Healthy eating/Diet is starting today. No excuses!

tabithacate

Hi everyone,

I am new to the forum. I have been using the app on and off for a while. Having a bit of a hard time losing weight. I used to be quite slim and when I got to 18 my dress size went from an 8-10 to a 12-14 and now two years later I am more close to a 16 than a 14.
I am 5"0 so I am pretty short but I have a very big bust so I am naturally bigger on top which is why I weigh more (my boobs cost me a stone extra in weight) I have crept from about 10 and a half stone up to 11 and a half/12 ew! I don't look fat but I look pretty chubby at the moment. My target weight is 9 and a half stone, and I know it will take me a good few months so I'm trying to take it step by step.
It is so difficult for me to eat healthy but I overeat way to much I love junk food, fizzy drinks and cheese. I am also out of work so the only thing that brings me enjoyment at the moment is food (sad I know). But I will be on holiday in February for my birthday so I want to be able to feel confident in a bikini. So I am aiming for at least 10-12.
I have tried so many diets that have failed so for the first four weeks I will be cutting down, just eating 3 meals a day and having no sweets or junk food. I will also be restricting myself to only having a glass of well diluted squash with my dinner. After the four weeks so I am used to the sugar withdrawl I will begin eating more healthy and trying maybe slim fast.
So if anyone has any diet tips or could help me please let me know. I do not feel like I look nice at all at the moment and cannot wait to feel good again!

TavistockToad

Hi everyone,

I am new to the forum. I have been using the app on and off for a while. Having a bit of a hard time losing weight. I used to be quite slim and when I got to 18 my dress size went from an 8-10 to a 12-14 and now two years later I am more close to a 16 than a 14.
I am 5"0 so I am pretty short but I have a very big bust so I am naturally bigger on top which is why I weigh more (my boobs cost me a stone extra in weight) I have crept from about 10 and a half stone up to 11 and a half/12 ew! I don't look fat but I look pretty chubby at the moment. My target weight is 9 and a half stone, and I know it will take me a good few months so I'm trying to take it step by step.
It is so difficult for me to eat healthy but I overeat way to much I love junk food, fizzy drinks and cheese. I am also out of work so the only thing that brings me enjoyment at the moment is food (sad I know). But I will be on holiday in February for my birthday so I want to be able to feel confident in a bikini. So I am aiming for at least 10-12.
I have tried so many diets that have failed so for the first four weeks I will be cutting down, just eating 3 meals a day and having no sweets or junk food. I will also be restricting myself to only having a glass of well diluted squash with my dinner. After the four weeks so I am used to the sugar withdrawl I will begin eating more healthy and trying maybe slim fast.
So if anyone has any diet tips or could help me please let me know. I do not feel like I look nice at all at the moment and cannot wait to feel good again!

my tip is to ditch the 'diet' and adopt a healthy lifestyle!

dont bother with the slimfast, stick to measured portions of healthy food, aim to get your 5 a day and make regular exercise part of your routine. the odd treat wont hurt as long as you make healthy choices 90% of the time!

ErzaScarlet

Hello, I'm new to this aswell! are target weight is the same! Good luck fellow newbie

Joannie30

Hi everyone,

I am new to the forum. I have been using the app on and off for a while. Having a bit of a hard time losing weight. I used to be quite slim and when I got to 18 my dress size went from an 8-10 to a 12-14 and now two years later I am more close to a 16 than a 14.
I am 5"0 so I am pretty short but I have a very big bust so I am naturally bigger on top which is why I weigh more (my boobs cost me a stone extra in weight) I have crept from about 10 and a half stone up to 11 and a half/12 ew! I don't look fat but I look pretty chubby at the moment. My target weight is 9 and a half stone, and I know it will take me a good few months so I'm trying to take it step by step.
It is so difficult for me to eat healthy but I overeat way to much I love junk food, fizzy drinks and cheese. I am also out of work so the only thing that brings me enjoyment at the moment is food (sad I know). But I will be on holiday in February for my birthday so I want to be able to feel confident in a bikini. So I am aiming for at least 10-12.
I have tried so many diets that have failed so for the first four weeks I will be cutting down, just eating 3 meals a day and having no sweets or junk food. I will also be restricting myself to only having a glass of well diluted squash with my dinner. After the four weeks so I am used to the sugar withdrawl I will begin eating more healthy and trying maybe slim fast.
So if anyone has any diet tips or could help me please let me know. I do not feel like I look nice at all at the moment and cannot wait to feel good again!

my tip is to ditch the 'diet' and adopt a healthy lifestyle!

dont bother with the slimfast, stick to measured portions of healthy food, aim to get your 5 a day and make regular exercise part of your routine. the odd treat wont hurt as long as you make healthy choices 90% of the time!

^^^This!!!

Diets Don't Work!!!!!!!

laserturkey

It will be healthier for you if you look at this as a lifestyle change instead of a diet. Just eat healthy food with occasional treats but keep it all within a calorie amount that will allow you to lose weight slowly. Oh, and get some exercise every day. :-)

tabithacate

Thanks everyone. I think I will have to agree I have done Slimfast before & it is the most horrible thing in the world I end up going to bed at 7pm because I am so hungry and grumpy. I will be trying to avoid eating sweets and adapting a healthy eating style.

amez1974

Ditto what others have said and "Welcome!!" Best of luck reaching your goals.

Lisamar74

I too am starting today with no excuses and have used this tool on and off for a while now. I need to start thinking of it as a lifestyle change rather than a diet. I eat way too many pizzas and drink too much wine and it's got to stop. I don't have much to lose but I got my boyfriend to take 'before' photos yesterday of me in my underwear and, lets just say, looking at them is going to keep me on the right path. I don't want to be wobbly anymore. I've seen the amazing results some people are getting from their photos on the success stories and I want a bit of that!
If you're out of work at the moment, try and make exercise your hobby. There's alot of hours in the day so you could really use this time to make a big difference?
I've just bought the 30 day shred DVD and I'm looking forward to doing that for the next 30 days solid - it's only 20 minutes a day, you could do that?

OddballExtreme

Welcome aboard, tabithacate. You're not alone in the bigger bust department. I also have a problem with that, but I have lost weight. I was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes earlier this year, and that was my much-needed wake up call to take better care of myself. Since then, I've lost 40 pounds (I didn't start MFP until June, so if you see it at only TEN pounds, that's why). From what I've read in your post, here are a few good starting points:

1. Cut back on the junk food. You can still enjoy junk food, but take it in moderation. It'll make a huge difference.
2. Try to eat SMALLER meals and do it about 5-6 times a day. If you're currently using a big plate, try putting your meals on a smaller plate. That way, you can still have a full meal without overdoing it.
3. Try your best to drink a lot more water. If you don't drink a lot of water, start slowly with about 3 glasses a day. When you get used to it, increase your water intake. Also, get one of those water containers that can get AT LEAST 4 glassed stored in. You'll have half of the necessary water right there.
4. Exercise at least 4 days a week for 30 minutes. If you haven't done it, start slowly and work your way up. Even 15 minutes can be a great start.
5. DON'T deprive yourself. I learned that as a diabetic, I can still enjoy the sweets, as long as I watch how much I'm eating. In fact, REWARD yourself when you've done something right. Even then, make sure it's not overdone.
6. Weigh yourself ONCE a week. Best time to do it is in the morning AFTER going to the bathroom and BEFORE eating your first meal of the day. If you weigh yourself too many times in a week, it'll drive you nuts.
7. Get some friends for moral support. Getting friends here is easy. In fact, I'll friend you right now. Real friends are also very helpful.

I'm no dietician or doctor, but this is what I've done to succeed.

Carovnik

I understand completely what you're going through. I too have problems eating healthy, and love the junk food. Like you, i have a history of failed diets that included severe restrictions. Since joining MFP I've learned that I can have my cake and eat it, as long as I stick to my calorie goal as often as possible.

The first and most important thing I can suggest is to not look at this as a diet. Look at it as a lifestyle change, as the changes are going to have to be permanent if you want to get down to your goal weight and maintain it.

Secondly, if you haven't got one already, buy a digital food scale, and measure everything.

Third, make sure you log everything you eat religiously until it becomes a habit, and if possible, pre-plan your meals for the day. This will help you spot things that you can change for a healthier option (for example, swapping a portion of chips for some boiled potatoes), rather than restricting yourself severely. I would also advise not cutting out snacks completely, as unless you have an iron will, such a severe change will almost guarantee that you'll cheat more than once.
There are some good resources for sweet snacks that are still relatively healthy. I was browsing a thread yesterday and found http://chocolatecoveredkatie.com mentioned on a few posts. There are more, of course, so be sure to check out the recipes section of the forum.

My final advice is add some exercise into the mix. Perhaps some light cardio, and a couple of things to improve muscle tone. Also, drop the slimfast. You'll be healthier if you have balanced regular meals.

Of course, there are many answers here, as everyone is different. so if something doesn't work for you, keep looking around and asking until you find something that does work.

tabithacate

Milliemogg: Good luck, I think it is the way you think about approaching healthy eating that makes the change. Well in my opinion anyway whenever I think I am going on a diet It makes me think ergh no. But carry on with the positive attitude and you will get really far. I might start doing the before pictures as well, a friend of mine used to be quite big and lost a lot of weight through healthy eating alone and tracked his process with photos and it really worked. I am soo lazy when it comes to exercise and really unfit. I tried the 30day shred and nearly had an asthma attack lol. I am going to start power walking I think, and when the weather is rubbish like today get out my exercise dvd!

saburton37: The big bust department is annoying, I went to my GP asking for a breast reduction on the NHS but they wouldn't do it and she could only argue the case if my BMI was 28. Mine is 34 so it really is an incentive to start losing the weight as I know she wouldn't want me to come back with the weight off as it is just hassle to her lol. Thanks so much for the tips! I don't have scales at my house but my Nan does who lives up the road so I will weigh myself every week which I hate doing but I suppose all part of the losing weight is being honest with myself.

aetharon: Thanks for the advice. I am trying not to look at it like a diet I feel more positive already. I think I have got a digital food scale but I am going to have to have a look around my kitchen. I am going to make a real effort to log everything also even the occasional slip up which I hope won't happen.

ABrideToBE

OK, first of all, I don't have the "bust problem" quite the opposite actually, I'm flat and ok with that.
Great suggestions here about looking this as a lifestyle change, I never thought of it that way before.

Anyway, MFP is a great tool because everyone is so nice and helpful! Welcome and goodluck!

tabithacate

Thank you!

Carovnik

I don't have scales at my house but my Nan does who lives up the road so I will weigh myself every week which I hate doing but I suppose all part of the losing weight is being honest with myself.

As well as weighing yourself weekly, you might want to use a seamless measuring tape (like tailors use) to measure waist, hips, etc every 3 - 4 weeks. These measurements can be logged on MFP as well, and will help show your progress in inches lost. That way, even if the scales show no weight change or an increase in weight, you know you're slowly but surely removing the body fat and toning up.

tabithacate

Will be sure to do so thanks!