New Year, New Thread #16 For Paul McKenna's Losers!!! He Can Make Us Thin!!!

[Solo]

Happy New Year Everyone!
Welcome to thread #16 of the Paul McKenna's I Can Make You Thin weight loss system.

The Golden Rules that will aid you on your journey with our like minded friendly support system are:

1. Eat what you WANT
2. Eat when you are HUNGRY
3. Eat CONSCIOUSLY
4. STOP eating when you are satisfied

HELPFUL TIPS!
Lots of chewing; at least 20 chews per mouthful.
Ask yourself "am I really hungry?" have a glass of water to see if it's real hunger or just thirst; wait 15 or 20 minutes if you can, before eating something to see if it's 'gone off' after a drink. Listen for your 'full signal' and leave at least a mouthful on your plate at every meal. Eat your favourite thing from your plate first so that if you get to the full signal, but have your favourite food still sitting there, you aren't going to 'make room' for it because you love it, it will have already gone.
Admire something about yourself every day in the mirror.
Try to move more; dance around the living room or walk to school...use the stairs...small things, but good things! :)

This weight loss system is about re-educating your body; learning to listen to it and in doing so losing weight and inches. After all, eating a meal is not a competition, it's about enjoying what you are putting into your mouth and body, but not feeling bloated and uncomfortable (or guilty) afterwards!
Many people have issues around food. Many of us have been brought up by the 'clear your plate' parents of yesteryear which leave us feeling guilty if we leave even the smallest morsel of food, but we are working through this guilt or any other hang up we may have, and we are learning to leave a bit on the plate; return to it another time if we really want to or even feed it to the dog or the bin!
So!! forget diets; they may work for a while, but they aren't permanent solutions. This is a new way of living for your brand new life!! Let's get lighter for those summer outfits!!

The Paul McKenna system really works and is easy to maintain; we just need to change how we treat food and ourselves.

I've C&P'd our previous threads links as they are helpful.

Here are the book choices on AMAZON which is all you need to get started! they aren't compulsory, but they do help! it's something to refer to and listening to the cd's can really focus you.

This is the tapping technique EXPLAINED - this can be useful to combat cravings.

You don't have to buy the book and CD, but we have found that they do help and somehow they keep you on track, so it would probably be a good investment and will cost you far less than a couple of trips to WW or SW meetings, so do consider having them in your life.

Please feel free to join us, whether it's 10lbs or 10 stones you want to lose; it's very doable.
We are friendly, supportive and successful, but we're not hungry and that is a great way to feel when you are dropping dress sizes at the same time!!! so come on in and start living your new life today and make 2015 your year to drop a dress size or several...if we can get those lbs off a few at a time, just think how we could look and feel for the sunny summer time!!!
Some of our thread members are also doing PMK's Hypnotic Gastric Band and although this thread is not about this avenue, we will still be supportive of our friends partaking of this, so don't think we won't be there for you. I'm pretty sure that the Golden Rules will be just as helpful in this process as the I Can Make You Thin process so get stuck in

Here is a link to Freedom From Emotional Eating which may give some insight into why we do this and help us beat it.

Ps. Could we all try to sign in at least every few days so that someone is 'there?' We have established that it's no fun talking to ourselves and also that if there is a new joiner, it's good to say 'hello and welcome' to them too.

Ok! Let's Focus and See Ourselves wearing that body we desire! learning to love ourselves is an important daily step, so let's become LOSERS in order to be WINNERS!!! 1lb at a time....

Wow - I am feeling so positive about this! Have just sat and eaten a big salad for lunch... really slooowly . Really tasted every bite. Didn't let myself look at my phone or hurry because I have other things to do. Definitely read my full signal too.

The difficult time for me is about 4 pm as I always start fancying a biscuit or something. Will try having a cup of tea and maybe even have a go at the tapping thing, although it sounds really weird.

holmes if your hungry at 4.00pm and you are hungry for a biscuit then have one or two but eat them in the same fashion as Solo has described. Really enjoy the best, tastiest biscuits you like.

I also use a small plate for all my meals because I don't eat much now. I usually leave some food.

Solo those are fantastic tips thanks.

I am only a few pages into the book but meantime I am trying hard to stop eating when I am full and stop eating mindlessly. I've noticed myself questioning if I really do need a biscuit/whatever a few times ao it's started to work already without me even getting to the cd yet.

My downfall is junk - my meals are in the main fairly healthy. As a family we eat lots of veg, and meals are often just meat, potatoes and veg, spag bolognese, chilli etc.

My issue is that as soon as I finish a savoury meal I crave something sweet. I know we shouldn't cut things we want out but I really want to get out of the habit of eating too many refined sugars. The more I eat the more I want!!

Someone mentioned it being a struggle not cutting out food groups. I think I will struggle with that too. It's hard to forget all the diet stuff that we have learned over the years and just eat a healthy balanced diet. When I was doing weight watchers I was only allowed brown rice and wholewheat pasta. I know they are better but I stopped enjoying my meals and that's not a good thing is it. It only made me want something nice after dinner even more!

So yes breaking old habits is going to be hard!

Solo what do you think is making your weight creep up?

Really glad you are feeling positive holmes!

Haverina I am not following the rules. As I said before; I need to start afresh :)

My friend is getting married in about 6 weeks, so I think I will aim for a little weight loss before then.

Hello Milllii

Enjoy that white pasta and don't worry too much about the sweet thing as long as you are hungry and enjoy every mouthful and stop when full.

Still going strong although I did eat a little more than I needed to be satisfied last night but didn't go over full.

My trigger I have which makes me drop Paul is how little I eat when following the rules. I get panicked that I'll never be able to enjoy a lovely 3 course meal again, or even a dessert after part of my main as a few bites of that and I'm done.

I think I have come up with three ideas to help my stay on track.

1. I have to deal with why I would want to eat more than I need to be satisfied
2. I have to accept that 'normal' people do overindulge from time to time but go back to mindful eating afterwards with not a second thought
3. I have 5/6 stone to lose so my body has ample fat stores to feed off at the moment, as these reduce I may find my appetite increases.

Glad to have so many on the board sharing the journey x

Hi Solo
Bub that's exactly how I am now. I havnt been able to eat a three course meal for years and years. As long as its delicious food that satisfies my taste buds then I only eat a small amount before my signal to stop kicks in.

Solo six weeks is enough time to re boot and get back on it. Have you got a dress in mind?

Fortunately, I had already fairly recently weaned myself off the diets and the idea of cutting out certain food groups after my experience a while back with low carbing (lost a load of weight, fell off the waggon and put it back on, plus a bit more - sound familiar?)

I've been on the Eatbetterers threads, which are good, but although my meals are generally healthy and I enjoy cooking and eating nutritious food, I have a definite snacking /sweet tooth problem! And I figured it's basically psychological so that's why I thought PM's system might help.

You're right about allowing myself to snack, but mindfully. Just came back from a long dog walk and had apple slices with nut butter. Savoured every delicious mouthful. Yum.

Hi bubulix :) glad you are still here and going strong! three courses can be soooo much food can't it?! Lots of places do fabulous starters and on occasion, maybe a starter and a small dessert instead of a massive main course would be a good compromise?

Milllii yes, I think so too. I listened to the HGB this morning...don't know yet!
No, I will have to decide according to my size which dress to wear. I'm sure it'll be fine :)

Holmes I'm glad you have kicked that to the kerb! the whole diet/restriction/not allowed to eat certain foods thing is just.....grrrrrrrrr!!!

Hi all, well done on all your focus and welcome to newbies

I'm struggling as I knew I would. Just the same as last time, a little less mindful, a little more finishing what's on my plate and a lot more eating to please other people (2 kids parties back to back with meals for the grown ups) and my weight loss slowed then stopped and I'm off the rails.

For the last 2 days I've eaten til I felt over full (more than a bit of comfort eating) and started to consider a "proper diet" - Groupon sent me a personal mail suggesting a month's weight watchers subscription. I'm more than a bit concerned that they think I specifically need it!!

I'm fed up that weight loss seems so hard at the mo. My metabolism has died! I used to be able to lose weight quite easily but suddenly (age related?) it's really hard. Will I never be able to eat a full slice of cake again without putting weight on?

I've read through the thread since I last posted and feel a bit cheerier, has anyone got any success stories to reassure me?

I'm 6 days in from trying again and have been naughty and have been on the scales, and I've lost 6.5lb already Tinwe

Oooh Bub! That is very impressive! Thanks for sharing

I have maintained my weight for years T by eating what I like.

That's great Milli :)

Well done Bub.

I'm still reading the book so haven't even listened to the cd yet!!! I need to get a move on!

That said I am already feeling better.

I lost 4lbs this week from mindful eating. I am trying to make healthier choices too. So technically I am not just eating what I want in smaller portions, as I am choosing fruit over chocolate (mostly!) and eating lots of meat and veg and less carbs. But when I am hungry I eat and I have not been depriving myself like I would have previously on a diet. I ate out at the weekend and had a gorgeous meal. I was so full by the time we had pudding that I gave 3/4 away! On Sunday I was pretty hungover and gave into the hangover hunger.

I have been trying so hard to stop eating when I am full. Do you get to a point when this comes more naturally?

Anyway I am delighted by my progress so far though it is very early days! 5lbs in 2 weeks is a drop on the ocean for me but a good start. I really really don't want to diet again.

Solo 6 weeks is a fair bit of time to lose a little weight. It is so hard to get motivated though after a difficult patch. As I said up thread, I lost almost 2 stones last year and gained most of it this spring after my dd was ill. Every week I said this was the week I was going to get back on track (ie back to weight watchers!) but it often takes me to get to rock bottom with my weight before I do anything. Which isn't good but I bury my head in the sand until my clothes won't physically button up and I end up feeling so miserable. I wish I could break that cycle.

Mill - in the book PM says that you get to a point where you start to make better good choices naturally - do you find you do this most of the time now?

I would love to do this naturally - I want to be the type of person who ways healthy most of the time but who will enjoy treats (I don't like calling them that) or eat out and be relaxed about it.

Does that make sense? When I diet I go to the extreme - if I am being "good" I avoid nights out involving food etc which isn't blooming normal!

Haverina I eat really well. I do make healthy choices because I like the way eating good food makes my body feel. For instance today I had:

homemade granola with half a small banana and rice milk

bacon, avocado, pear and feta cheese salad with baby leaves, tomato, coriander leaf and cucumber

homemade chicken and coconut curry with home made poppadoms

snacks were:

apple slices with sugar free peanut butter

bowl of strawberries on their own

couple of squares of dark chocolate

Yesterday

piece of wholemeal seed toast with honey

2 eggs scrambled on their own

a dark ryvita with hummus

taco with chilli chicken, homemade salsa, leaves, cheese, beans and sweetcorn

snacks

couple of squares of dark lime chocolate
fruit

lots of cups of tea
water

I do eat homemade cupcakes occasionally and galaxy chocolate too but tend to go to fruit as a snack. I eat loads of veg with my meat. eg. chicken, kale, carrots, broccoli, cauli, peas, leeks. Loads of salad (at least 5 portions) I generally aim for at least 10 portions of fruit and veg a day.
I eat off a small plate as I get "satisfied" quickly.

Mmmmm everything sounds really delicious and so so healthy milllii

When i was doing weight watchers I couldn't have eaten lots of that as it wouldn't have been "free" - for example the avocado and feta cheese would have been high in points. They would almost have been a treat to me as I love them both...Which is ridiculous. It's going to take a while to get used to this!

Can I ask how much weight you lost initially? I have 3.5 stones to lose to reach a healthy bmi. 2 stones off I would feel amazing.

It was years ago when I first ate mindfully. I only ate when really really hungry. It was more enjoyable too to experience genuine hunger. Food tasted amazing that way, as it should. I lost about two stone and have more or less maintained for ten years.

If I even thought of going on a diet for quicker results it brings on a bit of a panic. It also brings on old disordered eating feelings and wanting to binge. Hence I don't diet.
It takes time to get the hang of it but it's practice that means you eat normally for life. I love food and this way if eating allowed me to make better choices. In the beginning I stocked my kitchen with everything I love and had been denied for years of dieting. Once I got over the initial enjoyment of it all I eventually bought food that made me feel good physically as well. The more I learnt about nutrition the more my choices changed.

Hi all. Hav you have done brilliantly already!! I have not done well; I cannot get my head around mindfulness atm. But yes! I should in theory be able to get a bit off. We have eaten so much salad, I really ought to have lost weight.
Milli your menu sounds lovely :)

Hi all, just been reading over some of the recent posts. I am STILL struggling to get started but haven't been tempted back into the diet cycle which is good. Have been having a very tough time as did is really finding school hard and we have begun the process of diagnosis for aspergers. Emotionally this has taken a toll and also made me realise that I have been binging fairly frequently. I am desperate to get out of the cycle, but the following things I struggle with

1. Finding time to eat consciously, be it at home as there is rarely a personal moment and at work when things need doing.
2. I don't feel ready for food in the morning before work which means I end up not getting chance for breakfast and becoming too hungry later on and overeating.
3. Preparing healthy food, having time and stuff in house without constant shopping trips. I have combatted this a little by buying pre prepared fruit and veg but it is still a challenge.
4. Not liking waste.

Any tips or things people do to manage these and anything else very welcome! We go to Florida in a month and I really want to feel at least comfortable in my current clothes!

Yippee :) I'm glad you haven't been tempted to diet, but sorry you are struggling with poor Dd... these things can certainly turn us to comfort eating :(

Re your points:

1. I think that you can only do what you can do, but just try to be aware when you do eat and really taste it. Even with 5 minutes to eat, you can close your eyes and taste it properly. Can you go outside for your work time lunch? sit somewhere away from your office/store whatever? it is obviously weather dependent too, but it might help if you remove yourself from work.

2. Can you eat on the job so to speak? eat something you fancy? or having a thick drink like a smoothie or a hot chocolate or even soup if that's your bag.

3. Can you prepare your fruit and veg one or two evenings a week and bag and fridge it? with veg you could freeze it even (blanching it first of course), it doesn't take too long to do and maybe you could try to allocate a slot to do it?

4. I hate waste!!! fridge and freezer is your friend here. You can go back to saved food; you don't have to throw it away.
   Perhaps serving less to begin with would help? I use pasta bowl/dishes nowadays as I serve less on them.

I hope that's a bit helpful to you. I know it's easy to say 'allocate a time to...' but I can't personally think of another solution atm. Don't give up though :)

Helloooo, I've now lost another 3lbs. Am now into another lower stone bracket. Has taken awhile. So pleased