OK I really mean it this time. I am going to lose 3 stone. Please Help or join in!!!

[savageisfat]

Having always been chunky since I was about 17, now I am really at breaking point. I have started so many healthy eating plans in the past and never get beyond the first week until now.

I don't really want to do a 'diet' as such, just cut down on the calories and excercise sensibly. I don't think I could or (want to) cut any food groups out so so far I have been just making healthier choices. More fruit and veg, not snacking on biscuits/ crisps etc. For quick and easy meals, I have been using the weight watchers prepared meals which are suprisingly tastey.

I am 5ft 8 and weighed 13stone 13lbs two weeks ago. Meaning I am nearly obese according to the body mass index. For the past 2 weeks I have been watching what I eat and going swimming twice a week. I now weigh 13stone 7lbs which I am pleased the healthy eating/ fitness plan seems to be working although I am still suffering from cravings and need motivation from you nice mnetters!

My waist is around a size 12 which is fine by me but all my fat seems to collect on my thighs and bum, meaning I have to buy size 18 jeans just to fit over my legs and then they just gape and look horrid around my waist. Nothing fits comfortably on my bottom half, I am so out of proportion.

I have 20 month old ds who keeps me busy but I do feel that having eaten all his left overs and snacking everytime he does for the past 20 months has not been kind to my wobbly bits!!

So that's the story so far.... anyone want o join in or share their stories??

plusonemore - do you have any flattering "slim pictures" of yourself and an alternative lardy not so slim picture. I do and am going to get them out and carry them around together. Everytime I want to OVERINDULGE I shall look at them both - then decide if I am really that hungry after all.

Good idea re pictures but I don't remember ever being slim and happy with the way I look.

Fantastic post AMum...and really encouraging to find so many people on here who have exactly the same habits, and thoughts and feelings about food as I do.

plusone...tips I've been given for beating tempation:

STOP and think for a minute "why do you really want it? Are you hungry, or just bored. Is it just 'that time of day'? Think it through logically and then decide if it's really what you want.

Remember your mantra - something like "I want this, but I want to lose weight/be healthy more"

Find something else to do - change the bedclothes, go for a walk, tidy the garage, get on MN and on this thread!

Replace the unhealthy snack with a healthy one, or even better - a glass of water.

Some excellent ideas and tips on here, I'm so glad I started this thread, I feel a lot more motivated and in control. The treat last night wa lovely and I don't feel guilty now. I had a good time and I enjoyed it rathaer than nibbling on lettuce and pining for what my friend was eating! I am thinking of it in a positive way now and also recognise that the odd treat isn't whay I am the weight I am.

I was deffinitely guilty of over eating every day, whether though bordom or just habbit. I certainly am not as active as I should be and I do tend to binge eat a lot if I feel the slightest bit hungry or bored. I think the key thing for me is to not let myself feel too hungry at any time so always have plently of fruit and healthy nibbles about rather than being starving and eating an entire pack of choccy digestives whilst ds has his nap .

Today so far I have eaten:

A slice of wholemeal toast with low fat spread.

An apple

Small glass of orange juice

For lunch I am having a weight watchers chicken lemon risotto which I don't know if anyone on here has tried but they are delicious and only 300 calories.

Not sure about tea yt though, perhaps a jacket potato.

The really good thing is that I love healthy food so I do enjoy it, it's not a chore to eat well but it's the not binging on junk in between that I struggle with!

yes i think i will do that...but will i look??!!! Need them enlarged on all the walls of the house!!

nannyogg some good ideas, I like the idea of doing something instead

so far today I have had
cheerios
toast with clover and marmalade
2 cups tea
1 biscuit
2 rolls with lettuce, carrot, little cheese and salad cream

not so good is it? and have people over later we are having a chinese

dont use fat photo's, you are not trying to make yourself miserable, they will not motivate you. Cut out some pics from magazines of people that you admire, stick them on the biscuit tin etc.
I managed not one single biscuit at playgroup, I did have a bag of crisps but tey were french fries so not too bad.
so far toady I have had
A bowl of granola with soya milk
a bag of french fries
2 rice cakes
sweet potato with fat free cottage chesse and salad. I will probably not eat much more today as I always seem to load up in the morning and lunch time then not eat all afternoon.
This morning we organised a girls night out in about a month so that should keep me mtivated. I did 2.5hrs on thewii fit yesterday but most of that was on balance games so doesnt really count, although I am getting quite good.

Hello all.

Just quickly popped back in to ask...we have all put our starting weights up. Are we re-weighing ourselves on the same day each week/fortnight/month etc?

Hello again,

sockmonster - 2.5 hours on the wii fit! Even if they were only the balance games you've still been moving, so must have done some good!

purpleone, your food doesn't sound too bad really - cheerios are quite sugary though I think. Do you measure your portions? One of the things that shocked me when I started calorie counting was how little 30 or 40g of cereal actually is.

Now, I say all this as someone who had a ham sandwich for lunch and couldn't be arsed to put some lettuce on it. I also had some skips. I did have a tangerine as well though. No water today - I've had quite a few cups of tea though. Oh dear, I really need to work harder at changing my habits. Salad for tea!

caramel - I vote for a weekly weigh in but will go with whatever everyone decides.

I am happy with weekly, I weigh myself every day on the wii fit anyway. I think weds or thurs is a good dayas it gives you a chance to make up for the weekend.

Not a bad day today really foodwise.

A weekly weigh in is great for me too, mid week is best as I can get to town to weigh on Boots scales.

Need to get off my arse and get some excercise. What do you all do?

Arggh!

Had a bad night last night. I work 'til half six, got home and DH was in the middle of making me bacon and eggs! Oh well, grilled bacon and had a few mushrooms as well. No pudding and no wine or beer. So much for salad.

MaggS, I do wii fit, walking and this morning I'm going to my first ever aqua aerobics with MIL. Bit nervous, I've never been to any kind of exercise class before.

Some great ideas from you all - although I definitely don't fancy the photos one! When I first decided I was serious about losing weight I found it really effective to just make myself a short list of rules and stick to just those, rather than some vague idea of healthy eating. I've slipped a little since then, hence the current plateau. I think my rules were:
eat only fruit for breakfast but as much as I like
no cheese, butter or mayonnaise
drink plenty of water
eat a portion only 1/2 to 2/3 the size of dh's at dinner

I also bought myself an exercise bike as I was finding it very hard to fit exercise into my day, what with working and looking after dcs. It also probably helps that I have given up alcohol (not through choice - I seem to be allergic to it since ds was born. )

Morning everyone. I had a good day yesterday. Ate well and went swimming in the evening. Only did 12 legths but it's more excercise than I'd have got lounging on the sofa at home.

The only excercise I do really is swimming and walking, starting aqua aerobics on Monday but I feel a bit nervous too, not sure if everyone will be very serious and know what they're doing while I fall about and make a fool of myself!

Weekly weighin works for me too, either Thursday or Fridays would be best really before I have chance to sabotage it all over the weekend!

I am determined this time though. If I do slip up then I will just enjoy it and move on from it, not let it de-rail the entire diet.

Not had breakfast yet today but think I'll have some cereal and semi skimmed milk.

Nannyogg the eggs and bacon sound delicious, don't feel guilty for it, remember today is a new day and also grilled bacon and eggs really isn't too bad and I bet it was yummy!

Ohh I fancy aqua aerobics but i don't want to go on my own. Let me know how you get on, I've heard it's really good for you.

Must dust off the Wii fit. I should use it more but it's not always easy with a lively 2 year old

Have dd1 and dh home sick today. I have a really bad throat as well but must carry on.

Don't really fancy any breakfast but my have a nice cup of tea after the school run.

Goldberry, I like the idea of eating the 1/2 portion of what dh eats. I do seem to make enrmous portions for him and eat the same amount myself, ven though I don't need that much food, because it's there, I eat it!

Maggs, I have same problem with excercising around a 20 month old! As soon as I'm doing something, he's under my feet or having a tantrum because he's not getting attention! Arrrgh! That's why Ive been going to late night swimming when he's in bed and dh stays to watch him. I find it so hard to do anything but mummy stuff in the day. I'll let you know how the Aqua aerobics class goes. I'm not known for being very co-ordinated so it'll be ... errrrm.. interesting to say the least! Enjoy your cuppa!

Hi - I haven't had such a good night last night and things not that better so far today. In all fairness I have an 8 month old who is teething and up all night, plus seems to have spent most of last night and this morning crying........so I've had a couple of dairy milk bars! DD1 had a couple of chunks and I really really tried to resist, but then it all went wrong.

i did exercise yesterday morning though.

If it's a wednesday or thursday then I can try and get back on it after today and am out tomorrow night!

Good morning

It seems most people are happy with a mid/end of week weigh-in. How about if we next weigh in next Thursday; and then weekly?

I agree nannyogg - it is amazing how much
smaller healthier portion sizes are compared to the usual pile-it-up/fill-the-bowl/clear-your-plate sizes.

I am sooo looking forward to being slim again this year! It has been so long

I'm realy looking forward to it too although it does seem like a long way off for me! 3 stone just sounds like a lot but I am trying to think of every 1/2 stone bringing me closer to the end result. Thursday weigh ins are fine with me so every week we can see how things have gone and offer support which will be nice! I often think it's just nice to talk about it with other people who know how hard it is. Good luck for the week ahead ladies!

well I am having a really bad day today, I had a bowl of granola for breakfast, then I had a bit of a binge and had a bagel a bag of wotsits and about 5 snack a jacks, my friend came round for lunch and we had pizza, the dc are having chipshop chips tonight so I can either give in and behave again tommorow or think of a nice alternative for me.
As it is I am so stuffed now that I think I could do with something small for tea.

I've given in for today and tomorrow sockmonster - I'm going to start again Sunday and try and be really good right up til The Thursday Weigh-In - losing a pound is better than gaining one, so I'll be chuffed if it's 1lb.

Not a good day for me either

I am feeling pretty rotten with a bad cold and sore throat.

Have just picked today and had a couple of cup a soups and toast.

Early night for us all tonight.

LOL, was just about to come on here and fess up to my really bad day too

Didn't go to aqua aerobics, my DB has been here all day refitting our kitchen, so no facilities to cook all day, fridge out of reach etc - I've just picked on biccies and crisps

DH has gone out now to get take away pizza. I'm having a salad so will at least get some good stuff, but suspect will also nab some of his pizza and DD's garlic bread. Plus, I've already opened the beer after a rather hectic and fraught day. Tomorrow I am at birthday picnic for my niece, and then my sister's for her birthday takeaway and boozey get together kind of thing! There's no hope, I'll admit I won't be able to be good.

So, all things considered I've decided to class this weekend as my final hurrah! Sod it 'til Sunday, shall we agree it's a plan then?