AIBU regarding my ‘diet’

[LoopyLou1981]

I need a kick up the arse! I’ve been ‘dieting’ since February. I have lost the sum total of 1lb. I have lost and found the same 4lb more times than I care to remember!
I starting to think I should be locked in a room and fed calorie controlled meals through a hatch like they do in high security prisons!
My willpower is crap. I can have a lovely healthy dinner prepared by my dh. Thoroughly enjoy it then I’m hanging out of the snack cupboard within an hour.
I feel horrible and wobbly and I’m so annoyed at myself and really want to look nice for our holiday in a September but even the thought of being mistaken for a beached whale isn’t enough to keep me on track!
Rant over...any firm (but kind-ish!) advice welcome!!

[Purringkittenmama]

I haven't read the full thread so sorry if I'm repeating what others have suggested, but walking was the only thing which helped me to finally lose weight.
I could diet, (and strictly diet at that) lose 3 or 4 lbs at most but then put them straight back on when I tried to eat more normally again.
Then I tried the same diet plus a half/ three quarter hour walk each day and managed to lose about four stone in five/ six months- which I have never put back on (although I do still walk each day).
Also, I don't eat anything sugary, but do snack a bit now on crisps, crackers, cheese and touch wood still OK...
Perhaps walking could help?
Good luck with it though- it is really soul destroying when you're trying really hard and not really getting the results you want.

[TinklyLittleLaugh]

Everyone in our house ends up raiding the snack cupboard after a big bowl of pasta. Pasta is just rubbish really; there's not much in it nutritionally.

Eating really nutritious food is what stops us feeling hungry.

[GrannyGrissle]

Same problem here OP but i am just bored, greedy and have zero wilpower as in i think i am missing that part.

[DuchyDuke]

If you want to eat heavy meals then don’t snack at all, and up your daily exercise. You should find you lose a bit of weight without doing anything.

After that you need to start weighing the ingrediants of every meal you make and ensure your calories are under the maintenance level needed for your age / height / weight.

[monkeymamma]

I’m the same OP. I’m so intensely bored of thinking of food in terms of calories, hating myself for eating the things I want, making constant bargains with myself and so on. So I’ve decided to accept myself as I am. And also do some kind of exercise every day. I’m not going to drop dress sizes this way. But I am healthier and more energetic and hopefully a bit less wobbly!

[bastardlyandmutley]

130 odd obviously. 13 calories would a miracle!

[bastardlyandmutley]

Clean your teeth after your evening meal. That stops me from having anything else.

Also fasting two days a week means that the odd slip on non fast days aren't the end of the world.

Remembering how rubbish I feel about myself when I've eaten a load of crap and how much better when I've been "good".

Snack wise I've discovered Aldi individual bars of dark chocolate. They come in a larger pack of around 5 bars and are only 13odd calories per bar. If I really need a sweet hit I don't feel bad about eating one of those.

Good luck, you can do it.

[goose1964]

Mindful eating is the way forward, I could have written this myself, even a few weeks ago. Basically instead of snacking you ask yourself why you are going to the snack cupboard. Am I hungry, yes eat , no how am I feeling?, bored do something else, angry why? Sort it out etc.

I'm using this approach and it's really helping

[ItIsUnnervinglyQuietInHere]

Diets dont work long term, most people, even if they manage to lose weight, pile it back on and then some...

It depends whether you're adopting a fad diet or changing how you eat.

[Passthecake30]

You could try the 16:8 diet 5 days a week? Eat between 10am-6pm and then only water...? My friend and I have had good results with this.

[CoffeeOrSleep]

A sewing kit is an excellent idea! Start at least 40 mins after dinner so you are fully busy when that "it's one hour after dinner, so snack time" feeling kicks in - don't wait until you want to snack.

Have a plan for each evening.

It's rarely actual hunger that ruins diets, but having a poor mindset around food. Habitual /comfort/treat eating (rather than "fuel" eating) is the reason so many people are overweight.

E.g. In the past I would reward myself for a tough day with cake and coffee in a nice coffee shop the following day, this week I rewarded myself with a new nail varnish instead. You still deserve treats, but make them a new lippy or magazine or sewing kit/equipment, not food based.

Good luck!

[wiltingfast]

The first month of a diet is crucial to get your new routine going and settled. Sounds to me that is where you have falllen down.

When is your danger time? For me it was always evenings.

Whatever yours is, you need to develop a strategy.

For example, I went through all our digital photos and did an album. Kept me distracted and away from the snacks.

I also reward myself for good days with 2 biscuits. Fig roll or bourbons.

I find if you can hold fast the first month, the new routine becomes habitual and easier to do.

[WhatsGoingOnEh]

I joined WW 2 weeks ago, with a free month, and I'm surprised to say I LOVE it. The app is brilliant. The diet is so flexible. It's so easy to stay in control.

[mumsiedarlingrevolta]

And yes to the Fitbit!!!

[mumsiedarlingrevolta]

Hi OP.
I have, over the last year and a half, lost 5 stone.
I can't think I'm on a diet because then I cheat-more a change in lifestyle/habits.
I don't have potatoes or toast at home but do have lovely wholemeal wrap at lunch. Lots more salad and fish. No red meat. Portion size is so impt-you'll get used to less on your plate. If you have pasta throw in loads of veg-I always put tons of spinach in mine now which is so nice.
And I walk loads-no escalator if I can take the stairs, etc.
Slow and steady.
One thing I would do in the evening is brush my teeth really well and then that sort of signalled the end of the eating day for me.
But I def tried to avoid buying the treats in the first place-if they're not in the house it's easier.
Good luck!

[ItsLikeRainOnYourWeddingDay]

Stop thinking fat is bad. Sugar is what makes you fat.

Keto or "low carb high fat" works.

[Loonoon]

As well as cutting the carbs incorporate some physical activity into your day. Get a Fitbit or other step tracker and instead of sitting on the settee snacking in the evenings, walk. I aim for 10,000 steps in front of the tv or with my kindle propped up on a shelf every evening. That’s in addition to the steps I do in the course of the day. I’ve been doing this for just over a year and although I don’t weigh myself so can’t measure weight loss, I am more toned and my clothes fit better.

I march briskly using my arms so my heart rate elevates. I also aim for 10 press ups and 30 seconds planking in commercial breaks.

[Whatshallidonowpeople]

Apps and fitbits over estimate calories burned. You'll burn approx 100 cals per mile. This will differ due to weight etc but if you allow for this you won't go wrong

[Punta]

I thought I was going to be healthy by going vegetarian - I did have some healthy food but also ate a lot of bread and pasta. I know this doesn’t agree with me but my husband loves it. I piled on weight, felt tired and aching all the time - not to mention the wind!

Switched to high fat, moderate protein, low carb (so back to eating meat) and I have lost just over a stone in 3 weeks. I also got a dog around a month ago, so have been walking him around half an hour before walk, plus another 30-40 minutes in the evening, plus playing around in the garden.

I don’t feel hungry at all and it has done my mental health the world of good.

I always stuck to a semi low carb diet before I met my husband and maintained a nice figure until he convinced me it wasn’t healthy and I should be eating past etc and not fats. I went from being a size 10 to a 14 Max to being a size 20 at my biggest. I know high fat low carb works for me and that’s what I will stick to from now.

[LoopyLou1981]

newbiecat to be honest I glossed over that comment! I’m all for a bit of constructive criticism. I don’t see the point in listening when people are rude for no reason!

Right...today’s the day! Yoghurt, fruit and a sprinkling of museli for breakfast. The poor kids are about get to dragged around Aldi for a fruit and veg top up! xx

[Elementtree]

...fill whichever need...

[Elementtree]

Maybe you could empty out the snack cupboard and fill it full of stuff that you like that you like. So, the sewing kit you mentioned and sudoku to ease boredom and things that make you feel pampered and things that bring you a sense of comfort so, DVDs and books you love, candles ... stuff like that, so that when you fall into that default mode and wander to the snack cupboard you can feel whichever need you were looking to fix but without food.

[Newbiecat]

penfold007 I’m failing to see how you think your short and not-so-sweet tuppence worth is helpful here? The OP knows her issues and is asking for advice.
OP I am exactly like you- can’t step away from the evening snacks! I think if you have a family with kids it’s entirely unrealistic to say to get rid of all snacks in the house. My 3 kids have a really good diet and I have no issue with having biscuits/ buttons etc in for them. Surely it’s more about learning to control will power- any tips gratefully received though!

[stopfuckingshoutingatme]

I wanted to lose weight for ages and I finally have through iron will

I hate to say this but there is ONLY one way

Cut the sugar cut the carbs cut the portions cut the booze

OP for what it’s worth once you switch and start to see the results you won’t want to gain it back .

But it’s food not exercise . I also exercise but it’s FOOD

Personally I would throw some money as a disciplined group scheme to start you off .

[Pooshy]

Diets dont work long term, most people, even if they manage to lose weight, pile it back on and then some...

I can highly recommend the paul McKenna book and hypnosis CD, I can make you thin.

It's life changing for a lot of people!