9st to 7st 7

[Sunisshining12]

Aiming for a 21lb loss. I’m 5ft 1. Hate exercise & I’m a total sugar addict. Any recommendations?

I’ve gained 20lb over the past 18 months. And what worries me the most is my weight is increasing. I’m Apple shaped so most of my weight is on my belly (and face) but I have a cba attitude & will start next week attitude, that I’ve been trying to shake off for the past 12 months. I’ve started ‘diets’ but always crash for the sugar...

Have you looked at 16:8, where you only eat within an eight hour window? Not dieting as such, but I think it's meant to be good for you because it allows your body to regulate insulin production better.

I have tried that many times :-( Id say I have definite tendencies to binge eat. I used to go on a binge for an evening but then it became a day, a few days, a week. I hate how out of control I am around cake, chocolate & sugar. It’s also 100 times worse when I’m tired, stressed or in a bad mood. I can be really good for a few days, eat well, stay within calories but once I’m tired or had a bad day something in my mind snaps & it’s game over. I’ve tried for 18 months but i weigh more now than I did 18 months ago when I ‘started’ the aim of getting back to my original weight. I’d be happy even to lose a stone let alone 21lbs

Good luck. You can do it

I'm in a similar position to you, I'm 8st 10lbs and calorie counting to get down to 8st 4lbs. I'm 5'5" and don't do any 'formal' exercise - no gym or exercise classes. I've lost 7lbs in 3 weeks but find the last 1/2 stone the hardest! I'm doing 1,200 cal a day and tracking on the 'My Fitness Pal' App to keep my diet balanced

I have the same kind of mentality as you and I've realised that I just can't have my 'trigger' foods in the house. For me it was mainly crisps (and chocolate once I'd started eating it every night) I used to actually feel quite panicked if I ran out!

Once I could see that it was practically an addiction to these foods, I started treating it like when I quit smoking. Basically I told myself that I'm an adult and I can control what I put in my body, but it's up to me. I can eat these foods (or smoke) if I want to, but I do it with the full knowledge that it's bad for me. If I want to be healthier or not be under the mental hold of these things then I can choose to stop. It will be hard for a while but so beneficial in the long run.

The only way for me to make the change was not to have big bags of crisps or chocolate in the house. I still have days where I 'fail' and have a bit of a binge but it just reinforces that I'm right to try to get it under control.

I eat a really good diet now, with food I really enjoy. I think I was kidding myself that junk food was the only treat food. I'm losing weight slowly and steadily.

Another thing that has made a big difference to me, is taking up cross stitch in the evenings. I don't think about eating at all when I'm doing it and you have to have clean hands so no crisps allowed! I just do the small kits, so really easy and I've ended up with a nice little pile of work that I can use for cards, framing etc. I'm actually so happy about this, so I definitely recommend a craft of some kind for keeping busy when you would normally boredom eat.

Thanks - I definitely can’t have chocolate & biscuits in the house because I will eat them ALL. Whether I want them or not.

My OH complains there are no treats in so I tell him to put his away from me. But then when I’m on a ‘binge’ I’m literally like a drug addict looking everywhere in the house. I’m embarrassed & ashamed to behave like this. I’m such a rational person & know damn well it’s bad for me & I will regret but something gets a hold of me. I guess in the way it does for people addicted to smoking/drinking/drugs.

I’ve started back on MFP today doing 1200 cals. I know all the ‘tricks’ of low cal/fulfilling foods so just trying to get a control of the sugar binges. I guess writing this here means I can be open & honest without telling people I know how insane I am around chocolate! It sounds ludacris but I feel like a crack head!

@Mummyoply - well done that is fab. My previous weight & dream would be to be 8st again. But I’d be happy to be 8st 7lb. I’m currently 9st 7 (5ft 1) - it’s all mid sections & chubby cheeks. What sort of activity do you do during the day?

I'm similar in that I carry my weight on my tummy and bottom. I don't do a lot really, I have a pre-schooler and we are outdoorsy so we do a lot of walking, playing outdoors etc. I was very physically active before I had my little one (through a sporty hobby which I no longer do), but now my weight is really just controlled by my diet. I'd love to be more toned!

It sounds like you are doing all the right things! This thread is great to keep us motivated!

I have a similar personality to you OP and am 5 ft 3ins. I went from 10 stone 4lbs to 8 stone 10 . Gradually over a few months by not having snacks in the house ever and also weighing myself daily. I also increased my exercise . I would like to get down to 8stone 7lbs .

I’m so similar to you. I’m an inch shorter than you, weigh you weigh and would be happy if I got to 8 stone. Sugar is a massive problem for me, as is stress.

You'll just have to go cold turkey on the sugar, I'm afraid. Only way to beat those cravings! I have found by getting into coffee instead (decaf otherwise my sleep is affected) I can appreciate that after a meal instead of a chocolate.

Other than that and making sure you are in deficit, up your exercise. An hour's walk can burn over 300 calories and it's just the deciding to do it that is the most difficult. Hardly any recovery time needed. So have a walk after dinner, everyday, for example 7 to 8 and you should start seeing a difference.

If you get hungry, look at your macro balance. Upping fat and protein proportionately to carbs really satiates.

@veryvery I agree re: sugar and carbs. I have to be really careful with carbs as I'm also diary free and a vegetarian. I take lunch out with me always so I'm not tempted to buy quick fixes when out all day. Being prepared is key really - as boring as it sounds! I still have treats, but at the end of the day and only if I have enough calories left.

Another tip is to remember to count everything, I count chewing gum, squash, tea, coffee etc. Even if it's just a couple of calories I count it.

If you can get through the first 3 days without all the white bread, crisps, chocolate it gets easier. I always find the first few days I am literally mouth watering starving hungry even if I've ever loads of non-carb food. Then it's fine.

I've lost 2 stone in 4 months. I swapped bread for rice crackers, only eat chocolate at night and I run 5k every other day. I feel so good!

@CostaCosta thats amazing

Ok - so I’m on day 3 of no junk/sugar/chocolate.

Last night I went on a mad binge of cheese & rice cakes?! Strangely that’s what I was really craving. I was tired & had a bad day at work. I knew at the time stop stop stop but it’s like I’m possessed. My OH said don’t do that you’ll regret it but it made no difference. Wtf is this binging all about? God I hate it.

But sort of feel happier that I didn’t binge on chocolate like I usually would?!

I also have had longterm problems with bingeing and have found The Stop Binge Eating Podcast with Kirstin Sarfde helpful, OP. I haven't had a sugary binge since last October now! It's something I had been doing since age 11 or so.

I don't calorie count atm, but I make sure I eat plenty of protein at each meal and not too many carbs, eg salad with chicken breast or steak with vegetables, no potatoes, pasta, etc. I also do weight training/running 6 days a week.

@schmalex - wow, that’s a lot of working out. Go you! I find I’m hungrier/worse for binges the day after a workout (when I’m tired/sore) It’s so odd. Does your workout schedule have any effect on your mentality towards food?

I was raised on big portions & a lot of sugar/carbs/that sort of taste. We always had ‘pudding’ and things like white bread & white pasta. But there was never much chocolate in the house. Strangely my Parents are slim & don’t have food issues. I’ve been greedy my whole life & a sugar addict. I can even remember back to school I would eat chocolate bars at lunchtime rather than buying a proper meal.

I’m happy to cut down on carbs, I love fruit, veg, plain yoghurt, lean meat, soups etc. It’s the chocolate & cake I’m battling.

@Rainallnight - happy to be accountable to one another?

I'm currently on holiday and have managed some treats, BBQ, Chinese and lunch out (over the week) all while staying in calorie count. I think binge eating might be less likely if you don't deny yourself treats. Eat a balanced diet and a treat is ok within your daily allowances.

Sorry - I’m a binger in the sense once I get the taste I’m on one! I could never have just a few rows of chocolate for example. It would have to be the whole bar, and then I’d be sniffing for more. I wish I could control myself it’s so so embarrassing. I really don’t know why I behave like this!

@Sunisshining12 I see, perhaps best not to have anything you don't want to eat in the house then - but I'm sure you know that. Do you think you eat according to how you feel emotionally?

It might not work for you but I tend to keep chocolate treats in the house that are less then 100 cal, I love choc and know that I have one choc treat a day that I can have inside my calorie count. I also like salty savoury snacks so I have a 44cal bag of salty popcorn each day. I use about 80cal a day for oat milk in my hot drinks and the rest is split between breakfast, lunch, dinner and one snack. I also sometimes have a choc or caramel flavoured breakfast which is low cal but feels like a treat

Rice cakes might encourage a binge since they contain quite simple carbs. You're best avoiding snacks if you can. I find fizzy water with a dash of unsweetened lemon a pretty refreshing drink which sort of stops the cravings.

Another trick, if you've been thinking about food for while is to look at your watch at the start of the craving, resist it, then in 5 minutes time tell yourself you would have eaten it by then. Then sort of pretend you have eaten it.

Thanks for advice - day 4 starts today!