Encouragement for weight loss and healthy eating

[Doolhof]

Hi Everyone.

I am just going to put this title out there and see what happens. Later on I will try to add old thread titles relating to this issue.

People may have wonderful weight loss stories to share, ideas on exercises that are beneficial, reducing binge eating tips etc.

Healthy recipes will also be welcome. Maybe even healthy foods you enjoy but your family consider to be rabbit food! Ha. Ha.

Unfortunately for depression sometimes means binge eating and comfort foods. A carrot just is not comfort food to my brain! I need to find ways to rechannel that way of thinking!

All ideas and thoughts are welcome here!

Cheers for now from Mrs. Dools

[kbkman]

Carbonated water is such a great way to transition from soft drinks I didn't even think about it!

I can't offer anything in regards to chronic pain.... I hope it is rectified soon for you.

[Lost_Girl]

Hi kbkman,

Yes it has really helped me as I think it was the fizz that I liked more than the taste. It did take a few weeks to get used to. They have flavoured ones too but I just have the plain homebrand ones now and at around 75c for 1.25 litres it doesn't break the bank.

Thanks for you well wishes. I will get there. Always good to plan ahead and have goals.

I hope you are doing ok.

[Doolhof]

Hi Everyone,

It is great to read the encouragement you are giving each other. I have dropped by as I need to encourage myself to regain some control over my depressive state which spirals me into unhealthy eating urges!

Chronic pain does not help at all, as mentioned in a previous post. Hopefully an appointment with a pain specialist will help. A Dr. put me on morphine patches about a decade ago. Great for the pain, not so good for the grey matter though in the brain. Ha. Ha.

My ongoing back issues have meant I need to change my ways of doing things and still find effective ways to exercise. Swimming, hydrotherapy, walking, Pilates exercises, even a miniature pedal contraption bought from the chemist( found in the disability-old people's aids section) has been beneficial.

I tend to fall off bicycles, I tend to have a bit of a balance issue. I too agree that helmets are extremely beneficial but a hindrance as well.

Having plans and goals is good. Today I plan to exercise and my goal is to have no chocolate, cakes or biscuits today!

Cheers all from Mrs. Dools

[MsPurple]

Hi Everyone. I just found this post and thought I should comment. I think it is great that everyone is being so positive on this post. Everyone is give some great food ideas which I think is fantastic. I do have some concerns however at how little calories people are eating. 1200 calories is very low. I would personally only put a client on that low an energy count if they required surgery and needed to lose weight fast for it. It isn't a sustainable amount of energy and this dietary restriction can only be done short term. I know my fitness pal does not recommend going below 1200 calories. It can cause your body to go into starvation mode. This means your body doesn't think it is getting enough energy so it slows down your metabolism. This can actually cause weight loss to slow down (although at first it goes down fast, the longer your weight loss will slow down). It is also quiet difficult to meet all your dietary needs with this low an energy amount (such as calcium, magnesium, zinc etc). I know lit'n'easy do make sure the diets are balanced, however I think maybe going to the 1500-1800 calorie plan would be an advantage. Some studies show that people who lost weight slow and steady had a higher success rate in keeping the weight off. I feel like all of you are looking for a lifestyle change and want to eat healthy (and lose a healthy amount of weight) to keep your body and mind well and maybe eating under 1200 calories isn't the way to go. I am just concerned that maybe anxiety could turn into obsession and I want everyone to be healthy and happy within themselves and their body.

I think we should talk about the positive steps you guys have all made. Trying to go to the supermarket and avoid sugary treats is not easy (heck I'm human and I do give in too). And some of the food ideas such as crackers with salmon and avocados is something I'm going to try. YUM.

If you want some healthy eating advise might I suggest you go on the 'dietitians association of Australia' website. Here they have great resources about healthy eating and healthy snack ideas. These are professionals who have spent 4+ years at uni, and can give out medical nutrition advise. They also understand the link between medication, mental health and weight.

I hope this advise is taken in a positive way. I only want to encourage you all to continue on your healthy lifestyle journey. I'll be coming back for more food tips and to see how everyone is 🙂

[Music_Freak]

When I started the myfitnesspal app, it gave me 1600 and a bit total, but I did have to guess my weight.

I'm not really using it, just trying to increase the amount of walking I'm doing, with 1 sometimes 2 days a week when I'm allowed to blow the healthy eating

[Lost_Girl]

Hi Ms Purple,

Great advice there.

I am on 1200 only because I am sedentary and doing no exercise nor incendental exercise but it is also what was recommended by Lite'n'easy when I used that.

When going on a diet like that they have a questionnaire to complete to ensure it suits the individual and also have balanced food.

Myfitnesspal does the same thing in identifying what calories suit the individual and also provides guidance on minimums and maximums to aim for with food types like proteins, sugars, carbs etc.

Great advice Ms.Purple as everyone is different.

I have had a glitch in my progress because I have had to change some medication. Working on my health from the medicine point of view is taking priority over eating healthy just at the moment.

Sleep patterns and how regularly you eat can also have an impact on diet and mine is all over the place. People should be aware of this too. For example if you sat down and ate 1500 calories at breakfast and didn't eat any more that day, you will likely not lose weight, not to mention how unhealthy that would be. My dietician suggests regular small meals throughout the day with breakfast being the bigger meal and having a smaller dinner. She also suggests not eating late evening when you are getting ready to sleep as your digestion does not work as well when you are sleeping.

Cheers all

[MsPurple]

HI Lostgirl. I'm supper happy to hear you have seen a dietician and that you have consulted with professionals regarding what is right for your and your needs. I'm also happy to hear that you are prioritising your health as we know that is important.

Music_Freak I think my fitness pal is a great tool to help people become more aware of what they eat and how they exercise. For some people they just need to use it for a week or a few days to gain a better understanding of how they really eat (like writing it down). Others need to be on the app long term because they need more motivation and need something to help them reduce 'sometimes foods' (e.g. I want a chocolate bar but I don't want to put it into my fitness pal, fine I'll be good and have an apple instead). Everyone is different and the app can be used in a variety of ways. I just want to encourage people to not get too obsessed with it and to not beat themselves up if they have a bad day. I know of people getting really obsessed with it to an unhealthy extent so they had to stop using it.

I'm happy to hear everyone is trying to eat healthier and become healthier and happier in themselves. This forum also gives me motivation to eat healthier (I'm saying this as I'm crunching on an apple instead of the chocolate I really wanted).

I thought I would put a new found healthy snack I like. I found this chobani dip, I got the spicy one. One tub is one serve so you don't have to worry about running out dip to dunk thinks in. I usually use carrots, cucumber or capsicum to dip it in. This heaps me meet my vegetable intake, plus its quick and easy to prepare. I am also going through a yoghurt faze, so if anyone knows a delicious yoghurt I should try please tell me.

Continue the good work everyone.

Purple