I'm trying to completely reset my way of thinking!

[midnightblue12]

I need to loose a stone. That one stone will make such a difference to me and how I feel about myself!

I've been back and forth to slimming world, calorie counting, home work outs etc. But I just can't stick to anything. I'm a typical chocolate binge eater and whenever I'm stressed or worried or anxious (which is a lot of the time since become a single parent to two!!) everything goes out the window.
I don't even enjoy the treats anymore :(

I just feel like o need to reset my thoughts. I hated calories counting because I feel so controlled which made me stressed. I live slimming world but equally im just abit bored of it and don't feel motivated.

I just want to eat healthy And made healthy choices withought tracking everything!!!! Does anyone understand what I mean? I lost my baby weight and kept it off for years just by making my own healthy choices. I think I've become obsessed with food and tracking it all which is having an adverse effect!

So anyway today is day 1.

Day one for me too. I know how to lose fat and feel better, but over the past year I have piled on about 8-10kg, which is about 1.5st. I lost 2st in lockdown and maintained it through 2021 and some of 2022. But i feel like because i KNOW how to do it, i am very blase about actually doing it. Enough is enough though, day one of taking back control. None of my clothes fit properly anymore so I need to drop the lbs ASAP!

I am calorie counting, because that works for me, but however you do it, you're not alone. Lets go!!!

@midnightblue12 What I should have also added was - try increasing your water, veg and steps first of all. Chop some fruit to snack on, so it's accessible and easy to grab. Dont buy chocolate. See how that works first.

I’m with you. Focussing on ‘taking care of myself’ above all, and that means not constantly stuffing my face with crap and zoning in on nutrition instead.

I’ve given up dairy which I know upsets my stomach, and making good food choices. I aim to feel good and lose some weight.

Ahhh good luck @whiteonesugar !!
I totally get what you're saying about feeling blasé! I've had some really successful diets in the past but I do find it hard to get them to work again if that makes sense which is why I just feel like I need a new approach.
Absolutely need to get on the water. I'm a bugger for not drinking enough. We also ate all the Easter eggs last night so there are now no more 🙈
What's you're calorie goal?

As children we learn to associate food, especially sweets and chocolate, with comfort. A child lives in the moment so doesn't think about long term consequences - they are unhappy about something which results in being given some chocolate or a biscuit and that stops them being unhappy.

That early learning is very powerful, which is why as adults we reach for external comfort when we're sad or anxious or feeling overwhelmed; food will never let you down.

It would help you to think about short term gratification vs long term happiness. When you feel like bingeing remind yourself how you will feel a hour later and ask yourself "Is it really worth it? Is there anything else that will make me feel better instead?"

Addressing the stress/anxiety would also be a huge step in breaking the cycle - what are your main worries?

I've had some success by thinking about eating more healthy/sustainable foods and not so much about eating less junk/treat foods. Sounds simple but e.g. if I make a big effort to have at least a couple of big portions of veg at every meal and then eat some fruit and yoghurt afterwards as a 'dessert' that's an achievable goal hit, I feel better about myself and am less inclined to have biscuits and chocolate as well (but can and do still have some if I really want).

Also the boring old chestnuts about not purchasing the junk food in the first place and finding other ways to occupy yourself in the evenings to prevent boredom eating are still worthwhile to think about. It's a bit of wanky phrase but 'practicing good self-care' is really worthwhile too, especially if you are an emotional/stress eater, if you are used to using food as a comfort or emotional prop then it's unrealistic to just take that away suddenly and expect to feel fine/better without it. Can mean different things to different people, perhaps taking care of your appearance in small ways like treating yourself to an at-home manicure/pedicure or face mask, personally I like an evening hot bath with a good book, watching comforting TV or music, perhaps getting outside regularly or taking exercise, meditation/mindfulness are all things which help? Just a case of finding what works for you...

Take as long as possible to lose the stone. Don't rush and crash diet it off in a month or 2 as you'll rebound and put it straight back on. I'm sure you know how to eat healthier so just make the changes you think need to be made and weigh yourself periodically or better yet take photos as sometimes the scale can lie where as pictures can't.

Calories are not an exact science and I know you don't want to track them but it does help to bare in mind what sort of daily intake is required to instigate fat loss for you. Otherwise you're just guessing and although you're eating healthier the amounts could still be maintenance or even a surplus.

Simple things like not going shopping when hungry and writing a shopping list and not deviating from it can stop you from buying shit to eat. Or when you feel like binging on some crap replace that feeling with something like exercise which also relieves stress.