Super frustrated!

[CrimsonMama]

Just having a moan here sorry! But I'm sitting down trying to work out my calories for the days ahead and getting super frustrated!

Yesterday I had lunch out with my mum. As planned. I allocated myself 500 calories but it's so hard eating out to know what things are and I was probably over - I had a ham and cheese toastie (white bread) and hot chocolate. I was very good saying no to marshmallows and cream!

Tomorrow I am going to my sisters and she said they will do a BBQ! I don't eat salad so will be burgers I imagine and probably nibbles. The calories I use up on that mean by the time I get home about 5pm I won't be able to eat anything else as my daily allowance is currently 1410 calories.

Then Tuesday I am taking the kids to the cinema! Sitting through any type of TV/film makes me want to eat!

I've allowed myself some popcorn and crisps but the calories for those mean I have to go without "lunch". I'm going to be hungry and miserable and very unhappy if because of these things I don't lose -or worse - gain weight!

I am trying my hardest here and getting SICK of so many interruptions to my diet plans! There's been too many birthdays and occasions recently! I know life stuff happens and I am happy to have a planned fall off the wagon now and again but these events are not really by my choice and I am not enjoying it because I rather eat three sensible-calorie meals a day than have to use most of my calories on one then go without or end up having to eat and go over my allowance!

I'm starting to feel family want to sabotage my efforts on purpose! And I'm getting so much closer to my target weight I just want to stick to my plans and get there! Not slow it down!

[BridgeGirl Administrator 2 stone]

Life is full of these social occasions, as you say, and they are meant to be enjoyable. If you think of it in terms of "diet plans", there will always be interruptions.

You can enjoy a film without eating: why not try it this week? You talk as though it were inevitable but it wouldn't take much to break the link between watching a film and eating.

As for the family BBQ, why not challenge yourself and try some salad? And if not, don't eat "nibbles", just eat food - the meat or fish or whatever is on offer. When you get home, have a couple of scrambled eggs and whatever veg you like.

This is an opportunity for you to challenge yourself and try some of these things you "don't like". You're a young woman and you're establishing an eating pattern for life. You really don't need to be stuck in the same old patterns forever. There's a whole world of tasty food out there. Think about your health as well as your weight

[CrimsonMama in reply to BridgeGirl]

I only watch TV with my meals now even if that means watching only half one day and finishing off the next as eating during TV is my biggest weakness! My daughter is following suit as she will only have a movie night with a take away but I am trying to change that and offer to make a favourite meal with a movie instead!

The cinema is going to be Secret Life of Pets 2 so I'm already going to be bored through it let alone sitting doing nothing! If I could I would rather do some studying on my tablet!

I will see what happens at the BBQ... But I am very fussy. I love my diet plans as they are foods I like. I have changed to some healthier options (such as lower sugar baked beans) and I am going to try wholemeal muffins instead of white. I call them diet plans on here but they are meals I am happy with and not really 'diet' other than I know the calories and watch the portion size.

When I get to maintaining my weight I will have calories that allow for extra treats! But at this stage - 1.5 stone left to lose - my calories have decreased alongside my weight (4 and a half stone loss) and I want to focus!

Part of me is scared that if I stop seeing losses I will revert back to my old ways. That I will get fed up and say screw it and purposely binge out. But in reality I think I've come so far I won't let myself sabotage it! I am currently a size 12 instead of size 22 and love my new clothes and even if I stayed my current (overweight) weight I am still better than as obese as I was! So TECHNICALLY I could say it doesn't matter to put a few pounds on this week. To just enjoy these few occasions and maintain for a bit before getting my head down and focusing on my last 1.5 stone!

Now I'm saying it I'm tempted to do just that! It will certainly take some pressure off!

But..... There's that "but" that knows how I will feel to see the scale go up at the end of the week instead of down! Will temporary food-joy be worth the down-mood???

[BridgeGirl Administrator 2 stone in reply to CrimsonMama]

I'll repeat, why not try new foods? Keep telling yourself you're fussy and you'll stay fussy. Start telling yourself you aim to be healthy and that that will involve change.

I'm not sure how you'll be less bored at the cinema by eating. From what you say about your daughter, it sounds as though it would be helpful for all of you to break the link between food and viewing.

[Juppy in reply to CrimsonMama]

Wow... you’ve done so well! I can see your frustration! You’re so close to your goal and just want to get there. I’m only just on my way and already am finding social events getting in the way. I’m trying hard to be creative about solutions, and seeing it as practice for how I’ll handle life once I get to maintenance. So far I’m doing best by still doing my main meals and skipping the party nibbles (easier if I’ve eaten a good meal.). Yesterday it was a bbq burger but skipping the bun, which made it easier to avoid other carbs. Another thing I’ve done on special days if I can’t fit in planned treats without skipping meals is just add 300 calories for the day... I know that won’t derail my weight loss even for the week but hopefully will keep me from going overboard. However, you’re a lot farther ahead than I am, so I’m curious to see how you handle it. Let us know if you find something that helps!

[BridgeGirl Administrator 2 stone in reply to Juppy]

Good planning there, Juppy

[CrimsonMama in reply to Juppy]

Thanks Juppy! A very supportive post! That's a good idea about skipping the bun on the burger.

Now I have calmed down I have decided to allow myself the extra few treats -taking the pressure off from over worrying about it has helped! - and I've decided to just enjoy the two events even if ok it will most likely mean no weight loss this week. It will be disheartening on Friday but I will know the reason and then *fingers crossed* the kids have 8 weeks of school before the summer holidays and no birthdays so I might have to be firmer with family if they want to tempt me but hopefully I will have a full eight weeks to really focus!

[Juppy in reply to CrimsonMama]

Sounds great. I’ll be looking forward to hearing how it goes!

[lucigret]

You could take a pot of chopped strawberries and raspberries and a large bottle of water to the cinema CM. I always thought the cinema was an excuse to sit and eat a family size bag of chocolate and never thought I would break the habit. Now I take a bottle of water.

You are your daughters role model 😊

I agree with BridgeGirl , try some new foods. Our tastes change as we get older. There is such a vast choice of wonderful foods out there. Embrace it and surprise you and your daughter with some different flavours 😊

You have done well to loose what you have. It sounds as though you can discipline your self to some degree, so now challenge yourself to one new food a week. It may help you to enjoy these family events, as you should, more easily 😊

[Hidden]

Hi CrimsonMama...congrats on your weight loss so far...incredible!

Maybe you could bring your own popcorn/crisps to the cinema....the wee multipack bags are low calorie?

Also if I know I'm having a meal out/ event I try to fit in an extra walk/run to allow a bit of leeway with calories.

Enjoy all your events either way and good luck with your last 1.5st x

[CrimsonMama]

Just an update really! So.... I had the BBQ and ate the burger without the bun. And one hotdog. And one chicken on a kebab. There was small slices of chocolate cake and Bakewell slices for dessert and I had one of each. I really wanted more of the cake but I stuck at just the one piece!

Later when we got home the kids were up for going to the cinema instead of waiting until Tuesday. I thought this brilliant! Better to break my diet all in one day! I had already brought popcorn, crisps, drinks etc.

Was a good day but was super glad I could jump right back to it the next and with extra time off work I got some extra exercise in too!

Weight.... On Friday I was 10 stone 13lbs. After the BBQ/cinema I went up to 11stone 2lbs!!! But thankfully today am back to 10st 13lbs. So not too bad!