To ask what diet plan has been successful for you?

[xCupidStuntx]

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!

BsshBossh you look bloody amazing! Well done.

I got a book which sort of changed my mind. It made me realise that it's not about dieting, it's changing your life and how you think about food. For the past two weeks I've 'dieted' and I'm loving it! I get to eat loads, but healthily and I'm never hungry and I feel so much better.

OP I could send you the book if you like? Its only a week old but I'm done with it. It's a good read. I don't follow the diet plan in it but got some good ideas.

Bsshbosh you look brilliant well done!!

Strumpletron that's so kind of you!! I'm sure I'd have no problem picking it up here though (I'm in Ireland) what's it called?

I lost loads of weight doing Rosemary Conley when I was in my twenties.

Then my SIL told me about Weight Watchers when I was trying to lose weight after having ds3.
I found that it worked. You add points, you subtract exercise points, you save points, it all worked.

Then I got fed up of constantly counting. None of the skinny people I know go around counting points or calories.

My SIL then told me about Slimming World because there was less counting. I bought the books and after reading them got fed up as there were still syns to count instead of points. And I realised that it was actually just like Rosemary Conley but more complicated.

So now I'm back on Rosemary Conley! You get a choice of healthy breakfasts, healthy lunches and healthy dinners. You don't count your exercise points, you just exercise. I limit alcohol to two nights a week and if I stray a little from time to time it's no big deal. I feel I can live like this with the odd transgression. You can join her website but I just buy her books for meal ideas as it works out cheaper.

It's called The Skinny Rules by Bob Harper. I'm in England NW, I can send it for free from work if you want it, no charge obvz :)

Slimming World and Couch to 5k. Dropped 3 stone last year. Still off.

I did slimming world and it did work, but although I lost weight I didn't feel good and it does tend to completely ignore portion control. Unlimited super noodles?! That's not healthy for anyone ha

Ive lost 5.5 stone in a year by cutting crap and portion sizes.

I low carbed for the first 5 months and cut out all bread, pasta, rice and potatoes, but was still eating a bowl of cereal in the mornings.

I lost 5 stone in 8 months with no exercise (I had restricted movement due to old injuries)- after 5 stone I started intense physio and tissue stripping, and a month ago I started swimming every day which has got rid of another half stone. I have 10lb to go to my target which I hope to be at by Christmas

Ive gone from a size 22/24 to a 10 and if I tone as I hope to (it seems to be working!) I hope to get into a size 8!

5:2 for me also. I lost 5 stones on WW ten years ago but even though it taught me about portion sizes I found the writing everything down I ate and drank ultimately time consuming and annoying so I put back on 2 stones which I've lost and a little more on 5:2. I'm now maintaining quite easily mainly because it fits my lifestyle so well. I think a mental shift about you think of food is required to maintain the weight loss which 5:2's provided for me on an unconscious level. I also read a lot of news stories on health which is also good for motivation, as is thinking about all the money I'd have to spend on replacing clothes again! Having a busy life also helps so there's less focus on food. Finding a type of exercise you enjoy is also important.

Wishing you lots of luck.

BsshBossh you look fantastic, well done!!!!!

Low carbing works but takes planning and is pretty restrictive. But it does work!

Hypnotherapy (hypnoband where you are hypnotised into believing you have had a gastric band). I got done with a hypnotherapist not the Paul McKenna book. I got it about 14 months ago and have maintained my weight all that time with no effort. It was amazing, honestly. I've tried so many different things but they only worked short term before this.

Oh strump I'm just reading about that book there, seems to combine everything really and the reviews on Amazon are great! I couldn't take it though as you'd surely need it for reference but I'll definitely order my own when my bank account is looking a bit healthier, thanks! How are you finding it?
I know what you mean about portion control and SW but my thinking is if I just use a smaller plate I can't go too mad.
I'm having second thoughts about physically joining now seen as so many of you have done amazingly on your own and for the €9 a week I could do an exercise class or something (plus I'll always have my 2 year old with me so I won't even get to enjoy the class as will have to leave if she gets antsy)
But then maybe I do need the structure of getting weighed and parting with money every week to keep me going!!

If you change your mind just PM me :)

I'm loving how much better I feel even though I've only been trying for two weeks. For example this morning:

Breakfast: 3+1 omelette (that's 3 eggs but only allowed one of the yellow bits) with loads of onion and peppers in. And a small bowl of porridge

Lunch: massive salad, just lettuce, onion chilli, kidney beans for protein (having the same but tuna tomorrow) and a small potato. No dressing just a bit of tobasco

Dinner: chicken stir fry, bean sprouts, spinach, all sorts of lovely veg.

Snacks: apple, small block of cheese and a ryvita

I'm so so full and only ate 1239 calories. I've probably ate more that I would usually, just the right stuff in right proportions.

5:2
I lost the excess stone I wanted last autumn and have been at or near my happy weight for nearly a year despite enjoying life to the full

I will continue with 5:2 for the rest of my life because its really easy and I like the way it makes me feel.

(pics on profile)

Strumpe that menu reads very healthy.

xCupid learning correct portion control is key for longterm success I think. I'm pretty self-disciplined and self-motivated but even I've found it a terrifichelp joining a few support threads in the weightloss (and as I'm now doing 5:2) the fasting sub-sections.

My understanding of SW is that you won't learn what a healthy portion size is. I found MyFitnessPal (and associated support threads here) very instructive. I also started reading packs and weighing out a correct serving size of eg pasta or cereal. You can Google correct serving sizes of different veg and meat and actually weigh it - I guarantee you will be shocked! I only needed to log/weigh for 10 months (you might need much less time). Now I am able to eyeball correct portions (and intermittent fasting has brought me back in touch with true physical hunger/satisfaction so ai use my stomach as a guide these days).

Anyway, do what's comfortable to you but definitely be aware that being able to eat unlimited amounts of certain foods on certain days will teach you nothing useful in the longterm ref. keeping weight off.

Personally I found dieting didn't work, was too restrictive and hard work to stick to. For my weight loss (3 stone in 6 months) it was more about a lifestyle change so making better choices about what to eat but not stopping myself having a little bit of what I fancy. I have also vastly increase my exercise and now I am able to run whereas before just a short walk was a problem.

Personally I found dieting didn't work, was too restrictive and hard work to stick to. For my weight loss (3 stone in 6 months) it was more about a lifestyle change so making better choices about what to eat but not stopping myself having a little bit of what I fancy. I have also vastly increase my exercise and now I am able to run whereas before just a short walk was a problem.

Paul McKenna

Low carb and 16:8.
From size 14/16 to 8/10, 27lb down.
No wheat, all carbs from veg, mostly spinach, rocket, watercress, kale, broccoli, cabbage, green beans. Bit of sweet potato, grated carrot. Mushrooms, courgettes, avocado, cherry tomatoes, bit of onion, grilled red pepper. Garlic. spices, herbs, Greek yogurt. Berries, almonds, walnuts, pine nuts, few slices of melon. Eggs, cheese, shrimp, fish, chicken, lamb, beef, pork. Lashings of butter and coconut oil, olive oil.

Glass of dry red or white, square of 70% dark choc when hormonal.

Honestly I love it: luxurious, decadent, and satisfying.
Also work out with Jillian Michaels DVDs and dance classes.

MN for support and info 24/7.
New clothes all from second hand karma closet.

My Fitness Pal and buying beautiful clothes often.

I've tried many. Slimming World as a lifestyle choice ( not just to Lise it but as a new way of eating ) has worked best long term. Involves quite a bit of cooking from scratch though. I take copious short cuts so you can find easy ways to cook too ;)

Lose not Lise

My hairdresser has gone from obese to a curvy size 14 since June. All she has done is walk on the treadmill for 30 mins every day and cut out carbs: no bread, pasta, rice, etc. That's it.

Dp and I are losing slowly and steadily on5:2. We find it super simple (althoughtough on some fast days). It's also given us a much clearer picture of how much we were overeating before. For me it wasn't unhealthy meals it was sugary snacks which I've completely cut out and feel alot better. Anyway,11 lb lost in5 weeks for me and 16 lbs in 6 weeks for Dp, even though she is limited with exercise due to back problems.