What buggers up your weight loss plans??

[partyatthepalace]

I REALLY need to loose some weight. What’s happened before is I get going - all good - then I derail myself by making super shit decisions, like eating endless takeaways when I’m doing horrendous hours. This time, I am trying to think of the bumps I will hit in advance so I can plan for them - but I don’t think I’m even aware of the half of it, so I’d love to know what other people think knackers it for them - and maybe we can exchange learning points?!

Stress and not preparing food. I think if I prepared food I could probably deal with the stress better too. But it becomes a bit of a cycle for me!

I've noticed a direct link between my hormonal cycle and my eating habits. For the first 10 or so days after my period (oestrogen surge) I am more interested in my appearance, sex etc and less hungry, so I find it fairly easy to eat healthily and not snack or eat crap. At other end of my cycle (oestrogen dip) the only thing on my mind is chocolate biscuits, cake and stodge - any good intentions go out of the window. I can set my watch by it every single month.

I have always resisted having strict rules around food. That was fine in my 20s when I played competitive sports and cycled everywhere as a form of transport, especially when I didn't live with a man and therefore didn't eat much as an evening meal. Shacking up was the first mistake for my weight. In my 30s I had times when I put on weight but managed it.
Lockdowns have been the devil for my weight. Not playing sports, not commuting anywhere, working from my kitchen in 2020. In lockdown 3 I realised I was constantly craving more food, as a reaction to stress. My job is incredibly stressful, high responsibility, low autonomy so was wanting that comfort all the time..
I've succumbed to rules. I'm 4 weeks in. No sugar, no flour, no sweeteners, no rice, no potatoes. No flour rules out bread, pasta, and pastry. After the first 4 days I've not had any cravings. I've no idea how I'm going to manage once social eating starts up (Easter, pubs, celebrations) as I can eat all the carbs or no carbs. I've no idea if I can just have chocolate on Easter Sunday then stop.

@partyatthepalace honestly I didn't have the problem before my mid twenties as I lived in the middle of nowhere so had to drive to a takeaway! It kind of took away the lazy aspect lol.

I struggle massively with boredom eating in the evenings.
Currently really trying to stop the evening snacking as I'm not really hungry & I certainly don't Need the food.

Wine and chocolate

Liking food too much really

I was you a couple of months ago. Total denial about my lockdown pounds!

I had a snap moment just shy of two months ago when I went on the scales and got a scary weight

After that, I went on calorie deficit every day, logging everything with My Fitness Pal. I've deprived myself of little and when I wanted treats, I still had them, so long as I stayed within my calorie limit.

Two months later I've lost 1 stone 1 lbs. I can't believe it! FYI I don't exercise which I'm trying to work on to keep momentum/ speed up loss/ sustain healthy life.

I never thought this would be possible for me, so you can totally do this. Give it a try and good luck!

Homemade cake / dessert, I can't resist
Carbs in general. If I stay low carb it falls into place.

Meal planning massively helps. As does not buying /making anything you need to avoid

Letting myself get too hungry
Bit of hunger = a good thing, will then enjoy my proper nutritionally-balanced meal.
Lots of hunger = wild angry beast, will grab fistfuls of the first food I see.

The weekend! Every week the weekend comes along and turns all my hard work through the week to absolute shit.

Lack of sleep. There's a proven link (somewhere - honest!) that excessive tiredness leads to carb cravings.

I have to make sure I have enough food to snack on that fits in with my plan so I don’t snack on crisps.

Well... me basically! I had a stressful move recently and that didn't help!

I do have Slimfast at home and my goal is to have two of that a day and one evening meal. I really need to lose weight as I am around 15st at the moment with breathing problems and my feet are complaining! I have other health issues which would improve things no end.

@postcardfromme @CaptainCarp stress and boredom eating are really hard, and it is frustrating that some structure can help both but it's so hard to get the structure habit to stick

Emotions
Habits
Stress
Socialising

My biggest issue being anything that happens and I feed myself , but since I been going upstairs early ( relationship breakdown) I developed a habit of snacking in bed whilst watching films /tv

So I am trying to break one thing at a time starting with the upstairs snacking !

Logging everything I eat and planning ahead. I’ve lost 15lbs in 7 weeks so far, problem is once all the restaurants and bars open I’ll struggle a lot.

@Susannahmoody @Sammysquiz @NotATomato - it really does all come down to planning doesn't it

@Deathraystare ah that is interesting - a friend of mine is finding huel really works for him

@KingAndQueen that is inspiring! and I am increasing coming round to the view I have to keep my eyes on calories, otherwise can consume awe inspiring amounts while apparently sticking to the 'rules'

Laziness, pure and simple. I lose 17lbs over lockdown and have put at least 9lbs back on. If I have a few days where I don’t see any weight loss then I get fed up and I have a few sweets/crisps/a takeaway to cheer myself up. Then I’ve put on more 😢 It’s a vicious cycle. Today we bought a weighted hula hoop and two skipping ropes to use in the garden now the weather is improving. When I had these items before they really helped with weight loss so 🤞

Oh and I’ve had treats along the way, pancakes on shrove Tuesday, cocktails and a chippy on a special ocassion. I have the treat, enjoy it then start afresh, I don’t let it bugger up the rest of the day or week.

@shallIswim - there is! I think it's one of my biggest problems. Ranjan Chatterjee's book is good on managing sleep etc to help loose weight if you haven't read it -

@Idiotathome79 yes... I think that it's habits that lie behind the ability to plan successfully isn't it

@BashfulClam congratulations! yes I think it's going to be hard when restaurants reopen, especially as the desire to go out and celebrate is strong - have you been thinking about strategies to deal with it?

For me it's when my husband works away. He's due away for a week near the end of April. When I'm by myself once the children are in bed I get tempted to eat loads of shit. Really determined not to do it this time as I'm doing really well with the weight loss so far.

@BigPaperBag - I dunno, I just don't think we're wired for food discipline, but you are right it is a cycle. Skipping rope and weighed hoop are brilliant ideas, especially as the sun is already out and hopefully 6 months of nice weather is making me feel chirpy.

@BashfulClam I have never done planned treats and think it's important, do you ever feel they will derail you or encourage you to want more, or do you have a way of managing that?

@NerrSnerr well done - are you planning things to occupy you, or are you using iron will?!

Hormones! Week before my period is due I have an insatiable hunger, it totally takes over my will power or plan I have in place. Whatever I eat I never feel full and the cravings are ridiculous. It also messes up my sleep so I’m tired and fed up......

I did worry it would detail me but no I just say right I’m going to have my fish and chips and enjoy it. Then I just go straight back to my planned diet and don’t let myself feel guilty. I haven’t had a week so far where I haven’t lost anything. I also plan my snacks so I know I can have a treat. Ringos are low fat, 99 calorie Mars or snickers.