Hi everyone

I'm new here, aged 40 and I've been trying to lose weight for a while now. I weigh 12 stone 11 and am 5 foot 7 inches tall.

When I lost weight years ago (aged 29) I got down to 11 stone 2 and was very happy, but I did do it a bit drastically by using a slim shake program, which to start with made me feel light-headed and from that angle I wouldn't wish to take it again. But at the time I was determined and kept at it. I kept the weight off for many years.

But the last few years have been stressful for various reasons and slowly I've piled the weight back on. I'm definitely an emotional eater.

I now find though even if I shift a pound, I put it straight back on. This week I've started walking to work each day, which is a good 30 minute walk into town, plus any shopping I am doing, so say at least 45 mins walking. But I find that what is happening now is I am getting so very hungry late afternoon before I leave work that I get stomach cramps and also if I don't eat something before I go to bed I'm waking in the night absolutely famished. But still the weight isn't really shifting

I had my thyroid checked last year and that was fine. I don't know what else to do, because I hoped that this exercise would be speeding up my metabolism and that I'd be seeing a difference, even though it's only a week.. But as I say I've been trying to lose weight for a long time, probably 2 years in total. I would have started walking to work sooner but had plantar fasciitis last year and couldn't walk anywhere without being in pain, so I had to abandon the idea for a while.

I'm vegetarian so eat healthy, although I'm no saint, if I fancy a bit of chocolate I'll have some, but only in moderation.LOL

I generally have either wholemeal toast for breakfast or a bran cereal. Dinnertimes I've been having a low cal, low sugar fruit smoothie which is less than 1 gram of fat but is very filling, plus sometimes a small packet of wheat (Dutch) toast.

Evenings vary depending on what the family are eating. I'm wondering now about not having any bread at all, as I know some people blame bread. I am taking vitamins, so also hopefully they should be doing me some good. Any advice would be welcomed.

thanks,

Fi

Hi Fi and

Most of our American friends aren't going to get your weight so I'll quickly translate that you're currently at 179 and when you were at 156 you were happy.

I'm wondering about your smoothie and whether that's really going to take you from lunch to evening (which is a long time) and I'm not hugely surprised that you're so hungry by the time you get home. I eat 4 times before I get home at night - only 4 little times - but I am very, very rarely hungry.

I would agree that on the whole vegetarian food is healthy but it can be loaded with calories. In the absence of any medical problem then the simple equation is that you're taking in too many calories - even if you're not eating too much. You may have to start planning your own evening meals as if you have no control over them it's very hard to know what's really in them.

This is a great place to be. I'm assuming you're British from your weight (lol - I know what I mean) and if so check out the UK fat chicks forum. Are you going to choose a plan to follow? I'm a fan of calorie counting myself but it's horses for courses. I'd agree that a return to your previous plan probably isn't a great idea.

Anyway, welcome again and post often

Thanks for your reply and the welcome

Yes, I'm from the UK, didn't realise about the "stone and pounds" thing

I should have also said that I do have cereal bars in the afternoon, probably about 3.00 but by 4.30 onwards I'm so hungry it hurts.

Get home about 6.00 and then have to cook tea for the family, so tend to do things that don't take too long, plus balancing the fact I'm veggie and the rest of the family arent. Not great at cooking either. Because I'm so hungry i tend to do the fastest things I can do. Sometimes I have veggie spag bol, which I do make myself with quorn. Also vegetable curry or a baked potato, just depending on the circumstances of the day.

I think for me the calorie counting plan is the best, though not sure what my intake should be and also how many grams of fat can be allowed.

I think what has shocked me the most this last week is the sheer hunger i've been feeling. The smoothie I've been having is an M&S "count on us" one, which like I said, fills me up, but it's obviously, as you say, not enough. I've been trying to drink lots of water too but it's tricky cos it makes me want the loo a lot and I can't keep going to the loo all afternoon at work.LOL

Fi

i should have also said, I work afternoons, so have been walking to work after having the smoothie lunch

I have had many ill family members to care for over the past 8 years, and have taken great care of them and horrible care of myself. I have gone up to 193 and looked like a grandma! I couldn't take it anymore! Now that everyone else is ok, it's my turn. Finally!!!!
I got a diet tip from a younger sister who used the Fat Flush Diet and recommended it highly. I used to be a Cabbage Soup Dieter which always helped me maintain. Thought I'd give this one a try.
So far I'm thrilled! Lost 10 pounds in 2-1/2 weeks and looking better than I ever expected so soon!
I did not buy the book, but might have to to see where I go from here. I still have loads to loose, and don't know what the 2nd phase entails. I have been pretty good at cheating, 3 glasses of Red Wine, 3 Sharp cheddar cheese slices and water crackers are the only cheating I've done on weekends. Been right on the money during the week.
I already fit into a smaller size pants, but what is really amazing me is that my torso, back, arms and butt are MUCH smaller and looking toned. I look like I've lost more than I have, and feel great.

Any others on Fat Flush let me know how you did. Did it stay off, are you still working on it. Try this one if you like meats, veggies and fruits. No alcohol, no caffeine, and no salt ( I'm usually a neavy salt user) is hard but VERY worth it.

Hi Fi!

Welcome!

Sounds to me that you have put a lot of thought into weight loss and that you are doing a great job with many, many things relating to it!

Here's some additional things to consider:

1) Monitor everything that you eat using Fitday. (www.Fitday.com) is FREE and is responsible for helping me realize how many MORE calories I was eating than I thought!

2)Measure portions. I discovered that I was eating four to five TIMES the portions that I should have been eating!

3) Drink water.

4) Add more fiber.

5) Try to divide your daily food allowance so that you are eating something every three hours.

6) Add more protein. You are vegetarian, but there are great ways to add protein through combining beans and rice and eating peanut butter, too.

7)Keep up the walking! That WILL get your metabolism going.

8) Read, read, read on this site! There are TONS of wonderful tips that people have found will help them lose weight and get healthy.

Cheryl

Hello and Welcome to 3FC!!

Thanks for the warm welcomes and the suggestions too