How did you lose a lot of weight and keep it off?

[anchovies]

Just that really.

Have always had a weight problem. Am a very emotional eater and generally quite greedy. I excercise a reasonable amount but not enough to keep my weight down. Am now in a situation where I need to lose about 4 stone and need to decide how to do it. Have tried most things in the past with varying degrees of success :(

[ProfessorDent]

Agree about the vitamin, thing, it does smooth things over a bit. I don't know if those multivits advertised, can't remember the name, you get them for men and women, are a good all in one. Otherwise, Chronium Piccilionate is good to curb cravings, esp Solgar, though not cheap. Magnesium is good to curb chic cravings. Vit D3 is a pick me up at this time of year.

But often people want quick results in the same mindset as wanting a snack bar as that instant fix.

[bronya]

Find a sport you love, that raises your metabolism. Take vitamin tablets so your body isn't craving anything essential, and eat healthily. Cut down on the artificial additives/sweeteners, and eat smaller portions of real food. It's more satisfying, more filling, and you eat to live, rather than living to eat.

[MrRected]

Vik, that looks a bit like advertising to me....

[Iddi9]

I'm same OP

[Awks]

I lose 3 and a half stone about 2 years ago and tbh I never relax really. Always log on mfp what I eat as it's astounding how many calories there are in the tiniest piece of cake! That sounds a pain but it's a million times better than being 3 stone + heavier.

[MrRected]

Agree with Professor. I am five months in and it's only really in the past 6 weeks that I have really noticed the weight loss (clothes very much too big and lots of comments).

Patience is so very important. If you have a day where you hit the biscuit tin - enjoy the bickies, then make sure you get it right the next day. I eat dark chocolate every day - because I enjoy it.

[foxybingodotcom]

OK, probably not useful but I got pregnant - didn't gain any weight during my pregnancy and lost a shedload sitting on my bum eating cake - when I then decided to take advantage of that I joined weight watchers but essentially I don't follow it anymore but if I want somethin I have it - just maybe only half or a little bit of it when previously I'd of eaten 3.

Also I don't eat 'in secret' anymore - no more scoffing sweets on the train home, etc.

[ProfessorDent]

Change your eating habits as listed above - but don't expect to see change for a few weeks or so.

[MrRected]

Dotty - I eat loads of pulses/legumes.

I eat homemade hummus by truckload. Also loads of lentils, couscous, quinoa, brown rice, kidney beans etc

[DottySpick]

MrRected - are you pretty much low carb then, or do you eat pulses, legumes etc?

[MrRected]

I didn't phrase that well - although I increased natural fats I also vastly increased my veg intake. Dinner will always consist of 1 third meat/fish &!2 thirds veg/salad. No potatoes or white rice.

[MrRected]

Keep a food diary for one week on (I used myfitnesspal).

You will be horrified at the excess in your diet - I was. I started cut out out refined sugar and processed food. Continued to use my food diary for a month as it taught me to eat in a healthier way.

I drink 3l of water a day and don't drink any soft drink at all. I do drink low calorie wine on the weekends. I look at everything I eat and try to imagine where it came from - if the answer is a factory I don't touch it. My diet is full of fat - avocado, coconut milk/oil, nuts, seeds, good quality meat - I eat the whole lot - skin and all.

In four months I have lost 30lbs - now at 133lbs I am still listing weight and have had to eat more to stay healthy looking.

Summary:

Loads of water
Cut out processed food and refined sugar
Cut out diet products entirely
Increased intake of natural oils and fats

I have never felt better.

[CountessDracula]

You need to change your eating habits rather than diet
then when you get to your desired weight you won't put it all back on.

[hoboken]

I stopped eating anything with more than 5% fat. (I gave up cake, crisps, cheese, chips and alcohol, all of which I like). I also upped the amount of vegetables I ate and restricted myself to two pieces of fruit a day. (The exceptions were if friends came for a meal or I was eating at someone else's house).

I walked around town instead of taking the bus or driving, and took up hill walking as a hobby. I lost over 50 lbs in 7 months. I was then rather too thin but have restored the balance now and am 35 lbs lighter than I was originally. The walking stayed - in an average week I walk around 35 miles, some of it up and down hills.

[Onesleeptillwembley]

Honestly? Without being harsh - put down the fork!
Only thing that works for me, and if you're an emotional eater then the same will apply to you.