[mrssummer]

I dont normally post on here, I am more a lurker . Anyway am so fed up & need some advise please. I am 5.6 and weight approx 12.10 . Have a 6 month old baby and really cant seem to get back on the wagon since he was born.

I was always overweight & have joined weight watchers more times than I care to remember. I lost 2 stone on it once but regained it again within a couple of months. I also did lipotrim etc. I know I am an emotional eater and tend to overeat when I am happy, sad, bored, stressed etc! My weight is really getting me down, I am losing my confidence & I know i need to do something about it. I know I need to just start & stick to it but find it so hard to get motivated. Cant face restarting & regaining weight again. I do like healthy food & walk 3 times a week but when I eat something "bad" I tend to go on a binge & say I will start again tomorrow, which never comes & it's a viscious circle.

Sorry for the rant. Just looking for advice of where to start & how to get into the right frame of mind. Is ww the best way to go or should I just try to go eat healthy myself. Don't want to go low carb as I know I def won't stick to it & I need something I will stick to this time as It is really getting me down.

Thanks M

[EileenG]

While you don't have to go low carb, your body will thank you if you just don't buy sweet stuff (biscuits, cakes, sugary cereals, desserts etc) and do stock up on eggs and fresh veg etc.

It sounds as if your problem is not about the actual food, it's your state of mind. Would you consider some sort of counselling or discussion group?

Remember, in the long run, it's not about the number on the scales, it's your health. You have young children, you want to be there for them, and you want to have enough energy to cope with all the stuff that goes with young children. Being fit and strong is far more important that your dress size.

Have you been doing any strength training? You don't have to join a gym, though if you can, you should. You can do a lot at home, even using your children as weights for things like squats and bench press. Feeling strong is a huge boost to your motivation.

It also might be worth checking your local library to see if they have any self-hypnosis tapes you could listen to. They won't work miracles, but they can help get your mind in the right place.

[taram]

I have the same emotional eating problems, I'm in counselling, and I try not to leave a ''bad'' day get me down, instead I write down all the good foods I've eaten and put them on my noticeboard. I also put lots of energetic music on my phone and if I am down and want to reach for food, I force myself to go for a walk without my wallet (so I don't buy food). Usually only out for about 15 mins and I feel miles better, and I've done some exercise so I feel like I'm on an up for my diet, so when I come home I'm ready to face into my life again.

You have to keep remembering that every time you eat something bad, or binge, that it's not the end of the road, just a bump, and that you must keep going!! Good luck.

[jdivision]

It's tough but EileenG is right. As of this morning I've lost 77 pounds in 20 months, keep good food in the house, get rid of the crap. Eat fresh meat, veg, make your dinners from scratch yourself (it'll be hard obviously with a baby but it makes a huge difference). Once you're eating properly you'll feel more energetic and the exercise will come afterwards.

By the way I have lapses - I still eat too much chocolate - but don't beat yourself up about them, accept it happened and move on. Just don't keep them in your house!

[Getwellsoon]

Keeping a food diary (in the food diary forum!) is a great way to keep tabs on your eating... you get to realise exactly how much you are consuming and it can be quite shocking - just the shock you need to spur yourself into taking action! Head on over to the food diary section and start one if ya like, you'll get lots of support on there from people with similar goals to you, and also lots of ideas of what to eat.