Slim ladies.. for whom staying skinny is secretly a constant battle...Tell me how you do it!!

[Callipo]

So I have lost 3 stone .. Hurrah!! and now I am slim... Hurrah!! And I'm starting to love following you SandB lot and enjoying feeling nice about myself and wearing stylish clothes and looking not too bad at all, though I say so myself .
But shaping up was hard work and I am terrified that I will put it all back on the second I stop concentrating. Over Christmas I stopped working on it for about 3 days and gained 2lb. So I need to hear from slender ladies who work at it - not those who are naturally skinny - but those who can tell me how they stay mindful without being obsessed.
I've posted here cos my motivation is to stay slim for style and beauty but do tell me if I need to scurry back to Big/slim..

I walk or cycle a lot - and I know that makes a huge difference because during holidays when I'm not doing the school run I always put on some weight.

I have a very big late breakfast and then usually don't bother with much (if any lunch).

And I'm mindful of portions - am careful not to serve myself more than I really want or need.

Vicar it IS worth doing online,especially if you go via the quidco cashback site as they have a cashback offer at the moment effectively giving you 3 months membership for just £1 They have lots of online support via the forums too and you can still visit meetings if you feel the need I think.

Linky to cashback here www.quidco.com/user/139890/83982/weightwatchers

thanks dobby...will take a look at that tomorrow! x

I'm 5'4" and a size 8-10. I've abandoned all self-restraint over Christmas and put on 3lb (am now 8 stone 9), which serves as a reminder to me that I do need to work at keeping my weight down!

The only time in my life it's ever been effortless (apart from traumatic break-up with first proper boyfriend) was when I was living in Brussels and didn't have a car, and walked miles and miles every day. I found I was able to indulge in whatever I wanted (and the Belgians do stodge phenomenally well- beef carbonade with stoemp, anyone?) and stay slim. So for me, I have to do some form of exercise to offset the scoffing.

I'm convinced BFing DS has helped no end- I'm generally half a stone lighter than before my pregnancy. But I try to eat healthily too- cook everything from scratch, make sure the fruit bowl's always full and that there are things like carrots, celery and olives in the fridge for snacking, etc.

Congrats on your weight loss, OP, and good luck for keeping it off!

It is probably possible to do WW without vast investment ( of ££ I mean - you do need to invest effort!!)e.g. you can go to one meeting (often vouchers for this in the WW magazine)get your points allocated and buy the basic pack (about £20 total) (or borrow it from someone). There's lots of stuff (diaries, weekly pamphlets etc) you don't actually need. Just write down your intake in your own diary. You could, if you were so inclined, then just get on with it. If you like support or motivation of groups then obviously not so good. You can often find WW bits and bobs on ebay too. I think going to meetings is very valuable, but if you can't suspect the system still works.

I used to be size 8-10 and never over 9 stone. It was easy, I don't like processed food, or sweets and had time for the gym. Now I have kids under 5 . My dh works most evening, when he is off I eat more.
I don't get time for the gym as I have the dc and only one is at school. They eat full meals very healthy 3 times a day but of course they never stop running about! I am guilty of finishing their food. I have just given up coffe, wine , bread pasta and pots but still have too cook for the dc which is very hard. I have a exercis DVD and I try and do Callanetics everyday, it's going ok so far, I can't bear the roll of fat around my middle, my clothes don't fit and I look terrible. Used to be ok with being naked at home but now never ever, even in bed!

There's a problem of perspective here.

Instead of picking a size and saying 'it's a healthy aim', you should aim to be healthy.

That should mean putting only food and drink that is good for you into your body, reminding yourself of your goal of good health and a body that can function at its best whenever you are tempted, and recognising that fearing and trying to control food/drinks or certain foods and drinks is going to add stress and maybe even a fixation in other words, a negative into your life, when you should be trying to focus on bringing into your life all that is positive.

You have to dump the fear and the desire to impose control and develop an attitude that embraces all that is good for you because you need and in fact deserve all that is good.

All that is good includes some exercise that you love and that can be done at a time that is convenient for you. It shouldn't feel like punishment. Eating shouldn't feel like a form of iron discipline. Try to do it with a sense that you are nourishing yourself.