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Original poster

I think I've cracked weightloss

58 replies

HomeSliceKnowsBest · 23/09/2021 10:30

I need to loose weight so that I fit comfortably into my clothes (!) My weight is all over the place and I struggle to keep my hands off DD's packed lunch chocolate stash Blush, and never eat just one or two bars BlushBlush.
Anyhow, on Monday I told myself I would have willpower 'just for today's and wouldn't eat any junk 'just for today'. Shockingly this worked, so I tried the same Tuesday, Wednesday and today. It has actually worked! I think I'm tricking my greedyguts self into believing I can binge on crap tomorrow, which is overriding my need and desire to binge today.
I appreciate this may sound deranged, but it is working so I thought I'd share it here incase anyone else is in a similar position, re. The unbreakable binging cycle.
I am calling it the 'Just One Day Diet! Please let me know how you get on Smile.

OP posts:
HollowTalk · 23/09/2021 10:32

It's the same as AA's "one day at a time" mantra, isn't it?

4BlueTowers · 23/09/2021 10:34

God I need to try this. I am huge right now and I tend to have a small slip and then throw my hands in the air.

HotPenguin · 23/09/2021 10:34

Good luck! This is like mindfulness. I use the same approach when I'm driving, as I hate driving. So I tell myself I just gave to drive to point a, ok now I drive to point b, then point c. It sounds silly but it really helps me cope with the drive. If I thought about driving to c all in one go it would be overwhelming.

Deathraystare · 23/09/2021 10:35

Yeah it works. It has worked on me when I behave!!!

MsFogi · 23/09/2021 10:36

This sounds like a great idea!
Does anyone have any more insight on how this is backed up/works with AA?

BikeRunSki · 23/09/2021 10:38

That’s what I was going to say..

I do 2 fast days a week, where I eat 600 cals. It’s harsh, but I tell myself, I can do anything for a day.

IToldYouIWasFreaky · 23/09/2021 10:40

That's how I quit smoking! I was only ever a social smoker anyway, so not massively addicted but my mindset was "let's see if I can do this night out without smoking" etc rather than "I'm never going to have a cigarette ever again!"

Setting yourself small challenges that are easy to achieve gives you a good boost and the mindset of "I'm not saying never again, I'm just saying not now" is helpful too.

Defiantly41 · 23/09/2021 10:41

this is the same as Martha Beck's 4-day Win strategy - it's a good book to get hold of as she also addresses/gives you work to do to address the reasons for overeating in the beginning - as there will be times when you backslide

Original poster
HomeSliceKnowsBest · 23/09/2021 10:41

It's so simple, but breaks it down so I don't feel as though it's 'forever.
I've been practicing mindfulness more in recent times, and what you say makes a lot of sense, @HotPenguin
@Deathraystare
It is also interesting to hear that this technique works for other areas of life too.
@4BlueTowers I'm the exact same, once I've given in, that's it!
@Deathraystare it's behaving which is the tricky part! Grin

OP posts:
4BlueTowers · 23/09/2021 10:46

@MsFogi

This sounds like a great idea! Does anyone have any more insight on how this is backed up/works with AA?
One Day At a time. So it basically means deal with today. Don't drink today. Today is all you have control of.

It does work, although I am a failed AA member!

4BlueTowers · 23/09/2021 10:48

I mean that today is all you have control of and need to think about. If that makes sense.

TheDogsMother · 23/09/2021 10:53

This is how I gave up smoking and it didn't seem such a huge mountain to climb. I kept the open packet in the drawer for over three years Grin

lazylinguist · 23/09/2021 10:58

It's common sense imo. Saying "I am not going to eat chocolate etc for the foreseeable future" is daunting and depressing and makes you want to immediately reach for the nearest treat. Taking it one day at a time is much more psychologically manageable.

monotonousmum · 23/09/2021 11:00

@HotPenguin

Good luck! This is like mindfulness. I use the same approach when I'm driving, as I hate driving. So I tell myself I just gave to drive to point a, ok now I drive to point b, then point c. It sounds silly but it really helps me cope with the drive. If I thought about driving to c all in one go it would be overwhelming.
I do this when walking - not much recently, but when youger and walking in heels or with heavy bags etc. Just get to the next lamppost...
theseoldbone · 23/09/2021 11:00

It is the same as over eaters anonymous which yes, was built off the back of AA.

Unicorn34 · 23/09/2021 11:00

Allowing yourself to have something is a positive thought - saying NO is negative and automatically makes you want it. When I gave up smoking years ago I used to say "I WILL have a cigarette in an hour's time" and then kept the time getting longer - so I was allowing myself to have one but choosing to allow myself later on, IYSWIM. Always better for a positive thought than a negative. Well done!

MagpiePi · 23/09/2021 11:00

I do this!

It works better now that my -gannets- sons have moved out as it used to be 'If I don't have this biscuit now, it definitely won't be here tomorrow.'

Also, put tempting things out of sight.

LindaEllen · 23/09/2021 11:03

@HollowTalk

It's the same as AA's "one day at a time" mantra, isn't it?
Exactly this.

People don't realise that actually, carbs/sugary snacks can be hugely addictive, and it's ridiculously difficult to break the habits that lead you to eating them.

I'm trying to lose weight at the moment after a stressful lockdown (same as lots of others, of course) and even though I previously lost 12stone I'm finding it tough to get that willpower back now.

Mercurial123 · 23/09/2021 11:05

That's good if you can keep it up, it's only been four days.

gunnersgold · 23/09/2021 11:08

Well done !

userxx · 23/09/2021 11:10

@Mercurial123

That's good if you can keep it up, it's only been four days.
Your positivity shines through.
OnwardsAndSideways1 · 23/09/2021 11:24

It also works the other way. If you have a 'bad day' and eat everything in sight, don't abandon your weight loss plan, just say oh dear, that was a bad day, start again tomorrow.

This insight helped me enormously because I realised I didn't need to panic and just binge every time I had a bad day.

olivesnutsandcheeseplease · 23/09/2021 12:00

This Is useful. I managed to eat loads less crap yesterday and nothing in the evening after dinner. Today is another day and I'm being organised and making sure there is healthy cooked foods available for meals.
Not eating enough (and protein) at meals sends me always to the snack box for the instant hit but I think if I can get out of this habit I have a good chance to lose some weight and feel better in my clothes again.

Thanks for sharing OP

CoralBells · 23/09/2021 12:02

I'll give it a go. Thanks op

PhoboPhobia · 23/09/2021 12:11

@OnwardsAndSideways1

It also works the other way. If you have a 'bad day' and eat everything in sight, don't abandon your weight loss plan, just say oh dear, that was a bad day, start again tomorrow.

This insight helped me enormously because I realised I didn't need to panic and just binge every time I had a bad day.

I was reading abou this yesterday - all or nothing thinking. I definietly do that.

I think mindfulness in general is helpful. Like I know logically that eating crap is a short term 'high' and I will almost always regret it in an hour. I think for me it's brekaing out of that quick, not thinking about it, grabbing a snack. I have to train myself to stop and think before I eat something. When I do, I know I don't need it.