How do I shift my mindset? Psycho-analysis required.

[Pinkjenny]

I put on 5 stone when pg with dd who is 2 next month. I lost 3.5 stone by this time last year, and now have put 1.5 stone back on. A lot of this is due to my boring less than challenging job, and the fact that I sit on my fat ass all day.

I have tried everything, including diets that have previously been extremely successful for me, as I have been a bit of a yo-yo dieter for about 12 years now.

Do I have some kind of self destruct button? I start off with the best of intentions and then buy a KitKat. I have told myself so many times that I am going to do it this time, and never do, and in the meantime I am just getting fatter and fatter.

I hate myself. What is wrong with me?

I am with you in this one. I weigh a stone more than straight after dd was born and she is 2 next month. For me it is wine, stressy job, rushing to get dd from nursery, the bedtime with a tired toddler can be a challenge so oh, I deserve a glass of wine and some cheese, yum!

So, what are we going to do????

Hi BlueBumedFly

I am considering drastic measures like Lighter Life and the Cambridge Diet. I just cannot seem to stop stuffing my face. I think, 'Oh, I am so fed up with this', and then buy a bag of toffees!

I wonder if I could do lighter life but it sounds so miserable!! I think I need to get real, get back to weight watchers and actually write down everything I eat as it makes it real. I pretend to be dieting but don't count calories so am most likely eating double what I should.

It is just at weekends I want to eat and drink!!

Right, I am going to enjoy Easter then start on Tuesday. How about you ?

I found the Paul McKenna cd very helpful in changing my mindset.

And I woke up one day and realised that I HATED being fat. And if I ate too much that day I would wake up tomorrow hating being fat, whereas if I ate well I would wake up and feel better about myself.

Listening to the cd really helped me re programme my mindset into finding NOT eating rewarding. It took the sense of denial away.

I know I may get flamed for saying this but Lighter Life and other very low calorie diets, seems to be a drastic solution.

I know of a few people who have used these methods and once they start eating normal meals their tastebuds go absolutely crazy and they end up back where they were before they started.

What has worked for me is thinking about my health rather than my weight. Increasing exercise, reducing portions, accepting that I will have to eat less and exercise more for the rest of my life if I want to remain slim.

I exercise every day for at least 30 minutes, usually around 50 minutes so I can eat more. I avoid trigger foods, and try to take the struggle one day at a time.

I found Paul Mckennas cd helpful too. It made me realise that food should nourish your body. If the food is not feeding your body with nutrients then you really don't need it. Of course, we all need treats etc now and then but I switched to having them only on special occasions.

Have you tried low gi diets? A lot of times when you start craving sugar, its actually lows in your blood sugar levels that trigger it. Low gi helps to regulate that.
If you eat cereals for breakfast, you will be craving sugar all day.
You need food like poached egg or beans on wholemeal toast.
Snacks should be yoghurts, nuts, seeds and fruit. Lunches and dinner should be low fat and include protein.

I've found the above to have worked really well. (just need to apply it again now )

I have just read Pauls Mckennas book - finished it last night and have been listening to the CD since Sunday night - I have to say I notice a difference already.

I need to lose 2 - 2.5 stone aftre the birth of my son and it is really hard when you are tired and feeling low - you just reach for sugary things which results in low energy = viscious circle. Hypnotherapy is very effective for me so I would suggest this - definitiely do not go for low calorie diets that make you give up all the things you like. You'll have an emotionally draining day reach for the goodies and give up. Slow and steady is the way to go.

I too am one of these people who needs to exercise to keep my weight down - I actually relly enjoy it though but it is hard with 2 little ones and no babysitters I bellydacne - great fun and great exercise. After the birth of DD (2.5) I pole danced - LOL. I was very fat and wobbly but I just love dancing and it really really burns the cals! Just think to yourself - you desrve to be healthy and feel good about yourself.

best of luck.
x

Good luck