and share support and encouragement.
Wishing you all the best
speaking as a sugar addict I would say just don't buy any sugary things, don't keep them in the house. And watch out for other carbs which just add to the cravings. If they aren't in the house when the urge strikes you can't eat them, and the cravings really improve if you cut out sugar. Eating it makes you crave it.
Also, I have noticed sugar makes my hot flushes worse. Since I seriously cut down on sugar, I noticed when I do have something sweet I get bad hot flushes soon after (and a worse night!)
Ohhh thanks sunny! That’s interesting to know!!!!
So not only will I feel better hoping my flushes stop! Tbh I’ve been much better since starting hrt but occasionally they rear they’re ugly head!!!
Yes cut it out I agree.. I’ll try my hardest!
💕 x
Yes I totally agree
Keep going
I found weighing everyday and drawing a graph really helpful.
Also aiming for just 1lb a week is much more achievable than2 because you are less disappointed... much more chance of losing 1lb
Thanks yes you’re right less disappointment xx
It was the same for me initially but I persisted through and have found the cravings lessened as time went on. It definitely is a case of mind over matter. Good luck.
Hi and welcome, FrannyM
All of the information you need about the forum can be found in Pinned Posts healthunlocked.com/nhsweigh... and I hope you'll be joining all the Events, Challenges and Clubs that we run, especially a weigh-in and the daily diary.
We've found active participation to be key to successful weight loss and, of course, it's a good way to get to know people, find inspiration and share support and encouragement.
Wishing you all the best
Amylouise,
I weigh in 2x a week: Thursday and Saturday. I can't make it through a whole week either.
(Friday nights are the hardest!)
I find it very motivating and look forward to hearing from the people in the group!
is there any suggestion for a good diet plan.? PLEASE HELP
What helps distract you from the desire to eat?
Help!! 
Help!
