what have you replaced food with?

[charliesworld]

Hi ladies. I'm a serial dieter who never actually loses any weight. I've been on slimming world for years but have yet to be successful. Not because the plan doesn't work but because I am finding it impossible to give up "comfort foods".

I eat (and I mean overeat!) because I have had a bad day and want to wallow a bit, because I've had a good day/week and want to reward myself, because it's there and I've absent mindedly put it in my mouth and then thought sod it I've failed again and eat even more. I eat because it makes experiences more pleasurable - like going shopping then stopping for lunch or coffee and cake, or going on holiday and having ice cream, watching tv in the evening with plenty of snacks as opposed to just a cup of tea. I look forward to eating and can probably go as far as to say I'm addicted to it which is a whole new ballgame than simply having to "go on a diet" to lose weight.

So my question is, for those who are like me - and I'm sure there must be some out there - what have you replaced the food with?

I am really struggling and getting very down about the whole thing. It's like I'm obsessed with it but stuck in this cycle of being good for a few days then completely going off track for a couple of days and undoing all my good work.

This year I was determined to lose weight. I set myself an achievable target of 1lb a week which would get me to target by Christmas. I have lost 3lbs so far in 2 months. I was chatting to a friend yesterday and it just suddenly became clear that I have more to work on than just changing my eating habits because actually my meals are pretty healthy as they are. I know how to eat properly (I've been doing sw long enough!!) BUT I cannot seem to stop (and I can't imagine ever managing without) those times where I just eat and eat what I want because I want it - and I will eat until I feel sick too!

Just as an example, if I got home tonight and really felt like overeating I know I would be battling with myself all night. So what happens? I think sod it if I just eat at least I won't have to put up with the inner turmoil iykwim so I end up doing exactly what I promised myself I wouldn't and feel ok that night but will wake up the next morning feeling terrible about myself. And then the process starts again.

Oooh blimey that was a bit heavy sorry Any suggestions though would be very gratefully received.

 

[Lilleece79]

Have yoy tried replacing binges with exercise? When you get home and feel like a binge pop on your trainers and go for a walk!

Alternatively there is clearly an underlying problem that maybe going and talking to someone might help......hope you don't mind me being so blunt!

 

[BrittW]

I'm smoking more.
I'm not promoting it (Insert self-indulgent non-smokers opinion here lol) it's just how I deal with it...

 

[charliesworld]

Lol Britt - I don't think starting smoking is the answer

Actually I have really increased my exercise this year and do try and do something 4 times a week. And the days I do do it I'm much more likely to stick to plan - it does feel good!! But I'm a working mum with 3 children (14, 3 and 1) and sometimes I'm so tired by the end of the week I just can't bring myself to get on my xtrainer. I go to a zumba class on wednesdays too although will have to miss tonight as dp is working away

The only time I've ever managed to lose weight on sw was when I used to go to class and stay for IT. It's at 7.30 and I reckon if I get the younger 2 in bed I'd be ok leaving my eldest on his own with them if dp isn't home. The class is literally over the road from my house, 2 minutes walk away, so it's not like I'd be far. I don't know if 14 is old enough - I know he'd be fine and he wouldn't have to do anything as the kids would be in bed. What do you think?

 

[MancBird]

I've become a spendaholic, I replace all the foodie treats with massages, hair, clothes, shoes and makeup... replacing one addiction for another, expect to see me on the telly soon on one of those programmes where they cut your cards up...

BUT I'LL BE THIN ;o)

Joking aside, exercise is a good one, and anything that keeps your hands busy from picking at the fridge (Nintendo DS works for me!!)

Good luck and well done on the loss so far xxxxxxxxxx

 

[Gemmie_C]

I have just replaced binges with better binges. A plate of syn free chips and a fried egg is always a winner. I also like baking a scan bran cake-eat the whole thing and feel that "ohh I have eaten the whole thing in one sitting" feeling.
Fat photos that you hate really help. I like looking at mine everynow and then.
Keep at it. Its never easy but when you get to your goal you will feel a million times better for the times you said no and was strict on yourself.

 

[jaylou]

I have just replaced binges with better binges. A plate of syn free chips and a fried egg is always a winner.

exactly what I was going to say!
Big plate of chips with some bread (B choice) to make chip butties
Or a big bowl of pasta with sauce or a B choice of olive oil and some salt and pepper. Lovely!

A big cooked "breakfast" - just eat the free food, it may be a lot of food but it will be the right stuff hun.

 

[Amy2249]

Charlesworld - I am exactly the same. Any excuse and I eat; stressed, happy, sad, anxious you name it.... it all leads to food.

The only way I have stopped myself from doing this is
1.not having any bad stuff in the house
2.only having really low synned treats in the house
3.making sure I am surrrounded by plenty of free or superfree food so that when I get the urge the choice to be good is there

It sounds like a lot of this is down to your frame of mind.
I still have to stop myself from coming home from work or the gym and binge on chocolate or bread and cheese and constantly remind myself of why I choose to start SW in the first place.

You have your syns avaliable for treats and so use them but use them wisely.
I don't know if you save syns or use them daily but if you are 100% all day then treat yourself to something in the evening as there is no reason why you can't.

I am the type that once I start being bad I can't stop so instead of biscuits with a cup of tea after work I have a bowl of grapes or some melon.

Good luck. You can do it

 

[kingleds]

No bad food in the house is the way to go for me too. I still have to battle the urge to go to the corner shop I live above (I remember thinking it would be really convenient for when we ran out of milk and bread when we first moved in, and forgot it had a chocolate aisle ) Thankfully I'm now doing so much more exercise that by the time I get home at night I usually can't be bothered to walk down the 13 steps to get there!

And 14 is fine for your eldest to be watching in bed kids whilst you go to I T. I was looking after my little sister all day in the summer hols at that age.

 

[delleh]

at 14 I was looking after other people's kids and putting them to bed, so I think they'll be fine for IT. Your only a call away if they need you!

I think maybe sit in the new member talk I joined another group yesterday and im feeling SO inspired this week! x

 

[Katerpillar]

Minimins!! Must stop spending so much time on here

 

[Crys]

I've always found I binge most of an evening in front of the tv. So I've bought needles and wool and have taken up knitting again! I can do it in front of tv and it keeps my hands too busy to snack.

 

[indiebabe]

Hi ladies. I'm a serial dieter who never actually loses any weight. I've been on slimming world for years but have yet to be successful. Not because the plan doesn't work but because I am finding it impossible to give up "comfort foods".

I eat (and I mean overeat!) because I have had a bad day and want to wallow a bit, because I've had a good day/week and want to reward myself, because it's there and I've absent mindedly put it in my mouth and then thought sod it I've failed again and eat even more. I eat because it makes experiences more pleasurable - like going shopping then stopping for lunch or coffee and cake, or going on holiday and having ice cream, watching tv in the evening with plenty of snacks as opposed to just a cup of tea. I look forward to eating and can probably go as far as to say I'm addicted to it which is a whole new ballgame than simply having to "go on a diet" to lose weight.

So my question is, for those who are like me - and I'm sure there must be some out there - what have you replaced the food with?

I am really struggling and getting very down about the whole thing. It's like I'm obsessed with it but stuck in this cycle of being good for a few days then completely going off track for a couple of days and undoing all my good work.

This year I was determined to lose weight. I set myself an achievable target of 1lb a week which would get me to target by Christmas. I have lost 3lbs so far in 2 months. I was chatting to a friend yesterday and it just suddenly became clear that I have more to work on than just changing my eating habits because actually my meals are pretty healthy as they are. I know how to eat properly (I've been doing sw long enough!!) BUT I cannot seem to stop (and I can't imagine ever managing without) those times where I just eat and eat what I want because I want it - and I will eat until I feel sick too!

Just as an example, if I got home tonight and really felt like overeating I know I would be battling with myself all night. So what happens? I think sod it if I just eat at least I won't have to put up with the inner turmoil iykwim so I end up doing exactly what I promised myself I wouldn't and feel ok that night but will wake up the next morning feeling terrible about myself. And then the process starts again.

Oooh blimey that was a bit heavy sorry Any suggestions though would be very gratefully received.

Oh my god!! I have just written almost exactly this in my diary - I love food and associate food with sadness, happiness, fun, socialising etc.

I don't know what the answer is to this, at the moment I have a kidney infection and can't drink wine (one of my major downfalls) and feel really rubbish so haven't been going out. I am genuinely scared about getting better and back to my normal routine as I know that I will find this plan a million times harder to follow.

I don't know how to break the food/mood association or how to change my mindset about food and wine and socialising, I'm sorry that this is no help to you at all, I just wanted to tell you how much I can relate to your post and how relieved I feel to hear someone else voice my thoughts!

If you work out a miracle cure let me know . X

 

[Tinnedtomato]

When I was going to group last year, the consultant told us to write down on a post-it the main reason(s) for joining slimming world and wanting to lose weight. We then curled the message up and put it in a little straw. The straw is still in my purse, all these months on. Whenever, I reach in to my purse at a cafe, or shop, or whatever, it reminds me exactly why I wanted to lose weight.

You could try writing little messages on the fridge, or on the cupboard door, to remind you and guilt you into reaching for something healthier Good luck with it x

 

[cupcake22]

I have just replaced binges with better binges. A plate of syn free chips and a fried egg is always a winner. I also like baking a scan bran cake-eat the whole thing and feel that "ohh I have eaten the whole thing in one sitting" feeling.

Fat photos that you hate really help. I like looking at mine everynow and then.
Keep at it. Its never easy but when you get to your goal you will feel a million times better for the times you said no and was strict on yourself.

I agree with this also

 

[*EB*]

I do my shopping online now, so i cant pick naughty foods up and hide them under salad.

Each time i think - oooh a donut, i think - that will send me back to where i was - its a choice, and a hard one, but one i can make when i am strong.

People started to notice i had lost some weight and the compliments started - for each genuine compliment (not a fished for one!!!) i really feel i am getting somewhere in my journey.

Fruit is also useful for snacking - must be a fruit you like though - !!! sounds silly but its true! xxx

 

[joedenise]

Just don't have "bad" foods in the house. I appreciate this is difficult with kids but they really don't "need" rubbish either.

Denise

 

[Lilleece79]

SEX! :giggle:

 

[kingleds]

Now you're just showing off

 

[furrysmudge]

Minimins!! Must stop spending so much time on here

Noooooo! Don't do that lol! I'm addicted to, but it is so helpful! x