So disappointed in myself

[jsl21jsl]

I've just got on the scales for the first time in a while and I'm almost at the weight I was when heavily pregnant with my now 18 month old. I gained a lot of weight while pregnant and probably have about 3-4 stone to lose to be a healthy weight.

I feel so disgusted with my body but I've tried countless times to eat more healthily since giving birth, and just can't seem to stick to it. I can do ok in the day time, but by evening I'm so exhausted and 'reward' myself with takeaways or lots of chocolate. I've been a single mum since DS was born and finding time to exercise is difficult, but realistically even if I do get a chance to, I tend to chose relaxing or seeing friends instead.

I really want to feel more healthy and confident but I don't know how to make myself stick to healthy changes. Does anyone have any advice please?

How about healthy cereals on an evening? Exercisewise, maybe hip circles? I was doing 20mins recently each night, but haven't the last couple of nights and feeling bloated and stiff so definatley getting back on it tonight.

How about intermittent fasting? You could eat whatever you fancy, just do it an 8 hour time window. I find it psychologically much less restrictive and frustrating than regular calorie restriction type diets

I agree with Hacer and find it easier to eat in an eight hour window. I drink a pint or two of water in the morning and have breakfast at 10/11am and aim to have finished my dinner by 6/7pm. I have just started to try to shift weight (again) as I've had my third and last child and I feel it is now or never and I am sick of not looking how I want and of having so few photos of me and the kids due to hating my appearance.

I'm using My Fitness Pal to track calories and as I'm post csection I'm easing in to exercise with yoga and 10 minute low impact Zumba YouTube videos. I've tried to lose weight on and off over the last seven years (mostly with an all or nothing approach which doesn't last long) and it is so disheartening.

I feel like it's different this time as I have realised that I do have control over what I eat and how I look and that even though I love food and the instant gratification it gives me, I want to hit my goal weight even more. I feel like it is different as I have accepted that instead of trying to get around eating 'forbidden' food by eating sugar free, low fat options it's easier (for me at least, I know everyone has different ways of doing things) to cut them out entirely as a day to day thing and instead have the 'real' desired food as a one off.

It's working so far, I've been at it for a week and lost 5lbs. I drink mostly water, green tea and have the odd breakfast tea. I plan what I am having the night before by putting it into my app which helps me stay on track. I'm really impatient and wish I could zip myself out of my extra weight but I can't so I'm just sticking to it with a few short term goals such as holidays and weddings and I keep those in my mind as I know I will regret it when I can't wear anything decent. I'm sick of feeling like I'm living half a life, as dramatic as that might sound.

That was much longer than I anticipated! I hope at least some of it was of help. I wish you the best as I know how tough it is to stay focused with young kids.