Struggling to stick to anything

[Thatwentbadly]

I’m struggling to choose what to do and stick to it. My diet is already restricted (no dairy, soya and coconut) so I’m feeling a bit sorry for myself and then I’m busy with the kids and I’m bottom of the pile and when I sleep deprived (most of the time) I stuff my face with sugar. I need an intervention.

You need to choose the method that is likely to piss you off the least! Think about what aspect of a diet makes you most likely to think 'sod this' and fall off the wagon... and find a method that avoids it.

For example, I've decided I'm altogether done with calorie counting, measuring and banning types of food in any way. It's tedious and joyless. So I am eating literally whatever the hell I like and however much I like at 2 meals a day (lunch and dinner), then fasting between dinner and breakfast and no snacking. I give myself one day off at the weekend. I'm not weighing myself, but I am noticeably slimmer after 2 weeks. The dinner to breakfast fast is easy peasy after a few days, it's the afternoon munchies that are a challenge!

I agree with pp! Find the reason why something doesn't stick.

I am a carbs girl. I can't without. It's all my fave food! Just the grapes i had today for snack were apparently 38g carb🤷🏻 sprouts for dinner are 18 etc. I tried, I couldn't. But others are absolutely fine with it. Everyone is different.
I like calorie counting because it allows for everything.

I think you will have to look not just at the food though. Try to increase some sleep time. Like push kids onto someone else or tell your partner to give you some extra time.
After kids are in bed and you are finished for a day, create a relaxing ritual. Shower, self massage, pot of herbal tea, whatever works for you and it can genuinely be just few minutes when you take a breather and relax. It will help a bit.

I just find limiting when I eat much more psychogically doable than limiting what I eat. The thought of depriving myself of my favourite foods is much harder than just saying "I can have chocolate, but only as part of my meal."

Yeah it works for lots of people. I think it would be worth a try for op. I like late night cheese too much😂

I eat all the foods I like but practice portion co tell via counting calories.

DH, who has way more self-control than me has gone down the very restrictive route.

We have both lost weight so I guess it's about doing what suits you, what's achievable.

I don't want to deny myself mint magnums, white rice and the odd take away because I would rather miss breakfast and eat less of other foods.

Thanks everyone. My biggest issues is reaching for sugary snacks when I’m tired, with a toddler who still feeds a lot during the night I’m always tired. I guess I feel sorry for myself that my diet is all ready restricted with no dairy, soya and coconut and I use food to treat myself.

Hmm. Back to the drawing board as I’m not sure fasting is compatible with breast feeding.

Get rid of the sugar stuff. You will be nackwred first few days but some greet tea (if you like it) or extra coffee might help. It will settle. Just don't beat yourself up if whatever you pick to try doesn't work at first. It takes time to find the right thing.

Yeah, it may not. I can't advise on brestfeeding diet.

Be kinder to yourself. Sleep deprivation and breastfeeding are already challenging to your body - why make your life harder right now?

Add more fruit and veggies to what you are eating so you can at least be sure you’re getting good nutrients, drink plenty of water etc etc.

You are allowed to treat yourself and food is about the least offensive way to do that!

Make it a 'do list' not a 'don't list'.

Eat as much veg as you can. Buy tempting veg- preprepared carrot sticks etc. Make it your go to option.
Iceland do frozen sugar snap peas that are lovely, I eat them frozen and raw.

Drink lots of water.

Keep handy things in the fridge- yogurt, cheese cubes, boiled eggs. So you can grab and munch.

Do have proper meal times, instead of eating on the go all day.

Do look after yourself- get sleep, rest and exercise whenever you can.

If you feel better, you'll eat better.

I've tried so many weight loss methods. I'm finally losing weight by skipping my evening meal and having cereal..I haven't cut out sugar completely just reduced it and replaced snacks with lighter versions. So Milky way instead of a Snickers

@ThursdayLastWeek

Be kinder to yourself. Sleep deprivation and breastfeeding are already challenging to your body - why make your life harder right now?

Add more fruit and veggies to what you are eating so you can at least be sure you’re getting good nutrients, drink plenty of water etc etc.

You are allowed to treat yourself and food is about the least offensive way to do that!

@ThursdayLastWeek because my ‘baby’ is nearly two and I unhealthy and unhappy with my body.

@picklemewalnuts I feel as it’s a bit circular at the moment. My poor diet is making me feel worse. I can’t have cheese or yoghurt unfortunately. I think this is part of the issue is that I miss it so much.

Oh of course, you said. When I was at that stage, baby wise, I weighed a big portion of mixed veg out every day and after I'd eaten all of it I could have whatever else I wanted.

By the time I'd eaten a pile of peppers, broccoli, cauliflower, carrot sticks etc, I tended to want less of everything else!

It's about starting to put yourself first, getting your life back after being a baby support system.

Treat yourself to a new lipstick/craft item/whatever floats your boat. Something that's you as a person, not housekeeper/mum/wife/employee.

Ok, I was simply adding a different perspective.

@ThursdayLastWeek

Ok, I was simply adding a different perspective.

Sorry I wasn’t disagreeing. Just trying to explain where I’m at. I appreciate all advice.

[quote Thatwentbadly]@picklemewalnuts I feel as it’s a bit circular at the moment. My poor diet is making me feel worse. I can’t have cheese or yoghurt unfortunately. I think this is part of the issue is that I miss it so much.[/quote]
I saw these last week www.sainsburys.co.uk/gol-ui/product/dairy-free-yogurts/oatly-oatgurt-greek-style-400g
Never tried them, but might be worth trying to add you some good stuff you enjoy? If you like it you can just strain it, mix in salt, pepper and fresh herbs and voilà. Herby soft cheese

Make it a 'do list' not a 'don't list'.

I think this is really good advice. Psychologically it feels much less depressing to do things rather than forbid yourself from doing things.

I've been eliminating foods lately to try and identify the cause of some stomach problems, and I totally understand that "I'm cross that I can't eat those things so I'm damn well going to indulge myself with other things" feeling, I really really do.

You need to fill yourself up with non-sugary but delicious good food that you really like. If your body feels well-nourished and your mind feels that you are having things you like, it will be a bit easier to resist the sugary snacks. And the less reliant on them you become, the less you'll crave them.