I am a returner. Over 2008 I managed to drop one dress size but over the past few months it's all goin out of the window and the fat is creeping back on.

So I'm back and I need help. I am posting for any ideas, as my ideas on weight loss may be a bit odd (or maybe not - I'll see by any replies ).

1. I don't care if I lose any weight. I don't care what I weigh at ALL. I want to lose excess body fat and fit into a UK size 12 trousers.
2. I don't like diets. I hate weighing, measuring, pointing (I did WW and lost 4 stone, but that was then and this is now)
3. I don't want to go onto a "diet" then ditch it. I'm looking for healthy eating for life (and I'm happy to limit the goodies - chocs, alcohol, crisps etc)
4. I hate cooking. I don't have much time, I work full time and spend my evenings in the gym. I like meals which go from pan to plate in 20 mins (which has in the past led me to eat a lot of quick fix junk food)
5. I hate feeling hungry. It makes me irritated and unable to concentrate. Sometimes I just can't be bothered to eat at all thus reach for quick fix junk to stop the tummy rumbles.

Does any of this make sense? I feel like I'm a bit odd!

I have some vague ideas on where to start - back to the gym, salads for lunch at work, cooking at the weekend in batches so I can throw it in a pan ready during weekday evenings. I have a definitive goal - this time next year I want to be wearing UK size 12 trousers (Currently I'm straining on UK size 16 trousers). I feel like I haven't got a concrete plan and thus fear I'll fail.

I'll carry on nosing about this great site for ideas (already very taken with replacing pasta with caluflower chunks - what a fab idea) but if anyone has tips in the meantime please help! I'm sick of being chubby and avoiding cameras!

You might want to check out Intuitive eating?

There's tons of recipes all over the place here - or you can look at accountability threads for ideas of what others are eating.

You aren't odd - I think the pants'o'meter method (as opposed to the scale) is a great way of knowing where you feel comfy.

Jen...it's actually great that you aren't looking for a diet!!! They don't work..

The only way to be successful and keep it off is a life style change...lots of veggies, and fruit, small amounts of protien. Don't like to cook...great eat raw, lots of people eat only raw foods. Also this day there are lots of healthy quick foods you can buy at the store, so there really is no excuse for not changeing your lifestyle unless you don't want to do it....It is really up to you...as you already know no one can do it for you, but there is a lot of help and support on this site for you...

Best of luck on your journey!!and

Thank you both for the warm welcome. Thank you too Gina for the nudge to intuative eating ... I do have the paul mckenna book and I do like this idea of eat slowly, only when hungry and stopping when full.

At the mo I have an awful cold so can't go out on my bike as planned so have spent the entire morning thinking about how I am going to change my eating and exercise patterns to get into those size 12 trousers and stay there!

I have mini goals to keep me motivated. Right now it's a squeeze to get into those size 16's and a few days ago I popped the button on one pair when I bent over

So - first goal is to make size 16 fit comfortably again.
2nd goal is to need a belt to keep up those size 16's
3rd goal is to be in size 14 but it'll be a bit tight
4th goal is to have the 14's fit comfortably
5th goal is to need a belt to keep up the 14's
6th goal is to get into 12's but accept they are a little tight
7th and final goal - Size 12 fits nice and comfortable.

My exercise plan: (PS i do enjoy exercise, this isn't such a challenge)
Monday 30 mins weights, 45 mins Body Combat, 15 mins strech/yoga
Tuesday 1 hour Body Combat, 1 hour Body Balance
Weds 30 mins weights, 90 mins Yoga
Thurs 30 mins weights, 1 hour Body Combat, 15 mins stretch/yoga
Friday 30 mins weights, 45 mins Body Attack, 15 mins stretch/yoga
Weekends - take advantage of the daylight and go out for a ride on my bike, about 1 hour Sat and 1 hour Sun

Food - ha ha, here is the biggest challange. I have spent the past year doing a lot of weights and Body Combat. The result is a body with great muscles and fat wobbling off it. I am obviously eating too much or eating too many fatty foods. I don't believe I can have the body i want through exercise alone. I've looked into recipes, noted that with a full time job and all that time in the gym I'm going to have to do a lot of pre-prep/freezing/batch cooking. I have plans for a fruit bowl on my desk at work and I find yogurt great for filling me up. I love oatcakes and have found a great recipe for making these (and the dough can keep for up to a month in the fridge). The main thing I will concentrate on is eating SLOWLY. I am in the habit of bolting food down - that has to go. I have noticed I enjoy it more if I (sorry to be graphic) swill it about my mouth a bit to get all the flavour before swallowing. I have notice I eat about 1/3rd less if I do that too. But I know that it depends on WHAT you eat too, I'm a fan of "food swaps" and need to find more of these.

Phew! Long post ... thanks again for th support, I'm still looking about to find a ""home" for me, in the meantime I'm really enjoying reading all the posts and threads and discovering I'm not the only one who doesn't want to "diet" in the traditional sense. I'm not saying diets are bad ... heck I did WW points for a year and lost 4 stone (I was around 230lbs).... I'm a big believer in doing what works, and in dumping that which doesn't, even if it's worked wonders for anyone else.

This is going to need a lot of work and monitoring ... I'm going to be here a heckofalot for some support ... thank you all and I look forward to meeting more of you xx