Automatic Thoughts

[NG18CCS]

Awake 1 hour and already thinking of Food. Does anyone else do this?

It’s the first and last thing on my mind each day. Some days I feel so fed up with it. Feeling low this morning. Wonder when I will have this under control?

[IndigoBlue61]

This was how I always thought about food through most of my life, but on this current, more successful weight loss journey, I’ve been much better. Couple of things that are different for me this time

I’m NOT ‘on a diet’, depriving myself or feeling hungry.

I AM eating food I enjoy, that is nutritious and satiating.

I have also worked really hard battling my own personal food demons. Our brains are our most powerful ally, and we need to learn how to use this to our advantage. There are lots of books, podcast and articles in the Useful Resources section that our members have found helpful healthunlocked.com/nhsweigh...

Lastly, have some self belief, tell yourself you CAN do this, we do what we believe we can do 😊

[BridgeGirl Administrator 2 stone]

How about turning it to something useful? Spend a few minutes deciding on your meals for the day, then pop over to the Daily Diary and log them there healthunlocked.com/nhsweigh...

Have you decided on a weight loss plan yet? Have you got your calorie range from the NHS BMI calculator?

[NG18CCS in reply to BridgeGirl]

Thankyou. I have made notes from your reply and will put a plan in place today.

[ohsofierce]

Hi NG18CCS,

yep, that's how I used to feel most of my life. I even thought that if I didn't have breakfast I couldn't function cause I didn't feel properly awake yet. Turns out that was much more of a ritual than a real need for energy. For me it got better when I started doing low carb high fat. I don't feel hungry and I challenge myself to push my first meal of the day as late as possible. At first I couldn't shake off those food thoughts in the morning so I used the time to mealprep for lunch. That way I was still engaged with food even if not consuming it for breakfast. Now it actually feels weird to have breakfast! Perhaps you can find something positive to focus on today. It might help to distract you from the food thoughts and also improve your mood you got any nice plans this week? Anything you did that you are really proud of? Something happen that you're very grateful for? Don't despair if the food thoughts persist. It's going to take a while to reset those habits. Just don't give up in the meantime you've got this!

[IndigoBlue61 in reply to ohsofierce]

Great reply OSF 😊

[BridgeGirl Administrator 2 stone in reply to IndigoBlue61]

Seconded

[NG18CCS in reply to ohsofierce]

Thankyou.

I will refocus and make a plan.

[June1965]

This is where I am and sometimes hitting rock bottom helps....... A bit of a talking too and planning now for us both. Only one way to go now and that's up (not our weight) come on we can do this.

[IndigoBlue61 in reply to June1965]

Hello and welcome back June1965 😊

[NG18CCS]

Thankyou so much everyone.

I’m ready to go for today.

Off I go to make a scrap book of your ideas and a weekly meals plans. Over and out for today see you tomorrow x

[BridgeGirl Administrator 2 stone in reply to NG18CCS]

Have a good day NG18CCS

Just remember you don't need to post daily (or even at all) as the forum is set up for you to interact and chat with people on the various events and challenges.

Choose a weigh-in day to join and start using the Daily Diary and you'll get great support and ideas from both of them

[Hidden]

Hi I am on my first week I did sw about 5 times but I started to eat too much kept getting belly ache. I have realised its not the food causing my issues its all in my mind.

I am peri menopausal and crave chocolate I have learnt this week that my body is craving magnesium who knew ! So I am allowing myself a freddo at tea time and have got myself some vitamins.

I have started intermittent fasting this week as I need to get control of my snacking. I eat between 12 and 8 pm. This is because I snack mornings and evenings.

I work afternoons and have to prepare food for children's snack's, nightmare if your hungry.

This is my first week so I have decided to eat healthy and only eat between these times. I am a cup of tea and breakfast person without fail. I am up at 7 as have son to get up, I make his breakfast and I have a cup of tea.

I try to keep busy until 12 reading on here or meal planning, going to zumba, swimming etc anything to keep my mind off food, also cleared out my food cupboards.

I have a healthy breakfast at 12 with something sweet then go to work in the afternoons. I cycle so have even changed my route so I don't get tempted to buy chocolate in the shop that I go past twice a day.

I have a main meal at 6 with my freddo. I allow myself a healthy snack at 730 then just drink tea or water until I go to bed.

It sounds strange but I have realised I have been focusing on what I am eating and not why and when I am eating. Its mostly boredom or habit, I think you just need to break the habits. As on SW I realise now its my habits that need to change. Didn't expect this to be so long but hope it helps as I wish I had realized this earlier. I spent a week writing down the times I felt I wanted to eat when I looked back I could figure out the triggers !

My first week I lost a pound but after reading lots I have gained so much more in knowledge.

[IndigoBlue61 in reply to Hidden]

“It sounds strange but I have realised I have been focusing on what I am eating and not why and when I am eating”. Well done on taking the time to work out the whys and wherefores, this is really important 😊👏👏👏

[Hidden in reply to IndigoBlue61]

Thanks only took me 50 years ! Also tell myself eating one freddo is better than a giant slab of chocolate !

[IndigoBlue61 in reply to Hidden]

You and me both!!! I feel fitter, healthier and more confident at 57 than ever before 😊

[June1965 in reply to Hidden]

Hi Moley50

I am on SW and have headed back here.....

and my stomach has been playing havoc also, it's all about amounts and focus the mind with some form of exercise built in.....

Ido love this NHS site it is a real sanity check. 😜