Obesity Discussion Forums

[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

[William Wallace]

Great intro, and welcome! It's really late here or else I would have written more.

[Audrey]

Welcome to the forum!

You're cycle sounds like a tough time. I guess I've been pretty fortunate that my chocolate cravings haven't seemed to rear their ugly head yet.

A member called dreamblooms has been posting no fat no sugar chocolaty recipes in the "Other Diet Recipes" forum. I think she's posted brownies and a chocolate shake so far, but it's from a cookbook called "The Cardiologist's Wife's Chocolate Too! Diet: No Sugar, No Fat & Luscious", maybe this would be just the thing to satisfy your cravings while not adding all the bad fat and sugar? I haven't had a chance to make the brownie recipe she posted yet, but some other members have and said it was quite good

As for inspiration, you said you work best with a goal in mind (like your friends wedding), is their anyway you can sign yourself up for the something in the future to look forward to? A function, or a trip of some sort?

[shesmilesnwinks]

Welcome and I too am familiar with monthly cravings for chocolate...

[Obesity Discussion]

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.

[chazzyb31]

Originally Posted by Obesity Discussion

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.

No offence, luv, but you're obviously a bloke and have no understanding of the raging hormones that can seize hold of a woman. I would even venture that you're single, because if you lived with a woman who experienced symptoms of PMS you wouldn't imply there was an easy solution to my problem. I'm not trying to be offensive or patronising, but only other women can fully understand the overwhelming and insatiable cravings that hit you like a truck every month and refuse to be ignored.

I'm 37 yo and have been experiencing this phenomenon for over 20 years. Believe me, I have tried many different methods to combat my compulsive eating, including chocolate flavoured products and high protein what-have-yous, but nothing says chocolate like chocolate. When that's what your body craves it won't accept any substitutes.

I do fine 3 weeks out of the month. The eating plan I'm following has worked really well for me so far. You follow either a high-carb plan or a high-protein plan, depending on your preference. You can alternate each day, if you wish, but you must stick to that choice for the day. All fruit and most vegetables are "free" on the plan and you are encouraged to eat as much of these as possible to ensure a healthy, balanced diet. Milk and cheese are restricted, due to their high fat content, although fat-free yoghurt, quark and plain cottage cheese are also "free" foods. Bread and other baked goods are restricted, but you are allowed portioned amounts every day. You are encouraged to drink plenty of water and tea, coffee and sugar-free drinks are also unlimited. I call it the "Greedy B*stards Diet" . There is even scope to fit in a small amount of chocolate, or a packets of crisps (chips) if you wish.

My problem is that I don't know when to stop. Eating slowly doesn't help. I am a naturally slow eater - everyone I eat with complains that they're finished before I'm even half way through my food. I just don't seem to have an "off switch" that says enough is enough.

As far as exercise goes, I joined a gym last year and went 3 or 4 times a week until I changed jobs in May this year. I haven't been back since, as work is taking up a lot of my time. It's not that I haven't tried. I don't know what it's like in the USA, but here in Scotland the gym doesn't open until 9am, by which time I'm sitting at my desk. Same goes for the swimming pool. It opens at 7am, but not to the general public. They have all sorts of organised activities (swimming lessons, mother and babies, over 50s, etc.), which means there is not a lot of time available to me to access the facility. This goes for every pool in town, as they are all owned by the local Council and have the same schedules. And don't even try to go at the weekend, as it's full of kids larking about, getting in your way, so you can't get a decent swim. I know, I've tried. This goes for the gym too. The kids are in there from 4pm onwards during the week and all day at the weekends, so getting on the equipment is near impossible.

I'd love to be able to go out for a half-hour walk every day, but my foot problems preclude me from doing this. I just feel like I'm in a no-win situation. Natural laziness aside, there seem to be all sorts of barriers in my way. I joined the T'ai Chi class to try and relax, as the new job, my weight loss problem and other aspects of my life have been adding to my stress factor. I just need to chill out. I'm not physically able to do Yoga yet; I have tried, but I'm just too big. I can't achieve many of the basic poses because there's just too much of me at the moment.

I hope you can see where I'm coming from. I've got this mountain to climb and someone's run away with my crampons and guide rope! I'm doing my best without them, but it's an uphill struggle.

I'll keep you posted on my progress.

Cheers,

Chaz

[Obesity Discussion]

Originally Posted by chazzyb31

No offence, luv, but you're obviously a bloke and have no understanding of the raging hormones that can seize hold of a woman. I would even venture that you're single, because if you lived with a woman who experienced symptoms of PMS you wouldn't imply there was an easy solution to my problem. I'm not trying to be offensive or patronising, but only other women can fully understand the overwhelming and insatiable cravings that hit you like a truck every month and refuse to be ignored.

Bloke? Yep. Single? Yep. Lived with women? For sure. I had a live in girlfriend who lived with me for 4 years who had horrible PMS. Not to mention growing up with my mom and 2 sisters, I've been around it.

Originally Posted by chazzyb31

I'm 37 yo and have been experiencing this phenomenon for over 20 years. Believe me, I have tried many different methods to combat my compulsive eating, including chocolate flavoured products and high protein what-have-yous, but nothing says chocolate like chocolate. When that's what your body craves it won't accept any substitutes.

You obviously haven't found the right chocolate substitutes. The south beach chocolate cereal bars are delicious. As far as protein shakes go, Muscle Milk by Cytosport is DELICIOUS. A little higher in calories than other shakes, but in this situation, it's still a better alternative. Don't knock it until you try it! I bet if you order Muscle Milk you'll be pleasantly surprised.

Originally Posted by chazzyb31

I do fine 3 weeks out of the month. The eating plan I'm following has worked really well for me so far. You follow either a high-carb plan or a high-protein plan, depending on your preference. You can alternate each day, if you wish, but you must stick to that choice for the day. All fruit and most vegetables are "free" on the plan and you are encouraged to eat as much of these as possible to ensure a healthy, balanced diet.

A high carb plan? Eating as much fruit as you can? I personally wouldn't recommend either of those ideas to anyone. Fruit is good in moderation, but is loaded with sugar. High carb plans to me sound completely backwards, as they're not very filling and aren't giving you the protein you need in your diet to prevent muscle loss via weight loss.

Originally Posted by chazzyb31

Milk and cheese are restricted, due to their high fat content, although fat-free yoghurt, quark and plain cottage cheese are also "free" foods. Bread and other baked goods are restricted, but you are allowed portioned amounts every day. You are encouraged to drink plenty of water and tea, coffee and sugar-free drinks are also unlimited. I call it the "Greedy B*stards Diet" . There is even scope to fit in a small amount of chocolate, or a packets of crisps (chips) if you wish.

I also question unlimited "sugar free drinks" which I'm assuming means sweeteners. Numerous studies have shown (we have some posted here) that consuming a lot of sweeteners actually increases your cravings for more sweet foods. This leads me to wonder if maybe you are consuming a high amount of food with sweeteners?

At the end of the day, what's going to cause you to lose weight more than anything else, is if you have created a calorie deficit, i.e. consuming fewer calories than your body burns. I didn't see anything in your "diet" plan about keeping your calories in check. Are there any rules/recommendations in your plan regarding calories consumed?

Originally Posted by chazzyb31

My problem is that I don't know when to stop. Eating slowly doesn't help. I am a naturally slow eater - everyone I eat with complains that they're finished before I'm even half way through my food. I just don't seem to have an "off switch" that says enough is enough.

Normally suggesting drinking 4 liters of water, eating a lot of protein, and cutting carbs are ways to reduce cravings. I'm wondering if your high carb days are contributing to your overeating. I know this sounds too easy, but may people have an oral fixation- they have to have something in their mouth.....cigarettes, food, etc....Have you tried chewing gum? Keeping your mouth busy?

What about writing things down? Keeping a log of the foods and calories you eat? I'm a bit curious to see how many calories you are consuming on average each day. A log has also helped to serve as a "shock" feature to people as they can visually see that they are overeating and it seems to help some.

Originally Posted by chazzyb31

As far as exercise goes, I joined a gym last year and went 3 or 4 times a week until I changed jobs in May this year. I haven't been back since, as work is taking up a lot of my time. It's not that I haven't tried. I don't know what it's like in the USA, but here in Scotland the gym doesn't open until 9am, by which time I'm sitting at my desk. Same goes for the swimming pool. It opens at 7am, but not to the general public. They have all sorts of organised activities (swimming lessons, mother and babies, over 50s, etc.), which means there is not a lot of time available to me to access the facility. This goes for every pool in town, as they are all owned by the local Council and have the same schedules. And don't even try to go at the weekend, as it's full of kids larking about, getting in your way, so you can't get a decent swim. I know, I've tried. This goes for the gym too. The kids are in there from 4pm onwards during the week and all day at the weekends, so getting on the equipment is near impossible.

I'd love to be able to go out for a half-hour walk every day, but my foot problems preclude me from doing this. I just feel like I'm in a no-win situation. Natural laziness aside, there seem to be all sorts of barriers in my way. I joined the T'ai Chi class to try and relax, as the new job, my weight loss problem and other aspects of my life have been adding to my stress factor. I just need to chill out. I'm not physically able to do Yoga yet; I have tried, but I'm just too big. I can't achieve many of the basic poses because there's just too much of me at the moment.

I hope you can see where I'm coming from. I've got this mountain to climb and someone's run away with my crampons and guide rope! I'm doing my best without them, but it's an uphill struggle.

I'll keep you posted on my progress.

Cheers,

Chaz

What about getting a bicycle to ride? That'd be easier on your feet than walking I surmise. Also, can you go to the gym during your lunch break? Can you get to work an hour earlier and leave an hour earlier if there's no one in the pool at that time? Gyms here in the US do open pretty early, so we're lucky.

[chazzyb31]

You seem to have an answer for everything, don't you? It must be nice to have all the answers.

Being around PMS isn't the same as experiencing it, so you'll just have to trust me on that one. Also, it may have escaped your notice, but I'm in Scotland, which is in the UK, which is in Europe, i.e. nowhere near the USA. So, please tell me, how I'm supposed to get my mits on your South Beach bars or Muscle Milk? I can't just walk into the nearest bodega and buy them, 'cos we don't have 'em over here!

And who told you carbs aren't filling? Have you ever eaten a baked potato in your life?! They will definitely fill you up and, if you fill it with baked beans, you'll get all the protein you need. How do you think vegetarians manage? As for the sugar in fruit, this is natural and unrefined, which the body treats differently from refined sugar. Being such an expert on the subject I'd expect you to know this. And in the UK our Government recommends we eat a minimum of 5 portions of fruit and vegetables every day, preferably 10 portions, but they don't expect miracles in today's climate of McDonalds and KFC (cheers America).

For the record, I don't ingest a lot of sweeteners. I drink mostly fruit teas or plain water. I have the odd can of Diet Pepsi, but I have health issues that mean too many fizzy drinks make me ill, so I keep it to an occasional, rather than a regular thing.

I know that if I want to lose weight I have to eat less and exercise more - it ain't rocket science. However, the eating plan I'm following doesn't count calories per se. Instead, we eat foods that are relatively low in energy density, which means that they are low in calories for their weight. It's called Food Optimising. If you're interested, you can read more about the eating plan here Slimming World - discover the amazing you. We're also encouraged to keep a food diary, which I do religiously. I know exactly what I'm eating, but that doesn't make the compulsion to eat go away.

I don't have an oral fixation. I have a food addiction, an addiction that isn't taken very seriously in this country, but can be just as damaging to your health as alcohol or drugs. The difference is, you don't have to drink alcohol or shoot heroin to live, but you have to eat, so I'm exposed to my drug at least 3 times a day, which doesn't make life very easy for me. I've tried chewing gum - I chew it all the time, although more from a dental health point of view than as a hunger-fighting measure - but this doesn't stave off my cravings either.

As for your exercise tips:

i) I can't ride a bike, as I have problems with my balance
ii) I only get half an hour for lunch, which means I barely have time to eat, never mind go to the gym
iii) I work 9-5 and the boss expects me to be there between those hours. I don't have luxury of setting my own work schedule.

Do keep your pearls of wisdom coming, though. I need to be wound up more than I already am by some smug know-it-all who's only got a few pounds to lose. Great way to empathise - not!

[Audrey]

Originally Posted by chazzyb31

Do keep your pearls of wisdom coming, though. I need to be wound up more than I already am by some smug know-it-all who's only got a few pounds to lose. Great way to empathise - not!

It might just be me, but that seems a little harsh....

He's just trying to make suggestions and be helpful. Maybe he's hit a nerve on some subjects, but I'm sure it wasn't on purpose.

Most people come here looking for advice on how to loose weight. What you've got is suggestions from him on how to do that. It's obviously worked for him since he's only got a few more lbs to go, but his suggestions may not work for you, because of the reasons you've mentioned. But he wouldn't know that ahead of time.

As for the products he suggested, maybe there's similar ones available in the UK? I live in Canada so I understand it's a little frustrating to get suggested US products. I've usually be able to find something similar to those suggested, but sometimes takes a little effort.

Are you looking for different ways to loose weight? Or for motivation on your Slimming World plan? (I believe there's another recent member on the board who's on this plan as well).

[chazzyb31]

Hello Audrey,

I don't know if I was being harsh or not, it depends on your perspective. I didn't join this site to be lectured, I joined the site to share my experience with other people who were going through the same thing. Our illustrious Administrator isn't even obese, so I'm not entirely sure why he set the site up. Unless he's lied about his starting weight, of course.

This guy needs to back off or we're gonna fall out big style. His opening sentence about me WANTING to lose weight got my back up from the get-go. Support and recipes are more than welcome, but lectures I can do without. I'm not an errant child who needs bringing into line.

I'm not here as an inexperienced dieter. I said in my first post that I've been overweight my entire life. I went on my first diet when I was 9 yo after having tests to see if I had an underactive thyroid. However, the simple fact was that my mother over-fed me. I learned to over-eat at a very young age and I've never been able to break the habit. I've been to Weight Watchers and I've tried other diets on my own, but never had much success. I lack the willpower and determination to stick to a healthy eating plan. But I'm trying my best; every day I wake up determined to stick to the programme. It doesn't always work out that way, but I get back on the wagon the next day and try my best all over again. I've not been completely unsuccessful - I've lost 39lbs to date. I could've done better, but I'm not going to negate the progress I've made. I just need to keep plugging away and hope it gets easier as time goes on.

Thank you for your kind words. That's more in keeping with what I was looking for from this forum. Unfortunately, I don't have an event in the future to use as a target for my weightloss - that's part of the problem. I need something like my friend's wedding to spur me on. I haven't got anything like that in the offing, though, so it's down to sheer determination (spot the Catch 22?!).

I look forward to chatting with you more (unless I get banned for my frank and open views, that is!)

Chaz

[Obesity Discussion]

Originally Posted by chazzyb31

Hello Audrey,

I don't know if I was being harsh or not, it depends on your perspective. I didn't join this site to be lectured, I joined the site to share my experience with other people who were going through the same thing. Our illustrious Administrator isn't even obese, so I'm not entirely sure why he set the site up. Unless he's lied about his starting weight, of course.

. Why did I start this site? Numerous reasons.

1. I like helping people and teaching, and this was a way for me to help others with at the time was a travel schedule that kept me on the road 100% of the time.

2. I have family members and friends who are overweight, and I was hoping they'd become involved and be motivated to lose weight as well.

3. I have been overweight, not obese, and have overcome it. I have always been a health nut, an athlete through college, and a weightlifting fanatic. I have a lot of knowledge in health and exercise and am looking to share it with others in the hope that it helps others achieve their weight loss goals.

4. Obesity is a big problem in society and I want to do what I can to help curb it.

5. I wanted to give people who at times have difficulty talking to others about this topic a place where they can congregate and talk amongst those who have experienced similar things, and to find motivation/support.

The list goes on and on......

Originally Posted by chazzyb31

This guy needs to back off or we're gonna fall out big style. His opening sentence about me WANTING to lose weight got my back up from the get-go. Support and recipes are more than welcome, but lectures I can do without. I'm not an errant child who needs bringing into line.

My statement about if you WANT to lose weight you'll make time for it was a reference to your statement about your lack of time to go to the gym. When I took control of my weight after letting myself go I was going to the gym for 2hrs a day while working 14hour days monday through saturday. Others have made the same type of commitment here.....hence why I said if it means enough to you then you'll make it happen. I wasn't referring to your weight loss in general although I see how you can construe what I said as such...I didn't word that very well.

Originally Posted by chazzyb31

I'm not here as an inexperienced dieter. I said in my first post that I've been overweight my entire life. I went on my first diet when I was 9 yo after having tests to see if I had an underactive thyroid. However, the simple fact was that my mother over-fed me. I learned to over-eat at a very young age and I've never been able to break the habit. I've been to Weight Watchers and I've tried other diets on my own, but never had much success. I lack the willpower and determination to stick to a healthy eating plan. But I'm trying my best; every day I wake up determined to stick to the programme. It doesn't always work out that way, but I get back on the wagon the next day and try my best all over again. I've not been completely unsuccessful - I've lost 39lbs to date. I could've done better, but I'm not going to negate the progress I've made. I just need to keep plugging away and hope it gets easier as time goes on.

Thank you for your kind words. That's more in keeping with what I was looking for from this forum. Unfortunately, I don't have an event in the future to use as a target for my weightloss - that's part of the problem. I need something like my friend's wedding to spur me on. I haven't got anything like that in the offing, though, so it's down to sheer determination (spot the Catch 22?!).

I look forward to chatting with you more (unless I get banned for my frank and open views, that is!)

Chaz

I'm not going to ban you for speaking frank.....in fact I encourage it as long as it's respectful.

I don't have to be a woman or obese to know what needs to be done to get you where you want to be...my suggestions were merely to offer you alternative ways to conquer your issues since what you've tried so far hasn't worked.

I preach and preach that dieting is not the answer. Most of the diet plans out there are meant to be a quick fix, a short term solution. At the end of the day a lifestyle change needs to be made in order for you to not only take the weight off but keep it off. It's really as simple as calories in vs. calories out, and to date I haven't seen any mention of you watching calories, just trying various diets that emphasize different types of food, that's why I'm questioning the diets.

I've helped countless people here, including women lose weight and learn how to keep it off. I would love to work with you to help you find a solution to your food cravings and inability to exercise. I'm pretty sure most of them have to deal with PMS too.

[peanut]

Hi Chazzy!

I just wanted you to know that as a female and fellow chocolate lover I recognize the hell that is PMS, but that there is help (Thank God) and it's name isn't chocolate! Yay! Traditional medicine never worked for me for my PMS symptoms - not even the crazy cramps, let alone cravings. I saw a Naturopath however and it changed my life. While I can't say that you should take the same thing, my doc recommended sepia for me (a homeopathic medicine). I feel MUCH better. The depression experienced with PMS has been knocked down a good 70%, and food cravings about the same. I'm also taking less than he suggested, but I bet if I did take it as prescribed I would be good to go. Now I know that naturopaths aren't as easily accessible, but so worth it. I hope this helps

Originally Posted by chazzyb31

No offence, luv, but you're obviously a bloke and have no understanding of the raging hormones that can seize hold of a woman. I would even venture that you're single, because if you lived with a woman who experienced symptoms of PMS you wouldn't imply there was an easy solution to my problem. I'm not trying to be offensive or patronising, but only other women can fully understand the overwhelming and insatiable cravings that hit you like a truck every month and refuse to be ignored.

I'm 37 yo and have been experiencing this phenomenon for over 20 years. Believe me, I have tried many different methods to combat my compulsive eating, including chocolate flavoured products and high protein what-have-yous, but nothing says chocolate like chocolate. When that's what your body craves it won't accept any substitutes.

I do fine 3 weeks out of the month. The eating plan I'm following has worked really well for me so far. You follow either a high-carb plan or a high-protein plan, depending on your preference. You can alternate each day, if you wish, but you must stick to that choice for the day. All fruit and most vegetables are "free" on the plan and you are encouraged to eat as much of these as possible to ensure a healthy, balanced diet. Milk and cheese are restricted, due to their high fat content, although fat-free yoghurt, quark and plain cottage cheese are also "free" foods. Bread and other baked goods are restricted, but you are allowed portioned amounts every day. You are encouraged to drink plenty of water and tea, coffee and sugar-free drinks are also unlimited. I call it the "Greedy B*stards Diet" . There is even scope to fit in a small amount of chocolate, or a packets of crisps (chips) if you wish.

My problem is that I don't know when to stop. Eating slowly doesn't help. I am a naturally slow eater - everyone I eat with complains that they're finished before I'm even half way through my food. I just don't seem to have an "off switch" that says enough is enough.

As far as exercise goes, I joined a gym last year and went 3 or 4 times a week until I changed jobs in May this year. I haven't been back since, as work is taking up a lot of my time. It's not that I haven't tried. I don't know what it's like in the USA, but here in Scotland the gym doesn't open until 9am, by which time I'm sitting at my desk. Same goes for the swimming pool. It opens at 7am, but not to the general public. They have all sorts of organised activities (swimming lessons, mother and babies, over 50s, etc.), which means there is not a lot of time available to me to access the facility. This goes for every pool in town, as they are all owned by the local Council and have the same schedules. And don't even try to go at the weekend, as it's full of kids larking about, getting in your way, so you can't get a decent swim. I know, I've tried. This goes for the gym too. The kids are in there from 4pm onwards during the week and all day at the weekends, so getting on the equipment is near impossible.

I'd love to be able to go out for a half-hour walk every day, but my foot problems preclude me from doing this. I just feel like I'm in a no-win situation. Natural laziness aside, there seem to be all sorts of barriers in my way. I joined the T'ai Chi class to try and relax, as the new job, my weight loss problem and other aspects of my life have been adding to my stress factor. I just need to chill out. I'm not physically able to do Yoga yet; I have tried, but I'm just too big. I can't achieve many of the basic poses because there's just too much of me at the moment.

I hope you can see where I'm coming from. I've got this mountain to climb and someone's run away with my crampons and guide rope! I'm doing my best without them, but it's an uphill struggle.

I'll keep you posted on my progress.

Cheers,

Chaz

[chazzyb31]

Originally Posted by Obesity Discussion

When I took control of my weight after letting myself go I was going to the gym for 2hrs a day while working 14hour days monday through saturday.

I'm glad you lifestyle is unencumbered enough to allow you to make that commitment to your body. However, I have more going on in my life than just losing weight right now, so I can't drop everything to head down to the gym. It's not feasible. If it was, I'd be there already. I'm still paying my £25 (that's $50 to you) monthly membership fee in the hopes that I get the time to go back. It just hasn't happened yet.

I preach and preach that dieting is not the answer.

Yes, you do! I didn't join this site to be preached at. If I wanted to be preached at I'd go to church on Sundays, but I don't. Advice and support are one thing, preaching is quite another.

I've helped countless people here, including women lose weight and learn how to keep it off. I would love to work with you to help you find a solution to your food cravings and inability to exercise. I'm pretty sure most of them have to deal with PMS too.

Like I said before, you need to back off. You don't have all the answers, regardless of how many people you've helped. You don't know me or my story, so you might want to bide your time until you know who you're talking to and what you're talking about before you start ladling out the advice. If you want to work with me you have to find out who I am. One size does not fit all. This applies to advice as well as clothing. While I know I'm not the only woman in the world to experience PMS, all PMS symptoms aren't the same. Some women are lucky enough to only suffer blind rages(!) I have a whole gamut of symptoms; craving food is only one of them.

If you truly want to help then you might try listening to what people are saying (or reading what they are typing, in this case). Take a telling and back off. Let someone else have a turn, OK?

[chazzyb31]

Hey Peanut,

Thanks for your tip, but what is a Naturopath? I've never heard of one of those and suspect they're in short supply in my neck of the woods. I'm also wondering what sepia is? I always thought it was a colour. Any more information you have on this subject would be gratefully received.

Chaz