hello,

Well after years of trying to lose weight getting a cleaning job with an expensive bus route and living with a bunch of nutty lunetic  bitchy women which made me too anxious to eat properly for days at a time + my own efforts finally did the trick ...... I now weigh 9st and 3lb down from 11st!!!

However, I recently moved out of said household and I seem to be making up for lost time in terms of eating and not good food at that ............... I just dont know what to eat anymore.

Tonight I had Bacon and Cheese pasta bake for tea out of a jar which I made last night and lunch was late so just a couple of pieces of toast and the same for breakfast.

I do best when I plan things so I was thinking I could sit down and sort out what food I have in the house already and then try and plan healthly meals around that .... but I need ideas really.

Has anyone else had this problem? I really do not want to go back to the weight I was, in fact Im willing to give up eating if neccessary. I bought my first ever mini skirt today with a pair of shin high boots and some brightly coloured tights and I am determined I will wear them and look amazing in them!!

Thanks

Jen

Hi MH

Now begins the art of maintaining and learning what you can eat for good health.

Given your current mood, I'd really focus on fruit and veg and getting in as many vitamins as possible, by all means have potatoes and pasta and rice, but your immune system and general mood sound like they need a boost first.

A tip that my sister gave me a day or two ago: go outside for 5 or 10 minutes each day and make sure you let the light from the sky hit your face (doesn't have to be sunny), it will help to boost your mood a bit.

All the best!

Congratulations on your weight loss, Jen.

Sadly, maintaining is far, far harder than getting it off - apparently 96% of those who lose weight put it back on and then some. So don't be one of them (I have been, in my time).

I think one of the things which is key is to stay aware of what you eat. Go on keeping a food diary - it's a pain in the bum, I know, but it does keep you aware of what you're eating.

Try to do as much of your own cooking as you can, and, as Raecheybaby suggested, add lots of vegetables - try to make vegetables and fruit about half of what you eat! But don't be too rigid - nothing wrong with the occasional take-away, glass of wine, piece of cake, etc, but be sensible. And don't eat anything you don't really enjoy! If you know it's more calorie-dense than common sense would suggest is wise, make sure you really, really enjoy it and that every bite is worth it! And if you can, stick to half a portion (the other half can always live to fight another day), although I do know this is easier said than done!

Carry on with the exercise, the water, and all the other things that go towards a healthy lifestyle, and don't worry too much! You'll be fine...

hi again,

I'm so sorry I was sure I had replied and was wondering why I hadnt had any more replies lol. Thank you for all the good advice. I am making huge efforts to go to the gym, I have been to circuit training these past few Tuesdays (knackering I can tell you!!) and am seeking info on other pursuits I could give a go which would be less monotonous and involve some degree of exercise - last night I did a Pole and Tone trial session and think I will sign up for it in January. Honestly with my old body I would NEVER have done such a thing!!!

I have been offline for awhile as my internet connection is a bit dodgy due to my rubbish three dongle. Anyway, I seem to be settling into life in this house, its blissfully quiet and anxiety-free. I am finding it much easier to refuse things I know wont do me any good and to think before I eat. I have also managed this past couple of days to eat banana on my way home from work to stop myself from gulping down toast as soon as I get into the house.

The things I am having issues with are breakfast for a start as when I am well organised and get up on time I have porridge mainly made with water and a little milk and syrup. However when I am running late I end up ust having toast (if reasonably organised then its home made bread if not then shop bought) with Jam or marmalade (if im being strict) or butter if Im not. Is there any problem with Jam/Marmalade? It isnt very filling so I am going to have to start liking more fruit or taking yogerts or something as im starving by 2.30 ish (I don't get a proper break at work).

I'm also wondering how many treats other people allow themselves? I managed to have some diet digestive biscuits and some really expensive organic white chocalate and cranberry biscuits in the cupboard last friday to this Saturday just eating one or two occassionally .......

I kept a food diary for awhile but found that each day was just a repeat each day ........ it got so boring!!

Thanks everyone

Jen

Nothing wrong with toast for breakfast - what I do is I don't have butter on the same slice of bread of toast as anything else, so I sometimes have half a slice of toast and butter, with the other half toast and marmalade!

The more "rough" the bread, the better - multiseed or Granary is better than wholemeal, and sourdough is best of all; I find peanut butter or honey more "lasting" than jam or marmalade, but as I like making my own jams and marmalade I do have them! Also reduced-fat cheese spread with or without Marmite, home-made or commercially-bought hummus, etc, etc. Or sometimes an egg, either cooked just then (with no or very little added fat) or hard-boiled previously.

2 slices of toast and a piece of fruit is an excellent breakfast.

I think the rule needs to be everything is okay in moderation. Don't buy diet biscuits - they are not as nice as the real thing, and not significantly fewer calories! One, or at most two biscuits is fine - it's when people start having six or seven at a sitting that the problems arise!