Hey,

Thanks Inky and Ammebee. I'm starting to get my will-power back. There is chocolate in the house and I have not eaten any. Also, I've started back on my 'food watching' (i.e diet) and am finding it easier this time, as I know the results I can get from doing it.

Ammebee - The things I have found that work for me last time, when I lost the weight. I hope it will help me this time and I hope it helps you.

---- FOOD ----
1. I have changed my eating from 3 big meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) to 6 small meals (Breakfast, 11AM Tea Break, Lunch, 4PM Tea Break, Dinner, Tea Time). Doing this I find that I am never hungry.

Breakfast - I always have breakfast in the morning. Porridge (with Honey & Skimmed Milk) works great for me, as I find that I am not hungry until lunchtime (if I miss 11AM tea break). If I have cereal, I weight my bowl to the recommended amount and use skimmed milk.

11AM Tea Break - Mug of Tea/Coffee (with skimmed/low fat milk) and a piece of fruit (Clementine, apple, banana, etc...)

Lunch - Homemade Sandwich (I know what's in it, replace mayo with relish). Soups (Carrot & coriander, tomato & basil), are a great dieters friend.

4PM Tea Break - Mug of Tea/Coffee (with skimmed/low fat milk) and a piece of fruit (Clementine, apple, banana, etc...)

Dinner - Lean Meat/Fish (low in cals), Vegetables (low in cals). All food weighed & counted.

Tea Time - Mug of Tea (with skimmed/low fat milk) and a biscuit bar (usually less than 100cals), Twister Ice Cream or Single piece of Bounty, etc...

2. I try to drink at least 8 glasses (2 litres) of water per day. The main thing that helps lose the weight.

3. I eat more fruit. It's great for stopping the hunger, it's cheap, it nice to eat, is good for you and are low in calories.

4. I find that hard sweets are great to help with the cravings (werther's original - 20cal per piece, fruit polo - 8cal per piece, etc...). I try to have a packet with me at all times.

5. I have found replacements for ice cream. (Twister Ice Cream - 70cal, Bounty Ice Cream - 66cal for one piece)

6. I always try to find replacements for the food I love (which are bad for me)

7. I don't kick myself, if I 'pig out' at times, or have a big meal, as I know that the rest of the time I am good. Also, tracking my food meals I have less of these.


---- HELP ----
1. I monitor my food at all times, using the website or app on my phone.

2. I try to pre-plan my day/week and try to stick to the plan (food & exercise).

3. I found that I only felt like starting exercising a few weeks after starting my 'food watching', as I start to feel good and better about myself.

4. I realised that I have to keep doing for the rest of my life, as I love food too much and get lazy too easily.

5. I realised that I took me a long time to put on the weight and that I'm not going to lose it overnight.

6. I weigh myself weekly, on the same day, at the same time. Along with this, I also measure my stomach, waist, hips & neck. These help me to track my progress, as sometimes I reduce in size and not weight (this especially happens when I start exercising).


---- EXERCISE ----
1. I found that working out in the morning worked best for me. Getting up an hour or so, before my normal time and doing my work-outs. I really had to force myself to do this.... I hated it at the start, but grew to like it in the end.

2. I found that in the evenings (after work), that doing team sports or exercising with a friend, worked for me, as it the other people forced me to go and meet up. Also, it was very social and fun.

3. Start slow. Monitor your progress and increase as you need to.


Until next time

Patrick

Hi,

Hope some of what I wrote will help you. It's helped me. I'm nearly 2 weeks in and 5lbs lost..... :-))

Patrick