I need the diet (and exercise plan) to end all diets

[LingDiLong]

Last year I managed to lose a stone and a half in 6 months through My Fitness Pal and running. Sadly, I've now put it all back on again. I'm so, so disappointed in myself and desperate to lose it all (again) BUT, I really, really don't want to be one of those women who spends her whole life dieting. I need to find something I can stick to. I'm not good at faddy or extreme regimes, I can't imagine sticking to the 5:2 thing or no-carbing for example.

Does anyone have any tips? Anyone lost weight and kept it off long term - how?! I really want to try again but part of me just wonders what the point is.

Back to the running and LOW carb not no carb!

What would class as no carb? Would it just be sticking to the carbs laid out on My Fitness Pal? I feel too down on myself to run in public at the moment unfortunately. I just can't face it, I've never felt like that before. I think I'm going to have to make a big effort with my exercise DVDs at home for a couple of weeks before I brave running again...

Hi,

Its really good you're trying to avoid the 'diet cycle' so many people get into and means they can never really enjoy food and their weight constantly yo-yo's.
It does get a little harder to lose weight each time as when we lose weight we lose fat and some lean tissue then when we re-gain weight its almost all fat. This reduces our metabolic rate so our body needs fewer calories.
So its really good your aiming to stop 'dieting' - aim for long term changes instead-definately find a way to fit in exercise as this will help maintain your lean (muscle) mass and make it easier to lose and maintain your weight loss. Also make change such as fill half your plate with salad and vegetables at each meal which automatically reduces the portions of more energy dense foods whilst filling you up.
Try not to totally deny yourself certain foods - if you are tempted by a less healthy food ask yourself if you really really want it? If you do, can you have a little bit? And then enjoy it. It will make it easier to eat well most of the time if you know nothing is banned.

Heres a few more tips -although they are for weight loss post pregnancy they could be adapted to suit everyone,

www.postbabybodyblitz.com/2013/06/top-10-tips-for-weight-loss-post-pregnancy/

I hope this helps a little,

Good luck,

Rebecca

Thanks Rebecca. It does look like it'll be harder this time around...I haven't lost a single pound in the first week and that's when I can normally rely on losing a few pounds. Oh well, I'll keep on plugging on with it.