To ask how you lost weight and kept it off

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I go round and round and round and round in circles. Then round and round and round some more.

I know the science. Eat less, move more.

I’m lazy. I have little time to do a workout. I love junk food. I am my own worst enemy.

I know where I go wrong. I know my excuses too...

I’m wondering what worked for YOU.

Just clean eating? Slimming world or weight watchers? Going vegan?

I've kept it off for six months so far - does that count?
Also low carbs, low sugar and more exercise. No slimming world or weight watchers. No calorie counting or mfp. I keep it simple and don't sweat the small stuff as it were. And I'm a lot more relaxed now than when I was actively dieting. I just know now not to reach for the crisps and the cakes as routine.

Sometimes I feel a bit miserable having to watch what I eat but it doesn’t compare to the being miserable from being fat. They are both hard, but I’ve chosen my hard.

Chosen my hard is a realistic view of choice.

Today I haven't eaten at all because I'm not hungry. Have had lots of tea (milk, no sugar), but I'd do that anyway.

I'm going to the shop in a bit and I expect to be hungry after that and have a salad.

So, for me, it's just matching up activity to calories. If I'm not hungry, I don't eat. It works this week because dh is away and dc are practising their cooking. I hadn't realised before how much pressure there is to eat at the conventional meal times, as a pp pointed out.
Hard to do though if you're cooking for a family.

I have to eat. My underactive thyroid needs the calories.

Boredom can lead to overeating and snacking so keeping active/busy helps.
Accepting you need to let go of your old diet and habits for good, not just until you lose weight. Train yourself to stop thinking about what you miss and focus on what you are gaining, instead of weight!

I have never really tried to calorie count, I find that if I cut out sugars and processed foods I seem to be automatically consuming fewer calories and so I lose weight.

Low fat high protein diet. Pretty much porridge with banana for bfast, heinz sugar free beans and rye crackers for lunch, and a sensible dinner. No dairy, red meat, eggs, oil, fried food. Stevia sweetener. Less booze. I pay monthly to swim so go 3x a week for 20 mins otherwise I would be losing money. I still have a major sweet tooth so indulge on fat free sweets.

I've lost 8 stone over a year and kept it off. IBS has lessened. It costs me a fortune in fruit and veg but worth it. I recognise I am not getting enough "good fats" but am working on it.

Cut out breakfast. I keep going till lunch then eat normal healthy meals till bedtime.
No booze unless special occasions/nights out.
Two amazing dance classes a week which I stick too cos I love.

Eating the same food as usual, just less of it. I got myself used to smaller portions, just a few chips instead of a whole plate full, a fun size bar of chocolate instead of a big one and so on.

Twice a month I have a day off where I can have anything I want, so if I'm craving something excessive I save it for then, and it's better when you've looked forward to it - you savour it much more.

Tracking calories is a good way to learn proper portion sizes and something like myfitnesspal is a handy tool to keep it simple.

Cut out breakfast

Sorry but that's terrible advice for most people.
You are more likely to make bad choices come lunchtime if you miss breakfast. You are also more likely to snack, have low energy and lack concentration. It's best to start with a good breakfast and have smaller meals later on.

I've lost 2st7lbs through calorie counting, eating items with less than 3g saturated fat only & low sugar.

I have 1500 calories a day for 7 days in a fortnight & approx 1600 on my 7 in work days a fortnight.

I was failing in my diet just around Xmas as I got too hungry at work so I allow more calories for work days.
I have a physical job where I'm on my feet all day anyway.

I do enjoy eating out but it's difficult to count the calories of a restaurant meal so I allow 500 calories for that even though it's not accurate & 1000 cals for the rest of the day.. that way I still feel in control.

I can't drink alcohol so don't have those empty calories.

I find that calorie counting also looking at saturated fat & sugar content really makes me think about the nutritional value of food & makes me want to eat healthily.

If I have fried or fatty food I actually feel quite ill now as I'm not used to it!

I've got 1st8lbs to go to my target weight by 30th June (my holiday).

Btw calorie counting is not a quick way to lose weight but it does seem to keep the weight off now.

I go to the gym approx twice a week to get fit & tone up but want to go more.

I accept that due to a high metabolism & extreme tiredness both caused by the medication I have to take, I will probably have to always 'watch my weight'.

Slimming world.

It’s not a diet. Just healthy eating.

But for someone who had so long without any healthy eating it’s presented in quite a fool proof way and yet you’re not hungry or going without things you really like.

Also I saw a quote today which is a bit harshly worded but so true.

Being fat is hard.

Losing weight is hard.

Pick your hard.

You are more likely to make bad choices come lunchtime if you miss breakfast. You are also more likely to snack, have low energy and lack concentration. It's best to start with a good breakfast and have smaller meals later on

Totally disagree with you, if I eat breakfast I get more hungry and am more likely to snack and eat more and not concentrate because I'm hungry. A breakfast just makes me eat more throughout the day.

And I'm not the only one, there was a thread in it recently where many many folks had the same situation. The old "you need breakfast"is just outdated crap for adults.

Being fat is hard. Losing weight is hard. Pick your hard

Shades of grey, but being fat for me is harder. And losing weight is a short term hard with an end date against it. At some point you need to stop losing weight as you've reached your goal.. Being fat is hard forever.

Don't eat out, don't snack, don't have takeaways, and don't eat cakes, sweets, biscuits and crisps.

Eat a breakfast that's not sugary. Eat a big salad or veg based lunch with protein not carbs. Bread is quite calorific. Have a small evening meal.
If you are hungry mid morning, eat an apple or something.

Exercise can just happen when you're not thinking about it. Walk instead of taking the car. Use the stairs instead of the lift or escalator etc.

I don't think that switching to low fat milk and having no sugar makes much difference unless you drink a lot of tea or coffee, but avoiding flavoured coffees an lattes and hot chocolate will help.
Soft drinks even if sugar free are not good. Have water instead.

Organisation is key. If you don’t plan ahead you’ll go for convinience.
On a Saturday morning before I go food shopping I write down everything I have on in the week, shifts at work, socialising etc...
I then plan every meal accordingly, breakfast, lunch and dinner. I write a shopping list and include healthy snacks like yogurts, fruit, rice cakes etc.
I don’t buy anything in the shop that I know I shouldn’t eat, if it’s not in the house I can’t eat it.
When I make my dinner I make an extra portion and that will be tomorrow’s lunch, this saves time in the kitchen.
I also started running, I could not even run for a bus when I started but have since done half marathons.
I started this 3 years ago and have lost 3 stone and kept it off.
Yes I treat myself, I go out for dinner usually once a week and if a friend offers me a treat with a cup of tea I’ll have it. I think the key is thinking about what you put in your mouth before you do it.
In all honestly though, yes losing weight and keeping it off has made me look better and feel healthier but the difference in my personality is the biggest change. Running has helped massively with anxiety and my confidence has improved massively.
Everyone has time to exercise. A 20 minute run is nothing out of your day and will make you feel so much better!
Good luck! And remember it isn’t a diet it’s a lifestyle x

The old "you need breakfast"is just outdated crap for adults

Ask doctors....ask nutritionists. If you eat sugary breakfasts...then yes,..you will crave more and snack more. If you have protein...you won't. Try eating egg, bacon beans...You won't be hungry even at lunchtime...and no, it's not unhealthy.

I didn't say it was unhealthy I said it was outdated crap you needed to eat a good breakfast, you don't.

Ask doctors....ask nutritionists

I think we know that doctors and nutritionists are not necessarily of one mind!

... and doctors (if we're talking about GPs) have next to no training about food or nutrition anyway!

A decent breakfast sets you up for the day. Sugary cereal and low fat milk sets you up for mid-morning hunger.
“Eat Breakfast Like a King, Lunch Like a Prince, and Dinner Like a Pauper” works for me.

Breakfast is a Dangerous Meal this is worth a read.

Nope a decent breakfast doesn't set me up for the day.

Since I started low car bing I have no hunger til about 11 am. If I were to eat breakfast I would be making myself eat when I'm not hungry. That's a dumb thing to do.