2011 Paul McKenna P3 - the march towards skinny jeans continues

[whomovedmychocolate]

Well the old thread was getting mordibly obese wasn't it?

Welcome new people and people who've been here for a while, this is the definitive Paul McKenna support thread.

Whether you are dribbling over his Paulness or wibbling over pudding, we're here to listen, slightly mock you and tell you to step away from the scales.

The Paul Mckenna plan is not a diet but a way of teaching yourself to eat slowly and consciously and achieve the body you've always dreamed of.

There will be no diet foods on this thread, no starvation and no beating ourselves up because ^lifes' too bloody short to weigh a carrot and we'd far rather be doing something incredible instead!

I've just 'fessed up to DD that I ate her mini-eggs last night.

"What all of them?"
"Er yes, I'll get you some more.
"

Oh celestial I know what you mean about the photos. My father seems to have the knack of taking utterly repellant photos of me and I saw one when we were up last Sunday ( in his defence DS looked mega cute in it) and it knocked me for six, I started snacking when I got home and it took me a while to realise what was causing it.

Paul says in the book that everyone will struggle from time to time and not to beat yourself up about it but just to keep going with the principles and not weigh yourself for a while.

Celestial - my heart goes out to you. It is miserable feeling like that. Slow down and calm down. I think the problem is that we are all conditioned to these diets when you get an amazing result in the first couple of weeks (which is usually just water anyway) and this is a change for the rest of your life. Hopefully that's a bloody long time. I had to change my expectations when I started this. I did do this plan before but as someone else said, I wasn't really ready to make the deep down changes. Everything about this time feels different.

A couple of things strike me about your post:

You have been struggling for three years - sounds like you should be able to shake these habits, with a bit of help from Paul (and the amazing folk on this thread). If I can undo 3 decades of bad food habits, you can definitely do this - we're all here to hold your hand through it.

It sounds like you are eating chocolate due to cravings rather than hunger - could you try the aversion technique?

Is there any chance you could be pregnant? Just the big boobs and belly combo....apologies if that is cheeky/rude/upsetting in any way but it was just a fleeting thought.

Are you REALLY eating exactly what you want? Truly? Because this is one of the hardest parts when you have been dieting and got into different habits.

It takes a while for this to settle down - imagine an old fashioned weighing scale. Take the extra weight (your extra eating) from one end and the pointer swings back and forward for a bit but eventually it points to the middle. There is bound to be an adjustment period.

I find that it helps to not talk about fat/weight/weight loss/Paul Mckenna/ anything related at all in real life. I come on here and talk about it but the rest of the time I try to forget about it. It has made me feel gloriously free.

I hope some of this is helpful, if not, just tell me to shut up

And stay away from photos for a while. You will find that as your attitude changes, your opinion of the photos will too.

Ok, it's me again.

I need to share something. My friend lent me a dress a couple of weeks ago to wear to an event at the end of May. It wouldn't even go over my head - retro size 16. Very sad. But I just tried it on again and it goes on and nearly zips up. I cannot believe it, so excited! So even though I have just ordered the same style in an 18, it may be going back as the 16 is looking distinctly possible

Hope you are all happy too

Well done shrinkingnora - and you have a definitive goal to aim for which is very Mckenna as well, keep visualising yourself in the sie 16 looking happy relaxed and confident.....

I am not doing so good have wolfed down 4 Hotel Chocolat chocolates, have had annoying day with DS being whingy and then DH arriving home all full of the joys of spring because he is on holiday. I felt grumpy then guilty because I felt grumpy, DH and DS have gone out and I feel I should have gone with them for a bike ride but I need the head space, plus doing some tidying up. Darn that emotional eating.

Juicy Rookie Nora Thank you all for your kind words and support. at all advice to stay away from cameras. This is usually my mission in life but DH caught me unawares. He knows that I don't do photographs because I just rip myself apart and also because I am fundamentally the most unphotogenic person ever.

Also at maybe pregnant? I loved that Nora but thankfully that isn't the case. Three DS's are more than enough for me! Definately not going down that route again. Although my ever so out of proportionate huge belly does make me look about 30weeks and the massive boobs don't help much either. I was thinking about asking my GP if he would refer me for a breast reduction. My boobs alone must weigh over a stone!

I think I am eating what I want. I had toast and Jam for breakfast. Lunch was an apple and 2 biscuits. Dinner this evening was steak pie and chips which I served up on a side plate (so smaller portions) and couldn't finish it all. Then I watched a film this evening and had crisps and chocolate thereby totally ruining everything! I have thought about doing the aversion for chocolate but I don't know if I want to give it up forever

Nora Really fabulous results! You must be thrilled. I'm so excited for you and can't wait til I'm dropping dress sizes too. Well done

Rookie I hope you enjoyed your peace and quiet. It's bliss when that happens. Such rare moments

Juicy Like you I don't want any of my FB friends to know about my weight and food struggle. So I'll be sticking around on here too

Had a mixed evening. Been out with old friends - some of whom I haven't seen for a couple of years. Because we were eating quite early cos their Dc were younger I didn't overreat but I definitely drank too much as I fell asleep in front of Graham norton later on!

I've gone off sugar on my cornflakes! it's the only cereal that I ever added sugar to and I've gone off it!

Aaaand! I've found out tonight that a 29 year old fancies me!!! boost or what?!

Just thinking there us quite a lot of negativity in this thread at the moment and wouldn't it be great to list some of our positive physical attributes. I'll start if you like:

I'm Olive and:

I have good (shiny) hair
Expressive eyes
Impressive eyelashes
Good ankles
Good Norks (when supported bh industrial underwear.)

Over to you ladies...

at solo cradle snatching. What a confidence boost...

absobloodylutely Olive. Shame he's not really available though (typical eh?!)

I'm solo and...naff all is great anymore!

Cmon Solo. Surely you can list one attractive attribute (it's for Paul FFS!)

Erm...Great smile despite crap looking teeth!

He's 17 years younger than me...

Oooooh Solo :) Of course he fancies you!

I need to sleep more. I've found when I'm tired I just throw whatever I can find in my mouth without a second thought...such was the case today. :( But! One of my friends wants to go out tomorrow night and see this band that we used to follow around in our pre-mummy days. She's gorgeous , lost all her baby weight immediately, etc, etc. Luckily she's fabulous and nice or I'd hate her. Anyway I never want to go out anymore because I feel so fat all the time, but I decided what the hell and am going to go. I'm not going to miss out on my life anymore. I'll slap on some fake eyelashes and heels like the old days and have a blast! :o

Anyway. I'm Cheerful and have nice eyes and a good smile thanks to my parents spending a bloody fortune in orthodontia. :) Plus I'm happy a lot, and my smile shows it.

Whomoved 9 stone 9 is my goal weight too! I think it is anyway

Yes! It is. Not sure what I weigh now (was going to step on the scale the other day, but at this point, that way madness lies :) ) but I started at 13 stone and some.

Just a note - its a FB group, unless yoru friends are also members of teh group, they cant read anything you post :)

I woke up feelingh great today, afterlistening to the MEotional Eating CD last night. I mindlessly ate a huge bag of Kettle crisps last night for no reason whatsoever, apart from that I wanted them! I have forgiven myself though, moved on & have woken to a fresh new day.

We seem to have some sun today, so going to do soem gardening & enjoy it!

yikes, I apologise for my terrible typing! I had DS sitting on my lap

Good move, Olive. I was going to do similar but was going to suggest we posted our favourite thing about Pauling but we can save that for next time we need a boost!

I'm shrinkingnora and I count the following as my blessings:

I have a cracking rack

Finely turned ankles

My hair is looking pretty good (even with the new post pregnancy growth which is like some mad curly halo)

My tummy is getting flatter by the second

I met some new people last night and they said I was really nice and funny

In fact I am really bloody funny. I had them in stitches (in a good way).

Solo - how about the fact a mere stripling fancies you? And may I point out that you are really pretty? You just look like a lovely person.

Celestial - another thing occurred to me. When you are eating chocolate, are you putting it on a plate and putting it down between mouthfuls? It makes a massive difference - it will force you to eat it more consciously. So say yes to the binge if that's what you really need to be doing for now but make a deal with yourself that you will put it on a plate.

CY - have a lovely time. I went to see a band the other day for the first time in ages and I had forgotten how much fun it is.

Last night I watched 3 people eat chinese takeaway and I didn't even have a prawn cracker because I was full.

Aww! thanks Nora! I guess I'm just feeling old at the moment; everything's heading south...

But now!!! I have to lose weight just in case I end up naked cos someone fancies me

I weighed myself this morning and had lost a pound.

Then I had a poo, weighed myself again, and I'd put the pound back on again. .

That'll learn me (as my Grandad used to say).

Glaikit - just wanted to let you know that it may not show on your profile page or your friends' news feeds but the Facebook posts are open to all to see. I guess there may be a low chance of your friends just finding that group though.

Haven't had a good eating day today but quite pleased as I tried on some pre-DD jeans and while they give me a huge muffin top I do look better than last time I tried them on. Onwards and upwards!

Juicy - glad I'm not the only one with psycho scales!

Afternoon all

Nora - that's fantastic about the dress. Well done. I think feeling a difference like that is even better than seeing it on the scales (and you too, Obiwan, with the jeans).

I can't respond to everything now, as only have a few minutes, but I'm intrigued that we all (me included) hate ourselves in photos. I think that's a sign of bigger issues than just weight and being photogenic. In my case I think it's very much to do with feeling ugly inside and so almost demanding to express that on the outside. But I'd be intrigued to know what your take on it is.

Celestial - I know what you mean about not wanting to give up choc forever (or in my case cheese and crisps). But try the cravings buster - you may need to do it a few times, but in theory you should then be able to eat it like a normal person. I find it easier on the CD (5cd set) than from the book, fwiw.

I will think of some good things about myself and come back later.