Best way to lose inches from tummy / bum / thighs

[Wenchelda]

I am a size 12-14 but definitely bigger on bottom half. I've just caught sight of my side/rear reflection in a shop window and wasn't happy about how big my bum looks I'm useless at dieting - can never stick to anything. Probably need to quit sugar as I have a very sweet tooth but don't know where to start with this. I don't really exercise, apart from running round after 2 young children. The only time I can guarantee to have free to exercise is after 8pm and I'm too exhausted by then. Come September my youngest will be at nursery every morning so hoping to get into a better exercise routine then, but I've got 2 weddings to attend this summer and would ideally like to lose some weight/inches before then.... Any advice on the best way to do is please?

[Vivacia]

You can't lose weight in specific places, you just have to lose weight. I'm a size 8 and am always going to carry extra fat on my thighs and bum, it's just the way I'm made.

How do you lose weight? Burn more calories than you consume. Exercise is a very unsuccessful way of doing this, you need to eat fewer calories. There's lots of different ways of doing this, as you'll know, so perhaps you just haven't found the right approach for you yet.

[Vivacia]

I thought of another way of losing inches - dehydration.

[netty7070]

You're built like me; I'm doing a gentle version of the 5:2 diet in order to lose a bit of excess bulkage. I'm also doing the 30 day squat challenge (again, gentle version!) to try and firm up my wobbly lower half.

[Lottapianos]

Sugar has been the way forward for me - or should I say, lack of sugar! I aim for no processed sugar Mon - Fri - so that's no cakes, biscuits, chocolate, alcohol, sauces, fizzy drinks, cereals (I eat no added sugar muesli) and no processed food like ready meals and packet sauces. I do eat quite a bit of fruit - 2 or 3 portions a day. I carry weight on my face and gut - both have completely changed shape since changing my diet. I'm no Jessica Ennis but I've gone from a size 14-16 to a 10-12. I have a very sweet tooth and still have choc, cake and alcohol in moderate amounts at weekends. I also started exercising regularly.

Losing weight is mostly about diet but exercise is still really important for keeping your metabolism up, boosting circulation, giving you more energy, making your skin glow, toning muscles and clearing your head. A brisk walk would be great, just aim to increase your time and pace steadily.

[Vivacia]

I really admire your control of your sweet tooth Lotta! I have a little portion of processed sugar every day, about 100 calories otherwise I am craving it. I bet you've beaten the craving now.

I also agree that exercise is good for you - good for your health. But it's diet for weight loss.

[Lottapianos]

'I bet you've beaten the craving now'

Nope! I will never be someone who can stand in the queue at Superdrug with my toothpaste and tampons and not want to buy all the Galaxy bars around me. I've just had two dark chocolate buttons this morning. I watched Nigel Slater making trifle on TV the other night and I could have climbed into the bowl and never been heard from ever again. I am no saint, believe me, but I do feel (and look) better for controlling the gluttony.

[Wenchelda]

Thanks. I think tackling the sugar would definitely help me but I don't seem to have any will power when it comes to chocolate / sweet things. How do you do it? I mean, if you're craving something sweet, what do you eat instead?

[Lottapianos]

If I get a sugar craving, I try to distract myself with a drink - water or herbal tea. It sounds pathetic but it usually works. I do try to focus on how much better I feel without sugar, and remind myself that I can enjoy the sugar I do have at weekends. But to be honest, if I'm desperately craving sugar, I sometimes just have it - life's too short and all that. I'm no saint! Its getting out of the sugar habits - glass of wine every evening, fizzy drink with lunch, chocolate in the afternoon etc - that makes the biggest difference.

[JaniceJoplin]

Losing weight is 80/20 diet and exercise. Forget about exercise most of the effort is in changing what you eat.

If you dramatically reduce sugar you will no longer crave it. It takes 2/3 days to get rid of cravings ime. A low carb diet is best for this. If you eat a lot of protein and some fat you will be full.

I think you need to really push it for a few days and crack it and then it will be easier once your sugar reliance is less.

[thecatsm0ther]

I'm eating low carb at the moment and have just about beat the sugar cravings. I also drink lots of water and have started walking for about 45 mins twice a day. Any idea when I can expect to stay losing weight and toning up? I've got an important get together next week and wanted to have a flatter stomach.

[Vivacia]

You can expect to lose weight when you have a calorie deficit. You can expect to tone up when you are lifting weights.
How many calories are you eating?

I think that cutting out fizzy pop and large meals will help you beat the bloat.

[Greenrememberedhills]

An options hot chocolate sachet stirred into a tub of fat free quark or Greek yoghurt is low cal and high protein.

[thecatsm0ther]

Not sure how many calories. Yesterday I had 2 scrambled eggs and 3 rashers of bacon for breakfast, chicken breast with salad and a tsp mayonnaise for lunch and homemade chilli con carne without the beans for dinner (no rice or anything else), drank 8 big glasses of water, 2 decaff black coffees no sugar. I walked for an hour in the morning, briskly, and then 35 mins in the evening briskly. I did 5 planks each side - only just started, need to build up!

[Vivacia]

I think it's very possible you are not at a calorie deficit there. To be sure you would start measuring and tracking your calories as accurately as possible.

[thecatsm0ther]

I've cut out all carbs though.

[Allisgood1]

A good way is to do a low carb-low sugar diet. Drink green tea. Exorcise. I use the 30 day ab challenge app and my stomach is flatter after a week. Also get the daily burn app, dig up for a trial subscription and do their 15 minute burn programme. Simple and very effective way to tone up and lose weight.

[ramonaquimby]

Hula hooping is actually good for losing weight around your waist.

[Vivacia]

I've cut out all carbs though

Calories come in the other food groups. If you're not losing weight then you are eating too many calories. It's as simple as that. The hard part, as you know, is finding a way of eating fewer calories that works for you.

ramon how does that work? I would try it if true, but all the reading I've done is that you can't spot lose fat.

[ramonaquimby]

Has sonething to do with toning that area with the repetitive movements. I bought one about 2 months ago and now do (or try to!) 2 20 sessions a day. Have def lost my love handles and my tummy is flatter.

[ramonaquimby]

Sorry 2 x 20 minutes

[GooodMythicalMorning]

Yes love hula hooping for this. Definitely helpful in toning.

[Vivacia]

Well burning calories helps you lose fat. Do you have a link about hula-hooping (or any form of exercise) leading to fat loss from specific areas of the body?

[GooodMythicalMorning]

Nope.

[ramonaquimby]

No links
I just enjoy it and like the results
Not too bothered about the science really

[GooodMythicalMorning]

Same.