A person worth of weight to lose. Finally got some motivation- how do I not lose it?

[Chubbychubchub]

As my name suggests I am overweight. Nay, morbidly obese in fact. Currently a size 22. I don't weigh myself but if I did probably about 18-19st. I am 5' 6. In recent years I've got down to 13.5st plateaued and given up. That was with SW but I don't feel that's a good or sustainable way for me.

So today I woke up and thought I don't want to be fat any more. I want to change. I don't want to buy or eat chocolate, crisps or any of the other things I eat to excess.

But how do I stick to it? I don't have the MFP app (I can't get it on my phone). What are good tips? I need to try to retrain my eating, I want to try and work on my portion sizes (SW made me eat more and bigger portions).

Should I calorie count? I don't really want to do 5:2 or low carb (the latter I can't do as fats like cheese, butter and oil really aggravate my gallstones) . I am desperate not to lose this feeling of wanting to do it. I am an emotional eater so it's a worry that the slightest hiccup will knock me off course...

Any wise words?

I do think an app will help. If you follow a plan that will keep you motiviated. I find if i say "no chcolate or crisps" thats all i ever want to eat so i dont stop buying it but i do make sure i really only have a small treat. Also getting home from work and sitting down is a killer. Just keep active for as much time as possible. Good luck!

Get a bit more active. Even a short walk around the block will help. Or walk to the shop instead of driving if it’s a walkable distance.
When you dish up your meals really try and limit your portions. I weighed out my pasta and was surprised that the recommended 75g seemed so little compared to what I usually cooked but it was a big enough portion. I was just being greedy before!!
I find too that if I cut out cake/choc/desserts then I’m miserable so I either just have a tiny portion or I don’t have dessert every day.
And ive cut out alcohol mainly, I still have a glass of wine or a g&t if I’m going out but not at home as much as before.
I’ve almost lost a stone. It’s taken a while but I’m starting to notice it I’m my clothes fitting better and that’s given me the incentive to carry on.
Good luck!

First, hang onto this feeling! Can you write down as much detail as possible for yourself somewhere, maybe even a little collage or mood board of all the ways you want to feel or things you want to be able to do? While you're in a positive place, how about a list of non-food ways you will look after yourself during emotional dips?

You have done this before, so you know what sorts of foods and menus you enjoy and work for you. Do you have a supportive GP? They might be able to advise on a balanced long-term plan?

I recommend "Binge No More: Your Guide to Overcoming Disordered Eating" OP. Its just quite a calm, simple book on getting back to a more regular eating. No food groups excluded or difficult concepts, or unusual plans. Emotional or stress eating is also covered in the book. I found it quite helpful.

I'm a great believer in the bigger picture, eschewing fast fixes, instead taking it at the right pace for us and enjoying life in the meantime.

Thanks I will take a look at that book.

I'm going out now for a little walk during my lunch break. I don't have any food with me so will have to buy lunch. Will prob go for a turkey & ham subway salad, no dressing. It's mostly lettuce anyway!

I've got some really nice new crockery at home, it includes some shallow bowls (basically small pasta bowls) which I'm going to have food in at home from now on to limit my portions!

I do need to plan better though. I'm so exhausted every eve that I struggle not to just flop on the sofa. I quite often don't have a dinner as such I just have a sandwich and then graze on loads of junk

The exhaustion could come from wheat, DH is terrible when he eats it, sleeps all the time and gets in bad moods. If he stops it he's like a different person!

What's working for me

• looking at my trigger points. Ie...when there is an empty house I binge so I have to make plans around that. Emotional eating etc i need to work on those issues

• plan plan plan....lots of meal planning. If I'm disorganised I get a takeaway, if I eat a takeaway I give up for the night and eat crap...then the next day I eat more crap because I've failed...and then eat more crap because I'm sad ive failed.

Get used to being hungry. Hunger at night is awful but it won't kill you. As long as you have had three nutritious meals and healthy snacks then your ok.

Download pinterest. Save motivational quotes, save pics of fashionable clothes you would love to wear but can't get into. Keep looking at the pics when you feel your struggling.

When you lose half a stone treat yourself to a new bag or purse or what ever, not food related. If money is tight treat yourself to some you time a nice bath with candles and a good movie that night.

I don't have the MFP app (I can't get it on my phone)

Why not?

My myfitness pal has a desktop version which works on a pc or laptop...do you have access to any computer ?

Not eating after 7pm does work well. I lost 3 stone with Paul Mackenna he addresses the emotional issues (you're not a failure btw) There's no CC or diet foods of any type. No daily weighing either.

I cut out wheat, and didn't mix carbs and protein at the same meal. Cut right down on caffeinated drinks of ALL types., esp. fizzy rubbish. Drank lots of water, herbal teas, etc.