Got an 'Active Life' referral from the GP - what's the betting that I'll have Change4Life pushed on me?

[fuzzpig]

Very pleased the Dr agreed to do the referral - I have a disability that means a regular gym membership would be money (which I don't have!) pretty much wasted, but I really want some help from a specially trained instructor to lose weight and get fitter safely.

I wasn't aware this would also include a dietitian! I don't object to this at all of course, but given all the stuff I've been reading lately admittedly mostly on MN about the 'eat low fat versions/swap sugar for sweeteners' rubbish... I've seen a lot of C4L stuff at the leisure centre, so is this the line I'll be fed? (arf)

I've been sticking to having 'full fat' versions of stuff like cheese, milk etc for a while now and use proper butter (just a lot less of it) rather than spread, and am trying to just have a smaller bit of a treat food rather than buying WeightWatchers mini rolls or low-fat artificial whatever which are so unsatisfying I could eat the lot and still crave cake. It's working for me so far, I'm at least a stone down from my heaviest now, so if I'm told to go low fat/use sweeteners etc... do I just smile and nod? :o

[CharleyDavidson]

You could explain your way of doing things (which is also mine) and risk then having a long explanation of the evils of fat etc.

Or yes, you could smile and nod while in your head thinking 'yeah, yeah, yeah.'

I'd do the latter.

[fuzzpig]

Indeed, I think I probably will!

The only thing I will stand up for, if it comes up, is salt - it was a massive shock to me when I was advised to increase my intake, but it's a common recommendation for people with one of my conditions. I actually found it hard as I'd been brought up thinking salt is evil, so am used to never using it, but I'll definitely explain that as at least it's medically backed up in my case rather than a controversial subject.

[MicronesiaIsMyHome]

I went on an NHS weightloss course earlier this year and the dietician who ran it told us to steer away from anything artificial. It was really helpful and she gave really sensible advice about portion sizes, choosing foods, making meals etc. She talked a lot about managing sugar intake and avoiding hunger dips (ie mid afternoon)

All in all I found her really helpful and I've lost 2 and a half stone this year by following their advice.

[fuzzpig]

That sounds like a really good course micro :) well done on your loss!

[TalkinPeace]

fuzzpig
just nod and smile.

At my gym the dietician lady was firmly in the snacks and low fat camp and loudly told people that I'd fail with using 5:2 to stay lean.
3 years on she admits she was wrong.

[PoppyShakespeare]

yet another study out today confirms that a low fat diet (as opposed to low carb diet) is best for fat loss - it depends what your goals are obviously but if you want to lower your body fat then it seems there is a real link to preventing the fat from going in in the first place

but don't know how this works long term with fat soluble vitamins etc

[fuzzpig]

Ha, glad you got an admission from her :o rather rude that she said you'd fail, guess the training didn't include interpersonal skills!

I did see the Wellbeing lady at the leisure centre a couple of years ago, I remember then she was saying about low fat and all that, so it may well be the same person, in which case I'll be very interested in seeing if there's a change in advice!

I'm not too fussed about dietary advice really, as I know what changes I need to make (and have started to make them, slowly and gradually so they are hopefully sustainable) - it's really the exercise help that I'm asking for, but will obviously go along to any dietary advice sessions they tell me to because I don't want to appear unwilling. IYSWIM.

[chumbler]

you should definitely explain that you'd rather eat "real" food, you'll only get the most out of this help if you're completely honest

good luck!

[fuzzpig]

I'm not particularly increasing fat/decreasing carbs in my diet really, mostly my approach is to eat mostly natural, more veg and less processed food and less added sugar in particular, I'm not counting calories/nutrients etc ATM. But I do avoid stuff like low fat cheese as it's yucky :o

[fuzzpig]

I like that phrase about 'real food' that would be a fairly non-confrontational thing to say :)

[PoppyShakespeare]

yeah I get the impression lots of this advice is aimed at people who don't eat 'real food' but sort of subsist on sausage rolls and lattes or something

it must be so much easier to think in terms of adding vegetables to each meal, adding lean protein, adding walks or cycle rides rather than trying to take things away?

[Lurkedforever1]

Smile and nod or they'll just push harder, if it's one of those misinformed I know best types you could be an Olympic athlete and they'd still push their pet theory onto you.

[fuzzpig]

Indeed Poppy I know I don't do well feeling deprived (childhood issues may have something to do with this but that's a whole other thread) and I know that saying 'right that's it I'm giving up blahblahblah' is destined to fail, so I'm not cutting anything out altogether just trying to gradually change my bad habits. 'Trying' being, as my dad would say, the operative word :o