I need help...and I don't know where to turn...

[Lorralorralaughs]

Hello wise ladies, I need your help, I just don't know where to start or where to turn.

I am today, at my very heaviest, 18st 6lb. I started Slimming World on the 4th January, and this is probably my 20th attempt at losing weight. I lost 3lbs in my first week, and then just totally blew it last week, eating everything in sight, and managed to put all 3lbs back on again. I am a terrible self sabotager, an emotional eater, a boredom snacker and have next to no willpower.

I feel like a heifer, but I just don't know what to do. I bought a skirt today in a size 20 and can't do it up....and it's brought me to tears and my lowest point ever....and I don't know where to turn or what to do next.

I have battled with my weight for so long, I just long to feel 'normal'..but I've forgotten but that feels like.

Does anyone have any ideas, or advice they could give me?

Thank you in advance x

Firstly be kind to yourself.
Don't set time limits. Dieting is a marathon not a sprint.
Don't get hung up on 'diet advice'. Do what works for you.
Often we get hung up on weighing things when in actual fact you are trying to change habits of a lifetime and that will take time.
Concentrate on healthy and filling foods such as porridge or weetabix for breakfast.
Healthy home made soups for lunch.
Loads of veg and lean meats or other protein based foods for dinner.
Snack on fruit and plain fat free yogurt or soya yogurt.
If you are hungry make a sensible filling choice.
Take it one meal, and one day at a time and you will get there.
0.5 lb per week is 26 lbs per year.
1lb per week is 52 lbs per year.
Have a look at Lisa Coleman on You Tube and best of luck.

Maverick, thank you for your reply, I really appreciate it. Thank you for taking the time. Tomorrow is another day, hopefully a good nights sleep will help to lift me, and I can positively go forward.

I've been where you are Lorra.
It is extremely difficult to get motivated.
What I would say is there are lots of weight loss groups on face book full of like minded supportive people.
I have lost 60lbs in 18 months. I've changed my eating habits bit by bit. I try to stick to plan Monday to Friday and relax at weekends.
I hope to get to 70lbs over the summer.
I was a size 22 and 5ft7.
Good luck and I am happy to help you if I can.

Whatever happened, happened! Time to wipe the slate clean and get back on it. We have all done it hun, so don't be so hard on yourself.

Firstly, you need to get yourself a food diary to keep on track! I highly recommend a Princess Planning diary (really does keep me focussed!) But Slimming World do their own diaries at group or online.

Then I would go through your cupboards, fridge, freezers and clear out absolutely everything that are high in syns, sugar, etc. and anything that hasn't been opened, donate to a Food Bank so it is not wasted.

PLAN YOUR MEALS! This is so important! If you plan your meals, you know what to buy and it also helps you to budget as well.

Write a shopping list! I highly recommend Aldi or Lidl for dairy and meat and also fruit and veg. Cheap, cheerful and majority are free and speed food.

Lastly, just think how much do you want this? If you want it so badly, you will do it. Trust me - one meal at a time, stay consistent and you will get results!

STICK TO IT! If you need support, advice or just a little vent then come on here! We are all in this together.

I know what it's like to see those numbers...and to sabotage. This is very tough, but I guarantee you are stronger than you think you are. You can do this, one segment at a time.

I am currently 3 stone 4 lbs down, with another 3 stone to go. I lose slowly so it's a real slog some days. What helps me (different things might work for you!):

• every day I am aiming for One Good Day rather than looking any further forward
• if it all goes to pot, I draw a line and I don't attempt to compensate or try and starve to undo. I just start again aiming for One Good Day.
• I make sure I eat plenty of speedy fruit or veg as most snacks during the day
• I know when my weak points are, which is about 4pm and 8pm (after DC's bedtime). I find the best thing for me at 4pm is a small pot of Liberte fat free yoghurt with honey and a few sultanas - 2 syns and enough protein and sweetness that I feel fuller. 8pm I have chocolate, within whatever points I have left. Can honestly say I've had chocolate every day and lost almost every week.
• I aim for 7lbs at a time and don't think about the whole massive task ahead. Every 14lbs I have a non-food treat (for me a new bead on my bracelet)
• I eat foods I actually like within the plan, so I don't get grumpy! I like green beans, so often have those as 1/3 of my plate when having pasta for example. I hate lettuce so am not pretending otherwise! I also hate berries, but have discovered I like melon so that's a good snack. Maybe try some new things that you can positively enjoy, so the permitted foods are actually pleasurable?

You absolutely CAN do this, but it will take time to re-train your brain, so go gently on yourself.

Thank you, all of you for your replies. It's so kind of you to take the time. I need to read them all through properly, and use some of the tactics that you have suggested. I have had a much better couple of days. I think it helped that I got onto 'paper' how I was feeling. I suffer from terrible guilt, and that's part of the vicious cycle that I need to break.

Thank you. Xxx

Lorra its so hard isn't it. I've rejoined (for about the 4th time) but I am determined to do it this time.
I just maintained last week (2nd week) and am really disappointed , but reading these threads has helped me to draw the line and start planning this week. WE CAN DO IT !!!!

I have bought the little planner book from group and trying to use this as a motivational tool.
I can feel the crisps calling me from the cupboard but I am NOT going to let them win.
I can't throw everything out because kids and hubby want non slimming world things, but I am trying to buy high syn stuff I don't like much like quavers instead of yummy walkers crisps.
But after a bad week it's easy to think what's the point? But then I'm looking at my motivational pictures, thinking about wearing that bikini on holiday, looking in the wardrobe at all the clothes I can't fit into at the moment, being proud of myself for getting to 11:30 am without any biscuits, popping a jacket spud in the oven so I don't make myself a cheese sandwich, literally sitting on my hands to stop myself going to the cupboard for a chocolate bar.
Today I am going to have One Good Day. (great idea B1)
If I mess up I'm going to move on and have One Good Day tomorrow.
Good luck !
It helps to know there's loads of us in the same boat.

A small thing that helped me was changing my mind set in terms of reward. I started to buy myself something small and nice to reward myself for being good - before I would have rewarded myself with a food based treat. I also started to actively think about every single thing I put in my mouth and ask myself why I was eating it. Good luck