Disordered eating?

Crab22 · 2024-04-03T14:20:39+00:00

Wondering if anyone else has any tips helpful advice/tips that have worked for them? I’ve been overweight for probably the last 7 years tried every diet/plan going I’m currently around 85kg ideally would like to be around 65kg seem to lose a few pounds stick to healthy eating for a couple of weeks and then bam! Straight to the sweets/chocolate/biscuits/cakes and can’t seem to stop … im very active walk 2 dogs for at least an hour every day and go to the gym 4 times a week step count is usually 15-20,000 a day but the weight is really getting me down

TheHeadOfTheHouse · 03/04/2024 15:23

Are you depriving yourself of any sweet stuff?

The problem I have is that if I don’t allow myself some sort of sweet stuff twice a week then I end up gorging on it excessively.

Cuppachuchu · 03/04/2024 15:33

You need to decide between eating whatever you like and staying heavy, or eating well and dropping the weight. It's that simple. For good. Not just for a month, or a holiday or in the run up to a special occasion. You don't have to starve, but you do have to rein in your impulses to overeat. Sorry to be so blunt. Good luck. I would recommend Michael Moseley for inspo and recipes.

DiscoDragon · 03/04/2024 15:36

I'm currently doing a course of CBT with our local Eating Disorder Service and have spoken with a nutritionist. I am not supposed to be actively trying to diet or lose weight at the moment but have lost almost a stone already by making a few changes. I'm eating 3 balanced meals a day (1/3 protein, 1/3 carbs & 1/3 veg) and 2/3 healthy snacks such as an apples with 25g cheese or 10g nuts & 25g cheese, wholemeal pitta with 30g houmous etc. I'm not supposed to go more than 4hrs without eating in order to keep blood sugars stable and this has really helped stop the cravings and the binges. I also have to allow myself to have "fun foods" 2 or 3 times a week so that I don't feel deprived of things I enjoy.

Original poster

Crab22 · 03/04/2024 15:47

TheHeadOfTheHouse · 03/04/2024 15:23

Are you depriving yourself of any sweet stuff?

The problem I have is that if I don’t allow myself some sort of sweet stuff twice a week then I end up gorging on it excessively.

No I was having something sweet each day after dinner in the evening then I veered off track Good Friday and have struggled since even eating when not hungry

OP posts:

Original poster

Crab22 · 03/04/2024 15:48

Cuppachuchu · 03/04/2024 15:33

You need to decide between eating whatever you like and staying heavy, or eating well and dropping the weight. It's that simple. For good. Not just for a month, or a holiday or in the run up to a special occasion. You don't have to starve, but you do have to rein in your impulses to overeat. Sorry to be so blunt. Good luck. I would recommend Michael Moseley for inspo and recipes.

Agreed I just need to keep it going and that’s my biggest struggle

OP posts:

Original poster

Crab22 · 03/04/2024 15:48

DiscoDragon · 03/04/2024 15:36

I'm currently doing a course of CBT with our local Eating Disorder Service and have spoken with a nutritionist. I am not supposed to be actively trying to diet or lose weight at the moment but have lost almost a stone already by making a few changes. I'm eating 3 balanced meals a day (1/3 protein, 1/3 carbs & 1/3 veg) and 2/3 healthy snacks such as an apples with 25g cheese or 10g nuts & 25g cheese, wholemeal pitta with 30g houmous etc. I'm not supposed to go more than 4hrs without eating in order to keep blood sugars stable and this has really helped stop the cravings and the binges. I also have to allow myself to have "fun foods" 2 or 3 times a week so that I don't feel deprived of things I enjoy.

Thank you this is helpful I will look into this and see if there is anything similar in my area glad it’s helping you too 😊

OP posts:

Cuppachuchu · 03/04/2024 16:14

It is a struggle, and I have to keep reminding myself not to fall into the old "one biscuit/slice of cake won't hurt" mindset because I gain weight really easily.

I have a small chocolate bar daily, usually a Freddo, because it's my weakness. I also have a small glass of wine if I fancy it, just one.
But the biggest reason I have for keeping my weight down is so I remain able to walk without my joints hurting.
Nothing makes you feel old like achy legs or back. It's always a choice.

Vivrtrey · 03/04/2024 16:42

DiscoDragon · 03/04/2024 15:36

I'm currently doing a course of CBT with our local Eating Disorder Service and have spoken with a nutritionist. I am not supposed to be actively trying to diet or lose weight at the moment but have lost almost a stone already by making a few changes. I'm eating 3 balanced meals a day (1/3 protein, 1/3 carbs & 1/3 veg) and 2/3 healthy snacks such as an apples with 25g cheese or 10g nuts & 25g cheese, wholemeal pitta with 30g houmous etc. I'm not supposed to go more than 4hrs without eating in order to keep blood sugars stable and this has really helped stop the cravings and the binges. I also have to allow myself to have "fun foods" 2 or 3 times a week so that I don't feel deprived of things I enjoy.

Were you referred by your GP, or are you outside the UK? I need referral for help but last time I spoke to my GP there was nothing available. Your CBT treatment sounds both doable and sensible and if offered in my area I would definitely be interested. How long is the CBT course?

DomesticatedSavage · 03/04/2024 16:54

The thing is with sweets and chocolate is that they don't actually fill you up do they? And you're not gaining any nutrients by eating them, so although they taste nice, that's all there is to them, taste and calories.
Is the taste, that lasts a few seconds, worth feeling bad about your body afterwards?

I do know the struggle because I have a sweet tooth and could eat sweets all day long but if I don't want to be overweight ever again, I have to make that choice.

I try to fill up on protein and veggies so that I'm genuinely full, but if I am craving something sweet then I have a banana with low-calorie chocolate sauce drizzled over, sometimes I slice it and fry with a little butter and some cinnamon, or I have fruit with half a meringue nest, or a pot of pomegranate seeds. M&S do a really creamy protein yogurt and they're very filling, delicious with some frozen berries. At least with the above I'm getting some vitamins and/ or calcium rather than just empty calories.

DiscoDragon · 03/04/2024 21:33

Vivrtrey · 03/04/2024 16:42

Were you referred by your GP, or are you outside the UK? I need referral for help but last time I spoke to my GP there was nothing available. Your CBT treatment sounds both doable and sensible and if offered in my area I would definitely be interested. How long is the CBT course?

Show quote history

It was a very long-winded process tbh! I was referred by my GP to the NHS Weight Loss Service, it took the best part of a year for me to get an initial appointment with them. They then looked at all my questionnaire answers and referred me to the Eating Disorder Service and I had about a 3 month wait for an initial appointment with them. The CBT treatment consists of 10 sessions, one per week.

TeenLifeMum · 03/04/2024 21:35

I’m currently trying Noom and I have to say the lessons are helpful and I’m not craving sweet stuff (which is very weird for me). It’s still early days but it does seem to be changing my mindset.

Vivrtrey · 12/04/2024 11:45

How are you getting on @Crab22 ? I just popped on to say that for the last week I have been following an eating plan like @DiscoDragon described. likely is definitely you worth giving it a try!
It's working well - so far- I feel much more in control. The first couple of days were a challenge but now it's easier, only one disordered eating episode this week which is a huge improvement.

Still no help available in my area except waiting list to join a group meeting in a place I can't get to (I'm fairly rural and rely on public transport).

How are you getting on now @DiscoDragon?

DiscoDragon · 12/04/2024 16:47

Vivrtrey · 12/04/2024 11:45

How are you getting on @Crab22 ? I just popped on to say that for the last week I have been following an eating plan like @DiscoDragon described. likely is definitely you worth giving it a try!
It's working well - so far- I feel much more in control. The first couple of days were a challenge but now it's easier, only one disordered eating episode this week which is a huge improvement.

Still no help available in my area except waiting list to join a group meeting in a place I can't get to (I'm fairly rural and rely on public transport).

How are you getting on now @DiscoDragon?

I'm still getting on really well thanks! Still steadily losing weight and have not had one episode of disordered eating at all for a couple of months now. I feel like I've really turned a corner, like you say much more in control. My energy levels are much better now that I'm eating at regular intervals and I've not had any cravings for sugary treats which is amazing for me!

Redruby2020 · 12/04/2024 16:56

Cuppachuchu · 03/04/2024 15:33

You need to decide between eating whatever you like and staying heavy, or eating well and dropping the weight. It's that simple. For good. Not just for a month, or a holiday or in the run up to a special occasion. You don't have to starve, but you do have to rein in your impulses to overeat. Sorry to be so blunt. Good luck. I would recommend Michael Moseley for inspo and recipes.

No, not good advice for someone who binge eats for example.

Redruby2020 · 12/04/2024 16:58

DiscoDragon · 03/04/2024 15:36

I'm currently doing a course of CBT with our local Eating Disorder Service and have spoken with a nutritionist. I am not supposed to be actively trying to diet or lose weight at the moment but have lost almost a stone already by making a few changes. I'm eating 3 balanced meals a day (1/3 protein, 1/3 carbs & 1/3 veg) and 2/3 healthy snacks such as an apples with 25g cheese or 10g nuts & 25g cheese, wholemeal pitta with 30g houmous etc. I'm not supposed to go more than 4hrs without eating in order to keep blood sugars stable and this has really helped stop the cravings and the binges. I also have to allow myself to have "fun foods" 2 or 3 times a week so that I don't feel deprived of things I enjoy.

Very well done, I am still trying to seek help, hard getting in to the services despite being told to contact Beat. So I now have to go back to my doctor. Because they don't offer the service in my area.

Vivrtrey · 17/08/2024 15:16

@Crab22 , how are you doing?

@DiscoDragon , I think you have likely finished your course by now. I would be so interested to know how you got on with it overall.

I can't get NHS help in my area. I made tons of enquiries but just hit a wall with them. For a short time I followed an eating plan like the one you described but I feel I need more help too. I definitely felt much better when eating regular, balanced meals and need to get back to it!

DelilahBucket · 17/08/2024 19:50

I have to just cut out sweet stuff, including fruit and anything containing artificial sweeteners. Otherwise I want it. My hardest time was on my period last week, I was desperate for something sweet. Instead I weighed out some salted tortilla chips as I reasoned that they would last me longer than two squares of chocolate. I ate those and the craving went.

DelilahBucket · 17/08/2024 19:51

Sorry, didn't realise this was an old thread.