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Weight loss chat

A space to talk openly about weight loss journeys and challenges. Mumsnet hasn't checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. You may wish to speak to a medical professional before starting any diet.

Original poster

What is your single most effective weight loss tip?

58 replies

RestlessSoul · 04/09/2013 18:07

I am on the 5:2 diet and finding it great. For the first few weeks I lost a lot, but now it is starting to slow down to about 1-1.5 lbs a week. I'd like to speed up the weight loss so I want to know (from people who have lost weight and kept it off) what did you do that was most effective in losing weight.

Thanks Smile

OP posts:
DizzyPurple · 04/09/2013 18:09

Eat less!
Sorry, bad joke. And I am fat so shouldn't be writing here. Hopefully someone useful will arrive soon!

IThinkOfHappyWhenIThinkOfYou · 04/09/2013 18:13

If someone offers you a biscuit, only take one.

Drink water and tea/coffee without sugar and nothing else unless you are in a bar. Don't go to bars too often.

Salbertina · 04/09/2013 18:14

Low carb
And exercise! Not just for toning, cardio but also because its such an effective appetite curber.
ignoring own advice!

Fisharefriendsnotfood · 04/09/2013 18:14

Only eat when naked and looking in a full length mirror Grin

HotelTangoFoxtrotUniform · 04/09/2013 18:17

Lose weight slowly - 1lb a week is sustainable and manageable. Quick fixes result in lost muscle mass and a slower metabolism.

Exercise. Find whatever it is you enjoy, be it wii fit, walking, Zumba, powerlifting or whatever. Don't let anyone tell you their way of exercise is superior - you'll only stick at what you enjoy.

If you screw up don't think "oh fuck it" and binge/stop dieting altogether. Tomorrow is another day.

foxybingodotcom · 04/09/2013 18:22

If you want something you think you shouldn't, have half.

kerala · 04/09/2013 18:22

Eat all your dinners from a breakfast plate. My appetite has halved went out to a restaurant recently and realised no way could I eat a normal portion 6 months ago would have polished it off. Over 6 months gone from 11 stone to 9 and a half. Exercise too I do quick exercise DVD before kids wake up 3 times a week. Davina McCall good.

RawCoconutMacaroon · 04/09/2013 18:26

"Eat real food"

"If you can knock it off a tree with your (hypothetical) stick, dig it up with your stick or kill it with your stick, then eat it"

That's the basic lower carb, primal/paleo message (no grains, limited dairy, masses of veg, leaves and meat/fish/eggs)

6.5 stone lost, and kept off long term.

MollyBerry · 04/09/2013 18:28

Can I say 1-1.5lbs a week is still amazing! I'd be so happy if that was my weight loss speed.

Butt my one tip would be to make yourself accountable for every mouthful, don't just take 'tastes' of things, they all add up!

Betrayedbutsurvived · 04/09/2013 18:30

Eat whatever you want, as long as you make it completely from scratch.

stargirl1701 · 04/09/2013 18:30

Exercise every day. No exercise, no sleep.

Talkinpeace · 04/09/2013 18:56

No snacking
Do not eat until your tummy rumbles AFTER a pint of water

Saffyz · 04/09/2013 18:58

High fibre foods are more filling.

DameFanny · 04/09/2013 19:28

Don't accept any biscuits or cakes until you've tasted then in your head and realised that they taste quite nasty and synthetic.

If you must have biscuits or cake, make them yourself without a food mixer - they taste so much better and you get a workout mixing.

BsshBossh · 04/09/2013 19:40
  • Eat anything you want but keep portion sizes smaller
  • No snacking between meals
  • Only eat when physically (not mentally) hungry (tummy rumbling) - if you don't snack you'll find you're genuinely hungry for your main meal (which is handy if you regularly eat with family or at set times eg work break)
  • Stop eating when satisfied but not full

5 stones down, 1 more to go. I'm doing 5:2 too :)

Nancy66 · 04/09/2013 20:17

Exercise.

Never eat a portion of anything that's bigger than your fist.

don't eat to a timetable. If you're not hungry at dinner time then don't eat dinner.

mcmooncup · 04/09/2013 20:18

Eat less
Never go over 1500 cals. Ever.

Talkinpeace · 04/09/2013 20:21

Never go over 1500 cals. Ever.
see that's what I like about 5:2 - you can eat what you like certain days of the week so no food or drink is off limits.
And calorie limits should be individual, not generic.

I would change it to say : aim to eat within your target TDEE each day or averaged over the week
as very petite people will gain weight on 1500 and men will get ill

hugoagogo · 04/09/2013 20:29

Keep going and don't be too strict on yourself.

If you have a bad day, don't worry about it and try and have a better day tomorrow.

1-1/2 lbs a week is great and healthy, you are more likely to stick to it and less likely to be left with sagginess.

Original poster
RestlessSoul · 04/09/2013 20:35

Fisharefriendsnotfood

Only eat when naked and looking in a full length mirror

I would never eat!! Grin

TalkinPeace
Do not eat until your tummy rumbles AFTER a pint of water This is what I'm going to do from now on. Thanks TiP

Thank you everyone :)

OP posts:
Sirzy · 04/09/2013 20:38

Dont diet - instead plan sensible meals, think about what your eating but don't stop yourself having a bit of what you fancy.

Drink lots of water

Excerise

(3 I know but never mind!)

Nancy66 · 04/09/2013 21:05

...and do

Doshusallie · 04/09/2013 21:07

Ditch the carbs - all of them apart from those found in low carb veg and salad

IDismyname · 04/09/2013 21:16

Nancy!! What on earth is Prancercise?? OMG - you'd look like a complete doing THAT around your park!!

It's not serious, is it??

Nancy66 · 04/09/2013 21:19

it IS serious apparently.

I would love to see somebody doing that in real life.

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