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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

I want to lose weight but I don’t want to diet.

48 replies

Blancmangemouse · 13/05/2023 15:46

Incompatible wants!!

Motivation level for giving up tasty food is close to zero.

How do you motivate yourselves (and stay motivated)??

OP posts:
Original poster
Blancmangemouse · 13/05/2023 15:48

Things that I most don’t want to give up include:

Bread, cheese, pasta, chocolate and cake.

🙈

OP posts:
Original poster
Blancmangemouse · 13/05/2023 15:49

I’m trying to imagine what could possibly compensate me, on a daily basis, for living without these lovely ‘staples’ , and I’m at a loss…

OP posts:
Bigminnie1 · 13/05/2023 15:50

You can still have them- just calorie count them in and have in smaller portions. Not easy- I know!

Micefeelpain · 13/05/2023 15:51

I followed the bodyslims course last year and lost 4 stone, it's basically calorie counting and it has changed my attitude towards food completely. I've lost another half stone this year.

It's not for everyone but he gets great results! I don't crave bread/cakes now at all and I was a demon cake guzzler.

Original poster
Blancmangemouse · 13/05/2023 17:10

Micefeelpain · 13/05/2023 15:51

I followed the bodyslims course last year and lost 4 stone, it's basically calorie counting and it has changed my attitude towards food completely. I've lost another half stone this year.

It's not for everyone but he gets great results! I don't crave bread/cakes now at all and I was a demon cake guzzler.

Ooh please tell me more? In what way has your attitude changed?
I have tried calorie counting before but in my experiences it just seems to focus my mind more on food and what I can’t have.
Demon cake guzzler describes me perfectly! Especially coffee cake and doughnuts…

OP posts:
Lcb123 · 13/05/2023 17:14

I just never have chocolate or cake in the house. Only have whole meal bread which just isn’t as appealing. Portion control so you can have pasta etc but fewer calories. Don’t see it as a diet, see it as a lifestyle change. Add more fruit, veg and whole grains so you stay full.

rookiemere · 13/05/2023 17:18

I just cut out most carbs and all sugar - easier than any half way measures, and meant I didn't have to calorie count. I've been doing it since Feb now and I don't miss bread or chocolate much if at all. If I really want a treat I have an Aldi high protein chocolate mousse or a Bounce protein millionaire shortbread. I am losing weight- albeit slowly now - without any particularly hard restrictions.

Luckydog7 · 13/05/2023 17:20

Have you tried the no s diet, try looking it up. Basically no seconds and no sweets other then days starting with an s.

Its a variation of a delay don't deny technique. You CAN have that cake you just need to wait until the weekend. Its easier then thinking you have to wait months.

Also think about the everyother day diet, you eat 500cal on alternate days and eat normally in-between.

16/8 diet simply limits when in the day you can eat.

All of these can be effective techniques. Ultimately you need to find the thing that works for your body and phychology.

Oysterbabe · 13/05/2023 17:22

I don't know OP, I'm trying to figure it out myself. I can never shake the desire to eat bread in unreasonable quantities.

MrsTerryPratchett · 13/05/2023 17:23

Intermittent fasting? 2 days of hell for 5 days of normal.

han01uk · 13/05/2023 17:30

Try joe wicks body coach app. Although you can't out train a bad diet, if you put in the exercise and follow the plan which has decent quantities, no calorie counting and a good mix of sweet things then you would lose.

FluffyHamster · 13/05/2023 17:41

I lost a stone last year using Noom. I didn't cut any particular foods out completely by pretty much reduced my carbs/ sugar by 50%, so e.g. whereas I used to have two slices of toast for breakfast I'd just have one and some grapefruit. I never felt like I was 'dieting' (although I WAS inputting all the calories) and it improved my health no end (that's the motivation!). My sleep was better, my resting heart rate fell, and I just felt like I had more energy.

WeRateSquirrels · 13/05/2023 17:43

I’m an all or nothing person so find it easier to just cut out sugar and processed junk than to limit them to weekends or allow them as part of a calorie count. Now that I don’t have them I don’t crave them at all. Tried a chocolate digestive for research purposes after a few weeks and it just tasted revolting!

I don’t see how calorie counting can be sustainable for the vast majority of people. I also do 16:8 which I find easy as I’m not bothered about breakfast anyway.

WeRateSquirrels · 13/05/2023 17:44

And I definitely still eat bread, cheese and pasta.

Micefeelpain · 13/05/2023 17:48

The Bodyslims is strange, it's a combination of life management/coaching with diet info built in, it's run by a former alcoholic who uses the techniques of giving up alcohol to help people lose weight. You have to commit to it, or 'surrender' and do exactly what he says. There are videos to watch every day, seminars once a week, you walk for an hour a day every day, it's like a cult, really! I listen to a 20 minute recording every night which reinforces the 'make better choices' message and honestly, I sleep great after it. After this course there will be another one in September, I think this is my last one as I will be where I want to be then.

Google it and see if it's for you, I'd really recommend it but I can see he might be hard to take 😄

mumda · 13/05/2023 18:03

@Micefeelpain how much does it cost?

AprilDrizzle · 13/05/2023 18:05

Try the 16:8 diet

Still eat (within reason!) your favourites and every day but lots of time to digest and use that fuel before adding the next lot

Original poster
Blancmangemouse · 13/05/2023 18:05

Micefeelpain · 13/05/2023 17:48

The Bodyslims is strange, it's a combination of life management/coaching with diet info built in, it's run by a former alcoholic who uses the techniques of giving up alcohol to help people lose weight. You have to commit to it, or 'surrender' and do exactly what he says. There are videos to watch every day, seminars once a week, you walk for an hour a day every day, it's like a cult, really! I listen to a 20 minute recording every night which reinforces the 'make better choices' message and honestly, I sleep great after it. After this course there will be another one in September, I think this is my last one as I will be where I want to be then.

Google it and see if it's for you, I'd really recommend it but I can see he might be hard to take 😄

Thanks. It sounds time consuming! However, I like the idea of just doing as I’m told and being accountable to somebody as my own willpower is terrible. And I could do with a few lectures about making better choices as I am an expert procrastinator too, so it does kind of sound like it might work for me. I will investigate their website, thank you for recommending them!

Thanks to everyone else’s advice too, you’re a lovely supportive bunch :-)

OP posts:
Micefeelpain · 13/05/2023 18:06

It's a ten week course and it's €250, so pricey enough. I did two goes last year and lost 2 stone each time.

storminamooncup · 13/05/2023 18:09

Can 16:8 be done like 10:14 or something as I need breakfast and as a family we eat around 6

It wouldn't work for me otherwise

storminamooncup · 13/05/2023 18:10

Oh and I'm at work so wouldn't be able to delay eating til lunch. I need food sooner

Oysterbabe · 13/05/2023 18:14

storminamooncup · 13/05/2023 18:09

Can 16:8 be done like 10:14 or something as I need breakfast and as a family we eat around 6

It wouldn't work for me otherwise

Would that be much different from what you normally do?
I skip breakfast and it's easier than I was expecting. Being at work helps, it's a distraction.

Skybluepinky · 13/05/2023 18:15

Remember what u do to get to goal u will need to do forever, so if u want those things have them in moderation.

DryIce · 13/05/2023 18:19

Take up lifting weights! I didn't make any major changes but after doing weights training I guess my calorie allowance is higher so I lost weight while eating the same

Inkpotlover · 13/05/2023 18:19

Get yourself a portion plate so you can eat what you want but just eat a lot less of everything. Like you, I never wanted to diet again after decades of disordered eating, but my overeating was a problem and I wanted to take it in hand. I've been using this plate since end of Jan and I think I've lost just under a stone. It's slow because I'm also 51 and menopausal! But I've definitely lost three inches from my waist.