Help me lose weight / eat healthier/ break bad habits

[Tulippilut]

I would like to lose a bit of weight. I’m not miserable with my size really.. but I’m putting weight on and as I’m nearing 40 , I’m getting a bit of a belly . I also do hate my arms - they’re flabby ! But , probably more importantly- I know I have unhealthy habits .

I will really binge sometimes. I mean I’ve just sat here and ate a quesadilla, 2 bags of quavers and a whole Easter egg for my dinner. Through the day I’ve snacked on pork pies and mini cheddars . My issue is I see food as my enjoyment and relaxation. When I’m at work, I’ll try and I’ll be good in the day - a usual day would be overnight oats for breakfast , something meal prepped ( chicken and rice or chicken and veg usually ) then I’ll plan to have a low cal meal of an evening or a similar thing to my lunch . But then I’ll end up snacking - crisps, bread with pate , sausage rolls , chocolate. Most of the time I leave it so late that after getting everything done I need to I’ll end up having a sandwich ( with crisps ) or a toastie ( with crisps ) and usually sausage roll. It’s awful , it’s like I can’t stop myself .

The holidays have been awful - I’ve ate out a lot , I have treated myself to a lazy few hours … a book or a film and that comes with snacking! It’s like I can’t just sit with a book and a coffee , i have to have snacks. I look forward to the evenings after work when everything’s done to sit with my dinner and my snacks - I don’t even sit at the table because it’s became that tv / a book and food is my hobby !

I feel hungry a lot , but to be honest sometimes I wonder if I’m actually hungry or just craving the sugar. I’m sat now , stuffed , but thinking about the crisps and chocolate in the cupboard. I even find myself sometimes lying and saying to my husband that I haven’t eaten or I only had a small lunch so I feel no guilt over having a huge portion ( not that he would say a word ) . As a result of this I’m constantly scrutinising myself and I know I drive my husband mad constantly asking him if I’m fat . He can’t even compliment me without me saying “ no , I’m fat “. That is actually becoming an issue too.

Help !!

Just some thoughts - it sounds like you're stuck in a vicious cycle of obsessing about food. Try reading Atomic Habits. It's amazing. Try swapping the eating habit for something else - could you be boredom eating? Try meal planning for a week so you don't have the rubbish in the house. Try looking at images of people and clothes you'd like to wear every time you think food. And finally, try thinking about how your health will be in 10 years time if you continue down this path...

I will have a look into that. I certainly am stuck in a cycle and I think I boredom eat a lot ! I’m also very aware of the damage the crap I eat must be doing … it just doesn’t seem to be enough to stop me

You could be me honestly, I know I eat to relax and snacking on the sofa is a bad habit that I need to break. I think its the habits and associations that are hard to break rather than the food itself. TBH the idea of not eating chocolate etc makes me feel quite panicky and after years of on/off dieting (I'm 50, probably started dieting at about age 14), I wouldn't attempt it. I do intermittent fasting, which helps me feel in control, but I can relate to you. I will also have a look at Atomic Habits.

I have tried every diet in the book and for the first time I have tried fasting. This is really working for me and have lost 18lbs since I January. Basically I eat between 1 o'clock and 7pm which includes 2 good meals as much fruit as I want and 4 squares of dark chocolate. I have lost my sugar cravings when I could previously demolish a king size bar. I aim to do this indefinitely except for holidays. Good luck op give it a try if you like the sound of it.