After 7 years of weight gain, I need help and guidance.

[Andy1990]

Hi everyone. Looking for guidance on meals to aid weight loss.

I'm a lorry driver who tramps away. I'm pretty much confined to my cab. Over the years I have put on 7 stone and now I'm 21 stone. It's not all down to HGV driving, as in 2009 I was paint balling and I slipped and damaged my ligaments in my ankle, which ever since it has caused pain and clicking. I've been in denial far too long though but since I became a father, I've realised how bad I have become.

I struggle to eat properly whilst at work. Because I'm doing 12-15 hours a day, I'm so exhausted that when I park up, I have tea and I'm asleep straight after. Food is always from service stations, but for the past few month I have always gone for vegetarian options, which still isnt great. I try not to keep food in the cab so I'm not encouraged to binge.

For years, I stopped eating breakfast which I know is a sin, but if I eat breakfast it makes me more Hungry.

The irony is that my favourite foods are fruit and vegetables. I can eat Strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, sweetcorn, Swede, parsnips and so forth and I could eat them all day, every day.

I've been thinking of getting an exercise machine such as a treadmill or exercise bike at home. I cant go to the gym as me and the wife work alternating shifts so when I'm home for 3 days, she is on 12hr shifts so im looking after the kids and vice versa.

Thanks for reading and hope to have a laugh with everyone,

Andy

[Lytham 3 stone]

Hi, eating breakfast makes me more hungry too and you'll be pleased to hear it's no longer considered a sin! Have you heard of the 16/8 Intermittent Fasting?

Are you joining our weigh in today? You can find it under Events. Would you also like to join our Christmas Challenge? Here's the link to tell you all about it, I hope to see you there! x

healthunlocked.com/nhsweigh...

[Hidden]

Morning Andy, good to see you here. I'm newish to the forum, too.

The members here have so much good advice, support and understanding: I think we've come to the right place!

I worked in sales for 20 years so I can empathise with living on the road with limited or poor meal options. As you say, you're often so knackered, food choice is the last thing you worry about. I think this is where planning ahead really helps, either to take food with you or know what you're going to buy and from where.

I find plenty of protein at breakfast keeps me going 'til lunchtime. Typical for me is 3 egg omelette with cheese or similar.

One of the kind Admin people will be along with a starter pack and some good info.

Good luck with your weight loss,

Ian

[IndigoBlue61]

Hello and a very warm welcome to the Weight Loss Forum Andy

Well done on taking that first step to a fitter healthier you. As Lytham has said, eating breakfast isn’t essential, but I suspect it’s WHAT you are eating that is making you hungry. If I have cereal or toast (even porridge) I’m hungry within an hour or so, because the carbohydrates are converted to sugar in the blood, causing a spike and then a crash. If I have eggs, or cheese, or bacon, I react differently. Please read this for a more detailed explanation healthunlocked.com/nhsweigh...

Secondly, exercise has many benefits, but it rarely leads to weight loss by itself. More importantly for many people is the lack of Vitamin D by not being able to be out outside during daylight hours. A supplement is recommended for the majority of us in U.K. during the winter.

Lastly, it sounds as if you would eat better with a little help (and perhaps better organisations?) A decent cooked breakfast would set you up for the day, (maybe minimising the the bread and beans) and perhaps a packed lunch of vegetables, protein and fat like hard boiled eggs, cold meat and cheese. Then perhaps a lighter evening meal of soup, salad or yogurt. I highly recommend the Daily Diary for giving and receiving support and feedback on meal planning.

If you haven’t already then please see Pinned Posts here healthunlocked.com/nhsweigh...

especially the Welcome Newbies and the Security Post as I notice you have left your post unlocked.

This is a very busy forum with lots going on but feel free to ask if you have any questions.

Best Wishes in your weight loss journey

Indigo 😊

[Aimingfor70]

Hi Andy. I put on a lot of weight after an operation and like you, am not so mobile. I think you need to tone up as it will make you feel that it is easier to move and so you move more even without realising it. Apparently the exercise roller is very effective. They cost about £25 and should come with an exercise sheet. It'll be hard work at first. After my operation I could only do 15 minutes of exercise a day and that was only to move a leg while sitting but I kept a log and by $%&# I made sure I did them. Now I can walk. It's fantastic how much you can improve just by doing a little bit every day.

[S11m]

Hi, Andy1990 , welcome.

What you can buy and eat at service stations is a traditional cooked breakfast... and, if you omit the fried bread, it can be low-carbohydrate.

I suggest you eat a good breakfast and do not eat in the evenings.

Many 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 Eating All Day AKA Intermittent Fasting (IF). See:

healthunlocked.com/fasting-...

[Florence_ 2kg Restart Feb 2025]

Andy.... what you’ve just described, is my dad when I was growing up. Lorry driver, long distances, away for a few days at a time, about 21 stone actually as well.

He never lost the weight, and it was always an issue in our household, we’ve always been worried about him, and now I’m here loosing weight too - trying not to be like him.

I just want to say - thank you so much for doing this and recognising it. You’re in a really tough job in terms of it not being in favour of healthy eating/exercise.

But you’re motivated, you’re looking for solutions, you’re here. I wish my dad had lost the weight. Thank you for doing this for your kids, it’s brilliant.

All the best on your weight loss journey, this is a really friendly and supportive place. You can do this, I know you can lad. Keep up that great motivation. Fx

[Andy1990]

Thanks for all your comments. I'll check the links provided and hopefully I can find cold meals which I can put in my fridge in the truck.

I've cut energy drinks out as I drank one every shift that I started at 2am (cant drink coffee).

I've cut out fizzy drinks and I'm sticking to cordial. No added sugar and no sweetener ones as I found Sucralose and Acesulfme give me blinding headaches.

Regarding service stations, we get a meal voucher with parking but it's only spendable at Burger King, KFC, McDonalds or Costa.