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Originally Posted by chazzyb31  Hello everyone,
I'm brand new to this site. I'm not entirely sure how it works, but I thought I'd start by introducing myself. I'm a 37 yo female from Edinburgh in Scotland. I've been overweight my entire life (literally - from birth) and have made attempts to lose weight in the past without much success.
This year I decided to make a concerted effort, as my best friend was getting married in Memphis and had asked me to be a bridesmaid. I joined a slimming group called Slimming World in April and have lost 39lbs to date, but now I'm struggling. Now that the wedding is over I don't have a significant goal to spur me on. Better health and looking good have never been enough for me. I've been yo-yo-ing for 6 weeks now and I don't know what to do to turn things around.
My main trigger is my monthly cycle, which brings overwhelming cravings for chocolate and fatty foods. I don't generally eat a lot of junk food, but I start craving chocolate, ice cream, chips (fries) and corn snacks like nobody's business for 7-10 days every month. The compulsion to eat is so strong that I usually give in. I've tried eating other foods, like fruit or slow-release carbs, but it doesn't work. If I don't eat the foods I'm craving I end up eating everything else in sight and taking in a huge number of calories.
The thing is, I have enjoyed my weight loss as I've got a waist for the first time in my life. I've always been an apple shape, but thanks to 100 crunches every morning I've managed to whittle one of my spare tyres away and am now more of a pear shape. This has been noticed and brought me lots of compliments. It has also allowed me to buy new clothes in a smaller size that flatter my new shape. This is a great boost, but it's still not enough to fend off the overwhelming cravings that are plaguing me at the moment.
My exercise routine could be a whole lot better too. I'm naturally lazy - a complete couch potato - and apart from those 100 crunches and a T'ai Chi class that I just started taking, I don't do any exercise. I have mechanical problems with my feet which stop me from walking any distance without experiencing a lot of pain. I don't seem to be able to find time to go swimming, an activity that has helped me lose a lot of weight in the past.
All I seem to do is make excuses for why I can't do this. I can't seem to break the habit, which is frustrating and annoying. I'm angry with myself for being so weak, but it's just so hard to break the habits of a lifetime.
OK, that's me got that off my chest for now. Thanks for taking the time to read this. Feel free to post your comments.
Cheers,
Chaz |
Welcome Chaz! If you WANT to lose the weight bad enough you'll make time for it.
You'll make time for swimming you'll make time for other types of exercise. Swimming might be your only option, however at gyms there are also hand bikes (where you pedal with your arms) and elliptical machines which tend to take a lot of stress of joints and achy parts of your body....maybe yoga might be a good substitute for tai chi?
First of all, if you don't buy all that junk food you can't eat it, so keep it out of your house. That will help a bit. Now, there are plenty of healthy chocolate alternatives....for example I eat a chocolate protein/cereal bar in the morning from South Beach, it's delicious and a good healthy start. I also have a chocolate low carb/low calorie protein shake once or even twice a day. That helps cure my chocolate cravings, and the protein keeps me full while giving me healthy nutrients. Win win situation. Once in a while I do buy reduced calorie/no sugar added ice cream as a treat.
The other thing you should try to do especially during that time of the month is to slow down when you eat. Chew each bit 20 times, and take a break in between bites. That'll give your brain time to tell your body you're full before you've overeaten. Drink 4 liters of water a day. That too will help you lose weight while keeping you full. Pound that protein! Protein too will make you feel more full. I really think you should try some healthier chocolates like protein shakes and the like to help you with this.