Muffin Tops

[MuffinToptheMule]

I've just read this article on the BBC News website. I was aware that being overweight, (especially if you carry it around your middle) is very bad for your health but this has really brought it home to me.

I think I need to change my lifestyle, get rid of the muffin top and then I'll change my Mumsnet name.

Does anyone else want to join me?

i am growing a wine belly - def need to change it's awful

I snapped 2 weeks ago and was determined to lose 2 stone before summer so that I can look respectable in floaty summer clothes. Have now lost 10lbs in 2 weeks on India and Nerys's idiot proof diet.

Eek! I will join in! My problem is mostly wine - and croissants.

My problem is I'm very inactive and I like chocolate. The rest of my body is not too bad but my stomach is awful. It's just so massive.

Where do we start?

MarionCole I've not heard of India and Nerys's idiot proof diet before. Is it very limiting?

Def stop drinking (or cut back a lot). his makes a big difference. Portion size control and a lot more exercise.

Another big problem of mine is 'portion size'. I think I eat too much.

I don't drink much. One or two alcoholic drinks a week.

Portofino Will you really join in? I don't think I could do this by myself.

I've never had trouble losing weight after my other babies but this time round it's all sticking round my middle. The irony is I can get back in my size 10 jeans but it all just oozes out on top. I haven't yet read the article but I have heard before that weight round the middle is very unhealthy. Damn damn damn!

Did you all know that having a large bottom can mean that you have low cholesterol?

Hi everyone - can I join in?!

I'm going to my sister's wedding in five weeks, and need to lose at least a stone. Just started WeightWatchers again - for me it's the only thing that works - and have rejoined the gym. (But I'm supposed to be there now and am here instead )

I looked at the India & Nerys diet but it seems very Atkins-y, lots of protein and no carbs? I'm tempted because of the energy it says it gives you, but can't be arsed to get my head around a new diet. I know where I am with WW, it's dull but simple and effective and I know if I stick to it I'll lost 2-3 lbs a week.

To my shame, went out a bought 'fat jeans' last week - finally gave up thinking I'd get into the thin ones for a while yet. I do not want to wear the fat jeans for longer than a month!

It's basically a low carb diet. In Phase 1 (which I am going to stick to until I am within 1 stone of target weight) you cut out all carbs, so no bread, pasta, rice, sugar, milk, fruit, potatoes. At this stage it is quite limiting. I am generally having an egg based breakfast, cooked meat salad for lunch, then the same dinner as everyone else but without the potatoes/pasta/rice. You can snack on cheese, nuts, salami, olives etc. In Phase 2 you gradually start adding carbs back in, closely monitoring your weight every week until you reach the point where you are no longer losing weight. Then you know that's your limit.

So it is limiting, but my thought is that if I can lose 5 lbs per week then I don't have to put up with it for too long. God I'm missing cakes and biscuits though!

I am on a forum for people who are on the diet and one woman has just lost 11 lbs in 6 days

Oh oh me too. I also have a fondness for chocolate, but also wine. A while ago I had to get my head around the fact I was now a size 16, yesterday I tried on some trousers and I couldn't do them up. Enough is enough I don't want to be an 18. Most of my weight is around the middle, so I need to get rid.

I quite like Atkins, I think my Mum gave me the India & Nerys book so will go and have a look or get it from the library.

I've also recently downloaded a couch to 5k app on my i-phone. I'm no runner, but think this could be a good way to get me into it.

Exercise definitely helps too, I keep starting the couch to 5k but failing because I hate exercise.

scaryteacher, I must have zero cholesterol then

I'm low carbing to lose my muffin top, got four stone to lose and half a stone has gone already in three weeks.

I've just measured - my waist is 41 inches .

Actually really quite worried about this. I've gained a good 40 pounds in the past 2 years due to giving up drinking and yesterday I stopped smoking, so God only knows how much more weight I'll gain. I'm a size 20 now and feel so bloated and unfit.

Can't afford to do an Atkins type diet, but should have plenty of cash for fruit and veg what with giving up the ciggies. It's good that the weather is so nice, that always makes me want to eat salads rather than stodge.

Might get the Wii Fit out again. I enjoy that and DP and DS will probably join in with me.

Can I join??

I have a stone to loose, and it's all on my tummy! I'm getting married in a couple of months and want my flat tummy back for the honeymoon!

I have lost half a stone so far. This is what I'm doing:

Breakfast: Slice of burgen toast with butter glass of fresh orange juice.
Snack: Banana
Lunch: Oatcakes with cheese and pickle or bowl of Dorset Cereals with skimmed milk. Activia yogurt.
Tea: My downfall - I try to have a small portion of what I make for the family, but always eat too much.
I try not to eat anything after 7pm.

I need to try to cut out the bread/pasta/rice from my evening meal and cut down my portion size. I don't drink alcohol anyway, so I have a bit of a headstart!

I try to go for a jog 3x a week and I use the Wii Fit.

Someone on another thread recommended this website, it's really good!

That diet sounds rubbish to me because while initially you will lose the weight when you start to eat like a normal person again you will just put it back on again.

I think I need to go for a 'lifestyle change' not a diet.

Atkins/low carb doesn't have to be expensive reformedcharacter... lentils are cheap, eggs are cheap, lots of cheese. I usually cook a ham once a week or so which saves money and gives you cold meat, lots of chicken, lean meat. Lots of greens. Just no bread or potatoes. Not such a massive shift in diet really.

Breakfast is usually plain yoghurt with some nuts and chopped apple, lunch is usually a salad with some cold meat or ryvitas and ham, and dinner is usually some kind of meat with a ton of veg. I do allow myself some carbs in the evening sometimes, today we're having chilli con carne and I'm going to have a small bit of brown rice with it.

Good luck with giving up smoking, it's been 5 years since I had a fag and I've never regretted it, but it does play havoc with your weight if you're not careful!

My comment about the 'rubbish diet' was aimed at the 'idiot proof diet'.

MuffinTop - was about to get defensive of my 'homemade diet'!

I don't think there's such a thing as an idiot proof diet... like everyone says, it's a lifestyle change. Changing portion size. Keeping protein/meat to a portion no bigger than your fist, and half the plate should be vegetables.

I need to do something too - need to lose 50 pounds! That sounds so much worse than 3 1/2 stone. The weight is all round my middle (well apart from a little bit on my bum, thighs, arms... )

DD2 is 11 weeks old now and think I have put on weight since having her - I find I am eating much more than when I was at work.

I really want to get in shape before returning to work in the Autumn.

Does anyone have a really good link about portion sizes, e.g, the dry weight of rice,pasta, potatoes that an adult is supposed to eat? I've looked before but I've not found any really good ones.

HF - I have a big bum and the lowest cholesterol test my GP has ever seen. I did ask if it was actually my test as I eat far too much chocolate, butter and cheese.

I find cutting out spuds easy, but miss the pasta and rice.