Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

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

57 replies

OhDearWhyAmIFatterly · 30/01/2021 22:09

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???

OP posts:
CommunistLegoBloc · 31/01/2021 15:08

Came on to say Mrs Hawkins does this in A Far Cry From Kensington but someone had beaten me to it!

Interested to know if it works in reality

JorisBonson · 31/01/2021 15:12

OP are you me???

In an exactly the same boat. Try to stick to 16:8 but not seeing much. Try to eat dinner early, have a light lunch and black coffee with sweetener in the morning.

Exercise wise I'm trying to push myself to even do 15 minutes a day - stupid Zumba videos that I can't do are good!

Original poster
OhDearWhyAmIFatterly · 31/01/2021 17:02

@jorisbonson I'm glad it's not just me!!
@countess I agree the walk would be easier, I will definitely try....

OP posts:

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Weight management
Original poster
OhDearWhyAmIFatterly · 01/02/2021 20:52

Omg tonight is hard..... I've eaten lunch and dinner but now all I want to eat is ANYTHING PROCESSED!!!! crisps, biscuits, chocolate.....
My 8 hour window ended at 8.45
Any tips on how to get through the hungry evenings?

OP posts:
PurpleDaisies · 01/02/2021 21:07

Are you hungry or bored? If you’re actually, properly hungry eat something high in protein. If you’re bored-distraction!

Original poster
OhDearWhyAmIFatterly · 01/02/2021 21:24

I think I'm just craving the sugar/white flour because I know its there.... Also have been overeating for months so I probably am hungry because my stomach has been stretched to the size of an elephants!!!!

OP posts:
Sorrytodisturbyou0 · 01/02/2021 21:25

I lost a lot of weight doing this a few years ago - order what I want and only eat half. It’s horrendous wastage really but it worked for me and I wasn’t very imaginative when eating out (nor did I cook much at home). Obviously days are a little different now and my metabolism isn’t what it once was but I think there are worse strategies (make sure you take a multivitamin though)

Original poster
OhDearWhyAmIFatterly · 01/02/2021 21:34

Thanks I hadn't tgought of taking a vitamin. Do they do vitamins that taste of donuts???

OP posts:
Sorrytodisturbyou0 · 01/02/2021 21:46

🤣 not as far as I’m aware although I did get some natures bounty women’s chewables from Sainsbury’s that tasted pretty lovely!

Trisolaris · 01/02/2021 21:50

Julie Andrews says that she did this in her autobiography, was advised to do it when she put on weight during the run of one of her shows and it worked.

NeverDropYourMoonCup · 01/02/2021 22:23

Well, it worked for DP.

Until he'd have half as much on his side plate and still leave half...

Very effective at training himself into a full blown ED.

Original poster
OhDearWhyAmIFatterly · 01/02/2021 22:40

Well if Julie Andrews can do it then I'm in Grin
And no way I'm anywhere near any ED, my problem is most definitely knowing when to stop eating Confused

OP posts:
Original poster
OhDearWhyAmIFatterly · 07/02/2021 23:51

Failed
Absolutely gutted. I just have no will power and I'm so low so I just eat.

OP posts:
Youngatheart00 · 08/02/2021 07:42

@OhDearWhyAmIFatterly you’ve summed up exactly how I feel!

PurpleDaisies · 08/02/2021 07:49

What do you mean “failed”?

You don’t have to have a “perfect” diet to lose weight and a dodgy meal/day/start doesn’t mean it’s all over.

What did you decide to do regarding eating and exercise in the end? Maybe it needs tweaking to fit better with your daily life?

Original poster
OhDearWhyAmIFatterly · 08/02/2021 08:00

I managed 4 days of 16:8 then small meals.
On the other 3 I just ate crap. I literally don't know how to stop

OP posts:
ageingdisgracefully · 08/02/2021 08:07

I think the hardest thing to do when you're trying to lose weight is not feeling full after a meal.

FWIW I also do the "half portion" thing, especially if I'm cooking for others. I'm a veteran calorie counter though. I think that's the key - to enjoy what you eat whilst stiil remaining mindful of calories.

I get the evening munchies as well so leave space for a snack. I also work on the premise that as long as what I eat is mainly healthyish, there's no need to sweat the small stuff. I also take sugar in tea but I've cut it right down. I may, one day, be able to go completely without.

I'll have the odd creme egg as long as I count it in to my allowance. Same for takeaways. I'll have a curry, but it lasts me three days.

On the whole I think getting - and staying - slim is a marathon not a sprint. You'll need to find a way of eating that you can stick with in the long term.

And if you have a bad day - don't worry. Shit happens. Some days are easier than other. This time of year I find is much harder because of the cold and the dark and being stuck inside with all that temptation.

You can do it op.

Original poster
OhDearWhyAmIFatterly · 08/02/2021 08:31

Thank you for that kind encouragement. I've just stood on the scales and I've lost nothing. Which is really demotivating seeing as I was pretty much starving for 4 nights....

OP posts:
PurpleDaisies · 08/02/2021 09:03

I never lose until at least a week, often more like a fortnight on starting a new diet. Then it’s usually a big drop followed by a steady downward trend with some spiky up and down readings.

What are you actually eating? If you’re really hungry, eating something high in protein worth

PurpleDaisies · 08/02/2021 09:04

Sorry, pressed post too soon.

Eating high protein foods keeps me fuller and less likely to reach for the toast!

ageingdisgracefully · 08/02/2021 09:10

Maybe ditch the scales for now and go on your clothes/ how you feel?

It may take a while for something to actually show on the scales.

Or maybe you just need to be a bit more focussed? Do you have MFP?

Original poster
OhDearWhyAmIFatterly · 08/02/2021 09:21

I'll try the protein 1st to drop the hunger thanks. I was not eating loads on the 4 days I managed 16:8. But the evenings were hard....
Maybe ill not worry about the scales for a while and see. I've got a million tins of soup left from 1st lockdown so I might try eating one of those for lunch and a small tea instead...
I don't think it helps that I'm feeling so low

OP posts:
Kez200 · 08/02/2021 09:21

If you are still putting on weight it might only be enough to keep you still. Which is also a good thing, of course.

Ive only ever lost a lot with a lot of exercise built in. I went running back in those days. It helped me eat less too as I couldnt eat the quantity I had once I had to go out running.

Pkus once you start to lose it can be a motivator. Apart from the very last stone, the first stone I found hardest, although in theory it was the easiest to lose.

Original poster
OhDearWhyAmIFatterly · 08/02/2021 09:22

Oh and I was doing MFP. It's amazing how little food adds up!!

OP posts:
Original poster
OhDearWhyAmIFatterly · 08/02/2021 09:24

Yup excersise is how I've done it before. But the thought of leaving the house at the min is a bit too much. Completely ridiculous I know but I'm sure it's covid/lockdown related so will get better once we are all a bit more normal

OP posts: