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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
picklemewalnuts · 20/04/2022 18:08

Opensesame, next time freeze the grapes! They are chewier, and obviously cold, so you don't feel inclined to eat a handful!

And grapes are far better than many things!

I'm planning to swap across to dried dates, prunes and apricots when my sweet tooth starts to nag.

I also found the oatcakes naturally very sweet, so may experiment with making a biscuit version. Perhaps with some nuts or chopped dates.

When I do, I'll put it in copymethat.

Lapwingslore · 20/04/2022 18:49

Food today for me

Breakfast
Porridge (30g Oats made with Oat Milk), Linseed / Nut mix, Blueberries and Raspberries.

Main Meal (I only ever eat 2 meals)
Cold Turkey, fried hash of left over new potatoes and masses of left over veg, tomatoes. Pear & handful of salted Almonds.

Am still unsure of what I should and shouldn’t be eating, but hoping I am not straying too far.

NowYouListenToMeFella · 20/04/2022 20:32

I can't say I love sparkling water but it'll do instead of fizz.

Today's food
Breakfast: raspberries and Greek yoghurt
Lunch: jacket potato, tuna, cheese and a little bit of sour cream
Dinner: omelette with onion, cheese, ham, cherry tomatoes and spinach.

I might have a few strawberries and cream later if I'm a bit peckish.

Opensesame1 · 20/04/2022 23:39

Dinner didn't go as planned. Work took over and it was too late to cook so I had a sugar free caramel latte to keep me going instead.. 😨

I really need to work on cutting the sweeteners completely!

picklemewalnuts · 21/04/2022 08:06

Oh dear! Would it be better to think about having emergency on plan food available, rather than the importance of cutting out sweeteners? I'm assuming you are out somewhere caramel latte's are easy and fast.

What could you keep in your desk to have instead- nuts? Oatcakes? A tin of tuna?

Arcadia · 21/04/2022 09:33

Just come on to say that I started with this 'way of eating' last October and have lost nearly a stone!!! Down from 10 stone 10 to 9 stone 11. Was aiming for 10. Didn't even put on weight over Christmas!
I never even finished the book but got the info from here and skim reading parts of the book.
Basically I cut out most refined sugar and processed foods. The biggest revelation is I have more or less gone off crisps which I used to love!
Also ready meals are no longer a treat, it just means more time spent cooking though which I mainly enjoy.
I never go hungry either.
Very pleased!

Words · 21/04/2022 10:15

Hello Everyone

Today I recognised that little bit of motivation was there to get back on track, and so I have seized it with both hands. It's so lovely to see all these encouraging posts and meal/recipe ideas and a huge handhold to those who are struggling like me.

The dishwasher and washing machine are on, kitchen tidied and some work tasks completed that I'd been putting off.

I am off to the market later to buy some fresh veg. I've been eating lots of cheap meat and hardly any vegetables. Cleared out the wilting remains from the fridge a couple of days ago. Also alas drinking too much which never is a good idea for me.

Last night I made myself an enormous bowl of cheesy pasta. First I've eaten in 18 months probably. Dear Lord it made me feel unwell. Heartburn, gastric upset, palpitations, and slightly sweaty too. Won't be doing that again anytime soon.

Anyway, budge up, I'm back onboard.Smile

picklemewalnuts · 21/04/2022 12:44

Yay, @Words is back on the bus!

Buying veg is always great motivation! I get a box delivered fortnightly, and then spend the next ten days trying to get it eaten!

I'm having to be a bit creative about carrots at the moment...

@Arcadia that sounds fantastic, well done!

I think the change is harder for some than others. My Diet Coke will be the last thing to crack, I think. I drink about two litres of fresh decaf coffee, 3 or 4 pints of herbal tea, but I'm still always thirsty. Coke is the only thing that really quenches my thirst.

The 'wrong' oil has been easier than I thought. I don't really eat any processed food, so as long as I cook with olive oil or goosefat I think I'm ok.

I'll have to do a bit of a survey after a couple of months, see if I really have managed it.

At the moment I'm staying the same weight while eating much nicer food. So that's a win! Maybe I'll even drift down, eventually.

Words · 21/04/2022 13:07
Smile

So for lunch I had rocket and avocado salad, with spring onions, gherkins and sliced tomato, and vinaigrette dressing.

Delish!

picklemewalnuts · 21/04/2022 13:26

That does sound good. I had a big bowl of chopped salad, walnuts, blue cheese hard boiled egg, and the last of the 100% chocolate.

Opensesame1 · 21/04/2022 13:54

I can't drink a coffee without sweetener or SF syrup.. I was at the cafe making cakes and I needed something to tide me over.

I have never been a water drinker so the occasional (1 a day?) SF latte and SF can of 7up is my crutch for now. I'm not struggling with the food yet so maybe if I follow the scales and make further changes when I see the plateau appear..

I haven't been at work at all this week until last night and I am back tomorrow so a busy day in the cafe will be the real test of how I manage!

picklemewalnuts · 21/04/2022 14:24

Gosh that does sound hard!

Opensesame1 · 21/04/2022 16:24

I had cabbage, bacon and cheese cooked in butter for lunch.

Greek yogurt and puréed fruit for a snack..

Planning peppers stuffed with spicy mince and cheese for dinner.

Only 1 coffee and 1 can of diet sprite today. Aiming to keep it that way! 😝

I hope everyone is getting on well..

picklemewalnuts · 21/04/2022 19:19

Well done!

I've had various roast veg (carrot, sweet potato, onion, mushroom) with tomato sauce and cheese.

I may have accidentally eaten a small praline filled egg. Smaller that a creme egg.
I'm struggling to get a handle on what amount of off plan eating is containable. It's a balance against the 'no food is forbidden' binge beating dogma!

I try and start from what I am eating rather than what I'm avoiding.

Aria999 · 21/04/2022 19:50

@picklemewalnuts you could try giving up chocolate for a short period (maybe a week?) and see if you actually still want it.

I mostly find I'm not that bothered by chocolate at the moment. It tastes over sweet and synthetic. I quite like the dark stuff but only actually feel the desire to eat it once every week or two (this does vary over time though!)

Otherwise it's a process of trial and error. I normally find the lbs start to creep on within a day or so if I am getting it wrong.

NowYouListenToMeFella · 22/04/2022 09:59

Morning all. Love that people are posting good. It's helpful for ideas. Today is day 5 for me. I put a pair of jeans on that I was wedged into the last time I wore them and they fit me a bit better.

I'm still not missing sugar, which I am fairly surprised about as I could eat rubbish all day without a second thought.

I have been invited away for a night next weekend. In two minds about going as I fear far too much alcohol would be consumed. Going on holiday the 1st June and had said to myself I wouldn't have a drink until then. On the other hand it would be a fun night away. Hard to know what to do.

TheLeadbetterLife · 22/04/2022 12:48

Hi everyone, sorry I've been absent from the thread for a while. I've been rather overwhelmed with work and not had time to catch up (plus ça change).

I'm trying to find a new job actually, as the person I currently work for is driving me a bit bananas and really not paying me enough for the amount I do. I've been putting up with it for a while because it was quite convenient while I worked on my hoped-for career change, but the part-time work has taken over my life.

Anyway, diet-wise I've responded to the stress by eating too much of the wrong things, and I'm still about 3kg up on my Christmas Eve weight (which was my goal weight), plus very flabby at the moment. Need to snap back into discipline. It's so frustrating that food is still such a comfort for me.

I really want to get to the point where I'm not constantly fighting to maintain my goal weight. Where these new habits are ingrained and not so easily abandoned. Who knows if that will ever be possible?

OP posts:
picklemewalnuts · 22/04/2022 13:15

That's the big question, isn't it @TheLeadbetterLife ! I'm sure it is. It just takes longer than we want. It's the old old truism, it took decades to get here, it won't take just weeks to reprogram ourselves!

This is why I think it must be working, at least for me:

I eat full fat yogurt and cheese whenever I want.
I eat nuts whenever I want.
I eat oats, ryvita and rye bread with butter, whenever I want.
Those three food groups are seriously restricted on SW- and I'm not putting on weight. I've not gained weight since stopping SW system.

I am being still careful about cake, wheat products, chocolate and crisps.

That's pretty amazing, when you think about it. I'm certainly satisfied!

picklemewalnuts · 22/04/2022 13:15

Glad you're back, @TheLeadbetterLife ! Hope the work situation picks up soon!

TheLeadbetterLife · 22/04/2022 13:19

See I don't think I can eat whatever I want in terms of dairy and nuts unfortunately. Wish I could! I've definitely increased my intake of both of these in recent months, and I think I need to cut back a bit. I've not fallen off the wagon in terms of the allowed foods, though I have had a few more off-plan treats than normal. It's more that I've been eating more of everything and doing less exercise.

OP posts:
picklemewalnuts · 22/04/2022 13:36

I'm guessing that after a year of extremely limited quantities, I've actually adjusted my appetite somehow. That what feels like a huge amount to me, is actually still less that when I was fully unrestricted. I don't know. I shall mull.

Aria999 · 22/04/2022 15:48

I think everyone is different. The WOE seems to work differently for some people for others (and we have had a few people who just didn't see any results from it at all.

I don't think there is a right or wrong answer about portion control. Some people find they need it and others don't seem to.

Opensesame1 · 22/04/2022 19:10

I have done every "diet" known to man and I have always put it all back on and more. The way I see it this has to be sustainable. I think that's why I'm not missing the sugar yet.. I know it's not completely off the table and I will have it when I feel I really need it.

If I was doing keto right now I would be dreaming about strawberries and grapes and pining for parsnips! 😂😂

I know that some sugar free things and a lot of fruit doesn't meet the ideals of this plan.. but so far it's making it sustainable for me and if I'm finding my weight doesn't go down I can reassess down the line.. for now I am happy with all the cheese! 😍

Opensesame1 · 22/04/2022 19:12

Today I had;

Breakfast; Full fat latte (with SF syrup)
Lunch; nothing - mental day at work and wasn't hungry
Dinner: porridge with strawbs and bluebs.
A VIT HIT juice (made with 13% apple juice)

Later I will have something snackish before bed.

Not perfectly perfect but it will do me! ❤️

sleepraptor · 22/04/2022 22:33

I've fallen into a fuck-it day tonight unfortunately. It's just very frustrating that I can do all the right things for weeks on end and get back down 3-4 lbs to ideal weight to then spend a few days putting the 3 to 4 lbs back on, and repeat over and over again! And 3 to 4 lbs seems to make a big visual difference to me, although a lot is probably water bloating. It's been tough couple of weeks with kids off school, one of them ASD/PDA, trying to work around them, and a tough anniversary. After trying to get back on track after week away today I was doing well with usual healthy meals but given up tonight and have eaten a lot of chocolate, some crisps and some wine. Will hopefully get back on track tomorrow [crosses fingers].

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