Two simple rules: no snacking, and keeping an eye on portion size. Want to join me?

[FaceLikeAPairOfTits]

No calorie counting or meal replacements etc. Just going a bit old school and eating less food by not eating between meals and keeping the meals to a reasonable size.

I reckon I'll lose weight this way. Anyone care to join me?

[pippistrelle]

They're good rules, and I'll be getting there myself in a couple of weeks, but I'm kick-starting with some unhealthy crazy crash-dieting. Good luck!

[FaceLikeAPairOfTits]

Ooh, come and find me then, if you haven't wasted away to nothing!

[pippistrelle]

And if I'm not too feeble to tap at a keyboard...

[Babybearsporij]

Agree this is the way to go. I was so sick of tracking everything into MFP and obsessing about food. I've been doing what you said for about 2/3 weeks and I've not weighed myself, but my clothes fit better, my skin is clearer, I'm not obsessing and I'm generally a much nicer person.

Also, only eating when I'm hungry. Sounds ridiculous and so basic, but by tracking and knowing how many calories I've had and how many were "left" for the day, then I was probably eating for the sake of it and to "use up my calories" quite a lot.

Finally, nothing is banned. I've had the odd biscuit etc but only if I fancy it and actually, as I've got further into it, I've realised that 9 times out of 10, I don't actually fancy it, so don't bother.

I'm loving this new me!

[FaceLikeAPairOfTits]

Babybear, you're an inspiration! I can't imagine not feeling like eating a biscuit.

I was inspired by the 'everyone was thin in the 50s' thread, which made me really think about portion size and the fact we weren't eating ALL THE TIME.

Glad it's going well for you. Do you plan to get on the scales at some point?

[WhiskyandRed]

I’d like to join please.

I used to be in a pattern of: diet till I’m thin, then start eating erratically again, then hate myself for being fat and keeping hating myself more and more until... I’d start a diet again. Really want to break that pattern.

I’m now at the point where I’m as big as I’ve ever been — or actually bigger — but I don’t hate myself and I don’t spiral into feelings of doom and despair when I see a photograph of myself. I’m still eating really erratically, though, and I’d like to change that.

Three reasonable meals, with no snacks, sounds like a good plan to me. Let’s be civilised!

[FaceLikeAPairOfTits]

Welcome Whisky, all very civilised in here.

Yes, I'm totally with you on the gaining and losing nonsense. I just want food to take up less room in my mind, so I'm hoping these simple rules will help with that.

[WhiskyandRed]

Thanks Face. In the spirit of not thinking too much about food, I’m not going to tell you what I had for dinner ... but it was a plateful and I didn’t snack before or after. Have since been out for a run (week 2 of C25K) and feeling really good on it.

Hope you had a good day too.

[FaceLikeAPairOfTits]

Oh yes, I don’t want this to be one of those threads where people list their weight and everything they eat. We’re trying to get away from that.

I did well yesterday, no eating between meals at all and didn’t eat all my dinner. Today may be more of a challenge as I’m working from home and the corner shop is a temptation!

[BelfastBloke]

You are describing the 'No-S' diet:

'No sweets, No snacks, No seconds. Except (sometimes) on days beginning with S'.

The diet works BECAUSE of its simplicity and lack of 'counting'. Check out its website.

[FaceLikeAPairOfTits]

Yes, I know about that way of eating, but this is simpler. Not having seconds isn’t really portion control for me, as I never have seconds anyway. Also we can eat sweets whatever day we like.

[FaceLikeAPairOfTits]

Also, and I don’t want to sound rude, the point of this is that we’re not looking at diet websites.

[WhiskyandRed]

I know the no s diet too, have tried it before and found it fairly successful, but prefer this as the focus is not on rules but self-regulation. It’s harder, but likely to be a longer term solution.

Had 3 meals of varying sizes today, depending on level of hunger — dinner was generous again, but that was at 5.30 and I’m not feeling any urge to snack now. Honestly haven’t even thought about food except now as I reflect on the day. Also went for another run — still week 2 of C25K.

[FaceLikeAPairOfTits]

Glad that C25K is going well, I did it a couple of years ago but struggle to find the motivation to run in the evenings and my work hours now mean I don't have time in the mornings.

I ended up under an avalanche of biscuits yesterday, but I don't feel too bad about it.

I'm getting back in touch with the feeling of hunger, which is good. Here's to a snack-free day!

[WhiskyandRed]

That’s really good Face not feeling bad about it is sometimes the hardest thing to crack.

I just feel like there’s so much stress around food in my life as it is. I have two small, picky eaters and it’s difficult finding meals to suit everyone. (No way I can make more than one meal at a time, so everyone eats the same!) It feels really good to stop stressing about what I’m eating at least.

Was left feeling a bit unsatisfied tonight as didn’t like the dinner I’d made, though, so didn’t eat most of it and then had a piece of toast with marmalade afterwards. Oh well, just won’t make that again. No-one else much liked it either!

[FaceLikeAPairOfTits]

Yes, the self-loathing, “fuck it, I’ve had a Jaffa cake so I may as well have three pork pies and a Vienetta” doesn’t help does it!

I didn’t feel bad about the biscuits yesterday because I had them all in one go and hadn’t had any breakfast, so I decided they were just a breakfast replacement.

At least last night you didn’t eat a FULL meal then have toast afterwards. I find not eating after dinner really helps me feel I have it under control.

Are you weighing yourself? I’m weighing on Monday mornings. Because I’m not going for this in a hardcore way I’m not expecting huge losses every week, I’ll be very happy with a steady downward trend.

[WhiskyandRed]

I’m not weighing myself, because I just associate that with lots of unhealthy thinking (I can get quite competitive!). I’m going to base my progress on how much of my wardrobe I can actually get into — at the moment, not much.

Today has been a bit of a blip because of all the children in need bake sales...

[FaceLikeAPairOfTits]

I put on a coat yesterday that I haven’t work for about a year, I could barely fasten it.

[WhiskyandRed]

Oh I know that feeling...currently rotating 3 sack dresses because they’re the only things that still fit. Doesn’t stop the tights from doing that ping and starting to roll down when I walk fast, though.

Just back from a run — bit eerie on a dark and quiet Sunday night. Feeling like I have more energy and getting into the swing of it, but do feel like I’m wearing a weighted jacket round my middle because that’s where I hold all my weight.

I think this weekend’s gone ok eating wise. Had 1.5 chocolate biscuits today (pretty restrained) and yesterday put a spoonful of peanut butter in my mouth without thinking. But otherwise no snacking.

Apart from weighing, Face, do you have any goals?

[Mynydd]

Me please. I'm managing the no snacking bit ok but could do with better portion control. I'm going to put a little post script just for myself: no polishing off the toddlers uneaten food. I hate hate hate waste, but I'm not a human bin. Must stop that!

[FaceLikeAPairOfTits]

Hello and welcome Mynydd. Yes, step away from the leftovers!

My goal (apart from losing actual poundage) is to feel calmer and less guilty about food. I want to wear clothes I like rather than just what I can fit into that is vaguely flattering.

I think I need to get exercising. I’ve always carried weight across my whole body, but since having a baby (who is now 8, ahem) I have no waist at all, plus an overhang. Yuck.

[Tatapie]

Ooh can I join, I need a Monday morning plan ! Sounds civilised but (apart from the willpower ) effort free! life's just too busy to log every mouthful and can't be doing separate meals for me! 3 x sensible / healthy meals ( high in veg) and no snacks. Cutting down on booze too. Will weigh in after my cuppa!

[Oorwulliesbucket]

Hi can I join you guys, I am eating terribly at the moment, need to get back on track.

[FiveShelties]

Can I join too please. I have been gaining and losing the same 7 pounds for ages. I am over logging calories and weighing food and then going the opposite way and just eating and eating. I regularly eat something I think I should not eat and then eat silly for the rest of the week to start yet again on Monday. Too stupid!

[pontiouspilates]

I'm in, I'm going to give myself a third rule- to eat slower. I eat super fast and I am sure this leads to me reaching for the second and third portion!