How to eat less?

fuzzyhead_3

GrammarGirl wrote: »

The key for me is to not completely deprive myself of the things I love (chocolate, crisps, ice cream, cheese!) because that makes me want them soooo much more! Everything in moderation and healthier alternatives. One square of chocolate, baked crisps instead of fried, frozen yoghurt... not sure what the cheesy answer to this is as we all know lighter versions of cheese are just rubbish!

If you can exercise your control and willpower, you can enjoy lovely food without putting on weight. I hope you find a method that works for you anyway.

Thanks for the reply GrammarGirl.

I think this all makes sense too. But then it contradicts what someone else said. Do I stay away from my trigger foods totally or allow myself a little of what I fancy? On reflection, I think sugar is soooo addictive that it's best to just go cold turkey. That's what used to work for me anywya. But yes, I will make healthier choices where possible.

I guess diffreent things work for different people....

fuzzyhead_3

I_know_my_ABC_and_my_CMYK wrote: »

I check the fat content of everything I eat these days. I follow weight watchers on line points system, but i also told my doctor I wanted to lose weight so he's recording it as well on a monthly basis so I have to lose it, it keeps me at it. It's taken me just over 8 weeks to lose 18lbs plus I'm disabled so my mobility is limited, so I'm quite pleased with myself. My clothes are loser and i have a bit more energy which is a big bonus for me. It costs me just under £10 for WW but for me it's worth it.

I find when I'm watching food programs onthe tv I exclaime at the calories and fat they are eating lol I drive my son daft.

Thanks for the reply I know my ABC and my CMYK (what does your username mean btw? lol).

Well done on losing so much, that is amazing.

Do you pay £10 a month for WW?

I know, I should be more aware of fat content and realise that chefs (esp on TV) are fond of creating v. fatty dishes! I come from a long line of foodies and my OH is the same - although I used to be a lot more disciplined before I met him. I was able to turn down fatty food, telling myself that no matter how good it tasted it was going to make fat - and that don't taste good! If I didn't live with him I wouldn't have certain things in the house lol.

fuzzyhead_3

OK, so far today I have had a low fat yogurt with a few raspberries... here's hoping I can do well for the rest of the day.

princessscotland

LOL yes you do have the power!

WW costs different amounts depending on how you do it, whether it's meetings cash, meetings direct debit and/ or online. I recommend going to meetings, at least at the start. (I've always paid cash as I really feel I'm parting with good money so I better stick to the diet!) Your points and goal weight are worked out for you by a leader who should be really friendly and supportive. Or pop over to the WW support thread, you'll fine so much motivation there and there are a few posts on there that show you how to work out your points by yourself (PM me if you can't find them ))

At the meetings you're given a pack with all the information you need to get you started, although you might want to buy an additional pack which has the 'points' value of practically everything in the supermarket, a calculator, a food diary, an 'eating out' guide and a tapemeasure.

There are plenty of free registration vouchers kicking about and discount vouchers off the costs of meetings. Check out the weightwatchers magazine, the weightwatchers website or google search for them.

Some people find that, once they're on their way with the diet, they don't feel the need to go to meetings and can carry on without paying to weigh in every week or just use the online resource which is a bit cheaper.

Sorry for mega post!

Amanita_2

I've learned my weak points - savoury snacks, chocolate and wine. I also tend to nibble in the evenings.

So I avoid eating crisps by buying flavours I hate but the rest of the family will eat. I buy wagon wheels as chocolate biscuits ( truely hate those) but I do struggle with the wine and chocolate so I just don't buy the chocolate. If it isn't in the house I can't eat it!

I am also much stricter in the week than at weekends - I maintain a size10 dress size ( no idea what I weigh) by doing this. I couldn't deprive myself completely and it is a lot easier to lose the weight than it is to keep it off. This method works well for me.

I do need a wine reduction strategy though....... :rotfl:

londoner1998

fuzzyhead wrote: »

Hello

I am a long time lurker and have been following the H&B threads with interest. I think I need a shove in the right direction as I need to lose weight, badly. I've put on weight over the last 3 years and recently injured my ankle, so I have been recuperating for 5 weeks and am barely able to walk. I'm so inactive, and I know I'm gaining weight. This morning, I noticed my legs were visibly fatter. It's taken a few weeks but it's all catching up with me now.

I have to take it easy for a hwile but am worried about putting on even more lbs. I initially reduced my food intake but boredom has made me eat more and I'm now eating what I did before the injury, despite burning far fewer calories each day. Im also eating more chocolate and sweets than I used to, and I feel very low. I wasn't doing very well at losing weight even befre the injury but it's just made things even harder.

Please someone give me a good talking to.

Is there any exercise I can do while recuperting which might tone me up or whatever? And how dio I go about reducing my food intake? How do you dieters cope with boredom, cravings etc?

Thanks for reading and sorry for the self-pitying first post.

Hello! Simple, eat less and move more (I know, easy to say but not so easy to do!). I used to go to the gym but this only made me eat more and I realised I didn't enjoy the gym that much (all that noise and machines everywhere made me very anxious). I already did yoga and swam on and off but for the past 5 years, that's all I have done. I go regularly to yoga classes and I noticed that that started to slowly (but surely) reduce my appetite (I guess is due to reducing the anxiety). Getting together with my OH around that time also made me relax around food and have a much healthier attitude towards it ( I think I had a slight issue with it, there were groups of food I woudln't touch). When I have a particulary stressful time and have been inactive for a while, I start swimming more- just by going once a week or twice a week, I notice a vast improvement. I would say, eat smaller portions, mainly vegetables and pulses, with protein and a bit of carbs, don't cut out any food groups and try to move more. I am not from here, I am from the north of Spain (Basque Country) , where we eat much more fish than meat and every day food is vegetable- and pulse- based and very simply cooked, with olive oil and basic ingredients. Most of my friends, men in their 40's are very trim and young -looking and I think is because of the diet. Swimming is very gentle to start with and extremely relaxing. Try walking as well (but once your ankle heals!!) and may even dancing!! I walk for miles in London, specially in the summer. But whatever you do, it has to be something you enjoy, otherwise it won't work becasue you will not stick to it.
Good luck

newlywed

Can you do any swimming? that doesn't put any weight on your ankle? Or for exercise sometimes I unstack the dishwasher one item at a time walking round the kitchen more (it's not far but it's a few extra steps when you really don't feel like exercising), or tidy up taking one item at a time through to other rooms where they belong.

Definitely get your OH on board with your eating plans. When my OH goes on his healthy eating diet (for muscle building more than anything) - I find we eat loads less biscuits and junk in the evenings. We'll occasionally have an evening snack of cereal instead (lower fat than biscuits and cakes), or maybe crumpets or fruit like melon.

I have only bought one pack of biscuits this week (for the kids really) - and most of them are still in the tin - instead of the 5 packs a week we were eating

The other thing that made a difference the other year was to dish up dinner and then put a large spoonful back in the pot (or in a tub for the next day's lunch).

I found if I dished up a huge portions, we'd eat it all. But if I dished up a smaller amount and said there's more if you want it... only rarely did either of us have seconds. And we didn't feel hungry either.

Mojisola

If you're going to start eating the low-carb way, drop the low fat foods. Your body needs fat to work and fat tells your stomach you've eaten and that you don't need more food.

fuzzyhead_3

princessscotland wrote: »

LOL yes you do have the power!

WW costs different amounts depending on how you do it, whether it's meetings cash, meetings direct debit and/ or online. I recommend going to meetings, at least at the start. (I've always paid cash as I really feel I'm parting with good money so I better stick to the diet!) Your points and goal weight are worked out for you by a leader who should be really friendly and supportive. Or pop over to the WW support thread, you'll fine so much motivation there and there are a few posts on there that show you how to work out your points by yourself (PM me if you can't find them ))

At the meetings you're given a pack with all the information you need to get you started, although you might want to buy an additional pack which has the 'points' value of practically everything in the supermarket, a calculator, a food diary, an 'eating out' guide and a tapemeasure.

There are plenty of free registration vouchers kicking about and discount vouchers off the costs of meetings. Check out the weightwatchers magazine, the weightwatchers website or google search for them.

Some people find that, once they're on their way with the diet, they don't feel the need to go to meetings and can carry on without paying to weigh in every week or just use the online resource which is a bit cheaper.

Sorry for mega post!

I am not sure whether I could do WW, but I do like the idea of having a set no. of points every day and 'saving' points for treats. I just looked at the WW site, they have lots of good recipes! Thanks!

fuzzyhead_3

Amanita wrote: »

I've learned my weak points - savoury snacks, chocolate and wine. I also tend to nibble in the evenings.

So I avoid eating crisps by buying flavours I hate but the rest of the family will eat. I buy wagon wheels as chocolate biscuits ( truely hate those) but I do struggle with the wine and chocolate so I just don't buy the chocolate. If it isn't in the house I can't eat it!

I am also much stricter in the week than at weekends - I maintain a size10 dress size ( no idea what I weigh) by doing this. I couldn't deprive myself completely and it is a lot easier to lose the weight than it is to keep it off. This method works well for me.

I do need a wine reduction strategy though....... :rotfl:

Thanks for the reply Amanita.

You are just right in not buying your fave junk foods, if I have something in the house I will eat it. I am so with you on the wine thng too!

Today's food is:

Low fat yogurt with r/berries
5 sandwichs at a meeting (coronation chicken and turkey/stuffing/cranberry so not the healthiest!!)
Lots of fresh fruit salad (same meeting)
Spag bol made by OH (I had a 2/3 portion of pasta)
Rather a lot of white chocolate :mad:
Small glass of white wine