Trying hard

[Claudeminh]

Hi I’m trying to lose the 20 kg I put in after viral meningitis 8 years ago. I’m on drugs to control the migraines and they make you hungry. I can’t come off them or incur the migraines which also make me eat to regain energy. So it’s just retraining the stomach to have less. But I’m having trouble sticking to it on weekends. Can do it in workdays as I plan the menu. Holidays are throwing me. How does anyone cope with holidays and food restriction? I can’t do more exercise to lose weight , I have to stop eating so much!! Help please

[Tiggerr]

Hi Claudeminh and welcome

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Many people here follow a calorie restrictive weight loss plan and many others follow lchf (low carb high fat). If the drugs you're taking are actually causing these feelings of hunger (cravings) then I would lean towards suggesting that lchf may be the better way for you. Reducing carbs reduces the highs and lows created by sugar release in the blood stream and consuming natural fats (cheese, cream, natural fats in meat, nuts etc...) helps sate the body and move away from those cravings.

Lchf doesn't promote any specific food restriction (in terms of quantity) and those that follow it, eat to feel full without having that urge to eat yet more.

Technical chat aside, my suggestion would be to join in here as much as possible... use the weekly weigh-ins, join in the Daily Diaries, read peoples' posts and many other challenges and events.

Ask as many questions as you have, as there are always friendly, helpful and knowledgeable people on tap, willing to help

Best of luck!

[IndigoBlue61]

Hello and welcome back Claudeminh 😊

This is also an issue many of us have so you’re not alone. I try to eat less through the week so I can save a few calories for the weekend and during holidays I don’t expect to lose, but eat mindfully. Also watch the type of food you eat, as Tiggerr has suggested 😊

If you haven’t already then please have another read the Pinned Posts here healthunlocked.com/nhsweigh... as a few things have changed recently

As you may remember, this is a very busy forum with lots going on, and nothing beats joining in, reading posts and replying to others. Our group Weigh-in and the Daily Diary are probably the best places to start. Regular forum involvement is probably the best thing you can do to help with your weight loss and health improvement

Best wishes in your weight loss journey

[Gonti 10 kg]

Hi Claudeminh. Meningitis must have been terrifying . I hope your migraines get controlled. That's a really gorgeous photo. I wish I was off snorkelling instead of work.

I can only help by telling you what I am finally doing to control my own overeating habits which escalated after suffering from depression last year. In Jan I switched to eating three meals a day and two snacks. I set a generous calorie target, try to add in lots of protein but I make no other attempt to restrict any food group or to make rules about the hours of eating. I look at the weekly averages MFP shows not the daily total and this creates slack for weekends, holidays, curry nights, meals with friends etc. I am losing weight -3kgs this month.

Much much more importantly I feel better. I hope you find an approach that works for you.

[SlimmerSue62]

Welcome aboard Claudeminh. Great to have you here. Good luck with your weightloss

[S11m]

Hi, Claudeminh , welcome.

If you "slim smart" weight loss is not so hard! It is not all about motivation and masochism.

Some 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 Snacking All Day AKA Intermittent Fasting (IF). See:

Newbies IF FAQ:

healthunlocked.com/fasting-...

The Fasting and Furious Forum, here on Health Unlocked:

healthunlocked.com/fasting-...

[Claudeminh in reply to S11m]

Yes that can be good but unfortunately I had some kind of weird blood sugar event with keto diet. I did it for 5 years before I was sick. But these days I can’t handle it. I get really weak and tired on low carb and tried to tough it out over a month but crashed and burnt. So it’s a good Idea but not working for me anymore which is a shame, so I’m calorie controlling as it’s the only way. I wish it would work but I’ve tried it for the last 7 years and each time I become sick with it. Last time my blood sugar was so strange it mimicked a cardiac problem. Had to go to emergency so now it’s carbs every day.

[S11m in reply to Claudeminh]

I eat carbs every day - but I avoid refined carbs.

Keto is extreme - and it is not sustainable for everyone. See:

healthunlocked.com/fasting-...