Diet idea.... Could I just halve the portion?

[OhDearWhyAmIFatterly]

OK bear with me....
I have put on nearly 2 stone since this whole lockdown thing. I NEED to loose weight, and fast.
Absolutely nothing fits me except pj's and tracksuit bottoms. I'm pleased I'm working from home because I would have nothing to wear!
I've done IF before with success, but being at home is really stopping me from being able to fast or diet as the kids and DH all eat too and I have no self control.
So I though, why don't I just eat half of everything at every meal?
So half a sugar in my coffee, one slice of toast instead of 2 for breakie, half a sarnie....
What do you think?
Could this work? Will I loose weight?
I think I could stick at this as ill still be eating just less???

You will be eating half the calories. That should have an impact!

I don’t think that sounds necessarily the way to go though. I’d train yourself for no sugar in tea. Work out what the right size portion of each thing is and eat that. You will probably end up eating more protein, more vegetables and fewer carbs. It sounds quite impractical and not very filling to eat half a sandwich for lunch.

I wouldn't halve the vegetables or the protein source. The carbohydrates yes definitely

It could definitely work as long as what you're eating doesn't exceed the amount of calories you need in a day. I suggest logging every single thing you eat and drink to see the reality of what you're taking in and the calories involved.

If you have half of everything then you will have half the calories, and as long as you don't usually eat double your requirements you will lose weight. I tend to do 16:8 because as soon as I have one thing to eat that is me off grazing for the day. Fortunately the sight of family grazing doesn't make me as hungry. If I can delay that first meal as long as possible I am fine.

But you could still be eating too many calories so whilst it may slow things down you will still be putting on weight. You need to know how many calories you’re consuming. Mfp is your friend and try and get back to intermittent fasting, switch the hours so it’s fits in with your family better so you’re less tempted.

Could you for instance with your dinner half your usual portion but then add lots of non starchy vegetables or salad, so that your still technically eating the same size portion, getting lots of nutrients but there extremely low in calories.

It would be far easier to just calorie count. Eating half a sandwich will leave you yearning for the other half and feeling hungry. Swapping it for poached eggs and a few slices of ham will probably be about half the calories but leave you feeling more full.

I used to do this in my twenties! It works. Until I had DC I only ever ate half a sandwich. Or I would leave half the bread at any rate.

Probably easier to do 16:8 though. Or cut your sugar intake.

The problem is my self control.... I have None, and I'm also comfort eating as I'm feeling low (aren't we all!) can't get out and have a good walk either at the min as the home schooling /working/looking after new puppy is leaving me no time.
I think you're right, only half the cars but veg etc still eat.
I know once I get started I'll be OK, it's just at the min the white carbs I'm addicted to!

I could do the 16:8 I think as I don't need to eat breakie. My downfall is I have to have coffee, and I drink it with oat milk and a sugar so that will break my fast?

The main character in the novel A Far Cry From Kensington did this! Not sure it would work in real life though.

Instead or half a sandwich I would do an open sandwich with one slice of bread and pile on salad to then eat with knife and fork.
I would have one toast for breakfast but add an egg.
Soup is nice for lunch instead of more Bread.

To some extent, but it’s easier if you are more selective instead of halving everything.
For instance, a plate of meat, veg, and potatoes, eat the same size veg portions because they will help fill you up without having any calories to speak of but cut the potatoes right down.
In general keep the veg, keep the protein because it helps you feel full, lose a lot of the starch especially if it’s refined carbohydrates and any fatty sauces, avoid sugar as much as possible- you could always go down gradually from half a sugar to quarter as your taste buds adapt.
You can lose a lot of calories without being hungry or making a big difference to the meal- I am in the same position in that I am trying to lose weight while having family meals and I am not finding it that hard.
We had home made pizza tonight so I skipped the garlic bread and had a marinara with no mozzarella. I think it worked better than half a pizza would have done!

If self control is an issue, eating half a sandwich is going to be torture. You’re better eating something else that’s really tasty, filling and healthy instead.

@PurpleDaisys self control is a huge issue so if the kids are all eating something yummy and carby I will definitely be eating it too!
That's why I tgought maybe allowing myself a bit might work...

I would m have a whole sandwich I really enjoyed and cut down elsewhere rather than try and eat half a sandwich, or just have them less often when I really wanted one as a treat.

It’s your decision though-you could try it and see I guess. I know it wouldn’t work for me.

I’ve been eating off a side plate since the start of the month and along with fast800 have lost 11lbs of my 20lbs lockdown weight.
I’m also post menopausal so it’s meant to be more difficult.

11lbs in 30 days????
Wowzers, that's what I need!
What fast800?

Hi op, I think if you think it will work for you, then go for it! It's really important to "own" the way you decide to lose weight ifyswim.

Fwiw (I have very bad self control) I have decided to miss out entire meals instead, as I find that once I start eating, I am in danger of carrying on, so it's best if I restrict eating opportunities altogether ifyswim, but when I eat, I will enjoy it and have a proper Neal, without going over the top. And I will have one day off a week when I eat more or less what I want (without going mad).

So six days a week I will not be eating after 8pm at night and not eating until 11.30 am (healthy brunch) , maybe a piece of fruit at 4pm, and dinner at 7pm.

Best of luck to you however you decide to do it!

Meal not Neal! (Whose Neal? )

@tobleronehouses What a great way to think about it! Yes I need to own it!
And eat less chocolate and crisps...

I’d do some healthy calorie swaps.
Think bread for danish, usually the danish has 50kcal per slice.
I’d change regular Mayo to fat free, it’s lower.
White rice to cauliflower rice.
Loads of info and other suggestions online.

Oh and 2 litres min of water a day. No caffeine after lunch. My fitness pal to record and plan

This works for me

Do you exercise, op?
I have lost 9lb since the 3rd of January and it’s been a combination of eating less and doing some exercise (most often a brisk walk of about 6k steps) every day. My weight was stable for years but I noticed to my horror I had put on nearly a stone since the pandemic began and the main factor seemed to be that I have been more sedentary. I think upping my exercise makes a huge difference to my metabolism and to what I want to eat, rather than mainly being about burning calories.

I managed to last until 1.30pm until I ate yey!
Also had a much smaller portion.
With regards the exercise, I'm not doing anything at the min and completely unmotivated to even go for a walk.
I do suffer a bit with low level low mood and one of the ways it manifests itself is over eating and not lookimg after myself. I even find excuses not to shower as it is such a palava (so I tell myself) to wash and dry my hair. I know that makes me sounds gross, I'm not it's just a stupid control thing....

I completely understand that.
I find motivating myself for a run is harder because then there’s all the getting changed and showering to faff around with too. It’s why brisk walks are working really well for me at the moment- there’s no need to shower or wear special clothes, just grab shoes and coat and quick walk round the block.
It’s win win because exercise becomes another way to medicate the low mood in the same way as food is, so it gives you another option when you are feeling down.