Healthy eating thread, NOT for weight loss?

[NancyEspana]

I know weight can be an indicator of health and it isn't something we should just ignore, whether we are overweight, underweight, healthy BMI but not comfortable with our weight or with a big waist to height ratio etc.

BUT, there are already countless weight loss threads on here, which are fantastic help sometimes, but for me, can sometimes be counterproductive. Not to mention me feeling as if I have been bombarded with diets, slimming clubs, books on weight loss, magazine articles on the way to get beach body ready, since before I can remember. I think I have diet fatigue !

I have been looking for a thread on here for just healthy eating / healthy habits. I really don't want to know what weight anyone else is, or how many lbs they have lost that week, what their BMI is or even what their measurements are.

But, I would really like a place to discuss healthy eating and healthy habits, like exercise, not too much alcohol, drinking more water, getting enough fruit and veg etc, without getting out the measuring tape or weighing in every week.

I appreciate, I sound like a right fussy fecker , but I don't think I'm the only one who must feel this way. But, I haven't come across any recent threads like this.

Would anyone like to join me on here?

Full disclosure: if I so happen to lose weight by changing my habits and making healthy choices, that would be a welcome side effect, but I would be equally happy if I maintained my weight but just made healthier choices and maybe changed shape a bit if I got more exercise etc.

Posting here as I don't know where else to post it basically and also because I think it will disappear from here if nobody responds because they think I'm an arse for posting .

Followed you over from the plus size thread, Nancy, just giving you a little bump

I don't think you are an arse and I would be happy to join in a thread like that.

I need to lose weight for health purposes and am finding it near impossible as I hit 45. I should shift a stone and a half but would be happy with a stone. The temptation to do a pretty fierce crash diet is strong but I've done it twice in the last 2 years and ended up heavier.

My boom or bust in/off attitude and failure to moderate is awful. Gentle sensible eating for health and well-being is what I need. I like running and swimming and yoga but don't focus enough in the positives outside of weight. I am also very results driven so this failure to shift weight sees me despondent very quickly.

So my first questions going to be about weight bearing exercise. I don't like the gym (although don't hate a class) and can't create a habit of doing a YouTube video or similar because I just don't enjoy it. I want to do it as I know the importance of its health benefits but need to find it in a form I enjoy and will sustain.

This sounds like a great idea for a thread. I've not been taking care of myself generally of late, and it's so easy to get into the cycle of feel crap, so drink wine, eat chocolate and don't go on a run, so feel more crap, so drink more wine, eat more chocolate and still don't go on a run.

It really frustrates me how easily I seem to forget that the things that are good for me MAKE ME FEEL BETTER!

In short, I'm in.

I have severe asthma so my main aim is to get through winter with as few colds as possible and minimal further scarring on my lungs. I'm going to try and do that by flooding my body with healthy food, yoga and walking when the weather is good.

For full disclosure, I'm also trying to lose weight but I am doing that through eating healthy and I promise never to mention weight and measurements. Can I join?

So my first questions going to be about weight bearing exercise. I don't like the gym (although don't hate a class) and can't create a habit of doing a YouTube video or similar because I just don't enjoy it. I want to do it as I know the importance of its health benefits but need to find it in a form I enjoy and will sustain.

If you don’t mind classes, body pump could be a good one to try.

healthy options steamed veg
grill meat instead of rying it
dont deep fry if you want chips iether use an air fryer or do a version of baked wedges in the oven
avoid ready meals they are full of fat and sugar
cook from scratch
go for fruit based desserts instead of pudding or cake based ones
drink plenty of water
cut down on sugar in hot drinks
use semi skimmed milk
eat lower fat cheeses
fill up plates with veg or salad before the main part ie salad then ham or meat
boiled or scrambled eggs instead of fried eggs
cut portions gradually so you dont notice the food getting smaller
have a healthy breakfast as this stops you snacking mid morning, light lunch as this stops the energy crash mid afternoon, dinner not too late at night as this gives your body time to digest it before you go to bed
all just common sense really it stands to reason if you eat huge portions of unhealthy food you are not going to lose weight

swimming is a good low impact toner exercise

Just the thread I need. I’m probably slightly underweight so definitely do not want to lose weight however, my diet and non existent exercise means I’m actually really unhealthy despite looking it iyswim?! So I’ll be following for tips!

I have suggested that MN has a Healthy Lifestyle section before so think this is a great thread.

I try to stay healthy by starting my day with fruit or veg, and that incentivises me to keep going. So yesterday I had stewed apples in my porridge, plums this morning. My favourite is poached egg on spinach.

Ive switched to herbal teas after 6 on weekdays which sounds boring but it cut out a lot of caffeine and alcohol so i think im healthier for it. The flavours are nice too.

Hurray! I'm excited to have some company. Love these tips and ideas^^.

I am currently on holiday, so starting smallish and not having anything sweet on weekdays.

I have been doing yoga and made some great progress over the summer with it. I can do a passable plough with the ear pinch thing and can stand on my hands in forward fold - super smug . But it really took time every day and three classes to see any tangible results. It's so expensive as well! I was spending £30 per week which is outrageous .

I might cut down on yoga and start swimming instead. It's cheaper and they have a creche so I can bring dc, leave him while I have a swim and then go back and either bring him in for a swim too or just home.

Thanks for the bump womble!

I am trying to be kind to myself and part of that is eating well and with no guilt. Rebelfit is good at breaking down the ideas that slimming clubs leave us with and I was so tempted to do his Mission O recently but wasn’t in the right headspace.
I am trying to walk the dogs at least once a day instead of making OH do it and I am cooking more and enjoying eating my meals instead of just looking in the fridge for junk.

I'm in! Will update when I can talk about food

I'm a long way from headstands Nancy. But you never know. I go to a yoga class once a week but do yoga at home most days. I only started 6 weeks ago so I have a long way to go but I'm really enjoying it.

I'm trying to eat a plant based diet, just for health - no ethical or environment guilt, which is just as well because at least once a week I lose the will to eat any more veg and have chicken instead.

You and me both @baguetteaboutit. People who do headstands are just showing off. Ditto full wheel. I don't even want to do that...ahem... .

@MrsPnut I hadn't heard of Rebelfit! Looks really interesting, thanks for that.

Welcome @buckeejit ! Come back when you can.

I have never even heard of full wheel, let alone tried it!

@purpledaisies

It's like the bridge you probably did as a kid in gymnastics I wish I could do it, but I'm nowhere near. One day maybe!

Please may I join? I do want to lose weight but I cannot be fagged with counting calories, protein, carbs, fibre and god knows what else. So I want to focus on healthy eating and exercise.

I will eat lots of fruit and veg.
I will walk a lot.
I will use my gym membership.
I will make dinner as soon as I get home instead of eating crisps/junk.

You're very welcome cheddar! Yes, I'm going to sign up to a gym too, but just for the pool to begin with. Yes to fruit and veg and proper, home cooked meals, instead of junk. That's come up a few times I think. I need to cook / prep more and fewer packets .

Great idea for a thread. I'm not overweight really, a bit more than I'm completely happy with, but I'm not exercising or eating healthily enough. So following this thread might give me some incentive to look after myself better!

I would like to join if I can. I am 3 months post partum and now that I'm a mum of 2 I have fallen into a trap of eating crap because I'm so tired, but none of it is food that provides energy. Keen to get tips where u can. At the moment I really need to stop eating uneaten toddler food, it's my down fall.

Hi kittlesticks and ballyhoo!

Yes, I too am guilty of hoovering up the toddler leftovers! My plan, when we get back from holiday is to revolutionise, (yes, revolutionise. Dramatic? Moi?), my meal planning.

I'm going to start making something for our meals which can be done in advance, so then I can eat with the dcs and there will be some left for DH. Otherwise, I end up eating double dinners, as I eat what the kids don't, which means their leftovers PLUS whatever is in the pasta pan, or whatever, after I've served them theirs.

Then I cook something else for DH and me, which I also eat! That really is not good for any of us, as cooking twice means I don't plan all that well, so frequently, nobody is getting a nice meal. The kids get hummus or pasta with cheese, DH and I have curry made with a Spice Tailor sachet. If I just made one nice, completely home cooked meal, I bet we'd all be more satisfied and I wouldn't feel the need to eat twice of an evening.

I definitely rely too much on processed food at the moment, which I would like to stop doing. I bet if I had to bake all my own biscuits, I wouldn't eat half as many!

I'm impressed with your yoga skills. I'm working my way through Dedicate from Yoga With Adrienne. My biggest issue is balancing it. It seems I can do either eating heathily, exercising or giving up alcohol but not at the same time!

Hey everyone... waves... I thought I’d stop by. I really want to be in a position of feeling fit and strong which I currently don’t which I would like to make my aim. I work pretty long hours and I commute so I don’t tend to get home until at least 8.00pm which makes exercise hard ( although I don’t make it a priority ). When I’m tired I eat crap.... in fact I’m quite an emotional eater. I’ve done most diets and I’m resisting the urge to do another one. I’m very entrenched in “ diet think” but I genuinely don’t think they work long term. I have a book on intuitive eating which I’m going to try and tackle. I have an idea about food planning that I started but didn’t finish which maybe I can get off the ground. I need recipes which are fast obviously or can be prepared somewhat in advance. I’m going to think about food rules for me which aren’t going to constitute a diet ( if I read the damn book I would have an idea). I’m also in perimenopause so feel all over the place mentally.... it’s a tough old time. I want to feel good about myself.

Oh cool Wilderness. How far into it are you? I never seem to get past day with hers, as I always get disturbed doing yoga in my house, so tend to pick and choose the shorter ones and do my longer sessions in classes. I've heard True is meant to be amazing! I'd love to do it. I could probably find the time and should stop making excuses for myself. If I did that along with swimming (which will save time as I can bring DS with me) I bet I'd feel great.

No sweet treats for me this week, except maybe one thing on Halloween. Not rubbish sweets, just a piece of homemade something or other. I grew up in Ireland, so Halloween is quite a big thing for our family. Not the very commercialised aspects or T or Ting, but we do get together, make costumes and have a meal and family games. My sister is travelling to our holiday cottage especially .