Serial dieter

[Midlifecrisis]

Hello. I'm new to this but really hoping it'll make a difference. Have been on every diet imaginable. I've tried turning my back on diets altogether and eating like a slim person. Put on a stone in 3 months so clearly haven't got the hang of that! Tried loving myself as I am ( a la Dawn French but then she goes on a blooming diet and bursts that bubble.) Seriously though I need to lose weight for health reasons as through a combination of steroids,menopause and....er...cake I have gained 3 stones in about 5 years and don't really recognise myself in the mirror anymore.

Like many people of my age (50) I was raised by a mum who lived on Ryevita,cottage cheese and PLJ (remember PLJ!!) so I got caught up in the diet/ binge cycle at 14. Been pedalling away ever since.

I've joined the forum as I can't bear joining another WW or SW class but still feel the need to have some back up.

Started the NHS 12 weeker on Monday and have a holiday booked for 14 weeks time. I'm aware that with the meds, the weight won't roll off but if I can lose a stone in that time it'll be a great achievement.

Thanks for listening ( is that the right word?) and good luck to everyone else dealing with this o so familiar situation.

[YellowRose55]

Hi Midlifecrisis

Welcome to the weight loss forum.

I do remember PLJ so we are both showing our age! lol.

We're delighted that you've chosen to join us and would be interested to know how you found out about Health Unlocked and this forum.

Take a look at the Welcome Newbie post in the Pinned post section at 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 together with a photo so you can see the changes on the days the scales don't move.

We have daily weigh ins so why not come along and join us today. You can find the weigh ins on the Home page in the Events section on the right. Just click on the post in Events and record your start weight and any loss/gain or maintain for the week.

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

Have a good first week.

Rose

[NannyEJ]

PLJ 😚 there's a blast from the past! Welcome and good luck with your weight loss journey.

Best wishes EJ

[Hidden]

Hi, welcome i am pretty new to this myself but you have found the right place for help and support. I saw myself in every word you put in your post and yes being 55 years young i do remember pLj. Good luck with the weight loss.

[Midlifecrisis in reply to Hidden]

Hi there just wondered how you are getting on with the "yet another diet" diet?

I had a great week up to Friday last week the used my visitors as an excuse to eat enough to feed a small town.

As usual, finding it hard to get back to it . This is the stage when I usually give up in spectacular style by hijacking a Cadbury's lorry. Am determined not to give up though.

Hope you are having a more impressive start to your diet.

[Hidden in reply to Midlifecrisis]

Hi, not doing too bad a 2lb loss this week and more importantly no chocolate which also for me is hard to resist. Cant say ive been the perfect angel going over my calorie allowance a couple of times but managed to reign it back in the next day. Its a mind set and i too am like you and use any slight reason to go off the rails. Forget about your blip and focus yourself into getting healthier and fitter. Thanks for the reply its knowing theres support out there which keeps me going through the rough patches .

[Ceals in reply to Hidden]

Hidden and Midlifecrisis it is quite surprising how my sweet tooth has just upped and left me. Never, and I do mean never, (well not in past five months), have I craved chocolate. Sometimes husbie gives me one of his and one is enough. I have 90% and 99% cocoa Lindt chocolate in the pantry and prefer it to anything (except Galaxy), but I only have about a square a week-not because I am a goody two shoes but because my taste buds have changed. Frequently I forget it is there.

Take one day at a time, one meal at a time if necessary and next time you have visitors plan ahead Midlifecris.

Take care

[Hidden in reply to Ceals]

Thanks for the advice i know what you are saying is so true as i conquered my crisp cravings many many years ago but chocolate has been harder to do but i know i can beat it and i will . Just getting the support from this forum i cant begin to say how much it is helping me .

[Ceals in reply to Hidden]

Crisps were my big thing too but haven't had a single crisp in months! However, i have taken to making my own cashew nut butter and I can't tell you how delicious it is, ofter straight off the spoon - so another addiction to take care of! But at least this is better for me.

I think the forum is amazing. I lose weight incredibly slowly and would probably have chucked it all in without the support of forum folk.

take care

[Hidden]

And PLJ is still around, I remember the taste....no wonder we could never stick to drinking it!!

I am following the BHF facts not fads leaflet, it is free to download and gets you back to the right balance of protein, carbs, veg etc and how to read the nutrition labels on foods. It is such a relief for nothing to be limited other than the genuine bad things, that are high in fat and sugar and that you can have some treats. No weighing, just using your hands to get the amounts right.

Good luck with your journey, together we will all do this xx

[HubbysMissMouse]

Hi Midlifecrisis welcome to the forum, I hope you do well. Do you know how many calories you are supposed to be having between in a day. When I first joined I wasn't having enough calories and thought this was a good thing, but this was actually most of my problem as I wasn't losing any weight. I found out through someone on here that if you didn't have enough calories as advised by the bmi index calculator your body would believe you are trying to starve it so would then turn things you do eat into body fat instead to ensure that it can continue. This body fat weighs more than what your calories would weigh which is why you don't seem to lose weight and makes you put more weight on. Since eating between the right amount of calories advised by the bmi index calculator I have started losing weight and have currently lost almost 2st. If you are not eating enough or are eating too much every day make sure you also change the amount you eat to be the right amount stated between the bmi index. Good luck.

[Midlifecrisis in reply to HubbysMissMouse]

Hi Thanks for that. I'm definitely eating enough as fad/very low cal diets are a thing of the past for me. I used the BMI calorie calculator as you suggested and it gave me 1500 a day. So far so good. Have lost 3lb in 5 days but have friends to stay over this weekend so that will be a real test!!

Well done with your loss. How long has it taken to lose the 2st?

It's good to have people to talk to without joining a slimming club.

[HubbysMissMouse]

I have been on here since end of Nov but for the first few weeks I couldn't lose anything as explained.

[Ceals]

Welcome Midlifecrisis , I had forgotten all about PLJ! I do start every morning with hot water and a slice of lemon, plus other bits n pieces in it.

I think you are right to stop dieting, only winner as far as I can see is the Money pouring into the diet industry. Develop a healthy lifestyle and think about what food you can have rather than what you feel you should deny yourself. Indeed nothing is off limits as long as you count it in your daily calories.

Have a look at the Daily Diet challenge as it is about planning your meals at least a day ahead, and your exercise then being accountable for it. Really you are only accountable to you-but that is the point really.

Have an adventure with food, making it your friend not your enemy and come on the forum regularly to join in the chat.

Good luck.