Why We Eat (Too Much) Thread 4

[TooExtraImmatureCheddar]

Hi to all regulars and lurkers!

Here's the 4th thread, based on the ideas in Dr Andrew Jenkinson's book. We've seen some amazing losses on these threads, and the benefits for me can be summed up as 'no counting, no starving'.
We don't count calories, and if we're hungry we eat. We're focused on quality.

General eating principles:

No sugar
No wheat (which reduces unhealthy carbs)
No ultra processed foods, and in particular no processed/ultra refined oils
Honourable mention to tipping the balance of omega 3 and 6, but that’s mostly achieved by doing the above.

His principles also include trying to sleep more and reduce stress, and take regular (moderate) exercise.

If any of this sounds promising, please feel free to ask questions and come and join in!

Wow that’s fantastic @Bearyhumcrack, well done you!

I had a similar experience where I lost 10kg in about two months at the start, and it’s been very slow but steady since then, with some very long plateaux. The important thing is that it’s holding and I haven’t regained, despite having fairly frequent meals out, birthdays, cinema trips (with obligatory popcorn) etc.

@TheLeadbetterLife thank you. Yes I think I'm hoping for steady reductions now rather than anything groundbreaking. Which is good as I've just had the MOST ENORMOUS breakfast of steak, eggs, and pancakes.

That's amazing @bearyhumcrack! Well done!!!

Being prepared to slog through ( across?) the plateaux is all part of it I think.

I gave up alcohol too, and that has made a big difference. Apart from the extra calories, I found it weakened my resolve in terms of healthy eating and portion sizes. But not advocating it for everyone!

I'm in the office today for first time in months - feel so much more competent and confident now I feel good about myself. And that in turn helps with stress levels I think.

@Words yes absolutely. It's made a massive difference to my anxiety levels. Really changed the way I look at alcohol and like you, my willpower is hugely better without it.

I've more or less given up alcohol too, or at least reduced way down. If I'm honest, it was my drastically lower tolerance that prompted it. I can't sleep after even a few glasses of wine, and will be hungover and depressed for days if I get pissed.

Last weekend we went away for a friend's 50th, and I only had three or four small glasses of wine over the whole weekend. I didn't miss it.

Awesome news @Bearyhumcrack ! Well done!

I actually find wine fulfills my sugar cravings. I am worse without it, but I drink too much. When I am eating too much sugar (e.g. yesterday) I don't want so much wine. Can't win really!

I haven't given up but certainly can't drink more than 3 smallish glasses now. Same as Leadbetter my sleep is too impacted and I don't need any extra difficulties in sleeping, the menopause is enough (although with HRT it's a LOT better now!) I only drink at week-ends unless there is an exceptional occasion, and feel so much better for it. A lack of sleep made me crave sugar the next day so sleeping correctly is really important.

Well I am unexpectedly a pound and 3/4 down on last week

I suspect this is artificially low and last week was maybe a bit high but still, am pleased!

I have cut back on the chocolate and potatoes this week. Maybe that's what has done it.
Also not been to the gym at all, unusually.

For various reasons I don't want to weigh myself ( too many negative connotations). I've been doing this woe for a few weeks. No snacks, home cooked, no bread/pasta/biscuits etc. Little booze.
Do I just keep the faith that it'll work over time? Minimal change in my belt notch/ trousers fitting so far ...
However, I do feel my snacking/craving has massively changed for the better

That's great @Words

Nice one @words

@Crumpledandworn. Just do what you're comfortable with I think.

Glad you're noticing improvements! I found I was able to think a lot more clearly, more focussed, less scattered. Really apparent. And the bad feelings came back really fast too, when I fell off the woe in late September. But then, as soon as I got back on plan, it was fine.

Thanks Words. It's interesting how, although I tell myself I'm doing this woe for health benefits, I'm still hung up on wanting to lose weight. I got covid just as I was making changes, so need to remind myself life is not representative atm. I'm allowed to be a bit tired still!
Overall, it's definitely the way forward

Hope all well with everyone in the bad weather!

Half our town lost power and we have loads of snow. Some people still have no heating. Mine stayed on fortunately but my friend's was off so I did some slow cooked shin beef which went down well, and some roast belly pork yesterday ( working way through freezer!)

Baked pot with cheesy filling tonight as it's meat free Monday.

I'm feeling the cold more now my natural insulation is greatly reduced! Got out the down duvet over the weekend which was just too hot for me the last couple of winters. This made me sad as it's so cosy! Spent last two winters sweating then freezing under a light summer one.

Also my meno symptoms are easing significantly- either as a result of the lifestyle change or naturally coming to an end, or both, I can't say.

Thinking of @HighlandCowBag doing her ponies in this weather. Brrrr.

Keep warm and safe folks. Hearty soup and stew time.

It's been brutal doing the ponies in this weather. Also makes me absolutely starving and craving carbs which tbf I have indulged in the last two days. A wrap yesterday for lunch and my lovely cousin dropped some spinach and feta pastry things off last night so I've just scoffed ine of them! Compensation for slipping on my arse this morning ffs.

Not posted for ages but still mostly following this woe. Platued a bit weight loss wise and not actually weighed myself for ages. Am OK with that tho, I'm still sticking to it mostly but life is very busy atm and I am not as strict as I might be. If I can maintain until Christmas, have a few days off then be stricter come the New Year I will be happy. Am a bit less busy after Christmas, no lectures for 8 weeks so will have more time to shop and prepare stuff.

Not read back through the thread, hope everyone else is doing OK?

It's bloody cold here too. I mean, yes it's still 18 degrees and sunny for a few hours in the daytime, but as soon as the sun goes the temperatures plummet and I think why the hell are we living in a house made of concrete and tiles??

I never had to pile as many blankets on the bed in the UK as I do in the Algarve in winter, it's bonkers. Also, we don't normally have weather this cold until January, so we must be having the same cold snap as the rest of Europe, in our own way.

We like to do a sort of Advent "fast", rather than trying to be disciplined in January, when you normally want to drink red wine and relax a bit. No alcohol for us until Christmas Eve, and we'll be doing a 24 hour fast once a week.

Might have a bit of a stressful week ahead, as I'm finally going to have a few health checks to get to the bottom of some of the things that have been worrying me. Also the bloody car is yet again at the garage, and who the hell knows what it'll cost this time. Ugh.

Hi @TheLeadbetterLife . Hoping it goes ok with the tests. It's good to get these things looked in to. I can't believe it is so cold with you- was imagining balmy evenings in the garden! I just don't think I could manage a fast- the only meal I can miss is breakfast.

Nice to see you @HighlandCowbag . Can't imagine how gruelling things must be at the moment. Glad you will get a break of sorts over Christmas.

As ever, I compensated for my meat free Monday by watching Masterchef ( does anyone else watch it?) and yes,eating chocolate. I am such a child.

However, when sugar started calling again, I was able to satisfy it with some Greek yog, a chopped up date and a prune. Yes, still sugar, but not obeying the psychological imperative for more of the dark stuff, so a win of sorts.

Back to gym again today. It's been a long gap of about ten days due to life, work, and weather. Snow all thawed here now, thankfully.

@Words it's all pretty intense at the moment. But in 2 weeks all my essays will be in and I can relax a bit.

I feel you on the chocolate vibes. For me it's savoury I crave. Especially since the temperature has dropped, 3 hours graft/riding in -3 makes me very hungry and a salad just isn't what will do the trick.

Scales been a bit stubborn lately. But tbf I feel slimmer and I am toning up. Not quite thighs of steel but my calves are very firm and have definition, and my arms are nice and defined so am happy with that.

Nsvs include having to dig a load of jeans that were too tight out and start wearing them, having to order new bras and this morning I noticed a t-shirt looks very loose.

I have also got my dm doing this woe. She was very sceptical, just been diagnosed type 2 diabetic and was a bit 'but the NHS says....' but she's read the book and is trying it for a month. Have told her to follow advice from her GP but also follow the book where she can so we will see.

Hi @HighlandCowbag that will be a relief to get the essays in! Are you done with the course then or is there more to come?

Can I join you please?

I have 3 stones to lose.
Just started HRT & it's making me bigger! 😭

I want to be 2 dress sizes down ideally.

I really have to do something about this!

@Aria999

Hi *@HighlandCowbag* that will be a relief to get the essays in! Are you done with the course then or is there more to come?

No, got loads more yet. Is year 1 of a 3 yr degree and only the first semester 🤔. Did a foundation degree last year, mostly online so it's been different being in uni, along with a load of 18 year olds.

Not had a great day food wise. But it's all been absolutely lush, plus I have essay fatigue so no fucks to give 🙃

@MammaLovesLeopard welcome to the thread! Have you read the book yet? I hope it helps you with your weight loss goal. There has been some significant weight loss from several posters on this thread so it is possible and it's a very easy woe to follow (as long as you aren't addicted to bread).
When did you start HRT? I'm a recent user of it - I started in the summer and thought I was putting on weight so stopped, then missed it so re-started a couple of months ago and no weight gain at all, so I think it was more due to bad eating habits in the summer.
I understand bloating can sometimes occur at the start of HRT but it usually settles down afer a few months.
Theoretically it shouldn't make you gain weight as you are putting oestrogen back into your body - it's the loss of oestrogen in the body during the menopause which is one reason for weight gain.
Good luck with the WOE and your HRT!

Hi Momma - and welcome. I've lost over three stones very easily on this woe. The final one is proving somewhat stubborn, but I keep reminding myself of what I've achieved so far. I'm a far healthier weight and ordered a pair of size 14 trousers yesterday!

I started with my own version of this last October and started following the guidelines in the book this June. It can definitely be done, and it's pretty painless.

I've found during switching to this way of eating my awful meno symptoms considerably reduced, and now I am barely bothered by it. This could be coincidence of course but is a blessed relief.

Read the book, ask any questions you like - we are all finding our way here!

I'll post a link to our recipe collections which are either suitable or easily adaptable to this woe.

www.copymethat.com/recipebox/thatll-do/6661790/

Those are mine on the link. I'm following everyone who has signed up to the recipe app from here.

Amazingly 2lb off this week so really pleased!