WHEN I saw Anna Clark’s post in our Facebook Group I just knew I had to share it. Her story is something SO many people will resonate with because I know a lot of people are in a similar situation.
Anna’s self-worth was attached to food. In her childhood, she formed a belief that if you had a small plate of food it would mean you were unimportant and undervalued.
So at some point, again in her childhood, she decided she would always make sure she had a big portion of food in front of her because she was worth it.
But of course, this is no good when you want to lose weight, and a big inner conflict developed when she started the Slimpod Programme, because she was being nudged to want smaller portions.
Watch the video below and you’ll discover how Anna got around the problem of smaller portions, lost over 10.5kg (23lbs) and this year got into the suit she wore for her wedding 25 years ago!
Do you have self-limiting beliefs which are causing you an inner conflict?
Maybe you have just started to realise this is happening since you’ve been on the Slimpod programme?
Do they cause you to overeat or perhaps mean you don’t sleep well? So many people have limiting beliefs which prevent them from sleeping. Crazy but true!
But when you start unravelling these beliefs and dealing with them, it’s life-changing!
Smaller portions: Read Anna’s story
“I have always loved food too much to deny myself.
I have mostly controlled my weight through exercise, but it is always the first thing to go when life gets too hard, so my weight has fluctuated and overall increased.
I got even fatter, thinking Covid was temporary and that we needed food treats to get through lockdown. I was shocked to find out how big I’d become when my husband had to do a BMI test for his work and thought it would be ‘fun’ if we both did it.
The test said I was obese, so more at risk of Covid, which I found terrifying. I started a meal replacement programme and did lose weight, but knew it wasn’t sustainable.
That was when I came across Slimpod. I liked the clinical trials, 10 days free and money back guarantee, and that Sandra is properly accessible and accountable not some remote figurehead.
Although I’m reasonably active with dog walking and cycling, I’ve found it hard to up the exercise with Slimpod.
I’ve decided that’s okay because what I need to do is learn to eat differently.
Slimpod is helping me unpick my relationship with food, but it’s very complex. Food is delicious and celebratory but also a weapon of control.
When I was a child, my mum always took the smallest portion, so I mistakenly thought her portion size was a reflection of her worth rather than her nutritional needs.
It made me never want to be like that.
I wanted an equal (or even the biggest) share, or the portion of dessert with the cherry on top, or the slice of pizza with the most cheese.
But I live with two growing teenage sons and my husband, and it’s not appropriate for me to eat the same amount as them. I needed smaller portions!
My childhood has always made me want to taste everything and I was terrified of missing out. I hated being at a restaurant and seeing someone else eat a meal that was more delicious than mine.
I have spent most of my adult life not enjoying Christmas (in fact most organised celebrations) because of negative associations.
Slimpod helped me reclaim Christmas.
I’m not even sure how the pods made me realise there might be another way to think about Christmas and to have the courage to ask the group for advice.
Lynn really made it happen for me by suggesting a simple affirmation.
I have lost 10.5 kg and made my Slimpod goal, to fit into my wedding suit on my silver wedding anniversary.
Anna’s wedding day
Anna 25 years on
Through the programme I have reduced snacking. I’m very attached to my breakfast of a smoothie with kefir, fruit, seeds, oats and now spinach and broccoli.
So I have that for my lunch instead.
I feel very relaxed about food through the day, but I still have a bit of weight to lose and portion size at evening family meals is my biggest challenge.
When I spoke to Sandra about the trigger of evening meals, she suggested I needed a reminder about what is an appropriate portion size for me, maybe a post-it note (she hasn’t been to my house to know that a post-it would get lost in the chaos).
I decided to treat myself to a really special place setting with little plates. This reminds me that I am special, but special enough to have a portion size that’s right for me.
Now and again on Slimpod, someone says something that gives me a lightbulb moment.
Sandra told me she was proud to have the smallest portion in her family, and now I feel proud every time I manage to have a smaller portion.
PLEASE leave a comment below to tell Anna what you think of her success and to tell me how you’re getting on. Note that all comments are moderated before being published so may not appear straight away.
83 thoughts on “Anna eats smaller portions thanks to this really simple idea”
Thanks for sharing your story Anna – what I found really interesting was the association of your mother taking the smaller portion, and you reading into that, that she was less worthy. When I was small, there were 7 of us in the family and most ‘treats’ in the form of cake slices or biscuit bars came in a pack of 6, so my mum used to do without, and I’m wondering now if somewhere deep in my psyche, I have a similar association – food for thought, pardon the pun!
I was always a skinny child and could eat what I wanted until I got married and my husband and his family had huge portions and filled my plate too. I was told all sorts of negative things about being too thin which has stayed with me all these years. I now have a smaller plate and only half of it has food on it I’m doing it my way now not what they think but it’s taken a long time to get to this stage.
Well done Dorothy, I would have loved to have seen your before the weight loss photo…I have 36lbs to lose and your story is an inspiration to me to maybe look at why I crave food and feel more hungry at certain times
That is a very interesting and inspiring story. So many of our limiting beliefs and drivers for unhelpful behaviours are hidden away in our unconscious. I sometimes feel there are two versions of me in the same body. My rational mind has made these sound decisions about what is good for me to eat and drink and I am proud of myself for making good decisions about my health. But one evening I will be outside of myself watching aghast as the rebel self walks to the shop and buys a 70 cls bottle of red wine and a family bag of cheese and onion crisps. 1/2 bottle of wine and an empty bag of crisps later, I’ll have a word with myself.
I’m on a good vibe with Slimpod. I am not feeling the urge and when I did have cocktails out with friends I enjoyed it and didn’t use it as an excuse to go and buy wine and crisps in the following days. I love the idea of a beautiful small place setting, I am going to get one.
I do identify with this on some level. I grew up with a very skinny big brother (6 years older) who always got bigger portions than me, and I wanted the same as him, or else it wasn’t fair! I was a chunky child, very possibly as a result, but, looking back nearly 60 years(!), I think I had other food issues too that have continued all my life.
I’m delighted for you, Anna, that you’ve found what works for you!
What a good idea to make a fuss of the place setting for the smaller plate taking the focus off piling the plate with food. I will try that I am already using a smaller plate I just need not to pile it high with food particularly pasta.
I love that idea and also adopted a similar thing. We have wide bowls for most meals and I treated us to some lovely cutlery which makes every meal feel special. Simple things make a difference ????
I also bought myself a smaller plate and it does make a difference.
Thank you Anna, and other Podders.
Good advice, I plan to use a smaller plate.
My slim mother always had similar portions to us, but she never snacked between meals, my downfall.
That’s a great idea, going to try that! I grew up as one of six in my family too, reading your story I can relate my mum done the same or basically ate on the go! Can’t recall her sitting down to anything like the meals she dished up for us as kids, psychological roots there somewhere I think, Thanks for the tip????
Food portion size is a real issue for me. I think a smaller plate size sounds a good idea to try.
How much smaller is the plate you are using now??
Is it a side plate size?? Or is there an in between size I don’t know about??
Thank you for your thoughts
Much love
Linda ????
Linda the plates we used up until 2 years ago were 10″ plates. We changed to 9″ plates. You wouldn’t believe the difference it makes. Our plates also have 1″ /1.5″ of an edge which I try not to fill.
I have a large 8’ side plate and a smaller 7’ one. I also have a tiny cake plate from the 1950s. It’s 5’ across and just shows you what a portion was like in those days.
Wow, that’s been a bit of a lightbulb for me! Coming from a family of 4 children it’s probably why I go for the biggest bit of everything (until recently)! Thank you for sharing! I’ve got some more exploring to do! ❤️
Food as a child varied in amount and quality, dependent on finance and my mom’s health. I have lost weight with several groups but regained quickly. I even tried to convince myself that I am naturally a size 18!
What an amazing story and one I can relate to . My husband is a very tall active man with a rather large appetite and it’s so true I eat what he eats . No longer, slimpod is helping me too with portion control. What a lovely idea about treating yourself to a small place setting , think I will maybe do the same. Well done on your journey and so pleased you are back into your suit you look lovely . Keep up the good work I’m really enjoying it.
Thank you, this has really helped me. I moved to Canada from Ireland in 2015 and back home again in 2019. In Canada, I worked in the film industry and found a complete lifestyle change, long hours, stress, catered food and long commutes to work meaning I couldn’t cycle which I used to in Ireland. I started piling on the pound I became depressed from long hours and my body changing which caused me to eat more. I’m now getting better but when my job here in Ireland becomes stressful and long hours it triggers me to eat more. This has helped because I do exercise but the reason I’m not losing weight is my relationship with food. Hearing Anna’s story has prompted me this morning to eat well and be mindful of my portions etc. Thanks and best of luck with your journey Anna.
Anna looks great!! She has made me think about why I over eat and struggle to lose weight. I realise I grew up with 4 older siblings in poor family and if I didn’t eat quickly and as much as I could or try and get to the kitchen first the food would run out and I’d be left with least amount of food or nothing at all.
I also have self sabotaging thoughts that I don’t deserve to lose weight and if I do I’m trying to show off. Not sure where that’s come from yet but I’m trying to work it out. So thank you Anna your story has inspired me to dig deeper and find my ‘why’
I am trying to make portions a little smaller. The small plates is a good idea. I think a small spoon may help. I have been reducing my snacking, if I snack I try and reduce the amount. I have a long way to go. I have visceral fat in my mid region, to the point I look pregnant and have had many people comment on ” when is it due”. I am almost 58!!
Get a check up ultrasound. My daughter in law looked pregnant for six years after son was born. Turned out she had a giant ovarian cyst. Look after yourself.
Well done, what an inspiring story. I did notice myself not wanting to miss out on family meals, so reaching for smaller plates/portions. We can do this.
Thanks for sharing Anna, and I can relate, I’m one of 6 and my petite mum ate like a mouse and never snacked. We used to go to my Grandma’s every Sunday for lunch or tea, we did it in shifts as Grandma had 8 children, so a lot of families to feed every weekend! On one of those Sunday lunches I was tucking into my dinner and Grandad said “you always eat one tatty more than a pig” and everyone laughed.. I wasn’t sure at the time if it was an insult or compliment, Mum said just take no notice when I asked, but its stuck with me, I love potatoes and used to have a lot of guilt relating to eating more than a pig. Now I naturally rebel (my Mum told me that the only way she could get me to do anything was to say no etc) so my mind was saying don’t eat as many potatoes but my rebel self was saying ‘get them down you’ and this is one of my battles. On a positive note I have smaller portions most of the time and I’m reducing my snacking, the weight not moving yet but I will get there as I’ve made myself a promise that I will xx
Hi Anna
Your story around food & reward really resonated with me & the fabulous small plates & Queen Bee place mat are fantastic ideas. I intend trying these for myself, so thank you so much for being brave enough to share your story.
I have the opposite – mum would take herself of to her bedroom most afternoons and have a lay down and eat a chocolate bar as her reward (eight kids), so I see eating food in bed as the treat.
Great story and how you overcame the obstacles in your way . As a child we all had to clear are plates no food to be not eaten my dad was very strict wasn’t the nicest guy however he left when I was 7 I have never seen him since I am now 38 but what happened after he left food became a way to fight emotions I have comfort eaten for years really hoping Slimpod helps me overcome the bad friendships I have with food x
Thanks Anna and Slimpod team. What an interesting and thought provoking share and comments. I am youngest of 6 kids and felt I better eat as much as I can for fear of not knowing when my next
Meal would be and being hungry. It never came to that. In life it has manifested that I would stock up on a car journeys with sweets ad chocolate when all
I needed was water! I use a
Side plate much smaller than dinner plate. Just watched Sandra’s video with Dale Pinnock Medicinal Chef and will be more Mindful the plate has a balanced meal. Thanks again
I also have deep seated problems with food and portions. I think Anna has been brave to admit that she has a problem with it. I am also hoping that in time in can confront the problems that I have as I tend to shovel the food down and have huge portions. Everything has to come in twos. Two big packets of chocolate buttons, two cream cakes, you get the picture! I now have severe sleep apnea which scares me. I hope Anna continues to progress. I will take hope from your story Anna, Thank you.
This is an amazing story and you must be so pleased with your progress, Anna!
I too struggle with portion sizes. My fiance and I are both huge food lovers which means we just keep going to the point of not moving when we go out to eat! Also started happening at home too for dinner… I am learning my full signal though and I will get there, I know I will :).
This is a really interesting story. I think I overeat because I was not the favourite child. A big appetite was something I got praise for which was the only time I got recognition. I have only realised how different my treatment was since having my own children.
Thanks for sharing your story Anna. It is really helpful to think about our upbringing and how this affects our eating habits. I have really got into using small pretty plates for my meals and enjoy prepping my food lately. I am 4 weeks into Slimpod and have a lot more awareness about my emotional eating. The day I found out about Slimpod I cried to my partner about how I needed help with eating and didn’t know what to do as I was exercising but not getting anywhere with overeating when stressed. But I can definitely see positive changes already and appreciate this programme and community very much. Good luck to everyone.
We’ll done Anna 👍🏻❤️ I read your story and it reminded me of my childhood eating habits although different from yours mine was the sweet stuff which we were never really allowed to have, well it’s a bit more complex than that actually, we (my brother and I) got sweet stuff but not the “good” sweet stuff i.e. we got say custard cream biscuits or the cheapest ones my mum could find but every day in the fridge there would be a fresh cream cake and chocolate, even chocolate biscuits but we couldn’t have those “they’re your dads” and on top of that we’d get the cheapest, nastiest food but mum and dad got the better stuff, although “better” wasn’t great as my mum was THE worst cook ever lol. Since I’ve been on Slimpod I’m learning more about my relationship with sweet stuff as I, like Anna want the biggest, juiciest piece of cake there is and top grade chocolate or peanut biscuits (nuts we’re another luxury but they were mums) and I don’t like to deprive myself from having ice cream or cake or anything scrumptious 😋. I hate food and eat very small portions but I can go all day long without food or even thinking about it and because I’m poorly and in pain most day I don’t exercise so I’ve gone rather big, I used to be 11stone ish, when I was working (a very busy legal secretary) but under or a bit over and I thought I was fat until now when I’m 14stone and some pounds too but I’m still fat as I don’t eat enough, few veggies, no salads and very bland food as I’ve no taste, been like that since pre-covid but it’s way worse now so I have to try very hard to eat/walk (I’ve had a new partial knee in Jan 21 but there’s something wrong with it but the waiting times are horrendous as I’m sure everyone knows). Anyway I’m still new to slimpods and on the first or second stage (I also have the WORST brain fog 😶🌫️ or fibrofog as they call it, having rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia too) so I forget a lot of things, but I listen to my slimpod for weight loss every night and I’m looking forward to listening to the sugar slimpods as that’s my downfall. So thank you Anna for sharing and helping me think about my childhood food issues too and I hope one day soon to be up there with you with your extraordinary weight loss, you’re a superstar 🤩⭐️✨🌟💗
Fibro is a b****y nuisance..! combine it with EDS and Osteoarthritis,and it’s a nightmare, fibro and EDS both cause Costochronditis and Chronic Fatigue which can make doing things hard.. I’ve not had an issue with over-large portions, I won’t finish something if I feel full., My issue is emotional eating, crisps, chocolate etc, but I’ve not been eating them recently..
I can sympathise there with you Sharon, I too have Fibromyalgia/ arthritis. Sometimes I feel in so much pain the only thing to cheer me up, unfortunately, is food. I think 9 out of 10 people who have food issues can relate it back to childhood. I was an only child (who seemed to get in the way a lot) & my plate was the same size as my dad’s. I think the love was the food I received. Struggled all my life with one diet or another. Been following Slimpod about 3-4 weeks but still having the odd binge, really hoping they eventually stop as it takes me to diet mode/ fell off wagon so need to start again. Good luck everyone x
Thanks for sharing….I always get HOPE just reading about other people and their success stories.
Thanks Anna for sharing your story. I can relate to it for a very different reason. I grew up with an older sister who suffered very badly with anorexia. This put a lot of stress on everyone, especially my mother. Trying to be the ‘good’ daughter I went the other way and ate everything, usually in large portions, putting on more and more weight. Fortunately after 40+ years my sister has now mainly maintained a healthy weight but I am still far too large. I will certainly try using a smaller plate. Thanks for your story.
This is so me! Day 18 and still not got my portion size right! I’m gonna get a smaller plate and I think Anna has hit the nail on head making herself realise she is worthy x
I love the ‘dainty place setting’ idea. I might edit it for myself by setting all the meat and vegetables out on dishes on the table so we can help ourselves. Rather than serve it already on plates . Hmm. Thanks!
I am going to the shops to get a nice decorative small plate. I am going to make this a symbol of my new eating habits which I am still fighting with my bad habits at the moment. I think this will help, thank you for sharing your story. You look good in the suit all them years ago and now, so great. Portion control is a massive issue for me so the small plate should definately help.
I have always had a problem with portion control so this has given me the incentive to get it under control. I have started to lose the weight using Slimpod and have a lot to go this advice is going to help me
Anna you are such an inspiration, and thank you for sharing your story. I have had problems with portion size for most of my married life. As a child, we didn’t have a lot but my mum and dad saw to it that none of us went hungry, even if it was just a slice of toast and jam. My mum was never a big eater but she always seemed “cuddly”. She was only 4ft 10 in. I’m 4ft 11 so I suppose I always put my excess weight down to taking after my mum. Having read Anna’s story, I have just realised why I eat large portions. I think it’s because for many years I have had to go without a lot in my marriage. My husband isn’t one to spend money if he can help it. Except food, which he enjoys! He is more or less the same slim size he was when I met him 50years ago. My habit is emotional and I believe now, deprivational. Thank you Anna. I have never stopped to think “why” until I read this. What a wonderful wake up call for mr. Thank you and good luck
Thank you for sharing this insight. Go you.
I also am struggling with portion size’s although I am only 3 weeks into the program. I am taking on board the idea of a special place setting at the meal table. I am going to treat myself to a beautiful smaller plate. Thank you to Anna.
I hear what you are saying Anna. Many eating problems start in childhood. As a child I always had to eat everything on my plate and not waste food. My parents lived through the depression so I understand why they made that rule. Unfortunately it was one reason why I continued to over eat through my adult years. My mother admitted that when she was stressed she sat down with a cuppa and had a biscuit or 2 to relax. I used this excuse for myself so when stressed, out came the biscuits or cake or chocolates far more than what my mother had but I managed to justify it. I am so grateful I stumbled across slimpod so now I am retraining myself and feel positive about a healthier AND SLIMMER future.
My issue is the opposite of yours in a way, but it’s made me think that maybe I can find a way out of my mind set. As I child I always left food on my plate but I was made to feel guilty about leaving anything on my plate. I’m sure some of you have heard the criticism- it’s a waste of food or there are people in the world starving and would give anything to eat that. Well somewhere over the years I lost the ability to leave food on my plate – I would feel guilty if I did and so I’d clear my plate so I didn’t throw anything away. So now I need to find a way forward- I even do it with a drink I have to drink the last drop in the cup. I hope that the program will help with that and my nighttime snacking when I can’t sleep.
A small dinner plate is a super idea thank you
Hi Anna
I have recently joined the slimpod family and I am becoming a lot more active and doing housework much more productivity and it’s helping me with my depressed state of mind greatly, I have definitely stopped stuffing myself with food in the day, however I don’t feel slimmer and I do still overeat in the evenings.
After reading your story I was thinking that hopefully this will also become less of a challenge for me and I do use a smaller plate now .
Thanks for sharing
Thank you Anna. Firstly, just wow! This has triggered some memories for me (not identical but similar) so will definitely be posting about that on the group x
Truly amazing progress! I am very impressed at what she has achieved and take inspiration from it.
My progress: I too believe that I have issues of self-worth and I’m hopeful that the consistency of the programme will help with this. I’ve already been more consistent with this programme than I have with any other method of weight control. I am the person who always sees a fat person in the mirror looking back at him- even when I was 18 years old and in fantastic shape. Doing martial arts over 30 years gave me the excuse to eat and drink whatever I liked, as I just burned it off. The training sessions were hard though- perhaps they would have been easier if I wasn’t abusing my body?
I know that I comfort-eat and despite the programme helping me to reduce snacking and feeling fuller, I still feel the magnetic draw to the kitchen cupboard or fridge. I tend not to buy things that I know I would demolish when I have cravings. I tend to feel these cravings on an evening when I’ve got nothing to do/no purpose, so I have taken up hobbies to try and distract myself. I also try to get out of the house for the same reason, although recently diagnosed with hip dysplasia, my favourite activities of racquet sports and long distance walks are now things of the past.
There is so much more that I can talk about Sandra, but I’m sure you don’t want an essay!
Anna’s story is inspirational and gives us much to think about. I too have had portion sizes that were large and that came about from mum trying to make me big and strong. Now I eat smaller portions but need to reduce them further I think. I already use a smaller plate but always clear my plate in accordance with parental instruction as a child, so I need to lose that mind set now. Thanks Anna for your thoughts.
For me it’s about not leaving food. My Mum and Dad had me late in life, my Dad had been a WWII prisoner of war and so never leave food was a huge thing. Until I started being more aware of feeling full and eating more than I needed I hadn’t made this link. So now I’m making smaller portions or freezing extra meals
Anna I think your story is amazing!I Iam 3 weeks into slimpod and still trying to navigate my way round it. Reading your story has inspired me and given me a light bulb moment ❤
An interesting story Anna. I agree with other postees that seeing my mother have the smaller portion made me think she was unworthy. I always made sure that my family had all the same because of that. Emotional eating is my problem I think and I’ve tried every diet, lost 5st twice but my story isn’t new, most people can relate to that.
But now as an older woman weight loss is a struggle. My husband has had further operations on his mouth (this has been going on since 2020) and has to be on an enriched diet to keep his weight up! So I’ve been feeling that life is conspiring against me and that I just wouldn’t bother anymore but something in your post interested me – the smaller plate. If I do nothing else I can have a smaller plate. A small step I feel but it it’s all I can cope with at the moment.
Thank you Anna, and congratulations on your ongoing success. I have only been on Slimpod for 3 weeks, however I have noticed a difference but at the moment I find it hard to define. I have felt much more positive this week but am finding it hard to ditch my scales. I am however, not allowing myself on the scales more that twice a week which is a big difference from every morning…Again, very well done and congratulations on your 25th. wedding anniversary.
Thank you for sharing. It’s so wild the way we associate value and self-worth to food. I didn’t realise I did it at all until I read your story and it was like a spotlight was shone on my childhood food associations. Quite a confronting revelation. Xxx
You have found a way to make it work for you and im going to take on board breakfast (very similar to yours( and have it lunch time. I like the idea of being proud at habing the smallest portion. Well done
Well done Anna. I to have a problem with portion size and the special plates are something I am going to give a try. A great, but simple idea
In addition to Anna’s fantastic journey, what jumped out at me was that “Now and again on Slimpod, someone says something that gives me a lightbulb moment”. I agree and enjoy how everyone’s experience is different but we can all learn from each other.
So much of this resonated with me. From my mother leaving us unattended for days, where we hunted for food, eating thins like oxo cubes and tomato sauce on bread, or raw flour and bisto, I very soon developed an obsession with food. That was counteracted with neighbours and a granny who would ‘feed us up’ so food soon had very positive and negative connotations. A stepmother used to sit us down at the table with my father, a huge portion in front of him, and tell him that we had all eaten prior to him arriving home. She would eat a small portion and was obsessed with her weight, often citing weight as the most important thing in attracting a man. As a child this does unimaginable damage. It wasn’t until decades later, when my sister and I were eating out with a friend, who asked ‘so what triggered both of your food issues?’ That we literally looked at each other as the penny dropped. My sister had always been addicted to bingeing and laxatives. We wondered how it was so obvious to a friend we hadn’t seen for years. She told us she was anorexic and while we weren’t, recognised certain things in what we said and how we behaved when faced with a menu and people eating around us. My late husband was a feeder- because he believed that if I was fat, no one else would find me attractive. It felt like I was at the bottom of a pit with no way out, with other people shovelling in soil that was going to bury me alive. Even a stroke did not lift me out of the hole. I have grandchildren now, and I don’t want them ever to feel the hole in their lives that the death of my granny left in mine. When I read this story I immediately saw my stepmother sitting with her tea-plate of food, picking at it, a memory I hadn’t had for fifty years! No one is ever going to have control over my food again. I have Trevor. I talk to him. When I put away crisps bought for the grandchildren-that would never have survived a day- I find I’m talking to Trevor while I do it 😂. I feel for the first time in my life people understand. I read stories and think ‘ I totally get that’. My mindset has changed and I’m looking forward to the next pods and the future.
I Hope to find the strength you have as I want to reduce my portion size but not really succeeding. I can miss a meal no problem. When I was young we was always told to clear our plates as we get no pudding otherwise so I did.
Food was the only constant in my life from toddling onwards. It was my reward,my reassurance,my friend and comfort throughout the break up of my family and all the negative comments about the absent parent . The bullying from my brother and the self loathing of being fat and having no control in my life. I don’t think I have felt hunger pangs for decades, I would just eat when it was mealtimes even if I didn’t feel hungry. It is a revelation to have that hungry feeling back again and even my tummy rumbling has given me a smile. It has only been a few weeks but this is huge for me and I am really looking forward to good physical results on top of my totally changed outlook. Thank you slimpod.
Hmm … thank you for your post. My Dad had issues with food. He’d tantrum if he didn’t get tasty food. Mum would sometimes give Dad a steak when we got mince. Messaging you’re special if you get the better food. Dad got the chocolate in the fridge. I’d sneak pieces of it. Sunday lunch after church with a roast and sponge cake made us ‘happy’ as a family. No fighting or tension. Messaging: Not having some foods causes tension and stress. In the past I always take a snack in case I get stuck without food. Messaging If I have tasty foods I’m special. I want to be special. In restaurants I in the past have struggled to choose the ‘right’ dish. I used to often get a ‘dud’ and be upset (like Dad was). I’m now gluten free (no coeliac) just intolerant, and nightshades are irritants to my system too – so choices eating out can be limited. Which triggers (mind) tantrums about there not being enough choices. Exacerbating my not feeling ‘special’ enough. I think there is a lot for me to unpack. Your thoughts are welcome. I live with a man who has NEVER dieted in his life arghhh. My dream is to live like he does, eating with freedom and enjoyment.
I love the idea of a ‘special’ (in my thinking celebratory) plate to eat a smaller portion. Success is a series of actions, failure is a series of actions (Sandra). I am committed to making a series of actions which demonstrate success.
Anna,
I have had an unhealthy relationship with food since I was a child too.
I’m new to Slimpod and I’m hopeful that it will help to re set my thought process and obsession with food.
You look wonderful in your wedding suit!
A special place-setting – what a great idea for portion control and feeling positively special! Thanks for sharing 👏
That’s my light bulb moment! I feel shame when my husband who does all the cooking gives me bigger portions than him. I used the excuse that he has a hiatus hernia but the truth is, he a feeder and I can’t say no. But this last week he has noticed I am leaving more, and saying no to ‘treats’. I am worth smaller portions, and the self love that I have been denying myself. Thanks Anna!
What a great idea! I will try that too. Thank you Anna, for sharing your success. Congratulations on the 10.5kg. You look great in the wedding suit, both pics.
Regards
Diedre
Great goal and great win Anna! Understanding how we got here really helps us get out of old unhealthy habits. I know there’s more to my ‘not wasting’ food, fear of hunger, and big portions than simply the horror of starving Biafrans when I was very little. I’ll keep working on unpacking it.
Anna, that sounds remarkably similar to my experience. I love food, and don’t seem to have an “off-switch”. But I do have control over my portion sizes now. I just need to use it to reduce what I eat. Congratulations on your success. You look wonderful.
Thank you for sharing this story.
My partner of 28 years is 6’ 6” with a good solid frame and a manual job.
I am 5’ 6” with a medium frame and, until fairly recently, a sedentary desk job, although I did walk a fair bit.
Why, oh why would I think I could eat and drink the same amount (if not more!) as my partner and not gain weight?? It’s definitely a wake up call!
What an open and honest story providing some great tips on how you overcome portion size challenges.
Really insightful and making me think about my own challenges around unhealthy processed foods.
Thanks for sharing Anna. The portion size idea, of a pretty place setting, is fantastic. I am starting to realize that my portions are to big for me, so I’ve started using a smaller plate. But I think I may have to buy a special place setting now 😁 Keep up the good work x
I went out yesterday and bought myself a lovely new, smaller plate for this very reason. Well done Anna.
I love the idea of being “special enough to have a portion size that’s right for me”. It’s quite powerful and I’m going to keep that in mind as I go through the rest of the programme.
Thanks Anna for sharing your story. It helped unlock my emotional need for treats. I have a fear of missing out or not getting my fair share of treats. Not sure how to deal with it yet but at least I now know what part of the problem is. I like the idea of having my own pretty plates to eat off to help control portion size. That’s something I can act on today. Wishing you continued success on your Slimpod journey, Melanie xx
Well done Anna, you look great in the suit and I bet your husband and sons think you are ‘very special’. My downfall isn’t meal size, it’s in between meals. The problem started when I gave up smoking (50 years ago). If I couldn’t have a ciggie I’d have a biscuit, or two, or three. I’m just starting, trying hard very motivated by all the comments. Thanks everyone.
I think its amazing that you can fit your wedding outfit 25 years later. It gives me hope 🥰
33 years ago when I met my hubby, I always gave him half of my dinner because he would visit me straight from work and his Mum never saved his any supper.
I am now in week 3 of Slimpod and it’s lovely that I have started doing the same thing again…. Hubby loves it too !! 😂😂
Thank you for sharing your story Anna. My mum showed love mostly with food and used food to quieten our emotions as children because she couldn’t deal with them. Years later I know I use food to manage anxiety, to celebrate, when I’ve had a bad day, when I’ve had a good day, when I am busy, when I am tired, when I am bored. I wrap this up in the idea of taking care of myself but know this isn’t true. Just knowing is the first step to change and I feel panicky if I don’t eat so I’m going to get a smaller plate so I can manage the feelings for a while as I am reducing portion size. I am absolutely loving Slimpods. I haven’t lost any weight yet on week 3 and that’s okay, I am finding compassion for myself as I make positive changes at a pace my inner child can cope with.
This story is very inspiring, thank you!
Just thinking reading this made me stop. My diet head tells me to use a smaller plate and I’ve been doing it for years. But my diet head has also taught me that I can eat more of certain foods to fill up. Last night I noticed I had almost twice as much food on my plate as my husband and I ate it in half the time! I’ve never associated portion sizes with my own worth, but with getting as much for my WW “points” as I could. Fear of hunger. Always needing to be full. Time to rethink this.
Very helpful post. My late mother was a brisk Irish lady and not given to being particularly huggy. She showed her love through food, and by rejecting or not eating a second huge portion, you were effectively rejecting ‘her’. Luckily my sister and I were very skinny as children but she was constantly on a diet. She would cook wonderful meals for us and the fridge was full of grim packets of meal replacements for her. I’ve only put on weight recently and deep down I still think of food in terms of ‘reward’. I’m now learning to find other ways to be kind to myself. You look great in the suit by the way!
As a child I was taught to eat everything on my plate. I have realised that I continued that with my children and now my grandchildren. Only recently I have allowed them to leave some.
I am still conditioned to eating everything on my plate so I think giving myself a smaller plate maybe a brilliant idea.
Hi Anna
I have just read through your article . This really makes sense to me . I am starting to have smaller portions & less inclined to snack .. I’m off to buy a nice smaller plate and keep that for my main meal .
Thanks
Wendy
Well done on achieving your wedding suit milestone! Thank you for sharing the lovely photos of you wearing it.
I also have a childhood connection to wanting the bigger portion (I guess because I was the youngest by some margin so always had the smallest portion). I hadn’t really thought objectively about this before.
I do find a smaller bowl at breakfast helps me a lot. Dinners are generally split evenly as we get meal boxes so if I give my partner more, he’d end up leaving it, and I’d eat his left overs! (We also grew up poor and you don’t waste food!)