To have lost hope of losing weight

[somesetmeadow]

I have always had a tendency to lean towards plumpness. I put on a bit of weight in my early teens but lost it at 15/16.

I then out on a shitload of weight at university but lost it afterwards and maintained a reasonable weight after that although it was a battle.

But somehow the last three years and I’ve lost it. I’m 14 stone and at my height that’s big! I stick to a diet really well and then lose the plot and binge eat Pringles and chocolate and cake. I do exercise but it’s not enough to counter the amount of crap I know I’m eating.

Has anyone been in this position?

I haven't RTFT but I just don't really buy things like Pringles anymore. If I do, I'll devour the entire tub.

If you're hungry and tempted to binge, eat something healthy (ish) but filling, like a bowl of Weetbix or a banana on brown bread. Then brush your teeth. I've maintained my weight easily now for 4 years by doing that.

It's all very well saying you're 14 stone and that's a lot for your height Somesetmeadow but what is your BMI ? Hard to tell just how serious this problem is without knowing that. If it's over 40 it's different advice to under 40 .

Interesting question by ragged about going from 3,000 cals to 800 cals.

In fact, if you have an all or nothing personality, it's often easier to do something so dramatic and restrictive. If you know you can only have the planned 2 grilled portobello mushrooms topped with cheese and pesto, that's what you'll have. If you have to go to Waitrose and choose something healthy, that's when you may well end up with a pizza and a tub of Ben & Jerry!

I am 5'5 and just under 14stone. I am a fussy eater so dieting is a struggle for me. But so far I have lost 9lbs. I joined a group on Facebook to hold myself accountable. I allow myself a cheat day too so I can have chocolate cake or crisps, so instead of saying no you can't have them I tell myself not today save it for x day. My DC help me exercise too, my DD who is older joins in and will ask me if I have done my exercises today and my DS is 8 months so i use him like a weight lifting him and such, he loves it and thinks it's just fun and i get a workout.

I haven't rtft and I'm sure there's done good advice but thought I'd chip in.

I'm not overweight but do eat unhealthily and until recently didn't exercise much so although I might have looked healthy on the outside, inside I was probably slowly killing myself with junk food, chocolate and too much t.v.

What I've found has worked for me is to make one lifestyle change at a time and make it permanent. Instead of going all out on healthy eating, I swapped one snack for a healthier alternative and made that a habit. I then changed my lunch and got into that habit. As I did this more and more the replacements became a natural 'go-to' but without the stuff I craved just disappearing altogether in one go. I now have a fully much healthier diet but still have the odd treat. Making it a part of my life rather than a fad for a bit has really helped. I also stopped buying so much junk.

I upped my exercise gradually too. Started with a couch to 5k and now regularly run, swim and cycle and do pilates...but again I've built up these changes over time. I'm now working on meditation to reduce stress levels.

Overall my health and energy levels are SO much better. I sleep better too which I really believe helps my diet as I can be bothered to prepare healthy things rather than racing for junk when I'm tired.

Good luck OP. Don't give up.

Look up Peaceful Eating and Brain over Binge podcasts. They have really helped me get a handle over my overeating.

You need to identify what the food/behaviour is giving you before you will be able to let the behaviour go.

I recomnend 2 things OP. Firstly, do not buy crap. No multipacks of crisps or bars of chocolate, no packets of biscuits. If you want to treat your kids then buy them one bar of chocolate/packet of crisps/ice cream (this will be a good lesson for them as well).
Secondly, regular proper exercise, not specifically to lose weight, but to alter your mindset.

Hi OP,

I'm a similar weight and I have issues with binge-eating- I've put on 5 stone over the last three years.

I agree with one of the other posters that we probably do need to see eating healthily as a way of life rather than a diet.

Good luck OP!

If it's tiredness and boredom I would try ans sort out your sleep, if at all possible. I am a sugar monster when sleep deprived (which I have been for over 6 years, unfortunately...)

2nd thing would be regular exercise, I would say do something everyday, even if just a 10min brisk walk on days when you can't do anymore.

3Rd one would be stay out of the house as much as possible, or, if at work, away from areas with snacks readily available.

Another vote for do not buy crap. I find online grocery shopping handy for this. No impulse buying, just search for what's on your list. And exercise every day. 10 min even.