Let's lose a bit of weight

[Comfreyfan]

Start from now Sweetiepea. Don't skip lunch, you'll just get hungry this afternoon and grab something you would be better off avoiding. A big mistake people make when they're trying to lose weight is that they don't eat enough! You (I!) need to make better choices, so you feel satisfied and don't just grab the first thing that falls into your mouth (usually biscuits for me!).

[janeyo]

Try and plan for later and tomorrow so you don't grab the biscuits. I have been peeling and cutting up carrots ready so I can just eat them.

Try and recognise your 'weak' times. Most people have a 'dip' at one point in the day -mid morning, mid afternoon or mid evenings. Have a snack ready for then and allow yourself to eat it without feeling bad.

I seem to have all 3 weak points lol! Even though it's snowing like mad I am off outside to give chooks some corn as a distraction from food!

Or if you feel peckish go clean your teeth, the mintyness can sometimes put you off food for a while!

[basketcase]

I'm with you too! 4 stone eventually would be good for me, but a couple by May is my first goal.

Same here CF. May I join in?

Looking for positives, one thing about my son being in Hospital 24-26 December, was that Christmas (and, indeed, eating) was cancelled! So I didn't put any weight on.

Planning a week in Stratford with my theatre-loving daughter at the end of May, so a couple of stones less to take down with me would be nice...

[Pumpkin Becki]

I'm on board too.

I lost 4 stone to get to goal several years ago. I kept it off for two years , but its slowly crept up to 1 1/2 stone over goal.

I had a really concerted effort before Christmas and lost 1/2 stone of that. 5 1/2 lbs went back on over Christmas, but I've lost 3lbs of that already (according to my scales). My WW leader has just called to say our meeting is cancelled for tonight due to the weather, so no official weigh in for at least another week. That's not a good thing - I need to keep focused!!

[kirsty b]

My goal is to be fit enough for the Skeleton Walk in May, so I hope to be measuring any loss in inches due to exercise and gains in fitness level. On Tuesday I walked 6.4 miles in 2.5 hours and felt great, so when I can do this comfortably, I'll be upping my distances to around the 8 mile mark.

I am a snacker, so my goal is to be more disciplined about eating between meals and go for healthier choices and better portion control. I hate the word 'diet' so won't use it.

[OverWyreGrower]

I'm always wary of trying to go on a diet (past experiences/issues with eating disorders), however, I'd like to lose at least a stone.

My issue is always portion size! The meal can be as healthy as anything, but if you eat enough for 2 people, it's not good!

Since we make almost every single thing we eat from scratch (no packets, jars etc), my mission is to eat proper portion sizes of things. I've started weighing out pasta etc and was shocked and horrified at how much we usually eat, compared to how much the recommended portion size is!

[piskieinboots]

I've just done 30 mins on my CT - lovely jubbly, always feels good However, I have roast beef and yorkshire pud for supper

[Two_Sheds]

I ran to school today, 1.5 miles.
Food: porridge, apple, cup of Millet Rice, 3 bites of Xmas cake. I'm now feeling peckish

I've got rid of all "bad" foods so I can't have a binge, but might well have a beer tonight with my stuffed cabbage leaves.

[HayleyB]

I would like to lose 2 stone, have started on CB's new Wii Fit Plus, being very good at the moment (30-60 mins a day) boy does it make your calves hurt. As well as three quarters of an hour mucking out each day. I'm still eating relatively healthily but my sin is vino collapso

[piskieinboots]

.... I'm still eating relatively healthily but my sin is vino collapso

Ah yes, I have some bottles of that vineyard here too

[OverWyreGrower]

Mr OWG says that I am excused this week on account of it being my birfday and all

However, I have actually been reasonably good, and will not go off the rails tonight at the cinema with ice cream etc

[TPeers]

I'm always wary of trying to go on a diet (past experiences/issues with eating disorders), however, I'd like to lose at least a stone.

My issue is always portion size! The meal can be as healthy as anything, but if you eat enough for 2 people, it's not good!

Since we make almost every single thing we eat from scratch (no packets, jars etc), my mission is to eat proper portion sizes of things. I've started weighing out pasta etc and was shocked and horrified at how much we usually eat, compared to how much the recommended portion size is!

Look at it in a different way. If you hate the 'D' word - and after all it is a four letter words and therefore swearing - try this 'system'.

I make no promises but it has worked for me to the tune of 2 stone over 6 months about 2.5 years ago and the weight has only just caught up with me....

1) If you are hungry EAT
2) Eat what you want, not what you think you 'should'.
3) Eat consciously - by which is meant don't eat in front of the telly or while reading a book, be aware of each and every mouthful, taste it, savour it and put the cutlery down while doing so!
4) If you think you are full - STOP!

If you can do that you will be surprised at how little you eat. Yes, there will be some wasted food until you get used to it so resign from the clean plate club and clear plates quickly (or yourself from the room) to minimize the picking. But it does work, and you can eat what you want as long as you follow the rules - just be aware of each and every mouthful.

[Comfreyfan]

Did anyone see 10 Things You Need to Know About Losing Weight - BBC last June?
A medical journalist (ex-doctor) investigated what helps and what doesn't, complete with scientific experiments to prove/disprove theories. It was a really interesting progamme if it ever comes round again. These are his top 10 tips which he proved to himself.
Don't skip meals
Use a smaller plate
Know the calorific value of food
Don't blame your metabolism (damn!)
Protein staves off hunger pangs
Soup keeps you fuller longer
The wider the choice, the more you eat
Low fat dairy helps you excrete more fat
Exercise carries on burning calories for 22 hours afterwards
Keep moving

Here's a link to someone who was organised enough to list them with some of the science attached!

10 Things you need to know about losing weight! | devang chouhan

[Glutton4...]

My problems (as I've probably said before ) are;

Lack of willpower,
Hubby who cooks fab food (and serves up huge portions despite my asking him to curb it),
The inability to leave food on my plate (as a child I was always told 'there's children starving in bla bla...'),
A total LOVE of food,
All that coupled with a HUGE appetite

AND a husband who insists I'm fine as I am (he's obviously blind then!)

I'm managing to stay off the booze at the mo. I'll probably have a glass with dinner at the weekend, but won't be buying any more after this bottle of Red (unopened as yet) has gone. Can't really vouch for Mr. G though

I made some Curried Parsnip Soup for lunch - it was yummy, so I had a second helping...

[Two_Sheds]

Hubby who cooks fab food (and serves up huge portions despite my asking him to curb it),
The inability to leave food on my plate

If you get a huge plate of food, immediately put half in a tupperware box for freezing.
Then you're not wasting it.