New Here, but not to dieting

Hello all,

First of all I have to say that I love the name of this forum, it's so apt. I am 44 and am the heaviest I have ever been at 24 stone. I have lost weight before, 6 years ago I lost 8 stone in less than a year. I really overdid it exercising, sometimes doing 2 hours a day or more. It's not something I could keep up. Then I lost my mum, my health took a turn for the worse and over time I gained back that 8 stone plus an extra 1 stone as well. My health is still bad and exercising is nearly impossible, so this time my diet will have to be taken slowly. Hopefully the longer it takes the more I will make a lifestyle change and keep the weight off. I MEAN IT THIS TIME

I lost the weight before using the WW points system. I never went to a group because it was too expensive. I found that it was a pain in the butt trying to work out points all the time especially as you had to use a calculator to do it. That's why this time I have decided just to calorie count. Most things have a calorific value and by using MyFitnessPal I can make sure I'm not having too many carbs etc.

I really don't like the scales and have no intention of weighing again until I can see by the fit of my clothes if I have lost weight. It's just too easy to see an undeserved gain on the scales. No matter how much you know you didn't overeat etc it still brings a person down. So I am happy just taking this diet one day at a time with no rush to see what the scales say.

As for exercise it will mainly be walking, but when I am up to it I will try to do some time on my recumbent exercise bike.

I am so glad my daughter led me this site and that I am amongst a lot of lovely people in the same boat as me. It's so hard knowing how much weight I have to lose, and sometimes it just seems impossible. But with your support I am sure I will get there. I hope to get to know you all better and be supportive to you in your journies as well.

So until tomorrow, toodlepip

I have been on my 'journey' now for just over a week and so far I haven't had any problems. Early days are always the easiest. The last two nights though I have been so hungry that I couldn't sleep and would be counting the hours til I could get up for breakfast. I allow myself two hard boiled sweets for those hungry moments but they just didn't work. I wonder what everybody else does when those night time hunger pangs keep them awake? Any tips would be appreciated.

Welcome to the forum dragonrose. its a really great place for help and support. good luck xx

Thanks for the welcome PurpleRoses. Just LOVE your name on here, I am guessing you love the colour purple and roses? Me too

Welcome,
Usually I say keep busy if hungry. Or drink water, chew gum, sugar free mints or hard boiled candies. Ok the latter have sugar but if you suck don't crunch they last a while and its better than snacking. Another one is brush your teeth nobody wants to eat just after that. Hope that helps x

DragonRose said:

I have been on my 'journey' now for just over a week and so far I haven't had any problems. Early days are always the easiest. The last two nights though I have been so hungry that I couldn't sleep and would be counting the hours til I could get up for breakfast. I allow myself two hard boiled sweets for those hungry moments but they just didn't work. I wonder what everybody else does when those night time hunger pangs keep them awake? Any tips would be appreciated.

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I am one of those people who just can't sleep if I'm hungry!
It's led to a lot of late night binges and I honestly think its one of my downfalls!
The way I combat this is to eat my main meal about 8.30/9pm, now I know what you're thinking, this goes against all the dieting "rules" but it works for me and I still stick to my allowance of 1500cals a day and still lose weight, plus I can go to bed nice and full!
I'm not suggesting that you eat that late but maybe try moving dinner a little later and find a time that works for you x

Hi DragonRose and welcome

I'm doing calorie counting using MFP too - same name as here so do friend me if you like

I think your slow but steady approach is the best one, all the very best with it!

ladyfelsham said:

Hi DragonRose and welcome

I'm doing calorie counting using MFP too - same name as here so do friend me if you like

I think your slow but steady approach is the best one, all the very best with it!

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I'm amymaccie on mfp if anyone wants to add me x

xMariex said:

Welcome,
Usually I say keep busy if hungry. Or drink water, chew gum, sugar free mints or hard boiled candies. Ok the latter have sugar but if you suck don't crunch they last a while and its better than snacking. Another one is brush your teeth nobody wants to eat just after that. Hope that helps x

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Thanks for the welcome and the advice Marie, much appreciated it. I have tried the hard boiled sweets, though I only allow 2, but I don't fancy getting up to brush my teeth, or chewing gum. When I am hungry at night I really just fancy a big bowl of cereal. Thankfully I wasn't hungry at all last night, so I really don't know why some nights I am and others I'm not??

DragonRose said:

Thanks for the welcome and the advice Marie, much appreciated it. I have tried the hard boiled sweets, though I only allow 2, but I don't fancy getting up to brush my teeth, or chewing gum. When I am hungry at night I really just fancy a big bowl of cereal. Thankfully I wasn't hungry at all last night, so I really don't know why some nights I am and others I'm not??

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I get hungry at night. I am fine in the daytime till I eat then I want to do nothing else all day. I am an insomniac so its hard not to snack when not sleeping you have my sympathy.

Amymacable said:

I am one of those people who just can't sleep if I'm hungry!
It's led to a lot of late night binges and I honestly think its one of my downfalls!
The way I combat this is to eat my main meal about 8.30/9pm, now I know what you're thinking, this goes against all the dieting "rules" but it works for me and I still stick to my allowance of 1500cals a day and still lose weight, plus I can go to bed nice and full!
I'm not suggesting that you eat that late but maybe try moving dinner a little later and find a time that works for you x

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Hiya,

Thanks for your advice, I am glad I am not the only one who just wants to eat at night. Most of my diets have failed after a midnight feast. As for what you said about eating a bit later, that's something I have always done because I'm a bit of a night owl and I have to make sure I am not hungry when I go to bed. Just a shame I wake up starving. I tend to eat my tea at aroung 6 to 7 pm and then at 9ish I have a nice cup of coffee and some supper, normally some fruit, or jelly and custard etc. I can't go without my supper.

Thanks for saying I could add you on MFP, I have just sent your a friend request.

ladyfelsham said:

Hi DragonRose and welcome

I'm doing calorie counting using MFP too - same name as here so do friend me if you like

I think your slow but steady approach is the best one, all the very best with it!

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Yes indeed slow and steady will win the race Thanks for saying I could add you on MFP. I've just sent you a friend request

xMariex said:

I get hungry at night. I am fine in the daytime till I eat then I want to do nothing else all day. I am an insomniac so its hard not to snack when not sleeping you have my sympathy.

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Well you must be doing something right Marie,, that is awesome that you have lost so much weight, you must be so happy with yourself and feel like a new person. How goes the skin? Is it saggy, if so would you go for plastic surgery to deal with it? I've had way too many surgeries in my life so it scares me to think about having to possibly have more surgery if my saggy skin causes me enough problems to warrent it. Oh well, let's take it one step at a time lol, lose the weight first

DragonRose said:

Well you must be doing something right Marie,, that is awesome that you have lost so much weight, you must be so happy with yourself and feel like a new person. How goes the skin? Is it saggy, if so would you go for plastic surgery to deal with it? I've had way too many surgeries in my life so it scares me to think about having to possibly have more surgery if my saggy skin causes me enough problems to warrent it. Oh well, let's take it one step at a time lol, lose the weight first

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I am happier because I am healthy and others have commented. But I look in the mirror and see no difference but I already spoke about this on another part of the forum. The skin is fine for the most part apart from upper arms and thighs. I am told it can take up to 2 years to snap back but I am not sure about surgery yet. I have some serious health issues so I need to get through them first and hopefully have a break from hospital. If its still there after a while I might consider it but I would need to lose a bit more before making that choice. Its not awfully bad so if it improves probably not but it all depends really. Once I hit my goal of 25 BMI which is hopefully soon, I will review it and decide then.

I do that too! I eat a fairly big meal at 9.30pm and go to bed an hour later - certainly works for me!! xx

Edited: Sorry this was in response to the post about eating late!

TracyGWill said:

I do that too! I eat a fairly big meal at 9.30pm and go to bed an hour later - certainly works for me!! xx

Edited: Sorry this was in response to the post about eating late!

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I find it really does help me stick to plan. A lot of people seem to think that you can't eat after a certain time if you're trying to lose weight, but I find a light breakfast and lunch and a filling late dinner works for me, I seem to have a lot more will power during the day than I do lying in bed at night starving hungry!
my other half is trying to lose weight too, and he's sticking to some very silly made up rules (such as no snacking at all and no meals after 6pm) and I'm determined to show him that all these diet "rules" are myths!
I can almost sense the shock coming from him as I tuck into my satisfying dinner at 9pm, I'm trying to support him, but typical man thinks he knows it all and he's always right

Amymacable said:

I find it really does help me stick to plan. A lot of people seem to think that you can't eat after a certain time if you're trying to lose weight, but I find a light breakfast and lunch and a filling late dinner works for me, I seem to have a lot more will power during the day than I do lying in bed at night starving hungry!
my other half is trying to lose weight too, and he's sticking to some very silly made up rules (such as no snacking at all and no meals after 6pm) and I'm determined to show him that all these diet "rules" are myths!
I can almost sense the shock coming from him as I tuck into my satisfying dinner at 9pm, I'm trying to support him, but typical man thinks he knows it all and he's always right

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I know what you mean Amy especially about the 'old' ideas about dieting with it's rules and regulations. When I was on WW a few years ago and I would have say a Mars Bar, or a packet of crisps my hubby would look at me with disappointment and say 'what about your diet'. It took a LONG time for him to realise that I could eat a Mars Bar and still be dieting lol. Oh and no he wasn't disappointed because HE wants me to be thin, he was disappointed because he knows how much I need to lose weight and he thought I was giving up. He's my hero, and is supportive all the way now that he knows that the days of only eating celery and not eating after 6 are out the window lol.

I like to eat a big breakfast, a small lunch, a medium to large size evening meal and then supper. That's why I wonder why some nights I am really hungry when others I am not. My hubby is kind of dieting as well, he's not very overweight, but he wants to lose a few lbs. He's the type though that can lose 5 lbs without trying lol. Men and their metabolisms huh

DragonRose said:

the days of only eating celery and not eating after 6 are out the window lol.

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Yaye, thank goodness for that I still look at cottage cheese with suspicion - until I remember that I actually like it

Amymacable said:

I find it really does help me stick to plan. A lot of people seem to think that you can't eat after a certain time if you're trying to lose weight, but I find a light breakfast and lunch and a filling late dinner works for me, I seem to have a lot more will power during the day than I do lying in bed at night starving hungry!
my other half is trying to lose weight too, and he's sticking to some very silly made up rules (such as no snacking at all and no meals after 6pm) and I'm determined to show him that all these diet "rules" are myths!
I can almost sense the shock coming from him as I tuck into my satisfying dinner at 9pm, I'm trying to support him, but typical man thinks he knows it all and he's always right

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Absolutely spot on! I eat about half of my daily calories at 9.30pm and have lost 120lbs, so tell hubby it definitely works - mine has at least stopped questioning my methods like he used to, lol. xx

hi dragonrose

welcome to the forum you will do great on here everyone is lovely on here good luck on your weight loss journey xx

xx