New to this - advice on healthy sustainable weight-loss...

[ColumboIsMyHero]

Right, so I've had the children and the youngest is old enough (12mo) for this no longer to be counted as babyweight... I reckon I need to lose about 2 4 stone. I'm 5'6" and about 13st 9lb. I've pretty much always (even before the children) been a size 16-18. I want to get down to a healthier weight because I'm having some joint problems and I want to sort it.

I tried WW but it's not for me as I don't find it sustainable. I'm pescetarian (veggie plus fish). I breastfeed DD about 3 times a day.

What's a sensible way to go? WOE? Paul McKenna? Or do I just need to step away from the cakes? Please help - I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed and terrified that I'll never get close to losing it. Are there any threads you'd recommend I join?

Joint problems can be caused by wheat sensitivity and actually most people will lose weight simply by cutting wheat out of their diets. We've got a thread here for people who are low carbing for health and weight loss. There are no strict rules to follow - it's about everyone finding a level of carbs that works for them.

Hi queen - thanks for that - I'll have a look. I've got an underlying joint issue that isn't wheat/diet related but my hands have started to develop osteoarthritis which I know can have a dietary component. I have to confess that the idea of no/low carbs is genuinely scary - I love bread too much .

It is rheumatoid arthritis which is linked to wheat but people with non specific joint pain tend to respond well to gluten free because gluten contributes to general inflammation. I had knee pain for ages and came out negative on the test for RA but haven't had a problem while I've been gluten free.

As for low carb as a diet choice - unfortunately it's the people who are most horrified by the concept that need to do it the most. Come over to the thread - I've laid out in the first post how to go about becoming a low carb eater without the pain. When I first tried low carbing I was ready to kill people after a day or two of just not having pasta etc and just couldn't carry on but after that I tried just cutting down gradually and now I'm eating Atkins induction levels of carb and feel better than I ever have.