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Weight loss chat

A space to talk openly about weight loss journeys and challenges. Mumsnet hasn't checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. You may wish to speak to a medical professional before starting any diet.

Why We Eat (Too Much) Thread 5

1000 replies

TheLeadbetterLife · 12/01/2022 23:13

Happy New Year regulars, lurkers and newcomers!

Welcome to thread 5 of discussion, encouragement and advice inspired by the book Why We Eat (Too Much), by Dr Andrew Jenkinson.

The basic principles of this "diet" (it's not one in the traditional sense, as it's meant to be a permanent set of changes), are as follows:

  • cut out ultra-processed food
  • massively reduce sugar, carbs, refined flours and wheat
  • eat a wide variety of vegetables, whole grains and fruit
  • eat full fat dairy and other healthy fats like extra virgin olive oil
  • improve the ratio of omega 3 to 6 by eating greens, fish, eggs and grass-fed meat, and cutting out ultra-refined seed oils

Important lifestyle changes include getting plenty of rest, relaxation and sleep, as well as taking a moderate amount of exercise (or more, if you like that sort of thing).

You don't need to count calories (in fact, you shouldn't), though it may help to count carbs or glycemic load, at least to begin with, until you get the hang of it.

Some of us share recipes by following each other on Copy Me That - www.copymethat.com/recipebox/the-leadbetter-life/6661160/

As well as the book mentioned in the title, the principles are similar to those espoused by the likes of Rangan Chatterjee, Robert Lustig, Tim Spector and Michael Mosley.

There are many successes on this thread, and the main thing is that we are aiming to make permanent, sustainable changes to adjust our weight set-points downwards.

Join us!

OP posts:
Thread gallery
34
TooExtraImmatureCheddar · 30/03/2022 08:43

Brilliant news, Words! That's amazing.

Heartbeats0708 · 30/03/2022 09:55

That's excellent news @Words and well deserved after such an intense exercise week; though I admit your sunny walks sounded like the most enjoyable exercise.
Thank you for clarification re combining foods!
I'm finding I'm getting through even more vegetables than usual so heading out shopping again later on. I do really like veg though!
Still making my way through foods that aren't great but I can't seem to bring myself to throw away. I had porridge this morning but it was golden syrup flavour Blush
PMS has me totally ravenous, I'm planning to make this for supper though, sorry I'm rubbish at links:
www.higgidy.co.uk/recipes/sweet-potato-cottage-pie/?fbclid=IwAR0viORz96CbLaiF2iQwm2RFUM3NO08O2FMdk5hCK1MNjYOXNE9054FXwmw

Words · 30/03/2022 17:30

Thanks folks! I will report back...

And wise words there, pickle - you're absolutely right.

Dinner tonight is left over moussaka mixture with mashed spud and cheese on top, so a sort of Greco - cottage pie- with lots of veg- I love them to heart . Very fortunately!

It's snowing here! Shock

Words · 30/03/2022 17:30

Too! Blush

Aria999 · 30/03/2022 19:09

@Words that's awesome! Only 9lbs to go! How exciting, after your long weight loss journey to be finally within sight of the end.

You must look and feel amazing.

samthebordercollie · 30/03/2022 21:22

@Words 4 stone in 18 months is amazing. You must really notice the difference with your fell walking now!

I've got Covid (again, had it last May) but it's just a cold, no loss of taste, smell or appetite this time. At least so far!

Heartbeats0708 · 31/03/2022 10:36

The lentil cottage pie was delicious and I'd make it again, but probably use regular white potatoes next time. I like sweet potatoes but I think it made it a little too rich.
Having a go at the sticky date and oat slices I found on one of your Copy Me That links, sweet cravings are really strong at the moment and I figured a bit of sugar in this context would be better than falling head first into a box of chocolates! I halved the recipe just in case they flop, and quartered the sugar so shouldn't be too bad.

TooExtraImmatureCheddar · 01/04/2022 09:37

Lowest weight today in over a year! By 0.2lb, anyway. I started this WOE on 20 April last year, stuck to it until approx July, then dithered and fell off the wagon until early March this year. This morning I got the lowest weight in all of that time, which is lovely! Total loss is 12.8lb.

picklemewalnuts · 01/04/2022 18:40

Very good, Cheddar!

Today's food, for those who like to know..

3 Hard boiled eggs for breakfast. Broke the rule about sitting down. Ate on the run.
Homemade mixed beans on toast, using that rectangular German rye bread. Yummy. So glad that's back on the menu!
Meatballs and pasta, made by DS1 using a sugar free spice mix/kit.
I've got yogurt and raspberries glassed up ready for later.

I've been a bit carby and slack this week, but now all my meals are planned for the coming week so I'll stay on plan.
I've got a vat of lamb, olive, aubergine stew in the fridge for lunches.

Aria999 · 01/04/2022 19:40

@TooExtraImmatureCheddar awesome!

Words · 02/04/2022 06:55

Well done too extra! Smile

I am up 3/4 pound from the mid week low, which doesn't surprise me as I had a very bad evening on Thursday over a work matter, and also last night ate crepes and syrup. Did not enjoy it either! Still, two and a quarter off in a week is very good at this point, so not complaining!

Now need to get my head back in the right place, and make sure to eat really well the next few days. It's not so much never having slip-ups, more to do with how we handle them I suspect.

Have a good weekend all.

Heartbeats0708 · 03/04/2022 19:21

Wise words, @Words Wink It's not so much never having slip-ups, more to do with how we handle them I suspect.
This is something I'm trying to remind myself of too.
I accept that weekends are going to have slip ups in terms of the way of eating, because DP and I like our food, eating out and experimenting and drinking but today I've made an effort to prepare my work lunches and the mindset shift doesn't feel so extreme any more. I haven't overdone it by any stretch this weekend but not been perfect- I think my diet has improved immeasurably even with these 'slips'.

TooExtraImmatureCheddar · 05/04/2022 18:30

Checking in - I’ve had a horrible cold since Sun and promptly went back up 3 lbs. Think body is retaining water/fat to protect it from cold, but it is very dispiriting! So much so that I thought fuck it and had toast for breakfast and am about to have noodles with dinner. I go back on it when I feel less knackered/ill and can cope with cooking/meal planning.

sleepraptor · 05/04/2022 21:13

Hello all. Just checking in as I have read the book a couple of times and love it, and have now finally read through most of these threads which I have really enjoyed. Loads of information and food inspiration and encouragement, and I kind of feel like I know some of you now :-).

My normal way of eating is very similar to this, I don't really eat much processed foods, nor much bread or wheat, however I do love chocolate and I somehow end up binge drinking a couple of times a month with friends. I have given up sugar for Lent which has helped kick start me into really getting interested in the book again. I think I probably have too much fruit and I also always have a protein smoothie bowl for breakfast where the protein powder is probably UPF (although is as good as these things tend to be - no sugar, only 8 or 9 ingredients which are all recognisable) - I usually have loads of veg in the smoothie but serve over berries plus also tend to eat a few pieces of fruit a day. Plus since giving up sugar I've been eating Greek yogurt with fruit after tea. So that feels quite a lot of fruit!

Today's meals:
B: usual smoothie
L: homemade beetroot burgers (Megan Rossi recipe) with tomato, avocade and a homemade tahini dip thing. Yogurt and fruit. Square of 100% dark chocolate (no sugar) - first time tried it today. Orange and clementine.
T: Porridge (usual post yoga tea on a Tuesday as late) plus few mouthfuls of kids tea to keep me going beforehand which was slow cooked beef / squash stew thing - I usually finish eating by 6pm but 8pm on Tuesdays.

For the person asking about lunches, I often add lentils or beans or quinoa to salads to make really filling. I'm planning to try buckwheat tomorrow, work permitting.

I'm a bit scared about Lent ending because I don't want to not eat chocolate but don't want to go down the can't-stop-eating it path either! Don't need to think about that for a week or so anyway!

picklemewalnuts · 06/04/2022 13:22

Could the end of lent be a new start to eating sugar only at the weekend, or similar, @sleepraptor?

I've had a not so great week. Lots of things crept in unnecessarily- the odd comfort/boredom biscuit that I didn't even enjoy that much.

I need a reset. Still, with every shop something I used to buy runs out and isn't replaced. One thing at a time, I'm swapping over.

Wednesday is weighday. I'm pretty much staying the same weight, while relaxing about eating fat and rye bread, so that's good. If I can quietly swap across to full fat and nuts, and not put weight on, then that's a win!

EngelbertHumperdinck · 06/04/2022 14:49

Hello, I have lurked on this thread several times in the past. Yesterday I received a diagnosis of prediabetes. I am 200lb/14st4 (was around 9st with zero effort for my entire adult life until various issues started around 10 years ago) and have a bad Coke habit that started about six or seven years ago and has really ramped up.

I would like to join the thread. I have read the book and will read it again. So far I am on day 5 of no Coke (the nurse rang me about the blood sugar as soon as the GTT results came in and before I spoke to the doctor) and day 2 of a low impact HIIT video.

I've never dieted before and don't intend to start but I need to go back to how I (mostly) ate before all my issues as a minimum, and that's not far off this WOE. I'm writing a list of goals using both stones and pounds for nice round number targets. First goal is 14 stone, then 190lb.

picklemewalnuts · 06/04/2022 15:08

Well done, booting the coke is a great start. Was it full sugar, or full sweetener, out of interest?

EngelbertHumperdinck · 06/04/2022 15:30

Full sugar Coke. I can't stand any sweeteners! I never even used to have a sweet tooth or even like fizz, but I don't drink coffee or tea and it became a bit of a crutch in the days when I had little children who didn't sleep.

picklemewalnuts · 06/04/2022 16:33

I can imagine! You've done really well. Hang in there.

I'm currently making peppermint tea in a pint glass, to reduce the amount of decaf coffee I drink, and avoid starting on squash. I'm a cola girl, and miss it badly. I'm was off it for quite a few months, then restarted at Christmas. DH really doesn't help.

Heartbeats0708 · 06/04/2022 20:16

Hello everyone
Seems it's the time for falling off plan! My stomach is seriously objecting to the white bread roll I ate yesterday and it's a timely reminder of how much better I had been feeling!
Mostly back on course today though I had some toasted wholemeal sourdough type stuff earlier. I need to throw the rest away, I wouldn't have eaten it had it not been there.
Also enjoying the herbal tea @picklemewalnuts and I think it's helping me sleep better too.
Hope you feel better soon @TooExtraImmatureCheddar I don't have the brainpower when I'm ill either.
I weighed yesterday and am exactly the same. I've agreed with myself to give it at least 6 months, but really it's no hardship. I'm eating lovely, nourishing food, I don't feel deprived (except for chocolate, wahh) and I'm not gaining anything. Silver lining!

sleepraptor · 06/04/2022 21:30

That's not a bad plan @picklemewalnuts about setting a new post-Lent rule - I think I work better with rules rather than just hoping for the best!

Hope those who are not feeling great feel better soon.

Well done on day 5 of no coke EngelbertHumperdinck.

What are people's view of Kombucha and water kefir type drinks? I know they're fermented using sugar but because they're so good for the gut I'm putting them into good-sugar-that's-byproduct (like fruit) rather than evil-added-refined sugar. My understanding is that the sugar used doesn't get directly absorbed into the actual drink but not sure where I've got that from!

Made a lovely fried greens / buckwheat / tofu scramble for lunch today that resembled vegetable egg fried rice.

picklemewalnuts · 06/04/2022 22:30

My problem with fermented drinks was the alcohol. It's easy to end up with either too much sugar or alcohol. I gave up. If you were confident you could afford the sugar, then I recommend ginger bug as the easiest ferment to make.

EngelbertHumperdinck · 07/04/2022 05:01

I was wondering the same thing earlier, sleepraptor. I'm sure that I also read something about the kombucha eating up the sugar so there isn't much left by the time you drink it. But googling suggests that there is still some sugar, and can be quite a lot in some brands. I love it but will probably give it a swerve for now. Never tried kefir or kefir water though.

Pretty good first day. Breakfast was a lentil, tomato and avocado salad with mushroom omelette. Lunch was broccoli, bacon and cheddar salad (bought, so the dressing was a bit sweet). Dinner at MIL's: meatloaf, mashed potatoes, sweetcorn and broccoli. I avoided desert.

picklemewalnuts · 09/04/2022 12:18

I've linked a few fermented drinks in my copymethat account, @sleepraptor and @EngelbertHumperdinck . Might be worth a look. One of them only uses a little honey, so may be worth a try.

I'm going to make the date flapjacks today. I'm not sure how little sugar I can get away with- I generally use none.

Last night I made cream cheese but was disappointed at the yield. I used the whey (which was still white rather than yellow, so perhaps didn't yield up all its fat) to make sugar free rice pudding. So a sweet treat that's 'allowed'!

Heartbeats0708 · 09/04/2022 13:37

I enjoyed the date flapjack @picklemewalnuts but had to sub dates for prunes - I think my tastes have altered a bit but even with a quarter of the sugar in the recipe it tasted very much like a sweet treat, poss because the prunes are sweet too.
I'm having a disheartened wobble- it's great that I haven't gained and am not going hungry but I did think I might've lost a little due to being pretty strict with chocolate and wheat. Had a bacon sandwich this morning Blush

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