Feeling Yuk

[prettypleasewithsugarontop]

I feel yukky, bloated and generally run down.

I am 5ft 5 and weigh 11.5st - this is the heaviset I have been in about 4yrs, heavier now than at 38wks pg with DD2 . It's all in my tummy; I work a sedentry (sp) desk job.

I would love to lose some weight, but don't know how to go about it. I do alot of walking (around 4m per day) but as I always do this, I don't think it's having any weight loss effect iykwim? I can't afford to join a gym. I have a bike, but haven't cycled in years!

I am a serial snacker and I eat crap - I know that I do, but I just cannot break the cycle.

On a typical day I drink in excess of 10 cups of tea (with s/s milk, no sugar) which I believe can cause bloating? I am bored, which is a major trigger in overeating/snacking. My DH is the same, though he obviously has a faster metabolism that me.

Food diary for today (and believe me, I am embarrased)

Breakfast - coco pops, s/s milk
Lunch - Bachelors macaroni cheese (made with, water, milk and lurpak)
Dinner - 2x reggee reggee birds eye chicken, chips

I have also had a bag of lightly salted crisps and 10 bourbon biscuits! I blame this a) on the fact that I am on holiday this week, and b) that I anm on my period but it needs to stop!

I am a member of MFP and used to log every day but got out of the habit, it starts again tomorrow though!

Any tips would be grateful - thank you

[elportodelgato]

Well the first thing is to decide to do something about it, which you are doing, so well done!

I do MFP and find it really motivational. Looking at your food for today the obvious things are to get lots more fresh veg into your diet and cut out the sugar, i am always astonished by the amount of sugar in even 'healthy' food like muesli. And 10 cups of tea a day is loads! Do you think that the caffeine is causing you to feel low?

[prettypleasewithsugarontop]

I'm not sure, it could be! The only times I have managed to cut out tea is when I've been pregnant as anything with milk made me sick! I don't tend to drink water, maybe a glass of squash or milk with dinner. I do have the ocasional Options hot choc made with just water as well.

[prettypleasewithsugarontop]

I find it difficult at work as I can never think of what I want in a packed lunch so either have nothing and overeat later on or buy something prepackaged.

I quite like salads, but never know what to put in my own?

[gaggiagirl]

How about (for a lunch) pasta with roasted tomatoes, onions, peppers or any other veg.
Home made soups.
Sanwich made with tiny bread such as hovis wheatgerm.
You can still snack!
Quavers
Wotsits
French fries
Skips
Space raiders
All under 100 cals.

I've lost 4 stone calorie counting and kept the weight off for years and lost a bit more.
Good luck

[prettypleasewithsugarontop]

Well done, thats fantastic!

Found a few recipes on bbc good food involving quinoa (sp) they look like they could be quite tasty and made beforehand

[JemimaMuddledUp]

I lost 80lbs calorie counting using MFP. I'm keeping it off so far (I hit goal about 6 months ago).

Example of what I ate:
Breakfast - Porridge made with s/s milk, topped with raspberries

Mid Morning snack - banana

Lunch - Bowl of vegetable soup, small wholemeal bread roll, small piece of cheese, an apple.

Mid afternoon snack - snack bag of dried prunes

Dinner - grilled chicken breast, new potatoes, green beans, carrots. Yoghurt with fruit.

I drink mostly water, with a couple of cups of fruit tea during the day.

That comes in at about 1500 calories a day. Most people will lose weight on 1500 calories a day, without feeling particularly hungry.

[prettypleasewithsugarontop]

You seem to be getting alot for your calories there Jemima, that seems really good and filling. Did you exercise with it?

[gaggiagirl]

jemima that sounds delish and really healthy.

I'm on 1200 a day and can lose a pound a fortnight on that. I excercise daily but I eat what I please one day a week. I'm happy with that but I'm rather tiny so don't need as many calories as most people.
I think I could maintain on 1500.

[prettypleasewithsugarontop]

MFP has given me 1420cals - first on the adgenda this morning is a bowl of porridge, I only have the quaker oats micro stuff but will have without sugar

[gaggiagirl]

Or have a handful of strawberries or raspberries in it?
You could have some sweetener in it too.

[prettypleasewithsugarontop]

I didn't think this through and only have apples in will be getting some of Tescos frozen fruit later on, I used to love fruit and yogurt for breakfast

[gaggiagirl]

I use frozen fruit in mine too.
Its best to do a diet shop so you won't be tempted by naughty foods if you don't have your diet foods in.
I'm treating myself to a count on us meal tonight.

[prettypleasewithsugarontop]

:)

Rejoined MFP and am doing okay today, think I may loosely do slimming world as you seem to be able to eat quite well with it.

[JemimaMuddledUp]

Yes, I did exercise (running 3 times a week plus swimming once a week) but I ate back my exercise calories on top, as MFP recommends.

For breakfast I eat the oats so simple sachets made with semi skimmed milk and with some defrosted frozen berries on top. It is under 250 calories and really yummy.

[yeghoulsandlittledevils]

I like the porridge that comes in a tall cardboard tube, with a scoop.

Salad for packed lunch box:

Basic ingredients: bite sized chunks of tomatoes, sweet peppers or radishes, and avocado; smaller chunks of cucumber etc.

Add your choosen greens: chopped spinach, cooked & cooled or raw; cooked kale; baby gem lettuce whole leaves; any other lettuce, shredded; cooked and cooled green beans/asparagus/brocolli etc.

Add some protein: chopped cheese; sliced boiled egg; tinned tuna or other fish, flaked; hock ham; chopped roast chicken etc.

Optional: dressing (a little olive oil and lemon juice or mild vinegar).

Optional addition: carbs, e.g. whole couscous; pasta; quinoa etc.

[TotallyAddictedToLurking]

yeghoulsandlittledevils what brand is that porridge? Asda used to do one but I haven't seen it for a long time.

It was so useful to have at work, easy to measure so I can count the points (I'm on weight watchers)

[yeghoulsandlittledevils]

Yes, Asda do one (they hide keep it at the end of the cake isle in our local one) but I prefer Flahavan's Irish Quick Oats. Better oats (I think) and the lid is easier to get on and off.