Inspiration please - have any of you lost weight without dieting?

[micegg]

What I mean is - did you lose weight by yourself rather than following a set diet or joining a diet club. I have just had DS. He is my second and final baby so now I feel its time to get fit and sorted. I have looked at my bad habits - big meals, snacking between meals and eating too much high fat stuff plus no exercise. I have decided to stick to 3 meals a day and cut out snacks, reduce portion sizes and limit the cakes, etc. I will start some exercise once I have had my 6 week check. I really dont want to follow a diet or go to a club so could do with some inspiration from any of you who have done it alone. Thanks.

I don't count calories or weigh myself, I lost quite a bit of weight like that. It has gone a bit wrong now I am pg. I think what you decribe as your plan is good and will work well.

Paul McKenna's cd fits in well with what you describe as it does not prohibit or encourage particular food or calorie counting.

Good luck and congratulations on your new ds!

I lost weight naturally when I came across a book called 'Potatoes not Prozac'. Was depressed at the time, so it grabbed my attention. Basically works on the theory of maintaining steady blood sugar to stabilise moods. You eat a lot - protein and 'good' carbs with greens three times a day and a baked potato (with butter and mayonnaise in my case) at bedtime. It does mean giving up sugar, which is really hard, although there is a system to help you come off. That was years ago, and I've since strayed (and gained 2 stone since falling off the wagon), but I'm now pretty much back on track and am losing weight again - and it does stop cranky mornings.

My SIL is the kind of inspiration you need - after 3 children she decided she needed to do something about her weight and over a steady period went from a size 18 to a 12. She and her DH just decided to cut out all the rubbish from their diet. One of her motivations (apart from the obvious) was that it was hard to instil healthy eating habits in their children - who were just getting to the stage of noticing what their parent were eating - when they didn't practice what they preached. I didn't see her for a long time (they live a long way away) and was bowled over by how slim she looked, but she still tucks into her food and really enjoys it.

Like you, I have had my 2nd and final baby and also want to shift the weight. Unfortunately though I think I need the structure of following some sort of programme so am about to start WW (did it several years ago and kept off the weight I lost ... until pg! ). If you're doing your own thing though I would second Constance's comments about the Paul McKenna book and CD - really makes you re-think your eating habits. Good luck ...!