Can I actually do this and still eat??

[Gemi33]

Hi everyone,

I am so fed up of worrying about my weight constantly and feeling terrible about myself. The majority of the weight went on in quite a short period of time due to medication I was taking which I have recently stopped. I am now the heaviest I have ever been. None of my clothes fit and I have no energy. I am constantly starting diets and giving up. Despite being completely miserable I can’t seem to get motivated. I feel like such a failure.

I am going on my first holiday in years in November and I was so desperate to lose weight before and actually feel good about myself and properly enjoy it but then I got ill and now I’m bigger than ever and feel like it might be too late to make much difference. Because the weight went on so quickly it feels like losing a pound here and there won’t be very motivating and after a long time I won’t even be back to what I was not that long ago. For that reason I thought a VLCD might be the way to go so I ordered the products (basically shakes) – the problem is, the products make me feel sick and I can’t face them. Plus I was going to the gym but have even less energy without actual food – I end up craving tuna salad!

I just don’t know what to do now. I’m trying to make a plan today, I just don’t want to go on like this. Could I actually lose a decent amount before November by eating actual food? Or is the only way to exist on shakes only? Does anyone have any tips, suggestions or success stories? I don’t know what to do anymore!

Thank you xx

Try not to think of it as going on a diet as if you go on one the mentality is that you will then come off it. Think of it as a lifestyle change. Set you itself achievable goals and such as in 4 weeks to of lost between 4-8 lbs you most likely surpass 8lb especially at the beginning of you journey and will give you a massive boost. Have you looked at your basal metabolic rate? I used this drop 40 lb in 15 weeks.

Exercise is not exactly my favourite thing to be honest and I really struggle to motivate myself to do it - I feel shattered all the time and never seem to have any energy. I go to the gym a couple of times a week at the moment but I'd love to find a way not to dread it and have the energy to put a bit more into it!

xx

Do you enjoy it? Set yourself goals to motivate yourself. Try not to see it as a chore.

Phill936 how do I work out my basal metabolic rate?

I don't enjoy exercise - I've tried classes, walking, swimming, the gym but I'm not really sporty person so it does tend to feel like a chore, I want to change that though.

xx

www.active.com/fitness/calculators/calories.

Use the link above to work out your BMR with activity level this will give you a good indication of what you need to maintain your body weight. Then subtract 200 calories off it. This will put you at a deficit.

Set two lots of goals such as I will lose x in x amount of time and I will run x distance better in x amount of time. Just remember make them realistic even to achievable so when you achieve them beyond your expectations in will boost your confidence.

Thanks. That doesn't seem quite right! Going by that I could be eating 1900 calories!! That seems way too much!

Is that without a deficit? Or with? And what activity level did you use?

You need to remember that it is measured against your current weight. But as you lose weight your BMR will change as you won't be maintaining the same weight.

Your goal needs to be in the region of healthy weight loss which is between 2 to 3 lbs for most people. If you drop weight excessively fast your body will plateau quickly and will try and retain body fat and if you have a lapse in diet then you will gain body fat quicker than you would normally. This is why a lot of fad diets fail as people consume next to nothing and then go back to normal after they have lost a bit and can end up weighing more.

Weight loss isn't a sprint it's a marathon and takes time but you can do it.

Yes, that's with the deficit. It just seems like an awful lot.

I really hope I can do it. I have an underactive thyroid and have tried to diet so many times and now I'm heavier than ever. I think I've lost faith in myself that I can do it.

xx

Gemi33, work out your BMR. It sounds like you have 'Calorific Need' clicked instead of Basal Metabolic Rate.

14st 4 is 200 pounds. I don't know your age, but your BMR will be around 1600-1700. Minus whatever amount you want as a deficit. More deficit, more weight loss.

The normal but function will provide you with a figure that is based upon sitting and not performing a single activity during the day. The calorific need function multiples the bit by an activity level ranging from sedentary (x1.1) through to very active which is (x1.7). So if you work it out based upon your needs it will let you know what you need to perform daily tasks assuming you use the sedentary option. Also if you up you activity level but not change it in the formulae you will also but running at a greater deficit. It's calories in vs calories out. Don't be disheartened. Try not to think of it as a diet.

So here goes....

So far I've drank water - trying to get into the habit of drinking a big glass as soon as I wake up. I'm thinking of making a version of this later - but without the meat -

www.howsweeteats.com/2018/01/chicken-zoodle-soup-thai/

Hope you all have a good day,

xx

That looks delightful Gemi. We're having zoodles tonight too, with a batch of quorn bolognese I made last week and froze ('cos I can't be arsed to cook tonight, it's too hot).

I've got a chicken out the freezer that I'm going to roast tomorrow and havewith salad. I might do the kids some potato salad with it, but just leafy salad for me and DH.

Have you got any plans for tomorrow's dinner? (I usually only ever plan for today and tomorrow's dinner at any one time)

Looking at that Thai soup, you could double batch it and save half for tomorrow before you add the zoodles. Thicken it a bit (lentils?) and it could be served with rice or a green veg side tomorrow.

I'm awear that is unsolicited advice. I can't help myself when I see a new recipe, finding a way for it to work on a budget for my family-. Feel free to ignore

Day 1, good for you Gemi. I usually have 4 days meals planned at a time. Do consider recording your measurements and food diary. If you have a bad day just forgive yourself and keep going, hardest thing to do I find. Excited for you.

Also, worth remembering you do not see results straight away!

How you eat this week may not show in your "weight" for 2 - 3 weeks. I think the science is some fat cells fill with water for a while - then release later on - the whoosh effect!

So patience is important!

In 3 months you may not lose enough to turn into model-slim person. However, you may lose enough to get back to where you were - and that is a great start.

I also find:

• a long-term plan helps : Rome wasn't built in a day ; review every 2 months or so, for example, in a long term approach? That way it keeps things fresh but keeps an eye on the long-term goal. Otherwise it can all get too swings and roundabouts.

• a general more 'healthy' approach to life - exercise when I can, sleep, enjoy more interests and so forth. helps take the focus off simply food to a bigger picture of life.