Newbie needs motivation for Christmas weight loss please!

I know this sounds mean but it works for me.
one plate full of food and NO seconds, one dessert, don't go for all of them just one.
and no scale the next few days.

And watch your porions

Hi Hannah,

I LOVE snacking but I try and make it healthier snacks. Maybe pack some snacks to work so you won't be tempted by the chocolate/crisps. Things like grapes, blueberries, maybe some rice cakes? If you have to be naughty, why not try the "lighter" versions of your favourite things? Baked crisps with fewer calories or small, snack size chocolates instead of the normal sized bars? If you fill yourself up on healthy meals that might help as well.

My vice is wine- it's wine o clock every night in London. And with it being the party season- it's a real struggle!

I eat when I am truely hungry. So that mean I eat three mealsa day plus snack twice aday.
I fyou look at the portion on your snakes you be amazed that most snake bags are made for two or so.
plus I change my snack from sweets to fruit. I found it is just as sweet and better for your. my fav is chiled raw bell peppers.

but do allow yourself cheets. I love chocolate so I let my self have some (don't over do it) but enjoy it when Ido with no guilt.

How I work out what to eat in a day works well for me. I write in my diary all the food I know I am deffo going to eat...i.e. breakfast and main meal, usual amount of drinks I have including wine if I know we are going to have a drink that evening. Then I see how many calories I have left including amounts of carbs fats and protein. Then I play around with different things I could have for lunch and snacks until I come near the figures for the day. I then stick to this. I find I then make better choices. I.e. snack ajacks instead of crisps and plain biscuits instead of choc ones, yoghurt instead of cake etc etc. There are also nice days when I have to eat more to get my cals up...yum yum.

I like this way of thinking!

There is nothing wrong with sandwiches... there is nothing wrong with any foods just control your portion sizes, obviously healthier foods you can eat a bigger portion of. Alcohol is a calorie killer, you're just going to have to be strong, it takes a while to get into the whole scheme of eating well and working hard. I started at 13 stone 1 pounds. Good luck

I add a little lemon or lime juice to my water to make it more flavorful (plain water is boring). If you have SodaStream machines I would also encourage you to get one - you can make your own carbonated water and add mixes to it. They have a bunch of soda flavors, including a diet grapefruit that's really good. There's also flavor concentrates, so you can make flavored (not sweetened) seltzer.
Lunch - first, try having an open-faced sandwich instead; half the bread but still good.
I can't have a meal without some kind of bread/cracker item. I really like naan (Indian bread) - half of one with hummus and veggies cut up is a good lunch and not a huge pile of calories. Soup with crackers is good too; add a little cheese as cracker toppers and I find it very satisfying. A fried egg with cheese and salsa, plus a small piece of toast, fills me up & keeps me going through the afternoon.
I tend to wait too long to have lunch then overeat. I have to make myself stop for lunch & eat before I'm starving, because then I don't make good choices I just cram it all in and get angry later. You have to find the best rhythm for you - are you better with snacks or just 3 meals? 5 small meals? It may take some experimenting but you will find the plan that keeps you satisfied throughout the day, and that's the one to stick with.

hi ya!

i also find it easier to plan my food for the day. once you have food food you like which is also good for you, you'll find it a lot easier! i also use the fact that if you wanna eat like an athlete, you need to train like one as motivation (i.e. the more exercise u do, the more u can eat!) . feel free to add me if you like

marie

I drink crystal all the time. Flavored tea. Never soda !! Try yogurt & put 1/2 cup yashi cereal, i need the crunch. Also a piece of fruit on the side. Sometimes I have egg whites with veggies on the side & put fat free feta cheese in the veggies..yum...yum... No one says u have to have lunch at lunch...LOL..

I know this sounds mean but it works for me.
one plate full of food and NO seconds, one dessert, don't go for all of them just one.
and no scale the next few days.

And watch your porions

agree. I was always the one to go for seconds and thirds even when I was full. Portions, plenty of water, less sweets and junk food. Don't worry about the scale it can be your worse enemy. go on how you feel.

Hi i am horrible with exercise good with food wanna help each other

hello Hannah, it will take a little time for your stomach to adjust to be full with a small portion, but you have the control in your mind set a goal to make your meal smaller and gradually you will be amazed with the result:) and always exercise more if you want to eat more:)
Food that helps me to feel full are eggs specially hard boiled egg, tuna, pita bread and oat meal. feel free to add , me I have open diary:)

Hannah,

The M&S meals are called fuller for longer. They're pretty good. I don't think just a salad will keep you filled up for very long, make sure you have some protein in there as well. You can buy small packs of sliced chicken, also from marks (or wherever really) and add that in. If you do just have veggie based salads for your lunch, have a healthy snack around 3pm to stop you reaching for the biscuits. I've also been reading about these noodles called "zero noodles" they sell them at Holland and Barrat but my local one has run out. They are Japanese and supposed to be 0 calories. (or therabout) From what I've read, they are an excellent alternative to normal noodles/pasta. I'm hoping to track some down and try it with a tomato based sauce and some grilled veggies. x