Has Anyone Lost Weight Without Dieting?!

cherryblossomzel

Rummer wrote: »

Please will someone who is following a sensible approach define what they mean by occasionally when it comes to eating unhealthy foods? This is always mentioned in relation t dieting but is so vague. What do you actually mean? Weekly, monthly, every few days????

I think it will depend on each person and what they can or cannot tolerate. If you like to eat something that's not particularly good for you, work out how you can moderate it without feeling deprived, and then you can maybe slowly reduce it from there.

I've been going a bit crazy on the chocolate recently, eating far too much. So I've instituted a "rule": I can eat as much chocolate as I want, but I have to eat it with a meal, i.e. as dessert. Often I actually feel full and satisfied after a meal, so I don't eat the chocolate. I don't feel deprived though, because I know that if I want some, all I have to do is wait for the next meal. When I do have some, I probably have too much, but I'll worry about the quantity next.

I say "rule" because I don't beat myself up if I break it. Yesterday I had some chocolate in the late afternoon, without a meal. It was absolutely delicious dark Belgian chocolate. I enjoyed it thoroughly and then went back to my "rule".

Yolina

Rummer wrote: »

Please will someone who is following a sensible approach define what they mean by occasionally when it comes to eating unhealthy foods? This is always mentioned in relation t dieting but is so vague. What do you actually mean? Weekly, monthly, every few days????

Hard to say, I don't keep track of what I eat and never have. It's more the combination of what you eat overall that matters. I find it difficult to explain because it's not something I consciously do, I grew up on my parents and grandparent home cooking with plenty of fruit and veg etc and sensible portions, so it's just what I am used to. I know that I bake 1 cake a month, portion it off and freeze.

his_missus

Hi OP,


I've only skimmed the thread so this may have already been suggested but if you want to eat more fruit/veg as snacks it might help you if you prepare some veg beforehand. So make up a large bowl of fruit salad or cut up some celery, carrot etc. in the morning, put in the fridge and when you get the urge to snack they are already there ready for you nibble on rather than thinking, "Urgh! I have to prepare something, oh I'll have a biscuit it's quicker" as my Hubby would do.


I agree with smaller portions too. I've been reducing Hubby's slowly so he doesn't feel he's "missing out" - 2 less boiled spuds, one slice of toast with beans - a few more greens to make the plate look full.


He's only been on this "diet" since the start of this month and he's lost 6lbs, which may seem a lot but he has a lot to lose!


Good luck!

Anoneemoose

Yolina wrote: »

Hard to say, I don't keep track of what I eat and never have. It's more the combination of what you eat overall that matters. I find it difficult to explain because it's not something I consciously do, I grew up on my parents and grandparent home cooking with plenty of fruit and veg etc and sensible portions, so it's just what I am used to. I know that I bake 1 cake a month, portion it off and freeze.

So do you just eat when you're hungry and stop when full?? Am only asking because i have tried that kind of theory before with the Paul Mckenna approach. Or do you have set meals/snacks?

I hope you don't mind me asking. I am just trying to get an insight into 'normal' food habits!

Anoneemoose

his_missus wrote: »

Hi OP,


I've only skimmed the thread so this may have already been suggested but if you want to eat more fruit/veg as snacks it might help you if you prepare some veg beforehand. So make up a large bowl of fruit salad or cut up some celery, carrot etc. in the morning, put in the fridge and when you get the urge to snack they are already there ready for you nibble on rather than thinking, "Urgh! I have to prepare something, oh I'll have a biscuit it's quicker" as my Hubby would do.


I agree with smaller portions too. I've been reducing Hubby's slowly so he doesn't feel he's "missing out" - 2 less boiled spuds, one slice of toast with beans - a few more greens to make the plate look full.


He's only been on this "diet" since the start of this month and he's lost 6lbs, which may seem a lot but he has a lot to lose!


Good luck!

Thank you for this. I do things like this with peppers and carrot sticks etc.

And I agree with the smaller portions. I bought a diet plate which I love but even that has its restrictions. I really need to get organised though and do some prep for proper meals. Sometimes lack of organisation gets to me. Especially when I am 'caking', I forget to eat and then end up with rubbish.

Last week has been up and down but have made some positives. Have been drinking water. Consciously eating fruit every day although I have struggled with my IBS because of this so am having to experiment a bit more.

I have been really fatigued over the weekend and that makes things difficult but not gone too mad!

Yolina

Would it be possible, when you feel up to it, to cook large quantities and freeze portions? That way you always have stuff available for when you're too tired or just can't be bothered. I usually spend 1 weekend a month cooking loads so that I have a freezer full of home-made stuff. I tend to do lots of "building blocks" so that I can mix & match depending on what I want to eat rather than freezing complete meals.

hot.chick

make a vegetable soup to have as a starter, eat off a smaller plate - if your still hungry have another bowl of soup - don't' have bread with it...

I've been having a shake for breakfast - a bowl of soup & salad for lunch & a smaller dinner - I got plates with wide brims and make sure my food stays within the brim of the plate

I've lost 5lb in 3 weeks - still having one take away at the weekend but no alcohol.

seems to be working so far

caronoel

My wife swears by this book:
http://www.jessicarobinson.com/for-you-wlwd.php

Couple of free downloads on Jessica's website, that might also be useful

purpleshoes_2

hot.chick wrote: »

make a vegetable soup to have as a starter, eat off a smaller plate - if your still hungry have another bowl of soup - don't' have bread with it...

I've been having a shake for breakfast - a bowl of soup & salad for lunch & a smaller dinner - I got plates with wide brims and make sure my food stays within the brim of the plate

I've lost 5lb in 3 weeks - still having one take away at the weekend but no alcohol.

seems to be working so far

Id be surprised if you were eating enough with a shake/soup/dinner combination even though you are losing weight

I eat 3 meals a day and two snacks and I lose weight on that, no meal replacements, shakes or bars

Its what you eat thats important.

purpleshoes_2

Having said that, soup is very good for people wanting to lose weight, for more than one reason, its low cal if you make it homemade and the liquid also keeps you full

I think people also need to stop looking at food as a reward or something to feel guilty about

My weight has yo yod up and down for the past 25 years but at 45 Im in better shape than I was at 35. I was in very good shape then, much of that is down to exercise but proper nutrition as well.