I can't bring myself to do it!

[Blastandbollocks]

I'm overweight. Technically obese, but with decent posture so I don't look it - just "cuddly" as a pupil described me.

Part of the issue is food - DH is 6ft 2" and eats appropriate to his size (well, okay, probably a bit too much) but makes me the same size of portion.

Due to childhood issues, I always clear my plate (food=love, so not eating means I'm rejecting that person) but I'm now addressing this and have talked to him about it.

So, now it's the exercise bit. And I cannot bring myself to do it. It's not time (lockdown has proved that), it's the fact that I HATE exercise. I've tried most things and it's the feeling of sweat, the having to put on different clothes and then shower after - I just can't be bothered. Plus the fact that I'm overweight and unfit, so when the exercise video says "do xxxxx" I just can't - and then I lose motivation.

How do I break this mindset? Is there an equivalent "how to motivate for exercise" Paul McKenna?!

Good to hear that you're still on track Blast
Keep up the good work - and let us know how it's going...

YaaaY Well done Blast Good to know all is going well!

That's really positive, Blast! Once you start to really notice the calories in what you're eating and think 'do I want it THAT much?' it becomes easier to make good substitutions. I had developed a habit of snacking on brazil nuts and walnuts - all very healthy in small quantities, but it was getting so that every time I wandered by the kitchen I'd grab a few. Turns out they add up over time...

And potion size is definitely a big deal. I'm doing 16:8 at the moment so not having anything before about mid-day, but if you weigh out what a recommended portion of cereal is, its ... enlightening!

Good luck!

They do add up Weaver But still healthier than grabbing chox and or biscuits! They need much more chewing too! I do 16;8 too most of the time it works very well.

5lb in two weeks is amazing!

The only thing that works for me, was to count calories. 1500 calories a day with the occasional over at the weekend.

I lost 2 stone in about 6 months.

Thank you!

As I approach the end of the third week, I'm shocked at how much easier it's getting to adapt to the calories and to eat less. It does seem that my body is much happier at reduced calorie levels without breakfast (coffee is, however, essential!) and by listening to my body and saying "actually, I'm not hungry so I don't need to eat", it's making life easier. I'm not saying that I'll never eat breakfast, I went out cycling early one day so had some food when I got back in, but I'm listening to what I need.

For example, lunch today was a sort of salad with melon, pineapple and cottage cheese, and dinner is a baked potato with a small amount of lean mince bolognese and a ton of salad. It's all weighed out and planned, so I've managed to fit in a home made cheese scone as a treat and that feels really nice and that I'm not missing out.

I've designed Friday's as my "not quite TDEE but more than 1200 calories" day - that allows me to take part in the family pizza making, and to drink a couple of glasses of wine without feeling guilty or stressing that I'm going over my limit.

I'm not due a weigh in again until next week - I don't want this to be about weight as much as clothing and fitness, but as things are feeling looser (I managed a pair of jeans without having to lie down and suck in!) it seems to be working.

You’re an inspiration op. I’m finishing off the ‘bad food’ this evening and going to kick some ass from tomorrow!!

YAAAY Exactly what I do about leaving food. Blast When You're full you have to say to yourself clearly I can always finish it later.

The getting your jeans on easily bit is brilliant too! I stopped buying new clothes because of the environment. So the Charity Shops did well out of me when I lost the 3 stone! In 2 ways! They got the larger sizes and then I bought their smaller ones

I recently lost 8 stone to get to a healthy weight and the only exercise I did was walking on the school run. I hate exercise andgetting sweaty! It really is mostly about what you eat.

Yup me too CookPass When I was 42 , I lost 3 stone then But since hitting my 60s it takes more exercise as well as normal housework (dancing round the kitchen, stretches, pilates type, walking etc.) and care with eating for me to maintain. We're all different.

Yep. Hormones suck. That's what really has pushed me to change.

Still, all I can do is my best

Just done a 6 mile bike ride at 6am.

I'm sodding knackered now, but feeling deceptively good - I suspect I'll pay for it later!

I've had to pull in my bra straps to the middle hook, which is great and hopefully means I can get back into my smaller back sizes.

Legs are still chunky, but I've nicked some resistance bands from DBIL (he kindly nipped home to get them) and I'm going to start using them. I know you can't spot train to remove fat, but every little helps.

Well done,, Blimey Blast !!!. 6 miles !! I tell you what, I often go about on my tiptoes (and do front facing plies, pulling in my belly too) when I'm washing up etc. That really trims up my legs.

I often do sit ups, in the morning, in bed (I've got a firm mattress) that is great too.

You will probably start to enjoy the walking once you’ve done it daily for a month. Just an hour a day will help or walking to work

Just read your last posts. Well done!!!

Got to say I'm loving and hating the hot weather - on one hand the weight means I'm stuck in non fitting lightweight clothes, but on the other, my appetite has vanished. Seriously gone.

I'm listening to my body and so far I had salad for lunch - about 200 calories and the same for dinner - probably about 400 with the fish included.

Still... Leaves room for a small cocktail!

I hate having to do ironing in this weather too. Which is more necessary with cotton clothes.

But there are strawberries !! Hurray I made a strawberry, date and almond milk smoothie for my supper last night. Yum.

OP sounds like you've made a good start. To answer your question in your first post, mindset will get you a long way with this. Two quick tips: start by being aware of how hungry you are when you eat. On a scale of 1-10 how hungry are you? Be really aware and stop eating when you don't feel hungry. This may be hard at first. A good way to start is to eat breakfast later than usual (as you'll have been effectively fasting through the night).

For exercise I can't rate highly enough the NHS Couch25K podcast. It's an excellent programme. It made me a runner after shunning exercise my entire adult life. When I started I could barely 'jog' for a few seconds.

I started on the C25K a while ago, but I have joint issues so while I started the diet, the fact that I seriously did my knees in meant that I was off my feet as much as possible. You can guess the rest.

The bike is definitely helping though. Eyeing up a comfier saddle (as it takes two days to recover), but if I can do 2-3 rides a week (and I'm on course for that), plus reduce calories then it's sustainable. I am in my smaller bras - although it is a definite relief in the evening when I can get out of them and into a sleep bra!

...and the weather is getting better, too, so perfect time for cycling!

Just have a walk once a day and cut out sugar. You don't need to sweat buckets to burn calories.

This You don't have to sweat buckets to burn calories

Very true Casino Also you don't have to count calories (unless you enjoy it!) I lost 3 stone without counting one calorie.

I was using Paul Mackenna's (I Can Make You Thin). I'm slim I certainly didn't want to be thin BUT his approach is diffferent from most diets\ways of eating.

He advocates eating when you're hungry , really eating slowly and enjoying the 'proper healthy food' not junk or diet types. etc. I could go on.. suffice to say I maintain (I have kept slim for 4 years now) with it too.