Which diet?? Never been on one before

[lisad123]

I have never been on a diet before but time has come me thinks.
I need to lose about 2.5 stones and would like to be able to maintain that weight lose.
I have 2 children and am a very busy sahm due to charity work and both dds having SN. I eat out about once a month, but not always and I cook every evening meal for the family as we all eat together when dh gets home.
I would rather not be eating completely separate meals to the family but dont mind making changes.
I exercise a fair amount, including walking, badminton and swimming.
So what would you ladies suggest? I'm not planning on starting till after Xmas.
Tia

I would suggest slimming world as it has unlimited amounts of healthy food, measured amounts of healthy foods that have a high calorie content such as milk, cheese and bread and very limited amounts of high fat/calorie foods such as biscuits etc.
It really suits people who cook from scratch and it works very well to serve a family because you are not limiting portions etc.
I lost 2 1/2 stone in about 6/7 months and didn't find it difficult.

Have a look at the paul mckenna thread here because i have lost 2 and half stone on it and am maintaining.(the only eating plan that I know of that does this) It re educates your mental and physical attitude to food and there are no forbidden foods at all or cal. counting etc.

Low carb diets can work quite well in your situation. I eat the same meals as everyone else but replace the carb element with vegetables.

Rice, cous cous - grated cauliflower
Mashed potatoes - pureed cauliflower, mashed celeriac
Roast potatoes, chips - roasted celeriac
Noodles, pasta - konnyaku noodles, courgette strips

A low carb diet will work especially well if you carry most of your excess weight around your stomach because that pattern of fat storage is caused by high levels of insulin which is caused by eating too many carbs.

Thanks for advice.
Not keen on the Paul McKenna stuff as don't like the whole brain control thing. As for low carbs, that would be painful for me!! Most of my diet is bread, potatoes, and pasta

I was going to say that the more the idea of low carb terrifies you the more you should probably do it! Carbs are really addictive because when you eat a load of carbs it causes a massive blood sugar spike which leads to the release of lots of insulin which causes a massive blood sugar crash which makes you feel hungry again an hour or two after eating. Insulin also prevents the release of fat from fat cells which at best stops you losing weight and at worst causes you to put it on.

High carb food is also really high in calories and not very filling. Two slices of bread have about the same amount of calories as a medium chicken breast - which one of those would you find more filling? I know I could eat two slices of toast and still eat all of my dinner half an hour later but wouldn't be hungry after the chicken breast.

if potatoes and pasta - you really do need slimming world.

if you do green days - you can eat as much as you can eat and still lose weight - it's truly a miracle!

lisad if you don't like brain control you shouldn't watch any telly! at least with the Paul Mckenna YOU are actually in control.

IMO the telly adverts mainly are the worst 'cos they make you crave all the stuff you shouldn't! (If you don't watch it then I take my opinion back!).

You could also look at the blood type diet. If you're an A type you are okay with carbs obviously not loads of white bread though.