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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask what diet plan has been successful for you?

125 replies

xCupidStuntx · 04/11/2013 09:38

Before you point me in the direction of the diet forum, hear me out. I'd really like some straight talking opinions here.
I've got quite a lot of weight to lose and I've become so muddled up over the years of all the different advice and view points, I'll start one diet on a Monday and change to another by Friday.

What weight loss plan have you found has been very successful for you or family/friends?

I see threads like why do people let themselves get so fat, God I really don't know how I let this happen!

OP posts:
ppeatfruit · 04/11/2013 17:02

fatlazy that's basically Paul Mckenna but with that because you eat only when you're hungry and you eat slowly and consciously' your stomach shrinks and you learn to listen to the full signals that your body gives; you don't WANT to eat and CAN'T eat a large amount of food hence the dessert plate.

It's fascinating because it shows how much we all overeat!

squoosh · 04/11/2013 17:05

I limited alcohol to Fridays and Saturdays only, cutting out alcohol completely seemed a bit too ott for me when I was being so careful with the food I was consuming..

StepAwayFromTheEcclesCakes · 04/11/2013 17:17

SW is basically just following the balance of good health plate which is how we all should be eating for optimal health. I actually ate more on it than off and lost 4 st. I put it back on because I have issues with food and emotions and until I sort this out nothing will work for me long term but it was great, no calorie counting no banned foods, sensible healthy eating and lots of it. treats allowed and its not a diet, its a healthy way of life. I can't be doing with all these faddy 'diets' they only work for so long and mess up your metabolism. combine sensible eating and drinking with some additional exercise and you won't go far wrong. the sw magazines are good for recipes and inspiration too. good luck.

fatlazymummy · 04/11/2013 17:17

ppeatfruit I definitely agree about overeating. I think many people just overestimate their portion sizes nowadays. We don't need as much food as we think we do. I used to eat until I felt bloated and ill, and now I no longer want to do that.
I've noticed the smaller plate thing comes up on a lot on weightloss threads.
I now dish my children's meals up on the smaller size dinner plates, and both of them are slim, even though they both have quite a few treats.

ppeatfruit · 04/11/2013 17:32

It's not even nowadays fatlazymummy though; the 3 course meal is traditional isn't it? one of the reasons why people find it difficult to follow paul mckenna. We have to change our habits ]grin]

The great thing about it as well is that he helps people with their emotional issues StepAway It could help you

Pennyacrossthehall · 04/11/2013 17:47
  • eat less (yes, yes, I know, bear with me . . .)
  • specifically, do not eat junk (no chocolate, biscuits, cakes, crisps etc etc)
  • eat BETTER: you can eat a MOUNTAIN of vegetables and they will still not add up to many calories
  • drink - sometimes you're thirsty, not hungry and even if that's not the case drinking might stop you snacking
  • drink less alcohol (see above re junk - high in calories, no actual nutritional value)
  • eat one thing, if you still think you're hungry wait 15 minutes and see if you really are . . . . .

Separately: exercising more is good for your fitness and tone. It won't actually contribute as much to losing weight as eating less calories, but it will make you feel and look better.

SugarHut · 04/11/2013 18:04

Slim pasta, mountains and mountains of slim pasta in tomato-ey based sauces.

OneUp · 04/11/2013 18:06

I did My Fitness Pal and Wii Fit for a while and lost about a stone and now I just make sure I walk every day and try to do a little bit of Just Dance every evening and the weight is still falling off even though I've gone back to eating normally.

OneUp · 04/11/2013 18:07

Oh and I've started measuring out my pasta and rice and realised I had been eating huge amounts of pasta and rice, waaaaay more than I needed to eat!

nosleeptillbedtime · 04/11/2013 18:08

I wasn't trying to diet but overcome really disordered sting, but as a side effect I did lose weight. I portion controlled by eating off a smaller plate, and didn't exclude anything from my diet as this just encourages guilt, failure and mentally unhealthy attitudes to food. I reckon portion control and a varied diet is th key. You have to keep whatever strategy you choose for life after all, and this approach is easy to keep up forever.

nosleeptillbedtime · 04/11/2013 18:09

Eating, not sting. Stupid iPad!

fatlazymummy · 04/11/2013 19:44

ppeat the 3 course meal has never been traditional in our house! I've hardly ever eaten 3 courses in my whole life. My Mum never ever made starters, in fact I never heard of them till I went in a berni inn when I was about 18.

Original poster
xCupidStuntx · 04/11/2013 19:46

Aw I seriously appreciate every single reply thanks so much!!

Right, I've gone out and gotten a big healthy shop, I'm reading the Beck diet solution to help sort out my mind and help keep me on track and I'm joining slimming world in the morning!
I chose slimming world because it's at a handy time and location and I like the whole idea of no (well not much) point counting, as I've been known to use a large number of my points on rubbish!
I've seen the men who made us thin and I found it a harrowing watch, it made me feel there's no hope for me but I can't fail until I stop trying. I don't particularly like the idea of lining these companies pockets with money but as sad as it sounds I think having someone weigh me (and hopefully be blown away by my success Wink) will really help!

I really really hope this is "it", the beginning of a whole lifestyle change for me. To be completely honest, I would only really have fitness level for brisk walking and aqua aerobics which I'm looking forward to (I love walking in this cold crisp weather)

Thanks everyone I had zero motivation this morning before all your replies!!

OP posts:
specialsubject · 04/11/2013 19:49

it is eat fewer calories than you burn off. All the silly diets are trying to make money out of this simple concept. Dieting doesn't work, so people repeat diets, and more money is made.

you do need to balance what you eat for the right nutrients, but if you can't tolerate lots of fibre you adjust that.

good luck.

Bosgrove · 04/11/2013 20:06

Slimming World is working for me 6 1/2 stone off and counting. But (and it's a big but) it is only working for me because I started with the attitude to lose weight, one of my friends joined with me and it isn't working for her as she cheats a lot on it.

Tiredemma · 04/11/2013 20:10

5.2

with exercise on my non-fast days

ChrisTheSheep · 04/11/2013 20:18

I had to do a strict low GI diet three years ago, and it was scarily effective. I was pregnant at the time, though (diet was GD-related), which might have contributed to the fact that I lost weight hand over fist: I guess DS was taking everything he could and leaving nothing for me.

It worked well in that I didn't feel hungry, and I lost an immense amunt of weight. It was really tough in that you basically had to give up all fruit and most vegetables, as well as "obvious" carbs: I ended up feeling pretty unhealthy. I think a more moderate version of this (no refined carbs/processed foods, easy on the sugary fruits, plenty of greens, protein and wholegrains) is actually a pretty nice way to eat, but I'm not sure how well it would work for hardcore weightloss.

Overall, I agree with the people saying "cut out the crap" and processed food, and I'm a firm believer in sugar being far worse for you than (healthy, i.e. non-trans etc) fat.

ChrisTheSheep · 04/11/2013 20:21

Oh, and more exercise!

BsshBossh · 04/11/2013 20:21

Good luck xCupid. I know you've chosen Slimming World now but my big tip would be: stick with it and be patient. Some weeks you'll lose a lot (especially at the beginning) but then other weeks you'll lose very little, even nothing. You just have to not give up.

FWIW, I've lost 5.5 stones in 1.5 years first doing good old-fashioned calorie counting (but I ate much more - 1800 cals - than MyFitnessPal advised me - 1200 cals - as I didn't want to starve and feel too deprived) then when I got bored of counting calories I switched to 5:2. My BMI was 36 and today it's 22. Whoop! I plateaued once for 4 months but I didn't give up.

foreverondiet · 04/11/2013 20:29

Lower carb. I don't mean carb free ketogenic. But no grain and not much fruit or starchy veg. Don't like limiting other veg Smile. So breakfast eggs lunch salad with fish and olive oil. Pm snack of fruit and maybe Greek yoghurt. Dinner of meat and veg.

Original poster
xCupidStuntx · 04/11/2013 20:31

Thanks bssh, see that's my problem I always give up and go researching the next big thing Hmm then end up doing nothing and end up bigger than ever!
I so admire the likes of you who plugs away at it and it's always people like that who seem to have long term success.
I just need the safety net at the moment of someone weighing me, following a particular plan because I just don't trust myself to be left to my own devices just yet! What would be your main tips for staying focused, daily, weekly when the newness and excitement has gone?

So many great success stories, I'm inspired!!

OP posts:
BsshBossh · 04/11/2013 20:36

It's a mental thing really. I stay motivated a) because the "diet" isn't hard and I don't feel deprived at all and b) I like the way I look as I lose the weight - that definitely keeps me going. I've been doing this for 1.5 years (I never bother much with dieting beforehand) and I haven't faltered much at all. My before and after pic is in my profile (under photos).

Doobiedoobedoobie · 04/11/2013 20:37

For me, weight loss wise it's low carb all the way. I've lost a lot of weight over the years by low carbing (I'm 5ft 10 and my weight sits at around 11st ish but gained and lost a lot of weight with both my pregnancies).

Long term 'way of eating' wise I do primal eating pretty strictly. Occasionally I cheat (always with sugar... Don't miss grains at all but sugar... Mmmmm) but if I put a few pounds on I lose them again pretty quick by low carbing for a few days. Otherwise I don't restrict sweet potatoes/ carrots/ rice etc, though do ration my fruit intake as I find it feeds on my sweet tooth. I like not worrying about how much I can eat etc. am convicted calories in/ calories out is a load of bollocks, I can eat thousands of calories in butter/ cream/ meat/ cheese/ nuts etc and lose or not gain weight but if I was to eat a couple of 100g bags of haribo and nothing else in a day I'd still gain weight Confused

fatlazymummy · 04/11/2013 20:41

Great job BsshBossh , you look great. Well done.

Tinymrscollings · 04/11/2013 20:59

What Pacific said. Smaller portions, proper whole foods and a bit of delayed gratification. I don't believe anything but moderation and good sense works long term.