Since my mid-20s, I've had a tendency to gain weight easily if I over indulge, but was lucky enough to lose it quickly once I got back to normal eating. However, maybe it's my age - I'm now late 30s - but my weight has been creeping up and up and cutting back on my (minimal) indulgences has done nothing.
I say weight, but I don't actually weigh myself so I don't know how much I've gained. But my "fat day" clothes are getting tight and going by appearance alone I reckon I'm at least a stone overweight, maybe more.
For reference, I'm 5'7, and the least I've weighed in my adult life is about 9 and a half stone, the most is around 12. I'm comfortable at around 11 - I'm big boobed and curvy, so I'm never going to be skinny and am fine with that. But right now I feel unattractive and self-conscious about my appearance.
Thing is, I don't have an unhealthy diet - at all. I don't snack, I don't eat junk food, I never eat crisps, cake or biscuits and rarely eat chips. Meals involve lots of veg, often fish, and rarely red meat. I eat chocolate, but we're talking a couple of squares of dark chocolate maybe four times a week. I've cut back on my drinking to a few glasses of wine at the weekend, and I've stopped having nice cheese in the house, because that's my big "can't stop eating it" weakness - but even that I never bought often.
I've tried 5:2, but found I obsessed about food and ate more than I normally would on non-fast days as a result. I've started it again this week but am finding myself unpleasantly fixated on food again.
I don't exercise as such - with two pre- school kids at home I find it hard to find the time or energy - but I'm reasonably active and walk everywhere.
I like food and cooking, and eating with my family, so a very restricted or limited diet wouldn't suit me. Do any of you lovely people have any wonderful suggestions or secrets to share please?!