To feel like I've forgotten how to lose weight?!

[twinkledag]

Tried every diet in the past. Yes I know it's a lifestyle, not a diet but I've lost weight dieting in the past. Mostly on weight watchers, low carb had worked also. But for the past year I've been yo-yoing.

Had some pretty shit stuff happen to me over the past few years which means my head isn't in I think? As I just can't seem to stick to a diet! And I haven't exercised for a year!

I have a 4 yr old, work in a pretty stressful job where I only get a short lunch break so can't workout at lunchtime like I used to pre DC.

Today I ate -

Scrambled eggs and skinny iced coffee

Then I couldn't go to lunch as I had to cover at work for someone so ate half a cookie from work kitchen.

Lunch was chicken and veg soup, bag of hula hoops (I'm addicted to crisps)

Dinner was homemade Thai green chicken curry (used less coconut milk and topped with chicken stock) with cauliflower rice

A milky bar with tea once DS finally went to bed at 8.30!

Any tips/help/a kick up the arse!!??

Is what you’ve listed supposed to be a good or bad day for you?

A normal day, I'd say. I always have an iced coffee, I always eat crisps and I always have a bit of chocolate. My problem is I love food!

I try not to eat rice, pasta, bread, potatoes but it doesn't always work.

The only way I’ve managed to give up bread pasta rice and potatoes is complete cold turkey and that includes no gluten free substitutes either no oats no grains whatsoever. The reason for this drastic move is to get rid of the cravings. And 5 months on I’d say I only really miss chip shop chips 😭 and I am a crisp addict.

PS you seem to be going for the low fat approach in my experience it will make you hungry and that’s when the will power goes

There is no need to give up on rice, potatoes etc.

Are you measuring your portions?
Are you tracking all your food?
Do you know your TDEE?

If you have answered no to any of these then all you're doing is taking a stab in the dark that you are in a caloric deficit. A bit like trying to balance a budget without knowing what your income and outgoings are.

@Siameasy yes I'm going for low fat too 😭

Is the iced coffee one of those Frappuccino type things? As that’s probably not helping.

I’ve been trying the weightwatchers app for the first time ever and it’s really made me think about my food choices! I’ve pretty much given up cheese, and have eggs or chicken in a salad or wrap for lunch. I’ve swapped my usual granola breakfast for overnight oats made with water (tried with fat free yoghurt but found it too sickly). I’ve cut down on sugar in my coffee by using a smaller cup and only having one sugar!

Antenna - yes to all 3 apart from TDEE. I try and do 1200 cals a day on MFP.

Why 1200 cal OP? (genuine question!)

I’ve been doing slimming world for 6 months and lost 1.5 stone .... I know that’s not much compared to some people but I’m going for this slowly slowly catchy monkey option !!!

I still have breaks for things like Christmas / Easter / wedding do / night out / when my kids are on holiday from school but as soon as that’s over I just get straight back on it : cutting down on alcohol limiting bread limiting cheese and eating as much fruit and veg and lean meat me as possible .....

This way I mentally treat going out to dinner or Easter Sunday or McDonald’s as a rare every now and then treat....... and so I’d like to think I could end the last year weighing three stone less than I did when I started.

The 80/20 approach which I think I’m employing, really seems to be working and for the first time in a long time I feel in control of eating ...

I am by no means a weight loss or dieting expert. I'm 2+ stones overweight myself, I have a fatty liver, high blood pressure and am apparently pre-diabetic. The gp told me I really ought to lose weight so for the last few weeks I've been trying to do so with some success.

I, like you appear to do so going by your comments about stress and having had a bad few years, and an emotional eater and I also eat when I'm bored. In the last few weeks though I've found that if I "put off" a snack rather than tell myself that I can't have it then I'm less likely to eventually eat it. I have started to try and fill my evenings and spare time with something that completely absorbs me and takes all my attention (photo editing, knitting, colouring, reading an actual book rather than my phone, playing cards etc) and tell myself I'll get whatever snack I'm fancying after I've done/read/played a certain part of that task. So far it's worked well.

I also rarely get to properly exercise so have been trying to walk more, e.g. walking the school run instead of driving it.

It's been about 3 weeks and I've lost 5lb so far and apart from reducing snacking (my biggest problem) and monitoring my calories I haven't changed my diet.

Iced coffee usually has a very high sugar content.
Crisp and chocolate and cookie and you come here to ask why you are not losing weight?
Cut the iced coffee, the crisps, the chocolate and the biscuits

If you’re doing calorie counting with MFP you really need to be honest about it and stick to it. From what you’ve described today that’s definitely over 1200 calories. The simple fact is if you’re burning more calories than you’re consuming then you’ll lose weight.

Also you’re much better off eating 3 filling meals rather than feeling hungry and snacking constantly.

Thanks for all the replies!

In response to the question about walking to work, I work a 40 minute tube ride away so wouldn't be able to walk it.

I've had another day today where I planned to stick to it but haven't! I just don't know where my motivation has gone.

I need a KICK!

If you're getting a tube to work, could you get off a stop or two early and walk? I know lots of people who do this

I feel like you OP, I would like to lose a stone, just to feel more comfortable in clothes. I know what I need to do to lose the weight, I just don't have the motivation or the ability to say no to the things I want to eat. Then I feel like shit. I've started drinking more water which seems to be helping me to not snack as much though.

OP... where the heck is your fruit and veg?! Are you constipated??

Romax - no I actually have a very healthy gut! 😁

Thanks @blankittyblank - I could actually ditch the bus in the morning and walk those few stops after the school run but I'd have to see how it impacted on work as don't want to be late every day. Good suggestion though 👍

@Drogosnextwife - it's hard isn't it😞

How do you make your iced coffee? I was desperate for coffee at work and bought one of these iced Starbucks Frappuccinos, the small bottle. Later I learned it was over half of my allotted food for the day! I’m doing one of those ww like apps. I couldn’t believe it!