To ask if any of you have ever properly gone for it in terms of diet and fitness? What were the results?

[Winetime1981]

Has anyone really dedicated themselves to diet and exercise for any length of time? Was it life changing? Did it improve your health in any measurable way? I'm really interested in those who've managed it as I really haven't

[OwlinaTree]

Lost 25 lbs on weight watchers once and gyms classes 3 times a week. Got to a size 8 - 10.

Since then had a baby and have to start again.

[Anifrangapani]

Lost 2 stone. With a combination of diet and running. Some of it went back on but I am still running

[notsoyoniface]

Yes and the result was weight loss. A combination of calorie counting (mfp) and running (ct5k) to be precise.

This combination doesn't work for everyone, and I know that low carb and the 5:2 diet don't work for me.

Everyone is different. The way I see it is that everything in moderation, but that doesn't work for everyone.

[Belugagrad]

Ate nothing but fruit and veg and ran miles and
Miles- I was very skinny but suffered from lack of salt cramps and
Missed bread! I'm bit bigger now but more relaxed. Moderation!

[Lilypad34]

I started training last August 5 days a week, running, weights, boxercise and Zumba. I lost 10% body fat and lost inches, the weight was slowin coming off but I toned up more than I'd expected.

Seeing no lumps of back fat or wobbly belly really spurred me on to keep fit. I let go of wanting to 'lose weight' and decided on being fit and healthy instead. I now workout 3 times a week, never in the gym because I hate it! I found classes that I really enjoy and have stuck with it.

I learnt that for me if I eat well I get more out of my exercise and I feel better, my confidence has grown and I still enjoy food, I just make sure I only eat when I'm hungry and stop when I'm satisfied. I'm 21lbs down and it feels like I haven't tried.

Small goals are less overwhelming and before long you'll realise the habits you had suddenly don't hold much attraction anymore!

[bigkidsdidit]

I did marathon training and really made an effort with my diet - lots of good protein, fruit and veg etc. I lost 2 stone and looked AMAZING. I could not believe the difference. I could put on any old clothes and look good, I was toned and tanned from running. I was so fit too!

Four years and two pregnancies on I'm not so fit or toned but I've been looking at photos from that time and once this baby is out I'm going for it again (slowly) :)

[Wholetthedogin]

yes. Lost around 2 stone by exercise and went to see a nutritionist every 2 weeks but basically cut out rubbish and snacked on fruit.

Gave it up because I had reached my target weight and as it was costing a fortune.

I regained all the weight plus a bit more in a matter of months.

[roses2]

i agree with notsoyoniface. Used a program on my phone called myfitnesspal to track my calorie/fat/protein intake and ensured I wasn't overeating. I successfully maintain my ideal weight using this approach and its true, everything in moderation works well.

[Fisharefriendsnotfood]

I had dc3 6 months ago. I put on about 4 stone. All my babies were massive (10+ lbs) and I had a section this time. I'm at my thinnest since early twenties now . I did slimming world which has changed the way I eat forever, am never hungry.

However I found that the more weight I lost the baggier my tummy looked so I got a personal trainer and hit the gym. It's far from perfect but 8 weeks in the results are very dramatic and I'm really enjoying myself. I am not sporty in any way btw and everyone thought it was hilarious when they heard I had booked the P.T but I decided it was now or never and I didn't want to have to wear baggy shapeless clothes the rest of my life.

Go for it. Once you start you will feel so much better.

[SarahBumBarer]

I'm doing it now! For the first time ever combining the two - previously I've just tried quick fad diets and no exercise. Decided it was now or never and I really feel that in a way I never have before.

Oddly the exercise is coming easier than the diet (c25k plus shred) but I have a FABULOUS support network on that of like minded (post baby) ladies. Diet is harder but I am fitter than ever, size 14 (not great but less concerning than the lack of fitness) and I'm hoping the diet will go better over the summer. I am eating better - I think because I am exercising I am just that bit more conscious of what I am putting in my body.

[trinity0097]

I started eating better and last sept started swimming every morning before work and going to the gym 3-4 times a week. Since exercising I have lost no weight, but have gone from a size 26 to a size 18!

I never did any exercise, but now feel weird if I can't! Over Easter I had a ear infection and had to forgo the swimming, I really missed it, a year ago I never thought I would say that!

[SarahBumBarer]

x-posted with Fish - The now or never feeling we have in common. It is really something - much beyond what I have ever felt before in terms of committing to really doing it.

[specialsubject]

yep. Left the office and got a physical job.

easy!

[Nobhead]

Did it at aged 23 pre DS was 10 stone and a size 12 lost over 2 stone and down to a size 8...took 4 months. I went to the gym 3 times per week for an hour and half and ate a calorie controlled diet. It worked but I looked far too skinny.
Put weight back on after having DS 4 years ago up to 10 stone and stayed that way until March this year. I lost my baby at 19 weeks in Feb and I felt like I needed a focus so I chose to get fitter. I have been on a highish protein, low fat, lowish carb calorie controlled diet and I have been going the gym 3 times a week for an hour each time. I'm 9 stone now so lost a stone in 8 weeks... half a stone to go and I look much better and feel better too (although taken to smoking again).

[MamaBear17]

The only thing that has truly worked for me is stopping dieting. I know what foods are the right foods to eat. I know how much is too much. I also know that the odd bar of chocolate, daily packet of crisps and a glass or two of wine at the weekend isn't going to make me fat. The only 'rule' I follow is to eat only when I feel hungry and stop as soon as I start to feel full. If there is still food on my plate I leave it and go back to it later if I still feel hungry.

[ControlGeek]

Many many years ago I went hell for leather getting my fitness up to join the army. Ran two and a half miles in 12 minutes each morning, spent the lunch hour at the gym then another couple of hours at the gym or a longer run in the evening. I lost a lot of weight (though was slim to begin with) and all of my norkage, and ached constantly from the various drills I put myself through. I'd not say it improved my health in any amazing way, but I did enjoy the feel of my body's strength and flexibility.

Since then I've gone rather downhill, though last year lost 3 stone with WW, and this year have done the Shred to build up a bit of tone and get the last few pounds off. I think if you're going to dedicate yourself to it, do it in moderation and because you really want to so that you have an internal motivation to keep you going.

[CambridgeBlue]

I've lost around 4 stone and have a bit more to go - I've been doing WW combined with some exercise and it's taken me a while but I hope that means the weight's more likely to stay off.

The thing is though, I thought losing weight would make more difference to me than it has. Yes I feel better having my picture taken and yes shopping is MUCH easier and yes I like what I see in the mirror more than I used to. But it hasn't magically changed my life or solved all my problems. Life is much the same as it used to be, I'm just thinner!

I don't mean the above to sound pessimistic, just trying to be realistic.

[HotelTangoFoxtrotUniform]

Three and a half years ago I was suffering from depression (had narrowly avoided hospitalisation), was seeing a consultant regarding my high blood pressure and weighed nearly 12 1/2 stone. DH weighed nearly 16 1/2 stone.

We decided to do something about it. I learned to cook healthy, low calorie meals and we got on the exercise wagon. DH runs and I hit the gym and do a combination of weight training and spinning. Over six months we went down to 9 1/2 stone and 12 1/2 stone respectively. My depression lifted and I improved my BP so much that I came off the meds and was signed off by the consultant.

Body fat percentage for both of us is way down and we have far more energy and now take pleasure in doing active things - running half marathons together, cycling the length of the country, lots of skiing. Things we couldn't do when we were fat. DH actually managed 3 hours 12 minutes at marathon and qualified as good for age for London!

Over the last six months I fell off the training wagon, gained a stone and spiralled back down into the depression and my BP went sky high again. I've been good for three weeks now, training hard and eating sensibly (using MFP) and have lost half a stone and feel like me again. I need to train to keep the demons out, and I like being strong - I was able to squat my own body weight (3 sets of 10 reps). I want to be that strong again.

[thepig]

For all the different diets and fitness schemes out there, it all boils down to one thing. Calories.

Assuming for the sake of example that fitness/health is not important, then you'll lose the same weight essentially eating 2000c of chocolate a day as 2000c of cabbage a day.

Exercise often doesn't result in weight loss because it increases hunger. A long run is cancelled out by just a slightly bigger meal post run which you'll naturally crave and takes will power to resist.

Success is simply controlling cals in vs cals out. Nothing more, nothing less. That's the key.

[HotelTangoFoxtrotUniform]

Meant to also say mood and BP under control again now - without drugs.

Go for it. It's changed my life so much for the better (I wasn't functioning with the depression), though I may be a bit obsessive about getting my exercise in.

[Betrayedbutsurvived]

Lost three stone on weight watchers then decided to give up virtually all processed food, that was two and a half years ago, still weigh three stone less than before, bouncing with energy, all my aches and pains have vanished, irritable bowel gone, migraines gone, husbands high blood pressure down to normal levels, and best of all can honestly say that I dont miss the old rubbish I used to eat. Best thing we ever did!

[Winetime1981]

Oooh I'm really inspired by you all. I'm not overweight but I'd really love to feel healthier - and when I do manage exercise I so enjoy it. It's the cakey treats I'd miss. I know one a day is fine but I have two or three...I do enjoy healthy eating too but I lack motivation to stick to healthy eating, which is silly as it's easier to chomp on fruit than to open a pack of crisps...

[thepig]

Oh and in terms of making that work in RL, be strict and calorie count in the week with no treats or alcohol, then enjoy yourself at the wkd.

Creates a good balance that's sustainable long term, and it's actually more enjoyable than doing things to excess all the time.

[PoppyWearer]

I'm trying at the moment, hitting exercise hard after a couple of years off having DC2 and other health issues.

Also trying to do my WW diet again (did it last year) without going to weigh-ins.

I tried 5:2 for a short time but didn't see any radical results.

It's early days but I'm a bit despondent I haven't seen more weight come off yet. My legs look better but I was expecting my belly/love handles to have got a bit smaller by now.

[Winetime1981]

Hotel - that's really interesting! I too suffer from anxiety and depression and health issues (type one diabetes though which isn't caused by diet and lack of exercise but can certainly be helped by improving both).

Thanks for sharing your story! It's very impressive and I hope you get back to you very soon.