Want to start a diet but I'm rubbish at them - help!

eyelinerprincess

I've been overweight for most of my life, not morbidly obese, but enough to notice a bit of flab around my thighs (god, how I hate my thighs) and my bum, with a little extra to spare around my stomach. The problem is that I can never stick to diets, and hate exercise (probably stemming from the fact I can't run very fast or far - at school I always trailed behind everyone else when running). I keep saying I'm going on a diet, then stick with it for a few days and then go "b*gger this, I want some chocolate!" and that's it down the drain.

A few days ago, I was diagnosed with PCOS, which is what's kinda kick starting my ambition to get to a normal weight.

I think my main problems are:
- snacking (after work we can do our shopping, and the main thing my shop sells is junk. Chocolate, crisps, sweets etc. - and it seems easier to munch these things than wait to get home for dinner)
- not eating breakfast
- eating crap for lunch (it's cheaper and easier to go to Greggs or buy a pot noodle or supernoodles etc.)
- not doing exercise, or not finding exercise I enjoy (when I get back from work, I can't be bothered to do anything other than collapse in front of the TV or computer)
- Dilusional OH, who tells me he likes me having meat on my bones and that I look fine as I am, and not understanding that I do have a problem with my weight and I need to lose a few pounds.

Anyone have any hints/tips/suggestions? All help gratefully received.

sooz

do you have a friend who wants to lose weight too? It's a lot easier if you have someone to do it with.

Or have you considered joining slimming world, w/w etc?

Or how about getting your shopping delivered? That would put an end to the snacking, & give you more free time. I've heared good things about tesco ediets, who will also help you with meal planning.

whichever you go with, start with meal planning. It makes everything much easier if when you go to the shops you know what you want to buy, & what you are eating that night. Then you don't have to pop out & buy junk as you are hungry.

As for exercise, depending on your budget, find something you like doing. Are you gym members (those ones the gym loves that never go ). If so, start going. If not, look to see how much your local one is. Your local council often run them too, on a pay as you go basis. Or have you got a wii...try the wii fit, it's exercise 'lite' but very fun, & you can play it as a couple too.


mmmm chocolate. I love chocolate. Keep some small bars of really good quality chocolate at home. You don't have to give everything up. Moderation is key

eyelinerprincess

Shopping delivered - I still live with my parents atm, so they do all the shopping (plus mum gets staff discount).

As I'm about to move in with my partner, although I can afford the gym now, I don't know if I'll be able to in a few months time iyswim.

I have a Wii and Wii Fit, but don't often get to use it due to a shared TV.

alison999

I HATE dieting and need to loose another 3.5 stone, since i started ive lost 9lbs from doing 1 hour a day on my wii fit.

Ive also tried to eat better but i must admit, unless im having mcdonalds or pizza i dont really think sbout what im eating. if i do eat something bad then ill do extra time on the wii or my exercise bike.

bdon

1. Don't eat crisps, chocolate, or any packaged foods
2. Don't drink alcohol
3. Gorge on vegetables and fruits

> it genuinely is that simple <

Bronnie

Big changes start with small steps.

Instead of trying to change everything at once and giving up by day 5, try to tackle the problem in small steps.

For example,
Week 1 , organise yourself, so you eat a healthy and sustaining breakfast each day and substitute your morning snacks with fruit.

Perhaps decide with a friend you're going to do a 20minute power-walk 3 times a week. Plan the time, stick to it and enjoy a catch-up natter at the same time

Over the following weeks, choose 1 or two other small improvements each time to add to your plan.

And remember, you're not alone in this.....there's plenty of us here fighting the same battle!:grouphug:

frivolous_fay

bdon wrote: »

1. Don't eat crisps, chocolate, or any packaged foods
2. Don't drink alcohol
3. Gorge on vegetables and fruits

> it genuinely is that simple <

My baddies are similar

No alcohol
No pastry / biscuits
Nothing deep fried

I read recently that, dreary as it sounds, counting calories really is key.
You always underestimate the calories you're taking in unless you count them properly. There's no point kidding yourself you're dieting if you're eating enough to maintain your weight, or more! A packaged sandwich can easily contain half your calorific needs for a day.

Taye

don't starve yourself, biggest failing of dieters eating to little... hungry people are more likely to wreak thier diet by eating something they shouldn't in a moment of weakness due to hunger.

Plan your mealtimes, plan your meals and stick to it.

ailuro2

It's probably your PCOS that's made it hard to shift those extra few pounds.

Stop going on about your weight, men hate it, they really do!!

It's obvious to men what women need to do - just eat a bit less junk and the weight drops off - that's what happens for them anyway, so they assume it's the same for women.

With PCOS you'll need to get some regular exercise to help combat the tendency to gain a bit of weight, but walking to work, Wii-ing:o or doing a sport you enjoy are all great options - does your OH do anything sporty? Does he like badminton?

Find a sport you enjoy and you'll stick to it - I do martial arts which I get a real kick out of (pardon the pun) and I've been going for nearly two years now whereas I only ever managed a year at most at any other exercise activity.

Good Luck, and well done on wanting to do something about it now before it's a bigger amount to be lost.;)

lab-lover

I hate the word 'dieting' and fool myself by saying healthy eating instead.

Bronnie

lab-lover wrote: »

I hate the word 'dieting' and fool myself by saying healthy eating instead.

I've done that before too . While healthy eating is a great step to make if your diet has previously been junky, you can still overeat on a 'healthy diet' and not lose or even keep gaining weight! You still need to control the amount you eat, whilst making the healthy choices.