What is the best way to lose weight for me?

[JimnJoyce]

Hi all looking for experience and opinions please. I need to lose 3 stone. I'm 57 and Currently recovering from an op and am on crutches, mobility should be better in about a month.

I've had chronic pain due to OA and a couple of joint replacements in the last few years which have badly affected mobility. I'm not a lover of exercise and won't be going to the gym but do like to walk the dog.

I need a weight loss plan i can stick to and that holds me accountable and where I can see the results.

Ive tried Slimming world before about 5 years ago and successfully lost 2 stone but know little about weight loss plans other than that.

What would you recommend?

Keto as an anti-inflammatory diet may help with some of your symptoms. Lots of people report improvement in joint pain etc.

It's doesn't have to be hard work, lots of people do it as a Mediterranean diet, lots of focus on fish, meat, leaves, delicious vegetables prepared with plenty of fat like olive oil. Dairy, eggs etc. just not with all the bread and pasta that most people would usually associate.

Ultimately the best diet is one you stick to though.

useful thank you

I'm late 50s. I lost 3 stone between July 2022-July 23 without trying that hard. Went from size 16 to 12 (still maintaining a 12). I am a fairly experienced dieter and have lost weight before. But this time was different and the main thing I did was cut out crap rather than calorie counting. I cut out almost all processed food. I cut out sugar, pasta and rice (but not potatoes). I just ate whole foods, mostly as much as I wanted - e.g. eat as many apples or grapes or oranges as you want! It's also essential to do some exercise even just walking 20 mins a day.

Definitely keto. It works well for me as I can still eat lots of my favourite food.

I'm doing WW. It doesn't really allow for any crap. Eat as much fruit and veg as you want, lean chicken, beans etc.

I have 3 stone to lose and can't exercise. I told myself to pick any diet and stick to it for 3 months. I've lost 6lbs so far this month, but only really got into the diet last week. Fingers crossed!

This for me. But it depends what food you actually love. I love cheese and meat and vegetables. Sugar is addictive but it's not actually as enjoyable to me to eat. So a WOE that means I can eat crispy pork belly with buttery spinach, and skip the carbs, is better than small portions of carby stuff.

What do you like to eat?

Whilst exercise is really important for health and will help weight loss, it isn’t essential to actually lose weight and it is possible to lose without. I need a hip replacement due to hip dysplasia which was a bit of a surprise and have gone from walking, running and gardening to barely being able to get around the house. I’m losing without exercise currently though very much looking forward to walking again.

Fasting has helped me, I eat at around 12pm. A combination of that and cutting out sugar , most UPF and lowering carbs seems to have reset my appetite and I am much less hungry.

I have found reading The Glucose Revolution book has brought an easy and unexpected weight loss for me but also made me feel great.Easy changes to eating habits which I did due to being borderline prediabetic.It took 2 days and cravings had gone and weight dropping off which I thought I'd never get rid of as menopausal.Whatever you do read this first.Stopped drinking alcohol alongside it but you dont have to.Good luck

@Chrispackhamspoodle I gave up alcohol ages ago but it had no effect on my weight sadly! But the book sounds interesting thanks

@MrsTerryPratchett honestly I could give up meat easily. I eat lots of fruit and love vegetables, love greek yoghurt. muesli. But I really want to give up sugar as I also eat too much crap, biscuits, chocolate etc

Cutting out seed oil, sugar and grains will make a world of difference as that will gear you towards and anti inflammatory diet.
Obviously that gets rid of most processed foods as well.
There are simple meal prep ideas all over YouTube. Look up keto meal prep and recipes and see what you like the look of.

16/8 intermittent fasting has been life changing for me and very easy to stick to.

@seatlover I keep looking at fasting, the only problem is I need to take regular medication and painkillers with food so couldn't fast until 12pm for instance. I need to take them around 7.30am

@HighQueenOfTheFarRealm would that still be keto? Even if i wasn't sticking to lots of protein?

Personally for me calorie counting works. It’s the only diet I’ve ever done as I personally don’t have time to do all the cooking slimming world brings, as I’ve got a busy stressful job and kids. It’s quite simple when it’s broken down in that you need a calorie deficit to lose weight. So many diets out there and most work. Keeping the weight off is another thing, but losing it I personally check what my calorie intake should be using a TDEE calculator to see what my maintenance calories are, then knocking off 500 cals for 1lb a week.

I do a lot of steps, mainly up and down my living room, so 15-20k steps week days and more on weekends as I’m in a walking group. So I’m in deficit by around 800-1000 most days. Only started the diet this time around on 1st Jan and am 4.5lbs down. But I’ve lost 24lbs in the past.