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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Intuitive eating or normal diet - 8 stone overweight

63 replies

Ovenina · 15/03/2021 14:54

I’m 8 stone overweight, really really unfit. Get shin splints when I walk any longer than 5 minutes. I gained 3 stone since lockdown and I also over eat due to depression. I’ve read so many conflicting things, so I don’t know whether to do intuitive eating or to do a diet ? I’m scared I’ll put more weight on, when really I need to lose weight ASAP. I’m so exhausted all the time.
Thanks

OP posts:
foreverchangingmyname · 15/03/2021 17:45

@BonnieDundee that's what happened to me with slimming world. It fell off and fell straight back on even quicker. The plans weren't sustainable for me and I couldn't really understand it. Unlimited pasta is fine but don't mush a banana up? Also referring to certain food as 'sums' messed up my relationship with food. But that's just me, I do know people who've done wonders on it. I think it's just finding something that works for you

foreverchangingmyname · 15/03/2021 17:46

Although I will say I still swear by slimming world chips Grin

ChronicallyCurious · 15/03/2021 17:47

Intuitive eating only worked for me once I’d lost the weight. Even then I log what I eat into MFP about 80% of the time to make sure it’s within my calories. Just no actual ‘dieting’ anymore.

NeverDropYourMoonCup · 15/03/2021 17:47

If you're getting shinsplints, you need orthotics and proper shoes/trainers/running shoes with removable insoles so you can put orthotics in them that support your feet, as it's the dodgy positioning that's causing the damage.

I'm on the waiting list for NHS ones as I've got Psoriatic Arthritis, but you can pay to go to a private podiatrist (or physio) and, in the meantime, around twenty pound on Amazon will get you something that will help - you will need one that provides metatarsal support as well as arch support and a 'heel cup' to stop your feet moving around inside the shoes.

Other things you can do to help it heal are to ice the area and gradually exercise to increase flexibility and strength of your leg and foot muscles. Looking at your gait (the way your foot strikes the ground, whether weak muscles in your back/hip/thighs are causing a knee to turn in, etc) is also very useful, as is checking your posture generally. The exercises also help you develop awareness of what your body is doing - which is very useful in developing awareness of what you need to eat/whether you're doing it to punish yourself, warm up, swallow down anger or fear, etc, etc.

I'd suggest just logging what you eat. No judgement. Just record it accurately. You'll be able to see over time if you overeat if you don't have enough protein earlier in the day, whether there's a hormonal aspect, if you tend towards mega pasta dishes towards the end of the week when you're tired from work, if you automatically eat less on one day if you have more vegetables and protein the night before or whether having a high carb breakfast/skipping it altogether triggers a craving for more and more carbs/fat.

And maybe then, once you see what's there, you might think 'Hmm, do I actually want x? No, I'd rather have y - and it'll be 400 fewer calories as a bonus' or (in my world) 'Do I want chips and onion rings/tons of mayo/a small donner/can of coke? Actually, I want a large shish with chilli sauce and all the salad'. And sometimes, as I also use a fitbit, I can see I've been massively active and can eat a bit more without overdoing it, rather than feeling hungry after eating and then possibly kicking off a cupboard and fridge raid at 9pm because I am still hungry.

I get on well with calories in vs calories out. Sometimes I eat high carb, sometimes low carb, sometime high/low fat. And sometimes, whilst I am getting the hang of eating regular meals for the first time, I will do a stint of one (or two) meals a day instead, as that means I don't feel any guilt or worry about having higher calorie meals if I really, really want a chip shop meal.

MadeOfStarStuff · 15/03/2021 17:56

I’m in a similar boat and recently started slimming world. I like not having to weigh everything or worry about whether I can eat an apple if I’m peckish. It’s much mocked on here but despite Pearl clutching about mullet lights and fry light, the focus is very much on filling up on lean protein and fruit and veg.

But find what works for you that you can stick to long term. For me it’s slimming world because I couldn’t stick to no carbs or be arsed to weigh or measure every single thing.

MsTSwift · 15/03/2021 17:58

Tom Watkins book Downsizing is a good read. He lost 8 stone. You need to reset and change your habits and how you eat permanently.

Personally Michael Mosley intermittent fasting works for me. No food after dinner until lunch the next day. Meals on smaller plates cardio most days. Lost the 2 stone I needed but vitally maintained 18 months later still size 10.

MsTSwift · 15/03/2021 18:02

Didn’t actually change what I ate just less of it and in shorter time window though cut down on biscuits and crisp snacks etc

Sunny4876 · 15/03/2021 18:04

I have 7 stone to lose,managed to lose 2.5 stone over lockdown but already put 1 stone back on,signed up to RH fitness in new year but haven't used it yet,I'm an emotional eater/binge eater with clinical depression so self sabotage constantly.Have always found calorie counting best,lost 6 stones about 5 times but always regained and more when stopped.

JengaNonConfirming · 15/03/2021 18:31

@Sunny4876

I have 7 stone to lose,managed to lose 2.5 stone over lockdown but already put 1 stone back on,signed up to RH fitness in new year but haven't used it yet,I'm an emotional eater/binge eater with clinical depression so self sabotage constantly.Have always found calorie counting best,lost 6 stones about 5 times but always regained and more when stopped.
Hi @sunny4876. I hope you feel ready to start up on RH at some point, I've found it to be really good and I've always been one to eat my emotions (and anyones else's if I can manage it 😉) Good luck to you in the future x
Sunny4876 · 15/03/2021 18:50

@JengaNonConfirming thank you x

PurpleDaisies · 16/03/2021 14:28

Did you end up making any decisions @Ovenina?

Cowbells · 16/03/2021 14:45

Can I make a suggestion that you do neither but instead do Superhealth-kick eating.

Focus on incredibly fresh and nutritious food and avoid sugar and processed foods not out of duty but because they don't nourish you and can cause cravings that lead ot obesity and its serious health implications.

Only eat foods you really enjoy but pick them from the long list of healthy foods you enjoy. So breakfast could be scrambled egg and grilled bacon or it could be beans on wholemeal toast or greek yoghurt with berries, nuts and honey. Or banana porridge. Etc.

Make sure you have 8-10 portions of fruit and veg a day, from all different colours.

Drink lots of water and fruit tea.

Do 2-5 minute workouts - just marching on the spot in the kitchen while the kettle boils or windmilling your arms when you get out of bed.

Give yourself lots of frequent small non-food treats to celebrate every victory. Ideas include: listen to a favourite song on you tube, watch a 10 minute funny sketch, paint your nails, read a fitness mag or other magazine you like, watch a comedy programme, have a bubble bath, try a face pack, buy yourself flowers or a scented candle or an accessory, a book or new item of clothing that fits properly in a colour you love. Or go and sit in the park or garden with an americano coffee (not sugary latte) or a tea and watch the birds and flowers - a bit of nature fix.

If you do a 5-minute workout, or manage to eat 5 veg and 3 fruit in a day, or have a day without sugar and processed snacks, reward yourself with one of these each time.

Peace43 · 16/03/2021 15:09

Download the MyFitnessPal App. Track everything you eat, stick to 2000 calories today and every single day. Try to take two 30 minute walks a day.

Once you get a few stone off you need to up your steps. Once you get down to your last stone or so you will potentially need to reduce your calories a bit but 2000 and 2 walks a day will get you down most of the way!

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