Calling all previous yo yo dieters- how did you finally lose and keep it off

[slovenlydotcom]

am feeling very down at the moment- I have spent the last 10 years gaining and losing the same 2.5 stones; I have piled more and more on. Today I was sitting in bra and pants sorting out summer clothes- glanced in the mirror and it was just a little horrific.

Now battling all sorts of self loathing

I have a family party on June 23rd, school reunion on July 14th, week at my parents from July 23rd and our main family holiday in last two weeks of june. Realistically what can I achieve for those dates?

sorry; family holiday is last two weeks of AUGUST!

Get on biwi's boot camp thread - it will come off in no time

After years of failed dieting I have gradually lost a stone over the last few months. I have cut right down on carbs,eg only have a spoonfull of rice/pasta/potato. Only occasionally have some really good grainy bread and eat lots of lean meat fruit and veg. I have some wine at weekends and a bit of chocolate. I am also doing the couch to 5k every other day.

Its slow but sustainable and has made me change my habits of a lifetime.

Can second the low carb thing. I've added a few potatoes and rice back in but only a few times a week. For me the key to getting it off and keeping it off was deciding to give up gluten and most even non-gluten grains, except for the very odd small portion of rice. I eat lots of meat/fish and veg. For sweet treats I make cakes with ground almonds, and use honey to sweeten, but only on average once a week. I include sugar in the carbs thing - best to leave it out for me, it's like a drug!

You have to rethink a lot of standard 'go to' meals (especially breakfast - I had eggs and some banana this morning, as I exercise a lot I allow bananas and don't stress about the carbs in them) but for me eating this way has given me more energy and made me lean without feeling hungry. No doubt about it that chewing more slowly, really tasting the food helps too.

Good luck. Have a google search for 'primal' or 'paleo', that's what got me on a track that suits me, but it might not suit everyone.

thanks ledkr- I am thinking exercise is the key, as well as sustainable changes as you say

I had got into good habits re only drinking at weekends, but have slipped in recent months

I will check out the bootcamp thread, thanks spam

thanks for the advice bobs, must have crossed posts earlier have googled the primal, interesting stuff- that is what I need to do , cut out all the processed crap

Good luck! I'm sure you can nail it - great natural food, hugely enjoyable, you will feel great and feel in control too!