Struggling, please help

[TeamJesse]

I don't actually want to lose weight but I do need to change my eating habits - I couldn't find any generic "nutrition" place to post and I reckon you lot know what you're talking about, so hope you'll help.

So - I am in my forties, 5'6, 48 kg. I've always been this size and shape which means I've always been lazy - I don't exercise and despite cooking from scratch, eat junk (mostly sugar) between meals. I have a terrible sweet tooth/chocolate habit.

People are always telling me I'm too thin and I do think I'm looking a bit drawn and haggard (looked much better in my face when I was pregnant). So I would like to put some weight on. On the other hand, I would like to improve my diet and cut down on white bread/pasta/rice, butter/cream and, most of all, refined sugar (I seriously think I might have a sugar addiction; my grandmother did too and is now diabetic - am very concerned about this).

And despite being "skinny", I'm seriously untoned - flabby tummy, sagging bottom and my greatest hatred, flabby upper arms. And my complexion looks shit - I just look pasty and tired. I freelance from home (working at a computer) so spend a lot of my day sitting on my arse when not with my dcs.

I started C25k last year and would like to pick it up again and see it through. I guess that's good for overall fitness and perhaps for my bottom?!

What would be your advice - I guess I need a nutrition plan and an exercise plan. (Yoga/pilates, I wonder?)

Please share your expertise, thank you!

It sounds like Yoga/Pilates or a Body Pump type class would be perfect for you! Im not an expert by any means but increasing the amount of protein you eat would be a good thing to do. I would also say to allow yourself a daily treat if you are not overweight (and clearly you are not!) What is a typical days diet for you?

Thanks, Happy, never heard of Body Pump, will investigate.

Typical day's food is:

Breakfast
Toast (from baguette or white loaf) and/or wholegrain bread with butter and marmite or (sweetened) almond butter, plus yogurt with chopped fruit.

Lunch
Either quick bit of bread and cheese or leftovers if there are some - this week I've been eating quiche, sometimes there's some soup.

Supper (at 6pm with dcs)
Varies wildly during the week. Could be pasta (tomato sauce / pesto / bolognese) or soup and salad, with bread, or some sort of chicken thing. Am trying to make sure everyone gets enough veg, so am putting salad or cooked vegetables or soup with whatever we're having.

Inbetween - lots of cups of tea and bits of chocolate or biscuits or whatever I can find that's sweet! I also find that as soon as the boys are in bed, I make tea and eat some chocolate, I suppose as a sort of reward to myself - although I actually don't WANT to be eating that crap.