lavendersparkle

So, the first week I tried dieting I lost 3 pounds and the second I lost a pound and then I weighed myself yesterday after another two weeks and I've put the weight back on. So I feel that a new plan is in order.

I did some research on t'internets and found Weight Watchers seemed to get lots of positive reviews and it was listed as especially good for vegans because the flexibility means that you can work out your own vegan diet plan rather than hitting problems when the plan lists non-vegan food. I don't want to go to meetings, but you can join online and get to use tools to track food and activity and mesage boards. Alec rather bulked at the idea of paying nearly £40 to join a website to tell me to eat less, but I'd be happy to spend £40 if I'm likely to actually lose a stone over the three months (that would be less than one pound a week). I may get that money back in terms of not having to buy new clothes because I'll fit back into the clothes I already own.

I just feel like I'm at a cross roads. I'm 25 and losing weight has stopped being incredibly easy like it was when I was a teenager. I'm overweight and I feel fat. I feel like if I don't take control of my weight again before I start a family I'll be destined to become 'mum shaped'. I'd just prefer to be slim. I like having curves and soft flesh, but I'd also like to be able to see my hips bones again when I lie own and have the contrast between hard bone and soft belly, which I find appealing.

Anyway, I went on ebay last night to look for cheaper options and I bought a CD which claimed to have some of the important Weight Watchers stuff like points counters and diet plan work outers. It was £1.65 so I figured why not. I still haven't ruled out the possibility of signing up with Weight Watchers.

So, LJ, what should I do?
[Poll #1436151]

I think I might try to lose some weight. I don't know how much I weigh but I'm pretty sure that it's more than I weighed a year ago. I don't want to be stick thin, I love my little round belly, but lately I've noticed that it's getting less little and more round. I preferred it when it was a soft little curve rather than a greater expanse of flesh. I've definitely put on weight because I tried to put two things on this morning which I haven't worn in over six months and they didn't fit any more. Loosing a few pounds will probably be cheaper than replacing all of my clothes.

I've identified two main causes of the weight increase. Both are related to married life. I love baking and an oven of my own and a husband who likes cake have been great spurs to regular cake production. The problem with this is that this means that there is usually an inviting cake dome of cakes or biscuits about the place, which really needs eating up. So if I've made something I like I'll get the urge to snack on it throughout the day. I think I actually like making cake more than I like eating it, so I must try hard to get friends to come and eat my produce so I don't eat it all myself. I might make some batches of cakes today and take them down to the friends of Magen David Adom garden party.

The other issue is portion sizes. Alec and I tend to be scrupulously fair when portioning food between us. However, the nutritional needs of a 6"2 man and a 5"9 woman are not the same. If we were to eat exactly the same amount logically either I'd put on weight or he'd lose weight. On top of that, we both do the thing where you show affection by making lots of food and encouraging the other to eat. Before we got married I didn't usually have dessert, but Alec feels a bit guilty having dessert if I don't so he encourages me to and then even if I'm full I have some or I'll wait half an hour for a bit of space in my stomach and have some.

I'm aware that the best plan is to really stop the habits of eating when I'm not hungry, because it's a terrible habit to get into if your metabolism works properly. I think I'll also investigate getting a calories counter book. I don't think I'd aim for a particular number of calories a day, but I'm not sure exactly how different foods compare (obviously ice cream is more fattening than lettuce but I'm not sure how, for example, veggie chilli compares to veggie shepherds pie and broccli). I'm quite easy going about food, so if I'm trying to reduce my not-so-little-any-more round belly, I may as well pick lower calories meals.

Anyway, that's the plan.