I’ve gained 6 stone and I don’t think I’ll ever be able to loose it.

[sugarspicepea]

Last year I suffered terribly with anxiety and depression.

I don’t smoke or drink, and somehow I found comfort in food.

It brings me so much happiness, it’s like a drug.

I’ve gone from being 11 stone,
with a BMI of 25.6 to being 17 stone with a BMI of 39.6

Absolutely none of my clothes fit me and I’ve resorted to living in stretchy leggings and baggy tops.

I’m so exhausted all of the time, I get out of breath easily and I generally feel disgusting.
(I’ve had blood tests and all is fine)

I look nothing like I used to look and I’ve completely stopped socialising because I can’t bare the thought of anyone seeing me, plus I can’t bring myself to buy any clothes in my size( no idea what size I am but definitely not a size 10 anymore)

Everyday I start the day well, fresh fruit / cereal / eggs… but by lunch time I have such an overwhelming need to eat something to make me
feel better.

I really do not know how to break this cycle.

I’ve never struggled with my weight before and have always been really comfortable being 11stone.
I always used to have such a healthy balanced diet, but now I wouldn’t have a clue what balance is.

I mostly eat takeaways and most nights I have share size bags of crisps / chocolates to myself.

I’d love to get back in to my old clothes and not have such an issue with food, but I honestly don’t
think I’m ever going to.

Brilliant thread, I love picking up tips from everyone.

I do 16:8, have a really dysfunctional relationship with food and this method calms me. I feel peace when I can click the app to start fasting.

I agree about the whole foods and good fata, as little processed foods as possible.

@Reallyreallyborednow

I’ve ended up signing up to one of those diet programmes that send you all your meals.

It’s working so far because
a) i know I can’t eat anything outside my daily meals, plus fruit and veg.
b)it’s completely changed portion control- when I empty the sachet of muesli into a bowl it looks tiny.
C) I’ve paid for it. Quite a lot, so I will stick to it and make it work

Hi @Reallyreallyborednow, can you share which one you use? TIA

I use diet chef as there was an offer on, and I had a free months trial years ago when it first started up and it worked well, despite me not sticking to it 100%. Cost wise when I compare it to how much I was spending on food anyway it’s not hugely more expensive.

The breakfasts and snacks are great. The dinners I’m ok with because I like chili, curry, dhal etc (i’m veggie) but there’s not a huge choice in the veggie section. I liven it up with cauliflower rice, stir fried veg, salad etc. The lunches need work IMO, i’m eating the meal replacement bars as they are nicer than the soups, the pot pasta things are better.

I’ve lost 6lbs in the first couple of weeks, despite isolating so not been able to get to the gym or even out for walks etc.

Like I said, i’ve paid for it this time so am sticking to it strictly. I like rules so there’s no room to think one slice of toast/piece of cheese/extra spoonful of pasta won’t hurt- it clearly does . I know I can’t have any other food from the fridge so that stops the fridge gazing as well.

I’m sure there might be more appetising options out there, but this one is very clear and no wiggle room to add stuff so I’m finding it easy to stick to atm.

I put on 4 stone (though over a longer period) and for me, the best thing I ever did was to set myself a reasonably short goal of six weeks, but doing it extreme (i.e. a very low calorie diet - VLCD - read Dr Michael Mosely Fast 800 for lots of actual science behind why it is safe and recommended). To make it easier for me, and to break the comfort eating habit, I did a meal replacement (Exante, Jane Plan, Lighter Life- find one that you like the food).

The boost I got seeing real results so fast was what gave me the strength to keep going. I switched to eating real food, and having the occasional meal "off plan" (for my birthday) but kept going till I'd got back to fitting into my size 12s. I had only expected to do the extreme version for the six weeks, but although it was hard, seeing the scales move so quickly was my motivation.

And I have kept the weight off for a year, so don't believe anyone who tells you that crash diets don't work - they only "don't work" if you don't change your eating and mindset to food.

The fact that you're aware of the relationship you have with food is a really big part of the battle, so you can definitely do this.

I've gained lots of weight and I need to lose at least 2 dress sizes. I'm trying to eat less and I'm going to zumba twice/three times a week. I think the key is fruit vegetables and exercise.

I am several stones overweight too (put on gradually over the years) and have tried most things without success (MyFitnessPal, low carb high fat, blood sugar diet, 16-8, Slimming World, none of them worked).

I read the book mentioned above, Why We Eat Too Much a few weeks ago and really think this is the one for me. It just makes total sense. I managed the first week without wheat easily, even with eating out and lost 2lb. I have slipped a bit at the moment due to being on holiday and allowing myself some ice creams and bread but I will be back on it when we get home next week.

I have also joined the local gym and am really enjoying getting back into good exercise habits, no highs as such but it gets me out of the house and all the time I'm there I am not eating.