ok. I need help.

[wannabedomesticgoddess]

I need to lose weight. A lot of weight. 8 stone.

Its a minefield though. Low carb? Low fat? Low calorie? Eat breakfast. Snack. Dont snack. 5:2. 4:3.

I dont have time for weigh ins at WW or SW. Or the money.

How do I lose weight? Help!

Another book you might find helpful is Gary Taubes 'Why We Get Fat (and what to do about it)'. It may also change your mind about the efficacy of exercise as a weight loss tool (though it's good for you in many ways, of course).

Low cost low carb foods include eggs, mince (the fattier the better), tinned tuna, fresh green veg and salads, whiting, mackerel, turkey joints and minced turkey. Lentils are not really low carb. I use shredded iceberg lettuce in place of pasta and rice, and eat loads of cabbage, courgettes, aubergines, mushrooms, cauliflower, celeriac and broccoli too. A couple of home made burgers served with a slice of cheese on each and a big side salad is a good, filling and cheap meal (no burger buns, obviously!).

I am convinced that low carb is the easiest and most enjoyable way to lose weight and keep it off long term. 5 stone lost since last August, and still loving it!

Low carb does seem to be the way to go then.

I love most veg, but cannot stand lettuce. I will have to train myself to like cauliflower. Apart from that I should be ok.

5 stone lost is amazing. There were others who said they lost a lot too, I admire you all. Weight has always been my issue. I was 14st at 14 which even my mum was shocked at when she saw the scales.

I would like to be atleast that. So even 6 stone lost I would be happy with!

I used to have problems with my weight (was about 3 stone overweight at one point post dc). When I tried to cut back I just ate pasta, rice or bread. No surprise that it never worked - way too many refined carbs

You don't need to "replace" potatoes/pasta/bread. Just stop having them. I have scrambled egg/poached egg and tomato for breakfast, a huge salad with salmon/chicken/tuna at lunch and something similar but with veg instead of salad at night. I also do loads of full on exercise. It's a huge lifestyle choice but, imho, very very worth it.

Good luck.

Just be sure to drink loads of water. With Atkins the first 4 days are the worst for me where cakes and bread and pasta SCREAM my name but after that I always feel suprisingly full on just the meat and non root veggies.