Weight loss by being kind to ourselves? *title edited by MNHQ*

[millifiori]

Holidays over. I have had my body weight in ice-creams, chips, pasties, burgers etc and though we walked about 5-10 miles most days, I'm heaviest ever.

I know I am useless at diets - they make me dizzy and weak and grumpy.

Does anyone fancy trying to lose weight with a shift of mindset? Doing loads of treat-like things that aren't food based. Eating really healthy foods we also happen to love, Being nice to ourselves mentally, physically, emotionally and socially etc. Taking exercise because it's good self care etc?

If anyone wants to try this, join in here for chat.

Today I walked back from shops with (superfit and skinny) DS1. 3 miles. This afternoon, I'm going for a walk with DS2. Going to have some salad for lunch now because I like salad, not because it's rabbit food.

Anyone else?

Hi lovely people,
Sorry for the late post... I meant to do it last night as I knew I would be busy today but time got away from me.
I haven't lost any weight but I've been enjoying trying out Robin Hobb

Some tasks to try and hopefully enjoy!

1. Do something nice for someone else. Studies show this is the number one thing you can do for your wellbeing! If you made a crafty thing last week, send it to a friend (or order a small present or a "buddy box" from blurt.) Volunteer in a small way e.g. take five minutes to visit missingmaps.org where you can update maps for red cross in disaster areas. If you want to be active and go out at the same time you could be a marshal for parkrun.org.uk. I'm going to finally help clear non native plants from my local nature reserve as opposed to just talking about it!

1. Add some colour to your life! Go whole hog with crazy colours all over or just wear a bright scarf or socks; make or buy beetroot hummus, dig the weird yellow novelty mug of from the back of the cupboard etc

1. Take time to really enjoy food! I'll leave it to you whether you want to choose a food you perceive as unhealthy that you want to cut down on or something healthy you want to eat more of! Choose the best version (kettle chips instead of a supermarket multipack, a deliciously ripe organic mango etc). Carve out some time to savour every mouthful,: taste, smell, texture.

Good luck everyone

What lovely suggestions for the week - I'm looking forward to taking them on!

Masonbee - that's a great list. Thank you!

I joined the thread earlier but wasn't really ready to start. I am now so can I re-join please?
I'm going to calorie count from tomorrow. Two main meals and one snack works for me. No breakfast.

I love the list!

Hi Live. Yes, please join in.

157.4lb today. I feel fed up. I'm going to try and drink a glass of water every day this week.
Some other lovely suggestions up thread!

Morning! I've lost 1lb. I haven't dieted. I've been kind to myself my making sure what I eat has some nutritional value. So adding tomato to cheese on toast, extra portion of veg with dinner etc. I think it's worked by 'crowding' out as mentioned up thread. I plan to keep going with that this week and further increase my water intake.

Is anyone doing the blood sugar diet? I'm going to try that. It's mostly protein, veg and pulses/lentils and around 800 calories a day for two months.
I think I can do it if I have a chickpea or lentil based stew/soup for lunch, snack of an apple and some almonds and then dinner of protein and veg (or more of lunch if I feel lazy)

My nice thing is I'm going to post a book and a bar of nice chocolate to a friend who is feeling a bit low at the moment.

I'll definitely take time to enjoy my food and I'll have a think about colour!

So, having been up two pounds in weight and feeling fed up, as my 'love your body' moment this morning, I decided to massage my feet with moisturiser before putting my socks on. Now I am squeaking as I walk!

It's interesting thinking about physical and emotional reasons why it's tempting to overeat. Ordered Dominos last night partly cause I was feeling lazy and partly cause I dint feel as if I had had any fun all weekend, everything had been either work or house work. Today I'm not in a good mood for various reasons, mainly money and work related. I have tried some clothes on in New Look and the size I want to be wearing is still obviously too small which showed me how much I need to lose. Need to try and do something kind today to snap out of my mood

1kg (but I think closer to 1.5kg actually) down today, feeling ok but my failing is impatience, I get all 'I've been dieting 2 weeks why am I not a size 8?!'

Octopus that's what you need your non food/drink treats lined up for. You felt like you 'deserved' the dominoes. Could something else like a bubble bath or ordering a film be the fun reward?

Yes, what Bazzinga said. Look at the posts of treats above. i posted the first one, then Gymntonic did one and this week Masonbee has done one. Pamper yourself. Cheer yourself up with music, comedies, good books, walks or exercise classes with mates, pampering, making pinterest pages, daydreaming/making bucket lists for things you want to do in life. Curl up by a fire or have a long soak in a bath. We need to get used to actively seeking out comforts and treats after stressful times instead of turning to food.
(I am telling myself all this too - not preaching at anyone . Had a stressful time on a new project which I had to take on because the person who was supposed to do it had some seriously bad news. As I'm close to them even working on the project upsets me thinking about how they are coping. When I got back I hit the comfort food but really want to get back to other forms of comfort instead.)

Holy isn't that why not dieting might work better? The focus is on long term weight loss as part of a bigger plan to feel good about ourselves and our bodies and treat them well. So if you feel fitter, or you skin is smoother or you sorte dout hair/brows.nails etc then you are making progress. It's not only about weight loss. That way, we get to see the progress.
I wore a lovely dress today with a good blazer I'd bought months ago and then never wore because it was too nice.

I need to join this, I have had a very stressful time personally over the summer, got quite depressed and although a couple of weeks ago I felt like I was over the worst of it, now seem to be absolutely driven to eat junk all the time. I'm not sure if I'm comforting myself or punishing myself with this, probably both but I know its got to stop.
Unfortunately, i have now been plunged into a v intense period at work (I'm not great at the work/life balance thing) and dh has also apparently turned into a workaholic so preparing food is bottom of the list of priorities.
Today I had no lunch or breakfast just a load of biscuits at midday, then a chocolate brownie and some crisps at 3pm then chicken curry and more brownie for dinner, not good at all, and I didn't even enjoy any of it. My self-care pledge is to make myself some soup tomorrow as that means I always have something healthy on hand and its very comforting at this time of year.

place marking for me to come and read tomorrow.

I have just survived four days with my inlaws and need to congratulate myself for not Saying Any Of The Things That Needed Saying.

There is a bit of leftover cake with my name on it.

Challenge of the week

Make a list of all the things that are really upsetting and stressing you out right now.

Now imagine that a best friend has just told you all this and asked you to help them come up with solutions and de-stressors that aren't based on over-eating or drinking.

Make notes beside each item on the list on how to de-stress, and on how your best friend could really look after herself while going through this stress.

And do them!

Hi bestfake and stealth

I have a private blog where I go to vent - very therapeutic for saying the things that cannot be said in real life. Would that help at all?

Bestfake is there a Pret or M&S food near you? Can you pick up one of their superfood salads each day on the way to work? They really do make you feel healthy and satisfy cravings.

Can you take a pack of your favourite fruit to work instead of brownies? Have you tried Nakd bars? DS2 is a real sugar junkie but likes these so much and is trying to be healthy, that he actually now chooses them over bags of giant cookies. They're just fruit and nuts blended together into a chewy bar with crispy cereal bits.

Hi this is what I need. I started up exercising and did a little everyday. Got disheartened and started obsessively scrolling about mfp again. Thenjoy skipped dinner but binged next day. I really think I have a problem.
I'm going to keep at my short exercise vidal daily as self care. I'm going to make sure big vat of soup. I'm going to eat in an ordered manner not all crazy and mean to myself. I will not devise a plan of any sort for weightloss as these backfire. And even the sensible ones upset me with the endless calorie counting. I don't want to calorie count. I want to eat decently and moderately

Hi last and welcome. Take a look through the posts where people have suggested ways to be comforting to yourself that don't involve food. They can really help if you have emotionally triggered binges.

Millfori, I will try your challenge today. Have had a v stressy 24 hours with family stuff but have managed to do ok today with good, although I did count a can of cider into my calories. Also have a cold and feel pretty grotty all round

I love your suggestions, Masonbee! I have paid a lot of attention to the colour of my food, choosing to make it a very colourful plate. This means I have eaten beetroot crackers, bright green avocado and endamame, apricots, orange pepper, grapes etc. All for the colour but so healthy. I do believe they are crowding out the less healthy foods and because I am taking such care preparing and the food is a joy to look st, I feel more fulfilled.

I've got some ideas for next week, so I'll post on Saturday if that's ok.

Just caught up with reading. So much positivity and self-esteem kindness. Have found a fair bit of time for me despite building work at home added to everything! Have kept up with my steps mostly and planning to make a good old eighties style digital 'mix tape' to stomp to.
Anyone else finding themselves smiling more? Being kind to ourselves might make us kinder to other people too😉
Two pounds off healthy BMI and waist now half of my height which I read is another indicator of health. Really important to me as I'm an older mum and need to live forever .

Yes Steala noticing lots of lovely beetroot salad recipes around. Not to self to give a few a try

Gymntonic - 2lb away from healthy BMI is brilliant. Keep going. I can't wait to be back in that healthy BMI zone. It's been too long.