I have followed a strict, calorie controlled diet. I can eat just about anything but must stay under 1,500 daily calories. (Online calculators will show you your personal calorie target.)
If there is a secret, it is to ensure that you always 'feel full'.
High protein meal replacement bars can help - I find that they suppress appetite but I do not use these every day.
Tip: these will assuage hunger pangs for between five and seven hours - but although you can drink, you must not have even the smallest snack or the effect will disappear.
Check out the cals in every single thing you eat or drink until it becomes second nature. Take the lower calorie alternatives at all times.
Alcohol - drink shorts rather than wine or beer.
I enjoy many wok meals prepared in minutes. We use a brand of already prepared egg noodles (from Morrisons) which works out at just 110 cals per portion. We use low cal flavourings, small amounts of soy sauce lite and those wonderful One Cal sprays. Packs of assorted mixed veg and a moderate portions of different lean meats mean that most of these very filling dishes end up at under 300 cals!
How about those 224 cals for 300 grams of chips (cooked the right way) meaning that a huge portion of double egg and chips weighs in at around just 364 cals?
We eat chips three or four times a week. Take four large jacket potatoes and microwave 'til starting to go soft all the way through - but not too soft or your chips will tend to crumble. Allow to cool and then cut into chips with a sharp knife. Spray an oven sheet with one cal, arrange chips, add salt and spray the top of the chips with one cal and pepper or other spices to taste. Bake for around 20 minutes at 200 then turn the chips carefully and another 10 minutes should finish them - although different types of potato do take different times to brown. Overcook rather than under-cook. Weigh your portion size. Add your two, one cal, fried eggs. Vinegar is a must. Cider-based is the best.
(Baked fish and baked chicken breast are also very low in cals as an alternative accompaniment.)
Plenty of exercise (using online calculators) will allow you to consume more than your typical 1,500. Discuss with your doctor.
Show discipline by pre-planning; NEVER cheat; never fail to know your exact consumption; just go straight back on the waggon the day after you have fallen off it.
PS. I still aim to lose another stone and a half to get back to 'my fighting weight'. In the latter stages - sadly the weight comes off more slowly. Do the above, however, and you should consistently lose two pounds weekly and, sadly, just one in those latter stages.
I am enjoying my food and now rarely binge. If it goes wrong - pick yourself up, dust yourself down and just keep on keepin' on!
After all, who needs: high blood pressure, strokes, heart attacks, breathlessness and a greater chance of contracting cancer?
These things may still occur - but at least, the odds against will be swinging more into your favour!
