Anyone else on a diet and struggling?

Tink2

paulineb wrote: »

What is the figure you calculated the last time you worked out your TDEE x the physical activity factor.

I dont know how tall you are and I know you are limited in the exercise you can do, but 1200 cals is still pretty low, if you have days where you do only eat 1200 cals.

It's 2038

I'm 5ft2

Id struggle on that. Its not enough. My advice would be as I said before, try and cut down on the junk food (which you have said you are doing), up what you are eating in veg, couple of pieces of fruit a day. Eat good fats. Swap potatoes for sweet potatoes a couple of times a week, keep a food diary, not just what you are eating but how you are feeling when you eat the food as well, make sure you drink plenty of water.

I never thought of writing down how I feel

Also, theres no need to eat by the clock. If lunchtime is generally midday and you dont feel hungry, eat it later on.

Always done this, I see no point in sticking to certain times (unless you have no choice)

I also agree with the person who said that sleep or lack of it can also be a factor in not losing weight.

I try to get at least 8 hours, doesn't happen all the time but it's usually 8 or more hours

~Chameleon~

ab.da54 wrote: »

Can I just say, based on what you have put for your week day menu example, you are still having plenty of carbs.

Although it is good for you, oatmeal porridge is high in carbs.

I can't see where your menu is low carb, unless you just mean you are eating less carbs than you previously were.

I previously worried about nickyhutch's diet as I only ever saw what she ate for dinner. But now I've got an overall picture of her diet I don't see any significant problems. I would just caution her to ensure she has sufficient protein (for muscle R&R and building) along with healthy fats to allow her body to metabolise vitamins, but other than that she's doing absolutely fine

~Chameleon~

MrSmartprice wrote: »

That's right. She says she has plenty to occupy her, but I reckon most of it involves sitting at one screen or another. So it is all too easy to eat mindlessly when simply sitting there. I often used to feel like eating when I'm online, but I fought it and now it doesn't happen. You would have to be pretty bored to stuff 4 bags of crisps, it can only be eating for the sake of it.

If you are actually engaged in a 'real' activity then the urge to eat doesn't happen. I never feel like I need food when I'm driving, listening to music etc. And when I went to football matches it would never occur to me to go and buy a pie or a hotdog.

I actually agree with you here. Despite being mentally stimulated by online stuff the physical inactivity becomes detrimental. When I'm in my low moods I can easily find myself trotting off to the kitchen to find something to eat. But I'm not hungry. I could be thirsty but instead of drinking water, I seek food.


When I'm physically active, food never enters my head, other than to provide adequate nutrients to keep me healthy. I drink 2+ litres of water a day which staves off any hunger often mistakenly interpreted as a need for food.


And someone else mentioned sleep. Lack of sleep, along with stress, raises cortisol levels which will just make the body hang onto fat, especially abdominal fat (apple-shaped people!!). Losing body fat is a far more complex matter than the often spouted mantra of calories in = calories out.

One size DOES NOT equal all.

System

~Chameleon~ wrote: »

I actually agree with you here. Despite being mentally stimulated by online stuff the physical inactivity becomes detrimental. When I'm in my low moods I can easily find myself trotting off to the kitchen to find something to eat. But I'm not hungry. I could be thirsty but instead of drinking water, I seek food.


When I'm physically active, food never enters my head, other than to provide adequate nutrients to keep me healthy. I drink 2+ litres of water a day which staves off any hunger often mistakenly interpreted as a need for food.


And someone else mentioned sleep. Lack of sleep, along with stress, raises cortisol levels which will just make the body hang onto fat, especially abdominal fat (apple-shaped people!!). Losing body fat is a far more complex matter than the often spouted mantra of calories in = calories out.

One size DOES NOT equal all.

I've noticed it's been easier to lose weight since I started my job

No idea what tinks working status is but it can have a big effect, likewise though I have friends who have jobs where they are sat down all day and they find it difficult, my mum is a housewife and I really think that's part of why she is struggling to lose weight.

Being active and mentally stimulated seems to help distract me from eating , when I was at home I ate pretty mindlessly

nickyhutch

~Chameleon~ wrote: »

I previously worried about nickyhutch's diet as I only ever saw what she ate for dinner. But now I've got an overall picture of her diet I don't see any significant problems. I would just caution her to ensure she has sufficient protein (for muscle R&R and building) along with healthy fats to allow her body to metabolise vitamins, but other than that she's doing absolutely fine

Thank you :-) It's not the healthiest, and I know it could be better, but it's way better than 18 months ago. I'm a healthy weight and very fit. It's a slow process and one that won't come to an end. Once I feel a bit better about increasing my intake without gaining weight (I really do have a problem with that, but I know deep down I can and should), it will be lean protein and healthy fat that I eat more of.

ab.da54

~Chameleon~ wrote: »

I previously worried about nickyhutch's diet as I only ever saw what she ate for dinner. But now I've got an overall picture of her diet I don't see any significant problems. I would just caution her to ensure she has sufficient protein (for muscle R&R and building) along with healthy fats to allow her body to metabolise vitamins, but other than that she's doing absolutely fine

I have no worries about the poster's diet at all and if what they are doing, works for them, it's all good. I don't need an overall picture to comment as I did.

Tink2

It's not like I'm eating all day, I eat the same meals as my OH because he makes them

Some people are talking like I'm constantly in the fridge

~Chameleon~

Tink2 wrote: »

I ate them because I wanted them, how would I know I wouldn't enjoy something till I had it?

Surely you'd have realised after the first pack? Why go on to eat four packs? That's either mindless eating or sheer greed.

Sorry for being blunt but I find it most effective with some of my more delusional clients

~Chameleon~

ab.da54 wrote: »

I have no worries about the poster's diet at all and if what they are doing, works for them, it's all good. I don't need an overall picture to comment as I did.

Maybe not, but I was just following up on a previous comment I'd made to the OP to reassure her that my previous concerns are unfounded

Mrs_Ryan

mummyroysof3 wrote: »

Would it be possible for those who eat healthy and have lost weight to maybe tell us what they eat or as one poster mentioned a photo

As I've mentioned I'm being really strict at the minute, my menu wouldn't usually be this rigid but this is what I've eaten today.
I had brunch today as I slept late (wasn't feeling great) which was a big plate of plain pasta, a tin of tuna and a tin of tomatoes with garlic and herbs, followed by a big bowl of frozen mixed fruit salad, a Mullerlight and a pint of no added sugar Ribena.
Snack was 2 Alpen Light bars, one lemon drizzle, one Cherry Bakewell, and a chocolate wafer thing with some 7Up Free.
Dinner was chicken breasts in a tomato and basil sauce, steamed carrots, cauliflower, broccoli and sprouts, an apple and a yoghurt with a pint of no added sugar Ribena.
Supper will be 2 Weetabix with semi skimmed milk and chopped banana and probably a cup of tea.
I also had a litre of water when I went for my walk earlier.
I have limited cooking facilities (we have no cooker, but we have a microwave with grill and a steamer) so I make similar dishes most days- low fat ready meals, jacket potatoes with tuna and beans, pasta with tuna or pasta bolognaise or the Slimming World carbonara, Quorn steaks and 2 Slimming World dishes- mushy pea curry with microwave rice and Quorn with a Diet Coke sauce.
I do love my carbs- I eat loads of pasta, rice and potatoes but I still get good losses from them. I try to always have breakfast, my favourite is smoked salmon and scrambled eggs which I have once a week. At my biggest I was squeezing into size 24 jeans- the two things that made me realise I had to change was my size 26 work trousers being too tight to fasten, and seeing how awful I looked in my size 22 dress. Diets aren't easy and yes it's all too easy to struggle and to give up- I'm hating it at the minute!