What would you recommend? SW/WW/other?

[letyouberight]

I want to lost approximately 2-2.5 stone. This is weight I have gained in the past three years, I fluctuate by around 10lbs throughout the year but more or less sit the same at 14st-14.5st. I am 5'4" and 33. I enjoy healthy food, love walking and when I do it I do enjoy exercise classes. I feel like I need a bit of a kick up the bum to lose this excess weight and am considering going either weightwatchers, slimming world or another program. I have been doing my own calorie counting and I feel like I need the accountability of a group.
I haven't done any of those for years and years so would really like to know what they're like these days and if you would recommend one over the other? Thanks I'm advance!

Do you want a physical group or would an online group work for you?

Please don't waste your money with Zoe. Unless you have insulin issues or are diabetic no one needs to pay all that money for data on your blood sugar levels. It's unreal how someone needs to see what four chocolate biscuits does to their body before realising that may not be a good food choice. Honestly it baffles me.

@poolviewthanks I think f2f is probably what I need, it's the weekly accountability. I weigh myself weekly but then when it doesn't change or moves slightly up/down I just think "oh well onto another week!" So I think I need someone to bear witness.

@SoySaucePls thanks for the info. I don't think Zoe is right for me, as I don't think it's lack of knowledge as much as lack of discipline! With my job I am pretty well versed in health, and am quite interested even outside of work so have read a lot and listened to various podcasts. I do definitely want to stop having as much processed food which also means not snacking because my meals are all home cooked but I am a bugger for snacks.

Anyone tried Noom? I liked the sound of it but with it not having f2f I don't know if it will be enough.

A big tip I was given was to weigh every day. Collect it like data. It will make you see the fluctuations and help you be less attached to the scale number.

I use an online coaching platform which has daily accountability posts and lots of help and support from the coaches but also huge amounts of support from the Facebook group. But I get the need for face to face also.

Honestly if your knowledge is good then it's help with behaviour you need so I would choose something that will help motivate you to stick to your goals rather than something to help you track or meal plan as you clearly know what you're doing.

I recommend sw. It's the only one that's really worked for me when I actually do it. Noom is shit

@SoySaucePls I'm open minded to it, I've just looked at the price though! Is it really that much and how long would you use it for?

For context, I don't drink much alcohol at all. I already know that avoiding gluten makes me feel a lot better (but I love bread!) so I think that's probably sensible. I also track my hormone levels as I have really struggled with periods in the past 2 years and I know that my appetite (and weight) changes depending where I am in the month. I also try to include fermented products for healthy gut. I generally prefer vegetarian meals but do eat meat when cooking for the kids etc. so in summary I do want a holistic approach and I know Zoe could do this to an extend but I also feel like it's pricey for what you get!

I just really need help with the consistency of sticking to it. I also think the sociable aspect would help.

*extent

I do sw but I take some of it with a pinch of salt. I have increased my fruit and veg intake, but I don't do all the sugar free/fat free swaps (e.g. Diet coke is 'free' but I think it's bad for you in other ways so I don't have it often).
I find going to a face to face group helps me stick to it and the biggest help to me was thinking about trigger foods.
I do find that my weight loss is a lot slower than some people. I think the ones who usually drink a lot at weekends seem to lose quickly. I know that I have very little alcohol anyway so I'm mostly just having fewer snacks and being more organised with food so I'm not resorting to crap/takeaway.

I have had some success with Slimming World. I tried it years ago and didn't have much success But the diet is better now. I was reading about these Slimpod podcasts which everyone seems to rave about.

What is your usual routine? Where do you go wrong? Best advice is just to try plan everything (meals, exercise routines, sleep, alcohol amounts) and read food labels.

@TalkToTheHand123 I suspect where I am going wrong are the following things;
• not weighing amounts so estimating the portion and amount of cals
• eating on the go- in the car, while doing other jobs, generally mindlessly. This is tricky as I don't often get a lunch break and have no access to a kitchen. I batch cook soup all the time but it ends up in the freezer for ages because I don't get to eat it for lunch (and kids won't have it all that often!)
• sweet tooth, so I do enjoy milky coffees and cups of tea.

What I think is working well for me is
• I'm a good cook, use lots of spices etc and can generally knock up something tasty from whatever is in the fridge when I have time
• good knowledge of nutrition and health as well as my body, I track my hormones as I am quite affected by them and my appetite fluctuates with my cycle.

It really does feel like a self discipline issue tbh. For example today I planned my evening meal, so I knew I was having a higher cal meal tonight, albeit balanced and rich in veg. I had a spinach and banana smoothie for breakfast because I was rushing. Then for lunch I have just scoffed a wrap and chocolate bar (about 900 cals overall) in my car 😬

I think SW has come a long way, and is generally healthy, and scientifically sound. I too avoid the SW bars and heavily processed low cal stuff.

@letyouberight re the soup, could you cope with a flask of your own soup, particularly now the weather is getting cooler? Soup is meant to fill you up pretty well. Something to do with the liquid/veg blend...

Get plenty fruit in, helps to eat on the go too. Plenty rest and relaxation. Drinking plenty water too.

I had good success with WW but ages ago.

I know loads of people that follow Corinne Crabtree’s no BS weight loss. They say it’s life changing and got nothing to do with specific food and everything to do with your own head and how you deal with life. She has a massive amount of free information and you don’t have to subscribe to her program, but a lot of the people I know, do subscribe because they love it so much. However you definitely could try it for a while without paying.

I haven’t tried it myself because I have to be in the right frame of mind to try something.

Also, she swears quite a bit so if you don’t like that, she’s not for you!

https://www.nobsweightloss.com/

I have struggled with my weight most of my adult life. I've tried Slimming World ( with some success) and Weight watchers. Of course as soon as I completed the programmes I went back to my old ways and the weight crept back on.
I'm now using the Nutrachek? App and I really like it. I think it costs about £25 pa. It has taken me a few weeks to get to grips with all its features but it's actually very user friendly ( I'm probably a bit slow on the uptake!)
You do have to input everything you eat and drink. It seems a faff at the beginning but very soon becomes second nature. You can scan barcodes on most foods and digital scales make the weighing child's play. It also gives you an analysis of the percentage of fats, proteins, carbs etc you are consuming each day. I have found this knowledge alone a useful tool in helping me amend my meal plans. You do have to weigh your portions and you soon realize that you've probably been underestimating what you are eating! The main benefit I see is that you can eat the foods you like but become increasingly aware of the consequences of poor choices. I feel using this that no food is forbidden but it makes me more mindful about managing my treats and portions. It also syncs with your steps counter so more steps / activity means more food, win, win!!
I'm losing a 1-2 lbs a week whilst enjoying the food I would normally eat.
It may not be for everyone but has been a game changer for me.

Hey @Lizzieregina do you or anyone else know if people trying no bs weight loss have managed to keep the weight off?

I’ve lost weight countless times with WW, and off my own back, but never can keep it off for long. I’m either on my way up or down with weight. It’s exhausting! Stop the merry go round please.

would love to know more before paying a shed load of money x