Step away from the cupboard after dinner..

[Sooperswooper]

Over the past 6 weeks, due in the main to stress with new job, dh back from working away, snacking, over eating in the evening, knee injury and too much wine, I have put on almost TWO DRESS SIZES (as an aside, I don't weigh myself ever). I had to buy some new clothes from the charity shop yesterday. Worst thing is; dh said "oh, new jeans? They fit you nicely!" AAAARGH.

So. I am on a mission to lose my two dress (&cup) sizes and get back into my normal clothes. Now, this probably sounds silly as I was a size 6-8 (I'm only short so it works) and nicely toned, and now I'm definitely a 10 and wobbly. Although it doesn't sound much, for my frame it doesn't work and I'm definitely not comfortable with how I feel or look, quite apart from the clothing issue. I eat healthily, exercise but I've just been over-eating and not been able to do too much exercise due to an injury but haven't modified my eating habits. And now I'm firmly used to the eating lots rather and snacking than eating when I'm actually hungry camp.

So, I wondered if there is a STEP AWAY FROM THE CUPBOARD AND WINE support thread for those evenings where, after dinner ( and before, during the day too ), instead of rootling around snacking on nuts and dates and dried fruit, I can come and get some support here instead. I need to do something pronto as I can't afford any new clothes. Plus dh is fed up with my complaining. He tried to help (me pointing out a photo a few months ago where I was feeling good) by saying "oh, I think you look better now" but that just made it worse!

It used to be one of my problems, especially when DH comes home at 11:30PM. I would eat and eat and eat waiting for him.

Now, once dinner is finished, I clear the table with the DCs and we go straight upstairs to play before bedtime. I brush my teeth at the same time as them.

By the time I go back downstairs (when DC1 and 2 are in bed), my brain has had time to register that my stomach is full and because I am lazy, I don't want to have to brush my teeth again.

The teeth cleaning is a brilliant idea. Followed by a swig of super strength mouthwash. Will try that after I put ds to bed, and then after dinner with dh.. hopefully it is just now getting out of this eat eat eat habit I've fallen into and back into the usual. Really frustrating though as I just want to be back down to normal NOW so I must remember to be a bit kinder to myself with patience (and toothpaste) I must remember portion control as well as I'm usually good at that when dh is away but that's crept up too. Thanks!

Getting into a new routine is great. It retrains your brain. My trigger was being in the kitchen on my own while the DCs played upstairs and got into their PJs. Once I got rid of the initial trigger by staying upstairs for a while, the cravings I had later in the evenings disappeared.

yes I do the brushing teeth thing, and I often stay upstairs in bed or on the pc once kids have gone to bed

If I watch tv and want / need pringles & wine

Hi I'm trying to lose 10lbs - according to the bmi calculator I'm 1.5lbs overweight ! Anyway my plan is simple:

• drink lots of water - bought a bobble & that's helping a lot
• green tea instead coffee
• apply all the healthy eating knowledge I have & stop eating crap!
• protein (nuts) & fruit for veg
• exercise - 30 mins walk/run 3 times per week, will walk when I feel like it no pressure;
• free weights - I've been using old dumbells
• sit ups/crunches - 100 ev 2nd day (today day off yay)

Evening eating is also my major problem as is DH tempting me !

Snowie that's brilliant way of doing it. I have to say I sometimes (read: mostly) fall into the trap of thinking that because I'm eating healthy stuff it doesn't matter how much I eat Also I have just started a new job around the corner from an amazing health shop, so have been trying out (ahem) all the love raw bars too. Aargh! And I wonder why I've put on those extra dress sizes..

I'm just about to give up my gym membership so will be digging out dh's free weights. I usually do 50 sit ups & 20 press ups too but that's been on the back burner recently too. Today sees a reinvigorated regime change. Thank you, snowie, for making it active again!

Why don't you start a thread !