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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask if there actually is an easy way to lose weight?

76 replies

StandAndBeCounted · 08/11/2016 12:34

I've had 4 babies, the last one is 6 months old. Before kids I was a size 8, now I'm a very wobbly 12-14.

Trouble is. I just really bloody love food. It's amazing.

I would love to get my figure back, but every morning I vow to be good and every lunch time I'm like 'Fffooooooodddd!'

Help me Mumsnetters

OP posts:
LittleWingSoul · 08/11/2016 23:23

5:2? Worked for me both times post baby and had similar stats to you... 12/14 back down to a 6/8

MsAwesomeDragon · 08/11/2016 23:26

I've been using a hypnosis weight loss app. I've been listening every night since the start of august and have lost nearly 2 stone. It's not super fast, but it is super easy, I am barely even noticing that I'm eating differently. There are loads of them around, the one I'm using is called the easy loss virtual gastric band, and it costs about£5 (1 week at slimming world, which I have tried many times). I'm feeling the most relaxed about food that I've ever been, usually I'm either "dieting" or binging.

thisismadness77 · 08/11/2016 23:26

I've lost 3 stone since April on SW. :)

LiveLifeWithPassion · 08/11/2016 23:30

I think this is the only time when doing something (ie eating) is easier than not doing it (ie not eating)
When else is it easier to do something? I just don't get why it's so difficult. But it is Sad

lolalament · 08/11/2016 23:43

Easyloss hypnosis app. Costs £4.99, and is brilliant. I've lost about 6 inches so far from my waist and haven't felt like I'm on a diet. I can eat what I want but i just eat less

MummyToOneGirl · 08/11/2016 23:46

I could have written every word you've said op (although I just have one child and I'm more like size 16-18). I totally get where you're coming from. I want to be a size 10-12 and every week I vow to start my diet on a Monday but by midday I crack and reach for the crisps.

blowmybarnacles · 08/11/2016 23:49

Yep, the virtual gastric band worked for me, I didn't even notice I was dieting!

MissSmiley · 09/11/2016 00:04

Dietdoctor.com
Low carb high fat. I'm a stone down after having been stuck for ages. I'm not hungry and have so much energy. Not really a diet though more of a lifestyle change.

JellyBelli · 09/11/2016 00:09

The only times I've lost weight easily have been when I was too ill to eat or breastfeeding.
I'm not a big eater but you wouldnt know it if you knew my weight. Its all around my stomach. My GP is going to send me for a scan and I'm actually hoping its a huge fluid filled cyst, because I cant eat any fewer calories each day.

JustGettingStarted · 09/11/2016 00:24

Cutting out added sugar/sweets, prioritising protein over carbs (sort of avoiding but not actually banning bread, pasta, potatoes) and not drinking alcohol works for me.

Especially not drinking alcohol. I lost half a stone in ten days not drinking alcohol. But I drank too much.

DeleteOrDecay · 09/11/2016 00:32

It's not easy and I agree you need to be in the right state of mind.

I have been using the my fitness pal app. I lost half a stone in a month using this and it has worked really well for me. It gave me a sense of control, I haven't felt deprived but it's also made me aware of portion sizes and how many calories are in certain foods.

I've not lost anything for the past 2 weeks because my head hasn't been in the right place and I've not been as committed as I should have been, but i'm back on it this week I'm hoping to see a loss come Friday morning.

sailawaywithme · 09/11/2016 00:47

I've started using the Paul McKenna hypnotherapy cd in his "I Can Make You Thin"book. Already I am
Noticing that my calorie consumption and volume of food has diminished. I only eat when I'm hungry and stop when I'm no longer hungry. It's taken me 20 years of dieting to be able to do this! Simple but not easy.

LightDrizzle · 09/11/2016 01:07

5:2 works for me. Like you, I love food, and on the 5:2 I'm never more than 24 hours away from being able to eat what I want. Having said which, I think having only 500 calories in 24 hours gets me off the sugar treadmill so I crave sweet things less and I also seem to feel fuller quicker, so on non-fast days I don't go mad. You sort of get in the groove.

I get through fast days by keeping busy and drinking plenty of water. M&S do some very low calorie ready meals for when I can't be arsed, but I did find I got sick of them, I'm now into having one of their nice small salads for my main meal, but I've also had things like a single mackerel fillet on a small slice of toast with horseradish. I usually have a banana or skinny latte around mid-morning and then the rest of my calories at an early "dinner".

It will be harder having young children around as you will presumably often have to be prepping their food,

Don't have your go-to snacks or comfort foods in the house, if you have a partner try and times fast days for days they are out for lunch or dinner so they can go without wafting a delicious fragrant hot meal at home. If they are around, have them prep and eat dinner with the children.

I "treat" myself on fast days with fancy black teas like China Rose Petal or Jasmine if I'm feeling deprived.

Honestly, I don't find it too bad and haven't had to treat myself to fancy teas for months.

TheClaws · 09/11/2016 01:59

Have smaller portions. Eat what you like (within reason!) - just not loads of it. If I fancy a chocolate, I have a snack-size one, and I really savour it. I can't eat a full-size chocolate bar now as it'd upset my tummy.

So - smaller amounts (on smaller plates), and really take your time with your food. You'll find out you're full much earlier than you normally would. Chew each mouthful slowly. I'm the slowest eater on the planet. But I've also managed to lose a significant amount of weight this way and keep it off for 12 years, so I think it works. I don't exercise either.

Good luck Smile

liviadrusilla · 09/11/2016 08:00

Is cheese a processed food? Brie, cheddar (babybels)...?

SleepFreeZone · 09/11/2016 08:06

Small portions have helped me lose over a stone.

YoScienceBitch · 09/11/2016 17:42

YEs cheese is processed ...

Basically imagine you're a caveman. What would you eat? You wouldn't hunt a wild cheese. (Although that would be awesome)

Momzilla82 · 09/11/2016 17:45

Lost 4.5 stone over 3 years, combination of running 3 times a week and for the last year veganism. Seems to suit my body type. There are no quick fixes, anyone who claims there are is selling a plan or powder or other such.

babyblabber · 09/11/2016 17:46

Place marking so I can read later.

Although I already know the answer!

JamieVardysParty · 09/11/2016 18:30

Work out how many calories your body burns per day existing (your BMR). Then either reduce this calorie number by 500 per day or by 250 and increasing your exercise to burn 250.

It is very very easy to underestimate calories eaten and overestimate calories burned. This is why you need to check labels, use weighing scales and some sort of calorie-counting app.

Include the liquids that you drink as calories this way can quickly add up.

It is actually pretty easy to lose and keep off weight, it is just something you do have to think about & work at. There is no easy, magic solution.

Crunchymum · 09/11/2016 18:47

Successfully lost 3st in 2006 and managed to maintain it for the most part... was 8st 7lb at my booking appointment (size 8) and I am now 12st 5lb.

I just cannot find the right headspace.

I know I can do it as I've done it before (I am also an ex smoker - 5 years) so I know I can make bog life style changes.

Am considering therapy to be honest as it's been 22m since I had DC2 and I am heavier now than the say after I delivered her!!!!

I just haven't been able to get into the right mental state.

Crunchymum · 09/11/2016 18:47
  • big lifestyle changes
bikerlou · 09/11/2016 18:49

I lost a ton of weight on the Exante diet - it's cheap lighter life, around £85 a month if you get a bumper pack. I only get bars and shakes as the meals are horrible.
Once you are over the first week which is horrible you stop feeling hungry but you absolutely must not cheat or it doesn't work.

RunRabbitRunRabbit · 09/11/2016 19:04

Yy to self-hypnosis for a boost.

Maybe stop thinking about a whole day being good or bad foodwise. You make several food and exercise choices every day. Take each on its own. A day means nothing.

When deciding whether to eat something, imagine what you will feel like AFTER eating it. Imagine in as much detail as possible the feeling in both your body and mind.

If you think you will feel good afterwards, go for it, even if it is a packet of biscuits. If you think you will feel bad afterwards, don't eat it, even if it is a salad. You will probably find the choice comes easily with little self control needed, when you've imagined the future you after you've eaten it.

This method also works nicely with exercise choices.

YelloDraw · 09/11/2016 19:06

My friend was a bit fat, like size 16. Not going up, just couldn't shit it. Went on holiday - got v sick - was sick for like, over a month.

Lost ALL her wight. Never put it back on. Says it was the best thing that every happened to her ;-)