Help keep me motivated please! Need to lose 1.5 stone

[Imliketotallyummm]

I've been struggling with depression and anxiety for past few years. Dh has been out of work for a year (he worked for 2 months on low wage earlier this year) and financially we are really struggling.

I have been comfort eating a lot, lots of chocolate and popcorn.

I know I can lose weight by low carbing, but as soon as I'm having a bad day I reach for the chocolate, I have no willpower. Also dh is quick to suggest treats at the weekend and I can't say no.

Also going to mil's for 4 days, she thinks I'm picky and weird because of low carbing in the past. Then visiting dd in Germany for 5 days, she lives off pasta and bread.

Any ideas how to keep myself on track? I know I'm asking for the impossible, but I'm so frustrated. I want to be able to eat healthily, but don't know what eating normally is anymore.

With low carb I struggle as it's too expensive and I'm fed up of eating eggs etc.

It feels like an impossible task, but I need to do something. The weight is piling on.

I don't exercise, only walking the dog and I can't when it's really hot, as I get really dizzy in the heat

Sorry for the rant.

Does anyone want to join me in losing weight and/or give suggestions of what to eat.?

Just to give you a little motivation and show that it is possible....

I was 12st 6lb on 1st June, today I am 10st 11lb.

I have never stuck to a diet before and I am so thrilled with the results.

I have used MY Fitness Pal and stuck almost 100% to my daily calorie allowance! which at the same time not denying myself chocolate/crisps/bread - as long as I didn't go over for the day.

I also started the couch to 5k app which i have surprised myself by completing.

Bottom line is - if I can do it anyone can - good luck

Thanks lovelidl, that's great motivation. Can I ask...if not too cheeky...what your daily calorie allowance was?

Mine was 1200. That was based on my starting weight of 12st6, height of 5ft7 and a sedentary office job. On the days I exercise I get about 400 extra calories which I sometimes eat back and sometimes don't.

Can't recommend MFP enough, I did it with the girls at work, you can add friends and see what they are eating/exercising/weighing which kept me motivated.

Thanks I will try that!! Well done on your success! It has totally motivated me!

Yes logging what we eat would help me too.

Well done LoveLidl I think I have MFP app on my phone. I'll have a look at it.

What is couch to 5k? Sounds like running?

Wow, well done lovelidl. That's brilliant. Will have a look at the app.

I'm also getting DH to take a photo of me today to remind myself what I want to move away from. Whenever I want chocolate or crisps then I plan to look at the picture and hopefully be remotivated.

Not a bad day food wise today.

Breakfast of Greek yogurt, blueberries and raspberries
Lunch bacon, egg and mushrooms
Snack few pecans
Tea will be some salmon and salad.

Couple of cups of tea and some diet Pepsi. Lots of water too.

Still sore from shred yesterday but will do that again tonight and reward myself with a lovely hot bath.

Yes C25k is running...but it is very gentle and achievable running.!

I dodged PE at all costs at school and haven't done any exercise at all for about 15 years and I managed it. Worth thinking about.

I took before and after pictures, very motivational I want them framed would also measure yourselves too as sometimes it is the inches, not the pounds that come off quickest.

Where and when do you run? I can't run for toffee, and would probably wet myself

I run whenever I can get a free half hour in the day, usually 3 times a week. Like early morning best when no-one can see me! I am lucky that I live in the country side so quiet road running for me.

There are lots of C25K podcasts, or I use an app on my phone that tells me when to run/walk and it builds up each week.

There is a super support thread on here if you fancy trying it.

The first session is 30 second runs and a couple of minutes walking repeated for half an hour. I struggled to do the 30 seconds - today I ran for an hour non stop! I found it incredible how quickly my fitness built up.

Wow love that's impressive, well done. I wish I could try that, but I'd hate anyone to see me I don't think I could. I'll have a look for the app though.

I'll start posting what I've eaten tomorrow and I'll weigh and measure myself too.

It's really hard fitting in exercise with young DC. DD is 21 months and I work 3 days a week. I cycle to work and back which is only 3 miles each way- wish it was further. Usually go for a longer ride with her another day. Maybe Shred once it twice a week too. Wish I could just go out for a run or swim without advance planning though!

Hi everyone, can I please join?

I was at a wedding yesterday and after being so excited at wearing a dress which I thought looked good on me, seeing the photos made me miserable. I kept on thinking that everyone would be looking at the fat woman who kept going to the buffet :(

I'm 5'8 and 15st8lbs (eeeek!). I did slimming world for a few months and went from 16st6lbs to 15st1lb, but I wasn't following it properly and couldn't afford to keep going. It's been about 5 weeks and not having to weigh myself has made me go crazy, half a stone put on in 5 weeks!!

Decided today though that I'm going to be good again. I lost 4 stone from MFP before I had my DD so I know I can do it! DP even did C25K week 1 with me today because he knows how self conscious I am to run in public. Looking forward to having a proper read through the thread and hearing all your progress :)

Hi Jumble

The same thing happened to me recently. We were invited to a party and I wore a dress I felt slimin a year ago, but in the meantimeI'd put on over half a stone and when I saw the photos afterwards I couldn't believe how fat I looked. However, since then I've put on even more.

It is difficult to find time to exercise. My children are older, but I work 2 full and 2 half days plus dh is around all the time and he is not into exercise at all! so no help.

Imlike it's not a nice feeling is it?

I miss the days I could go out for a jog and not have to worry about a babysitter! I actually used to enjoy it and had worked my way up from 1 minute to 45 minutes without stopping, and now I'm back at square one! I know what you mean about fitting it all in with working, I feel like after I've finished work I need to make the most of spending time with my family but that usually involves sitting watching TV and eating rubbish. I'm trying to plan in advance though when I can go and do some exercise because I think that if I'm putting the effort in by working out I shouldn't just easily undo it by eating chocolate. The other night I ate an entire tub of Ben and jerry's to myself and was disgusted at myself.

Do you have a small amount of weight to lose or a big amount, if you don't mind me asking?

Yes I agree.Seems a pity to exercise and then undo it by eating rubbish. I've been going through a bag of sweet and salted popcorn a night recently!

I have at least a stone to lose, but ideally 1.5 stone. I know it doesn't sound like much, but it's more about stopping the ridiculous eating when stressed, bored etc and eating normally again, I.e having the odd treat without going mad.

It's great that we can support each other here.

But I think the smaller you are the harder it can be to lose weight because your body needs less calories to maintain (and even fewer to lose weight) compared to a bigger person.

I'm the same, I can never be satisfied with one or two pieces of chocolate, it has to be the family sized bar. I don't buy junk food when I do the weekly shop because I have all the best intentions yet I'll always end up spending a fortune at my local co-op on crap food!

It's nice to know I'm not the only one, I'm so jealous of people who don't worry about what they eat, whether that's because they eat a balanced diet, don't gain weight despite eating lots of chocolate and crisps or just don't care if they're big/slim/whatever!

I'll definitely be doing measurements tomorrow, I tend to get fixated on what the scale says.

Jumble, I'm exactly the same! I keep my weekly shop treat free and then spend a fortune at our local Sainsbury on treats. And I also get hung up on what the scales say, so prefer to measure.

Have a good night everyone, I'll catch up with you all tomorrow

I've got about a stone to lose. More than that, I need to sort my head out. I've never been really REALLY overweight but have yo-yo'd between 9 and 12 stone since I was a teenager and have a really obsessive attitude. Need to make it a way of life and if I do have a treat or two, not to act like it's the end of the world and just easy everything in the house as a response.
Day 3 of low carb / clean / paleo / not sure what to call it- eating. Feeling a bit hungry if I'm honest.

I recently had the same reaction to my holiday pics. I'm definitely fatter than I think I am. We can do it! How do you all stay motivated?

Jumble I do the same at my local co-op!

Didn't have a good food day yesterday, as we have a lovely French exchange student who has arrived for a fortnight. Overeating all round unfortunately and a few glasses of wine. Back on the straight and narrow today (hopefully, although having a guest makes it much harder)

I like the idea of posting what we eat/drink. I think I'll do that, if folk don't mind reading it. It will make me more mindful of what I'm eating if I know I have to write it down.

Here goes:

Weight 11 stone 7 and 3/4
measured
chest 40
waist 36
bum 41
thigh 23

heading off soon, will post more later

Weight: 16st8lb (an extra lb from all the wedding cake )

Waist: 36.6 inches
Chest: 43.3 inches
Hips: 46.6 inches
Thigh: 27 inches
Arm: 16 inches

I'm so glad I'm not the only one who does a junk food binge! I always feel really embarrassed when I go to the till with loads of rubbish because I think they'll be judging me.

Have started tracking things on MFP and am just about to head into town to get some shopping because there is no veg or fruit in the house. I shall post what I've eaten at the end of the day

Sorry that should be15st9, not 8! Wishful thinking