If dieting doesn't work then what does

[SerenadeOfTheSchoolRun]

I have read and am convinced that dieting leads to increasing your weight set point and yo yo-ing which is unhealthy. Lots of diet books start by saying that other diets don't work because of this and that you shouldn't restrict calories or you shouldn't cut out food groups. Then they go on to explain how their way of eating is sustainable and the last change you ever need to make. This is then followed by quite a restrictive set of rules that you are supposed to then follow for the rest of your life.

I am currently doing this (again) with a combination of Why We Eat (Too Much) and the Diet Fix. I am feeling positive, I think that this is it for life now and I am following the rules. But past experience tells me that I will fall off the wagon gradually. I will start with a little bit of sugar or bread and this will build up until I don't care any more and then I will regain all the weight plus a little bit more.

I have had great success with calorie counting, Slimming World and the NO S diet before but always gained back plus a bit more for luck. Calorie counting is the only one of these that does not claim that their diet is not overly restrictive and should be sustainable for life but perhaps that is because no one has invented it exactly and written a long book just about calorie counting.

I have got fed up of weighing broccoli for calorie counting and think that low fat is not the way to go so don't follow Slimming World's rules anymore (but still go to the group). But avoiding snacks, sugar, wheat and processed food is also hard and takes motivation because they taste good and are everywhere and so easy. No matter what the diet you have to keep making the effort forever and will be fighting against your body's feedback mechanisms which will be fighting harder the more weight you lose.

A bit negative for the New Year but at least I am trying again. Anyone stuck to one way or eating for more than two years and kept the weight off who can inspire me?

@SerenadeOfTheSchoolRun

I think the sticking to it 90% of the time and getting back on it after holidays etc is the thing. I tend to be a bit all or nothing and it can never be perfect. Just got to keep going because if I didn’t ’diet’ I am convinced the weight would just keep piling on.

That’s it op the key is if you have a blow out weekend / holiday / Xmas etc just know when they time is over and you have to get on the wagon and you have to make yourself do it until that excess weight is gone- so you don’t keep piling it on. I find the same thing. It’s not a massive yo-yo because I know when I’ve put on a few pounds and want to then get back to where is was before

Wow that's impressive @TheLeadbetterLife - good on you! I was on the Why We Eat Too Much threads briefly, but fell off the wagon like I do with any weight loss effort! Time to gove it another read and try again, I think.

You should be able to lose weight without 'dieting' by ensuring you get plenty sleep regularly, relaxation, planning daily healthy meals, avoiding chocolate, crisps, cakes, too much alcohol and getting plenty exercise / have active schedule.

I do agree broadly with you having followed various diets in my 20s and my husband has similar struggles now.

I am going to try and not be smug about this but exercise changed my life. I never did any, at all, until my early 30s. I then went on a skiing holiday, loved the skiing but trying to do it when fat and unfit was very uncool. Lightbulb moment.
I started going to the gym and then running.

15 years and 2 kids later I still run 2/3 times a week, though I’m not nearly as serious about it as I used to be. Being fit means less inclination to eat unhealthy food. I eat pretty normally, eat what I want, and have been broadly a size 10 for years.

I think the problem is the idea of a diet being something you do and finish. If you return to your old eating habits the weight returns too

I think that coming to the conclusion that if you don't make any changes to your eating habits and lifestyle you wont lose weight or worst still continue to gain weight.

I was a late and enthusiastic convert to running, but my joints won't take it now really. I still do the occasional Parkrun. Even when I was running a lot, it didn't really make me lose weight unless I was also controlling my diet. But you're right that the healthier, fitter and more mentally positive feelings that exercise give you somehow make it easier to make good food choices.

These days I do brisk, hilly walking and alternate weights and yoga. When I fall off the wagon at times with those, I really notice that I tend to eat worse too.

I could never put on weight pre children. Skinny like a bean. So I think hormones have a lot to play, portion size and when you eat. I was 30 when I had my first. I never used to eat big meals, but literally ate all the time. Since children it became the three meals a day thing and I started putting on weight. I would suggest you try drink lots of water to fill your belly up and eating smaller amounts, but more often. So there are no highs and lows, just constants. That's what I think kept me slim. I also used to walk everywhere as didn't have a car or money for a bus, rather use my money for food.

Lettice Ref. combining the Paul Mackenna Way of eating with family life; it works well when you consider that it is how we should all eat, in fact children (if allowed to) do eat when they're hungry and stop when they're full. Because they are in touch with their bodies.

I was a nanny\CM plus am mum of 3 adults now, and I used to put a pretty bowl of fruit on the table when school was over, they could cut it up into pictures or whatever, if they were old enough ,and would eat it too. So they weren't starving for supper.

Food Combining is something I do with PM. it's a great way to lose weight and helps with health (which IMO is very important) because it;s just not eating protein WITH carbs. Whole carbs are not the enemy but have them with veg, salads etc. I have never counted a calorie in my life. I have olive oil a LOT. No spreads.

There is a strange connection in our brains that seems to make us want both high sugar and salt it's an addiction which is difficult to get under control. But it can be done.

Yes soo true bordermidge I do go on and off but have to get back to it!

yes loopy Drinking water is really important.

I have hardly any alcohol too. No fizzy high sugar drinks either (I do stretches and sit ups most days but don't jog or gym because I don't like to !)

Exercise, weighing myself daily (think it acts as a low level curb on stuffing myself), start with a small portion and limiting booze in the week work for me. Also whole grains - a slice of mega grain-y bread, wholegrain rice, pulses etc definitely do even out my appetite compared to processed carbs. I don’t restrict anything. I have lost and maintained 20lbs, returning to my weight in my 20s after chubbing up post kids