When I set up my ‘Fatty Wants a Biscuit’ accounts online, I
did so following Weight Watchers. I followed Weight Watchers as it’s been the
only ‘diet’ I’ve been successful following in all my previous attempts to lose
weight.
I’ve previously tried eating anything I want, but only halve
(that got me some looks at lunch time eating half a sandwich…) Rosemary Connolly, a random diet Tesco
once promoted (lol) and the whole ‘just not eating crap’ diet.
I wasn’t able to stick to any of them for much longer than
two weeks and I actually left Rosemary Connolly heavier than when I started.
Awks.
With Weight Watchers, however, my consistency lasted a lot
longer. Until I got bored of counting and ended up giving up, gaining weight
then going back about 2 stone heavier; well done me, well done!
WHY IS IT SO EASY TO GAIN BUT HARD TO LOSE?
This time however, I
was focused for the longest I have ever been. I mean I’ve been following this
plan for nearly two years now (pats self on back even though I’m now 2 stone
heavier than my lightest, thankfully not 2 stone heavier than my heaviest
though, silver lining).
I fully believe it’s because I wasn’t counting every single
morsel that was going in my mouth and had more freedom to eat the things I
wanted.
Then ‘Smartpoints’ rolled in, and for some reason, even
though I was still following pretty much the same plan, I struggled. I felt
more restricted.
‘Cause, when you think about it, I went from having 7 daily points
to spend (I used to try and split my weeklies over the week) which meant it was
easy to slip a Malteaser Bunny into my day if I wanted to and still have points
for things like cheese.
But then all of a sudden I only got 6 daily points to play
with and a Malteaser Bunny went up to a gastronomical 8 points. It’s basically
air when you think about it. All of sudden I felt restricted and like I couldn’t
have the treats I was accustomed to. The treats I was eating and still losing
weight with.
Now, don’t get me wrong. I’m fully aware that no plan works
if you don’t stick to it, and there were plenty of weeks where I wasn’t
sticking to this new plan.
Yet, when I was following the plan (to the letter, bye bye
bunnies and everything that tasted delicious), I wasn’t getting results. This
resulted in a new cycle for me this year.
A cycle where I would try really hard for a few weeks, with
no loss, then get annoyed and binge for a couple of weeks/months until I got back
on track again (then not lose/gain and it started again).
It’s got to the point where it’s not just affecting my size
but also my mood.
I just feel down, defeated and I’ve lost the drive I once
had.
I feel like I’m on a diet and I really hate that feeling. I
feel like my whole life is going to revolve around dieting and counting numbers
and eugh it’s driving me crazy.
Therefore, I’ve come to the conclusion that something needs
to change. (After writing the world’s longest introduction…)
So, for the next week or so, I’m going to give calorie counting
a go. *cue shocked gasps*
I’ve given it some thought and downloaded the MFP app to my
phone and had a little play.
After seeing so many people make the jump, and be successful
doing so, I just thought it’s got to be worth a try at this point.
I’m still going to go to my WW meetings to get weighed at
the moment, because if I do decide that I want to go back to WW, at least I won’t
lose all my progress and have to start a fresh.
But, for the next couple of weeks, I’m going to be counting
calories instead of points. Which, I know contradicts my whole, ‘I don’t want
to count things for the rest of my life’ thing, but I need to change something
at the moment and this seems like the most ‘flexible’ way of doing things for
me at the moment.
I’ll still be uploading everything I eat, but instead of ‘smart
points’ it will just be calories. Nothing else will change.
If I don’t get on with counting calories, then maybe I’ll
try Slimming World, or even download Value Diary and go back to the old points.
But for now, I’m now part of the MFP gang (username: Fattywantsabiscuit).
I hope you’ll all understand and please, any MFP’ers please –
send your help and wisdom my way.
Oh, also, I won’t be counting any fruit and veg ‘cause life
is far too short for that kind of shiz.
And I’ll obvs be keeping you all in the loop of how I get
on. I’m still me after all.