Best way to support DH

[BunnyW]

DH has had a bit of an epiphany during a course where he was videoed and had to watch himself back and got a bit of a shock at how he looks. He's now keen to lose a lot of weight (4-6 stone) but has struggled in the past with weight loss, mainly keeping it off longer term. He works long hours in a stressful job, runs for 20 minutes a day (train station to office) and swims daily when he can, but can't seem to shift the weight.

He's coming round to the idea that nutrition and diet (in the long term rather than crash sense) are probably what is holding him back from losing the weight permanently as well as an unhealthy obsession with bread. I've now got a one year old and a four year old and am struggling to shift the mummy tummy second time round so am up for a bit of change too.

My question is really, has anyone supported another family member in a complete change of diet? Or had a partner or friend help them? He's a typical man, ie has to think its his idea or hear it from someone other than me to take an idea on board. I've got Dr John Briffa's "Waist Disposal" book, aimed specifically at men and have ever so subtly placed it in the downstairs loo. He's also signed himself up to a website called manvfat, which is a positive step I think. How to maintain momentum though? I do all the shopping and most of the cooking so its probably my fault he's in this state in the first place I can have quite an impact I think.

Thanks in advance x

[Marshpillow]

DH and I have started low carb this week, I think he feels more like its his idea because I suggested that he research recipes and meal ideas, and he seems to be enjoying that part. I make the meals but he has a choice in what he has (e.g. if I'm making lunches he chooses what he wants in his salad out of two or three options) so he still feels in control.

[Marshpillow]

DH also likes logging his meals on MFP, could suggest that?

[therenter]

My dh has just joined me in my low carbing. He has never had to diet in his life - whereas I put on weight really easily so have been on several.
He has got really into the science behind low carbing (I told him most of it lol) as he is the type to have to know exactly how things work. He is actually reallyreally interested and I heard him spouting of his new found knowledge to another male friend of ours who was equally interested and wants to know more.
Dh is in the middle of low carb flu at the moment so I am trying to support him through that. Buy typical man it is the worst thing in the world. He is not a happy bunny at the moment.

[helenahandbag]

I've been dieting on and off since I was 12 and I'm 25 now - how depressing. DP and I are constantly stuck in a cycle of weekend binges and then trying to undo the damage all week, hence we've both maintained a couple of stone (okay, 3.5 stones in my case!) overweight for the past two years. Last week he announced that he was going to low carb and just like that, we both started the next day.

I'm down 8lbs and 1" off my waist in a week, I don't feel hungry and it's great being on the same diet as DP. We leaned on each other heavily over the weekend as Saturday is our pizza/curry night but we managed. Today I feel very weak and even climbing the stairs at the train station totally wiped me out so god knows how DP feels - he's a postman and climbs tenements for hours a day!

[BunnyW]

Lots of great ideas, thanks peeps x

[Milllii]

Helen you can still have curry night. I do coconut curry with cauliflower and sesame seeds cooked in the oven.

[Milllii]

Also cauliflower base pizza.

[helenahandbag]

Milllii

I definitely plan to make curry and cauliflower pizza but I know I'm going to miss my giant, fluffy naan bread

I really want to try making cloud bread too.

[KnitFastDieWarm]

DH started a ketogenic diet a few weeks ago and has lost 9lb, his skin looks amazing and he's not hungry at all (Previously he was a bit of a bread monster). He is very tall and carried weight well, but would like to lose around 3 or 4 stone as his weight currently exacerbates his bad back.

He has found a lot of men (and women) in the same boat at www.reddit.com/r/ketouk who are really helpful and supportive. There are some incredible before and after photos on there and DH says it's a lovely, friendly community.

He tracks his calories and net carbs on myfitnesspal (he's not trying to reduce calories, he's trying to ensure he's getting enough from he right sources i.e. fat and protein)

I'm currently pregnant and while I'm not low carbing, I've been eating a lot of the same meals as him and I have to say they are delicious! So far DH (a large, hungry man) has enjoyed:

big steaks with garlic and mushroom sauce made from double cream
melanzane parmigiana made with minced meat (a great substitute for lasagne and absolutely gorgeous)
fried aubergine slices for a snack
almonds and cubes of cheese
the odd quest bar (he buys them off amazon)
chicken with cream sauce and tarragon
ham rollups filled with full fat cream cheese
green beans with pancetta and butter and garlic
lots of omlettes with bacon and cheese

He's loving it so far! I have to say, I'm pretty converted myself as it really doesn't feel like 'diet' food at all.