Helloooooooooo

[bottleofbeer]

I've put on a shed load of weight recently. I know exactly why, chippy way too many times a week to admit to, boredom eating (like two packets of crisps, sweets and choc just for the sake of it) zero exercise and basically just being a lazy pig.

I'm going to NYC for a few days in a couple of weeks so bought some new clothes in my usual size (wishful thinking I think) and they wouldn't go near me.

I've stopped eating the junk, am aiming for three meals a day and if I really must snack I'm eating fruit, melba toast with cottage cheese or reduced fat hoummous etc...I'm on Alli so am keeping my meals to less than 18g of fat - I just don't get along with calorie counting and am going for a brisk 30-40 minute walk every day, taking stairs instead of lifts and walking rather than use the car. Swapped coke (of which I can drink gallons) for green tea and am making sure I get my 5 per day.

I cannot cut carbs, it is the surefire way to make me cave. So, am I making any major mistakes that anybody can see? as I've dieted before only to realise I was maybe drinking way too much fruit juice whilst thinking I'm being really healthy but using up pretty much all daily calories just in drinks. Oh and I'm not weighing myself nor do I plan to. I get too disheartened by small losses so prefer to go by how my clothes feel.

Good luck to everyone trying to lose weight.

That sounds like a major contradiction re: calories. I don't count them as I prefer the low fat route but am aware of them iykwim?

Unfortunately it all comes down to calories, too many in not enough out means you'll either not lose weight or maintain (or put on).
Doing your healthy eating plan sounds great and you will most probably see good weight loss in the beginning, but after a while unless you adjust your calorie intake (lower) according to your new weight your losses will slow or stop.

It's hard to cut carbs, so maybe make small changes and eat better carbs, like the brown rice and pasta and granary bread etc. Stopping coke, if it's the full fat kind, will make a big difference and as long as you stick to 3 meals a day (which are not carb loaded) with small low calorie healthy snacks you will do great I'm sure. Good luck!

I was afraid someone would say that!

I can't be consuming too many calories though because I'm not eating all the calorie laden junk. I find it easier to cut out the coke completely just for the sake of health. IMO it's better to drink fat coke than diet because of all the crap they put in it to sweeten it.

I've also found I don't want to eat as much when I drink green tea --because it tastes like crap and makes you feel sick because it's so good for you!

Thanks :)

Strikeout fail.

In fact because I'm so rubbish at this malarkey if I write down what I ate yesterday can someone tell me if I'm going above a good calorie for losing weight intake? because I'm just thinking "low fat and exercise" and don't really have a handle on the whole calorie thang.

Museli with ss milk with a tbsp of raisins for sweetness, (and to make it more bearable) an apple and a cup of delicious green tea.

A Costa lite & more green tea. I'll turn into an unbleached organic teabag at this rate.

Ham sandwich on wholemeal.

Baked salmon fillet with new pots and a teeny little bit of reduced fat butter.

Snacks - salt and vinegar snack a jack and enough fruit to make up my five a day (sayyyyyy another three pieces and a glass of pure orange)

Before bed cocoa made with ss milk. I'm paranoid about calcuim as osteoporosis killed my nan and turned an auntie into a literal hunchback.

40 minute brisk walk.

Hi bottle. It's great that you want to lose weight. However, it takes time to put weight on and therefore time to take it off so please, if I can stress one thing, be realistic about how much weight you will/may/should lose in "a couple of weeks".

On a very basic level weight is a balance of calories in and calories out. To lose weight you need to use more calories than you take in, thereby creating a deficit. So, initially I would ask myself why I had gained weight recently, what triggered you to eat the crisps,chocolate etc? Try to understand your triggers and find ways to work around them.

OK, with regards to your food. Museli is stuffed with sugar - even the low sugar options are full of sweeteners. Raisins are also concentrated sugar nuggets - great for quick bursts of energy but not great for weight loss. Try to maybe eat protein for breakfast with some veggies/fruit ... bacon and eggs, bacon and avocado.

No idea what a Costa lite is but anything 'lite' tends to indicate sweeteners. Again, may not have the calories but they still raise your dependency on sweetness.

Salmon is great for lunch but add in veggies, lots of them. Steer away from potatoes as they are full of starch. Not saying don't eat them but rely on veggies (especially green ones).

Snacks: no to snack-a-jacks. Eat a handful of almonds with a banana instead. Fruit is good but it is full of sugar (fruit sugars but again you are retaining your sweet tooth here so will seek to get your 'fix' from fruit and possibly over eat it. Also, fruits are not all equal - berries are much better for you if weightloss is your goal.

Semi skimmed milk - meh! I don't drink milk or eat dairy and my bones are fine. I am mid 40's and do eight bearing exercise to promote healthy strong bones. However, if osteoporosis is a worry to you (having it in your family) then take a calcium supplement.

Oh, btw, your extra exercise (taking the stairs etc) is brilliant. Try to get as much of this in your day as possible. Also, add in some lights weights and things like crunches and press ups.

So, sorry for the lecture . This is not meant harshly but you asked for advice and this is my business (personal trainer).

PM me if you'd like more advice/help. Can advice exercises if you want.

Btw, you are taking an amazing step in owning this problem. Take it easy, don't try to lose a stone in a week. You will get to where you want to be - be kind to yourself. Good luck.

Hi, Roguepixie - doesn't sound harsh at all, I need the advice. I'm definitely taking all that on board. I wasn't attempting to lose any set amount before NY - just that buying clothes to go made me realise what I was burying my head in the sand about. I AM putting weight on but it's hardly surprising, the real surprise is I haven't put more on than I have. I'm quite lucky that when I want to lose weight I can do it quite quickly without crash dieting. Before kids I was only about seven stone which sounds tiny but I wasn't pathetically skinny with it, a size 8-10. I am short with a small frame so the weight really shows on me but luckily I don't have to half kill myself to lose it.

I was eating through sheer boredom I think. I don't really drink alcohol so my 'treat' was food. Only a week in of cutting the crap out and I've way more energy (in fact I'm just sitting down now for a cup of green tea after blitzing the upstairs).

It's coming off for good this time, I'm determined. I want to enjoy clothes shopping again. Not dread it. I don't want to dread FB tagging more than I already do heh!

Thankyou, genuinely appreciate your advice :)

Glad I haven't overstepped the mark bottle. I understand what you mean...if you are small/have a small frame then a little extra weight will show quickly.

I used to be like you - cut back for a week or two and the weight would be gone...sadly, those days are gone and I have to work at it now .

I think boredom is the single biggest issue in overeating. Well done for identifying it in yourself - you are well on the way to sorting it out.

Good luck.