In desperate need of advice regarding weight loss.

thor

the_devil_made_me_do_it wrote: »

What do people recommend as a good health breakfast?

Porridge with water

System

the_devil_made_me_do_it wrote: »

I think I just defy all diet and exercise logic.

I know that feeling hun I've mnaged to gain 1kg despite eating 3 balanced meals a day, upping my fruit and veg, cutting down on carbs and fats, portion control and calorie counting. Oh and i've been to the gym everyday this week and went swimming and zumba too.

Feels like a never ending stuggle.

Seriously contemplating stopping my meds (olanzapine) as i can shake the feeling its behind the weight gain/.no loss...but they keep me stable. so i can either be fat and stable or thin and crazy

Jox

Oh messedup, you are doing fantastically well, shame the scales aren't reflecting that but keep at it, exercise and healthy eating is the best thing we can do for yourselves (wish I could do it on a consistent basis).

I'm sure you're joking about stopping the meds....you may be able to reduce your dose one day but ask your doctor about that xx

heartbreak_star

Don't stop the meds MU! *hugs*

Exercise puts on muscle, remember that.

HBS x

murphydog999

xXMessedUpXx wrote: »

I've mnaged to gain 1kg despite eating 3 balanced meals a day, upping my fruit and veg, cutting down on carbs and fats, portion control and calorie counting. Oh and i've been to the gym everyday this week and went swimming and zumba too.

Feels like a never ending stuggle.

I'm not surprised! Did you read my post to 'the devil?' Does it not sound like you are doing the same thing? You don't need to work out every single day, give yourself a break for gods sake!

Ask yourself, whatever you are doing now, is it sustainable? If it's not - can you really see yourself going to the gym 7 days a week for years and years? - you shouldn't be doing it.

So many people go for this 'attack' approach which inevitably fails because it can't be kept up.

Is what/how you are eating sustainable? If it's not, don't do it! You WILL fail.

Don't put too much emphasis on exercising to loose weight, you will tone up - which will make you look like you've lost weight - but you should be exercising for health reasons. It should make you feel good (not knackered) and you should enjoy it (it shouldn't be a chore), it should be varied and there should be days off in-between where you should relax.

Food, and nothing else, is the key to weight management and a long-term approach is needed. A couple of pounds up or down is nothing, the body regulates itself -2/+2lbs every day so don't get hung up on small changes, as long as there is a general decrease.

~Chameleon~

thor wrote: »

Porridge with water

Urghhh would rather eat wallpaper paste! Food is supposed to be tasty and enjoyable you know

Porridge is better made with full fat milk and a drizzle of honey to sweeten. Fruit can be added too, dried or fresh.

Jox

I've just posted this on another thread, but hopefully this will offer some food options if you're struggling for ideas.

I've been investigating a low sugar diet and will attempt the following from tomorrow. Might be easier for me to start at the weekend and get myself organised. I will also not drink tea/coffee with sugar/honey and will drink more water.

Breakfasts (choose 1)
• Porridge made from 4tbsp porridge oats and 135ml each of skimmed or soya milk and water
• 1 slice wholegrain toast with 2 poached eggs and 1 grilled tomato
• 2 poached eggs with 2 grilled turkey rashers, 1 grilled tomato and grilled mushrooms
• 1 slice wholegrain toast topped with 1tbsp peanut butter and 1 sliced banana

Lunches (choose 1)
• 1 large grilled salmon fillet with mixed salad.
• Salad made from 4tbsp cooked couscous, 1 grilled skinless chicken breast, cherry tomatoes, 1tbsp raisins, 1tsp olive oil, lemon juice and black pepper.
• 600ml carton fresh vegetable soup and 1 banana.
• 1 medium-sized baked sweet potato with 1 small can tuna in water and mixed salad. Plus 1 apple.
• Homemade guacamole made from 1 small avocado, 1 chopped tomato, garlic, lemon juice and Tabasco, with 1 wholemeal pitta and 1 carrot cut into sticks.
• 1 medium size pack of sushi (around 250 calories) and 1 banana.
• 1 wholemeal pitta filled with salad made from 1 small avocado, 1/2 red pepper, 1 small red onion and 1 tomato.
• Bean soup
• 600ml carton fresh butternut squash soup. Plus 1 apple and 1 orange.
• Salad made from baby spinach leaves, cherry tomatoes and cucumber topped with 1 small grilled salmon steak and 1 poached egg.

Dinners (choose 1)
• Stir fry made from 1tbsp sunflower oil, garlic, ginger, 1 small pack ready-prepared stir-fry veg, 1tbsp reduced-salt soy sauce and 2tbsp toasted unsalted cashew nuts. Plus 1 satsuma
• Cut 1 turkey steak into bite-sized pieces and thread onto three skewers with cherry tomatoes and 1 green pepper, cut intopieces. Brush with olive oil and squeeze over some lime juice. Grill until cooked through and serve with 6tbsp cooked couscous made with chicken stock. Plus 1 apple.
• 1 small (150g) grilled fillet steak with 1 medium-sized sweet potato, cut into wedges, brushed with olive oil and baked in the oven, with 1 grilled tomato, grilled mushrooms and a green salad. Plus a handful of grapes.
• Fry 1/2 chopped small red onion and 1 sliced red pepper in 2tsp sunflower oil for a few minutes. Add 3 sliced boiled new potatoes and cook for a few minutes. Add 3 beaten eggs and cook until almost set. Place under a hot grill to set the top and serve with salad. Plus a handful of blueberries.
• 1 grilled tuna steak served with 3 boiled new potatoes in their skins, steamed carrots, broccoli, green beans and baby sweetcorn. Plus 1 bowl fruit salad and 1 pot fat-free fruit or soya yogurt.
• Chop 1 red pepper, 1/2 aubergine, 1 courgette and 1 small red onion into bite-sized chunks and roast with a handful of cherry tomatoes, fresh rosemary sprigs and 1tbsp olive oil. Serve with 1 roasted skinless chicken breast. Plus 1 pear.
• 1 ready-prepared smoked mackerel fillet with salad.
• Fajitas made from 1tbsp sunflower oil, 1 red and green pepper, 1 small red onion, 1skinless chicken breast and fajita seasoning. Serve wrapped in large iceberg lettuce leaves, topped with 1/2 small diced avocado.

Snacks (choose 1)
• Avocado dip with celery sticks
• 1 small avocado mashed with garlic, lemon juice and Tabasco, served with celery sticks.
• 1 bowl of fruit salad with 1 pot low-fat natural Greek or soya yogurt and 2tsp chopped mixed nuts.
• 30g unsalted almonds
• 2tbsp unsalted pumpkin seeds.
• Large mixed salad topped with 4 slices smoked salmon. Plus 1 kiwi fruit.
• 3tbsp reduced-fat hummus with carrot sticks.

Hope this helps xx

the_devil_made_me_do_it

Messed up...I can totally empathise. I am seriously considering stopping my medication. I don't feel it is helping me anyway & the side effects are horrible.

I am going to do strength work at the gym twice a week & on the third time I go, I'll plan to do cardio. Going to rely on walking my dog as my main form of cardio.

Thanks for all the replies. It's just very frustrating when those around you lose weight with very little issues, whilst you really struggle. It doesn't bode well when it comes to staying motivated.

thor

~Chameleon~ wrote: »

Urghhh would rather eat wallpaper paste! Food is supposed to be tasty and enjoyable you know

Porridge is better made with full fat milk and a drizzle of honey to sweeten. Fruit can be added too, dried or fresh.

Of course it tastes terrible (especially with water) but there is no getting round the fact it is healthy. Don't care for it myself.

nickyhutch

~Chameleon~ wrote: »

Urghhh would rather eat wallpaper paste! Food is supposed to be tasty and enjoyable you know

Porridge is better made with full fat milk and a drizzle of honey to sweeten. Fruit can be added too, dried or fresh.

Porridge is best made to the preference of the person who is going to eat it, which will, of course, vary from person to person.

I have mine made with water and salt, nice and thick, with sugar or sweetener and a splash of skimmed milk and I love it. It keeps me going til lunchtime.