diet help please

dollydimples82

Hi guys, i started walking about 3 weeks ago and have noticed no difference on the scales. I am hoping you can help me,

3 days per week 40min brisk walk.

Breakfast....1 slice brown bread & 1 slice white pudding or 3 crackerbread with scrapping of jam or bowl rice krispies & low fat milk. tea.

dinner....1 scoop mashed potatoes, beans & 4/5 oven cooked chicken tenders or 1 1/2 scoop mashed potatoes & beef & veg stew.
Was having dessert but cut that out last week

Afternoon....tea & 1/2 biscuits

evening....tea & blueberry nutrigrain bar

Supper.....tea & 1/2 biscuits or bowl of cornflakes & low fat milk.

I have cut down alot on sweets, biscuits, have no fizzy minerals and replaced these with water or miwadi. I usually have 1/2 plums or an apple eash day also

please help:(

bp1989

No offense, but that diet is awful.

Far too many carbs. Nowhere near enough protein (corn flakes for supper? They're full of sugar and carbs), and no healthy fats.

Also, you should know yourself the biscuits are bad, and the nutrigrain bars have about as much sugar as a regular choc bar.

You need to:

-Have protein with every meal, eg. eggs for breakfast, lean chicken breast for dinner (those frozen tenders are loaded with sugar/salt/god knows what), etc
-More fruit and veg (ideally your lunch and dinner would be based around green veg, not potatoes or other starchy veg)
-For snacks, eat healthy fats like nuts/peanut butter/fruit
-If you want good results, cut out the carbs after lunchtime. If you want great results, cut them out after breakfast.

Read the stickies for more on what you should and shouldn't be eating for weight loss and your general health.

dollydimples82

didnt realise my diet was that bad, i knew it was great but didnt think it was awful. I thought nutrigrain bars were a healthy option and cornflakes too. I am new to all this so every opinion is greatly appricated. this is my first time dieting. thanks

prehaps someome could give me a sample menu? I dont like cheese, red meat, fish, peanut butter, green tea, yoghurts (except the activia strawberry not the fat free one)and im not a lover of veg. Thanks

bp1989

dollydimples82 wrote: »

didnt realise my diet was that bad, i knew it was great but didnt think it was awful. I thought nutrigrain bars were a healthy option and cornflakes too. I am new to all this so every opinion is greatly appricated. this is my first time dieting. thanks

Any cereal besides unsweetened porridge (even muesli) is full of added sugars. That includes cornflakes unfortunately. As for the bars, don't believe what the ads say. They are nutritionally void.

dollydimples82 wrote: »

prehaps someome could give me a sample menu? I dont like cheese, red meat, fish, peanut butter, green tea, yoghurts (except the activia strawberry not the fat free one)and im not a lover of veg. Thanks

Wow, what do you like? It's going to be very difficult to eat healthily when you're cutting out a huge portion of fundamentally healthy foods like you are. When is the last time you tried these foods? Perhaps you should try them again.

legend365

Not a lover of veg?

Blend them.

I blend spinach, carrots and brocolli with strawberries/banana and orange juice to get my share in. Yes its not pretty but it doesn't taste like feet either plus you feel like a god after it...no joke

Try have eggs at some point in the day. Hard boiled eggs as easy snacks, ommlette or scrabbled as breakfast. Porridge is best 'cereal' to have. I got fed up of eating it so i blend it with milk and banana. Delish...after awhile.

God i should be a blender salesman...

dollydimples82

bp1989 wrote: »

Wow, what do you like? It's going to be very difficult to eat healthily when you're cutting out a huge portion of fundamentally healthy foods like you are. When is the last time you tried these foods? Perhaps you should try them again.

haha, its not that long since i tried those foods, i am a very fussy eater and always have been, i do like chicken, eggs, salads, soups, fruit, smoothies (not yoghurt ones), porridge is ok too i guess!! I have never even tried to diet and thats why i am strugglin

dollydimples82

legend365 wrote: »

Not a lover of veg?

Blend them.

I blend spinach, carrots and brocolli with strawberries/banana and orange juice to get my share in. Yes its not pretty but it doesn't taste like feet either plus you feel like a god after it...no joke

Try have eggs at some point in the day. Hard boiled eggs as easy snacks, ommlette or scrabbled as breakfast. Porridge is best 'cereal' to have. I got fed up of eating it so i blend it with milk and banana. Delish...after awhile.

God i should be a blender salesman...

your blended veg mix...sounds yuke :eek: but i might try it. i am desperate i have a wedding in 10/11 weeks like to shift a few lbs before then,

legend365

If you dnt like eating them you havte get them in some how.

This is quick and easy so

Mellor

dollydimples82 wrote: »

Breakfast....1 slice brown bread & 1 slice white pudding or 3 crackerbread with scrapping of jam or bowl rice krispies & low fat milk. tea.

dinner....1 scoop mashed potatoes, beans & 4/5 oven cooked chicken tenders or 1 1/2 scoop mashed potatoes & beef & veg stew.
Was having dessert but cut that out last week

Afternoon....tea & 1/2 biscuits

evening....tea & blueberry nutrigrain bar

Supper.....tea & 1/2 biscuits or bowl of cornflakes & low fat milk.

I'd replace everything this in bold with some sort of protein based alternative

digme

Mellor wrote: »

I'd replace everything this in bold with some sort of protein based alternative

why dont you tell her to stop eating all together, as she's not going to do what you said,it's ridiculous.

haha, its not that long since i tried those foods, i am a very fussy eater and always have been, i do like chicken, eggs, salads, soups, fruit, smoothies (not yoghurt ones), porridge is ok too i guess!! I have never even tried to diet and thats why i am strugglin

eat less it's that simple

bp1989

digme wrote: »

eat less it's that simple

Not quite. Far too many carbs, the OP needs to cut those back. If she's eating the same amount in veg/protein/healthy fats she wouldn't have a weight issue. It's not the OPs fault that the Irish are carb-obsessed, and it's a hard thing to cut out after years of conditioning, but it has to be done nonetheless for good results.

dollydimples82 wrote:

haha, its not that long since i tried those foods, i am a very fussy eater and always have been, i do like chicken, eggs, salads, soups, fruit, smoothies (not yoghurt ones), porridge is ok too i guess!! I have never even tried to diet and thats why i am strugglin

Okay,

Breakfast: 3 egg omelette, maybe throw in a couple slices of chicken? You say you don't like veg so I'm not sure what else you could add.
Lunch: Soup, with maybe something like houmous on Ryvita.
Dinner: Chicken breast with some sort of salad (try and use a vinaigrette dressing, probably your best choice) // small portion brown rice w/chicken

Snacks: nuts, fruit

This is only an example, the diet I have listed is fairly bare, but there isn't much to work with within the confinements of what you like/dislike. Just would like to point out that you should really try some sort of fish or red meat. I know you say you don't like them, but it boils down to how much you really want to change. You can develop tastes for things you never thought you'd like, I have in the past.

amiable

Mellor wrote: »

I'd replace everything this in bold with some sort of protein based alternative

Agreed here.
Cut out all biscuits.
If u want the weight to drop badly enough you'll do it
Nutrigrain bars are not low fat or healthy. High energy bars for really active fit people. Cut them out too.
You need more water and less fooling yourself.
Also you should be stepping up exercise by maybe 10 mins and to 5/6 times a week
you can do it all though if you want to

TommyKnocker

digme wrote: »

why dont you tell her to stop eating all together, as she's not going to do what you said,it's ridiculous.

IMHO it is your statement that is ridiculous. Mellor is correct. Most of the OP's meals are made up of calorie dense, but nutritionally lacking food types. Lots of simple carbs, and apart from the beef & veg stew (if it is homemade), the only other source of protein mentioned is processed junk. Absolutely zilch in the way of healthy fats listed. Diet provides little or no nutrition and is far from balanced.

Replaced fizzy drinks with Miwadi, please the only difference is no fizz.

digme wrote: »

eat less it's that simple

If it were that simple then all the millions of women around the globe, who keep the diet industry going would all be as thin as Kate Moss or Victoria Beckham.

Seriously, the OP needs to tear up their current eating plan and start again from scratch. They need to step up and start to introduce veg into their diet. She cannot hate all veg. So she should start with the ones she likes, but leafy greens are really good.

Doesn't like peanut butter? ok, try cashewnut butter or almond butter or just eat whole mixed nuts and seeds.

Don't like green tea? learn to like it. I will admit it is a bit of an aquired taste. First couple of cups I drank didn't taste too good. I think what helped me was squeezing a quarter lemon into each cup. After 10 or 12 cups it's just like a normal drink. It's a bit like giving up sugar in your tea. At first it tastes bad, but after a while, if you drank tea with sugar, you would gag

Poster states that they don't like red meat but eats beef and veg stew
and doesn't like fish. You can live without read meat (or train yourself to like it), but fish is a nutritious and healthy source of healthy fats, and a diet consisting of chicken, turkey and pork is going to get very boring pretty quickly. There are lots of different spices and herbs which will make fish really tasty.

The way to get used to something that you are not too fond of is to have small amounts regulary. Increasing the portion size over time. You might not like everything you try, but you will end up actually liking a lot of things that you don't now and your diet will become more nutritionally balanced over time.

Finally the exercise regime need to be mixed up a bit. While 3 x 40 minute brisk walks is better then nothing, it is only marginally better, and will produce limited benefits. DollyD, google body weight exercises and you will find lots of different things that you can do with little or no equipment.

It might also benefit you to book 1 or 2 sessions with a good qualified Personal Trainer, who can advise you properly on your food intake and set up a workout routine for you.


Best Regards,

M

digme

B-Builder wrote: »

IMHO it is your statement that is ridiculous. Mellor is correct. Most of the OP's meals are made up of calorie dense, but nutritionally lacking food types. Lots of simple carbs, and apart from the beef & veg stew (if it is homemade), the only other source of protein mentioned is processed junk. Absolutely zilch in the way of healthy fats listed. Diet provides little or no nutrition and is far from balanced.

Replaced fizzy drinks with Miwadi, please the only difference is no fizz.




If it were that simple then all the millions of women around the globe, who keep the diet industry going would all be as thin as Kate Moss or Victoria Beckham.

Seriously, the OP needs to tear up their current eating plan and start again from scratch. They need to step up and start to introduce veg into their diet. She cannot hate all veg. So she should start with the ones she likes, but leafy greens are really good.

Doesn't like peanut butter? ok, try cashewnut butter or almond butter or just eat whole mixed nuts and seeds.

Don't like green tea? learn to like it. I will admit it is a bit of an aquired taste. First couple of cups I drank didn't taste too good. I think what helped me was squeezing a quarter lemon into each cup. After 10 or 12 cups it's just like a normal drink. It's a bit like giving up sugar in your tea. At first it tastes bad, but after a while, if you drank tea with sugar, you would gag

Poster states that they don't like red meat but eats beef and veg stew
and doesn't like fish. You can live without read meat (or train yourself to like it), but fish is a nutritious and healthy source of healthy fats, and a diet consisting of chicken, turkey and pork is going to get very boring pretty quickly. There are lots of different spices and herbs which will make fish really tasty.

The way to get used to something that you are not too fond of is to have small amounts regulary. Increasing the portion size over time. You might not like everything you try, but you will end up actually liking a lot of things that you don't now and your diet will become more nutritionally balanced over time.

Finally the exercise regime need to be mixed up a bit. While 3 x 40 minute brisk walks is better then nothing, it is only marginally better, and will produce limited benefits. DollyD, google body weight exercises and you will find lots of different things that you can do with little or no equipment.

It might also benefit you to book 1 or 2 sessions with a good qualified Personal Trainer, who can advise you properly on your food intake and set up a workout routine for you.


Best Regards,

M

Your post is too long I gave up after the first few lines.
Kind of goes to show you the op will do the same with their "diet"

dollydimples82

Digme, your so negative, give me a chance to change i am trying. I have cut out crisps, chocolate, jellies, lucozade and sausage rolls so far. also i posted this thread so that should be a sign i am desperate to change.

B-builder..dont eat the meat and yes the stew is home made. Thanks for your help, i will consider the personal trainer but have little money to spend on one, i know my walking is just about better and i am trying to increase it to more days.

bp-1989 thanks for your tips also, i thought a 3 egg omelette was very fattening!! honestly i have a lot to learn.

I guess to add some diet news...disliking all veg was misleading...(prefer not to eat it)....I do like broccolli/cauliflour, mashed carrots & parsnips, cabbage, sweetcorn...i just avoid eating them. I will work on a new diet as of now..wish me luck. thanks for all the help

digme

dollydimples82 wrote: »

Digme, your so negative, give me a chance to change i am trying. I have cut out crisps, chocolate, jellies, lucozade and sausage rolls so far. also i posted this thread so that should be a sign i am desperate to change.

B-builder..dont eat the meat and yes the stew is home made. Thanks for your help, i will consider the personal trainer but have little money to spend on one, i know my walking is just about better and i am trying to increase it to more days.

bp-1989 thanks for your tips also, i thought a 3 egg omelette was very fattening!! honestly i have a lot to learn.

I guess to add some diet news...disliking all veg was misleading...(prefer not to eat it)....I do like broccolli/cauliflour, mashed carrots & parsnips, cabbage, sweetcorn...i just avoid eating them. I will work on a new diet as of now..wish me luck. thanks for all the help

dolly I'm a realist

amiable

dollydimples82 wrote: »

Digme, your so negative, give me a chance to change i am trying. I have cut out crisps, chocolate, jellies, lucozade and sausage rolls so far. also i posted this thread so that should be a sign i am desperate to change.

B-builder..dont eat the meat and yes the stew is home made. Thanks for your help, i will consider the personal trainer but have little money to spend on one, i know my walking is just about better and i am trying to increase it to more days.

bp-1989 thanks for your tips also, i thought a 3 egg omelette was very fattening!! honestly i have a lot to learn.

I guess to add some diet news...disliking all veg was misleading...(prefer not to eat it)....I do like broccolli/cauliflour, mashed carrots & parsnips, cabbage, sweetcorn...i just avoid eating them. I will work on a new diet as of now..wish me luck. thanks for all the help

Good luck Dolly but you do need to follow the advice given to you here.
You do seem to have too much sugar in your Diet.
If you are determined enough you will do it.
Also try to find some exercise you enjoy doing.
You are less likely to give up then and it could just simply become part of your life

BigDuffman

OP I see a lot of Tea listed do you take sugar in your tea? Disregard Digme's troll-like comments.

Get into the habit of reading the labels on foods properly. (be aware of serving sizes) ie. people looking at a label that says only 4.2g of Carbs with per 50ml serving in a 500ml container etc. Looking at the label will also give you further info on what your about to eat after seeing a huge amount of saturated fats and sugar on the packaging it does not seem quite so appealing.

Have you tried a High Protein diet shake? www.maxitone.com have launched a new range I tried a friends sculptress shake and it tasted great. I'm sure there are more affordable alternatives out there though.

If you need a sugary type hit try the likes of strawberrys and other such fruits. Drink lots of water! You'd be surprised how quickly you can adjust, after a few weeks even the thought of sugary crap will have your stomach doing somersaults.

Doolee

Hi OP,

Can i just say well done for realizing you need to make change, and going about it. Now you just have to put it into action and even after the wedding keep at it and keep setting deadlines if thats what works for you.

Its all about change. If we could loose weight by simply eating less of what we already eat then life would be easy! But now you need to CHANGE your tastebuds. None of the food the other posters have recommended are going to kill you, its the opposite. like B-Builder said LEARN TO LIKE THEM and soon you wont know how you lived without them.

IMO get as much broccilli (sp), spinich and other green veg into you as possible. Switch your thinking and make yourself eat them. Stir in a good quality pesto to help the taste or even a little soy or tamari sauce. These veg are the food of God! Ease off the carrots and parsnips as they have a higher GI. Eat these like the other said with any type of yummy fish, oily fish esp, you can get your hands on, and learn to like it. You will like them! Try mackerel grilled for about 4 mins, tins or tuna mixed into pesto again if you like, smoked salmon in an omlette with just 1 full egg and 2/3 egg whites, add mushrooms/onions etc. Chicken, turkey and white meat is great. I manage without these and red meat so its possible to get by without red meat and poultry but a bit harder in all honesty so gettim down ya!
Try cottage cheese, hummous, lentils, beans, walnuts, cashews and almonds.

This might all sound a bit hardcore but thats my diet so its all i know. The personal trainer route is something i cant recommend highly enough but its expensive, no doubt about it...but somehow, i seem to find the money from somewhere! Training and clean eating has changed my outlook on everything and is the best thing i have ever done! Give yourself 6 weeks, get your bodyfat measured etc and see the results! I could suggest a less restrictive diet but this is the fitness forum so i think alot of people eat like this. You will probably get a different post in the Health Nutrition forum.

Best of luck op and remember nothing worth doing is ever easy!

bp1989

Yes OP, a three-egg omelette will not make you fat. Huge amounts of nutrients, along with protein and healthy fats.

Not all fat is bad. Good, healthy fats do not make you fat. http://www.lowfatlifestyle.com/goodfatbadfat.htm

The protein in the eggs will keep you full for far longer than processed carbs in bread, etc, and will promote muscle growth (provided you do some proper exercise). Carbs make you fat.

amiable

bp1989 wrote: »

Yes OP, a three-egg omelette will not make you fat. Huge amounts of nutrients, along with protein and healthy fats.

Not all fat is bad. Good, healthy fats do not make you fat. http://www.lowfatlifestyle.com/goodfatbadfat.htm

The protein in the eggs will keep you full for far longer than processed carbs in bread, etc, and will promote muscle growth (provided you do some proper exercise). Carbs make you fat.

Carbs make you fat if u are not getting the required exercise to burn them

kennyb3

I know the thread is re diet and thats what she has asked for, but seriously - walking 3 times a week for 40 mins as exercise? to most people that would be going to or from work. walking is unlikely to get your heart rate up and wont burn enough calories. try running or cycling

dollydimples82

thanks everyone...as i said i have only started walkin 3 weeks ago but really want change,,BADLY. I feel good after walking and today i have ditched the spuds for some lettuce, tomato, scallions, boiled egg and a little ham..hope this is good! I also bought a bag of roasted cashew nuts not mad about then but will try pistashios next! Is cracker bread a good alternative for bread?
also i have done my 40 min brisk walk which includes a small hill or two..so i am in a positive mood.

amiable

kennyb3 wrote: »

I know the thread is re diet and thats what she has asked for, but seriously - walking 3 times a week for 40 mins as exercise? to most people that would be going to or from work. walking is unlikely to get your heart rate up and wont burn enough calories. try running or cycling

Ah give her a chance
Its a start and she can increase it as she gets used to it and gradually up to jogging
not everybody is the same
we're not sure what fitness levels she started off at

dollydimples82

kennyb3 wrote: »

I know the thread is re diet and thats what she has asked for, but seriously - walking 3 times a week for 40 mins as exercise? to most people that would be going to or from work. walking is unlikely to get your heart rate up and wont burn enough calories. try running or cycling

I didnt think it was that bad, its fast walking and my work is 10-15 miles away. also it not all level ground its got small hills. I was doing no excercise at all up to starting walking. would walking, cycling, walking, walking, cycling be good? obviously one each day?

ps....take 1 spoon of sugar in my tea....cutting this out gradually starting today

Scuba Ste

dollydimples82 wrote: »

I didnt think it was that bad, its fast walking and my work is 10-15 miles away. also it not all level ground its got small hills. I was doing no excercise at all up to starting walking. would walking, cycling, walking, walking, cycling be good? obviously one each day?

ps....take 1 spoon of sugar in my tea....cutting this out gradually starting today

Its not that its bad, but it's not really effective for weight loss/fitness if thats the only thing your doing. The key is to increase the intensity of your exercise, so jog a little to make it harder, do some bodyweight exercises, as you get stronger add more weight. Keep increasing the intensity, your body adapts quickly especially when your starting out.

Drop the sugar now, you get used to not having it very quickly.

kennyb3

dollydimples82 wrote: »

I didnt think it was that bad

Its not bad im just saying be aware of how little it is (prob 480 cals for the 3 walks), which is only a nice yorkie and a pack of crisps.

anyway i didnt mean to be harsh, cleaning up the diet will really help more than anything.

kennyb3

amiable wrote: »

Ah give her a chance
Its a start and she can increase it as she gets used to it and gradually up to jogging
not everybody is the same
we're not sure what fitness levels she started off at

agreed but 40 mins * 3 times a week is not really much exercise, that would be part of a lot of people as part of their daily routine. Its roughly 480cals burned which if taken on its own would be required to be repeated for 7 weeks just to lose one pound of fat (all else being equal)


unless your 20stone plus i can see why you cant do an hour plus 5-6 times a week.

discombobulate

Nuts in my opinion don't really have a place in a diet for someone thats trying to lose weight (as I am too). They are some of the most calorie dense foodstuffs you can find. If your trying to lose weight i'd say have fruit instead of the nuts as snacks unless its a very small amount of nuts your eating.

kennyb3

discombobulate wrote: »

Nuts in my opinion don't really have a place in a diet for someone thats trying to lose weight (as I am too). They are some of the most calorie dense foodstuffs you can find. If your trying to lose weight i'd say have fruit instead of the nuts as snacks unless its a very small amount of nuts your eating.

agreed unless the person is doing some high quality exercise and needs good fats there is no need to be eating nuts there are definitely lower cal snacks out there

Ciaran500

kennyb3 wrote: »

agreed unless the person is doing some high quality exercise and needs good fats there is no need to be eating nuts there are definitely lower cal snacks out there

Everyone needs fats and nuts are a great snack if you're concious of how many you're eating.

ya-what-now?

Just a couple of suggestions - I'm sure my diet would be heavily up for debate here, but here are a few simple tips that have helped me lose a considerable amount of weight in the last couple of years.

- weigh your food - especially your carbs. So if you're eating cereal for breakfast - weigh it out to make sure you're not eating double the "recommended portion". To make this easier, possibly try Weetabix / Porridge, as the Weetabix is already portioned up and Porridge (if u go for Quick Oats or whatever the one in the tub is called) comes with a wee scoop that measures out your portion. Same for pasta / potatoes / rice. You'd be surprised what is considered a "portion". Get yourself a digital scales - really cheap in tesco / argos and weigh start weighing your food to calculate the calories.

- If you're eating less carbs, bulk out your meals with veg. I know you're not a huge fan, but gradually try mixing them in. This may mean making your own soup. This is something I've been doing for a good while. I make a big pot and bring it into work. Means I know it isn't full of salt and god knows what else like all the "healthy" pre-packed / tinned soups on the market! Also for your dinner, try stir-fry. It's a great way of getting lots of diff veg(scallions/onions/peppers/mushrooms/mange tout/babycorn/chillis) into you and it's really quick. Use some soy sauce and maybe a little ginger to add flavour.

- In terms of exercise, if you're a bit strapped cash wise, buy a dvd. I go to the gym regularly, but I bought Davina Fit. It's actually quite good and she works on cardio, toning your upper body and lower body. Ideally it would be great to have a trainer to structure a program specifically for your needs but hey, little steps, so maybe this might be a good place to start.

- Drink water. If nothing else, it may keep you fuller between meals


Nothing new there, but you've made the hardest step - deciding to make a change, so these little tips might just get you started.

Best of luck

kennyb3

Ciaran500 wrote: »

Everyone needs fats and nuts are a great snack if you're concious of how many you're eating.

everyone does need fats, but some need more than others, most people would get enough thus adding nuts will likely lead to too much. and most people will eat too big a portion of nuts

dollydimples82

thanks everyone, firstly thanks but i am not 20stone (10st 7lb)! I start work around 6.30am and work shifts durin the day, most days i am too tired to excercise, but i have definately added 3 days to 0 days so i am trying, i am hoping to add 2 cyclin days to my 3 walkin ones! I was thinkin about a ninetendo wii fit but i think it will give some of you guys a heartattack!! LOL.
one thing i didnt mention was that i have high cholesterol (awaiting results of last test) it was 6.2 the last time i checked! going to do the porridge in the morning. all the info here and excercise tips have really encouraged me that it can be done..thanks

dollydimples82

kennyb3 wrote: »

agreed but 40 mins * 3 times a week is not really much exercise, that would be part of a lot of people as part of their daily routine. Its roughly 480cals burned which if taken on its own would be required to be repeated for 7 weeks just to lose one pound of fat (all else being equal)


unless your 20stone plus i can see why you cant do an hour plus 5-6 times a week.

when its said i like i see why is bad excercise:eek:

kennyb3

dollydimples82 wrote: »

bad excercise:eek:

not bad, just not enough (generally). but you ve made a start and will ad more no doubt, so fair play!

Assets Model

dollydimples82 wrote: »

D
bp-1989 thanks for your tips also, i thought a 3 egg omelette was very fattening!! honestly i have a lot to learn.

And a lot to forget too. I found it actually a relief to learn that most mainstream diet advice is bull**** and wer'e not actually supposed to survive on low fat yoghurts, rice cakes and weightwatchers ready meals. Real food tastes so much nicer. Cutting out sugar and carbs is seriously hard at first and i'll admit I didn't cut out everything at once but I cut down over time and started to feel better and less bloated and I'm pretty low carb now apart from beer.

Also on green tea if you buy it from a supermarket it will taste gick but if you go to one of the asian supermarkets or even better a proper tea shop try Le Palais des Thes on Wicklow st if you are in dublin.

ptrainer

well done for wanting to make a change,
you say youve cut back on sweets but biscuits and nutrigrain bars.... you may aswell just eat the sweets.

have a good high fibre breakfast. have a a balanced lunch of chicken brown rice and veg/salad. and have veg and protein again for dinner. dont be afraid to have some fruit or yogurt as snacks during the day.