Overeating junk, always tired, can't fall asleep, clothes won't fit... Help!

[tiredandgreedy]

Hi, I need some help but don't know where to begin.

Firstly, I can't stop eating, in the day it's ok, but in the evening, I can't stop (eg last night a whole pack of Fingers). I feel uncomfortable and am putting on weight but can't seem to stop it. I work alternate daily shifts (9-5pm, 2.30-10.30pm) which means it's hard to get into an eating routine but also at night after a late I find it very hard to switch off my brain and sleep, meaning sometimes I've had to get up for a 9am shift after not getting to sleep until 4am that night. All sorts of things swirl through my mind and I just can't switch off.

I've tried to exercise but as I'm so tired I always put it off. (I know working til 10.30pm then in at 9 the next day doesn't help my tiredness but I am stuck with this rota for a while). I've tried WW etc and I do ok in the day then again, in the evening, carbs and sweets overload, as though to compensate for being so cold and tired this time of year!

Now I'm not fitting in my clothes and I hate it, I know I need a kick up the bum, but I just don't know where to start, has anyone been in this situation or got any advice? It feels like I'm trapped in a circle!

(I've namechanged as I'm so down about this, but been here yonks, penguins, fresh pasta etc..) Thanks x

chloe- you won't like this, but I think it's a bit of a cop-out to put-off eating healthily- because there is never a good /right time.

If you eat everything you say- then you will end up more overwieght than ever and it will be doubly hard in January! You don't need to deny yourself 100% but just limit the chocs to 1 or 2, not a whole box at a time. Give the rest away!

Wow, lots of responses! I think cold turkey would be hard especially over christmas but I think ChloeHandbag has a good idea about eating junk in moderation but then quit it after Christmas. purple I have tried to go cold turkey and deny myself to the past and sorry to say my willpower gives out and I end up scoffing whole packs of biscuits . I am going to have to stop buying stuff like that, maybe get the individually sealed WW biscuits, something like that?

orangina I will look up that book. You say you managed the 2 week plan, (well done!) what happened after? Thanks for your advice, I'll have a look at the vitamins today on my break.

MRsMattie I am going to go and do 15 min exercise DVD now, then I bought lots and lots of fruit earlier so going to make a fruit salad to take into work!

Why do we make out we are not responsible for what goes in our mouths? That our body is some separate entity that has a 'will' of its own and we must indulge it? (Not having a go, just curious as to how we view ourselves)

Of course you can resist things, you've just got to WANT to do it.

I would cut out sugar nd snacking on crap. there are LOADS of alternatives, even at this time of year.

If you can't go cold turkey- and I do understand that- could you keep your treats for a weekend? I think if you have biscuits etc in the house it just makes it so hard. Could you reward yourself with one thing if you have had a good week?

Can use use visualisation? ie can you imagine yourself thin, and focus on that image every time you are tempted?

I see what you are saying Cybil, but addiction is addiction. Physical and emotional cravings DO exist, you can't deny them even though you wish they weren't there.

I do agree though, that unless you really, really, want to, you won't have the strength to see it through.

What works for me is thinking about a horrible sugar monster lurking in my stomach. When I get a craving I think of it giggling in there, and then imagine it getting smaller and smaller as I deny it food.

It works for me, but I don't think I will be syndicating the idea just yet lol!

Best of luck t&g

But there is addiction and there is plain greed I am guilty of the latter, not the former, and I suspect most people who could do with losing a few pounds are too.

Oh yes, I am greedy too . But addiction to sugar is pretty powerful stuff - hence the physical withdrawal when you give up (headaches, foggy head, skin eruptions, dodgy guts, feelings of panic etc etc).
IMO sugar, if out of control, is the devil's work. Some can tolerate it better than others, but it is definitely not good for my health.

If you have ever had a sugar 'problem' then you will understand

Yes I am currently in the midst of giving it up! trying to do Low GI and so far so good. Bread is my other devil food. Good luck with your eating. be kind to your body!

Best of luck Cybil.

I am a few weeks in, and feeling so much better that the prospect of Christmas isn't worrying me too much. I wouldn't have believed anyone who said I could do Christmas without chocolate and alcohol!

Losing pounds is great too, but I did it because I was fed up of going from one sugar rush to another, and feeling like a slug inbetween!

purplepeony - you are right of course, but in my case I know that no matter what I tell myself that I won't resist over Christmas so if I set myself that goal all will happen is I'll feel down for not meeting it. It's better to be realistic and say that the full on health kick starts in January. In the meantime I'm eating good stuff as well and not drinking except at the weekend.

Update on yesterday, I was pleased with myself, had some toast for breakkie, for lunch it was a Shapers meal deal, for dinner I did have half a pizza (am using up what I've got) but I had it with lots of salad. I also had fruit throughout the day, and amazingly for me, no chocolate or crisps! One BM appeared but it was at tea time, nothing today!

Still had a sleep issue though and didn't get off til after 2, but I'll try again tonight...

Good luck everyone else who is on the same journey, Jajas, Chloe, Cybil. I think there's lots of good advice on this thread so fingers crossed for us all!

Well done for eating sensibly- but you do need to increase your fibre intake. You probably came nowhere near the 25-30 grams intake.

You might find this helps. Netdr says 18 grams but more recent studies say 25-30 grams.

""25 to 30 grams of dietary fiber each day
(depending on age and daily calorie totals)
says the American Dietetic Association.""

thatwww.netdoctor.co.uk/focus/nutrition/facts/lifestylemanagement/fibre.htm

Also, try to have protein for breakfast- eggs, cheese on toast, porridge with milk, yogurt and fruit- and you will feel much fuller for longer.

Well done for starting on this. I too am a snacker, my waist-line is embarrassing now - I'm in my just-had-a-baby clothes again. I'm inspired by you and have been reading this thread most thoughtfullly.

How about a pedometer to help with exercise? You can get them for about a tenner. Aim to do 10,000 steps a day - you don't have to find any extra time, but will find yourself taking stairs instead of lifts etc. Plus the satisfaction of doing a week's worth of 10,000 step is great!

Hi Omicron, welcome to the clan! Yes a pedometer's a great idea, I have 2 breaks at work, usually on my second I have a snack/choc, but yesterday I just got a tea and went for a walk (round the shops admittedly, but even so!)

Today, I've had soup, roll and salad, but going to do a big shop now, going to get porridge, spinach, natural yoghurt, healthy yummy stuff. No crap! I eat fish but no meat so maybe that's affecting the fibre intake, peony? Will be checking packets...

2 BM's this afternoon! Bonsoir would be proud

Jajas, Chloe, Cybil - how have you got on today?

OP- meat will not make any differnce to your fibre intake- you need wholewheat carbs, plenty of fruit and veg and liquids.
Dried fruit such as apricots and figs are great for fibre but they are also quite high in calories, as are nuts- so if you eat the, watch the amount!

Sugar addiction is real and hard to beat. BUT I read "Slim 4 Life" by Jason Vale. I highly recommend it because it is not a diet plan. It simply points out why we are addicted to sugar/coffee/junk. And then he gives a clear plan as to how to avoid the stuff and feel really well once you start eating things our bodies actually need. It is a fantastic book.

I got it from the library.

I'm a big, big fan of the Harcombe Diet. Infact I've raved about it on many threads.

It sorted out my candida(thrush) imbalance which causes cravings for processed, sugary foods, as well as other issues. White bread, cake, vinegar were the indicators. It completely sorted me out, lost the bloatedness, loads of weight, had loads of energy, stopped cravings etc.

Essentially its a 5 day detox and a low-carb diet. I'm not a fan of diets, I feel its pretty basic stuff - take in less energy, expend more - and have had some success with Weightwatchers but its an effort. This one suited me, and I think thats the key - you've got to find something which suits you as an individual.

I'll find the thread on here about it, so you can make your own mind up.

harcombe diet thread www.mumsnet.com/Talk/big_slim_whatever_weight_loss_club/802314-This-could-change-your-life

You see, you'd be better off with some good plain chocolate rather than a mince pie. Mince pies are all wrong in every aspect, pastry, suet, sugar, dried fruit concentrate the fructose. Have the chocolate instead!

Now that's not the attitude, is it?

Bananas are full of natural sugar.