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.?

Thanks Jumble.

Snacking is a big problem for me, eating things like chocolate and crisps and then skipping meals, so lots of empty calories and no good ones. I'm going for the small changes / smart goals approach so my starting goals are:

1. Walk to and/or from work twice per week (out of 10 times)
2. Eat some (any) fruit and veg every day (yes I know the recommendation has gone up from 5 to 7 portions but some days I have none at all so anything is an improvement)
3. Eat breakfast at home on at least 2 weekdays (out of 5)

Then once I get used to doing those things, I'll add more goals e.g. replace one chocolate bar a day with a piece of fruit, or walk to & from work 4 times a week.

I've tried the "all or nothing" approach mentioned by some of you before, but it doesn't work for me. That leads me into "falling off the wagon", massive binges, self-loathing and that whole vicious circle. So with the "baby steps" approach, if I eat a whole packet of choc biccies, say, I don't beat myself up because nowhere in this week's goals does it say "eat no chocolate biscuits."

Not quite managing to get started, though, even with such tiny goals. I'm going to take inspiration from everyone on here.

That sounds like a really good (and realistic) plan

I was the same, I used to think during the evening 'tomorrow I'm not going to give myself any of this crap, I shall walk miles and treat my body like a temple' or on the odd occasion 'I just won't eat, I'll have willpower, I won't be a disgusting pig' I tried the latter out for a week during sixth form, surviving on a can of diet coke until tea time and started going to the gym. I nearly fainted walking home. All I got from it was a rumbly tummy, really bad breath and 7lbs lost that I put back on (plus more) as soon as I started eating!

I'm using My fitness pal and have set it with a goal of losing 1lb per week. So my calorie limit isn't crazily small and I can still have the things I want as long as I log them and stay within my limit. When I first lost weight I did it the same way and after gradually decreasing my calories, opposed to starting straight away eating 1200) I actually got used to eating less. I know that apparently it's a myth that your stomach shrinks but I really believe it does, things I normally would have scoffed the entire lot of I couldn't finish. I suppose because I was (and am now again ) very overweight the amount of calories I needed to eat to lose weight was still quite high and it didn't really feel like I was missing out on much

Jumble, I think you're right about that. At the moment I'm not setting any calorie limits etc. but that is likely to come as time goes on. Good luck with MFP - again, I might try it when I'm a bit further down the road.

Oh and I think 1lb per week is a very realistic amount, although it gets harder as you get closer to "ideal" weight. I'm on the overweight / obese borderline so it should be easy for me to lose, to start off with. That's another reason why I don't want to be too strict with myself in the early days, because I need to be able to ramp it up as time goes on and each lb gets harder to lose.

Glen, thank you for the Rosemary Conley DVD, it arrived while I was away. Just got back today, so as soon as I get a chance I'll have a go.

Sorry I haven't been around, time just flew by on holiday and I didn't get chance to do more than glance on here at bedtime. I have eaten a lot of cake and ice cream etc, but I have also walked lots and lots. I still think I've put on weight though I'll try and remember to weigh myself before I go to work in the morning.

Hope you're all OK [smil I'll read through the thread tomorrow.

Well, I remembered to weigh myself, but wish I hadn't I've managed to put on 2 lbs despite walking so much. I have eaten a lot of junky stuff though, so will just get back on track.

15st2lbs, which I'm thankful for because the past 2 days I could actually eat and went a bit crazy!! Time to get on it properly today though

Imhave as long as you had a damn good time 2lbs is a good price to pay

Glad you had a good holiday, Imlike. I think you did extremely well to gain just 2lb. I can easily put on half a stone when I'm away. And remember, if you had lots of very high carb food while you were away, the water to deal with it will still be with you, so you'll probably lose quite a lot if you eat healthily this week.

I've lost two pounds since I posted on Tuesday which I'm happy with. Expecting the rate of loss to go down now that things are under way. I calorie count, and I'm aiming for an average 1400 calories per day to try to avoid kick-starting a binge. I'm doing the same as Jungle, aiming for about 1lb off a week.

Hi, I'm a little late to the party but can I join you? I've got 1.5st I'd love to shed by Xmas. Start weight 10st 9, been intermittently been following WW for the last year & managed to shed just over a stone, here's hoping having to WI here will keep me focused ashamed if I gain

Jumble, that's great. Glad you're feeling a bit better.

Mornington, well done

I think you're right, once I get back on track hopefully I'll lose a couple of lbs. At the moment I'm tired and frustrated to be back and not eating sensibly yet. Going to wait till after the bank holiday, then really eat sensibly. I'll probably eat mainly low carb again, with a day off at the weekend and porridge for breakfast - made with almond milk with a tiny sprinkling of sugar, as I really struggle with breakfast.

Hi Heffalump and welcome

Hi Imlike and thanks. My official WI day for WW is today, no idea how but I've lost a lb overnight. The body is a very strange thing! Does anyone else weigh themselves every day or is that just my bad habit? Tried almond milk & gagged a lot, made a great low cal pudding last night as I have to have something sweet. Boiled some apples with cinnamon & Splenda, crushed up a meringue nest, drizzled with a little Choc Shot & added a squirt of Anchor light was gorgeous.

I used to weigh myself every day, but it just made me unhappy

Well done for losing

I've had an eaty day today, as dh took me shopping for my birthday which was while I was away.

Hi Ummm (should it be abbreviated to Imlike or Ummm or don't you mind?) thanks for starting this thread! I don't think 2lb while you were away on hols is too horrendous a weight gain and hopefully you will shift it quickly now you're back.

Jumble glad you're doing well despite the illness.

Heffalump, your dessert sounds delish!

I'll probably weigh in on Mondays although it will be Tuesday this week because of the bank hol.

I don't mind how it's abbreviated, as long as I can work out it's me

Yikes - I have gained 0.9kg (2lb) in the last week. That's quite shocking as I was expecting it to stay the same or even come down slightly.

Obviously I need to take this more seriously. Mini goals for this week are the same as last week: Walk to or from work at least twice (hope it stops raining!), have breakfast at home at least twice, and eat some fruit & veg every day. (Yes I know we're supposed to have 5 or even 7 portions but some is better than none. Baby steps.) I didn't achieve any of those mini goals last week so this week I must (as long as it's not always raining.)

Don't worry I bet it comes off next week, as you said baby steps & it will soon be one habit. Going to try smoothies for breakfast the rest of this week, with a veggy juice thrown in at lunch. Need a kickstart, been stuck at 10st 8/9 for months despite my best efforts.

Hello! I've been off for a while so need to catch up.
Unfortunately my disappearance also coincided with a total loss of motivation (not a coincidence, I am sure).
Please can someone help me get it back?

Hi please can I join in? Have 20lbs to lose.

Lost 10lb last year. Some of that was just coming off medication that makes you fat but some was due to exercise. Not due to sensible eating though. I don't even try to diet. I eat very healthily at mealtimes but snack. Put 2lb back during holiday.

Insisted DH buy no snacks this week and it has helped not having a load of crisps and biscuits to graze on, though the DC are hacked off.

I'm currently just trying move more as often as I remember. So a few squats while cleaning teeth or a few cardio moves while waiting for kettle to boil. And when I remember (which isn't often) go and find DC to speak to them rather than bellowing through the house. Noticed jeans that were tight on holiday felt looser to day, so hope it's working.