To say I can't stop eating? Or am I not trying hard enough?

[Namechanged36]

I am overweight, probably at least 3 stone. I'm not hugely active (I currently have a prolapsed disc but I have never been an athlete!).

I've never been slim but at 48 it is definitely starting to affect my health.

Over Christmas (oddly - for various reasons) I had a smaller appetite and cut my food intake drastically. I could feel and see the difference and people commented that I had lost weight. It felt good and I wanted to carry on.

But I've fallen off the wagon. That's what it feels like. If I start eating I feel as if I can't stop.
At the weekend I think I ate more carbs (mainly bread) than I had in the entire time since Christmas.
Today I've eaten some healthy food & some rubbish.
In the last 10 minutes I've sat here and eaten 2 Belvita bars they were giving away at the station. I didn't enjoy them but couldn't stop at 1.

What's wrong with me? Are other people like this?
I try not to have stuff in the house but sometimes when I'm walking home in the evening I don't have the energy to stop myself going to the shop and buying a packet of biscuits and once I've done that I know I will eat the lot.

I feel the low carb / high fat regime would really work for me - if only I could stick to it.
I feel depressed and hopeless (& fat & bloated).

You need this website

To answer your question, yes, lots of people are like you - myself included.

I fell off the HFLC wagon in December but am back on it and It Feels Good.

Please don't follow faddy diets like that link!

I'm the same, can't stop at one... so I have to make sure there isn't any in the house, then I don't do it.

Or this one
www.nosdiet.com/
It has been a game changer for me. I have ended a lifetime of yoyo dieting, lost 2 stone (slowly) and have kept it off for several months. Finally I have a normal relationship with food.

Thank you Perfect I'll have a read.

My link isn't a faddy diet by the way, its the opposite

Or look at Biwi's Bootcamp

Nothing faddy about HFLC - have a look at the evidence.

Or google Dr Michael Mosely, Blood Sugar Diet, 5:2 or any other number of things relating to insulin resistance and how too many carbohydrates combined with an (in general) inactive lifestyle are making us fat.

OA?

That's an excellent way of thinking about it, Bluebell, love it - so simple.

But that's the problem Isthisa When I'm tired and / or fed up I have no willpower and biscuits disappear before I realise I've bought them.
I know I need to take personal responsibility, but it's a huge struggle.

Do BIWIs Bootcamp

What's BIWI?

Sorry just seen link 🙄

This will sound very odd,but may work for you.when you feel a packet of biscuits coming on.
Go and sit in front of a mirror and keep your gaze fixed on your face as you eat.you might soon think you've had enough and put them away.
Sounds crazy but has worked.
Whichever method you use,good luck

It sounds like emotional eating, I'm working through it myself. We make unhealthy choices when we feel overloaded or stressed. We default to what our primitive brain wants eg as many calories as we can cram in, as we don't know where the next meal is coming from. Also sugar (also in the form of refined carbs) is hugely addictive.

To make a long term change I would recommend focusing on what felt different at Christmas and why. Why was it easier for you to make healthier choices.

Myself and DP are exactly the same. We find it all comes down to knowing your limits and working around them e.g. Changing your route home from work so you don't pass a shop and end up buying biscuits
We just ensure we never have anything we don't want to eat in the house, then we can't be tempted.
Seems to work for us
Also, intermittent fasting has worked really well for me - I skip breakfast and eat for a 7hour 'window' from 12-7. Does require some willpower though

I’m like this as well. I have phases of it. I think a slimming world type diet is best as you can eat certain foods unrestricted. Try to do something else instead of eating I find my worst time is the evening so I will exercise instead. Or put a rule in for yourself like no eating after 7pm

It's the toast for me does it op!

My Dh was like that, just couldn’t stop at one portion/biscuit.

The only thing to work is to NOT buy the stuff. It’s bloody hard, but just keep walking past the shop.

Buy your favourite fruit/veg and nibble on them when you fancy a snack. know that sounds boring but it works, you’ll get used to not having the sugar. It doesn’t take long for your taste buds to change. You’ll then feel much more in control.

Even without changing your food choices if you start by counting your calories and seeing how that quickly adds up you might begin to slow down.

I’m the same. I just can’t have one bar of chocolate it’s always followed by something else. I’m finding I have to cut it all out. All junk. I’m an emotional eater and a binge eater. Food is such a struggle as I can’t just not eat anything as you obviously need food to live and that’s very hard.

Bluebell that link looks great!! I’ve started doing a similar thing since 1st Jan, not dieting but just trying to stick to meals and two snacks a day, not depriving myself at all. I’ve lost over one stone so far and the craving / binge eating has considerably reduced. I’m not sure if I’m brave enough to cut out snacks completely, I feel like I’d starve!!! But I’m 100% convinced that “not dieting” is the ONLY thing that works long term.

(Just to add I no longer have seconds and if I’m having a treat, I make sure it’s just a small piece)

Thanks everyone. I'm comforted that others are similar but sorry that you are also struggling.

It's definitely emotional eating. Around Christmas I had a month off work (health) & my mobility was restricted. I realised if I carried on eating like I normally do I probably wouldn't be able to get out of the house by February. Somehow I found the strength to cut right back & stick to healthy choices (also helped that walking to the shop was painful )
I do think that the lack of work related stress was key though.

do you want to lose weight or do you want to stop overeating?

it seems to me that the last thing you need is a "diet"

how about eat like a normal person

That's a good question Holy but I think the answer is both. I need to lose weight for health reasons but want to stop feeling crap about myself for shovelling food in my face at every opportunity.