To think dieting messes up your relationship with food?

[Sleeplessnightsinlockdown]

I've recently put on weight and am now about 1-2 stone overweight.

I want to lose the weight and plan to increase my level of exercise - I already eat fairly healthily, but I know my portions are usually too large.

I'm late thirties and I know my best chance of losing weight is to go on a diet - but I did this in my teens/twenties and I think it really messed up my relationship with food - leading to cravings, binges etc and an up and down yo-yoing weight (although was never overweight until now).

AIBU to think that dieting messes up your relationship with food? Has anyone lost weight without dieting? If so, how?

Surely, if you "know [your] portions are usually too large", the first and easiest thing to do is cut down the size of your portions?

Apart from that, my suggestion is to eat a lot of onions, cabbage and carrots.

I feel like low carbing might be easier than counting calories? Just cutting out bread, pasta, rice etc? Eg tonight I am making fish, vegetables rice, so am thinking I’ll just eat everything except the rice... but that’s still a diet, clearly

OP, people always say exercise does not have much effect and it is all about diet.

For me that isn’t true

You need to eat well to enjoy exercise, you can’t run on an empty stomach, but you can’t run on a fatty fry up either. You realise you do best on a breakfast containing slow release carbs and some protein. Muesli and yoghurt for example. And yeah, I add honey as nicer. So you make that kind of breakfast a habit

I think exercise is key, as you then see food as a way to help your exercise goals

Does not stop you enjoying food

But nudges you towards wise choices

Which then become your “normal”

Exercise also helps against constipation.

Helps you sleep better

Makes you feel good

Which all make it less likely you crave unhealthy stuff/comfort food

But I know almost nobody agrees with this. So just saying that for me, personally, daily exercise with fitness goals (not skinny-ness goals) is key

@merryhouse yes you are completely right.

The problem is I am used to eating large portions so I think my stomach is ‘stretched’ (yuk, sorry) to expect this. But I know I need to just starting eating smaller portions and then my stomach will adapt (this has worked, albeit temporarily, before)...

@Pikachubaby

Yes I agree with this - I feel instinctively that I need to get more exercise. I think I need to try coach to 5k (again )

Surely, if you "know [your] portions are usually too large", the first and easiest thing to do is cut down the size of your portions?

Well yes, but if you want to create an actual calorie deficit to lose weight rather than prevent gaining more, you have to do more than just cut portions.

Apart from that, my suggestion is to eat a lot of onions, cabbage and carrots.

How very random. Thanks for your odd weight loss advice. I eat loads of cabbage and carrots and I'm getting fatter so not sure how that would help

I’m doing 500 cals less a day on fit bit, programmed to lose a pound a week (anything more a bonus). Brisk walking 30-40 mins a day in the morning before brekkie and I’m now trying to squeeze another 30mins in some days after dinner.

The logging of food has really helped, I liked that part when I did slimming world years ago too.

It’s helped make me feel accountable and made me pause when I think I want a snack. I’ve posted on here before but bulk powders and muscle food have been amazing for me too for healthy filling breakfasts and lunches, and good for snacks too 😊

I feel like low carbing might be easier than counting calories? Just cutting out bread, pasta, rice etc? Eg tonight I am making fish, vegetables rice, so am thinking I’ll just eat everything except the rice... but that’s still a diet, clearly

Have you not been paying attention to everyone's posts OP? If you cut out carbs you'll crave them and binge. Just have less rice than usual and replace it with extra veg.

I think I have a bad relationship with food anyway so I dont think diets have damaged my relationship with food.
I use an app to count calories and watch my nutrient intake, making sure I have a balanced diet.
I still yoyo because I get bored of eating healthily and set off binging again.