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Weight loss chat

A space to talk openly about weight loss journeys and challenges. Mumsnet hasn't checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. You may wish to speak to a medical professional before starting any diet.

What if you just eat less, walk more and let yourself feel hungry?

9 replies

WilheminaAteHer · 18/01/2011 00:35

Whenever I do this, I lose weight. When I don't, I don't. Anyone else tried it? IME the "feeling hungry" bit is essential.

OP posts:
onimolap · 18/01/2011 17:04

I find the "eating less" bit is the key.

(I walk everywhere anyhow).

JeffVadar · 18/01/2011 19:00

I have increased my exercise, mostly cycling and walking, and have been eating less for about 10 months and have lost 8kg and dropped a dress size and feel great. DH has lost nearly 20kg doing the same.

The only time I feel hungry is first thing.

WilheminaAteHer · 18/01/2011 22:31

It makes so much more sense than going on a diet, doesn't it? Unless of course, your normal diet consists of lard-coated chips Grin.

JeffVadar, that's really impressive.

OP posts:
pipkin35 · 19/01/2011 15:43

It works! Did this. Had a school reunion as a goal. Took 3 months. Lost 2 stone. Only food stuff I cut out was chips (which I used to scoff 3x a week).
Don't walk much but have discovered running - though 'running' is a very loose term for what I do.
Being hungry is key actually - I found for me, that I used to just have breakfast as an automatic thing cos I was told we should eat it etc...but naturally after a coffee I'm not actually hungry til about 10am, so I now eat then...going to bed a bit earlier too stops me 'snacking' when bored....

nappyaddict · 19/01/2011 16:41

You should never skip breakfast but like pipkin if your daily routine allows maybe have it later. Breakfast gives you a much needed metabolism boost to keep you going til your next meal. If I have it first thing with DS when I'm not actually that hungry I find I am hungry again about 10/10:30. If I just have a cup of tea first thing, I'm still not hungry until 10/10:30 so I may as well just eat my breakfast then as opposed to eating breakfast AND a snack.

When I first cut my portion size I reckon I felt hungry maybe for the first 3 days, but by day 4 my stomach started asking for less food and I was feeling fuller quicker. You have to make sure you listen to your brain telling you are satisfied rather than carrying on eating until you are stuffed.

Slowing down how fast you eat will help your brain tell you are satisfied before getting that stuffed feeling. One way of doing this is putting your fork down after every bite and then having a sip of water. Every time you do this it sends signals to the brain that you are not eating.

Also fill up on fruit and veggies when you are hungry and need a snack. The best way to stop yourself feeling hungry is basically to eat constantly throughout the day. Instead of 3 biggish meals eat 6 small meals a day. What I do is have 3 smaller meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner (I cut my portion size by using a 9 inch plate) and 3 snacks.

Carbohydrates turn to sugar and stimulate your body's insulin, thus causing a vicious cycle of hunger. Food is supposed to satiate your hunger, not increase it! Reduce your carb intake to gain control over your constant hunger.

Protein stays in your body longer than carbohydrates, so choose a lean piece of meat or an egg-based meal over carbs and minimise your hunger.

Bulky, high-fibre foods usually fill your stomach quickly and keep you satisfied for a long time. They also require quite a bit of chewing, which psychologically triggers the feeling of satisfaction.

Excessive amounts of salt is never good for your body and can definitely lead to dehydration. Since many people can't recognise the difference between hunger and thirst, eating salt could make you feel as if you are hungry when you really aren't.

Here's an obvious one but avoid sugar. It burns through your body too quickly. Even sugary snacks that are low in fat are a bad idea, as you will just get hungry soon again and require more food.

If you find yourself eating out of habit or because you are bored try to keep yourself busy.

Avoid alcohol, especially when eating. Not only is alcohol filled with empty calories, it can greatly increase your appetite. It is hard to tell when your body is full after you become a bit tipsy. Alcohol also relaxes that your willpower, which makes you even more likely to go for a second helping.

Although some people use caffeine as an appetite suppressant, you will just quickly crash after the caffeine burns through your body. This is similar to how sugar makes you hungrier than before, so try to avoid it.

JeffVadar · 19/01/2011 18:31

That's right Wilhemina! We always ate pretty well before, the only thing we changed was portion size. I was obviously a greedy pig before Blush.

Foodfocus was a big help at the start too and helped me identify a few surprise baddies like nuts. A healthy nibble, but baaaaad on calories.

WilheminaAteHer · 19/01/2011 20:51

nappyaddict - whew! Loads of good stuff there! However, I've always thought the opposite about feeling hungry - IME it's important to learn to recognise that feeling and be comfortable about feeling hungry. Also if you don't act on your hunger immediately, it passes. If you snack constantly throughout the day you won't know when you're actually hungry and are more likely to overeat.

Jeff - I now realise that being a greedy pig must be why I didn't shed my baby weight first time around! As for nuts though, I think it's all contextual. On their own, unsalted & unroasted = bad. In a chocolate brownie = good. Wink

OP posts:
JeffVadar · 20/01/2011 07:49

Yes, I think you could be right, I need to check that out immediately Grin!

nappyaddict · 20/01/2011 10:23

Wilhelmina You aren't grazing constantly but having 6 times a day when you choose to have something to eat.

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