Tried and tested diets!

[Campervanlife4me]

Which diets have you done that have actually been successful. Tried and tested diets that work?

5:2 was very effective (7kg in 6 months which is all I needed to lose) but I put all the weight back on when I stopped doing it (holiday beers in Spain!) Some people successfully sustain the weight loss by fasting once a week.
I'm at the point where I have to change my lifestyle if I want to sustain a healthy weight long term. So I'm cutting bread, pasta and rice and avoiding added sugar, fruit juice etc. It takes a fair bit of planning and weekend meal prep bit it's got to be done!

I’ve just restarted doing weightwatchers. I did it years ago and did find it good. I like the changes they have made too.

Will see how it goes....!!

I eat from all the food groups and count calories. Step on the scale regularly to stay honest.

5:2
and never snacking
no calories (including from drinks) after dinner

Calorie counting and exercise at least 4 times a week.

Calorie counting whilst being brutally honest with weighing amounts.

Completely agree about the 5:2, so easy and the weight falls off very quickly, so motivation to keep going stays strong.
First three "fast" days need an iron will, then it mysteriously becomes easy, literally overnight.

Slow and steady calorie counting. Record every single thing using MyFitnessPal or similar. Aim for 1 pound a week or less weight loss. I can eat around 1250 calories a day and lose a pound a week. I feel too hungry and light-headed if I do super low calorie items.

Regular exercise helps too.

Diets not items

Calorie counting, IF, low carb, moderate fat & Protein. I definitely need the calorie counting aspect because if I’m not mindful about my portion sizes I yo-yo.

Back on it now and hope to lose 7lbs in July. A full 7lbs, not the same few on and off and on and off again

5:2 didn't make me lose weight, I just stayed the same although did slightly change body shape.

Low carbing however, I stuck to it religiously for a few months and the weight literally fell off. Never seen a diet like it 👍

@MrsJ I have been trying this since May but not much loss, despite upping my exercise massively. Any tips? I might have a couple of slices of toast on weekends but can't imagine that's what's preventing loss when the week days are healthy.

Eating less and moving more. Calorie deficit is all you need

Different things work best for different people. Just because Jane down the road lost 4 stone on a certain plan doesn't mean it will work for you.

What have you tried so far and what problems did you encounter?

I personally have never been on a diet before, that's why I'm asking now. I do love my sweet treats. I need to lose about a stone. I train 4 times a week but I think I need to do something with food. It just seems harder to drop weight off as I get older.

@PrisonBreak

Eating less and moving more. Calorie deficit is all you need

Exactly this. I’ve never been on a diet as I’ve always made sure I’m slim but as I’ve got older I’ve found I have to eat a lot less in order to maintain my figure.

So for me, it’s all about portion control but that does mean I never sent myself anything, I just don’t eat a lot of it. I would hate to not eat certain food groups.

Slimming World and 5:2

Various studies show different results but it's likely that over 95% of people regain the weight after dieting. A significant proportion gain extra weight on top of it. Dieting almost never works. Losing the weight isn't the battle. If you don't learn new habits and a better lifestyle, it will go back on. Decide how to maintain the weight you want and live that life.

Low(ish) carb in conjunction with calorie counting and running. It works. If I plateau for too long I have it all monitored with FitBit and either tweak the exercise or diet a bit. I monitor food intake, macros, total weight, fat percentage, exercise, sleep and general activity so there is a lot I can switch up and play around with. I enjoy it all. Like making up new meals to requirements, looking up nutritional info for places at which we can eat out, enjoy the freedom from not feeling the highs and lows of sugar surges, love the running and looking at stats and developing routes etc. It's all quite a hobby.

Ph@tt worked for me

Another vote for 5:2. It worked really well for me. Not least because it reduced my appetite, so I don't want to eat as much, even on non fasting days.

It's not really a diet, as you can just keep on doing it!

5:2 was my diet saviour. Lost a lot of weight and changed my general diet so much through doing it that I haven't gained it back in the years after. I don't fast anymore to maintain, though do make sure I keep to 2 lower calorie days a week and will throw in a few fasts if I have had some excess I mean you Christmas

Having a goal - like lose x pounds before a holiday or wedding etc helps with motivation. MyFitnessPal is a great calorie tracker. Don’t eat back your exercise calories though - I think they are very inflated!
Then I’m afraid it is calorie restriction. Nothing faddish. Just a well balanced meal three times a day. And once at goal not returning to old eating patterns.
I’ve started the 800 diet to try and give me a boost - the more you see the scale come down the more motivated you’ll feel. So far two eggs, 50g salmon, 6 cherry tomatoes for breakfast and tomato and basil soup with slice bread for lunch. 250 calories left to play with!

The best diet for me has been the 'no diet'. I have finally given up on diets and started to think about intuitive eating which I think is what people do that are slim and stay slim rather than yo-yo ing about on one diet to another. I just wish I had realised this years ago.

@Rathkelter Sorry, just seen this!

I was super strict when I first started and kept my carbs to fruit & veg only. I didn't have any pasta, rice, bread, cakes, biscuits, etc. not even a couple of crisps here and there! I did reduce my food portions too so rather than a decent sized bowl of spag bol, I'd have a small bowl of bolognese sauce with broccoli.

That plus 4-5 hard gym sessions a week (including weight lifting) and the weight fell off. However I think I may have turned into a bit of a bore with my food and that's never good to anyone!