weight loss recommendations please

[indianqueens69]

I need to lose about 5 stone. I am looking for recommendations for diet and exercise plans. I already belong to a gym/swimming pool but my increased exercise has not resulted in weight loss. think my appetite has increased.
any recommendations appreciated. Thank you.

[gailforce1]

I was thinking of starting a similar thread indianqueen. How to decide which diet to follow.. I am at a loss to know which one to try. So following this with interest.

[BIWI]

Yep - more exercise = more hunger = more food consumed = little or no weight loss!

[BIWI]

Weight loss is, apparently 80% diet and 20% exercise, so your best bet is to decide what kind of weight loss plan you want to follow

[eckythumpenallthat]

Www.thekitchenshed.co.uk

Is a FAB resource for clean eating and there's weekly eating plans for 4 weeks and you get to eat a good 5 times a day so never hungry.

Diet plays the biggest part, your exercise will help and strength training over cardio every time

[BIWI]

If you need to lose a lot of weight, then it makes absolutely no sense to start a diet that you aren't prepared to commit to in the longer term. You're looking for something that will fit in with your lifestyle as much as possible, and one that you are prepared to follow once you reach your goal weight - in other words, you're looking for the kind of diet that you can see yourself eating from here on in.

Maintenance is actually harder than losing weight (although I know it doesn't feel like that when you have a lot of weight to lose).

[serengelly]

Herbalife works for me, then healthy conscious low carb eating when happy with weight. No fuss, no bother, 2 shakes, 2 snacks and a high protein meal.

[Iwantobreakfree]

The only diet I've been able to stick to for any length of time is calorie counting,lost 4st about 6 times.

Never been able to maintain as yet and am currently at my largest,started again today

[indianqueens69]

Thank you. I have been calorie counting today and it was been fine. I did Rosemary conley in the past and lost a couple of stones but yes it is having the willpower to maintain it as I put it back on. I think rosemary conley has gone now though.
off to aqua but must get back to gym too.

[gailforce1]

I have found Rosemary Conley on line if that is any help indianqueen.

[BIWI]

The only diet I've been able to stick to for any length of time is calorie counting,lost 4st about 6 times

Which, surely, is confirmation that calorie counting doesn't work?!

Or rather, it works while you're doing it, but when you stop, and go back to 'normal' eating, you pile the weight straight back on!

[wolfie100]

Have a look at the Alizonne/Alevere thread - there's lots of inspiring stories there including mine! Have lost 5 and a half stone since February and I absolutely love this diet. It's expensive but so well worth it in my book. It's the only thing that I have managed to stick to and I really believe I will keep the weight off. Only time will tell.

[calzone]

BIWI..... Surely that is the same with all eating plans.
As soon as you stop, the weight goes back on?

[wolfie100]

I understand your scepticism! I am scared about this too but there is one to one lifetime maintenance support with this diet. I know 3 people who have finished this diet more than 18m ago and have kept the weight off but also two people who have put the weight back on.

[MissSmiley]

You need to see "That Sugar film"
Watched it tonight. Very very good. You won't touch the white stuff again after seeing that.

[BIWI]

Yes, calzone - which is why 'diets' are generally not a good thing. It's about finding a way of eating which you can sustain in the long term.

[Princessdeb]

Dear OP,
Stay away from diets or eating plans that you couldn't stick to long term or that don't help you to make healthier choices overall. If you want long term success you need something that works for your lifestyle and priorities. I would recommend Slimming world as it has worked for me (lost 7 stone in just under a year). I feel it has helped me understand how to make better food choices and the psychological support from attending a group really helps me. For me personally any diet that is too restrictive, expensive or only tells me what I can't eat or bans things like chocolate (in moderation obviously!) is simply not one that would work for me. Think about your lifestyle, your priorities and your preferences and then look for an eating plan that suits those. You are then more likely to have long term success than something offering a quick fix. Good luck x

[calzone]

Sorry BIWI. I see what you mean.


I would highly recommend SW. Easy to stick to, easy food, tasty.

I have lost 2.5 stone and feel so much better.

[BIWI]

Exactly, calzone! The problem with calorie counting is that mostly people cut back to a level of calories that they just can't realistically sustain. (Plus the fact that whenever you cut your calories significantly your metabolism drops to counteract it - but doesn't rise at the same rate when you go back to a higher calorie diet)

[simplydivine05]

Calorie counting has worked twice for me. Once after having ds1 and then after having an accident and comfort eating/not moving for 14 months. I have managed to maintain on my own after stopping as it has taught me about what foods contain what and good portion control. Each time I had 4 stone to lose.

[BIWI]

But my point still remains valid! After you stopped calorie counting, you put weight back on. Ergo you can only maintain if you keep eating the low level of calories that you follow 'on a diet'!

If calorie counting worked, you'd only have to do it once.

[simplydivine05]

I put weight back on because I was suddenly put into a situation that forced me to stop exercising and I turned to food as comfort because I was depressed at being stuck in a wheelchair. Prior to that I didn't gain any weight and I didn't calorie count.

[MadFatRunner]

there isn't really a ratio of diet to exercise that is the Magic Key to weight loss, it's just that most people find it easiest to create the calorie deficit by a combination of restricting their intake (eg calorie counting, cutting out food groups, eating very little on two days of the week) and increasing their activity. You could do it 100% through exercise if you had the time, energy and inclination but it's even easier to overestimate expenditure than it is to underestimate intake.

I think you could do much worse than calculate your current TDEE and eat to that for 4-6 weeks to see if your weight changes. If it seems accurate then reduce by 5% and if that's ok, reduce a bit more.

[MadFatRunner]

TDEE calculator

you'd need to keep a food diary for a while and weigh your portion sizes, measure drinks etc to begin with, not that it's a very exact science

[Pipan127]

Haven't been on here for a few days and have really got a buzz reading all of the posts. I have discovered Tesco's cauliflower cous cous too. I think it tricks me into thinking I have a normal meal when it's on the plate with an omelette and curried veggies. Happy girl then! I wish I had discovered this programme ages ago. It's amazing! When you have 7 stone to lose, ordinary diets seem so slow so I fall off the wagon after a few months. I have lost 2 stone 2 lbs after 6 weeks so am very excited. I don't think I have weighed this for over 6 years. Big glimmers of hope are appearing! I have been inspired to try the mashed potato after reading about it here. Don't get weighed again until 4th Sep but the last time I had a two week wait due to work rota, I had lost 8 lbs!!! Feeling hopeful. Another great thing about this diet is that you get down into the next stone bracket quite quickly and that's a real motivator. I can understand all the worries about potential weight gain after but I feel that has cost sooo much money and broken lots of dreadful habits that I will be happy to work hard to maintain. It will be like being given 'a second chance'. Bit wet? Aw well sorry but it is very emotional isn't it?