I need to lose weight -can't stop eating!

[Bluedolphin1971]

I need to lose weight, just over 3 stone. My weakness is chocolate. I binge on chocolate and some days the only thing that passes my lips is chocolate. I can easily eat 7 or 8 bars of chocolate, plus biscuits.

I go to the gym 7 times a weeks, and walk 5 miles on a Sunday, but of course, I undo all the good work by binge eating.

I start every day with good intentions but then I'm one of those "all or nothing" type of people, if I eat one bit of chocolate, that's me I think sod it I will try again tomorrow and eat more chocolate, I then hate myself because I've let myself down and I eat even more chocolate.

I currently weigh 12st 6lbs I'm 44 and would love to be 9st 4lbs. Last time I was 9st 4lbs was 14 years ago, I felt brilliant. I would love to be that weight again.

I have went and off went to a slimming group, but I'm too embarrassed to go back because I "fell off the wagon" time and time again.

I'm not happy with the way I look, I spoke to the doctor (had to see her about something else) about my weight, told her what I was like with chocolate, and she said it might be better to completely take chocolate out of my diet altogether because I can't stop at just one piece of chocolate. I have to agree with her. She also told me I wasn't just overweight, I was actually obese now. Oh and my cholesterol is high. She also told me I carry all of my weight around my middle which is the worse type because that means I have a lot of fat round my organs.

Has anyone ever overcome this? Can anyone give me any tips?

[Donge13]

No advice op, but I'm the same as you

[Tummyclutter]

I'm in a similar situation - even weigh the same! My vice is wine not chocolate though.

I've even put off going for a smear test as I know the nurse will tell me off.

How tall are you? I'm 5"4. I start feeling ok at 10st 4, so am aiming at 2 stone as that doesn't sound as bad as 3 even though that's what I really need to lose.

[CharleyDavidson]

I agree with the gp. I have a problem with limiting sweet stuff, inc chocolate.

I have dieted (with weightwatchers) and got down to a healthy BMI and what worked for me was not snacking at all in the day and even then, buying things that would satisfy my urge to snack in the evening but that I wouldn't binge on. I had cereal or fruit for an evening snack, or a couple of biscuits, all accounted for in my day.

In supermarkets, I won't even go down the aisle that sells the stuff and if I haven't got it in then it is less of a temptation. If I really wanted something then I'd go and buy a single serving specially as multi packs were definitely my downfall.


I eventually went off most chocolate and it seems too sweet to me now, so instead I'll have an eat natural bar that has a thin layer of dark chocolate on it and I'm satisfied.


My diet is far from virtuous, but that's what worked for me.



Now I have to tackle the baking habit I have and get rid of the weight I've put on while poorly over the last 2 years. I'd love to be 12st 6 to start with as I'm more than a stone heavier at present.

[WhoGivesAFlying]

Have you looked into the 5:2 way of life? It's so easy to do, you don't need to buy anything and the results are amazing. There are FB groups and a thread on here in slimming

[Bluedolphin1971]

Thank you for replying, Tummycluter I'm 5" 5.

I actually look like bumpy dumpty. I've got skinny legs but a big fat butt and my stomach OMG it's horrendous!!!

[Bluedolphin1971]

What's the 5:2? I've never heard of that?

[feckthemall]

I don't have as much weight to loose as you but chocolate is my demon too. Like yourself I skip meals to eat chocolate. I have put on a stone in 2 months and nothing fits me now. I am all or nothing when it comes to it.I am dreading christmas with all the chocolate that is going to be about. I don't buy any of it but get lots as gifts and fell rude refusing them.

[milkandmarmite]

Hello - I don't think giving up what you obviously really love is a good idea. Yes, you have some weight to loose, but if you get into 'deprivation' mind set you will eventually break out. You can have chocolate. You just need to change the way you think about it.

Single portions are really good (don't keep too many in the house!) Have one thing a day (a kit Kat for example) perhaps in the evening after dinner.

Good luck!

[WhoGivesAFlying]

Basically for two days out of five you cut your calorie intake to 500 cals (600 for men) you can eat what you like when you like as long as it doesn't go over 500 on those two days . The health benefits of this diet also really good for you, not just weight loss. It is known to help reduce cholesterol. If you go to the 5 2 thread in the slimming part of mums net the links on there really helpful and you should also watch the documentary that goes with it (you'll also find a link for that too)

[Bluedolphin1971]

Not sure if I could do 500 calories, but if I don't try I will never know. I need to try something. Every time I look in the mirror I just hate myself.

[WhoGivesAFlying]

You will be hungry, but it's only a day and you see quick results. When you get to your ideal weight you only need to fast for one day a week to maintain. The FB page gives list of support and really keeps people on track. What i do is skip breakfast, drink lots of water. The odd black coffe/Coke Zero (these are no cal) then a stirfry for lunch a a dinner. You get lots of recipes on the page.

[WhoGivesAFlying]

m.facebook.com/groups/276962852420124?ref=bookmarks

[toffeeboffin]

Yes, I've come across this. You are addicted to sugar, that's what!

Last Halloween I bought a massive box of miniatures. I had one. And another. And another. I couldn't stop. If was like I was possessed! They were 60 cals each! I had at least twenty.

I realised that the only my way not to eat such rubbish is to simply not have it in the house. After three days you won't even want it.

Just stop eating the bloody chocolate, I swear it is more addictive than cocaïne.

On another level, I cannot stand the thought of a substance controlling me!

It's a cliché but nothing tastesas good as being slim feels.

[hebihebi]

You can stop if you really want to. It's not easy but it's just will power. Just go cold turkey for a month. Don't buy sweets or chocolate. Start today. You can do it!

I am also a sugar addict so I know how hard it is. I'd be glad to keep you company if you want to go cold turkey in the run up to Christmas.

[PrudenceDear]

Oh I'm the same too...... Chocolate, biscuits, cakes..... I can binge on them all day. So disappointed with myself but just can't get motivated to tackle it. I know, because I've started so many times, I'll cave in! I'm thinking of doing the c9 detox in the hope of jump starting for fast results and then that'll motivate me.

[CadiM]

I have definite issues with sugar but have managed to get a grip on it in the last couple of years. What has worked for me are Paul McKenna's aversion techniques, hypnosis downloads (I like Max Kirsten) and getting really cross with the junk food industry. If you haven't seen The Men Who Made us Fat, I'd recommend it. And Robert Lustig has written extensively on the dangers of sugar (Guardian article). I do 5:2 for health reasons: I'm not sure it's specifically helped my sugar cravings but it means that for at least for 2 days a week I'm not wasting any calories on sweets.

[PacificDogwod]

Well, this is what worked for me - apparently it's called the '16:8 diet'

I think exploring why you overeat and sugar-binge might help too, higher protein/fat intake, less carbs etc etc.

Fwiw, I went from 85kg to 70kg - the lightest I've been in 13/14 years.

[lavendersun]

I wanted to weigh a stone less than I did. I am clueless about diets tbh, would never join a group. I am fairly active but obviously eat too much for my peri-menopausal body.

None of this is helped by not having to worry about my weight until I reached 46!

Monday to Friday I did this, strictly!

Breakfast - boiled egg and 3 soldiers (with butter!) or pack of Dorset raspberry porridge with a dollop of jam.

Lunch - either an apple and a banana if I am out or vegetable/tomato soup and a yoghurt if at home or nothing at all if I didn't feel hungry.

Dinner - small portion of family dish or roasted fish or roasted vegetables with halloumi or something reasonably healthy - lots of steamed vegetables.

No alcohol, no snacks apart from a small piece of dark chocolate if I was feeling deprived.

Maybe a scone or piece of cake if I was out with DH on a long bike ride.

Weekend all bets are off and I would eat what I wanted within reason and have a glass of wine.

Five weeks later the stone had gone - hard during the week and slightly boring but boring is easy to buy for and easy to stick to once you get your mind round it. I suppose the calorie deficit must be similar to 5:2 over the course of a week.

I just think you need to find something that works for you. Nothing wrong with a bit of chocolate every day if you account for it in calorie terms.

[Higge]

I developed a binge problem when I lost 2 stones - I read this book - followed their plan but eventually I decided to give up chocolate for good - I allow myself other sweet treats - just not chocolate and not when I've had a few drink because those were the worst binges. It's taken a year....I enjoy sweet things still but in safer quantities. It's not the only book on this topic but I think dieting will only make your binges worse - you need a fresh approach.
IMO fix the binge issue and then start to eat better.

[HermioneWeasley]

You can't hate yourself into a version of you that you love.

It needs to start from a place of positive change - something along the lines of you deserve a healthy life, to see you kids grow up, be able to run and play with any grandchildren you might have, etc. you need meaningful motivation and reasons to change.

Then you need to understand this is your choice. Chocolate is not wrestling itself out of the wrapper, running out of the kitchen and forcing itself into your mouth - you are choosing to eat it. Sometimes I bet you're not even consciously eating it and tasting it, it's just habit.

Cutting it out completely might be the simplest, but you might find yourself real,cling it with other stuff if you get cravings. So another option might be to eat the darkest chocolate you like, in a small amount and mindfully.

Willpower is a finite resource - it gets used up over the day, so it will be harder in the evenings. What is your strategy for that going to be?

Good luck!

[PacificDogwod]

Is any of this helpful?

I think PP posters are right: whatever you are doing just now is not working for you and from what you are writing what you've tried in the past has not worked for you, so time for a different approach?
The site above also has a very interesting section on 'sugar addiction'.