Advice please No.2 - Losing weight / food

I can only recommend Slimming World as a lifestyle choice to lose weight. I'll be honest and say that I struggle keeping myself below 11 stone. Which for a 5ft, 4 female is too heavy.  Right now I'm a size 12, and I got there because I'll be honest and consider that I may have had the beginnings of an eating disorder. I started out with no appetite and I liked the control - so I escalated it and rejected food even when my appetite returned. Even now, I struggle with my relationship with food and feel disgust when I eat properly. And i'm someone who has struggled to keep her weight down all her life. I only ate because my family started monitoring what I ate/didn't eat. 

I did Slimming World a year ago and found it easy to follow. Expensive when living with other people (who would eat the groceries on me). But with a lot of support to keep you on track, and without cutting out the odd planned treat. You don't even need to join a group, you can have online membership (if you're like me and couldn't face the social aspect of a group). It is also exciting so you aren't eating the same old thing! You don't need to completely eliminate stuff, but work it into a balance. You can enjoy the 'good stuff' that for a brief moment makes you feel happy - by swapping it for fat-free yoghurts (chocolate, fruit flavoured etc) and fruit. Low cal jelly pots with fruit! Wholemeal bread, sweeteners instead of sugar in tea/coffee.  

Losing weight can help you feel better about yourself. But not because losing weight makes you better as a person. When the body feels good with a good diet, right balance of nutrition and you have more energy and mobility... it takes away from the rest of your stress and issues.  You don't need to do it alone! Depending on where you live, you can get support through your local NHS authority in programmes that help you keep on track and support you! 

Change your eating habits first, and don't focus on the losing weight aspect. Maybe take up swimming if you can handle it? Start taking walks if you are able to do so. Ask for support if you have anybody to help. 

Don't obsess over the idea of 'losing pounds'.  I'm in a place where now that my depression is under control, I'm seeking a new outlet (or so I guess) and making that very mistake. 

The first thing you need to do is not change how much you eat! But change WHAT you eat. You can have filling meals and snacks by following a set eating plan (which is why I recommend Slimming World).  But there are plenty of others out there that offer alternative eating plans. 

I don't know if what I've said is of any help to you, but I believe you can reach the goal you want for yourself :)

I can only recommend Slimming World as a lifestyle choice to lose weight. I'll be honest and say that I struggle keeping myself below 11 stone. Which for a 5ft, 4 female is too heavy.  Right now I'm a size 12, and I got there because I'll be honest and consider that I may have had the beginnings of an eating disorder. I started out with no appetite and I liked the control - so I escalated it and rejected food even when my appetite returned. Even now, I struggle with my relationship with food and feel disgust when I eat properly. And i'm someone who has struggled to keep her weight down all her life. I only ate because my family started monitoring what I ate/didn't eat. 

I did Slimming World a year ago and found it easy to follow. Expensive when living with other people (who would eat the groceries on me). But with a lot of support to keep you on track, and without cutting out the odd planned treat. You don't even need to join a group, you can have online membership (if you're like me and couldn't face the social aspect of a group). It is also exciting so you aren't eating the same old thing! You don't need to completely eliminate stuff, but work it into a balance. You can enjoy the 'good stuff' that for a brief moment makes you feel happy - by swapping it for fat-free yoghurts (chocolate, fruit flavoured etc) and fruit. Low cal jelly pots with fruit! Wholemeal bread, sweeteners instead of sugar in tea/coffee.  

Losing weight can help you feel better about yourself. But not because losing weight makes you better as a person. When the body feels good with a good diet, right balance of nutrition and you have more energy and mobility... it takes away from the rest of your stress and issues.  You don't need to do it alone! Depending on where you live, you can get support through your local NHS authority in programmes that help you keep on track and support you! 

Change your eating habits first, and don't focus on the losing weight aspect. Maybe take up swimming if you can handle it? Start taking walks if you are able to do so. Ask for support if you have anybody to help. 

Don't obsess over the idea of 'losing pounds'.  I'm in a place where now that my depression is under control, I'm seeking a new outlet (or so I guess) and making that very mistake. 

The first thing you need to do is not change how much you eat! But change WHAT you eat. You can have filling meals and snacks by following a set eating plan (which is why I recommend Slimming World).  But there are plenty of others out there that offer alternative eating plans. 

I don't know if what I've said is of any help to you, but I believe you can reach the goal you want for yourself :)