ok i need to shift some of this weight, I feel like a whale :(

[AnAngelWithin]

i tried on a dress the other day that was a size 16. I couldn't fit in it I've not been this size for years. I feel so awful. DH reckons I'm fine the way I am but I don't feel ok. I am 5ft 5' and 11 stone. I'm 2 and a half stone heavier than pre kids. I can't afford to join a slimming club really. Well I probably could but there's no way I could afford all the WW food. Help! Diet recommendations please.

Hi, just a few lifestyle questions to work out where you're at and where you can fit in changes.
Do you work outside the home? Are your kids at school? Do you get any free time to yourself? Can you cook? Do you eat breakfast everyday? What food do you have the biggest problem avoiding? Do you have a car?

no i don't work outside the home. i have 2 at school, 1 at nursery and 1 at home. mondays and tuesdays are the best days for having time to myself. Evenings are no good. I can cook. I try and eat breakfast but I can't seem to eat a lot. We have a car but I don't drive. I am a carb junkie. Pasta, bread, potatoes are my weakness. Not a big chocolate, crisps or cake eater

bump!!

Do you get some exercise daily, like going out for a walk? 20-30 mins a day is a good target to aim for.

And you don't sound particularly overweight, so making small changes to your diet and exercise a better idea that a strict diet (don't think they work in the long term anyway).

Could you try cutting out the carbs for a week or so and see how that goes? Or, switch to brown pasta, brown bread etc - if you haven't already.....

Nikki: if I didn't eat any carbs for a day I would kill someone . Brown stuff a good idea though.

Wittering away to myself - where did the OP go?

sorry just had to put the baby in bed.

cutting out carbs would be impossible!

i walk for an hour a day anyway on the school run!!

I saw a nutritionist a while ago and I followed the Gi diet - really cut down on refined carbs and it did wonders! My cravings for them totally disappeared...I was less bloated, didn't have headaches, sleepiness etc....the first few days were hard as I was literally having a carb withdrawal but very worth it...lost over a stone and managed to maintain that....until I got pregs but thats a whole other story!

Chicken breast fillets are the best food for losing weight! Chicken thighs are fattening. Braising steak is ok. No other meat.

I've jsut lost a stone (from 10.5 to 9.5) on w/w eating huge bowl of bran flakes with semi milk for brekkie, turkey salad sandwich for lunch (no marg) and any dinner. No snacks except apple or orange. Was hungry between meals but ww leader said to me that hunger is normal, we see it wrongly nowadays as a sign we should eat immediately but if you accept it and wait for your next meal it does you good. I like hunger now (for short spells) because it means I'm losing weight!

Also visualise yourself on the beach looking slim and gorgeous - helps if you've got a holiday booked - and keep remembering that vision to keep your motivation! Good luck!

Cd you make some small changes to your diet and see what happens? Where do you think there is room for improvement?

Also, if your diet gets too dull you will just binge and waste all that effort - plus you will be BORED . Food is a Good Thing, after all...

Have you thought about following slimming world? I know you said you couldn't afford to join a club, but on their green days you are allowed what you are eating anyway! Potatoes, pasta, rice etc... So you wouldn't be spending any extra money on slimming foods or ww meals.

Check out the website though & have a read for yourself This is a healthy eating lifestyle change, not a crash diet.

look here

You should breakfast like a king, lunch like a lord and dine like a pauper - our metabolisms get slower throughout the day. No carbs after 5pm but don't cut anything out full stop or you'll just be miserable.
Try porridge for breakfast, releases energy slowly and reduces cholesterol. 1 cup oats, 1.5 cups water, zap 4mins in a high jug/bowl, stir in 1teasp honey and some cold milk to cool.
If you're not getting your 5 fruit and veg a day, make sure you are - should make a big difference to your cooking and diet. Maybe a fruit and veg box delivery to inspire you?
Put on a disco album (proper 70s stuff) and dance around the house when nobody's looking .
Good luck.

no carbs after 5?? DH doesnt get home til 6. what about my spuds?? lol

really can't stomach porridge for breakfast.

i don't really snack either. my downfall is having 'nice' things for meals i suppose. we eat loads of chicken but i like things like a massive jacket potato with loads of cheese on the top with it.

On sw you can have your baked potato with cheese

You should read about it anyway, as long as you food optomise it works!!

ok will have a look thanks

LOL I couldn't wait that long! I end up eating with the kids and DH has to heat his up when he gets in!

How about doing more one-pot dishes with your carbs incorporated so any extras are green eg casserole, biriyani-style things, pasta bake, shepherd's pie. Big jacket potato with baked beans and cheese and a glass of juice is a really well-balanced lunch actually .

KEEP THE SPUDS

I know different plans work for different people, but in general you can decrease what you eat over the day rather than worrying about when you're eating what. Breakfast is a good idea - if you can't stomach porridge what about muesli or wholemeal toast? Baked pot w cheese good, just cut down a bit on the cheese. Have you tried cooking the potato, cutting in two, scooping out flesh and mixing with cheese then bung it back in the skins and bake? You use less cheese than way and it tastes lovely. You can add a bit of creme fraiche as well.

You can also make you nice meals healthier without making them horrible - use less fatty stuff, lean meat etc. Sounds like you have a healthy attitude to food which is v important