Any Recommendations?

[ilovemarkb]

Im 12st 7lbs....5ft 3....dress size 14-16 and getting married in 8 weeks (arhhhhh)!! I have had mini MOT which states my body fat is 44%. I have been on lots of diets over the years and I always put weight back on. The guy who done my MOT suggested having around 1600 calories per day. I want to make sensible changes that I can stick to. I intend to drink more water (my hydration levels were low from MOT)....exercise 3-4 times a week....cut back on processed food. I lack time and creativity when it comes to meal ideas. I tend live off tinned soup, spaghetti, beans and sausages,curly wurlys, low fat crisps,fruit, poached eggs and toast(wholemeal) tinned tomatoes and low fat freezer meals oh and the occasional chicken dinner. Please can anyone recommend any meal ideas that are easy and healthy or tips to help me with health and weight loss.

[sara3]

Bake medium sized chicken breasts or fish with loads of veg. Wrap it all in foil and stick it in the oven. And don't eat anything else for your main meal.

Curly Wurlys.. tut!

[ilovemarkb]

oh!! i am also addicted to cadburys cream eggs!!! chocolate in general!!!

[ilovemarkb]

thanks sara!!

[sara3]

Buy a bar of Dairy Milk and allow yourself ONE square a day, but only if you've been good besides!

[Mick-Talbot]

A good diet starts at the supermarket shop. If you are throwing cadburys cream eggs, crisps and curly wurlys in the basket, it is a waste of time giving you meal ideas. (I don't know any recipes that include these ingredients)
Plus if you can not find the time to cook them, what is the point.


Find time to prepare healthier options would be my idea.

[TopKat]

You probably find the idea of not eating chocolate (and Curly Wurlies) terrifying, but you have to cut out sugar and other carbohydrates if you want to lose weight. I've also been on lots of diets over the years and nothing worked in the long term except cutting the carbs - no sugar, bread, potatoes, pasta etc. The reason is that carbs make your body release insulin which, apart from controlling blood sugar and appetite, is the fat storage hormone. It makes you fat and simply reducing your calories will not help or be manageable. Sara3's suggested meal is perfect - meat, fish or other protein and veg. You will feel full and still be able to lose weight. Hope this helps and good luck for your wedding!

[ilovemarkb]

Ha I wish I could. I will probably have to give it up all together as once I get the taste of chocolate I need more (bit like an alcoholic). When I give it up.....Ill get a massive headache for 2 or 3 days then im fine without chocolate!!

[Mick-Talbot]

I tend live off tinned soup, spaghetti, beans and sausages,



How easy is it to make your own soup?
Answer ....very. The same goes for spaghetti. As for beans and sausage, I really hope you don't mean the tins of?

[pastafreak]

Ditch all the processed foods. The tinned soup,spaghetti,beans,and low fat freezer meals will be full of salt and sugar-and other things you can't pronounce. No curlywurlys or low fat crisps either.
Eat fresh food-lots of leafy green veggies. Limit fruit-it's also full of sugar. Berries are the best kind to have.
Roast a huge chicken-it will give you several dinners and lunches. Have oily fish-salmon,tinned fish-several times per week. If you like sausages-look for good quality ones. M&S do ones with 97% meat-no junk, The Black Farmer or Debbie and Andrews are also good.
You don't need to do major exercise-but get out and walk-at least 30 minutes a day will help.

[ilovemarkb]

topkat you just beat me to that!! Yes I know the choccy and crisps have to go!! As for pasta and bread I thought just switching to wholemeal would be good!!

[TopKat]

Chocolate is an addiction :-) but don't despair - I buy the really high cocoa content stuff (85% cocoa solids) and treat myself to a couple of squares from time to time - its low carb and deliciously rich!

[pastafreak]

Listen to topkat...she is right about the science. Drop the carbs,and your body will burn fat.
Also-do not go for low calorie-it's counterproductive in the long run.

[pastafreak]

TopKat and I are on the same wavelength...I too eat only 85% choc. You can buy bars for just £1 at Lidl's/Aldis. It is an acquired taste though.

[ilovemarkb]

oh thanks guys!! some fantastic suggestions!! Feeling really motivated now!!! and Yes mick tinned beans and sausages will definatley have to go and all the other processed rubbish!!!

[Mick-Talbot]

Going on a diet is only ever a temporary solution, if you go back to your old habits you have just wasted your time.

Change your ways and cook fresh food. What is stopping you?
Walking is cheap and healthy. Walk to the supermarket if it is nearby.

[TopKat]

Pastafreak is right - if you try to eat fewer calories than your body needs, it goes into starvation mode which makes it harder and harder to lose the pounds. You also start to feel lethargic and unwell and increasingly obsessed with the very foods you shouldn't eat. If you cut the carbs your body will burn fat for energy and you'll lose weight and, once your body gets used to the change, it will be much easier to stick with. Good luck!

[Mick-Talbot]

My youngest childs eyes lit up yesterday in Morrisons, Mars, Topics, snickers ......4 full size for a £1 ......until my second youngest said to him

'forget it bruv, we're with dad not mum'


Like I said , it starts at the supermarket.

[pastafreak]

It's always the worst rubbish that is put on offer...like sugar laden 'breakfast bars' ...horrid things with no nutritional value what-so-ever.

[Prudie]

I'd agree with pasta on the exercise thing. I lost 12 lbs last year just by fast walking 40 mins a day. I still ate normally, especially at weekends packing away 2 family bags of Maltesers all to myself. An ipod with good beat tunes made it a fun experience and I hate exercise.

[ilovemarkb]

Yes you are quite Mick!! I should make time to prepare and cook from fresh!! My only excuse is that I am a university student and I spend hours at the PC doing assignments and dont always have time!!