On January 1st, 2024, I only made two New Year’s resolutions:
- Abstain from alcohol for the month of January.
- Lose 15kg in weight by June 2024
I am proud to say I completed Dry January with flying colours, but the diet resolution and motivation are flagging. I didn’t specify when in June or which year. *laughing* so, in theory, it could be open-ended. Joking aside, despite my best efforts, I’ve only lost 5kg so far, and I’m beginning to flag. I’ve had a bad couple of weeks—eating homemade scones, desserts and other naughties, and the weight is beginning to creep back on. Only a kilo (maybe two), but I know the signs. One kilo quickly becomes two, and before I know it, I’m back to square one.
My excuse: I am a foodie. I love eating out and cooking, both of which stretch my willpower to the limit. I’ve even munched on celery when I’ve been tempted to raid the larder. And nuts … I convince myself nuts are good for you, so I’ve been snacking on handfuls of nuts (brazil, almonds and walnuts)
Maybe I need to rethink how I approach the dieting options. However, I’ve realised whatever diet I choose, it must be a lifestyle choice and one I can live with.
Keto: I tried Keto, last year. Yes, I lost weight (10kg), but the moment I came off the diet, I quickly piled on all the weight I had lost and more.
Calorie Counting: Life’s too short to weigh everything and count calories.
IF (intermittent fasting): In fairness, I only tried this for a week because I like to eat breakfast. Maybe I need to revisit it in combination with a low-carb diet.
Low Fat: Nope
Low-carb Diet: This is the one I find the easiest to follow and that works for both Mr. Piglet and I.
This is the one I’m following https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/low-carb-low-fat-diet
I think this is closest to the Mediterranean Diet
Sigh. I wish I could buy ‘willpower’ on Amazon or grow it from seed.
I am also aware I need to couple diet with toning and aerobic exercises … blows another sigh. I know I am must exercise and tone so I maintain and build muscle in my legs to maintain mobility. Use it or lose it.
Daily step goal: 4000 House Bike: 10 mins Toning Exercise – Chair Pilates (I need to find a decent video on YouTube and set aside 15 minutes a day.
My weight loss goal for March: Lose 2kg ( I’ve set myself a realistic goal)
What diets have worked for you long-term, and did you exercise?
Piglet in Portugal 
I’ve lost 10 kg and still have 5 to go. It’s been a balance of what’s on the plate. Full fat, low low carb, intermittent fasting and hardly any sugar. I believe I can sustain this for life. The person above who had lots of good suggestions is right that your smaller plate should be full of mostly veggies and good proteins. They didn’t mention this but alcohol needs to be a very occasional treat.
LikeLike
Well done on your weight loss! Yes, I am gradually rewiring my brain to eat less and that I don’t need to clear my plate. Alcohol … hmmm… I confess I do like a glass of red wine or gin with zero calorie tonic.
I find snacking just before going to bed a weakness. We eat about six and as I don’t usually go to be until midnight my brain tells me my stomach needs feeding. Of course it dosnt. And if I can stay out of the kitchen I can survive until 7.30-8.00
LikeLike
Oh, totally. If I could not eat after supper, it would be golden. I struggle so much with that. I try to stay busy so it’s less accessible. At least you drink red wine – it’s the “healthiest” of the alcohol. I am a beer drinker and have 1, occasionally 2, per week. Which is good as it reduces my risk of cancer and alzheimers as well.
Goodluck with the long term changes.
LikeLiked by 1 person
All the best on this venture! Best way of eating to keep blood sugar stable (hence no over eating) is to have protein and carbs at every meal, especially breakfast, with veggies esp salad and make sure you don’t go too long without food. Eat before you get too hungry so you keep refuelled. You may like to check out interviews by “The Glucose Goddess” or read her books.
LikeLiked by 1 person
and you have reminded me or something else I read. To stabilize blood sugar – exercise after a meal
LikeLiked by 1 person
Or exercise before to increase your metabolic rate.
LikeLike
Good luck.
Dieting sucks!
LikeLiked by 1 person
IT certainly does, granny!
LikeLike
Now dear lady! I have studied this for nearly 40 years! And I mean this REALLY well!
Just PLEASE do not think of your weight and be dissatisfied with yourself and then eat something sugary to feel better! I only buy sugar if a friend is coming who takes sugar in coffee. I can honestly assure you I eat a fabulously exciting diet but have chosen not to have dessert for decades . . . I love life and if i told you my age you would not believe!!! . . . best . . .
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, forgot to say the obvious – DO NOT COUNT CALORIES – that has been oldie worldy for a long time! You should know what a healthy amount of good food looks like by now 🙂 !!! Food should be one of the greatest enjoyments in your life not a daily hassle !!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sound advice, Eha
I particulary like: Change your dinner plate to an entree plate > on it 1.2 vegetables or salads, 1/4 healthy carbs.
I probably eat far too much. You highlight it’s probably not what I eat more ‘how much’
I eat fish 1-2 times per week. Usually salmon. If I am eating out – monkfish or tuna. seafood. PRawns, clams, crab or octopus salad
I go into self-destruct mode when I hit the wall. That’s where I am now.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I do apologize truly for my ‘lecture’! But I have been studying natural medicine for a long time and find it difficult to see someone struggling! Well, you know yourself – if the amounts of food are overly big that is one way of beating the problem. Actually – and I read a lot on food – the newest getting mentioned all the time is the increasing popularity of Iberian cuisine as most of t is supposedly very healthy! I do love many of the tapas!!! Make a few interesting variants and you may not have space for sugary ‘treats’! . . . best anyways . ..
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Eha, no need to aplologize! You have passion and are knowledgeable about the topic. I did not consider your words a lecture. I am a great believer in natural medicine both for myself and for my plants. One of my friends is the same and have had many an interesting discussion on medication and side effects. Same with food such as foods for immflamation.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good luck! I know from experience how hard it is.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Maybe I need to have my jaws wired. Problem solved 🙂
LikeLike
So hard, I know.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Calories in must be balanced with calories burned.
Logical really, I guess.
Try upping your steps to 7000 and include an extra session on the bicycle. That will help loads. U u 2 I y
I came across Eric Berg’s channel, he’s into keto, and I follow some of the things he suggests though fasting is not one.
I did quit all added sugar wherever I could, and no longer drink Coke etc. Solely because he claims it helps reduce inflammation. Not so sure how noticably effective this is but I no longer have any sort of real sugar cravings. But imagine what that was initially like when you are part of a family baking business!
I drastically reduced my bread intake. That was tough but it’s okay now.
Exercise is the key and I usually walk a few kms every day with the dogs, but our female has been unwell for the past month and taking one out without the other result in lots of pining and wailing!
When she is fully fit I hope to do my morning constitutional once again.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Ark. Yes, it makes sense to consume more calories than you consume. The 4k steps is already pushing my limit for now. (My knee replacement op left me crippled and I’m in constant pain so exercise comes with the price of pain… think trying to exercise in a pair of shoes that are two sizes too small. 😦
I’ll take a look at Eric Berg’s channel,. I see someone mentioned only two meals a day.
Interesting.
I love cake so I would not like to be part of a family baking business … I’d be as wide as I am tall!
LikeLike
You have my sympathies over your knee issue. That cannot be any fun. From some of the injuries I picked up when I was running I know how frustrating lack of mobility can be. You have to learn to be kind to yourself. That is often the most difficult part. Warm up properly, gentle stretching.
Slow but sure, easy does it and all that.
I know you know the deal. 😊
I can say with hand on heart simply cutting out added sugar helped with the weight, even if only by a few kilos.
LikeLike
Congratulations on your progress.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Spinster. 5kg is still a step in the right direction 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person