Could this be the way to lose weight, eat healthily and stop obsessing about food ?

[breakfastinbed]

Every time i try to diet i spend my whole time thinking about food, either because i become obsessed with the idea that i am denying myself, or because i am slavishly counting points or cals. Of course the more i think about it, the more i crave it. (Anyone else have that problem...?) And what's more, with two toddlers round my feet, working out calories etc just doesn't happen.

So i thought i should try to eat in such a way that i don't have to think about it at all:

I want to try to prepare all the food i will eat for a month and put it in the fridge or freezer in date-labelled portions. Then every morning i take out that day's meals and snacks knowing that's all i will eat for the day.

Same idea as getting one of those companies to deliver all your food, except cheaper and only things that i like and feel are healthy.

Obvious downside is the big initial outlay/prep/work, but i think it could work for me. Of course there is still self-control involved, but there are no decisions to make. -A bit like being a child again i guess: food plonked in front of you and that's that.

Does anyone like the idea? Fancy doing it together? Also, anyone got any ideas about how and what to prepare?

It wouldn't work for me.
I eat mostly what family are eating and vary it accordingly.
Eg. they have pie, new pots, broccoli and carrots. I have just the carrots, broccoli and potatoes.
Your food is better freshly prepared and fresh fruit should be included.
Wouldn't it be better and save time to do yourself a meal plan instead? Monthly if you need to?

Thanks HotXGoober, you sound like you are very organised and blessed with great self-control.

Thing is, i have absolutely no self-control at the moment. If i don't have a strict system/rule, then i'm done for. So many times i have convinced myself that this time it will be different, only to fall off the wagon and start binging or whatever after a couple of days. (Exhausted/depressed/kids acting up = big, bad comfort eating for me. -I'm sure i'm not alone!).

The other problem is that i am always traipsing around with the kids including a very clingy baby, and rarely have time or space to cook just the right meal for myself 3 times a day.

(But you are right that fruit/raw veg components could and should be prepared freshly each day.)

breakfastinbed - I would love to buddy up and support you - don't know if I could do all that preparation but I do know I must lose weight! My main problem is my love of wine - I really need to go without. Let me know if you want to buddy up and we could hopefully support each other

Oh thank you SpinningEm, Let's do it!

I'm a sucker for the wine also, but carbs and choc are my real (very unoriginal) downfall.

Do you want to cut out booze altogether? Have you ever done it before? When is your dangerzone? (I often drink at about 5pm just to get through the final slog of the day. -Not good, right ?) I have my moments of self-discipline, but they never last long... I'd really value your support.

I know what you mean about all the prep, but i'm sure it would add up to less time than daily planning and cooking.

Anyone else out there? Come on, i'm excited about this now!

Hi breakfastinbed, how are you today?
Just woken up feelin crap as memories of the rubbish I scoffed last night come floodin back!
Do you have a start date in mind? Are you still going to go down the preparation route?

It made me laugh reading about your booze at 5pm!! I think that's what kids do to us! I've got 3 girls aged 3, 6 & 9 who never leave me alone.

Not sure if I could totally give up the booze - I've done it before for 12 days & lost 8lbs without really trying.

OK - let's go for it - we can DO this!!

Breakfastinbed hope you ok- lookin forward to hearing from you - really want to help you & me to crack it this time xx

Wow! I can't believe you lost the weight so easily by cutting out the booze. Was it v hard to give up?

Oh, littlest one crying (again). -Better go.

I'll try to be back later or tmrw.
x

Happy Easter SpinningEm and everyone else.

Sorry to have cut off so abruptly yesterday. DS is cutting at least five teeth at the moment and is not a happy easter bunny.

Tell me more about what you want to do. Is it all about the wine for you, or are there other food issues as well? (Don't hold back: If there is a food problem, then i've got it so no judgements from me!)

So yes, i do think the food prep is the way to go for me. Life just gets in the way otherwise. I plan to have a massive cooking session tomorrow and then, hopefully, start new regime on Tuesday. Timing seems good as i've had a ridiculous chocolate blow-out over Easter so i'm going out on a high.

I wondered if you weigh yourself? I haven't done for years as whenever i do, i end up getting depressed and then -surprise, surprise- i eat more. But I know other people like to weigh themselves so that they can track their progress and celebrate any improvements. I can see that this might be a good idea, but i'm nervous as i know i will be really shocked when i discover my weight. Do you think i should?

I think buddying could be really helpful. -I've never done it before but i already feel weirdly as though i don't want to let you down.

Hope you're still out there and feeling ok.
xx

Hi BIB - Happy Easter to you too!
Sounds like you're having a tough time of it with DS's teeth - not fun!!

OK, I really do think my main issue is with wine cos after a couple of glasses I just lose all sense of control and seem to eat anything in sight - when pigging out I don't seem to have any favourites - it could be anything from crisps to cheese sandwiches to chocolate!!

My plan is to have no wine Sunday to Thursdays & then to try & be sensible over the weekend. Also on the eating front I plan just to try & have sensible portions of healthy foods.

Good luck with your preparation tomorrow - what sort of meals are you going to make? Have you got some low cal snacks on hand if you do feel the nibbles coming?

I do weigh myself and this morning was 11 8lbs. 4 years ago before coming pregnant with DD3 I was 10 stone and this is where I want to be again!
If was you I would weigh myself as I think it will help you focus and then you can be really pleased when you can actually see the weight loss on the scales.
I'm going to have Monday as my weighin day so it would be great if wanted to do the same & then we could hopefully celebrate together!!!

I've never buddied before but I also really think it will help both of us as I really want to help you too!

Have a good day
xx

i know what you mean about obsessing about food whilst on a diet...

Have you tried writin down what you will eat for the whole day ... and once you have eaten it then there is no more for that day...

I have also recently lost 3 stone just by cuutting stuff i ate in the evening out alltogether but i do have 2 more stone to go

Well done you CheekySealion, that's v impressive. Anything like writing a food diary just doesn't work bc i always have my hands full w kids etc. It's quite likely that my plan won't work i guess, but right now i imagine it will be easier than just cutting out evening eating like you did. -I could manage that for a day or two and then i would begin to rebel.

Big problem is... how to get started? Spent hours doing WW-based meal plans and did a big shop, but haven't found the time to do all the cooking, organising etc. Will i still be dreaming about this and failing to start it by next Easter? Could it be that i am just procrastinating as usual...?

SE, sorry to be an absentee buddy. -Had people staying so haven't been able to log on every day. How are you doing? Things going to plan?

Thanks for your advice about monitoring weight. I think i will do what you suggest and yes i'm up for a Monday weigh-in with you! But how do well-behaved people celebrate? Haven't quite had the nerve to get on the scales yet, but maybe next Monday...

Let me know how you are. xx

Hi BIB good to hear from you! No you won't be dreaming about this next Easter - have you got started with things yet? How old are your children? I think and hope things will be easier next week when mine are back at school & pre-school!
I've had 3 fairly good days but have been out & about with the kids & there's been the odd cake temptation I've given into! Have not had any alcohol though so I feel good about that!

As for celebrating- well I guess we're just have to think up some nice calorie free treats!!

Cheekysealion you've done so well- good for you!

Speak soon xx

Hi SE, Three days without booze is great. -Was it hard? Are you inspired by that to keep going?

What strikes me is that you say you have given in to the odd temptation, but that otherwise you have done well. -Suggests that you have a sensible, healthy attitude and don't fall into that dangerous all-or-nothing pattern (ie 'I ate a biscuit: Disaster! No point trying any more so I might as well eat the whole packet!')

So no, I'm not really there yet and we are going to be staying with (good-living) friends for a few days. -I don't feel like sitting there stoically not eating and drinking with the others, not least because i don't really want to discuss dieting or my weight with anyone. (That's your role! ) Monday (weigh-in day!) is going to be Day One.

I'm off tomorrow but back on Monday. I hope you are feeling ok about the weekend. -Have a good one.

xx

(By the way, I have a 3 yr old and a 1 yr old.)

Hi BIB
Make you sure you have a really great weekend - you sound just like me in that you don't want to discuss your dieting with friends - I even find it hard to talk to my DH about it! In fact it's my parents Ruby Wedding Anniversary party tonight & I will not be in diet or no alcohol mode cos I don't want to draw extra attention to myself - am already dreading putting on party dress which I look crap in.
Funnily enough it wasn't hard having no wine for those 3 nights - hopefully something is finally clicking in with me & it's great to be able to share this with you. I hope that I can help you in the same way.

So Monday will be your day 1 - Good luck with it all & don't forget to come on here if you're struggling!

Have good weekend
xx

How did the party go? I hope you were able to kick back and enjoy yourself.

Weekend was lovely. -So great to get away. Just had a glass of wine and a cheese sandwich in the bath () to cap off my indulgent weekend.

Are you up for a joint weigh-in tomorrow? Hope so. Not sure if i can face it without you!

xx

Hi - party was great - I think! Apparently I fell over & DH had to pack me off to bed ooops!!
So - did you weighin? I did and have lost 1.5lbs since last Mon - not brill I know but don't they say it's better to lose small & steady & keep it off ha ha?
So, am now 11 6.5.
How's your 1st day been? Have you found any particular time harder than others?
Glad you had good w.end - speak soon
xx

Wow, that sounds like quite a party!

Well done on this week. I'm such a novice to regular weighing that i don't know how much anyone can expect to lose. I've dieted in the past, but i've always judged my success by which clothes i could (or couldn't) fit in to. -So any loss sounds good to me.

Right, i just stepped on the scales. 10 10. Feels good to have something specific to aim for.

First day ok. Resisted temptation successfully, including the dreaded kids supper leftovers and dishing out cookies to others for tea. But then the first day is bound to be ok. -It's the long boring days ahead that will be the challenge...

How about you? Back to sensible today? Don't forget how well you did last week. -We know you can do it!

Just want to add: I'm really glad you are there SpinningEm. It helps. -Thank you.

SE, Do you have a specific long-term or weekly weight-loss goal, or is it just that you want to cut out bad habits etc?

Hi - sorry not around yesterday , had well manic day - am trying to finish NVQ assignments!
How was day 2 for you?
A big well done for weighing yourself - it wasn't a bad result either was it?
All the WW people recommend a slow steady loss at about 2lbs per week so I guess that is what I'll aim for. In the past I've starved myself, lost weight v.quickly but then put it back on in a week so I guess there is some sense in a slow loss.
I'd like to lose at least 16lbs so that's me looking at 8 weeks haha it'll be more am sure!!
How much would you like to lose?
Hope you have a good day - you being there to chat to is a big help too! xx

Hi there, Hmm not sure what to go for. I guess i'd like to drop about a stone. -I'd be able to get into my clothes again and generally feel a bit more comfortable in my skin. So that's seven weeks for me. (Like you say: ha ha.)

I need a kind of test week to see if i'll lose anything just be changing my diet. I have a lurking feeling that nothing's gonna change unless i do some (aaargh) exercise.

Can i ask what your NVQ is in? (-Don't answer if you feel your cover will be blown by telling me!) Really impressive that you manage to study with three kids. Well done you.

Hi - how's it all going? Things not too bad this end but it's the dieters dreaded weekend end tomorrow so I really don't know how that will go - especially as my middle dd is 6 on Saturday - she wants to go to the pub for kunch before her party - that will be a big challenge for me!
I'm doing NVQ3 in Childcare, Learning & Development - although it's hard work I think it may be helping me lose weight as I can't have a glass or 3 of wine & then concentrate to write asignments (lol).
I take it you're not a lover of exercise? I'm the sort of person who dreads the thought of it but then actually surprises myself by enjoying it when I do actually get round to it - however that still doesn't inspire to do that much!!

can i join this thread?!!!?

i have been musing over 'portion control' on another thread....a nd like you find if food is READY when i WANT it... I am CONTENT to eat ONLY that ammount....its' when i have to prepare a meal when i am starving hungry that i eat just as much serving up as i put on my plate!!!!

I'd love to even just measure out all i needed to eat for just one day....just so i could get up that day and not start thinking about food as soon as i open my eyes.

And psychologically it's got to be good...to focus on what you ARE allowed to eat...rather than (as we do) focus on what we are NOT allowed to eat!!!

that gets me thinking....what about planning food for this weekend? A 2 day trial?