Determined

[Lizzibeth]

Hi all new to this site, started my diet on the 1st of sept doing ok but as usual a few days in struggling with ideas for meals. Came across this site so hoping a bit of encouragement will help. I have put on nearly 2 stone in 6 months and need to break the habit fast fingers crossed this helps. 😊

[Zest Healthy BMI]

Hi Lizzibeth,

Welcome to the forum, it is a very supportive and encouraging place - hope you enjoy being part of the community here. Have you downloaded the NHS 12 week plan? It has a great structure and lots of really good advice - if you've not seen it yet, it's definitlely worth a look, and you can link to it via the icon above labelled 'Weight Loss NHS'. Many of us also use an app to help us track our calories and exercise - e.g. Myfitnesspal or something similar. Using a tracker really helps too.

There's a regular Monday weigh-in thread, which I usually post just before 7am on a Monday, and it's entitled "Please Join Me for a Monday Weigh-in (current date in brackets" - so if you like the idea of a weekly weigh-in with a relatively large group, that's a good thread to join in on. You'd be very welcome to join us, if you think it might be something you like. Everyone is welcome.

Anyway, I hope you're enjoying the weekend, and I hope you are enjoying Day 5 of your healthy eating plan. I notice you started at the beginning of this month.

Good luck with everything, and hope to see you around and about the forum.

Lowcal

[Lizzibeth in reply to Zest]

Hi yes I have downloaded the plan will go through it tomorrow. This sounds just Iike I need a bit of support and encouragement. Reason I put on so much weight is because I am a carer in the community, meaning I eat on the run I don't think I need to spell the rest out

I am looking forward to reaching my goal now.

[Portlandprincess]

Welcome Lizzibeth,this is a winderful site full of the most generous, supportive people. I recommend that you post and reply to posts lots as it helps to 'keep on keeping in'😃

[Garhum]

Hi, your story sounds like mine. I have put on 3 stone over the last year and also started my diet on sept 1st. I am following the 12 week plan and am really enjoying it. I also downloaded the smart recipes and tonight have eaten turkey burger in a bun, chips ( done in my air fryer) and had a good size dollop of light mayo. I feel extremely full, a little naughty and very pleased with myself that it was only 450 cals. it tasted better than any other 1500 cal burger meals I've ever had.

[Dave1961 25kg]

Hi and welcome

If you would like my one tip for successfully approaching this change in your lifestyle?

Plan, plan, plan.

Plan your meals for 7 days, plan your snacks, do your grocery shopping in one hit (less temptation) or order online and get it delivered.

Prep your meals every couple days so it doesn't take too long and then when a craving hits you already have something you can eat.

We gain weight when we fall victim to "Oh it doesn't matter, one more hamburger, pizza etc. I'll start tomorrow, I can't be bothered cooking"

I do all my cooking before I go to work so I have lunch and dinner sorted and do not have to think about it.

GL and welcome onboard - get the Myfitnesspal app - its awesome for tracking calories!

[miopus in reply to Dave1961]

I like your honest post, but wanted to ask you how you deal with cravings - eg a craving for biscuit or cake which can ruin all your otherwise good efforts to cut down on sugary things. What sort of things do you prepare for emergencies ? I still feel hungry late in the evening.

[Dave1961 25kg in reply to miopus]

Yep I totally hear you.

I work different hours and when I finish at 9:00 at night and am driving home I knew that one of my triggers is wanting to buy chocolate at the supermarket just a minute or two from my house. I can not avoid going past it but I now listen to a podcast called "Cut The Fat" - a Dr and a fitness trainer talking about logical, fact based, interesting little things you can do to help with your weight loss journey. I also jam a few sugarless gum in my mouth and I find the combo of the two usually means I get home with no chocolate in the car!

I find it harder if I am home by 5:00 and, like you, I get that craving.

Firstly - I do not keep anything like that in the house. Ever. I have to be willing to go to the shop if I want chocolate or something similar.

I remind myself its my brain not my body that wants that biscuit/cake/chocolate. My body is fine, my stomach is full its just that bratty, whinging little kid inside that is complaining because he/she can't get what they want.

I often find a cup of tea helps but I spend time making a real cup. Warming the pot, taking time to make sure its ready for the tea, slowly pouring the glistening dark leaves into the warmed pot, splashing the hot water over the leaves and sliding the lid on.

Choosing a nice mug or cup, putting some milk in a jug along with some sugar, a placemat...

I guess what I am saying is that I make a real event out of that little cup of tea and that is a big help in making me feel like i am getting something much more substantial than just a cup of tea.

If that doesn't work I have a really really delicious and rather expensive yoghurt I just love and keep in the fridge for times like these. Its not particularly low carb or low fat but because its so creamy just 100 or 150 mls will keep me happy and if I have them will add in some strawberries. Strawberries are surprisingly low in sugar!

Saying no to that screaming bratty little kid in your head who just wants chocolate (or cake or or or...) makes you feel good about yourself and it builds your willpower. Some people will chuckle at me for saying it but I honestly believe willpower is very similar to a muscle - the more you use it the stronger it slowly gets over time.

BUT I have snapped once in the last 5 weeks since i started and had that mega chocolate block, gone to bed and started again the next day not feeling bad but just knowing that sometimes we stretch that diet elastic band so far it is bound to snap back at some stage.

I hope some of this helps

[miopus in reply to Dave1961]

Thanks for your very quick reply - those suggestions really help - particularly the way you make tea !

[Lizzibeth]

It's so hard, but I find keeping a diary helps. I have the myfitnesspal app which I use to keep track of what I am eating. But what's spured me on is buying size bigger jeans and not been able to fasten them now. It's a case of do it now or it gets too out of hand. Good luck on your journey.