Have you succeeded losing weight with slimming world/weight watchers or on your own?

[AcerA]

If you have been successful in losing weight what was the absolute key thing to your success, the one bit of advice your would give to someone like me just starting this journey? Thank you

[DownWithThisTypeOfThing]

I did SW years ago. It was really effective and I felt like I could eat pretty much what I wanted. The downside was that my judgement girl portion size didn't decrease which is fine when you're on plan, but if I was unprepared (eg staying at relatives wth no control over food) it was so easy to fall off plan but still consume huge portions.

It definitely works, but works by far the best if you plan ahead and are ok with preparing most of your food from scratch. You can make fairly sensible choices at restaurants too, if you think hard.

The groups are supportive and there's no need to feel embarrassed - many of the people in groups will have been your weight. They know how it feels.

[BeCool]

I have been using a gastric band hypnosis AP. It's not clicked with me yet but others have had huge success and find it very easy. Easyloss gastric band hypnosis.

I persist with it as the aim of it is to change lifelong eating habits rather than being a diet.

As a lifelong emotional over eater I need to address these side of my diet and make permanent changes. I've done SW WW etc in the past, lost weight only to regain it plus some. Classic diet story.

I don't believe the SW"free" food ethos is helpful if you overeat.

[ItsaTenfromDen]

I am into week 17 on weightwatchers and 25lb lighter. For me the key is planning and tracking everything, even if it doesn't make pleasant reading:)

I enjoy the meeting, it really is a great bunch of people who all understand where you're coming from.

[SmashleyHop]

I'm doing WW online- so it's all down to me really. Lost 30 pounds since Feb and hoping to lose another 25 by the end of the summer. It's possible, it's just being your own motivator. Plus being very strict about tracking. I found when I wasn't as strict with tracking I became less motivated to stick to the plan.

[AcerA]

Thanks all, I am your clasic comfort eater and prior to children this was well balanced with exercise meaning I was always a nice 10 to 12 size, now 4 years later and 2 children on, I still comfort eat when stressed, which has increased whilst having two beautiful, but boisterous, boys and doing a full time PhD and working, also the exercise has gone and I am now a size 16. I'm good at having rules and structure but if I fall off it lose motivation quickly so really need a catch myself before it goes wrong plan for these moments! I'm terrifed of meetings though as my professional work confidence is good, my personal self esteem confidence is in shatters!! Away for a week now and planning on joining slimming world when we get back.

[jerryfudd]

I'm 6 weeks into sw and 19.5 pounds down. I don't stay at meetings but need the threat of getting on the scales at group to keep me on plan.

I am learning to cook by doing this plan and quite enjoying giving it a go (having lived off ready meals most of my adult life).

I think once I reach my target weight I will still continue to make my meals from scratch etc which should help keep the weight off

[AcerA]

Thanks all, and well done for all the wonderful weight losses.

[TalkinPeace]

I lost 3 stone on WW many years ago.
Keeping a food diary cut my portion sizes for ever.
Now I use 5:2 to maintain.