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Original poster

How do I stop eating (took a break from diet for Christmas).

41 replies

MellowNewt · 04/01/2026 12:34

Have managed to lost 50 pounds through diet and exercise (no jabs). I had developed a really bad relationship with food. I wfh most days so just had an absolute obsession with Deliveroo as a way to stimulate myself. Coffee and pastry for breakfast, pasta for lunch etc.

I actually was surprised with how this food obsessing actually went away quite naturally when I started being more mindful with eating.

I have been maintaining since June. I don’t really follow a diet plan but make sure to make good choices without too much hardship- ie eggs for breakfast.

However, I told myself if I could be good until Dec 20th I would allow myself to indulge over Christmas. And indulge I did. Mostly on cheese and sweet treats (loads of bakers in the family). Plus wine.

It’s somewhat concerning because I genuinely had come to prefer healthier choices. But now I feel like I’m back to my old ways. Two days in a row I’ve said I’ll be good and straight away I’ve got up and had Yule log for breakfast.

How can I get back to normal?

I know I haven’t completely fallen off the wagon as we have a fair amount of Xmas chocolate left and I’m not bothered. Old me would have demolished the lot. I just don’t fancy it.

I definitely have gained weight as my ribs are no longer so prominent. But I still fit into my jeans. For now.

Any advice?

OP posts:
ConnieHeart · 04/01/2026 12:58

Stop telling yourself you'll be "good". Take charge of your eating and stop telling yourself you can't have something. It just makes you want it even more

Original poster
MellowNewt · 04/01/2026 12:57

ForLoveNotMoney · 04/01/2026 12:55

I think you need to start with a bin bag and ditch all the temptation. Once it’s gone you can’t eat it. Do you have healthy alternatives in that you’d usual snack on? For me, a good reset is a a decent fast of 18 hours or more. Have a healthy breakfast and lunch then fast. Nice bath before bed and I wake up feeling less gross and ready to be kind to my body again.

You can do this!

I became obsessed with pickled veg and pineapple. Or mustard and chicken/ham. And Greek yoghurt with fruit and honey. It just seems so unappetising to me now 😩

OP posts:
Original poster
MellowNewt · 04/01/2026 12:56

I do think something is out of whack. I remember when I first started dieting I would get headaches, light headedness and hunger pangs constantly. After the first week or so that pretty much went.

OP posts:
ForLoveNotMoney · 04/01/2026 12:55

I think you need to start with a bin bag and ditch all the temptation. Once it’s gone you can’t eat it. Do you have healthy alternatives in that you’d usual snack on? For me, a good reset is a a decent fast of 18 hours or more. Have a healthy breakfast and lunch then fast. Nice bath before bed and I wake up feeling less gross and ready to be kind to my body again.

You can do this!

Original poster
MellowNewt · 04/01/2026 12:53

youalright · 04/01/2026 12:48

This is something I struggle with especially with so much Christmas food still left in the house. Im waiting until its gone to start but if you're wanting to start now I find looking at a photo of myself at my heaviest helps.

I definitely feel heavier which is freaking me out a little. I feel less comfortable in my skin.

There is just so much food left. I bought a lot of treats but we all feel ill with a cold so a lot of chocolate coins, shortbread is still around. I’m weirdly able to resist those.

But I can’t turn down a stodgy meal and pudding right now. I was happily eating soups and salads before Christmas 😩

OP posts:
RosesAndHellebores · 04/01/2026 12:51

Can you go cold turkey for 36/48 hours and cut out refined carbs, wheat and sugar. Eat clean for a couple of days to stop the spikes.

Original poster
MellowNewt · 04/01/2026 12:50

Isittimeformynapyet · 04/01/2026 12:48

If you're anything like me, once the fuck-it button has been pressed it could take me years to recover the right mindset to get back on track. This is why the jabs have been a godsend. I'm perfectly ok with people calling it cheating. It's that or nothing for me, but big admiration who can do it the hard way.

I absolutely would do jabs but now I have a healthy bmi (while it lasts). I have had serious issues with my gallbladder (coincided with pregnancy) in the past so that’s why I decided not to go on the jabs. It took me years to get back to normal and it’s just not something I could gamble and health truly is wealth I’ve come to learn.

Obviously gallbladder side effects are rare but I just can’t risk it!

Glad you found something that worked. I really can’t get myself worked up about people doing what is best for them x

OP posts:
Meadowfinch · 04/01/2026 12:50

I bought a lot of festive foods for the Christmas & new year period. Chocolates, biscuits, cream, smoked salmon, xmas pud, mince pies I was gifted a lot of cheeses in wax.

I have one box of chocs and some cheese left. I'll eat the chocs in January, the cheese gradually over the next few months.

My weekly shop has reverted to meat, fish, veg, fruit and rice. I don't buy anything else. We'll just switch back to our normal diet and any weight gained will soon disappear with a bit of exercise.

youalright · 04/01/2026 12:48

This is something I struggle with especially with so much Christmas food still left in the house. Im waiting until its gone to start but if you're wanting to start now I find looking at a photo of myself at my heaviest helps.

Isittimeformynapyet · 04/01/2026 12:48

If you're anything like me, once the fuck-it button has been pressed it could take me years to recover the right mindset to get back on track. This is why the jabs have been a godsend. I'm perfectly ok with people calling it cheating. It's that or nothing for me, but big admiration who can do it the hard way.

Original poster
MellowNewt · 04/01/2026 12:45

My appetite has definitely increased. I became used to filling up on coffee/tea and now it doesn’t touch the sides. I’m starving again with mins

OP posts:
ChazsBrilliantAttitude · 04/01/2026 12:43

Remove the unhealthy options and batch cook and pre prep all your meals for the next couple of days so you only go into the kitchen to grab your pre prepped food.

When your stocks of prep prepped options are running down prep the next batch straight after your evening meal when you are not hungry.

Set yourself up to succeed as willpower is overrated.

Original poster
MellowNewt · 04/01/2026 12:40

That compulsive shove food in the gov seems to be back a little and it’s so scary. I genuinely had come to a place where I was choosing to eat soups and salads out of actual preference. But all that’s gone. I’m worried the slippery slope is about to take hold

OP posts:
Original poster
MellowNewt · 04/01/2026 12:39

WallaceinAnderland · 04/01/2026 12:37

How did you start last time?

Hmm I just went cold turkey. I was so sick of how I looked.

OP posts:
WallaceinAnderland · 04/01/2026 12:37

How did you start last time?

InOverMyHead84 · 04/01/2026 12:36

Look to win before you begin.

Get rid of the temptations (Festive unhealthy food) in the house, leave it easier to make good choices and less convenient to make bad ones.

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