How did you manage it, what has helped you?

[yoyo1234]

I do not know how overweight I am (would assume obese-have not dared weigh myself in well over a year I would not be surprised if I have put on 3-4 stone). I catch sight of myself in shop windows etc and it takes time to recognise myself. What have you done to at least start on feeling better about yourself and getting healthier?

[yoyo1234]

I managed 1 day on my new regime hoping I can stick with it (and that it makes a difference!).

[yoyo1234]

Managed day 2

[BlueButtercups]

good stuff 🎉

[MattDamon]

Well done, OP. Keep going! It's so worth it.

[Morgan12]

Don't do all this faddy stuff!

1600 cals a day
10,000 steps a day

Eat what you want at any time you want. Calories don't have a clock.

[hopeishere]

To be fair @Morgan12 10,000 steps is a fad! But I agree eat less exercise more is the key. I've lost another 2lbs this week. 20 so far since April, a steady 2lbs a week.

[Girlintheframe]

I do IF but the thing that's made the biggest difference is being aware of what fills me up and what triggers cravings.
I kind of view it as an experiment.
I now opt for things that I find filling like full fat Greek yoghurt. I've realized it's false economy to go for low calorie food as you just end up eating too much of it to avoid the hunger.
Also I like volume so lots of veg etc.

[Morgan12]

@Girlintheframe

I do IF but the thing that's made the biggest difference is being aware of what fills me up and what triggers cravings.
I kind of view it as an experiment.
I now opt for things that I find filling like full fat Greek yoghurt. I've realized it's false economy to go for low calorie food as you just end up eating too much of it to avoid the hunger.
Also I like volume so lots of veg etc.

Absolutely! All these low fat yogurts and other alternatives all full of rubbish.

[Zofloramummy]

I’ve lost half a stone by eating a low carb diet. Not full Keto but I’ve cut out all bread, biscuits, chocolate, pasta and rice. I eat full fat yoghurt, milk, butter and cheese. Most days I have yoghurt and fruit for breakfast, salad and protein for lunch and meat and veg for tea. Have substituted cauliflower rice for pasta so still have a Saturday night curry!
I’ve also upped my water intake and reduced caffeine. Honestly it’s been easy and I’m rarely hungry. Still need to lose another stone and a half and I’ll be happy with my weight.

[yoyo1234]

Kind of managed yesterday (didn't stick to eight hours but avoided obvious wheat). I think for me this doesn't feel faddy as to tired etc (baby) to calorie count and this just needs me to look at a clock!
No idea if it's working as not braving the scales yet!

[yoyo1234]

Managed day 4 (sorry this is like my diary.....).

[Ifyoubelieveyouwill]

I stopped dieting and calorie counting. It’s counterproductive and makes you put on more weight over the long term. If you read “Why We Eat (Too Much)” by Dr Jenkinson it explains the science and why our obesgenic food diet has messed with our brains/ metabolism/ feelings of satiety and hunger.

We need to get back to diets pre 1980s when everything became heavily processed and sugar became along with carbs and vegetable oil. The NHS healthy eating plate is all wrong and hasn’t caught up with the science.

I’ve only been eating this way for 3 weeks and have lost 9 lbs. The weight is falling off and I eat more now. I’ve more energy and not hungry at all. This is roughly what I do:

Low carb - I eat rice or potatoes/ other tubers most days but don’t eat wheat any more.
Olive oil - avoid all hydro vegetable oils which contain trans fats as they cause obesity. Natural butter is MUCH healthier than low fat spreads
Full fat natural foods (milk, yoghurt, cheese, coconut milk etc)
Avoid all ultra processed foods
No sugar unless it’s naturally occurring in food
Eat any meat/ fish/ vegetable/ fruits
Flavour food with spices/ herbs/ vinegar/ mustard etc

It works! Mainly because I’ve read the book and finally understand what the western diet does to the body. I’ve just had full fat Greek yoghurt with stewed rhubarb/ blueberries/ nuts. I’m feeling much fuller than I would eating 3x weetabix sprinkled with sugar.

[Ifyoubelieveyouwill]

Oh and also seek out omega 3 containing foods/ avoid omega 6

However I must stress how important it is to read the book rather than just following the diet as it’s the mindset shift which I think will be key to success

I plan to eat this way forever. Cake and other party food will just be for parties. I am still drinking alcohol (wine, gin) in moderation as it’s a low processed product and sugars are naturally occurring.

[OnTheBrink1]

Stopped thinking of food as something to cheer me up / comfort.

Cut out pretty much all processed carbs and processed sugar.

It’s only been 10 days but I can feel the weight coming down already.

[OnTheBrink1]

@Ifyoubelieveyouwill

I stopped dieting and calorie counting. It’s counterproductive and makes you put on more weight over the long term. If you read “Why We Eat (Too Much)” by Dr Jenkinson it explains the science and why our obesgenic food diet has messed with our brains/ metabolism/ feelings of satiety and hunger.

We need to get back to diets pre 1980s when everything became heavily processed and sugar became along with carbs and vegetable oil. The NHS healthy eating plate is all wrong and hasn’t caught up with the science.

I’ve only been eating this way for 3 weeks and have lost 9 lbs. The weight is falling off and I eat more now. I’ve more energy and not hungry at all. This is roughly what I do:

Low carb - I eat rice or potatoes/ other tubers most days but don’t eat wheat any more.
Olive oil - avoid all hydro vegetable oils which contain trans fats as they cause obesity. Natural butter is MUCH healthier than low fat spreads
Full fat natural foods (milk, yoghurt, cheese, coconut milk etc)
Avoid all ultra processed foods
No sugar unless it’s naturally occurring in food
Eat any meat/ fish/ vegetable/ fruits
Flavour food with spices/ herbs/ vinegar/ mustard etc

It works! Mainly because I’ve read the book and finally understand what the western diet does to the body. I’ve just had full fat Greek yoghurt with stewed rhubarb/ blueberries/ nuts. I’m feeling much fuller than I would eating 3x weetabix sprinkled with sugar.

This is what I do. Full fat everything but little to no processed foods. No wheat or refined sugar which cuts out 95% of processed food.

[Ifyoubelieveyouwill]

I would also recommend watching That Sugar Show - available on YouTube. It’s quite long but v entertaining. It’s had a huge impact on the way I think about food

[Love2cycle]

IF here also, it's so easy. Saves money, time and brain space trying to think about what to eat all the time. I also cut out sugar, carbs and anything starchy.
I aldi weigh myself several times a day. That sounds obbsesive but I do it to keep me focused.

[Ifyoubelieveyouwill]

@OnTheBrink1 eating this way is a revelation isn’t it? I no longer feel a slave to my hunger. Calorie counting just makes you more obsessed I think and doesn’t really work long term if you’re eating foods that affect insulin and metabolism

[OnTheBrink1]

[quote Ifyoubelieveyouwill]@OnTheBrink1 eating this way is a revelation isn’t it? I no longer feel a slave to my hunger. Calorie counting just makes you more obsessed I think and doesn’t really work long term if you’re eating foods that affect insulin and metabolism[/quote]
Yes! I was really strict with it a few years ago, then during lockdown it went and I put on quite a bit of weight. Back on now and the results are so fast it’s quite amazing

[yoyo1234]

Managed day 5 . Getting closer to scary weigh day.....

[yoyo1234]

Managed day 6..... Oh help maybe weigh day tomorrow......

[yoyo1234]

Part of me thinks the eating in an 8hour window is me trying to replicate what I did pre pregnancy and lockdown without thinking about it (due to commuting to work etc and not eating breakfast) .

[TerritorialPissings]

Calorie deficit is the only thing that worked for me. I tend to eat low calorie meals so that I can enjoy the odd treat here and there. Despite that, I do try to view food as fuel rather than as a treat and makes me think before I eat something

[yoyo1234]

Managed day 7 but not got the courage to weigh myself......

[Miseryl]

It takes a lot of bloody effort! Weighing myself weekly whatever happens. I calorie count and log and weigh EVERYTHING. I usually count calories weekly. Even if I fall off the wagon, I get straight back on. I've yo yoed a lot over the years and the only thing that works for me is making this huge commitment.

It's a lot of work and takes a lot of brain power. BUT I feel so much happier & better when I'm slimmer. I'm BMI 25/26 so not super skinny at all, but my quality of life is so much better than when I'm heavier. So even though it's "easier" to be bigger in a way it's a lot harder because I'm so miserable.