February is the new January - shifting debt and wibbly bums in 2010!

poddle911

I know how you feel, PA! Sorry you're having such a tough time of it. Sometimes you do need to step away a bit, rather than feeling that you're always behind and you should have or could have lost weight and being depressed that you haven't. As Lara says, maybe we can give you some support if you do want to carry on?

I've had a useless month - I've been so busy at work and so stressed at home with half-finished DIY and plumbers etc arriving at 8am that I haven't even thought about 'dieting' and used it as an excuse to eat much worse than usual - takeaways for convenience, chocolate because I *need* a treat etc

So, no, I haven't lost any weight this month And it is hard to come on here and admit that when others are doing so well. I suppose it's pride; it's not because I think anyone is going to berate me for it! I've only got myself to blame and I am disappointed that I could have lost 6lbs this month and been well on my way to target, but I haven't. Sure there are moments when I think 'what's the point, I'll never do it' but you have to talk yourself out of that!

And so I'm going to pick myself up and start again - I'm not going to weigh myself today, but I'm determined to track all this week, exercise 3 times and see a difference next week.

Sorry for the ramble! I know how ridiculous it seems to outsiders that we (I) find it difficult to lose weight when we *know* it's just a matter of eat less, exercise more, but it's such a psychological thing.

Right, anyway, tomorrow is another day and all that! Keep the faith and let's try to support each other

Well done for staying the same Lara! You've got enough on your plate at the mo - which isn't an excuse, it's quite valid! But you've got a super sensible attitude and I think setting mini goals/challenges is the way to go. Phew!

Dinah93

Okay question for you all. I've never followed a specific diet, calorie counting is what works for me. However my mum has asked if I know a mediterranean style diet she could follow, anyone have any ideas?

Cinny91

Sorry to hear you're having a tough time with it PA!! I'll admit, I secretly gave up ages ago I'm just trying to focus on eating well, not really loosing weight, I still have treats which is mainly when me and OH are out (like we're going for a Frankies and Bennys for his birthday - so I'm cutting out most treats all week to balance it out) Admittedly I'm still a little doughy, but I like being doughy so it's okay

One thing I have found though - Nakd! They're infused raisins, I had lemon ones yesterday and *dies alittle* they were lovely!! I think they're 70calories a pack for those who are counting. I have them on my desk at work and they last all morning and nicely replace sweeter foods like chocolate. They're 32p a packet from Asda if you're interested!

Tete_en_l'Air

Oh dear it sounds as though we're all falling off the wagon! I'm having a wobble myself, I don't seem to be able to shift from around the 10st2 - 10st4 mark but I think it's secretly because I'm a lot happier with my weight now. I'm just worried that at this weight I'm between sizes - all my jeans and trousers are hanging off me, but the size below is a smidge too tight (esp in jeans). If I can find some new clothes that look OK I'll be a lot happier, I just wonder if this is my natural 'happy' weight?

PA, sorry to hear you're feeling so down, I think when you have so many things to think about like debt clearing it can be hard to focus on weightloss as well, but as Lara says maybe you can just focus on staying the same, then when you're in a better frame of mind you'll be able to start again but won't be back at square one.

Not sure about the mediterranean diet Dinah, I know it was on the news this morning that they eat fewer carbs so their arteries clog up less or something? When I lived in Andalucia I lived off olive oil, jamon serrano, Cruzcampo beer and Rioja! (And didn't put weight on, unlike when I lived in France and ate French bread and brie all the time!!)

planning_ahead_2

Thank you all so much for the wonderful messages of support. You lot really are fab:beer:

Now for a little admission - I haven't ever mentioned it (cos I was worried someone might recognise me...and therefore find out about my debt:o) - but I have health issues which mean exercise is a serious no no for me. I have been unwell on and off for the last 6 years - ovarian cancer which is now thankfully clear, but in the last year and a bit I have been diagnosed with ME. Any exercise makes my ME far worse and puts me in bed for days.

I am fortunate in that I work from home and so can still earn a full time income (as I do the full time hours but just average them across the month as my health needs allow). The ME has hit me far harder than the cancer ever did - which some people may find strange, but it really is far more debilitating and life restricting than the cancer ever was.

My weight, over the last six years, has ballooned out of control - but for most of that time I haven't worried about it because coping with illness was my big challenge. I thought I was at a point (before Christmas) where I could take on the challenge of attacking the weight and was doing fairly well - but not any more:( i spoke to my GP this week and was advised that yes I am overweight but not to be concerned as I need to concentrate on just coping with each day at the moment and not becoming depressed with my limitations and weight. So that's what I am going to do:D

Anyway - I will stayed signed in for this challenge - and will accept that any loss is great and any 'gain' is a slight hiccup to be worked on the next week;)

Tete_en_l'Air

Yikes, PA, huge hugs, sounds like you've been through the mill! Great news that the cancer is clear but sounds like ME is awful, though I don't know a lot about it. Definitely definitely don't worry about your weight, you have enough on your plate (pardon the pun ) - if even your GP says not to worry then don't - they normally love to have something to nag you about, if it's not smoking its that you're overweight, or you drink too much...!

Glad you're feeling positive about it though and not guilty or whatever else

poddle911

Tete_en_l'Air wrote: »

When I lived in Andalucia I lived off olive oil, jamon serrano, Cruzcampo beer and Rioja! (And didn't put weight on, unlike when I lived in France and ate French bread and brie all the time!!)

Ahh, those were the days...

planning_ahead wrote: »

Thank you all so much for the wonderful messages of support. You lot really are fab:beer:
Anyway - I will stayed signed in for this challenge - and will accept that any loss is great and any 'gain' is a slight hiccup to be worked on the next week;)

Good for you PA! What a tough time you've had It must be so frustrating to be restricted by your health (other than just being too comfortable on the sofa to shift your bum to the gym like me!) and you're doing brilliantly to work full-time, let alone shifting debts and trying to lose weight at the same time!

Lara's idea is a really good one - why not start off by keeping a detailed food diary? Then you can see when you've had a 'good' day and be more motivated to keep on track the next day. You may find that you start to lose weight that way anyway, and when you feel a bit more positive you can look at reducing your intake. One day at a time, eh? x

Dinah93

Yikes PA sounds like a really rough time. I actually know a lot about ME, as I suffered with it for 5 years. At the worst I was sleeping 23 hours a day and too weak to open the oven door or turn a door handle or jar lid, I even tried to go to my best friends 18th and fell asleep stood upright in a club, so I'm very aware of how it hits you.

I tried a huge amount of things, all the homeopathic stuff and playing with melatonin tablets to try to force my body into sleep and awake cycles and the like, but staggeringly the thing that pulled me out of it was a change in diet. I cut out all wheat and glueten after seeing a lecture on alternative ME treatments at the RVI in Newcastle. Within about 2 months I was back to being able to go out for a couple of hours at a time, make my own meals, stay awake for the length of a bath etc. I tried stopping the diet and it all crashed down again. So I stayed gluetin free for 9 months in total, then very gradually added little bits back in, a tortilla one day then nothing off plan for 3 or 4 days, then I'd have a sauce that used flour as a thickener, then a few clean days again, and after about months of this I could eat normally again and the ME was about 90% gone. I still had the crawling skin, lack of concentration and intermittent insomnia/need for naps for about another 2 years, but at this point 8 years after I was diagnosed it doesn't bother me day to day anymore, I get little flare ups a few times a year but I know to just stop everything, drop the wheat, and in 2 weeks I'll be fine again. Its horrible while you have it, but it is overcomeable.

planning_ahead_2

Hi Dinah

I am looking into different foods and the effects they have on my ME. Unfortunately, for me, it is not wheat. DH has a wheat allergy and so we rarely even buy a loaf of bread (maybe buy 3 loaves a year:rotfl:)

It is good to know it gets better (from someone who has actually suffered with it):beer:

Cinny91

Gosh PA - Sounds like you've had a tough time of it. But like Tete says, if the GP says your weight isn't anything to worry about then dont! So glad to hear the cancer is clear though!

Oof, the mediterranean diet sounds yummy!! (been reading up on it ) If I like more fish than tuna + cod I'd do it, haha! Was reading how you're meant to snack on nuts and it reminded me - Cacao nuts are meant to be really good for dieters! It squashes the sweet tooth style cravings and is packed full of antioxidants. Plus it lowers bad cholesterol and raises the good. Magic!